Occurrence, spatial deposition and footprint of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in surficial sediments of Bushehr peninsula, the Persian Gulf

The concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in the surficial sediments of Bushehr coasts, the Persian Gulf. Eighteen samples were collected from 6 sites at distances of 500, 1000 and 1500 m from the coast. PBDEs were detected in all the samples, indicating their widespread occurrence in marine sediments of the studied area. BDE-209 and ∑7PBDEs were in the range of n.d. (not detected) to 6.29 ng g− 1 and n.d. to 0.62 ng g− 1 dw, respectively. The studied area can be classified as the region with the minimal contamination values reported globally as yet. The concentrations of PBDEs were lower than the Canadian benchmarks, and risk quotient assessments demonstrated low ecological risk. BDE-183 and then BDE-153 were the congeners with the highest detection frequencies in the stations, confirming extensive occurrence of Octa-mix in the studied area.