Distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and decabromodiphenylethane in surface sediments from the Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Canada Basin

24 surface sediment samples were collected from the Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Canada Basin during the 3rd Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition in July–September 2008. To obtain information on the levels, spatial distribution, possible sources, and influences of total carbon and black carbon, we analyzed the samples for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE). Concentrations of ∑ PBDEs (hereafter, ∑ PBDEs refers to the sum of all detected PBDE congeners without BDE-209), BDE-209, and DBDPE were in the ranges 3.58–148.95 pg/g d.w. (dry weight), n.d. −804.91 pg/g d.w. and n.d. −452.57 pg/g d.w., respectively. The congener patterns of PBDEs suggested that BDE-209 was the major congener in these areas, followed by BDE-99 and −47, which was consistent with the predominance of technical deca-BDE mixtures in the dominant technical PBDE mixtures. The significant relationships of BDE-209, -47, and -99 and total PBDEs with total organic carbon and black carbon, as well as the skewed distribution of ∑ PBDEs and BDE-209, indicated that atmospheric deposition and local discharge might be potential sources in this area, and the distribution pattern may be the combined effect of multiple factors.