Dechloranes in a river in northeastern China: Spatial trends in multi-matrices and bioaccumulation in fish (Enchelyopus elongatus)

Dechloranes (Decs), including Dechlorane Plus (DP) and Dechlorane (Dec) 602, 603, 604, are used as flame retardants. Fifty four samples were collected in a river in northeastern China and analyzed for Decs by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The average concentrations of total DP (syn- and anti-) in water, sediment, air, reed (Phragmites australis), and fish (E. elongatus) were 0.30±0.24 (mean±SD) ng L−1, 1.3±0.69 ng g−1 dry weight (dw), 0.25±0.18 ng m−3, 0.63±0.18 ng g−1 wet weight (ww), and 29±20 ng g−1 lipid weight (lw), respectively. While Dec 602 and Dec 603 were detected in most of sediment and fish samples, no Dec 604 was found in any of the investigated environmental matrices. The mean ratio of syn-DP to total DP (fsyn) in water, sediment, reed, and fish were 0.28, 0.25, 0.27 and 0.47, suggesting depletion in abiota and enrichment in biota for syn-DP. It was found that biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) was 4.7 for Dec 602, 0.88 for syn-DP, and 0.33 for anti-DP.

► Decs were measured and studied in a multi-matrics environment.
► DPs in Daling River can easily enter Bohai Sea.
► High BSAF values of Dec 602 showing potential bioaccumulation.