To determine the potential input sources of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) to fish farming environments in South China, samples of seven various environmental matrices were collected from October 2006-September 2007. Tri- to deca-BDEs were detected in all samples analyzed, with mean concentrations (+ or - standard deviations) at 5.7 + or - 3.6 ng/L in pond water, 15 + or - 11 ng/g dry wt. in pond sediment, 12 + or - 3.8 ng/g dry wt. in bank soil, 21 + or - 20 ng/g lipid wt. in fish, and 93 + or - 62 ng/g lipid wt. in fish feeds. In addition, BDE-209 was the major constituent in all samples except fish and BDE-47 was predominant in fish samples. Relatively high abundances of BDE-49 were detected in all the samples compared to those in the penta-BDE technical products. Several bioaccumulation factors were evaluated. Finally, statistical analyses suggested that fish feed, as well as pond water at a lesser degree, may have been the major source of PBDEs in freshwater farmed fish.
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