Status of PBDEs contamination in surface sediments from Jinhae Bay, Korea

Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in 10 surface sediment samples from Jinhae Bay region of Korea using the analytical methods developed at the United Nations University, Tokyo. The overall recovery of surrogates in samples was satisfactory for these kinds of chemicals, however, determination of BDE-209 showed sample to sample variation. Among the 10 BDE congeners determined BDE-209 showed dominant occurrence (97%). Among the various embayments of larger Jinhae Bay, Masan Bay showed maximum contamination of PBDEs. In accord with earlier observations, a site near a sewage treatment plant showed maximum contamination status followed by inner Masan Bay surrounded by harbor and ship repair facilities. There is a relationship between development and contamination.