Occurrence of PBDEs and alternative halogenated flame retardants in sewage sludge from the industrial city of Guangzhou, China
Journal
Environmental Pollution
Journal Volume
220
Pages
63-71
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Abstract
This study investigated the prevalence and abundance of halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) in sludge samples from 5 sewage treatment plants in Guangzhou, China. Detection of 18 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 9 alternative HFRs including Dechlorane Plus (DP), brominated alkylbenzenes, and polybrominated biphenyls, and 2 related degradation products was conducted. Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 209) and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) were the dominant HFRs, with concentrations ranging from 200 to 2150 ng/g and 680–27,400 ng/g, respectively. The DBDPE detected was the highest level reported so far, exceeding those previously reported by 10–100 times. PBDEs were surpassed as the dominant HFRs in sewage sludge, with mean DBDPE/BDE 209 ratio exceeding 2 in all samples. The review of earlier surveys reveals that DBDPE level was surging while BDE 209 was declining. Annual emissions of BDE 209, DP, and DBDPE were estimated to be 227.9, 10.5, and 979.3 kg/yr, respectively. Although ecological risks assessment suggested low risks for the examined sludge, the key environmental properties and transformation pathways of alternative HFRs remain largely unknown. These findings prompt for further investigations on alternative HFR and sustainable management practices for HFR-laden biosolids. The HFR emission pattern revealed in this study is likely representative of other similarly industrialized regions in the post-PBDE era. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd
Subjects
Biosolids; DBDPE; Ecological risk assessment; Halogenated flame retardants; Sewage sludge
SDGs
Other Subjects
Biological materials; Biosolids; Degradation; Ethers; Halogenation; Organic pollutants; Risk assessment; Sewage sludge; Sewage treatment plants; Sustainable development; DBDPE; Decabromodiphenyl ethane; Decabromodiphenyl ethers (BDE209); Ecological risk assessment; Halogenated flame retardant; Polybrominated biphenyls; Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs); Transformation pathways; Flame retardants; benzene derivative; brominated alkylbenzene derivative; decabromodiphenyl ethane; decabromodiphenyl ether; flame retardant; halide; halogenated flame retardant derivative; organic compound; polybrominated biphenyl; polybrominated diphenyl ether; unclassified drug; bromobenzene; chlorinated hydrocarbon; decabromobiphenyl ether; dechlorane plus; diphenyl ether derivative; flame retardant; polybrominated biphenyl; polycyclic hydrocarbon; sewage; water pollutant; biosolid; environmental risk; flame retardant; industrialization; PBDE; risk assessment; sewage treatment; sludge; Article; bioremediation; chemical analysis; China; concentration (parameters); industrial area; risk assessment; sewage treatment plant; sludge; urban area; analysis; chemistry; city; environmental monitoring; halogenation; sewage; statistics and numerical data; water pollutant; China; Guangdong; Guangzhou; Bromobenzenes; China; Cities; Environmental Monitoring; Flame Retardants; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Halogenation; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Polycyclic Compounds; Sewage; Water Pollutants, Chemical
Type
journal article