Occurrence and concentrations of halogenated natural products derived from seven years of passive water sampling (2007–2013) at Normanby Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Abstract

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based passive water samplers deployed at Normanby Island, Great Barrier Reef (Australia) from 2007 to 2013 were analyzed for halogenated natural products (HNPs). Altogether, 38 samples, typically deployed for 30 days, were studied. Five HNPs (Q1, 2′‑MeO-BDE 68, BC-10, 2,4‑dibromoanisole and 2,4,6‑tribromoanisole) were detected in all samples. Most samples (>90%) featured 2,2′‑diMeO-BB 80, 6‑MeO-BDE 47, 2′,6‑diMeO-BDE 68 and 2,4‑dibromophenol. In addition, tetrabromo‑N‑methylpyrrole (TBMP) was detected in ~80% and Cl6-DBP in ~30% of the samples. Estimated time weighted maximum water concentrations were >150 pg Q1 and 60 pg 2′‑MeO-BDE 68 per L seawater. Typically, the concentrations were varying from year to year. Moreover, time weighted average water concentration estimates did not reveal consistent maximum trend levels within a given year. Additional screening analysis via GC/MS indicated the presence of several polyhalogenated 1′‑methyl‑1,2′‑bipyrroles (PMBPs), 1,1′‑dimethyl‑2,2′‑bipyrroles (PDBPs), and 1‑methylpyrroles (PMPs) along with four brominated N‑methylindoles and several other polyhalogenated compounds at Normanby Island.