Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in the surface sediments collected in August 2015 in Sanggou Bay, China. The total concentrations of 13 PBDEs, including BDE-17, -28, -47, -66, -71, -85, -99, -100, -138, -153, -154, -183 and -190, and concentrations of BDE-209 were 0.223-1.259ng/g and 0.865-9.275ng/g, respectively. The PBDE levels increased from the outer bay to the inner bay. BDE-209 was the predominant congener, followed by BDE-47, BDE-71, and BDE-99. Significant positive correlations were observed for tri-BDEs with organic carbon (r=0.598, p<0.05) and with clay content (r=0.592, p<0.05). Principal component analysis revealed that PBDEs in Sanggou Bay were mainly derived from the usage, dismantling and degradation of commercial products (penta-, octa-, and deca-BDEs), which were then transported through continental runoff and atmospheric deposition. The ecological risks were mainly attributed to deca-BDE congeners with moderate risk level.
Keywords: Ecological risk; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs); Sanggou Bay; Sediment; Source identification.
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