Toxicologie environnementale et analytique

Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRS) Analysis in Leachates and Sludge from a Landfill and Wastewater Plant in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City

Abstract

Gavilán-García Irma, Santos-Santos Elvira, Gavilán-García Arturo, Beristain-Montiel Erik and González-González Luis A

The biggest landfill in Mexico comprehends an area of 375 hectares and 72 million tons of solid wastes were deposited during 20 years until his closure in December 2012. On the other hand, there is concern of the use of landfill biosolids as feedstock for wastewater treatment plants. Leachate and sludge samples were taken from this landfill and a wastewater treatment plant. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) and hexabromocyclodecanes (HBCDs) were determined in all samples. This study provides valuable information about BFRs contents and possible release into environment. Results obtained for total PBDEs ranged from not detected (n. d.) to 3.88 ± 0.38 ng mL-1 in leachates and from n. d. to 23.4 ± 4.7 ng g-1 in sludges. HBCD was quantified in the range of 0.161 ± 0.014 to 0.666 ± 0.453 ng mL-1 in leachate and from 0.112 ± 0.042 to 34.873 ± 8.262 ng g-1 in sludge samples. TBBP-A, β-HBCD and BDE-209 were not found in any sample. According to characteristics of the landfill and samples properties, BFRs could proceed from wastes and re-injection of leachates into garbage. Our results suggest the improvement of waste treatment or implementation of remediation procedures.