Evaluation of Mono- to Deca-Brominated Diphenyl Ethers in Riverine Sediment of Korea with Special Reference to the Debromination of DeBDE209

The measured concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in inland sediments, from mono- to deca-BDE congeners, ranged from 0.46 to 1760ng/g dry weight (dw) with mean and median values of 55±230ng/g dw and 12ng/g dw, respectively. These concentrations were comparable to or lower than those reported in other countries. The large contributions of the nona- and octa-BDE congeners (14.6±5.0% of total PBDEs) in the present study highlight the necessity of examining these congeners. A high population density and wastewater discharge around the sampling sites are related to the high PBDE concentration. The most predominant congener was DeBDE209 (average proportion, 70.9±12.4%), which is in good agreement with the large amounts of commercial deca-BDE products used in Korea. Statistical analyses also confirmed the ubiquity of DeBDE209 in river sediment from the use of commercial deca-BDE products, such as Saytex-102E and DE-83R. On the other hand, the relatively large contributions of tri- to hepta-BDE congeners compared to the small quantities of commercial penta- and octa-BDE products used in Korea indicate the debromination potential for highly brominated congeners.