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
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Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
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.
