Multi-matrix distribution and bioaccumulation of legacy and emerging halogenated flame retardants from aquatic environments near industrial complexes adjacent to Asan Bay, Korea

Abstract

Halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) are ubiquitous contaminants in multiple environmental compartments because they have been widely used in many consumer and industrial applications to prevent ignition. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs), the traditional HFRs, werenominated as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by the Stockholm Convention under the United Nation Environmental Programme (UNEP) due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. Domestic and global regulation of them result in use of novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and dechlorane plus (DP), the alternatve HFRs. Asan Bay, located on the west coast of Korea, has been developed as new industrial zones, comprising of machinery, plastics, e-products, and automobile industries since 2000s. In this study, PBDEs, HBCDDs, NBFRs, and DP were determined to investigate the occurrences, spatial distribution, contamination profiles, bioaccumulation and biomagnification potential, and risk assessment in water, sediment, and biota collected from Asan Bay and its adjacent lakes. PBDEs and NBFRs were major compounds in all multiple matrices. Isomer profiles of HBCDDs and DP in sediment and biota samples was dependent on their physico-chemical properties. The highest concentrations of HFRs were observed in the locations from lakes close to industrial complexes, suggesting the potential sources. Multimatrix-dependent contamination profiles were found for HFRs. BDE 209 and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) were dominant compounds for sediment and water samples, respectively. The concentration ratios of DBDPE/BDE 209 in water in this study indicates a shift in consumption of HFRs in industry. NBFRs, including DBDPE were dominant in biota samples. They have relatively higher bioaccumulation and biomagnification potential than legacy HFRs, PBDEs and HBCDDs. Concentrations of the legacy HFRs in sediments were estimated to pose no hazard to benthic organisms and human.