Occurrence, distribution, and ecological risks of polyhalogenated carbazoles in sediments from Daya Bay and Pearl River Estuary, China

Abstract

Polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs) are a group of emerging organic pollutants attracting increasing concern. In this study, 32 sediment samples were collected from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) and adjacent Daya Bay (DYB) in China and were investigated for the occurrence and distribution of PHCZs. Total concentration of sedimentary PHCZs (∑PHCZs) ranged from 0.79 to 3.08 ng/g in PRE and 0.89 to 1.95 ng/g in DYB, both containing 3,6-dichlorocarbazole as the main component. Higher concentrations of ∑PHCZs were found in the rivers-mouth and inner part of the PRE indicating their main origins from anthropogenic activities. Notably, concentrations of brominated carbazoles (BCZs) gradually increased offshore, which suggests the potential bio-transformation of BCZs under a saline environment. The toxic equivalent of PHCZs was estimated at 0.13–0.34 pg TEQ/g suggesting limited dioxin-like effects on local organisms.