Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
Quantification of Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate-based Micro- and Nano-plastics from Soil Using Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Published on: June 6, 2025
Predicting the bioavailability of sediment-associated polybrominated diphenyl ethers using a 45-d sequential Tenax
Man Liu1, Shengyan Tian, Peng Chen
1College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China.
Sediment aging significantly reduces polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) bioavailability, with hydrophobic compounds showing the lowest release. Tenax extraction can predict PBDE bioavailability in sediments.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants found in sediments.
- Understanding PBDE bioavailability is crucial for assessing ecological and human health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the bioavailability of PBDEs in spiked sediments using Tenax extraction.
- To evaluate the effect of sediment aging on PBDE desorption kinetics.
- To determine the relationship between PBDE properties and their bioavailability.
Main Methods:
- A 45-day Tenax extraction method was employed.
- Sediment aging was simulated by incubating samples for 7, 14, 30, and 60 days.
- Desorption kinetics were modeled using a three-compartment model.
Main Results:
- The fraction of very slow desorption (Fvs) dominated PBDE release.
- PBDE desorption decreased with increasing sediment organic carbon content.
- Bioavailability of PBDEs decreased with increasing hydrophobicity (logKow).
- Sediment aging increased the fraction of very slow desorption (Fvs) and decreased the readily available fraction (Frap).
Conclusions:
- Sediment aging significantly reduces PBDE bioavailability.
- Organic matter content and PBDE hydrophobicity are key factors controlling PBDE bioavailability in sediments.
- Tenax extraction, particularly 6-hour or 24-hour methods, can serve as a proxy for PBDE bioavailability assessment.
