Event Title

Initial observations on spatial and temporal variations in the concentration of dissolved and particulate PBDE congeners in the Strait of Georgia

Presentation Abstract

Dissolved PBDEs samples were obtained from large volumes (~ 100 l) of seawater by adsorption on XAD columns, while particulate PBDEs were obtained by filtering large volumes (> 100 l) of seawater with in-situ pumps. We report results obtained from within and outside the plume of the Iona outfall. Particulate PBDEs concentration within the effluent plume were strongly dominated by the deca-brominated congener with lesser contributions from nona-, penta-, and tetra-brominated forms, in a pattern very similar to that found in Strait of Georgia sediments (Johannessen et al., 2008). Outside the plume, particulate PBDEs were found at about half the plume’s concentration and were totally devoid of penta- and tetra- brominated congeners. Based on these preliminary results, we tentatively conclude that the outfall is not a unique point source for PBDEs. In addition, the more toxic, less brominated congeners may be released from particles suspended in seawater. This is consistent with the predominance of tetra- and penta- brominated DPEs in the dissolved phase.

There is also a higher tetra-/penta- brominated congener ratio in seawater (~ 4) compared to particles and sediments (~1). Since these congeners have similar “Bioconcentration Factor” (Muzikawa et al., 2009), we tentatively use this ratio to distinguish whether PBDEs measured in various organisms (Ikonomou et al., 2006) are due to bioconcentration from seawater or biomagnification from ingested particles.

Finally, results from seawater samples collected in 2013 (this study) and 2005-2006 (Frouin et al., 2013) suggest a substantial increase in total PBDEs concentration (from ~ 20 to ~350 pg/l) , in contrast to PCBs concentrations, which remained relatively constant.

Session Title

General Pollution Topics

Conference Track

Fate and Effects of Pollutants

Conference Name

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)

Document Type

Event

Start Date

2016 12:00 AM

End Date

2016 12:00 AM

Location

2016SSEC

Type of Presentation

Oral

Genre/Form

conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)

Contributing Repository

Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.

Subjects – Topical (LCSH)

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers--Georgia, Strait of (B.C. and Wash.); Homogeneous catalysis--Georgia, Strait of (B.C. and Wash.); Seawater--Analysis

Geographic Coverage

Georgia, Strait of (B.C. and Wash.); Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)

Rights

This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.

Type

Text

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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COinS
 
Jan 1st, 12:00 AM Jan 1st, 12:00 AM

Initial observations on spatial and temporal variations in the concentration of dissolved and particulate PBDE congeners in the Strait of Georgia

2016SSEC

Dissolved PBDEs samples were obtained from large volumes (~ 100 l) of seawater by adsorption on XAD columns, while particulate PBDEs were obtained by filtering large volumes (> 100 l) of seawater with in-situ pumps. We report results obtained from within and outside the plume of the Iona outfall. Particulate PBDEs concentration within the effluent plume were strongly dominated by the deca-brominated congener with lesser contributions from nona-, penta-, and tetra-brominated forms, in a pattern very similar to that found in Strait of Georgia sediments (Johannessen et al., 2008). Outside the plume, particulate PBDEs were found at about half the plume’s concentration and were totally devoid of penta- and tetra- brominated congeners. Based on these preliminary results, we tentatively conclude that the outfall is not a unique point source for PBDEs. In addition, the more toxic, less brominated congeners may be released from particles suspended in seawater. This is consistent with the predominance of tetra- and penta- brominated DPEs in the dissolved phase.

There is also a higher tetra-/penta- brominated congener ratio in seawater (~ 4) compared to particles and sediments (~1). Since these congeners have similar “Bioconcentration Factor” (Muzikawa et al., 2009), we tentatively use this ratio to distinguish whether PBDEs measured in various organisms (Ikonomou et al., 2006) are due to bioconcentration from seawater or biomagnification from ingested particles.

Finally, results from seawater samples collected in 2013 (this study) and 2005-2006 (Frouin et al., 2013) suggest a substantial increase in total PBDEs concentration (from ~ 20 to ~350 pg/l) , in contrast to PCBs concentrations, which remained relatively constant.