Distribution of PBDEs, HBCDs and PCBs in the Brisbane River estuary sediment

To date, very little or no data exist in literature for some brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polychlorinated biphenyls in Queensland sediments. These pollutants were measured in the sediments along the Brisbane River estuary. The target compounds were regularly detected in measurable concentrations: PBDEs = 33.3–97.8% (n = 45), PCBs = 94.1–100% (n = 51) and HBCDs = 79–98% (n = 48). Consistently, > 90% of the observed ∑₈PBDE concentration was attributed to BDE-209. Mean PBDE levels (ng/g dry wt.) were: 4.4 ± 3.2 (∑₈PBDE) and 4.4 ± 3.0 (BDE-209) across 22 sampling sites. The mean ∑₇PCB and ∑ HBCD were 5.4 ± 4.5 and 1.0 ± 1.5 ng/g dry wt. respectively. The 25% (α-HBCD), 8% (β-HBCD) and 67% (γ-HBCD) diastereoisomer contributions observed were consistent with values reported in the literature. Contaminant levels are fairly distributed along the River and were generally low compared to similar studies around the world.