Photodegradation of Decabromodiphenyl Ether Adsorbed onto Clay Minerals, Metal Oxides, and Sediment

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 40; no. 1; pp. 215 - 220
• Main Authors: Ahn, Mi-Youn, Filley, Timothy R, Jafvert, Chad T, Nies, Loring, Hua, Inez, Bezares-Cruz, Juan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01-01-2006
• Subjects: Adsorption; Aerosols; Aerosols - chemistry; Aluminum Hydroxide - chemistry; Aluminum Silicates - chemistry; Applied sciences; Bentonite - chemistry; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and physicochemical properties of pollutants. Interaction in the soil; Clay; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental science; Exact sciences and technology; Ferric Compounds - chemistry; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Kaolin - chemistry; Kinetics; Light; Manganese Compounds - chemistry; Minerals; Minerals - chemistry; Oxides - chemistry; Phenyl Ethers - analysis; Phenyl Ethers - metabolism; Photochemistry; Photodegradation; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Polybrominated Biphenyls - analysis; Polybrominated Biphenyls - metabolism; Soil and sediments pollution; Sorption; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; Clay; Ether; Pollutant behavior; Flame retardant; Environmental factor; Organic bromine compounds; Metal Oxides; Sediments; Pollution; Ultraviolet radiation; Selfpurification; Seasonal variation; Adsorbed state; Solar radiation; Degradation product; Organic compounds; Photochemical degradation
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es051415t

The photodebromination of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) adsorbed onto six different solid matrixes was investigated in sunlight and by irradiation with 350 ± 50 nm lamps (four lamps at 24 W each). After 14 days of lamp irradiation, BDE-209 degraded with a half-life of 36 and 44 days, respectively, on montmorillonite or kaolinite, with much slower degradation occurring when sorbed on organic carbon-rich natural sediment (t 1/2 = 150 days). In late summer and fall sunlight (40.5°N, elevation 600 ft), the half-lives of BDE-209 sorbed on montmorillonite and kaolinite were 261 and 408 days, respectively. Under both irradiation schemes, no significant loss of BDE-209 occurred when sorbed to aluminum hydroxide, iron oxide (ferrihydrite), or manganese dioxide (birnessite). Upon exposure to both lamp and solar light and in the presence of montmorillonite and kaolinite, numerous lesser brominated congeners (tri- to nonabromodiphenyl ethers) were produced. Nearly identical product distribution was evident on montmorillonite and kaolinite. Dark control experiments for each mineral showed no disappearance of BDE-209 or appearance of degradation products. These results suggest that photodegradation of BDE-209 on mineral aerosols during long-range atmospheric transport may be an important fate process for BDE-209 in the environment.