Contamination trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals in sediments from Dagu Drainage River estuary, Tianjin

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and heavy metals in two sediment cores, taken from the Dagu Drainage River, were determined. The contamination trends of these three kinds of compounds were obtained. The results showed that concentrations of PBDEs increased in recent years; there were new contamination sources for OCPs in this area; contamination levels of heavy metals had no significant change in the last several years. Comparing the results of these two cores, erosion and dilution of seawater had different effects on the transportation of these compounds.