Bioaccumulation and distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in marine species from Bohai Bay, China

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were analyzed in invertebrate and fish species collected from Bohai Bay, China in 2007 to 2008. The concentrations of the 16 detected PBDE congeners were in the range of 1.4 to 425 and 2.9 to 767 ng/g lipid for invertebrates and fish, respectively. The summed concentrations of the six major PBDE congeners (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154) (Σ(6)PBDEs) in fish were significantly higher than in invertebrates, while demersal fish concentrations were higher than pelagic fish. The congeners BDE-47, 99, and 100 contributed more in viscera or liver than in muscle, indicating that the metabolic capability of the viscera or liver is greater than that of muscle. The ratio of BDE-47/99 was relatively higher in fish than in invertebrate samples, suggesting a more developed metabolism capacity in fish. Polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners tend to accumulate in viscera or liver rather than in muscle. The fully brominated congener BDE-209 was detected in some species, suggesting that it can be accumulated by organisms. Uptake from sediment may be the major uptake pathway for most brominated PBDEs in benthic species.