Occurrence and spatial distribution of legacy and novel brominated flame retardants in seawater and sediment of the South China sea

The occurrence and spatial distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in seawater and surficial sediment samples (N = 19 and 45, respectively) from the South China Sea (SCS) in 2018 were investigated, and the correlation between BFRs and site parameters (total organic carbon, depth, etc.) were assessed by principal component analysis. The concentration ranges of Sigma PBDEs in seawater and sediments were 0.90-4.40 ng/L and 0.52-22.67 ng/g dry weight (dw), respectively, while those of Sigma NBERs were 0.49-37.42 ng/L and 0.78-82.29 ng/g dw, respectively. BDE-209 and decabromodiphenyl ethane were the predominant BFRs, accounting for 38.65% and 36.94% in seawater and 26.71% and 68.42% in sediments, respectively. Notably, tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)isocyanurate and 2,4,6-tris(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine, seldomly detected in aquatic matrices worldwide, were detected for the first time in the study area, and their relatively high levels and detection frequencies indicate the ubiquitous application of these NBFRs in the Pearl River Delta. Zhuhai and Jiangmen are the main sources of NBFRs in the SCS. Preliminary risk assessment on NBFRs using hazard quotient indicates low to medium risks to marine organisms at some sites. The occurrence of NBFRs in the SCS highlights the prioritization of more toxicological information on these compounds. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The occurrence and spatial distribution of PBDEs and NBFRs in the South China Sea in 2018 were investigated, with BDE-209 and decabromodiphenyl ethane identified as predominant BFRs. Rarely detected NBFRs, tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)isocyanurate and 2,4,6-tris(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine, were found for the first time in the study area, indicating their widespread application in the Pearl River Delta. Preliminary risk assessment suggests low to medium risks to marine organisms at some sites.