Density Functional Theory Study of Marine Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Anaerobic Degradation

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs)are a kind of serious pollutants in the ocean.Biodegradation is considered as an economical and safe way for PBDEs removal and reductive debromination dominates the initial pathway of anaerobic degradation.On the basis of experimental study,Octa-BDE 197,Hepta-BDE 183,Hexa-BDE 153,Penta-BDE 99 and Tetra-BDE 47 were selected as the initial degradation objects,and their debromination degradation were studied using density functional theory.The structures were optimized by Gaussian 09 program.Furthermore,the molecular orbitals and charge distribution were analyzed.All C-Br bond dissociation energies at different positions including ortho,meta and para bromine atoms were calculated and the sequence of debromination was obtained.There is a close relationship between molecular structure,charge,molecular orbital and C-Br bond.All PBDEs exhibited similar debromination pathways with preferential removal of meta and para bromines.

Research on Thermodynamic Properties of Polybrominated Diphenylamine by Neural Network

Based on the location of bromine substituents and conjugation matrix, a new substituent po- sition index ~X not only was defined, but also molecular shape indexes Km and electronega- tivity distance vectors Mm of diphenylamine and 209 kinds of polybrominated diphenylamine （PBDPA） molecules were calculated. Then the quantitative structure-property relationships （QSPR） among the thermodynamic properties of 210 organic pollutants and 0X, K3, M29, M36 were founded by Leaps-and-Bounds regression. Using the four structural parameters as input neurons of the artificial neural network, three satisfactory QSPR models with network structures of 4：21：1, 4：24：1, and 4：24：1 respectively, were achieved by the back-propagation algorithm. The total correlation coefficients R were 0.9999, 0.9997, and 0.9995 respectively and the standard errors S were 1.036, 1.469, and 1.510 respectively. The relative mean deviation between the predicted value and the experimental value of Sθ, AfHe and △fGθ- were 0.11%, 0.34% and 0.24% respectively, which indicated that the QSPR models had good stability and superior predictive ability. The results showed that there were good nonlinear correlations between the thermodynamic properties of PBDPAs and the four structural pa- rameters. Thus, it was concluded that the ANN models established by the new substituent position index were fully applicable to predict properties of PBDPAs.

Investigation on Organic Solvent Free Toluene Oxidative Bromination Reaction Catalyzed by HTS Zeolite

The toluene oxidative bromination reaction catalyzed by hollow titanium silicalite(HTS)zeolite in aqueous medium was investigated by employing H2O2 and HBr under mild conditions without the need for organic solvent.A high toluene conversion(90.7%)and high selectivity of mono-bromotoluene(99.0%)was achieved under the optimal reaction conditions.The UV-Raman spectroscopy was applied for the mechanism study and the result reveals that HTS is efficient for catalyzing the oxidation reaction of HBr with H2O2 to produce abundant active bromine species,which can further facilitate the toluene electrophilic bromination reaction.A two-step toluene bromination reaction mechanism involving the HTS catalyzed active bromine species“generation-conversion-utilization”process is proposed based on the UV-Raman spectroscopy analysis.

Levels and distribution of brominated flame retardants in the soil of Harbin in China

This study reports the presence of brominated flame retardants in the topsoil in and around Harbin, a city in northeastern China. Samples of soil were collected from 17 locations in 2006, and the levels of 9 polybrominated diphenylethers （PBDEs 17, 28, 47, 66, 99, 100, 153, 154, and 183） ranged from 2.45 to 55.9 pg/g dry weight （dw） with a mean of 26.3 pg/g dw. These levels are very low comparing with those for some cities in Europe and USA. BDE 209 and hexabromocyclododecane were the two dominant congeners, with mean concentrations of 520 pg/g dw and 1750 pg/g dw, respectively. The concentrations of the total nine PBDE congeners clearly decreased from urban areas to background, but the compositions of individual congeners differed. Proportions of heavier congeners decreased while those of lighter congeners increased, along urban-rural-background transect, providing evidence for an urban fractionation effect. Correlation analysis indicated similar sources for PBDEs, hexabromocyclododecane, and 1,2-bis（2,4,6-tribromophenoxy）-ethane from urban areas but pentabromoethylbenzene was probably present due to long-range atmospheric transport. Principal component analysis was used to determine the characteristics of the relationships among these brominated flame retardants in the field.

Ecotoxicological effects of mixed pollutants resulted from e-wastes recycling and bioaccumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Chinese loach(Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)

To understand potential ecotoxicological effects of electrical and electronic equipment waste （e-waste） recycling and polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDEs） bioaccumulation in loaches, a semi-field experiment using Chinese loach （Misgurnus anguiUicaudatus） as experimental fish was performed. Larval loaches were kept in net-cage for three months in an e-wastes recycling site and a reference site in Southeastern China. There was significant difference of the survival rate between the loaches from the e-wastes recycling site （27%, 19/70） and from reference site （70%, 49/70）. Histopathological responses were also found in all the livers examined in loaches from the e-wastes recycling site. These results showed that mixed pollutants resulted from e-wastes recycling led to ecotoxicological effects on loaches. The bioaccumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDEs）, the main pollutants in e-waste, in loaches was also studied, the mean concentration of total PBDEs in sediment was 6726.17 ng/g wet weight and in water samples was 4.08 ng/L （dissolved phase）. BDE 209 was the dominant congener in sediment and with relatively high concentration in water. Relatively low concentration of BDE 209 （less than 0.01% of total PBDEs） and high concentration of BDE47 （up to 39.34% of total PBDEs） were detected in loaches.

Occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish and shellfish downstream from electronic-waste recycling plants

We measured 39 polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDEs） in the muscle tissue of three species of fish （Sciaenops ocellatus,Sparus macrocephalus,and Lateolabrax japonicus） and four species of shellfish （Tegillarca granosa,Cyclina sinensis,Sinonovacula constricta,and Ostrea cucullata） that were collected downstream of electronic-waste recycling plants in Taizhou,China.A total of 24 PBDE congeners （PBDE 24） in the samples were detected.The PBDE 24 （total PBDE） ranged from 545.4 to 1688.7 ng/kg ww （wet weight）.The mean PBDE 24 concentration was 1382.6 ng/kg ww in fish and 858.1 ng/kg ww in shellfish.The lower brominated congeners were detected at relatively high concentrations in all species.The penta-products,produced from e-waste,were found at relatively low levels.A principal component analysis suggested a significant correlation among di-,tri-,tetra-,and hepta-BDEs for the three species of fish.Similarly,we found a significant correlation between mono-and tri-BDEs in the shellfish.Our results suggested that the processes of PBDE metabolism and elimination were similar in both fish and shellfish.In addition,the primary source of PBDEs appeared to be from the debromination of high brominated PBDEs.

Identification of the metabolites of polybrominated diphenyl ether 99 and its related cytochrome P450s

Objective：To investigate the metabolites of polybrominated diphenyl ether 99（BDE-99）and its related cytochrome P450s in an in vitro system.Methods：Rat primary hepatocytes were isolated and treated with BDE-99 for 24-72 h.Metabolites were then extracted from the hepatocytes and media,and detected by GC/MS.Several mRNAs of metabolic enzymes were also extracted from the same cells and the gene expression levels were determined using quantitative real-time PCR.In addition,selected recombinant cytochrome P450s（CYPs） were expressed in a bacurovirus/sf9 system,and these were further used to explore the metabolism of BDE-99 in vitro.The parent depletion approach was used for screening the ability of CYPs to eliminate BDE-99.Results： A reductively debrominated metabolite,BDE-47,and three oxidative metabolites,2,4,5-tribromophenol,5-OH-BDE-47,and 5＇-OH-BDE-99,were identified from the BDE-99-treated rat hepatocytes,whereas no MeO metabolite was detected in the system.RT-PCR analysis showed that CYP 3A23/3A1,1A2,and 2B1/2 were induced by BDE-99.Furthermore,using the heterological expressed CYP proteins in in vitro BDE-99 metabolism experiments we found that CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 showed the highest metabolic efficiency for BDE-99,with the metabolic clearance rates of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 being 30.3%and 27.7%,respectively.CYP1A1 and CYP2A6 displayed relatively low clearance rates,while CYP2E1 seemed not to be associated with the BDE-99 metabolism.Conclusions：In our in vitro rat primary hepatocyte metabolism system,four metabolites of BDE-99 were identified,and CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 were demonstrated to be involved in the BDE-99 metabolism.

Studies of Thermodynamic Properties and Relative Stability of Polybrominated Xanthones by Density Functional Theory

The thermodynamic properties of xanthone（XTH） and 135 polybrominated xanthones（PBXTHs） in the standard state have been calculated at the B3LYP/6-31G＊ level using Gaussian 03 program.The isodesmic reactions were designed to calculate the standard enthalpy of formation（△fHθ） and standard free energy of formation（△fGθ） of PBXTH congeners.The relations of these thermodynamic parameters with the number and position of Br atom substitution（NPBS） were discussed,and it was found that there exist high correlation between thermodynamic parameters（entropy（Sθ）,△fHθ and △fGθ） and NPBS.According to the relative magnitude of their △fGθ,the relative stability order of PBXTH congeners was theoretically proposed.The relative rate constants of formation reactions of PBXTH congeners were calculated,Moreover,the values of molar heat capacity at constant pressure（Cp,m） from 200 to 1000 K for PBXTH congeners were also calculated,and the temperature dependence relation of them was obtained,suggesting very good relationships between Cp,m and temperature（T,T^1 and T^2） for almost all PBXTH congeners.

Thermodynamic Properties for Polybrominated Dibenzothiophenes by Density Functional Theory

The thermodynamic properties of 135 polybrominated dibenzothiophenes （PBDTs） in the gaseous state at 298.15 K and 1.013×10^5 Pa, are calculated using the density functional theory （the B3LYP/6-311G^＊＊） with Gaussian 03. Based on these data, the isodesmic reacflons are designed to calculate the standard enthalpy of formation （△fH^θ） and the standard Gibbs energy of formation （△fG^θ） of PBDTs. The relations of these thermodynamic parameters with the number and positionof bromine subsfituents （NPBS） are discussed, and it is found that there exist good correlations between othermody namic parameters （including heat capacity at constant volume, entropy, enthaipy, free energy, △fH^θ, △fG^θ） and NPBS. Thoe relative stability order of PBDT congeners is proposed theoretically based on the relative magnitude of their △fG^θ. In addition, the values of molar heat capacities at constant pressure （Cp,m） for PBDT c ongelaers are calculated.

Predicting the Relative Retention Time (RRT) of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)

Using the molecular electronegativity distance vector descriptors derived directly from the molecular topological structures, the relative retention time （RRT） of polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDEs） were predicted. A four-variable regression model （M30） with the correlation coefficient of 0.9816 and the root mean square errors of 0.061 was developed using a training set including 30 PBDEs. The correlation coefficient of 0.9841 and the root mean square errors of 0.054 between the values of RRT predicted by M30 and the RRT observed for 16 external PBDEs show a good predictive potential of M30. The descriptors included in the M30 represent four interactions between four pairs of atom types, i.e., atom -C= and -C=, -C= and 〉C=, 〉C= and 〉C=, -C= and -Br.

Variation of Bioaccumulation Ability of 2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl Ether by Marine Diatom Skeletonema costatum Under Different N:P Ratios

The growth, biochemical content and bioaccumulation quantity of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether(BDE-47) in Skeletonema costatum were studied under different N:P ratios(1, 4, 16, 64 and 128). All cellular biochemical contents of S. costatum presented decreasing trend over cultivation time. At early stage of cultivation, the cellular protein, carbohydrate and lipid in S. costatum presented higher values in treatments of N:P=4 and 16. However, they were lower in these treatments at the late stage, but higher in treatments N:P=1 and 128. Similarly, BDE-47 levels per cell of S. costatum were higher in treatments of N:P=4 and 16 at early stage of cultivation, which were 3.8 and 3.7 ng(106 cells)-1, respectively. At the middle stage of cultivation, the BDE-47 level per S. costatum cell lowered; and it further reduced in the treatments of N:P=4 and 16 at the late stage with the values 0.6 and 0.5 ng(106 cells)-1, respectively. However, it rose in N:P=128, reaching up to 2.3 ng(106 cells)-1. Compared with BDE-47 per cell, BDE-47 per algal volume under different N:P ratios did not present obvious difference. The quantity BDE-47 accumulated per cell of S. costatum was positively correlated with protein, carbohydrate and lipid per cell; meanwhile, the BDE-47 per volume had a positive correlation with biochemical content per volume. The variation of bioaccumulation ability of BDE-47 in S. costatum can be explained by biochemical changes due to N:P ratios.

Concentrations of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Maternal Blood,Placental Size,and Risk for Fetal Growth Restriction:A Nested Case-control Study

Objective To explore the effects of prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs)on placental size and birth outcomes.Methods Based on the perspective Wenzhou Birth Cohort,this nested case-control study included 101 fetal growth restriction(FGR)and 101 healthy newborns.Maternal serum samples were collected during the third trimester and measured for PBDEs by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.The basic information of mother-newborn pairs was collected from questionnaires,whereas the placental size and birth outcomes of newborns were obtained from hospital records.Results A total of 19 brominated diphenyle ether(BDE)congeners were detected in maternal serum samples.Higher concentrations of BDE-207,-208,-209,and∑19PBDEs were detected in FGR cases than in controls.Increased BDE-207,-208,-209,and∑19PBDEs levels in maternal serum were related to decreased placental length,breadth,surface area,birth weight,birth length,gestational age,and Quetelet index of newborns.After adjusting for confounders,BDE-207 and∑19PBDE concentrations in maternal serum were significantly associated with an increased risk of FGR.Conclusion A negative association was found between PBDE levels in maternal serum and placental size and birth outcomes.Prenatal PBDE exposure may be associated with elevated risk of the incidence of FGR birth.

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Surface Sediment from Songhua River Basin,Northeast of China

Sixty sediment samples were collected from the main Songhua River in three years. Twelve polybrominated diphenyl ether( PBDE) congeners( BDE17,28,47,66,99,100,153,154,138,183,and BDE-209) were detected to state the pollution situation. The results showed that the total concentration of total PBDEs ranges from 0. 424 to 23. 0 ng / g dry weight,with the mean of 3. 02 ng / g,and the total PBDEs concentration is at relative low level compared with those worldwide. The congener profile showed that BDE-209 is the dominant congener that accounts for more than 80. 1% of total PBDEs in sediments,followed by BDE-47 and BDE-99. These profiles are consistent with a high consumption of Deca-BDEs for the brominated flame retardant market in China. The results of spatial and seasonal observations indicated that local sources,temperature variation, and hydrologic conditions are significant factors on PBDEs concentrations. Hazard quotients suggested that PBDEs pose no potential risk to benthic organisms in detected area at present.

A Validated Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Method for the Detection and Quantification of Oxidative Metabolites of 2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl Ether in Rat Hepatic Microsomes

In the present study, we developed and validated an analytical method using ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) for the quantitative determination of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) metabolism by rat hepatic microsomes. BDE-47 is a brominated flame retardant that was widely used in a variety of consumer products and has subsequently been identified as a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. Hydroxy-bromodiphenyl ethers (OH-BDEs) were isolated from rat hepatic microsomes by liquid-liquid extraction. Chromatographic separation was achieved by UPLC on a C18 column with gradient elution using a mobile phase consisting of methanol and water, each containing 0.1% formic acid, at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Detection and quantification were performed using a mass spectrometer in single ion recording mode with negative electrospray ionization. The UPLC/MS method was validated for linearity, limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, precision and recovery. The weighted calibration curves (1/X2) were linear over a concentration range of 5 - 250 nM with LOQ values between 5 nM and 50 nM for the individual OH-BDEs. Intra- and inter- day accuracy (%DEV) and precision (%RSD) values ranged from –11.7% to 9.5% and 5.9% to 16.5%, respectively. Recovery values of 70% to 90% were obtained for all OH-BDEs. The validated method allowed us to successfully analyze metabolite formation following incubation of BDE-47 with hepatic microsomes prepared from phenobarbital-treated rats. Results demonstrate that the UPLC/MS method has sufficient sensitivity and reproducibility to fully characterize the in vitro metabolism of BDE-47 and possibly other PBDEs.

Uncertainty Evaluation for the Determination of PBBs and PBDEs in Food Packaging Bag by GCMS

This study analyzed the sources of uncertainty during the determination of polybrominated biphenyls （PBBs） and polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDEs） contents in food packaging bags and calculated the uncertainty introduced in every step of the measurement,finally gave the combined relative standard uncertainty and expanded uncertainty.The results revealed that the resulting combined relative standard uncertainty was determined as 0.069 and the expanded uncertainty as 0.14 at confidence probability p=95％,coverage factor k=2,by following the methods described in GB/Z 21276-2007 ＂Determination of Restricted Substances-Polybrominated Biphenyls and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Electrical and Electronic Equipment＂.The measured value of PBDE-4 content in the composite food packaging bag X=0.42 mg/kg,so the real content of PBDE-4 was （0.42±0.14） mg/kg.

Bioaccumulative Characteristics of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Channel Catfish and Fish Feeds from China

PBDEs are widely used brominated flame retardant, which are increasingly reported in the environment. Concentrations of thirteen PBDEs in a large number of channel catfish and fish feeds collected from Hubei province of China were investigated in this study. A fast isotopic dilution GC-MS method was firstly developed to simultaneously determine thirteen PBDEs in channel catfish and fish feeds in this study, and especially for the first time PBDEs in fish feeds. Pressurized liquid extraction and multi-layer silica gel column chromatography cleanup were used, some important steps and crucial parameters were modified and intensified compared with other literatures, and GC and MS conditions were optimized. The limits of quantitation values of 0.25 - 5 μg·kg-1 wet weight in channel catfish were calculated for PBDEs;so did 1 - 20 μg·kg-1 wet weight in fish feeds. In addition, good repeatability and accuracy of the whole method were achieved. The established methods were therefore suitable for the simultaneous determinations of thirteen PBDEs in these samples at trace contamination levels. Using the established methods, PBDEs emerged in 10 of 180 channel catfish and 13 of 115 fish feeds, and the dominant PBDEs homologues were PBDE-28, PBDE-47, PBDE-100, PBDE-99, PBDE-154, PBDE-153 and PBDE-183. The detection rates of seven PBDEs congeners were in turn respectively 1.74%, 7.83%, 4.35%, 5.22%, 3.48%, 2.61% and 2.61% in fish feeds, and detection rates of seven PBDEs congeners were in turn respectively 1.11%, 3.89%, 2.22%, 1.67%, 1.11%, 1.11% and 1.11% in channel catfish. There was significant correlation in PBDEs between matching channel catfish and fish feeds (R2 = 0.742, P < 0.001, n = 30), suggesting that fish feeds contaminated with PBDEs possibly resulted in PBDEs residual in channel catfish through biological transfer.

Polybrominated biphenyl exposure and thyroid function tests in electronic waste dismantling and general population of Chinese adults

This study aimed to determine the concentration of 35 PBB(polybrominated biphenyls)congeners in the human serum of residents from an electronic waste(e-waste)dismantling area compared to a control area in China.Additionally,four thyroid hormones,namely FT3,FT4,TSH,and TRH,were also analyzed.The findings revealed that the total PBB concentrations(sum of the 35 PBB congeners)ranged from 47.1 to 1360 ng/g lipid in the e-waste area and 105–1980 ng/g lipid in the control area.BB-1 and BB-10 were the dominant congeners in both study areas,followed by BB-209.Compared to the e-waste dismantling area,the control area samples had a significantly higher concentration of less-brominated(Br1–3)PBBs,including the concentrations of less-brominated congeners such as BB-1,BB-4,BB-9,and BB-10,which were significantly higher than those in the e-waste dismantling area.Conversely,more-brominated hexabromobiphenyl congeners BB-153,BB-154 and BB-155 were found in samples from the e-waste dismantling area at significantly higher concentrations than in the control area.E-waste dismantling areas have released historically produced commercial PBB products,but equally not negligible is the exposure of the general population to newly produced PBB congeners.PBB concentrations in the e-waste dismantling area samples decreased with increasing age,while they increased with increasing age in the control area samples.Furthermore,stepwise multiple regression analysis showed a significant association between BB-103 concentrations and thyroid hormone levels.In addition,BB-103 has the potential to interfere with the binding of T3 and thyroid hormone receptors(TR).Given these findings,the research on human exposure of PBB and the relationships between the PBB and thyroid hormones should be studied further.

Colloid-facilitated release of polybrominated diphenyl ethers at an e-waste recycling site: evidence from undisturbed soil core leaching experiments

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a class of persistent organic pollutants, have been frequently detected in soil at e-waste recycling sites. However, the key factors controlling the transport of PBDEs from surface soil to the vadose zone and groundwater are unclear. Here, colloid-enhanced leaching of PBDEs from undisturbed soil cores collected at an e-waste recycling site in Tianjin, China, is reported. Spatially heterogeneous release of colloids and PBDEs was observed in all the tested soil cores under chemical and hydrodynamic perturbations, indicating the presence of preferential flow paths. Colloid concentration in the effluent significantly increased as ionic strength decreased (from 10 to 0.01 mmol/L), probably due to the stronger electrostatic repulsion between colloidal particles and the soil matrix at lower ionic strength. In contrast, colloid mobilization was not significantly affected by the changes in pH of the influent (from 4.0 to 10.0) and flow rate (from a Darcy velocity of 1.5 to 6.0 cm/h). The concentrations of 2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′,6,6′-decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), the predominant PBDE congener at the site, detected in the leachate (ranging from 1.09 to 3.43 ng/L) were much lower than previously reported results from packed column leaching tests, and were positively correlated with colloid concentrations. This indicates that remobilization of colloids at e-waste recycling sites can promote the leaching and downward migration of PBDEs from surface soil. The findings highlight the potential risk of surface soil PBDE contamination to groundwater quality and call for further understanding of colloid-facilitated transport for predicting the fate of PBDEs at e-waste recycling sites.

Efficient removal of polybrominated diphenyl ethers from soil washing effluent by dummy molecular imprinted adsorbents: Selectivity and mechanisms

Surfactant enhanced elution is an effective method for removing hydrophobic organic pollutants from soils.The key to the development of leaching technology is selective removal of targeted pollutants in soil washing effluent and recycling of surfactant solutions.In this study,a molecular imprinting technique was applied to selectively sorb polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs)in soil washing effluent.The novel molecular imprinted polymers(MIPs)using different template molecules were synthesized by precipitation polymerization.Adsorption behaviors andmechanisms ofMIPs were studied through experiments and theoretical calculations.The results show that 4-bromo-4'-hydroxybiphenyl and toluene can be effective imprinting molecule for MIPs synthesis.The maximal adsorption capacity of selected dummy molecular imprinted polymer(D1-MIP)was 1032.36μmol/g,and that of part molecular imprinted polymer(P-MIP)was 981.13μmol/g.Their imprinting factors in 5 PBDEs adsorption ranged from 2.13 to 5.88,the recovery percentage of Triton X-100 can reach 99.09%,confirming the feasibility of reusing surfactant.Various PBDEs could be removed by MIPs,and Quantitative Structure Property Relationship analysis revealed that PBDEs’molecular volume,planarity,polarity,and hydrophobicity have major influences on their adsorption performance.DFT calculation revealed that Van derWaals force and hydrogen bonding played important roles during selective adsorption.These results can provide effective theoretical guidance for surfactant enhanced soil elution in practical engineering applications.

The interaction mechanisms of co-existing polybrominated diphenyl ethers and engineered nanoparticles in environmental waters: A critical review

This review focuses on the occurrence and interactions of engineered nanoparticles(ENPs)and brominated flame retardants(BFRs)such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs)in water systems and the generation of highly complex compounds in the environment.The release of ENPs and BFRs(e.g.PBDEs)to aquatic environments during their usage and disposal are summarised together with their key interaction mechanisms.The major interaction mechanisms including electrostatic,van derWaals,hydrophobic,molecular bridging and steric,hydrogen andπ-bonding,cation bridging and ligand exchange were identified.The presence of ENPs could influence the fate and behaviour of PBDEs through the interactions as well as induced reactions under certain conditions which increases the formation of complex compounds.The interaction leads to alteration of behaviour for PBDEs and their toxic effects to ecological receptors.The intermingled compound(ENPs-BFRs)would show different behaviour from the parental ENPs or BFRs,which are currently lack of investigation.This review provided insights on the interactions of ENPs and BFRs in artificial,environmental water systems and wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs),which are important for a comprehensive risk assessment.