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(M/MF148) Determination of brominated flame retardants in sewage sludges and sediments in South-West-Germany. Kuch, B.1, Körner, W.1, Hagenmaier, H.1, 1 ABSTRACT- Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDE) have been widely used as flame retardants since the 70s and increasing concentrations of them in the environment are reported, as well. In order to verify their fate sludge, effluents and influents, sediments collected from up- and downstream of 10 different sewage treatment plants (STP) were analysed. An analytical method originally used for the extraction and purification of polychlorinated dioxins in these matrices was used for the determination of the PBDEs. The method was modified in order to include the phenolic compound tetrabromo-bisphenol A by treating the Soxhlet-extract with a solution of potassium hydroxide. The alkaline phase obtained from the liquid-liquid separation was methylated and extracted prior to GC/MS-analysis, while the organic phase was purified according to the clean-up procedure for dioxins. The analysis of influent and several types of sludge in two major STP revealed that most of the PBDE were in the sludge deposited in the primary clarifier. It was stated that 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenylether was the major PBDE-isomer. Key words: Polybrominated diphenylether, tetrabromobisphenol A, sewage sludge |
