Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl (BB-153) in landfill leachate in Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

An assessment of the concentrations of selected polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners as well as BB 153 in leachate samples collected from three landfill sites within the city of Cape Town was conducted. A liquid-liquid extraction technique was employed for the isolation of all the target compounds from the leachate samples. Extracts obtained were further subjected to multi-layer column chromatography employing different forms of silica gel. The prepared samples were analysed using a high capillary gas chromatograph equipped with a micro-electron capture detector (GC-μECD). The overall mean concentrations of the total PBDEs, including BDE 209 ranged between 5.65 and 2,240, 0.28-20.5 and 1.66-1,170 ng/l for Bellville, Coastal Park, and Vissershok landfill sites, respectively. The mean concentrations of BB 153, which were generally low in most of the samples analysed, were 70.4, 7.14 and 8.16 ng/l for Bellville, Coastal Park and Vissershok sites, respectively. The influence of precipitation on the characteristics and quantity of leachate produced from the landfill sites investigated was most pronounced during the August/September sampling regime. Generally, the trend observed in this study clearly indicated a wide variation in the levels of these contaminants in all the landfill sites studied from one sampling period to the other. However, the principal component analysis revealed that the release of these contaminants might be associated with two or three possible sources. This study further confirmed the relevance of landfill leachate as an important source of PBDE contamination of the environment, especially the groundwater and surface water sources.

A rapid method for the determination of brominated flame retardant concentrations in plastics and textiles entering the waste stream

“…Furthermore, common methods of disposal such as landfilling, recycling or incineration run the risk of releasing BFRs into the environment [7][8][9][10][11]. Furthermore, BFRs have already been measured in various components of the waste stream, including landfill leachate [12][13][14], sewage-based samples [12,[15][16][17][18][19], electronic waste treatment centres and waste incinerator emissions and residues, leading to substantially elevated BFR concentrations in environmental and biological samples impacted by such activities and matrices [9][10][11]17,[20][21][22][23].…”

Levels, Bioaccumulation, and Environmental Risk of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers around Industry Park in South China

“…At the same time, our report is higher than the Ob and Yenisei rivers in Russia [18]. But it is lower than those of heavy contamination sites: the Pearl River Estuary [19], a landfill in Cape Town [20], and an e-waste site in Taizhou [12]. The PBDE level of water is significantly correlated with those of water hyacinth (R=0.325, p<0.05), others are shown in Table 2.…”

Flame Retardant Contamination and Seafood Sustainability

“…The costs of conducting trace contaminant analyses, including obtaining pure PBDE standards for detection and quantification and/or difficulties transporting biotic samples across country lines may be factors behind the regional skew of the collected data. We can infer from limited environmental contaminant studies that brominated flame retardants are likely present in marine and aquatic resources around the globe [24][25][26]. Based on analyses of our findings, in general, PBDE concentrations increase as the estimated lifespan and weight of the fish increased, and as the habitat depth decreased (Figure 2).…”