Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Occurrence and profiles of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in riverine sediments of Shanghai: a combinative study with human serum from the locals

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Environmental Geochemistry and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Herein, we studied the occurrence and profiles of thirteen PBDE congeners in 30 river sediment samples from Shanghai, China. The concentrations of Σ13PBDEs ranged from 110 to 13,071 pg g−1 dw, with an average value of 2,841 pg g−1 dw. BDE-209 was the predominant congener accounting for more than 65 % of total PBDEs, demonstrating that the major source of PBDEs in sediment samples was associated with the prevalent use of technical deca-BDE products. Moreover, low brominated BDEs in sediments also came from the degradation of higher brominated BDEs. In addition, taking into consideration of dietary exposure, PBDEs in serum samples collected from the locals were also detected with range of 419–26,744 pg g−1 (average 5,561 pg g−1), which suggested a relatively low burden of PBDEs contamination to human body compared with the condition in other place. And in serum, low brominated compounds constituted the majority of total PBDE congeners.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andersson, Ö., & Blomkvist, G. (1981). Polybrominated aromatic pollutants found in fish in Sweden. Chemosphere, 10(9), 1051–1060.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baron, E., Gago-Ferrero, P., Gorga, M., Rudolph, I., Mendoza, G., Zapata, A. M., et al. (2013). Occurrence of hydrophobic organic pollutants (BFRs and UV-filters) in sediments from South America. Chemosphere, 92(3), 309–316. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.03.032.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bocio, A., Domingo, J. L., Falcó, G., & Llobet, J. M. (2007). Concentrations of PCDD/PCDFs and PCBs in fish and seafood from the Catalan (Spain) market: estimated human intake. Environment International, 33(2), 170–175.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Butt, C. M., Miranda, M. L., & Stapleton, H. M. (2016). Development of an analytical method to quantify PBDEs, OH-BDEs, HBCDs, 2, 4, 6-TBP, EH-TBB, and BEH-TEBP in human serum. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 408(10), 2449–2459.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, M. G., Hong, Q. Q., Wang, Y., Luo, X. J., Chen, S. J., Cai, M. H., et al. (2012). Distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and decabromodiphenylethane in surface sediments from the Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Canada Basin. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 81–84, 95–101. doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2011.05.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carrizo, D., Grimalt, J. O., Ribas-Fito, N., Sunyer, J., & Torrent, M. (2007). Influence of breastfeeding in the accumulation of polybromodiphenyl ethers during the first years of child growth. Environmental Science and Technology, 41(14), 4907–4912.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. Y., Tien, C. J., Sun, Y. M., Hsieh, C. Y., & Lee, C. C. (2013). Influence of water quality parameters on occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ether in sediment and sediment to biota accumulation. Chemosphere, 90(9), 2420–2427. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.10.073.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, D., Guardia, M. J., Luellen, D. R., et al. (2011). Do temporal and geographical patterns of HBCD and PBDE flame retardants in US fish reflect evolving industrial usage? Environmental Science and Technology, 45(19), 8254–8261.

  • Chen, S. J., Gao, X. J., Mai, B. X., Chen, Z. M., Luo, X. J., Sheng, G. Y., et al. (2006). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in surface sediments of the Yangtze River Delta: Levels, distribution and potential hydrodynamic influence. Environmental Pollution, 144(3), 951–957. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2006.01.044.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, D., Hale, R. C., Watts, B. D., La Guardia, M. J., Harvey, E., & Mojica, E. K. (2010). Species-specific accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants in birds of prey from the Chesapeake Bay region, USA. Environmental Pollution, 158(5), 1883–1889. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2009.10.042.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frazzoli, C., Asongalem, E. A., & Orisakwe, O. E. (Eds.). (2012). Cameroon-Nigeria-Italy scientific cooperation: Veterinary public health and sustainable food safety to promote “one health/one prevention”. Roma: Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Rapporti ISTISAN 12/49).

  • Hanari, N., Kannan, K., Miyake, Y., Okazawa, T., Kodavanti, P. R. S., Aldous, K. M., et al. (2006). Occurrence of polybrominated biphenyls, polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and polybrominated dibenzofurans as impurities in commercial polybrominated diphenyl ether mixtures. Environmental Science and Technology, 40(14), 4400–4405.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hlouskova, V., Lankova, D., Kalachova, K., et al. (2014). Brominated flame retardants and perfluoroalkyl substances in sediments from the Czech aquatic ecosystem. Science of the Total Environment, 470, 407–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Labunska, I., Harrad, S., Santillo, D., Johnston, P., & Brigden, K. (2013). Levels and distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in soil, sediment and dust samples collected from various electronic waste recycling sites within Guiyu town, southern China. Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts, 15(2), 503–511. doi:10.1039/c2em30785e.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lemly, A. D. (1996). Evaluation of the hazard quotient method for risk assessment of selenium. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 35(2), 156–162.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y., Lin, T., Chen, Y., Hu, L., Guo, Z., & Zhang, G. (2012). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sediments of the coastal East China Sea: Occurrence, distribution and mass inventory. Environmental Pollution, 171, 155–161.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Q., Yan, C., Luo, Z., & Zhang, X. (2010). Occurrence and levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in recent sediments and marine organisms from Xiamen offshore areas, China. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 60(3), 464–469. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.01.011.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, L. Y., Wang, J. Z., Qiu, J. W., Liang, Y., & Zeng, E. Y. (2012). Persistent organic pollutants in coastal sediment off South China in relation to the importance of anthropogenic inputs. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 31(6), 1194–1201. doi:10.1002/etc.1807.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lv, Q.-X., Wang, W., Li, X.-H., Yu, L., Zhang, Y., & Tian, Y. (2015a). Polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated biphenyl ethers in adipose tissue and matched serum from an E-waste recycling area (Wenling, China). Environmental Pollution, 199, 219–226.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lv, J., Zhang, Y., Zhao, X., Zhou, C., Guo, C., Luo, Y., et al. (2015b). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments of Liaohe River: levels, spatial and temporal distribution, possible sources, and inventory. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 22(6), 4256–4264. doi:10.1007/s11356-014-3666-1.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma, J., Addink, R., Yun, S., Cheng, J., Wang, W., & Kannan, K. (2009). Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in soil, vegetation, workshop-floor dust, and electronic shredder residue from an electronic waste recycling facility and in soils from a chemical industrial complex in eastern China. Environmental Science and Technology, 43(19), 7350–7356.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mazdai, A., Dodder, N. G., Abernathy, M. P., Hites, R. A., & Bigsby, R. M. (2003). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in maternal and fetal blood samples. Environmental Health Perspectives, 111(9), 1249.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meijer, L., Weiss, J., Van Velzen, M., Brouwer, A., Bergman, Å., & Sauer, P. J. (2008). Serum concentrations of neutral and phenolic organohalogens in pregnant women and some of their infants in The Netherlands. Environmental Science and Technology, 42(9), 3428–3433.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Minh, N. H., Isobe, T., Ueno, D., Matsumoto, K., Mine, M., Kajiwara, N., et al. (2007). Spatial distribution and vertical profile of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and hexabromocyclododecanes in sediment core from Tokyo Bay, Japan. Environmental Pollution, 148(2), 409–417. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2006.12.011.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moon, H. B., Kannan, K., Lee, S. J., & Choi, M. (2007). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sediment and bivalves from Korean coastal waters. Chemosphere, 66(2), 243–251. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.05.025.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nomiyama, K., Kanbara, C., Ochiai, M., Eguchi, A., Mizukawa, H., Isobe, T., et al. (2014). Halogenated phenolic contaminants in the blood of marine mammals from Japanese coastal waters. Marine Environment Research, 93, 15–22. doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2013.08.016.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ok, G., Shirapova, G., Matafonova, G., Batoev, V., & Lee, S. H. (2013). Characteristics of PAHs, PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PBDEs in the Sediment of Lake Baikal, Russia. Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, 33(2), 173–192. doi:10.1080/10406638.2013.764540.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pan, X., Tang, J., Li, J., Guo, Z., & Zhang, G. (2010). Levels and distributions of PBDEs and PCBs in sediments of the Bohai Sea, North China. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 12(6), 1234–1241. doi:10.1039/c000340a.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pardo, O., Beser, M. I., Yusà, V., & Beltrán, J. (2014). Probabilistic risk assessment of the exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers via fish and seafood consumption in the Region of Valencia (Spain). Chemosphere, 104, 7–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pérez-Maldonado, I. N., del Rocio Ramírez-Jiménez, M., Martínez-Arévalo, L. P., López-Guzmán, O. D., Athanasiadou, M., Bergman, Å., et al. (2009). Exposure assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Mexican children. Chemosphere, 75(9), 1215–1220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, X., Bigsby, R. M., & Hites, R. A. (2009). Hydroxylated metabolites of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in human blood samples from the United States. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(1), 93.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, X., Marvin, C. H., & Hites, R. A. (2007). Dechlorane plus and other flame retardants in a sediment core from Lake Ontario. Environmental Science and Technology, 41(17), 6014–6019.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Song, Q., & Li, J. (2014). A systematic review of the human body burden of e-waste exposure in China. Environment International, 68, 82–93. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2014.03.018.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, Z., Huang, Q., Cheng, J., Yang, Y., Yang, J., Guo, W., et al. (2014). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in soils, sediments, and human hair in a plastic waste recycling area: a neglected heavily polluted area. Environmental Science and Technology, 48(3), 1508–1516.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Toms, L.-M. L., Harden, F., Paepke, O., Hobson, P., Jake Ryan, J., & Mueller, J. F. (2008). Higher accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in infants than in adults. Environmental Science and Technology, 42(19), 7510–7515.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Viganò, L., Roscioli, C., & Guzzella, L. (2011). Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) enters the food web of the River Po and is metabolically debrominated in resident cyprinid fishes. Science of the Total Environment, 409(23), 4966–4972.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, D. G., Alaee, M., Sverko, E., Li, Y. F., Reiner, E. J., & Shen, L. (2011). Analysis and occurrence of emerging chlorinated and brominated flame retardants in surficial sediment of the Dalian coastal area in China. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 13(11), 3104–3110. doi:10.1039/c1em10241a.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, H. S., Chen, Z. J., Ho, K. L., Ge, L. C., Du, J., Lam, M. H., et al. (2012). Hydroxylated and methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers in blood plasma of humans in Hong Kong. Environment International, 47, 66–72. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2012.06.004.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G., Peng, J., Yang, D., Zhang, D., & Li, X. (2015). Current levels, composition profiles, source identification and potentially ecological risks of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the surface sediments from Bohai Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 101(2), 834–844.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, P., Shang, H., Li, H., Wang, Y., Li, Y., Zhang, H., et al. (2016). PBDEs, PCBs and PCDD/Fs in the sediments from seven major river basins in China: Occurrence, congener profile and spatial tendency. Chemosphere, 144, 13–20.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wiseman, S. B., Wan, Y., Chang, H., Zhang, X., Hecker, M., Jones, P. D., et al. (2011). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and their hydroxylated/methoxylated analogs: environmental sources, metabolic relationships, and relative toxicities. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 63(5–12), 179–188. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.02.008.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, J.-P., Luo, X.-J., Zhang, Y., Yu, M., Chen, S.-J., Mai, B.-X., et al. (2009). Biomagnification of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls in a highly contaminated freshwater food web from South China. Environmental Pollution, 157(3), 904–909.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, J., Chen, L., Chen, D., Guo, H., Bi, X., Ju, Y., et al. (2008). Elevated serum polybrominated diphenyl ethers and thyroid-stimulating hormone associated with lymphocytic micronuclei in Chinese workers from an E-waste dismantling site. Environmental Science and Technology, 42(6), 2195–2200.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu-qi, J. (2006). Current situation and development of bromine retardant world wide. Chem Tech Econ, 24(9), 14–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, K., Wan, Y., Jones, P. D., Wiseman, S., Giesy, J. P., & Hu, J. (2012). Occurrences and fates of hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers in marine sediments in relation to trophodynamics. Environmental Science and Technology, 46(4), 2148–2155.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, X., Zheng, B., Qin, Y., Jiao, L., & Zhang, L. (2010). Grain size effect on PBDE and PCB concentrations in sediments from the intertidal zone of Bohai Bay, China. Chemosphere, 81(8), 1022–1026. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.09.007.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, P., Lin, K., Zhou, X., Zhang, W., Huang, K., Liu, L., et al. (2012). Distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the surface sediments of the Taihu Lake, China. Chemosphere, 88(11), 1375–1382.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, B., Lam, J. C., Yang, S., & Lam, P. K. (2013). Conventional and emerging halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) in sediment of Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, East China. Chemosphere, 93(3), 555–560.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 41430644, 41373098, 41273141,41473090 and 41573096) and by Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (No. IRT13078).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shanghai Institute of Applied Radiation, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, People’s Republic of China

    Ming-Hong Wu, Ben-Tuo Xu, Gang Xu, Jing Ma, Chen-Yuan Pan, Rui Sun, Tao Han & Liang Tang

  2. Jiading Yingyuan Hospital, Shanghai, 201800, People’s Republic of China

    Ming-Nan Wang

Authors
  1. Ming-Hong Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ben-Tuo Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gang Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ming-Nan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jing Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Chen-Yuan Pan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Rui Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Tao Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Liang Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Gang Xu or Liang Tang.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 37 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wu, MH., Xu, BT., Xu, G. et al. Occurrence and profiles of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in riverine sediments of Shanghai: a combinative study with human serum from the locals. Environ Geochem Health 39, 729–738 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-016-9843-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-016-9843-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation