Accumulation of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in Mudsnails (Cipangopaludina cahayensis) Did Not Increase with Age

Abstract

In this study, we examined concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in mudsnails (Cipangopaludina cahayensis) and sediment samples from an electronic waste recycling area to investigate the correlation between PBDE accumulation and age. The results showed that PBDE accumulation did not increase with age, suggesting a dynamic balance between the uptake, depuration and biotransformation of PBDEs relative to growth dilution in mudsnails. We infer that this phenomenon is associated with low absorption efficiencies, rapid depuration rates and high biotransformation rates of PBDEs. BDE-209 contributed only up to about 5%, whereas BDE-209 was the dominant congener and contributed up to 90% of the total PBDEs in surface sediments. The difference in PBDE congener pattern between mudsnails and sediments showed a low bioaccumulation potential for these compounds in mudsnails.