Mussel Watch Program

NOAA NATIONAL STATUS & TRENDS

An Assessment of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in 

Sediments and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report

II

Citation for this Report

Kimbrough, K. L., W. E. Johnson, G. G. Lauenstein, J. D. Christensen and D. A. Apeti. 2009. An 

Assessment of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in Sediments and Bivalves of the U.S. 

Coastal Zone. Silver Spring, MD. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 94. 87 pp.

Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or 

recommendation for their use by the United States government.
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

III

An Assessment of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers 

(PBDEs) in Sediments and Bivalves of the U.S. 

Coastal Zone

K. L. Kimbrough, W. E. Johnson, G. G. Lauenstein, J. D. Christensen and D. A. Apeti.

Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment

NOAA/NOS/NCCOS

1305 East-West Highway 

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

IV
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

V

Background

NOAA’s Mussel Watch Program was designed to monitor the status and trends of chemical 

contamination of U.S. coastal waters, including the Great Lakes. The Program began in 1986 

and is one of the longest running, continuous coastal monitoring programs that is national in 

scope. NOAA established Mussel Watch in response to a legislative mandate under Section 

202 of Title II of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) (33 USC

1442). In addition to monitoring contaminants throughout the Nation’s coastal shores, Mussel 

Watch stores samples in a specimen bank so that trends can be determined retrospectively for 

new and emerging contaminants of concern.

In recent years, flame retardant chemicals, known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 

have generated international concern over their widespread distribution in the environment, 

their potential to bioaccumulate in humans and wildlife, and concern for suspected adverse 

human health effects. The Mussel Watch Program, with additional funding provided by NOAA’s 

Oceans and Human Health Initiative, conducted a study of PBDEs in bivalve tissues and 

sediments.

This report, which represents the first national assessment of PBDEs in the U.S. coastal zone, 

shows that they are widely distributed. PBDE concentrations in both sediment and bivalve 

tissue correlate with human population density along the U.S. coastline. The national and 

watershed perspectives given in this report are intended to support research, local monitoring, 

resource management, and policy decisions concerning these contaminants. 
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

VI

Acknowledgements

The Mussel Watch Team would like to thank those who through their hard work made this 

document possible. As a result of their efforts, this report has been greatly enhanced.

Ken Buja 

Theresa Goedeke

Treda Smith-Grayson

Chris Jeffrey

Tom McDonald

Kevin McMahon

Terry McTigue

Keith Maruya

Tony Pait

Oren Perez

Juan Ramirez

Heather Stapleton

David Whitall

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Consolidated Safety Services, Inc.

Texas A&M University

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Southern California Coastal Water Resources Project

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Aster Engineering, Inc.

TDI-Brooks International, Inc.

Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, 

Duke University

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

VII

Table of Contents

Program Background............................................................................................................... 1

Chemical Description............................................................................................................... 4

Program Methods ................................................................................................................... 8

Results and Discussion ......................................................................................................... 14

Societal Relevance................................................................................................................ 24

References ............................................................................................................................ 28

Appendix 1. Mussel Watch PBDE Data by State .................................................................. 38

Appendix 2. Quantitative determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers using selected 

ion monitoring gas chromatography/mass spectrometry 1999-2007 .................................... 76
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

VIII
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

1

q Mussel Watch Program Background 

• Approximately 300 active monitoring sites are located in the continental U.S., 

Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii.

• Stations are 10 to 100 km apart along the entire U.S. coastline.

• Approximately 150 contaminants are monitored in resident bivalve populations 

including: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (69), polychlorinated biphenyls 

(40), organotins (4), metals and metalloids (15), and historic and contemporary 

use pesticides and selected transformation products (20).

• Special assessments are used to determine the environmental impacts of new 

contaminants, extreme events, and oil spills.
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

2

NOAA’s Mussel Watch Program monitors the 

status and trends of chemical contamination 

of U.S. coastal waters. The Program began 

in 1986 and is one of the longest running, 

continuous coastal monitoring programs that 

is national in scope. The Program is based 

on annual collection and analysis of oysters 

and mussels. These bivalves are stationary 

organisms that filter particles from water; 

thus, contaminant levels in their tissue are a 

good indicator of local contamination. Mussel 

Watch data are useful for characterizing the 

environmental impact of new and emerging 

contaminants, measuring effects of extreme 

events (hurricanes and oil spills), and for 

assessing the effectiveness of legislation, 

management decisions, and remediation 

of coastal contamination. As a result of 

monitoring all major estuaries for chemical 

contamination, Mussel Watch results can be 

used to identify geographic areas of concern 

and potential human exposures to elevated 

levels in seafood. 

NOAA established Mussel Watch in response 

to a legislative mandate under Section 202 of 

Title II of the Marine Protection, Research and 

Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) (33 USC 1442), 

which called on the Secretary of Commerce 

to, among other activities, initiate a continuous 

monitoring program “to assess the health of 

the marine environment, including monitoring 

of contaminant levels in biota, sediment 

and the water column.” As part of the 

NOAA Authorization Act of 1992, the overall 

approach and activities of NOAA’s National 

Status and Trends Program (NS&T), including 

Mussel Watch, were codified under provisions 

of the National Coastal Monitoring Act (Title V 

of the MPRSA).

In 1986, the inaugural year of the Mussel 

Watch Program, 145 sites were sampled. 

Today, Mussel Watch is comprised of 

approximately 300 monitoring sites, where 

about 150 chemical contaminants, chosen 

Program Goal

To support ecosystem-based management 

through an integrated nationwide program of 

environmental monitoring, assessment, and 

research to describe the status and trends of 

contaminants in our Nation’s estuaries and 

coasts.

through consultation with experts and 

scientists from academia and government, 

are measured. Many of these contaminants 

are listed as Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) Priority Pollutants (Keith and 

Teillard, 1979). Legislation has been passed 

to regulate most of the organic contaminants 

analyzed by the Mussel Watch Program 

Zebra Mussels

Oysters

Program Background
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

3

Program Background

Highlight

Many Mussel Watch sites are coincident with 

the 1976-1978 EPA Mussel Watch sites.

Program staff consulted with state officials, 

academic professionals and others when sites 

were established.

Some sites are located in or near NOAAmanaged areas (National Estuarine Research 

Reserves, National Marine Sanctuaries).

Sites were selected in shellfish beds large 

enough for repeated sampling.

Samples are only collected from natural 

substrates; caged mussels are not used.

(http://NSandT.noaa.gov). The majority are 

toxic to aquatic organisms, and some are 

taken up and stored in animal tissues with 

the potential to be transferred through food 

webs to humans. 

This report utilizes Mussel Watch PBDE 

measurements of mussels, oysters, and 

sediment to provide a summary of national 

PBDE levels, and is intended for use 

by resource managers, policy makers, 

scientists, legislators, and concerned 

citizens. The bivalve mollusks measured 

included species of the genus Mytilus

(blue mussels), species of the genus 

Dreissena (zebra mussels), and species 

of the genus Crassostrea (oyster). Some 

of these species are edible, but no PBDE

threshold levels for the protection of human 

health have been promulgated by the U.S. 

Food and Drug Administration. This report 

compares the status of PBDEs at the national 

level to those found locally or regionally. 

Comparisons can be used to determine if the 

concentrations are high relative to the rest 

of the Nation. Site specific measurements 

can be found in Appendix 1. More detailed 

program information can be accessed at 

http://NSandT.noaa.gov. 
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

4

q Chemical Description 

• Production of PBDEs in the U.S. began in the 1970s and peaked in the late 

1990s.

• PBDEs are ubiquitous in the U.S. coastal environment.

• In the U.S., PBDE levels in humans have been rising over the past 30 years 

and are generally 10-100 times higher than levels measured in Europe and 

Asia. Current concentrations in humans may be leveling off or decreasing.
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

5

Chemical Description

Figure 1. Chemical structure of polybrominated 

diphenyl ethers.

commercial formulations: Penta, Octa, and 

DecaBDE, were produced (ATSDR, 2004) 

under a variety of product names (e.g., 

DE-71, Bromkal 70-5DE, DE-79, Bromkal 

790-8DE, Saytex 102E, and Bromkal 82-

0DE). Commercial formulations are mixtures 

of specific homologues. The relative 

homologue composition of these three 

generic formulations is shown in Table 1. 

The predominant congeners found in the 

environment are the main congeners found in 

commercial mixtures. 

Flame retardants save lives by inhibiting 

ignition and subsequent burning of consumer 

products. Laws and regulations require 

that consumer products meet minimum fire 

safety standards. Hence, human exposure to 

products containing flame retardant chemicals 

is practically unavoidable. 

Production of PBDEs in the U.S. began in 

the 1970s and peaked in late 1990s (Hardy, 

2002a). Global demand for brominated flame 

retardants doubled during the 1990s (Alaee et 

al., 2003). In 2004, the European Union (EU) 

banned the use of PentaBDE and OctaBDE

commercial mixtures (BSEF, 2006) and the 

U.S. chemical manufacturers voluntarily 

ceased production. Subsequently, the EU

banned DecaBDE in 2008, but it continues to 

be produced and used in the U.S. 

Commercial PentaBDE was used mainly in 

polyurethane foam (mattresses and padding 

beneath carpets and furniture). Commercial 

OctaBDE was predominantly used in casings 

for electronic products (computers, monitors, 

plastics). Commercial PentaBDE, OctaBDE, 

and DecaBDE mixtures were also used 

in nylon, textiles, and adhesives. Today, 

commercial DecaBDE is used primarily in TV 

casings.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are persistent 

man-made aromatic chemicals composed of 

two phenyl rings linked by an oxygen bridge 

(ether linkage). Bromine atoms can replace 

up to ten hydrogen atoms on the phenyl 

rings (Figure 1). Theoretically, 209 unique 

PBDE structures (congeners) are possible. 

Congeners with the same number of bromine 

atoms are referred to as a homologue, and 

thus, there are ten homologues ranging from 

mono- to decaBDE. For example, a PBDE

with ten bromines, is called decaBDE; five 

bromines is a pentaBDE (Tables 1 and 2). 

The chemical structure of PBDEs are 

similar to that of polychlorinated biphenyls 

(PCBs), another class of globally distributed 

environmental contaminants that the U.S. 

banned from production in 1976 (ATSDR, 

2001). PBDEs have been referred to as the 

new PCBs. Consumer product manufacturers 

have begun using alternative flame 

retardants; but, in the short term, the current 

load of PBDEs in buildings, vehicles, and 

consumer products assures continued release 

and exposure for years to come.

Manufacture and Regulation

The industrial production of brominated 

diphenyl ethers primarily yields a mixture of 

tetra, penta, hexa, hepta, octa, nona, and 

deca homologues in various percentages 

(Siddiqi et al., 2003). Three generic 
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

6

Chemical Description

Exposure and Toxicity

Human exposure to PBDEs occurs through 

inhalation of contaminated household 

(Jones-Otazo et al., 2005) and workplace 

dust (Julander et al., 2005), and eating 

contaminated food (Schecter et al., 2006; 

Hale et al., 2001; Hayward et al., 2007). 

Women in the U.S. were found to have some 

of the highest levels of PBDEs in breast milk 

(Schecter et al., 2003; Norén and Meronyté, 

2000), blood (Schecter et al., 2005; Sjödin et 

al., 2008), and body fat (Johnson-Restrepo 

et al., 2005a; She et al., 2002). Levels in the 

U.S. have been rising over the past 30 years, 

but appear to be leveling off or decreasing 

(Sjödin et al., 2008). Generally, in the U.S., 

levels in human samples are 10-100 fold 

higher than levels measured in Europe, Asia, 

and New Zealand. Recent evidence suggests 

that PBDEs can be transferred from mother to 

fetus and from breast milk to infants (Hooper 

et al., 2000). 

Occupational exposure may be important 

for some workers. The highest reported 

concentrations of PBDEs in human blood 

serum were measured in workers at an 

electronic waste dismantling facility in China 

(Qu et al., 2007). 

There is a growing body of research 

describing the toxicology of PBDEs in animals 

and humans. Thorough reviews on the 

subject include Darnerud et al., 2001; Hardy, 

2002b; and Darnerud, 2003. Toxicological 

studies in animals indicate that liver, thyroid, 

and neurobehavioral development may be 

impaired by these contaminants. The human 

health effects from exposure to PBDEs are 

not well documented; however, based on the 

structural similarity of PBDEs to PCBs, there 

is reason for concern. The most sensitive 

populations are likely to be pregnant women, 

developing fetuses, and infants (McDonald, 

2002). Human prenatal and neonatal 

exposure to PBDEs is being carefully studied 

Mono Di Tri Tetra Penta Hexa Hepta Octa Nona Deca

BDE-1 BDE-7 BDE-17 BDE-47 BDE-85 BDE-138 BDE-181

BDE-2 BDE-8 BDE-25 BDE-49 BDE-99 BDE-153 BDE-183

BDE-3 BDE-10 BDE-28 BDE-66 BDE-100 BDE-154 BDE-190

BDE-11 BDE-30 BDE-75 BDE-116 BDE-155

BDE-12 BDE-32 BDE-77 BDE-118 BDE-166

BDE-13 BDE-33 BDE-119

BDE-15 BDE-35 BDE-126

BDE-37

Product Mono Di Tri Tetra Penta Hexa Hepta Octa Nona Deca

Penta 24-38 50-60 4-8

Octa 10-12 44 31-35 10-11 <1

Deca <3 >97

Table 1. Percent composition of commercial PBDE flame retardant mixtures. Commercial products contain more 

than one homologue in a specific range (WHO, 1994). 

Table 2. Unique PBDE congeners measured in this Mussel Watch Program assessment. 

Not measured 

for this study
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

7

and a recent report suggests an association 

of reduced thyroxine levels with prenatal 

exposure to PBDEs and PCBs (Herbstman et 

al., 2008).

Environmental Fate and Transport

PBDEs are widely distributed in marine 

sediments (Wurl and Obbard, 2005; Oros 

et al., 2005; Allchin et al., 1999) and biota 

(Environment Canada, 2006; Hites, 2004; de 

Wit et al., 2004). The major sources of PBDEs 

to the environment are homes and household 

dust (Stapleton et al., 2005; Jones-Otazo et 

al., 2005; Butt et al., 2004), releases during 

the manufacturing and use of commercial 

products, and releases during the recycling 

and disposal of products containing PBDEs. 

Subsequently, PBDEs may be distributed 

throughout the environment by atmospheric 

transport (Stranderg et al., 2001), runoff, 

industrial point sources, and sewage outflows 

(Litten et al., 2003). PBDEs are detected in 

remote places, such as the Arctic (Ikonomou 

et al., 2002; de Wit et al., 2004), representing 

further evidence of atmospheric transport and 

deposition. Other diffuse PBDE pathways 

include leaching from aging consumer 

products, incineration of municipal waste, land 

application of sewage sludge as biosolids, 

industrial discharge, and accidental spills 

(EPA, 2008; Hale et al., 2001; ATSDR, 2004). 

Relatively high concentrations of PBDEs 

have been detected in sediments and biota in 

areas close to industrial sources (Shen et al., 

2006; Liu et al., 2005). At high temperatures, 

PBDEs may form a volatile mixture of 

polybrominated dibenzodioxins (PBDD) 

and polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDF), 

making the incineration of municipal waste 

containing plastic and upholstery a source 

of atmospheric PBDEs, dioxins, and furans 

(ATSDR, 2004). 

Chemical Description

PBDEs have low vapor pressures, very 

low water solubility, and high octanolwater partition coefficients (log Kow) values 

(Environment Canada, 2006); therefore, they 

behave like many other persistent organic 

contaminants that accumulate in biota and 

sediment. In the environment they are more 

likely to be associated with particles than 

dissolved in the water. 

In addition to being found in fish (Johnson and 

Olson, 2001; Hites et al., 2004) and shellfish 

(Hoenicke et al., 2007; Booij et al., 2002; Oros 

et al., 2005), PBDEs have been measured in 

foxes, grizzly bears (Christensen et al., 2005), 

seals (Ikonomou et al., 2008; Ikonomou et al., 

2002), sea lions (Stapleton et al., 2006), polar 

bears (Verreault et al., 2005; Kannan et al., 

2005), porpoises, whales (Weijs et al., 2009; 

Ross, 2006), land and sea birds (Lindberg et 

al., 2004; McKinney et al., 2006; Voorspoels 

et al., 2006; Jaspers et al., 2005; Verreault et 

al., 2005; Bustnes et al., 2008), and bird eggs 

(Herzke et al., 2005; Braune et al., 2007). 

Since the 1970s, levels of PBDEs in 

sediments and wildlife, including aquatic 

species, have increased substantially 

(Ikonomou et al., 2002). Studies of PBDEs 

in marine foodwebs (Wan et al., 2008; Xia et 

al., 2008; Bragigand et al., 2006; JohnstonRestrepo et al., 2005a; Haglund et al., 1997) 

provide evidence of biomagnification. PBDEs 

in the environment may be transformed by 

debromination processes (removal of bromine 

atoms), including photo-transformation during 

exposure to sunlight (Stapleton and Dodder, 

2008).
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

8

q Methods 

• Mussel Watch sites were selected to represent coastal areas that can be used 

to construct a nationwide assessment. 

• Approximately half the sites are visited each year. 

• Sediment samples are collected from Mussel Watch sites approximately once 

every 10 years, when new sites are established, or during special sampling 

events such as oil spills.

• Bivalve collection includes blue mussels in the Northeast Atlantic, and West 

Coast; oysters in the Middle Atlantic, Southeast Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii, 

and Puerto Rico; and zebra mussels in the Great Lakes. 
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

9

Methods

selected for monitoring are generally 10 to 

100 km apart along the entire U.S. coastline, 

including the Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, and 

Hawaii. Where possible, sites were selected 

to coincide with historic mussel and oyster 

monitoring locations from other programs, 

such as the U.S. EPA’s Mussel Watch 

sites that were sampled from 1976 to 1978 

(Goldberg et al., 1983), and to complement 

sites sampled through state programs, such 

as the California Mussel Watch Program 

(Martin, 1985). 

Because one single species of mussel or 

oyster is not common to all coastal regions, 

a variety of species are collected to gain 

a national perspective. A target species is 

identified for each site based on abundance 

and ease of collection. Mussels (Mytilus 

Species and Sites

Mussels and oysters are widely distributed 

along the coasts. They are integrators of 

contaminants where they live, and their use 

as indicators minimizes the problems inherent 

in comparing data from markedly different 

species (Berner et al., 1976; Farrington 

et al., 1980; Farrington, 1983; Tripp and 

Farrington, 1984). They are good indicators of 

environmental quality because contaminant 

levels in their tissue respond to changes in 

the ambient environment and accumulate with 

little metabolic transformation (Roesijadi et al., 

1984; Sericano, 1993). 

Mussel Watch sites were selected to 

represent coastal areas that can be used to 

construct a nationwide assessment. Sites 

Figure 2. Distribution of ● zebra mussels, ● oysters, and ● mussels collected and measured as part of the 

Mussel Watch Program PBDE assessment. Mussel Watch Program sites not measured as part of this study (●).
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

10

Methods

iced containers, and shipped to analytical 

laboratories within two days of collection. 

Approximately 20 oysters or 30 mussels are 

composited for each site from three stations. 

The bivalves are shucked, soft tissue is 

homogenized, and approximately 15 grams 

of wet tissue is extracted. Sample collection, 

preparation, and extraction protocols are 

described in detail in McDonald et al., (2006); 

Lauenstein et al., (1997); Lauenstein and 

Cantillo, (1993a-d and 1998). 

Mussel Watch sites are sampled biennially 

with approximately half the sites visited in 

any one year. Annual collections are spatially 

distributed to provide a national snapshot 

(Figure 2). To provide a historical perspective 

and a current assessment, Mussel Watch 

samples from 1996 and 2004-2007 were 

measured respectively. Samples collected 

between 2004 and 2007 were aggregated 

and called 200X (Figure 3). Hence, 200X is a 

designation for samples collected from 2004 

through 2007.

Sediment Sites

Sediment samples are collected from Mussel 

Watch sites approximately once every 10 

years, when new sites are established, or 

following extreme events such as oil spills. 

Bivalve and sediment sites are taken from 

areas in close proximity to one another. The 

top 3 cm of sediments, representing recent 

deposition, are used in this analysis. Three 

sediment grabs are collected from three 

species) are collected from the North 

Atlantic (Maine to Delaware) and Pacific 

coasts. Oysters are collected from Delaware 

Bay southward and along the Gulf Coast 

(Crassostrea virginica), Hawaii (Ostrea 

sandvicensis), and Puerto Rico (Crassostrea 

rhizophorae). Chama sinuosa is collected 

from the Florida Keys and is classified along 

with oysters for this report. Zebra and quagga 

mussels (Dreissena species) are invasive 

species collected from the Great Lakes (Table 

3; Figure 2). Oysters and Mytilus species 

range in size from 7 to 10 cm and 5 to 8 cm, 

respectively. Zebra mussels are smaller, 

typically 2 to 4 cm. Previous comparisons of 

contaminant accumulation between mussels 

and oysters showed large differences for 

trace metals, particularly zinc and copper, but 

the differences in organic contaminants were 

determined to be minor and not likely to affect 

comparison between species (O’Connor, 

1992). 

Although the U.S. coastline is extensive, 

relatively few species are currently required to 

determine a national contaminant perspective. 

It is possible to make spatial comparisons of 

organic contaminant concentrations across 

all sites, because Mussel Watch species 

bioaccumulate organic contaminants similarly 

(O’Connor, 1992). 

Oysters and mussels are collected by 

hand or dredged from intertidal to shallow 

subtidal zones, brushed clean, packed in 

Table 3. Bivalves species used to assess national coastal PBDE concentrations.

Target Species Name used in this report

Mytilus edulis, Mytilus californianus, Mytilus galloprovincialis, and Mytilus 

trossulus

Mussels

Crassostrea virginica, Ostrea sandvicensis, Crassostrea rhizophorae, and 

Chama sinuosa*

Oysters

Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis Zebra mussels

* smooth-edge jewelbox collected from one site in the Florida Keys
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

11

stations and composited. Sediment collection 

sites are located as near as possible to, 

but generally not more than, 2 km from 

the bivalve site, and located in low energy 

depositional areas.

Analytical Methods

Analytical methods used by the Mussel Watch 

Program are provided in Appendix 2 and 

available online at http://NSandT.noaa.gov. Of 

the 209 possible PBDE congeners, 38 were 

analyzed for this report (Table 2) as a result 

of available standards, methodology and 

predominant congeners (Appendix 2). The 

co-eluting congeners 49 and 71 are labeled in 

this document as 49. 

Higher substituted PBDEs, such as the octa, 

Methods

nona, and deca homologues that were not 

measured in this study, appear to accumulate 

preferentially in sediment. Other homologues, 

those measured in this study, more frequently 

accumulate in tissue (Zhu and Hites, 2005). 

Hence, this presentation provides a partial 

picture of the sediment-tissue relationship. 

While PBDE's occur at ten different 

bromination levels, it was standard in early 

analyses to quantify the concentration 

of the first seven homologues. The more 

highly brominated forms or homologues 

(octa-, nona-, and deca-) were not generally 

measured because a standardized procedure 

for doing so did not readily exist. As the use 

of Deca, the most highly brominated form 

became the industry standard, the need to 

measure its presence in the environment 

Figure 3. Number of biennial measurements taken at each of the 254 sites sampled in 1996 and 200X. Sites 

shown have one year (●) or two years (●) of data. Mussel Watch Program sites not measured as part of this study 

(●).
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

12

became increasingly important. A procedure 

for measuring high molecular weight PBDE's 

was developed for use in the NS&T and was 

implemented as a part of our protocols in 

2007. Archived Mussel Watch samples have 

not yet been reanalyzed for these heavier 

compounds but could be should the need 

arise.

Statistical Analysis

Results from a Shapiro-Wilk W test for tissue 

(W = 0.233, prob < W =0.001) and sediment 

(W = 0.257, prob < W = 0.001) show that 

Mussel Watch chemistry data were not 

normally distributed; thus, nonparametric 

tests were used for statistical analyses. 

All measurements below detection limits 

were considered to be zero. Maps for each 

year show the sum of all 38 PBDE (Table 2) 

congeners measured for this study. Mussel 

Watch sites were classified into three groups. 

Sites below detection limit were categorized 

as low. Sites above the detection limit were 

categorized as either medium or high through 

cluster analysis. Clustering was performed 

using Ward's Minimum Variance technique. 

The concentration in each cluster group 

was then tested using Wilcoxon analysis 

to ensure that medium and high categories 

were significantly different at the α = 0.05 

level. Statistical outliers were reanalyzed to 

ensure measurements were correct and then 

combined within the high category. Here, 

clustering was used to partition site-specific 

PBDE concentrations into a fixed number of 

"closely related" subsets. For purposes of 

highlighting regions with elevated PBDEs, 

clustering was limited to 2 subsets: high and 

medium.

Spearman's nonparametric statistical test 

was used to test for correlation between 

PBDE concentrations and human population. 

Population was derived from 2000 census 

data and represents population within a 

radius of 20 km of each site. Tests were 

considered significant at the α = 0.05 level. 

To evaluate overall PBDE contamination 

levels in watersheds throughout the Nation, 

a 2-way clustering (statistical classification) 

procedure was performed using paired 

sediment and tissue concentrations 

simultaneously. This procedure provided a 

descriptive yet objective technique to consider 

PBDE contamination levels as a function of 

the two measurements. Sediment and tissue 

concentrations from all sites within each 

unique watershed were averaged to develop 

the 2-way classification. 

The Wilcoxon analysis was used to compare 

sediment and tissue concentrations from the 

watershed comparison analysis, significance 

was achieved at the α = 0.05 level. To ensure 

comparable dimensions the dry weight 

measurements for sediment and tissue were 

used. 

Mussels

Methods
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

13

Methods
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

14

q Results and Discussion 

• The highest PBDE concentrations were measured at industrial and urban 

locations.

• Sediment and tissue PBDE concentrations were correlated with human 

population within 20 km of a site.
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

15

Results and Discussion

Tissue 

The national distribution of PBDEs is 

presented as the sum of all 38 congeners. 

The majority of tissue measurements 

above detection limits had concentrations 

between 1 and 270 ppb lipid weight and were 

categorized as medium (Figure 4 - 6). Eight 

percent of tissue samples (1996 and 200X) 

had all 38 congener measurements below 

detection limits.

Anaheim Bay, CA, located in an industrialized 

area that includes a military base, had the 

highest measurement in the Nation (8202 pbb 

lipid weight). Elevated PBDE concentrations 

were also found in several other developed 

and industrialized areas; the most high 

measurements occurred in the HudsonRaritan Estuary (Figures 5 and 6; Table 4).

The highest percentage 

of low and high 

measurements occur 

in oysters and mussels 

respectively (Figure 4). 

As discussed earlier, 

the species differences 

are not thought to reflect 

uptake rate variability, 

rather local contaminant 

conditions (O'Connor, 

1992). Hence, speciesbased distributions 

of PBDE bivalve 

body burdens are not 

presented.

Using Spearman's 

nonparametric statistical 

test (Figure 7), human 

population within 20 km of a site was 

found to be positively correlated with tissue 

concentrations (Rho = 0.555, prob <0.001). 

However, sites located in the same region 

(e.g. Southern California) exhibited both 

increasing and decreasing decadal results 

(Figure 8). This is evidence that, like many 

contaminants, local sources are key in 

determining environmental concentrations.

Temporal changes were assessed using the 

following categories: increasing, decreasing, 

or no significant change (Figure 8). The 

highest increase occurred at Anaheim Bay, 

CA; the largest decrease occurred at a 

Buzzards Bay, MA location. 

Figure 4. Percentage bar charts by species, tissue and sediment: (A) species 

mussel n = 161, oyster n = 158, and zebra n = 20; (B) tissue (1996 n = 85, 

200X n = 254) and sediment (200X n = 122) measurements, where 200X 

= 2004 through 2007. Categories low (●), medium (●), and high (●) were 

determined by cluster analysis. 

A

B
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

16

Results and Discussion

Figure 5. National distribution of 1996 PBDE tissue concentration in ppb lipid weight. Categories low (●), 

medium (●), and high (●) were determined by cluster analysis. 

Figure 6. National distribution of 200X tissue concentration in ppb lipid weight (where 200X = 2004 

through 2007). Categories low (●), medium (●), and high (●) were determined by cluster analysis. 
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

17

Results and Discussion

Figure 8. National change in tissue concentration in ppb lipid weight, where change = 1996 - 200X and 

where 200X = 2004 through 2007.

Figure 7. Tissue and sediment 

concentration vs population correlation 

analysis. Spearman's correlation tests 

for tissue (r = 0.555, prob <0.001 ) and 

sediment (r = 0.283, prob < 0.01) were 

both significant. Colors representing 

low (●), medium (●), and high (●) were 

determined by cluster analysis.
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

18

Table 4. Location of sites with elevated PBDE tissue concentrations (ppb lipid weight), where 200X = 

2004 through 2007.

State General Location Specific Location Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X

CA Anaheim Bay West Jetty 1112 8202

NY Hudson River Governor's Island 2189

NY Hudson River Battery Park 1946

NY Hudson River Shore Road 1550

NY Hudson River Fort Wadsworth 1287

NY Hudson/Raritan Estuary Lower Bay 1191

CA San Francisco Bay Dumbarton Bridge 900

NY Hudson/Raritan Estuary Jamaica Bay 899

CA Marina Del Rey South Jetty 404 855

CA Imperial Beach North Jetty 846

NJ New York Bight Sandy Hook 784

CA San Francisco Bay San Mateo Bridge 731

TX Aransas Bay Long Reef 728

MA Waquoit Bay Estuarine Reserve 720

NY Long Island Sound Throgs Neck 601 697

NY Hudson/Raritan Estuary Upper Bay 653

NY Hudson/Raritan Estuary Raritan Bay 594

WA San Francisco Bay Yerba Buena Island 585

CA Crescent Point St. George 581

WA Puget Sound Edmonds Ferry 567

CA La Jolla Point La Jolla 514

CA Point Loma Lighthouse 498

CT Long Island Sound New Haven 333 495

NJ New York Bight Shark River 439

MS Mississippi Sound Biloxi Bay 438

FL Cedar Key Black Point 436

CA Long Beach Breakwater 883 432

WA Commencement Bay Tahlequah Point 342 427

NJ New York Bight Long Branch 426

WA Elliott Bay Four-Mile Rock 895 405

MS Mississippi Sound Pass Christian 389

Results and Discussion
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

19

State General Location Specific Location Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X

WA Elliott Bay Duwamish Head 453 389

TX Corpus Christi Nueces Bay 387

CA Eureka Samoa Bridge 383

WI Lake Michigan Milwaukee Bay 374

FL Apalachee Bay Spring Creek 361

TX Matagorda Bay Carancahua Bay 355

FL Charlotte Harbor Bird Island 352

CT Long Island Sound Connecticut River 590 350

WA Puget Sound Mukilteo 345

NY Long Island Sound Hempstead Harbor 334

FL Matanzas River Crescent Beach 322

HI Honolulu Hrb. Keehi Lagoon 319

WA Bellingham Bay Squalicum Marina Jet. 316

MI Lake Erie Stony Point 310

OR Coos Bay Russell Point 299

CA San Diego Bay Harbor Island 296

WA Puget Sound Everett Harbor 296

TX Lower Laguna Madre Port Isabel 293

TX Mesquite Bay Ayres Reef 292

WA Sinclair Inlet Waterman Point 456 287

AL Mobile Bay Dog River 374

CT Long Island Sound Housatonic River 493

MA Buzzards Bay Angelica Rock 804

NY Long Island Jones Inlet 360

NY Long Island Sound Mamaroneck 300

Table 4. Continued.

Results and Discussion
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

20

Figure 9. National distribution of 200X sediment concentration in ppb dry weight, where 200X = 2004 

through 2007. Categories low (●), medium (●), and high (●) were determined by cluster analysis. 

Sediment

Sediments were collected for PBDE

quantification in 2004-2007. Sums ranged 

from below detection limit to 88 ppb dry 

weight (Figure 9). Thirty six percent of 

sediment samples had all 38 congener 

measurements below detection limits. As 

with tissue samples, cluster analysis was 

used to categorize like concentrations. A 

majority of sediment sites were categorized 

as medium with a small percentage of high 

measurements (Figure 4). 

Elevated sediment concentrations (1 to 88 

ppb dry weight) were found in urbanized or 

industrialized bays and estuaries (Figure 9; 

Table 5). However, a statistically significant 

correlation between sediment PBDE

concentrations and population was weak in 

comparison to tissue (Figure 9). The relatively 

low correlation between population and 

sediment concentration may be caused by 

the large number of measurements that were 

below detection. 

The highest sediment measurements 

observed were taken from an urbanized 

location, Marina del Rey, CA (88 ppb dry 

weight). Several high measurements were 

found in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary in 

addition to other areas (Figure 9; Table 

5). Sediment PBDE concentrations were 

generally lower than concentrations found in 

tissues. 

Results and Discussion
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

21

Figure 10. Cluster analysis 

of paired sediment (ppb 

dry weight) and tissue (ppb 

lipid weight) contamination 

measurements. 

Avg. Sed. = 0.29 (L)

Avg. Sed. = 0.13 (L) 

Avg. Sed. = 5.9 (H)

Ave. Sed. = 7.9 (H)

Avg. Tis. = 37.5 (L)

Avg. Tis. = 175.4 (H)

Ave. Tis. = 520.0 (H)

Avg. Tis. = 35.8 (L) 

Cluster 3

Cluster 2

Cluster 4

Cluster 1

Results and Discussion
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

22

Regional and Local Analysis

Using the Wilcoxon statistical test, tissue 

PBDE concentrations were found to 

be significantly higher than sediment 

measurements taken at the same site (c2 = 

211, prob < 0.001). To ensure comparable 

dimensions, the dry weight measurements 

for sediment and tissue were used during 

comparisons of the two matrices. No 

correlation was found between tissue and 

sediment measurements (prob = 0.135). 

Two-way clustering of paired data provides a 

detailed view of paired concentration values, 

and groups of similar character (Figure 

10). The cluster “map” is color-coded to 

represent concentration values, with dark red 

indicating elevated concentrations, light red 

and green indicating moderately elevated 

concentrations, and dark green indicating 

low concentrations. Cluster 4 stands out as 

a unique group with high concentrations of 

PBDEs in both tissue and sediment. These 

levels may also be reflected in humans. For 

example, the Hudson-Raritan Estuary is 

surrounded by the highest density population 

in the Nation, which probably contributes to 

the elevated PBDE levels observed there 

(Figure 5 and 6; Tables 4 and 5). A study by 

Johnston-Restrepo et al., (2005b) indicates 

that levels of PBDEs in adipose tissue of New 

Yorkers is orders of magnitude higher than 

levels found in Europeans. 

Hoh and Hites, (2005) measured air samples 

from Lake Michigan through the Midwest to 

the Gulf of Mexico and detected residues 

of PBDE in remote areas. Their results 

suggest that concentrations in particles are 

3 to 6 times higher in urban areas. While this 

finding corroborates the link between PBDE 

concentrations and human population density, 

it also highlights the potential of PBDEs to be 

transported through the atmosphere to remote 

locations. The highest concentrations occur 

in areas with high population; however, even 

in some densely populated areas, the median 

concentration was not always in the elevated 

range.

The distribution of congeners measured in 

this study is in the range of what has been 

reported globally for mussels and sediment 

State General Location Specific Location

Sediment 

200X

CA Marina del Rey South Jetty 88

NY Hudson-Raritan Estuary World Trade Center 41

NY Hudson-Raritan Estuary Upper Bay 31

NY Hudson-Raritan Estuary Holland Tunnel 28

NY Hudson-Raritan Estuary Lower Bay 22

NY Hudson-Raritan Estuary Ellis Island 19

TX Galveston Bay Ship Channel 15

MA Cape Cod Nauset Harbor 14

OH Lake Erie Stony Point 14

RI Narragansett Bay Dyer Island 12

Table 5. Location of sites with elevated PBDE sediment concentrations (ppb dry weight), where 200X = 

2004 through 2007.

Results and Discussion
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

23

(Hoenicke et al., 2007; Oros et al., 2005; 

Hites, 2004; Christensen and Platz, 2001; de 

Wit, 2002). Sediment concentrations reported 

globally from highly polluted industrial 

locations had congener concentrations for 

47, 99, and 153 on the order of 1000 ppb dry 

weight (Luo et al., 2007). 

Industrial sources have also been identified 

in other studies as a source for the highest 

levels of PBDEs (Luo et al., 2007; de Wit, 

2000). Studies have found that PBDE

concentrations in urban areas are elevated 

but not to the level of industrial locations 

(Hoenicke et al., 2007; Oros et al., 2005; 

Hites, 2004; Christensen and Platz, 2001; 

de Wit, 2002). Mussel Watch sampling 

does not specifically collect industrial and 

point sources; as a result, mean sediment 

concentrations reported in this study were 

lower than what had been reported for 

industrial point sources. 

Future assessments by the National Status 

and Trends Program will include higher 

brominated homologues, providing a more 

complete characterization of PBDEs in the 

U.S. coastal zone.

Results and Discussion
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

24

q Societal Relevance 

• In the environment major PBDE and PCB congeners have similar concentration 

ranges.

• Proper disposal of consumer goods is critical to limiting environmental releases 

of PBDEs.

• Societal benefits must be weighed against toxicity when determining the value 

of flame retardants.
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

25

Societal Relevance

PBDEs readily accumulate in 

organisms, including humans, and 

magnify upwards through marine food 

chains (Wan et al., 2008). Some of 

the highest PBDE levels measured 

in humans are from occupational 

exposures (Qu et al., 2007); however, 

PBDE levels in the general population 

result from exposure to contaminated 

indoor dust and food (Hites, 2004).

PBDEs have been called “the new 

PCBs,” and while there are some 

similarities, a major difference between 

them is the source of exposure. PCBs 

were primarily point source industrial 

contaminants, while PBDEs are 

primarily found in consumer goods. 

A comparison of Mussel Watch PCB data 

(Kimbrough et al., 2008) and Mussel 

Watch PBDE data (this report) suggests 

environmental concentrations of major 

PBDE and PCB congeners have a similar 

concentration range. With the continued 

use of DecaBDE and the current pool of 

consummer goods that contain PBDEs, 

environmental concentrations of PBDEs could 

surpass that of PCBs in certain locations.

Chemical flame retardants clearly save 

lives and property, but the costs and benefits 

of using some of these compounds are hotly 

debated with respect to consumer health 

and safety, and the environment. The U.S. 

Consumer Product Safety Commission 

(CPSC, 2008) estimates losses from 

residential fire. They reported that the 

combined fire related deaths from upholstered 

furniture and mattress bedding fires (which 

exceeded all other categories) decreased 

from a high of 2,200 deaths in 1980 to 930 

deaths in 1998 (CPSC, 2000) partly due to 

the use of flame retardants, including PBDEs.

Flame retardant manufacturers 

in the U.S. voluntarily stopped 

producing the PentaBDE and 

OctaBDE formulations in 2004.

Thus, upholstered furniture and 

mattress manufactures had to 

seek alternative flame retardants 

to meet fire safety standards, 

some of these new retardants 

have already been measured in 

house dust samples (Stapleton 

et al., 2008). Unfortunately, 

alternative chemical flame 

retardants may be toxic while 
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

26

Societal Relevance

others have very limited toxicity data. For 

example, chlorinated tris, a flame retardant, 

is a known carcinogen. Other brominated 

chemicals, such as tetrabrominated benzoate 

and tetrabrominated phthalate, have 

incomplete toxicity data (SFEI, 2008). 

As with many persistent organic pollutants, 

PBDEs are distributed by atmospheric 

transport (Hoh and Hites, 2005). Even 

with a global reduction in PBDE use, 

the continued release of PBDEs into the 

environment is inevitable for years to come 

due to their persistant nature. Therefore, the 

proper disposal of consumer products such 

as furniture, mattresses, televisions, and 

computers is critical (Bogdal et al., 2008; 

Strandberg et al., 2001). Consumer products 

that contain PBDEs fill homes across the 

country. Hence, care must be taken to prevent 

further release of PBDEs into the environment 

when these products are discarded or 

recycled. Proper disposal methods must be 

developed and implemented.

Improper electronic waste recycling and 

disposal can cause significant environmental 

degradation (Luo et al., 2007) and may have 

negative occupational health ramifications (Qu 

et al., 2007). Proper disposal would curtail 

local releases to the environment and limit 

atmospheric transport, thereby mitigating the 

threat to coastal areas, remote regions, and 

marine food chains. Elevated levels of PBDEs 

found in municipal sewage is evidence of an 

increased threat to the environment from land 

based sources (Song et al., 2006; de Wit, 

2002).

The toxicity and ecosystem effects of PBDEs 

on marine biota have not been well studied. 

Laboratory toxicity studies show potential for 

adverse human health effects. Until such time 

as these questions are satisfactorily resolved, 

ongoing monitoring for these contaminants 

should continue.

This report clearly shows that PBDEs are 

ubiquitous in coastal sediments and bivalves. 

NOAA’s NS&T Program will continue to 

monitor and report on PBDEs in sediment and 

tissue. In addition, NOAA staff are working 

with Federal and State agencies, and nongovernmental organizations to identify other 

emerging contaminants of concern, including 

alternative flame retardants. 
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

27

Societal Relevance
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

28

Alaee, M., P. Arias, A. Sjödin and Å. Bergman. 2003. An overview of commercially used 

brominated flame-retardants, their applications, their use patterns in different countries/regions 

and possible modes of release. Environment International 29:683-689.

Allchin, C. R., R. J. Law and S. Morris. 1999. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sediments and 

biota downstream of potential sources in the UK. Environmental Pollution 28:2247-2262.

ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry). 2004. Polybrominated Diphenyl 

Ethers. Accessed 3Mar2009. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts68-pbde.pdf.

Berner, L. H., J. McGowan, J. H. Martin and J. Teal. 1976. Sampling marine organisms. In: 

Strategies for Marine Pollution Monitoring, E. D. Goldberg, (ed.). John Wiley & Sons, NY. pp. 

269-73.

Bogdal, C., P. Schmid, M. Kohler, C.E. Müller, S. Iozza, T. D. Bucheli, M. Scheringer, and 

K. Hungerbühler. 2008. Sediment record and atmospheric deposition of brominated flame 

retardants and organochlorine compounds in Lake Thun, Switzerland: lessons from the past 

and evaluation of the present. Environmental Science and Technology. 42:6817-6822.

Booij, K., B. N. Zegers and J. P. Boon. 2002. Levels of some polybrominated diphenyl ether 

(PBDE) flame retardants along the Dutch coast as derived from their accumulation in SPMDs 

and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). Chemosphere 46:683-688.

Bragigand, V., C. Amiard-Triquet, E. Parliet, P. Boury, P. Marchand and M. El Hourch. 2006. 

Influence of biological and ecological factors on the bioaccumulation of polybrominated 

diphenyl ethers in aquatic food webs from French estuaries. Science of the Total Environment. 

368:615-626.

Braune, B. M., M. L. Mallory, H. G. Gilchrist, R. J. Letcher and K. G. Drouillard. 2007. Levels 

and trends of organochlorines and brominated flame retardants in Ivory Gull eggs from the 

Canadian Arctic, 1976 to 2004. Science of the Total Environment 378:403-417.

BSEF (Bromine Science and Environmental Forum). 2006. Fact Sheet: Brominated Flame 

Retardant Deca-BDE Decabromodiphenyl Ether. Edition 2004. Accessed 11Mar2009. 

http://www.bsef.com/uploads/Documents/documents/BSEF_Mini_FAQ_final_2006.pdf.

Bustnes, J. O., K. Borgå, K. E. Erikstad, S. H. Lorentsen and D. Herzke. 2008. Perfluorinated, 

brominated, and chlorinated contaminants in a population of lesser black-backed gulls (Larus 

fuscus). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 27:1383-1392. 

Butt, C. M., M. L. Diamond, J. Truong, M. G. Ikonomou and F. H. ter Schure. 2004 Spatial 

distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Southern Ontario as measured in indoor and 

outdoor window organic films. Environmental Science and Technology 38:724-731.

References
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

29

Christensen, J. R., M. MacDuffee, R. W. MacDonald, M. Whiticar and P. S. Ross. 2005. 

Persistent organic pollutants in British Columbia grizzly bears: consequence of divergent diets. 

Environmental Science and Technology 39:6952-6960.

Christensen, J. H. and J. Platz. 2001. Screening of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in blue 

mussels, marine and freshwater sediments in Denmark. Journal of Environmental Monitoring. 

3:543-547. 

CPSC (Consumer Products Safety Commission) 2008. 2003-2005 Residential Fire Loss 

Estimates. Washington, DC. Acessed 3Mar2009.http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/fire05.pdf

CPSC (Consumer Products Safety Commission). 2000. 1998 Residential Fire Loss Estimates. 

Washington, DC. Accessed 11Mar2009. http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/fire98.pdf.

de Wit, C., M. Alaee and D. Muir. 2004. Brominated flame retardants in the Arctic – an 

overview of spatial and temporal trends. Organohalogen Compounds 66:3811-3816.

de Wit, C.A. 2002. An overview of brominated flame retardants in the environment. 

Chemosphere 46:583-624.

de Wit, C. A. 2000. Brominated flame retardants. Report 5065, Swedish Environmental 

Protection Agency, Stockholm Sweden.

Darnerud, P.O. 2003. Toxic effects of brominated flame retardants in man and wildlife. 

Environmental International 29:841-853. 

Darnerud, P.O., G. Eriksen, T. Johnannesson, P. Larsen and M. Viluksela. 2001. 

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers: occurrence, dietary exposure and toxicology. Environmental 

Health Perspectives 109:49-68.

Environment Canada. 2006. Canadian Environmental Proctection Act, 1999 Ecological 

Screening Assessment Report on Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs). 34 pp. Accessed 

3Mar2009. http://www.ec.gc.ca/CEPARegistry/documents/subs_list/PBDE_SAR/PBDEs_SAR_

EC_June_2006_(en).pdf.

EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2008. Emerging contaminants – polybrominated 

diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBB). Accessed 3Mar2009. http://

www.epa.gov/tio/download/contaminantfocus/epa542f07007.pdf 

Farrington, J.W. 1983. Bivalves as sentinels of coastal chemical pollution: the mussel (and 

oyster) watch. Oceanus 26:18-29.

Farrington, J. W., J. Albaiges, K. A. Burns, B. P. Dunn, P. Eaton, J. L. Laseter, P. L. Parker and 

S. Wise. 1980. Fossil fuels. In: The International Mussel Watch. National Research Council. 

National Academy of Sciences - Office of Publications, Washington, D.C. 20418. pp. 7-77.

References
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

30

Goldberg, E. D., M. Koide, V. Hodge, A. R. Flegal and J. Martin. 1983. U.S. Mussel Watch: 

1977-1978 results on trace metals and radionuclides. Estuarine Coastal Shelf Science 16:69-

93.

Haglund, P. S., D. R. Zook, H. Buser and J. Hu. 1997. Identification and quantification of 

polybrominated diphenyl ethers and methoxy-polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Baltic biota. 

Environmental Science and Technology 31:3281-3287.

Hale R. C., M. J. La Guardia, E. P. Harvey, T. M. Mainor, W. H. Duff and M. O. Gaylor. 

2001. Polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants in Virginia freshwater fishes (USA). 

Environmental Science and Technology 35:4585-4591. 

Hardy, M. L. 2002a. A comparison of the properties of the major commercial PBDPO/PBDE

product to those of major PBB and PCB products. Chemosphere 46:717-728. 

Hardy, M. L. 2002b. The toxicology of the three commercial polybrominated diphenyl oxide 

(ether) flame retardants. Chemosphere 46:757-777.

Hayward, D., J. Wong and A. J. Krynitsky. 2007. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and 

polychlorinated biphenyls in commercially wild caught and farm-raised fish fillets in the United 

States. Environmental Research 103:46-54.

Herbstman, J. B., A. Sjödin, B. J. Apelberg, F. R. Witter, R. U. Halden, D. G. Patterson Jr., S. R. 

Panny, L. L. Needham and L. R. Goldman. 2008. Birth delivery mode modifies the associations 

between prenatal polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and polybrominated biphenyl ether (PBDE) 

and neonatal thyroid hormone levels. Environmental Health Perspectives 116:1376-1382.

Herzke, D., U. Berger, R. Kallenborn, T. Nygård and W. Vetter. 2005. Brominated flame 

retardants an other organobromines in Norwegian predatory bird eggs. Chemosphere 61:441-

449.

Hites, R. A. 2004. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the environment and in people: A metaanalysis of concentrations. Environmental Science and Technology 38:945-956.

Hites, R. A., J. A. Foran, S. J. Schwager, B. A. Knuth, M. C. Hamilton and D. O. Carpenter. 

2004. Global assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in farmed and wild salmon. 

Environmental Science and Technology 38:4945-4949. 

Hoenicke, R., D. R. Oros, J. J. Oram and K. M. Taberski. 2007. Adapting an ambient 

monitoring program to the challenge of managing emerging pollutants in the San Francisco 

Estuary. Environmental Research 105:132-144.

Hoh, E. and R. A. Hites. 2005. Brominated flame retardants in the atmosphere of the eastcentral United States. Environmental Science and Technology 39:7794-7802.

References
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

31

Hooper, K. and T. A. McDonald. 2000. The PBDEs: An emerging environmental challenge 

and another reason for breast-milk monitoring programs. Environmental Health Perspectives 

108:387-392. 

Ikonomou, M. G. and R. F. Addison. 2008. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in seal 

populations from eastern and western Canada: An assessment of the processes and factors 

controlling PBDE distribution in seals. Marine Environmental Research 66:225-230.

Ikonomou, M. G., S. Rayne and R. F. Addison. 2002. Exponential increases of the brominated 

flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, in the Canadian Arctic from 1981 to 2000. 

Environmental Science and Technology 36:1886-1892.

Jaspers, V., A. Covaci, J. Maervoet, T. Dauwe, S. Voorspoels, P. Schepens and M. Eens. 2005. 

Brominated flame retardants and organochlorine pollutants in eggs of little owls (Athene notua) 

from Belgium. Environmental Pollution 136:81-88. 

Johnson, A. and N. Olson. 2001. Analysis and occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers 

in Washington State freshwater fish. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 

41:339–344.

Johnston-Restrepo, B., K. Kannan, R. Addink and D. H. Adams. 2005a. Polybrominated 

diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in marine foodweb of coastal Florida. 

Environmental Science and Technology 39:8243-8250.

Johnston-Restrepo, B., K. Kannan, D. P. Rapaport and B. D. Rodan. 2005b. Polybrominated 

diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in human adipose tissue from New York. 

Environmental Science and Technology 39:5177-5182.

Jones-Otazo, H. A., J. P. Clarke, M. L. Diamond, J. A. Archbold, G. Ferguson, T. Harner, G. M. 

Richardson, J. J. Ryan and C. Wilford. 2005. Is house dust the missing exposure pathway for 

PBDEs? An analysis of the urban fate and human exposure to PBDEs. Environmental Science 

and Technology 39:5121-5130.

Julander A., H. Westberg, M. Engwall and B. Van Bavel. 2005. Distribution of brominated flame 

retardants in different dust fractions in air from an electronic recycling facility. Science of the 

Total Environment. 350:151-160.

Kannan, K., S. H. Yun and T. J. Evans. 2005. Chlorinated, brominated, and perfluorinated 

contaminants in livers of polar bears from Alaska. Environmental Science and Technology 

39:9057-9063.

Keith, L. H. and W. A. Teillard. 1979. Priority pollutants I: a perspective view. Environmental 

Science and Technology 13:416-423.

References
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

32

Kimbrough, K. L., W. E. Johnson, G. G. Lauenstein, J. D. Christensen, and D. A. Apeti. 2008. 

Assessment of Two Decades of Contaminant Monitoring in the Nation's Coastal Zone. Silver 

Spring, MD. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 74. 105 pp. 

Lauenstein, G. G. and A. Y. Cantillo. 1998. Analytical Methods of the National Status and 

Trends Program Mussel Watch Project - 1993 -1997 Update. NOAA Technical Memorandum 

NOS ORCA 130. Silver Spring, MD. Accessed 3Mar2009. http://www.ccma.nos.noaa.gov/

publications/tm130.pdf.

Lauenstein, G. G., A. Y. Cantillo, S. Kokkinakis, J. Jobling and R. Fay. 1997. National 

Status and Trends Program for Marine Environmental Quality: Mussel Watch Project Site 

Descriptions, through 1997. NOAA Technical Memorandum, NOS ORCA 112. NOAA Silver 

Spring, MD. Accessed 3Mar2009. http://www.ccma.nos.noaa.gov/publications/tm112.pdf.

Lauenstein, G. G. and A. Y. Cantillo. 1993a. Sampling and Analytical Methods of the National 

Status and Trends Program National Benthic Surveillance and Mussel Watch Projects 

1984-1992: Overview and Summary of Methods, Volume I NOAA Technical Memorandum 

NOS ORCA 71. Silver Spring, MD. Accessed 3Mar2009. http://www.ccma.nos.noaa.gov/

publications/tm71v1.pdf.

Lauenstein, G. G. and A. Y. Cantillo (eds.). 1993b. Sampling and Analytical Methods of the 

National Status and Trends Program National Benthic Surveillance and Mussel Watch Projects 

1984-1992: Comprehensive Descriptions of Complementary Measurements, Volume II NOAA

Technical Memorandum NOS ORCA 71. Silver Spring, MD. Accessed 3Mar2009. http://www.

ccma.nos.noaa.gov/publications/tm71v2.pdf.

Lauenstein, G. G. and A. Y. Cantillo (eds.). 1993c. Sampling and Analytical Methods of the 

National Status and Trends Program National Benthic Surveillance and Mussel Watch Projects 

1984-1992: Comprehensive Descriptions of Elemental Analytical Methods, Volume III NOAA

Technical Memorandum NOS ORCA 71. Silver Spring, MD. 3Mar2009. http://www.ccma.nos.

noaa.gov/publications/tm71v3.pdf.

Lauenstein, G. G. and A. Y. Cantillo (eds.). 1993d. Sampling and Analytical Methods of the 

National Status and Trends Program National Benthic Surveillance and Mussel Watch Projects 

1984-1992: Comprehensive Descriptions of Trace Organic Analytical Methods, Volume IV 

NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS ORCA 71. Silver Spring, MD. Accessed 3Mar2009. http://

www.ccma.nos.noaa.gov/publications/tm71v4.pdf. 

Lindberg, P., U. Sellstrom, L. Haggberg and C. A. de Wit. 2004. Higher brominated diphenyl 

ethers and hexabromocyclododecane found in eggs of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) 

breeding in Sweden. Environmental Science and Technology 38:93-96. 

Liu, Y., G. J. Zhen, H. Yu, M. Martin, B. J. Richardson, M. H. W. Lam and P. K. S. Lam. 2005. 

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sediments and mussels tissues from Hong Kong 

marine waters. Marine Pollution Bulletin 50:1173-1184.

References
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

33

Litten, S., D. J. McChesney, M. C. Hamilton and B. Fowler. 2003. Destruction of the World 

Trade Center and PCBs, PBDEs, PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs, and chlorinated biphenylenes in water, 

sediment, and sewage sludge. Environmental Science and Technology 37:5502-5510.

Luo, Q., Z. W. Cai and M. H. Wong. 2007. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish and sediment 

from river polluted by electronic waste. Science of the Total Environment 383:115-127.

Martin, M. 1985. State Mussel Watch: Toxics surveillance in California. Marine Pollution 

Bulletin 16:140-146.

McDonald, S. J., D. S. Frank, J. A. Ramirez, B. Wang and J. M. Brooks. 2006. Ancillary 

Methods of the National Status and Trends Program: 2000-2006 Update. NOAA Technical 

Memorandum NOS NCCOS 28. 17pp.

McDonald, T. A. 2002. A perspective on the potential health risks of PBDEs. Chemosphere 

46:745-755.

McKinney, M. A., Cesh, L. S., Elliott, J. E., Williams, T. D., Garcelon, D. K. and Letcher, R. J. 

2006. Brominated flame retardants and halogenated phenolic compounds in North American 

west coast bald eaglet (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) plasma. Environmental Science and 

Technology 40:6275-6281. 

Norén, K. and D. Meronyté. 2000. Certain organochlorine and organobromine contaminants in 

Swedish human milk in perspective of past 20-30 years. Chemosphere 40:1111-1123. 

O’Connor, T. P. 1992. Mussel Watch: recent trends in coastal environmental quality: results 

from the first five years of the NOAA Mussel Watch Project. Special publication. NOAA/NOS 

Office of Ocean Resources Conservation and Assessment, Silver Spring, MD. 46 pp.

Oros, D. R., D. Hoover, F. Rodigari, D. Crane and J. Sericano. 2005. Levels and distribution 

of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in water, surface sediments, and bivalves from the San 

Francisco Estuary. Environmental Science and Technology 39:33-41.

Qu, W., X. Bi, G. Sheng, S. Lu, J. Fu, J. Yuan and L. Li. 2007. Exposure to polybrominated 

diphenyl ethers among workers at an electronic waste dismantling region in Guangdong, 

China. Environment International 33:1029-1034.

Roesijadi, G., J. S. Young, A. S. Drum and J. M. Gurtisen. 1984. Behavior of trace metals in 

Mytilus edulis during a reciprocal transplant field experiment. Marine Ecology Progress Series 

18:155-70.

Ross, P. S. 2006. Fireproof killer whales (Orcinus orca): flame-retardant chemicals and the 

conservation imperative in the charismatic icon of British Columbia, Canada. Canadian Journal 

of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 63:224-234.

References
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

34

Schecter, A., O. Päpke, T. Robert Harris, K.C. Tung, A. Musumba, J. Olson and L. Birnbaum. 

2006. Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) Levels in an expanded market basket survey 

of U.S. food and estimated PBDE dietary intake by age and sex. Environmental Health 

Perspectives 114:1515-1520.

Schecter, A., O. Päpke, K. Chi, J. Joseph, T. R. Harris and J. Dahlgren. 2005. Polybrominated 

diphenyl ether flame retardants in the U.S. population: current levels, temporal trends, 

and comparison with dioxins, dibenzofurans, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Journal of 

Occupational and Environmental Medicine 47:199-211. 

Schecter, A., M. Pävuk, O. Papke, J.J. Ryan, L. Birnbaum and R. Rosen. 2003. 

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in U.S. mothers' milk. Environmental Health 

Perspectives 111:1723-1729.

Sericano, J. L. 1993. The American oyster (Crassostrea virginica) as a bioindicator of trace 

organic contamination. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. 242 

pp.

SFEI (San Francisco Estuary Institute), 2008. PBDEs in the Bay: Rapid rise, rapid fall? 

Regional Monitoring News. 13:1. Accessed 28Feb2009. Http://www.sfei.org/rmp/rmp_news/

RMP2008News_Vol13SpringSummer4Web.pdf.

She, J., M. Petreas, J. Winkler, P. Visita, M. McKinney and D. Kopec. 2002. PBDEs in the San 

Francisco Bay area: measurements in harbor seal blubber and human breast adipose tissue. 

Chemosphere 46:697-707.

Shen, L., F. Wania, Y.D. Lei, C. Teixera, D.C.G. Muir and H. Xiao, 2006. Polychlorinated 

biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the North American atmosphere. 

Environmental Pollution 144:434–444.

Siddiqi, M. A., R. H. Laessig and K. D. Reed. 2003. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs): 

new pollutants-old diseases. Clinical Medicine and Research 1:281-290.

Sjödin, A., L.-Y. Wong, R. S. Jones, A. Park, Y. Zhang, C. Hodge, E. DiPietro, C. McClure, W. 

Turner, L. L. Needham and D. G. Patterson, Jr. 2008. Serum concentrations of polybrominated 

diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) in the United States population: 

2003–2004. Environmental Science and Technology 42:1377–1384.

Song, M., S. Chu, R. J. Letcher, and R. Seth. 2006 Fate, partitioning, and mass loading of 

polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) during the treatment processing of municipal sewage. 

Environmental Science and Technology. 40:6241-6246.

Stapleton, H. M. and N. G. Dodder. 2008. Photodegradation of decabromodiphenyl ether in 

house dust by natural sunlight. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 27:306-312.

References
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

35

Stapleton, H. M., J. G. Allen, S. M. Kelly, A. Konstantinov, S. Klosterhaus, D. Watkins, M. D. 

McClean, and T. F Webster. 2008. Alternate and new brominated flame retardants detected in 

U.S. house dust. Environmental Science and Technology 42:6910-6916.

Stapleton, H. M., N. G. Dodder, J. R. Kucklick, C. M. Reddy, M. M. Schantz, P. R. Becker, F. 

Gulland, B. J. Porter and S. A. Wise. 2006. Determination of HBCD, PBDEs and MeO-BDEs 

in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) stranded between 1993 and 2003. Marine 

Pollution Bulletin 52:522-531.

Stapleton, H. M., N. G. Dodder, J. H. Offenberg, M. M. Schantz and S. A. Wise. 2005. 

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in house dust and clothes dryer lint. Environmental Science 

and Technology 39:925-931.

Strandberg, B., N. G. Dodder, I. Basu, and R. A. Hites. 2001. Concentrations and spatial 

variations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and other organohalogen compounds in Great 

Lakes air. Environmental Science and Technology. 35:1078-1083.

Tripp, B. W. and J. W. Farrington. 1984. Using sentinel organisms to monitor chemical 

changes in the coastal zone: progress or paralysis. Submitted to the Coastal Society, 9th 

Annual Conference, October 1984, Atlantic City, NJ. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 

Contribution No. 5830.

Verreault, J., G. W. Gabrielsen, S. Chu, D. C. G. Muir, M. Andersun, A. Hamaed and R. J. 

Letcher. 2005. Flame retardants and methoxylated and hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl 

ethers in two Norwegian Arctic top predators: glaucous gulls and polar bears. Environmental 

Science and Technology 39:6021-6028.

Voorspoels, S., A. Covaci, P. Lepom, V. L. B. Jaspers and P. Schepens. 2006. Levels and 

distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in various tissues of birds of prey. Environmental 

Pollution 1-10. 

Wan, Y., J. Hu, K. Zhang and L. An. 2008. Trophodynamics of polybrominated diphenyl ethers 

in the marine food web of Bohai Bay, North China. Environmental Science and Technology 

42:1078-1083. 

Weijs, L., A. C Dirtu, K. Das, A. Gheorghe, P.J. H. Reijinders, H. Neels, R. Blust and A. Covaci. 

2009. Inter-species differences for polychlorinated diiphenyl ethers in marine top predators 

from the southern North Sea: Part 2. Biomagnification in harbour seals and harbour porpoises. 

Environmental Pollution 157:445-451.

Wurl, O. and J. P. Obbard. 2005. Organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and 

polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Singapore’s coastal marine sediments. Chemosphere 

58:925-933.

Xia, K., M. B. Luo, C. Lusk, K. Armbrust, L. Skinner and R. Sloan. 2008. Polybrominated 

diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in biota representing different trophic levels of the Hudson River, New 

York: from 1999 to 2005. Environmental Science and Technology 42:4331-4337.
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

36

Zhu, L. Y. and R. A. Hites. 2005 Brominated flame retardants in sediment cores from Lakes 

Michigan and Erie. Environmental Science and Technology 39:3488-3494.

References
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

37
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

38

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Appendix 1

Alabama

MBWE 30.3867 -87.8320 Mobile Bay Weeks Bay AL O

MBDR 30.5917 -88.0398 Mobile Bay Dog River AL O

MBHI 30.5633 -88.0750 Mobile Bay Hollingers Is. Chan. AL O

MBCP 30.3155 -88.1338 Mobile Bay Cedar Point Reef AL O

MBWE l 0.6

MBDR l 374 38.5 l 149 22.0 l 0.0

MBHI l 136 24.6 l 0.0

MBCP l 29 3.6 l 27 3.8 l 0.0
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

39

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Appendix 1

Alaska

KTMP 55.2938 -131.5480 Ketchikan Mountain Point AK M

CINK 59.3580 -151.9300 Kachemak Bay Nanwalek AK M

NBES 59.4533 -135.3365 Nahku Bay East Side AK M

CIHS 59.6145 -151.4442 Cook Inlet Homer Spit AK M

RBNR 60.1021 -149.3642 Resurrection Bay Nash Road AK M

RBMF 60.1130 -149.3740 Resurrection Bay Mud Flats AK M

UISB 60.9608 -147.6460 Unakwit Inlet Siwash Bay AK M

PVMC 61.1328 -146.4610 Port Valdez Mineral Creek Flats AK M

NGEK 58.7961 -158.5325 Nushagek Bay Nushagek Bay AK M

KTMP l 32 3.2

CINK l 2 0.3

NBES l 79 7.9

CIHS l 150 9.0

RBNR l 35 4.5

RBMF l 17 1.6

UISB l 34 1.7

PVMC l 46 4.1

NGEK l 15 1.5
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

40

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

California

IBNJ l 846 77.0

PLLH l 498 29.9

SDCB l 236 30.2

SDHI l 296 32.0 l 0.4

MBVB l 153 13.8

LJLJ l 514 36.0

OSBJ l 268 16.1 l 1.4

SCBR l 63 3.1 l 21 1.4

NBWJ l 228 13.2 l 126 7.6 l 2.6

SPFP l 252 24.1 l 2.4

PVRP l 234 17.8 l 154 12.0

LBBW l 883 47.7 l 432 37.4 l 4.1

ABWJ l 1112 93.4 l 8202 840.8 l 0.5

RBMJ l 253 17.7 l 264 22.2

IBNJ 32.5877 -117.1335 Imperial Beach North Jetty CA M

PLLH 32.6805 -117.2488 Point Loma Lighthouse CA M

SDCB 32.6865 -117.1592 San Diego Bay Coronado Bridge CA M

SDHI 32.7247 -117.1947 San Diego Bay Harbor Island CA M

MBVB 32.7675 -117.2420 Mission Bay Ventura Bridge CA M

LJLJ 32.8515 -117.2738 La Jolla Point La Jolla CA M

OSBJ 33.2017 -117.3937 Oceanside Municipal Beach Jetty CA M

SCBR 33.4517 -118.4873 South Catalina Island Bird Rock CA M

NBWJ 33.5910 -117.8900 Newport Beach West Jetty CA M

SPFP 33.7067 -118.2742 San Pedro Harbor Fishing Pier CA M

PVRP 33.7170 -118.3227 Palos Verdes Royal Palms State Pk. CA M

LBBW 33.7232 -118.1735 Long Beach Breakwater CA M

ABWJ 33.7335 -118.1010 Anaheim Bay West Jetty CA M

RBMJ 33.8320 -118.3928 Redondo Beach Municipal Jetty CA M

Appendix 1
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

41

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

California cont'd

MDSJ 33.9618 -118.4580 Marina del Rey South Jetty CA M

PDPD 34.0010 -118.8088 Point Dume Point Dume CA M

TBSM 34.0390 -118.5972 Las Tunas Beach Santa Monica Bay CA M

SCFP 34.0580 -119.9203 Santa Cruz Island Fraser Point CA M

SBSB 34.3957 -119.7275 Point Santa Barbara Point Santa Barbara CA M

PCPC 34.4438 -120.4570 Point Conception Point Conception CA M

SLSL 35.1607 -120.7558 San Luis Obispo Bay Point San Luis CA M

SSSS 35.6347 -121.1947 San Simeon Point San Simeon Point CA M

PGLP 36.6272 -121.9165 Pacific Grove Lovers Point CA M

Appendix 1

MDSJ l 404 37.6 l 855 75.2 l 87.8

PDPD l 236 13.7 l 130 9.8 l 0.2

TBSM l 117 13.7 l 144 11.7 l 0.2

SCFP l 22 2.6 l 34 2.1

SBSB l 62 3.2 l 96 7.0

PCPC l 0 0.0 l 33 2.7

SLSL l 71 5.8 l 77 12.2

SSSS l 0 0.0 l 26 1.9

PGLP l 170 11.9
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

42

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

California cont'd

MBML 36.8012 -121.7897 Monterey Bay Moss Landing CA M

MBES 36.8098 -121.7852 Monterey Bay Elkhorn Slough CA M

MBSC 36.9542 -122.0247 Monterey Bay Point Santa Cruz CA M

SFDB 37.5027 -122.1213 San Francisco Bay Dumbarton Bridge CA M

SFSM 37.5780 -122.2537 San Francisco Bay San Mateo Bridge CA M

SFYB 37.8152 -122.3715 San Francisco Bay Yerba Buena Island CA M

TBSR 38.1495 -122.9040 Tomales Bay Spenger's Residence CA M

BBBE 38.3050 -123.0660 Bodega Bay Bodega Bay Entrance CA M

PALH 38.9530 -123.7430 Point Arena Lighthouse CA M

PDSC 40.0225 -124.0733 Point Delgada Shelter Cove CA M

HMBJ 40.7642 -124.2375 Eureka Humboldt Bay Jetty CA M

EUSB 40.8215 -124.1713 Eureka Samoa Bridge CA M

SGSG 41.7478 -124.2077 Crescent Point St. George CA M

Appendix 1

MBML l 139 11.1

MBES l 83 10.0 l 0.0

MBSC l 162 9.7

SFDB l 900 63.0 l 2.9

SFSM l 731 65.8 l 1.2

SFYB l 585 58.5 l 1.9

TBSR l 220 17.6 l 0.3

BBBE l 117 18.7

PALH l 183 11.0

PDSC l 190 11.4

HMBJ l 134 9.4

EUSB l 383 23.0 l 0.2

SGSG l 581 46.5
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

43

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Connecticut

LICR 41.2667 -72.3417 Long Island Sound Connecticut River CT M

LINH 41.2542 -72.9393 Long Island Sound New Haven CT M

LIHR 41.1673 -73.1083 Long Island Sound Housatonic River CT M

LISI 41.0527 -73.4173 Long Island Sound Sheffield Island CT M

Appendix 1

LICR l 590 36.6 l 350 21.1

LINH l 333 25.0 l 495 26.6

LIHR l 493 42.9 l 210 17.2

LISI l 68 2.5 l 74 7.1
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

44

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Delaware

DBKI 39.2032 -75.3590 Delaware Bay Kelly Island DE O

DBCH 38.7835 -75.1205 Delaware Bay Cape Henlopen DE M

Appendix 1

DBKI l 12 1.8 l 18 1.7

DBCH l 0 0.0 l 14 1.0
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

45

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Florida

SJCB 30.3810 -81.4400 St. Johns River Chicopit Bay FL O

MRCB 29.7640 -81.2618 Matanzas River Crescent Beach FL O

IRSR 27.8295 -80.4743 Indian River Sebastian River FL O

NMML 25.9377 -80.1497 North Miami Maule Lake FL O

BBGC 25.5333 -80.3232 Biscayne Bay Gould's Canal FL O

BHKF 24.6612 -81.2730 Florida Keys Bahia Honda FL O *

FBJB 25.2122 -80.5340 Florida Bay Joe Bay FL O

FBFO 25.1412 -80.9237 Florida Bay Flamingo FL O

EVFU 25.9023 -81.5123 Everglades Faka Union Bay FL O

RBHC 26.0270 -81.7388 Rookery Bay Henderson Creek FL O

NBNB 26.1118 -81.7852 Naples Bay Naples Bay FL O

CBFM 26.5583 -81.9228 Charlotte Harbor Fort Meyers FL O

Appendix 1

* BHKF is classified as O; however, it is the smooth-edged jewelbox. 

SJCB l 153 6.1 l 0.0

MRCB l 322 16.1 l 0.0

IRSR l 199 29.9

NMML l 138 16.5

BBGC l 136 10.9 l 0.6

BHKF l 9 0.8

FBJB l 2 0.3 l 0.0

FBFO l 4 0.6 l 0.0

EVFU l 20 2.3 l 0.0

RBHC l 10 1.2 l 0.2

NBNB l 46 5.0 l 0.0

CBFM l 166 13.3
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

46

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Florida Cont'd

CBBI 26.5143 -82.0345 Charlotte Harbor Bird Island FL O

TBHB 27.8548 -82.3947 Tampa Bay Hillsborough Bay FL O

TBKA 27.9097 -82.4538 Tampa Bay Peter O. Knight Airport FL O

TBCB 27.6810 -82.5177 Tampa Bay Cockroach Bay FL O

TBPB 27.8443 -82.6115 Tampa Bay Papys Bayou FL O

TBOT 28.0237 -82.6328 Tampa Bay Old Tampa Bay FL O

TBMK 27.6208 -82.7265 Tampa Bay Mullet Key Bayou FL O

TBNP 27.7872 -82.7540 Tampa Bay Navarez Park FL O

CKBP 29.2067 -83.0695 Cedar Key Black Point FL O

SRWP 29.3292 -83.1742 Suwannee River West Pass FL O

AESP 30.0633 -84.3220 Apalachee Bay Spring Creek FL O

Appendix 1

CBBI l 352 21.1 l 6.1

TBHB l 24 3.8 l 22 3.2 l 0.6

TBKA l 196 46.5 l 220 26.4 l 0.5

TBCB l 0 0.0 l 9 1.0 l 0.0

TBPB l 0 0.0 l 8 1.1 l 0.1

TBOT l 53 6.2 l 55 7.9 l 0.0

TBMK l 8 1.5 l 10 1.2

TBNP l 0 0.0 l 16 1.6 l 0.2

CKBP l 436 43.6 l 0.3

SRWP l 152 13.7 l 0.0

AESP l 361 32.5 l 0.0
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

47

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Florida Cont'd

APCP 29.7242 -84.8842 Apalachicola Bay Cat Point Bar FL O

APDB 29.6725 -85.0657 Apalachicola Bay Dry Bar FL O

SAWB 30.1425 -85.6322 St. Andrew Bay Watson Bayou FL O

CBSR 30.4120 -86.2037 Choctawhatchee Bay Off Santa Rosa FL O

CBPP 30.4823 -86.4793 Choctawhatchee Bay Postil Point FL O

CBJB 30.4108 -86.4908 Choctawhatchee Bay Joe's Bayou FL O

PBIB 30.5167 -87.1117 Pensacola Bay Indian Bayou FL O

PBSP 30.3498 -87.1547 Pensacola Bay Sabine Point FL O

PBPH 30.4137 -87.1913 Pensacola Bay Public Harbor FL O

Appendix 1

APCP l 25 3.5 l 0.0

APDB l 25 3.3 l 6.7

SAWB l 59 8.2

CBSR l 27 3.8 l 0.0

CBPP l 27 2.9 l 33 4.7

CBJB l 62 8.1 l 125 14.3 l 1.5

PBIB l 30 4.6 l 0.1

PBSP l 24 1.8 l 23 2.0

PBPH l 48 5.9 l 53 6.7
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

48

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Georgia

SRTI 32.0165 -80.8825 Savannah River Estuary Tybee Island GA O

SSSI 31.3928 -81.2880 Sapelo Sound Sapelo Island GA O

ARWI 31.3242 -81.3108 Altamaha River Wolfe Island GA O

Appendix 1

SRTI l 30 2.7 l 0.1

SSSI l 37 2.6 l 0.0

ARWI l 64 4.5 l 0.0
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

49

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Hawaii

HHKL 21.3167 -157.8858 Honolulu Hrb. Keehi Lagoon HI O

HHKB 21.4118 -157.7788 Hawaii Kaneohe Bay HI O

Appendix 1

HHKL l 319 35.1

HHKB l 139 11.1 l 65 6.0
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

50

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Illinois-Indiana

LMNC 42.3047 -87.8273 Lake Michigan North Chicago IL ZM

LMHM 41.6987 -87.5083 Lake Michigan Hammond Marina IN ZM

LMCB 41.7272 -87.4950 Lake Michigan Calumet Breakwater IN ZM

Appendix 1

LMNC l 6 0.5

LMHM l 189 18.7

LMCB l 20 1.4
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

51

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Louisiana

MRPL 29.0895 -89.0748 Mississippi River Pass A Loutre LA O

MRTP 29.1450 -89.4273 Mississippi River Tiger Pass LA O

BSSI 29.4057 -89.4838 Breton Sound Sable Island LA O

BSBG 29.5980 -89.6208 Breton Sound Bay Gardene LA O

LBMP 29.8670 -89.6785 Lake Borgne Malheureux Point LA O

LBGO 29.9448 -89.8353 Lake Borgne Gulf Outlet LA O

BBMB 29.2767 -89.9420 Barataria Bay Middle Bank LA O

BBSD 29.4048 -89.9988 Barataria Bay Bayou Saint Denis LA O

LPNO 30.0363 -90.0413 Lake Pontchartrain New Orleans LA O

BBTB 29.5112 -90.0833 Barataria Bay Turtle Bay LA

TBLF 29.2642 -90.3982 Terrebonne Bay Lake Felicity LA O

TBLB 29.2595 -90.5943 Terrebonne Bay Lake Barre LA O

CLCL 29.2532 -90.9267 Caillou Lake Caillou Lake LA O

ABOB 29.2555 -91.1362 Atchafalaya Bay Oyster Bayou LA O

Appendix 1

MRPL l 33 5.3 l 0.8

MRTP l 80 5.5 l 0.4

BSSI l 22 3.2 l 55 7.9 l 0.3

BSBG l 0 0.0 l 12 1.5 l 1.1

LBMP l 0 0.0 l 17 1.9 l 1.3

LBGO l 14 1.7 l 11 1.3 l 0.5

BBMB l 133 12.8 l 0.8

BBSD l 26 2.7 l 0.7

LPNO l 250 48.8 l 79 9.9 l 3.9

BBTB l 0.2

TBLF l 0 0.0 l 39 3.3 l 0.2

TBLB l 0 0.0 l 13 1.6 l 0.2

CLCL l 21 2.2 l 0.1

ABOB l 27 3.0 l 0.2
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

52

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Louisiana cont'd

VBSP 29.5795 -92.0510 Vermilion Bay Southwest Pass LA O

JHJH 29.6368 -92.7668 Joseph Harbor Bayou Joseph Harbor Bayou LA O

CLLC 30.0587 -93.3075 Calcasieu Lake Lake Charles LA O

CLSJ 29.8290 -93.3840 Calcasieu Lake St. Johns Island LA O

SLBB 29.7908 -93.9063 Sabine Lake Blue Buck Point LA O

Appendix 1

VBSP l 39 5.2 l 0.0

JHJH l 57 6.0 l 0.0

CLLC l 67 7.5 l 0.1

CLSJ l 73 8.0 l 0.0

SLBB l 26 3.2 l 0.1
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

53

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Maine

PBSI 44.4567 -68.8832 Penobscot Bay Sears Island ME M

MSSP 43.7578 -69.9977 Merriconeag Sound Stover Point ME M

CAKP 43.3453 -70.4743 Cape Arundel Kennebunkport ME M

Appendix 1

PBSI l 143 17.2 l 0.0

MSSP l 21 2.1

CAKP l 54 4.3
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

54

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Maryland

CBBO 39.1573 -76.4048 Chesapeake Bay Bodkin Point MD O

CBHP 38.9695 -76.4147 Chesapeake Bay Hackett Point Bar MD O

CBCP 38.6073 -76.1200 Chesapeake Bay Choptank River MD O

CBHG 38.3123 -76.3978 Chesapeake Bay Hog Point MD O

PRSP 38.2817 -76.9337 Potomac River Swan Point MD O

CBMB 38.2030 -75.8812 Chesapeake Bay Monie Bay MD O

Appendix 1

CBBO l 185 24.1 l 0.0

CBHP l 94 10.3 l 0.3

CBCP l 88 8.8 l 0.0

CBHG l 43 8.2 l 0.0

PRSP l 78 8.6 l 0.1

CBMB l 37 7.1 l 0.0
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

55

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Massachusetts

CAGH 42.6577 -70.5973 Cape Ann Gap Head MA M

SHFP 42.5135 -70.8442 Salem Harbor Folger Point MA M

MBNB 42.4198 -70.9072 Massachusetts Bay Nahant Bay MA M

BHDI 42.3573 -70.9730 Boston Harbor Deer Island MA M

BHDB 42.3022 -71.0363 Boston Harbor Dorchester Bay MA M

BHHB 42.2760 -70.8833 Boston Harbor Hingham Bay MA M

MBNR 42.1603 -70.7425 Massachusetts Bay North River MA M

DBCI 42.0137 -70.6365 Duxbury Bay Clarks Island MA M

CCNH 41.7958 -69.9462 Cape Cod Nauset Harbor MA M

Appendix 1

CAGH l 70 4.9

SHFP l 125 7.5

MBNB l 160 11.2

BHDI l 159 14.3

BHDB l 130 9.1 l 0.0

BHHB l 64 5.1

MBNR l 189 15.1 l 0.0

DBCI l 102 6.1

CCNH l 32 3.5 l 14.4
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

56

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Massachusetts cont'd

BBCC 41.7402 -70.6157 Buzzards Bay Cape Cod Canal MA M

BBWF 41.6067 -70.6528 Buzzards Bay West Falmouth MA M

BBAR 41.5797 -70.8590 Buzzards Bay Angelica Rock MA M

WBER 41.5507 -70.5479 Waquoit Bay Estuarine Reserve MA M

BBRH 41.5397 -70.9283 Buzzards Bay Round Hill MA M

BBNI 41.5142 -70.7397 Buzzards Bay Naushon Island MA M

BBGN 41.4817 -71.0373 Buzzards Bay Goosebury Neck MA M

Appendix 1

BBCC l 44 5.2 l 0.0

BBWF l 22 1.8

BBAR l 804 107.7 l 109 12.6 l 0.0

WBER l 720 57.6

BBRH l 48 5.7 l 3.5

BBNI l 36 3.5 l 2.1

BBGN l 0 0.0 l 11 1.0 l 0.0
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

57

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Michigan

LMMU 43.2258 -86.3470 Lake Michigan Muskegon MI ZM

LMHB 42.7732 -86.2150 Lake Michigan Holland Breakwater MI ZM

TBLL 45.2057 -85.5368 Traverse Bay Leelanau State Park MI ZM

SBSR 43.6735 -83.8367 Saginaw Bay Saginaw River MI ZM

LHTB 44.9222 -83.4135 Lake Huron Thunder Bay MI ZM

SBSP 43.9098 -83.4002 Saginaw Bay Sandpoint MI ZM

LESP 41.9587 -83.2330 Lake Erie Stony Point MI ZM

LSAB 42.6492 -82.7110 Lake St. Clair Anchor Bay MI

LHBR 43.0443 -82.4387 Lake Huron Black River Canal MI ZM

Appendix 1

LMMU l 80 12.8

LMHB l 128 24.5

TBLL l 54 4.0

SBSR l 115 9.0

LHTB l 0 0.0

SBSP l 24 2.1

LESP l 310 39.4 l 13.5

LSAB l 3.0

LHBR l 73 6.1
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

58

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Mississippi

MSPB 30.3360 -88.5892 Mississippi Sound Pascagoula Bay MS O

MSBB 30.3925 -88.8575 Mississippi Sound Biloxi Bay MS O

MSPC 30.3023 -89.3272 Mississippi Sound Pass Christian MS O

Appendix 1

MSPB l 71 7.2 l 79 8.6 l 0.0

MSBB l 438 52.4 l 0.5

MSPC l 40 5.1 l 389 42.2 l 5.6
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

59

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

New Hampshire

GBDP 43.1207 -70.8265 Great Bay Dover Point NH M

Appendix 1

GBDP l 167 15.0
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

60

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

New Jersey

NYSH 40.4875 -74.0333 New York Bight Sandy Hook NJ M

NYLB 40.2948 -73.9787 New York Bight Long Branch NJ M

NYSR 40.1870 -74.0090 New York Bight Shark River NJ M

BIBL 39.7617 -74.0950 Barnegat Inlet Barnegat Light NJ M

DBHC 39.4267 -75.4933 Delaware Bay Hope Creek NJ

DBAP 39.3833 -75.4500 Delaware Bay Arnolds Point Shoal NJ O

AIAC 39.3672 -74.4112 Absecon Inlet Atlantic City NJ M

DBBD 39.2523 -75.3028 Delaware Bay Ben Davis Pt. Shoal NJ O

DBFE 39.2117 -75.1917 Delaware Bay False Egg Island Point NJ O

DBCM 38.9822 -74.9613 Delaware Bay Cape May NJ M

Appendix 1

NYSH l 784 49.6

NYLB l 426 31.1

NYSR l 439 30.3

BIBL l 103 8.2 l 75 5.5 l 0.1

DBHC l 4.9

DBAP l 60 4.2 l 102 7.3 l 3.3

AIAC l 168 11.9

DBBD l 77 12.8 l 168 16.2 l 0.6

DBFE l 0 0.0

DBCM l 13 1.1 l 111 7.0
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

61

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

New York

HRCI 42.0338 -73.9293 Hudson River Cruger Island NY

LIGB 40.9982 -72.1162 Long Island Gardiners Bay NY M

LIPJ 40.9573 -73.0937 Long Island Sound Port Jefferson NY M

LIMR 40.9418 -73.7032 Long Island Sound Mamaroneck NY M

LIHU 40.9220 -73.4285 Long Island Sound Huntington Harbor NY M

LIHH 40.8558 -73.6753 Long Island Sound Hempstead Harbor NY M

LITN 40.8167 -73.7983 Long Island Sound Throgs Neck NY M

MBTH 40.7767 -72.7558 Moriches Bay Tuthill Point NY M

HRHT 40.7263 -74.0148 Hudson-Raritan Holland Tunnel NY

HRWT 40.7127 -74.0170 Hudson-Raritan World Trade Center NY

HRBP 40.7046 -74.0183 Hudson-Raritan Battery Park NY M

HREI 40.6993 -74.0426 Hudson-Raritan Ellis Island NY

HRGI 40.6933 -74.0190 Hudson-Raritan Governor's Island NY M

Appendix 1

HRCI l 6.7

LIGB l 28 1.0 l 23 1.5

LIPJ l 119 10.8 l 111 7.4

LIMR l 300 19.5 l 169 11.0

LIHU l 106 8.5 l 96 6.6

LIHH l 264 23.2 l 334 26.3

LITN l 601 55.3 l 697 60.2

MBTH l 112 8.6

HRHT l 27.9

HRWT l 41.3

HRBP l 1946 130.4

HREI l 19.0

HRGI l 2189 194.8
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

62

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

New York cont'd

HRUB 40.6893 -74.0432 Hudson-Raritan Upper Bay NY M

LIFI 40.6252 -73.2795 Long Island Fire Island Inlet NY M

HRFW 40.6150 -74.0614 Hudson-Raritan Fort Wadsworth NY M

HRSR 40.6081 -74.0348 Hudson-Raritan Shore Road NY M

LIJI 40.5955 -73.5867 Long Island Jones Inlet NY M

HRJB 40.5667 -73.8953 Hudson-Raritan Jamaica Bay NY M

HRLB 40.5660 -74.0508 Hudson-Raritan Lower Bay NY M

HRRB 40.5190 -74.1845 Hudson-Raritan Raritan Bay NY M

LEDK 42.5292 -79.2777 Lake Erie Dunkirk NY ZM

NRNF 43.0468 -78.8920 Niagara River Niagara Falls NY

LOOC 43.3553 -78.6867 Lake Ontario Olcott NY ZM

LORC 43.2578 -77.4953 Lake Ontario Rochester NY ZM

LOCV 44.1442 -76.3247 Lake Ontario Cape Vincent NY ZM

Appendix 1

HRUB l 653 96.6 l 31.4

LIFI l 71 4.4 l 140 9.0

HRFW l 1287 118.4

HRSR l 1550 145.7

LIJI l 360 18.0 l 154 11.9

HRJB l 899 62.7

HRLB l 1191 70.5 l 21.6

HRRB l 594 36.9 l 3.1

LEDK l 33 3.3 l 2.9

NRNF l 4.0

LOOC l 57 7.9 l 5.8

LORC l 73 10.1 l 5.0

LOCV l 7 0.7 l 3.6
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

63

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

North Carolina

RSJC 35.8898 -75.6337 Roanoke Sound John Creek NC O

PSWB 35.4123 -76.0397 Pamlico Sound Wysocking Bay NC O

PSPR 35.2960 -76.4392 Pamlico Sound Pungo River NC O

PSCH 35.2028 -75.7162 Pamlico Sound Cape Hatteras NC O

PSNR 35.0897 -76.5290 Pamlico Sound Neuse River NC O

BIPI 34.7183 -76.6755 Beaufort Inlet Pivers Island NC O

CFBI 33.9158 -78.0035 Cape Fear Battery Island NC O

Appendix 1

RSJC l 27 3.5 l 0.0

PSWB l 35 5.2 l 0.0

PSPR l 7 1.2 l 0.0

PSCH l 11 0.8

PSNR l 4 0.6 l 0.1

BIPI l 37 5.6 l 21 1.7 l 0.0

CFBI l 0 0.0 l 29 2.1 l 5.4
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

64

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Ohio

LERB 41.6745 -83.2262 Lake Erie Reno Beach OH

SBPP 41.6597 -82.8250 Lake Erie Peach Orchard Pt. OH ZM

LELR 41.4612 -82.2070 Lake Erie Lorain OH ZM

LEAB 41.9247 -80.7183 Lake Erie Ashtabula OH ZM

Appendix 1

LERB l 5.3

SBPP l 185 19.4 l 6.3

LELR l 45 5.5

LEAB l 24 1.7 l 3.3
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

65

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Oregon

CBCH 43.3500 -124.3308 Coos Bay Coos Head OR M

CBRP 43.4313 -124.2212 Coos Bay Russell Point OR M

YBOP 44.5752 -123.9890 Yaquina Bay Oneatta Point OR M

YHFC 44.8370 -124.0520 Yaquina Bay Fogarty Creek OR M

TBHP 45.5472 -123.9075 Tillamook Bay Hobsonville Point OR

CRSJ 46.2287 -124.0232 Columbia River South Jetty OR M

Appendix 1

CBCH l 22 1.7 l 42 3.1 l 0.0

CBRP l 0 0.0 l 299 18.8 l 0.0

YBOP l 92 5.5 l 0.7

YHFC l 41 3.3

TBHP l 0.2

CRSJ l 255 20.4
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

66

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Puerto Rico

PRBB 18.0078 -67.1752 Puerto Rico Bahia de Boqueron PR O

PRBM 17.9710 -66.9895 Puerto Rico Bahia Montalva PR O

PRBJ 17.9392 -66.1813 Puerto Rico Bahia de Jobos PR O

Appendix 1

PRBB l 89 4.8 l 4.4

PRBM l 25 1.7 l 0.0

PRBJ l 13 0.5 l 0.0
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

67

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Rhode Island

NBPI 41.6523 -71.3567 Narragansett Bay Patience Island RI M

NBDI 41.6048 -71.3052 Narragansett Bay Dyer Island RI M

NBDU 41.5013 -71.3928 Narragansett Bay Dutch Island RI M

BIBI 41.1982 -71.5922 Block Island Sound Block Island RI M

Appendix 1

NBPI l 216 17.3 l 0.0

NBDI l 140 14.0 l 12.2

NBDU l 51 4.1 l 2.4

BIBI l 36 2.5
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

68

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

South Carolina

WBLB 33.2433 -79.1972 Winyah Bay Lower Bay SC O

SRNB 33.1683 -79.2417 Santee River North Bay SC O

CHSF 32.7735 -79.9122 Charleston Harbor Shutes Folly Island SC O

CHFJ 32.7505 -79.9003 Charleston Harbor Fort Johnson SC O

ABBI 32.4894 -80.5283 Ace Basin Bass Island SC O

Appendix 1

WBLB l 13 1.0

SRNB l 4 0.4

CHSF l 0 0.0 l 41 3.0

CHFJ l 73 6.0

ABBI l 104 8.3 l 0.0
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

69

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Texas

GBHR 29.4803 -94.7418 Galveston Bay Hanna Reef TX O

GBOB 29.2840 -94.8363 Galveston Bay Offatts Bayou TX O

GBTD 29.5030 -94.8960 Galveston Bay Todd's Dump TX O

GBCR 29.2633 -94.9163 Galveston Bay Confederate Reef TX O

GBSC 29.7045 -94.9930 Galveston Bay Ship Channel TX O

GBYC 29.6220 -94.9958 Galveston Bay Yacht Club TX O

BRFS 28.9212 -95.3395 Brazos River Freeport Surfside TX O

BRCL 28.8580 -95.4647 Brazos River Cedar Lakes TX O

MBEM 28.7112 -95.8833 Matagorda Bay East Matagorda TX O

MBTP 28.6663 -96.2335 Matagorda Bay Tres Palacios Bay TX O

MBCB 28.6650 -96.3830 Matagorda Bay Carancahua Bay TX O

ESBD 28.4118 -96.4490 Espiritu Santo Bill Days Reef TX O

MBGP 28.5788 -96.5630 Matagorda Bay Gallinipper Point TX O

MBLR 28.6603 -96.5845 Matagorda Bay Lavaca River Mouth TX O

Appendix 1

GBHR l 66 7.8 l 0.0

GBOB l 269 30.1 l 0.0

GBTD l 119 14.6 l 0.0

GBCR l 166 14.9 l 0.0

GBSC l 246 31.7 l 14.5

GBYC l 227 25.4 l 0.0

BRFS l 136 8.3 l 0.2

BRCL l 151 14.2 l 0.0

MBEM l 187 14.8 l 0.0

MBTP l 202 20.8 l 0.2

MBCB l 355 38.3 l 0.1

ESBD l 0 0.0 l 11 1.4 l 1.2

MBGP l 126 14.8 l 0.0

MBLR l 160 15.0 l 0.0
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

70

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Texas

ESSP 28.2982 -96.6220 Espiritu Santo South Pass Reef TX O

SAPP 28.2323 -96.7082 San Antonio Bay Panther Point Reef TX O

SAMP 28.3440 -96.7123 San Antonio Bay Mosquito Point TX O

MBAR 28.1730 -96.8350 Mesquite Bay Ayres Reef TX O

ABLR 28.0548 -96.9512 Aransas Bay Long Reef TX O

CBCR 28.1420 -97.1280 Copano Bay Copano Reef TX O

LMSB 26.0432 -97.1760 Lower Laguna Madre South Bay TX O

LMPI 26.0748 -97.1995 Lower Laguna Madre Port Isabel TX O

LMAC 26.2825 -97.2853 Lower Laguna Madre Arroyo Colorado TX O

CCNB 27.8522 -97.3598 Corpus Christi Nueces Bay TX O

Appendix 1

ESSP l 0 0.0 l 16 1.1 l 0.1

SAPP l 0 0.0 l 2 0.3 l 0.4

SAMP l 0 0.0 l 2 0.5 l 0.1

MBAR l 292 22.8 l 0.5

ABLR l 728 55.3 l 0.0

CBCR l 68 10.1 l 0.1

LMSB l 0 0.0 l 17 1.1 l 0.3

LMPI l 13 1.0 l 293 14.4 l 0.0

LMAC l 0 0.0 l 7 0.7 l 0.3

CCNB l 387 23.2 l 1.6
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

71

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Virginia

PRMC 38.2233 -76.9615 Potomac River Mattox Creek VA O

CBCI 37.9385 -75.3758 Chincoteague Bay Chincoteague Inlet VA O

RRRR 37.9020 -76.7878 Rappahannock River Ross Rock VA O

QIUB 37.5250 -75.7138 Quinby Inlet Upshur Bay VA O

CBCC 37.2845 -76.0153 Chesapeake Bay Cape Charles VA O

CBDP 37.0983 -76.2948 Chesapeake Bay Dandy Point VA O

CBJR 37.0653 -76.6322 Chesapeake Bay James River VA O

Appendix 1

PRMC l 78 8.6 l 0.1

CBCI l 0 0.0 l 11 1.2

RRRR l 82 9.8 l 0.0

QIUB l 0 0.0 l 0 0.0 l 0.0

CBCC l 106 14.8

CBDP l 120 13.2 l 0.0

CBJR l 170 8.5 l 0.4
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

72

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Washington

WBNA 46.4992 -124.0272 Willapa Bay Nahcotta WA M

GHWJ 46.9097 -124.1177 Gray's Harbor Westport Jetty WA M

SSBI 47.0993 -122.8942 South Puget Sound Budd Inlet WA M

CBTP 47.3312 -122.5043 Commencement Bay Tahlequah Point WA M

PSSS 47.5233 -122.3937 Puget Sound South Seattle WA

SIWP 47.5852 -122.5708 Sinclair Inlet Waterman Point WA M

EBDH 47.5958 -122.3867 Elliott Bay Duwamish Head WA M

EBFR 47.6388 -122.4138 Elliott Bay Four-Mile Rock WA M

PSEF 47.8140 -122.3823 Puget Sound Edmonds Ferry WA M

PSHC 47.8318 -122.6883 Puget Sound Hood Canal WA M

WIPP 47.9053 -122.3770 Whidbey Island Possession Point WA M

PSMF 47.9497 -122.3016 Puget Sound Mukilteo WA M

PSEH 47.9727 -122.2303 Puget Sound Everett Harbor WA M

PSPT 48.1047 -122.7780 Puget Sound Port Townsend WA M

Appendix 1

WBNA l 65 4.9 l 0.6

GHWJ l 102 8.5 l 86 7.2

SSBI l 223 19.6 l 226 25.6 l 1.6

CBTP l 342 33.2 l 427 38.3 l 1.5

PSSS l 0.4

SIWP l 456 37.4 l 287 29.1 l 1.1

EBDH l 453 36.7 l 389 28.0 l 0.0

EBFR l 895 56.4 l 405 29.8 l 0.2

PSEF l 567 50.4

PSHC l 28 2.4 l 26 1.7 l 0.0

WIPP l 85 7.3 l 0.2

PSMF l 345 19.0

PSEH l 296 20.7 l 2.0

PSPT l 53 8.2 l 0.4
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

73

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l , and High l

Concentrations Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Washington cont'd

PSPA 48.1397 -123.4202 Puget Sound Port Angeles WA M

PSCC 48.1752 -122.4784 Puget Sound Cavalero County Park WA M

JFNB 48.3743 -124.6160 Strait of Juan de Fuca Neah Bay WA

JFCF 48.3825 -124.7280 Strait of Juan de Fuca Cape Flattery WA M

BBSM 48.7522 -122.4978 Bellingham Bay Squalicum Marina Jet. WA M

PRPR 48.9903 -123.0883 Point Roberts Point Roberts WA M

Appendix 1

PSPA l 87 7.4 l 70 6.5 l 0.0

PSCC l 100 6.3

JFNB l 0.2

JFCF l 0 0.0 l 7 0.6

BBSM l 316 24.7 l 0.8

PRPR l 54 2.8 l 0.0
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

74

Site Latitude Longitude General Location Specific Location State Bivalve

Mussels (M), Zebra Mussels (ZM), Oysters (O)

Low l, Medium l, and High l

Concentrations: Lipid = ppb lipid weight, Dry = ppb dry weight, 200X = 2004 through 2007

Site Tissue 1996 Tissue 200X Sediment 200X

Lipid Dry Lipid Dry Dry

Wisconsin

LMMB 43.0322 -87.8952 Lake Michigan Milwaukee Bay WI ZM

GBBS 44.6370 -87.8082 Green Bay Bayshore Park WI ZM

Appendix 1

LMMB l 374 68.0

GBBS l 36 2.8
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

75
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

76

QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERS USING 

SELECTED ION MONITORING GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY/MASS 

SPECTROMETRY 1999 – 2006

Thomas J. McDonald, Yiwei Miao, Susanne J. McDonald and James M. Brooks

TDI-Brooks International/B&B Laboratories Inc.

College Station, Texas 77845

ABSTRACT

Selected polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are detected using a gas chromatograph/

mass spectrometer in selected ion monitoring mode. This method is capable of detecting ppb 

concentrations of PBDEs in complex matrices such as tissues and sediments.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

A gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) in selected ion mode (SIM), coupled to a 

capillary column, is used to resolve and detect polybrominated diphenyl ethers in tissues and 

sediments at ppb. Samples are injected into a temperature-programmed GC/MS, operated 

in splitless mode. The capillary column is a DB-XLB (30 m x 0.25 mm ID and 0.1 μm film 

thickness). The mass spectrometer is capable of scanning from 35 to 500 AMU every second 

or less and uses 70 electron volts energy in electron impact ionization mode. The data 

acquisition system continuously acquires and stores all data for quantitation. 

2.0 APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

2.1 EQUIPMENT

• Gas chromatograph, split/splitless injection port and electronic pressure control, Agilent 

Technologies 5890-II

• Mass spectrometer, capable of scanning from 35 to 500 AMU, utilizing 70 electron volts of 

energy in impact ionization mode, Agilent Technologies 5972-MSD

• Data acquisition system, Agilent Technologies ChemStation, capable of continuous 

acquisition and storage of all data during analysis

• Autosampler, capable of making 1 to 5 μL injections

• Capillary column, Agilent Technologies DB-XLB (30 m x 0.25 mm ID and 0.10 μm film 

thickness)

• Micropipetters, calibrated, 1% accuracy, disposable tips

2.2 REAGENTS

• Dichloromethane (CAS 75-09-02), pesticide grade or equivalent purity

• Helium (CAS 7440-59-7), 99.8% purity

Appendix 2
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

77

Appendix 2

2.3 STANDARDS

2.3.1 SURROGATE SPIKING SOLUTION

Surrogate spiking solution is prepared from aliquots of pure compounds (Wellington 

Laboratories) that are diluted with dichloromethane to a final concentration of 1.0 μg/mL. The 

surrogate spiking solution includes 2,4,4’-TriBDE (13C12) and 2,2’3,4,4’,6-HexaBDE (13C12). 

The surrogate spiking solution (100 μL) is added to all samples and quality control samples 

prior to extraction. Surrogate compounds are resolved from, but elute in close proximity to, 

the analytes of interest. Individual surrogate recoveries are used to correct specific analyte 

concentrations based on retention time. 

2.3.2 INTERNAL STANDARD SOLUTION

The internal standard solution is made from a solution purchased from a commercial vendor 

(Wellington Laboratories, Guelph, Ontario, Canada) and diluted with dichloromethane to a 

final concentration of 1.0 μg/mL. The internal standard solution includes 2,2’4,4’-TetraBDE 

(13C12). The internal standard compound is resolved from, but elutes in close proximity 

to, the analytes of interest. The internal standard solution (100 μL) is added to all samples 

and quality control samples just prior to instrument analysis. Internal standards are used to 

calculate relative response factors and specific analyte concentrations based on retention time. 

2.3.3 MATRIX SPIKING SOLUTION

A certified solution containing tri to deca PBDE compounds is purchased from a commercial 

vendor (Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc. Andover, MA) and diluted with dichloromethane 

to prepare the matrix spiking solution (Table 1). The matrix spiking solution is diluted to 

approximately 10 times the method detection limit (MDL) and is added to all matrix spike 

samples.

2.3.4 CALIBRATION SOLUTION

Calibration solutions are prepared at 5 concentrations ranging from approximately 0.05 to 

1 μg/mL (Table 2) by diluting a commercially available certified solution (Cambridge Isotope 

Laboratories, Inc.) containing the analytes of interest.
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

78

Table 1. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Contained in the Matrix-Spiking Solution.

Analyte CAS Spiking Solution Concentration (μg/mL)

2,2’4-TriBDE (BDE-17) NA 1.00

2,4,4’-TriBDE (BDE-28) 41318-75-6 1.00

2,2’,4,4’-TetraBDE (BDE-47) 5436-43-1 1.00

2,3’4,4’-TetraBDE (BDE-66) NA 1.00

2,3’,4’,6-TetraBDE (BDE-71) NA 1.00

2,2’3,4,4’-PentaBDE (BDE 85) 182346-21-0 1.00

2,2’4,4’,5-PentaBDE (BDE-99) 60348-60-9 1.00

2,2’4,4’,6-PentaBDE (BDE-100) 189084-64-8 1.00

2,2’3,4,4’5’-HexaBDE (BDE-138) NA 1.00

2,2’4,4’5,5’-HexaBDE (BDE-153) 68631-49-2 1.00

2,2’4,4’5,6’-HexaBDE (BDE-154) NA 1.00

2,2’3,4,4’5’,6-HeptaBDE (BDE-183) NA 1.00

2,3,3’4,4’5,6-HeptaBDE (BDE-190) 68928-80-3 1.00

Appendix 2
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

79

Table 2. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Contained in Calibration Solutions and their Approximate Concentrations.

Compounds Contained CAS Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5

in Calibration Solutions (μg/mL) (μg/mL) (μg/mL) (μg/mL) (μg/mL)

Internal Standards

2,2’4,4’-TetraBDE (13C12) NA 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Surrogates

2,4,4’-TriBDE (13C12) NA 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

2,2’3,4,4’,6-HexaBDE (13C12) NA 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

Analytes

2,2’4-TriBDE (BDE-17) NA 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

2,4,4’-TriBDE (BDE-28) 41318-75-6 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

2,2’,4,4’-TetraBDE (BDE-47) 5436-43-1 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

2,3’4,4’-TetraBDE (BDE-66) NA 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

2,3’,4’,6-TetraBDE (BDE-71) NA 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

2,2’3,4,4’-PentaBDE (BDE 85) 182346-21-0 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

2,2’4,4’,5-PentaBDE (BDE-99) 60348-60-9 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

2,2’4,4’,6-PentaBDE (BDE-100) 189084-64-8 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

2,2’3,4,4’5’-HexaBDE (BDE-138) NA 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

2,2’4,4’5,5’-HexaBDE (BDE-153) 68631-49-2 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

2,2’4,4’5,6’-HexaBDE (BDE-154) NA 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

2,2’3,4,4’5’6-HeptaBDE (BDE-183) 207122-16-5 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

2,3,3’4,4’5,6-HeptaBDE (BDE-190) 68928-80-3 0.05 0.10 0.25 0.50 1.0

Appendix 2
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

80

3.0 QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF PBDES BY GC/MS-SIM

3.1 MASS SPECTROMETER TUNING

Prior to calibration, the MS is autotuned to perfluorotributylamine (PFTBA) using criteria 

established by the instrument manufacturer.

3.2 INITIAL CALIBRATION

A 5-point relative response factor (RRF) calibration curve is established for analytes of interest 

prior to the analysis of samples and quality control (QC) samples. A RRF is determined, for 

each analyte, for each calibration level using the following equation:

(AA)(CIS) RRF = (AIS)(CA)

Where:

 AA = the area of the characteristic ion for the analyte to be measured

 AIS = the area of the characteristic ion for the specific internal standard

 CA = the known concentration of the analyte in the calibration solution (μg/mL)

 CIS = the known concentration of the internal standard in the calibration solution (μg/mg)

The response factors determined for each calibration level are averaged to produce a mean 

relative response factor (RRFi) for each analyte. The percent relative standard deviation 

(%RSD) for the 5 response factors must be less than or equal to 15%, for each analyte.

Standard Deviation of the RRFs %RSD = Average of the RRFs x 100

Where:

(Χi - Χ)

2

Standard Deviation = (n-1)

Σ

i=1

n

xi = each RRF value used to calculate the mean RRF

Χ = the mean of n values

n = total number of values (5)

Appendix 2
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

81

3.3 CONTINUING CALIBRATION

A mid-level calibration standard is analyzed at the beginning and end of each analytical set or 

every 10 samples (whichever is more frequent). The daily relative response factor for each 

compound is compared to the mean relative response factor from the initial calibration curve 

and the average relative percent difference (RPD) of all analytes must be less than 25%. If the 

calibration check does not meet this criterion then the initial five-point calibration is repeated. 

RRFc - RRFi RPD = 

RRFi

x 100

Where:

RRFi = mean relative response factor from the most recent initial calibration (meeting technical 

acceptance criteria)

RRFc = relative response factor from the continuing calibration standard

3.4 GC/MS-SIM ANALYSIS

The initial calibration of the GC/MS must meet the previously described criteria prior to sample 

analysis. Samples are analyzed in analytical sets that consist of standards, samples and QC 

samples. Quality control samples are method blanks, laboratory duplicates, blank spikes, and 

matrix spikes. An autosampler is used to inject 1 or 2 μL of all samples, standards and QC 

samples into the capillary column of the GC using the following instrument conditions. Slight 

modifications may be necessary depending upon the analysis.

Inlet: Splitless

Carrier gas: Helium, 1 mL/min

Temperatures

Injection port: 300°C/ splitless

Transfer line: 290oC

Oven program

Initial oven temp: 60°C

Initial hold time: 0 minutes

Ramp rate: 7°C/min

Final oven temp: 315°C

Final hold time: 22 minutes

Total run time: 56 minutes

Appendix 2
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

82

The effluent from the GC capillary column is routed directly into the ion source of the MS. 

The MS is operated in the selected ion monitoring mode (SIM) and includes the quantitation 

masses for the PBDEs listed in Table 3.

3.5 ANALYTE IDENTIFICATION

The extracted ion current profiles of the primary m/z and the confirmatory ion for each analyte 

must meet the following criteria:

• The characteristic masses of each analyte of interest must be in the same scan or within 

one scan of each other. The retention time must fall within +/- 5 seconds of the retention 

time of the authentic compound determined by the analysis of the daily calibration check or 

PBDE Reference solution.

• The relative peak heights of the primary mass ion, compared to the confirmation or 

secondary mass ion, must fall within +/-30 percent of the relative intensities of these 

masses in a reference mass spectrum (Table 3). The reference mass spectrum is obtained 

from the continuing calibration solution. In some instances, a compound that does not 

meet secondary ion confirmation criteria may still be determined to be present in a sample 

after close inspection of the data by a qualified mass spectrometrist. Supportive data 

includes the presence of the confirmation ion, but at a ratio different then that indicated in 

Table 3.

• Data not meeting the criteria established in this section are appropriately qualified or reanalyzed.

Appendix 2
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

83

Table 3. Target Analyte Parameters.

Analyte CAS Reference to Ion

Internal Standard and Surrogate

2,2’4,4’-TetraBDE (13C12) (I-1) NA I-1 338.0

2,4,4’-TriBDE (13C12) (S-1) NA S-1 418.0

Analyte CAS Reference to Ion

BDE 2 (3-MonoBDE) 6876-00-2 I-1, S-1 248.0

BDE 3 (4-MonoBDE) 101-55-3 I-1, S-1 248.0

BDE 4 (2,2’-DiBDE) NA I-1, S-1 248.0

BDE 7 (2,4-DiBDE) NA I-1, S-1 327.9

BDE 8 (2,4’-DiBDE) 147217-71-8 I-1, S-1 327.9

BDE 10 (2,6-DiBDE) NA I-1, S-1 327.9

BDE 11 (3,3’-DiBDE) 6903-63-5 I-1, S-1 327.9

BDE 12 (3,4-DiBDE) NA I-1, S-1 327.9

BDE 13 (3,4’-DiBDE) 83694-71-7 I-1, S-1 327.9

BDE 15 (4,4’-DiBDE) 2050-47-7 I-1, S-1 327.9

BDE 17 (2,2’,4-TriBDE) NA I-1, S-1 405.8

BDE 25 (2,3’,4-TriBDE) NA I-1, S-1 405.8

BDE 28 (2,4,4’-TriBDE) 41318-75-6 I-1, S-1 405.8

BDE 30 (2,4,6-TriBDE) NA I-1, S-1 405.8

BDE 32 (2,4’,6-TriBDE) NA I-1, S-1 405.8

BDE 33 (2’,3,4-TriBDE) NA I-1, S-1 405.8

BDE 35 (3,3’,4-TriBDE) NA I-1, S-1 405.8

BDE 37 (3,4,4’-TriBDE) NA I-1, S-1 405.8

Appendix 2
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

84

Analyte CAS Reference to Ion

BDE 47 (2,2’,4,4’-TetraBDE) 5436-43-1 I-1, S-1 485.7

BDE 49/71 (2,2’,4,5’-TetraBDE/2,3’,4’,6-TetraBDE) NA/NA I-1, S-1 485.7

BDE 66 (2,3’,4,4’-TetraBDE) NA I-1, S-1 485.7

BDE 75 (2,4,4’,6-TetraBDE) NA I-1, S-1 485.7

BDE 77 (3,3’,4,4’-TetraBDE) 93703-48-1 I-1, S-1 485.7

BDE 85 (2,2’,3,4,4’-PentaBDE) 182346-21-0 I-1, S-1 563.6

BDE 99 (2,2’,4,4’,5-PentaBDE) 60348-60-9 I-1, S-1 563.6

BDE 100 (2,2’,4,4’,6-PentaBDE) 189084-64-8 I-1, S-1 563.6

BDE 116 (2,3,4,5,6-PentaBDE) NA I-1, S-1 563.6

BDE 118 (2,3’,4,4’,5-PentaBDE) NA I-1, S-1 563.6

BDE 119 (2,3’,4,4’,6-PentaBDE) NA I-1, S-1 563.6

2,2’3,4,4’,6-HexaBDE (13C12) (S-2) NA S-2 496.0

BDE 126 (3,3’,4,4’,5-PentaBDE) NA I-1, S-2 563.6

BDE 138 (2,2’,3,4,4’,5’-HexaBDE) NA I-1, S-2 643.5

BDE 153 (2,2’,4,4’,5,5’-HexaBDE) 68631-49-2 I-1, S-2 643.5

BDE 154 (2,2’,4,4’,5,6’-HexaBDE) NA I-1, S-2 643.5

BDE 155 (2,2’,4,4’,6,6’-HexaBDE) NA I-1, S-2 643.5

BDE 166 (2,3,4,4’,5,6-HexaBDE) NA I-1, S-2 643.5

BDE 181 (2,2’,3,4,4’,5,6-HeptaBDE) NA I-1, S-2 563.6

BDE 183 (2,2’,3,4,4’,5’,6-HeptaBDE) 207122-16-5 I-1, S-2 563.6

BDE 190 (2,3,3’,4,4’,5,6-HeptaBDE) 68928-80-3 I-1, S-2 563.6

 

(I-#) = Internal reference number 

(S-#) = Surrogate reference number 

4.0 QUANTITATION CALCULATIONS

Sample analyte concentrations are calculated based on the concentration and response of the 

internal standard compounds (Table 2). The equations in Section 3.2 are used to calculate the 

RRF of each analyte relative to the concentration and area of the internal standard in the initial 

calibration. Response factors for target analytes not contained in the initial calibration solution 

are presumed equal to the response factor of a respective similar PBDE compound.

Appendix 2

Table 3 cont'd. 
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

85

The mass (MA) of each target analyte (ng) is calculated using the following equation:

(AA MIS) MA = 

(AIS RRFi

)

Where:

AA = the area of the characteristic ion for the analyte measured

AIS = the area of the characteristic ion for the specific internal standard

 MIS = mass of internal standard added to the extract (ng)

RRFi = average relative response factor for the analyte from the current calibration

The concentration of each target analyte in a sample (ng/g) is calculated using the following 

equation:

(MA DF) C = (W)

Where:

DF = the dilution factor applied to the extract

Volume of Extract (μL) DF= Volume of Extract used to make dilution (μL)

W = the sample weight (g)

Analyte concentrations are reported as corrected for individual surrogate recoveries. The 

corrections for each compound are based on the surrogates referenced in Table 3. Percent 

surrogate recoveries (SURecovery) for each surrogate are calculated using the following 

equation:

CESU SURecovery

 = CSU

x 100

Where:

CESU = calculated surrogate concentration in the extract

CSU = known concentration of surrogate added to extract

Appendix 2
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

86

Analyte concentration corrections (corrected for surrogate recovery) are calculated using the 

following equation:

C CCorrected = SURecovery

x 100

5.0 QUALITY CONTROL (QC)

Samples are analyzed in analytical batches consisting of 19 samples or fewer and QC 

samples. The QC samples are a method blank, laboratory duplicate, matrix spike, and matrix 

spike duplicate. A method blank is a reagent blank prepared in the laboratory. A duplicate is a 

sample for which a second aliquot is analyzed. Matrix spikes are samples that are spiked with 

known concentrations of known analytes. 

The validity of the data is monitored using defined QC criteria. The following QC criteria are 

used to evaluate analytical batches:

1) Calibration

• The calibration criteria (Section 3.2) must be met prior to data analyses. If the calibration 

criteria are not met, then the run is aborted and the instrument re-calibrated before further 

sample analysis.

2) Method Blank

• No more than two target analytes exceed 3 times the concentration of the MDL. Exceptions 

are that if an analyte detected in the method blank exceeds 3 times the concentration of the 

MDL, but is not present in the associated samples or if a sample analyte concentration is 

greater than 10 times that analyte concentration in the method blank, the result is qualified 

and reported.

• If a method blank exceeds these criteria then the source of contamination is determined 

and corrective action is taken before further sample analysis.

3) Matrix Spikes

• Analytes spiked into a matrix are considered valid only if they are spiked at concentrations 

equivalent to levels found in the sample.

• The average recovery for all valid spiked analytes in a matrix spike is between 60% and 

120%. No more than two individual spiked analyte (valid) recoveries may exceed 40%-

120%. 

• If the QC criteria are not met then the matrix spike sample failing the criteria will be reAppendix 2
An Assessment of PBDEs in Sediment and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone

87

analyzed and if the re-analyzed spike meets the criteria then the data are reported. If an 

analyte exceeds the criteria and is not present in the associated samples analyzed with the 

analytical batch, the result is qualified and reported. 

• If upon re-analysis, QC criteria are still not met, the entire batch of samples is reanalyzed. 

If sufficient sample is unavailable to re-extract the matrix-spike, another sample may be 

selected or a blank-spike may be substituted.

• The average RPD for a valid matrix spike/matrix spike duplicate or blank spike/blank spike 

duplicate pair is 30%. No more than two individual analyte RPDs may exceed 35%.

4) Duplicate

• The average RPD between the duplicate and original sample, for analytes greater than 

10 times the concentration of the MDL, is 30%. The RPD for no more than two individual 

analytes may exceed 35%. 

• If the QC criteria are not met then the sample pair failing the criteria will be re-analyzed and 

if the re-analyzed samples meet the criteria then the data are reported. 

• If an analyte exceeds the criteria and is not present in the associated samples analyzed 

with the analytical batch, the result is qualified and reported. 

• If upon re-analysis, QC criteria are still not met, the entire batch of samples is reanalyzed. 

If sufficient sample is unavailable to re-extract the duplicate pair, another sample may be 

selected.

5) Surrogates

• The average recovery of surrogate compounds is between 50% and 150%. 

• Exceptions are analytical interferences with the surrogates and diluted samples.

• If the average recovery of surrogates exceeds the criteria, and calculation and analytical 

errors are eliminated, the sample is re-analyzed. If sufficient sample is unavailable for reextraction, the data are qualified and reported.

6) Method Detection Limit

• The method detection limit (MDL) is determined following the procedures outlined in 

Federal Register (1984), Vol. 49, No. 209: 98-199.

Appendix 2
NOAA National Status & Trends | PBDE Report 

88

United States Department of Commerce

Gary Locke

Secretary

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

Jane Lubchenco

Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere

National Ocean Service

John H. Dunnigan

Assistant Administrator for Ocean Service and Coastal Zone Management