Biodegradation of the Flame Retardants Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants that have been used for over thirty years in a wide range of consumer textile and plastic products, such as TVs, sofas and automobiles. Some PBDEs, in particular ones with five bromines, are endocrine disruptors and have thus been banned in certain states and countries. The fate of these compounds in the environment is unknown.
Our research studies the fate of PBDEs in anaerobic and aerobic environments though biotransformation by bacteria. We have found that PBDE can be reductively debrominated by anaerobic bacteria, whereby the bromines are progressively removed and replaced with hydrogen. The more highly brominated PBDEs are however less toxic and can become more toxic if this transformation occurs.
We are currently studying the pathways and kinetics of this process using two-dimensional chromatography in order to separate and identify all possible degradation products. Our goal is to understand whether toxic byproducts can potentially accumulate in the environment due to biotransformation by bacteria.
Funded by UC Center for Water Resources.
Two-dimensional GC chromatogram of a PBDE standard.
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