Levels and distribution of tetrabromobisphenol A and hexabromocyclododecane in Taihu Lake, China

Abstract

The occurrence and distribution characteristics of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in water and sediments from Taihu Lake, China, were investigated. The analytes were quantified by reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The TBBPA levels in water ranged from below the limit of detection (LOD) to 1.12 ng/L, whereas levels in sediments were between 0.056 ng/g dry weight and 2.15 ng/g dry weight. Regarding HBCD, concentrations were from below the LOD to 0.37 ng/L for water samples and from 0.046 ng/g dry weight to 2.56 ng/g dry weight for sediments. No correlation was found between sediment total organic carbon content and TBBPA/HBCDs, while significant positive correlations (r2 = 0.63, p < 0.005) were observed between TBBPA concentrations and HBCD concentrations in sediments. The highest TBBPA (2.15 ng/g dry wt) and total HBCD concentration (2.56 ng/g dry wt) was found at sampling site 1 (S1), while total HBCD levels fell dramatically with increasing distance from S1, suggesting that the estuary inputs around Taihu Lake were important sources of TBBPA and HBCDs. Compared with the pollution levels in the other regions of the world, the concentrations of TBBPA and HBCDs in Taihu Lake were at a moderate or low level. Further study on the sources of TBBPA and HBCDs is required for both assessment of their potential risks and better pollution management in Taihu Lake.