Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Dynamics in Ambient Air and Atmospheric Bulk/Wet Deposition in Downtown Paris (France)

This study reports on the polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) atmospheric dynamics in the dense urban environment of downtown Paris (France). Eight PBDE congeners (BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-100, BDE-99, BDE-154, BDE-153, BDE-183 and BDE-209) were simultaneously analysed in bulk and wet atmospheric deposition, as well as in ambient air (gaseous/particulate phases), twice a month over a 12-month period (May 2008-May 2009). The total air concentration of I pound 8PBDEs ranged between 12 and 185 pg m(-3), and the seasonal variations of PBDE levels were controlled by air temperature (except for BDE-209). Regarding bulk deposition, I pound 8PBDE flux was in the range 5-94 ng m(-2) day(-1), and it was positively correlated with atmospheric particulate phase PBDE concentrations. Meanwhile, the measured wet deposition flux of I pound 8PBDE ranged between 2 and 24 ng m(-2) day(-1), and its median contribution to bulk deposition was 39% only, which highlights the importance of dry deposition.