Ecological Risk Assessment Of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers In Sediment From Dalian Coastal Area

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are considered as a kind of persistent environmental contaminants. PBDEs are now considered ubiquitous pollutants. It released into the environment in the phase of its production, use and waste disposal with varying degrees. The purpose of this study is to investigate the concentrations of PBDEs in the surface sediment in Dalian costal area and to assess its ecological risk. Thirty-three samples of sediments from different places of Dalian costal area were collected and PBDE concentrations of the sediments were analyzed. The results showed that the total concentrations of PBDEs ranged from3.98to103ng/g dry weight (dw) with an average of25ng/g dw. BDE-209accounted more than99%of total PBDEs, which was consistent with our use of PBDEs. There was no correlation between the concentrations of PBDEs and the contents of organic matters, indicating the organic matter have no influence on their concentrations. The source emissions of PBDEs were the runoff outlets from the industrial zone. The ecological risk assessment was performed in sediment induced by PBDEs using the method of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The calculated ecological risk quotients of PBDEs were all lower than1in all sampling sites, indicating there was no ecological risk in sediment from Dalian costal area currently. However, considering the potential risk induced by the degradation of PBDEs, further research should be done to protect local ecological system.