Kimbrough, K. L., Johnson, W. E., Lauenstein, G. G., Christensen, J. D., Apeti, D. A. 2009. An Assessment of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in Sediments and Bivalves of the U.S. Coastal Zone. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 94. NOAA, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, Silver Spring, MD.

Assessment, Coastal, Habitat, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Sediment, Shellfish, Water quality, PAHs, Wildlife, Aquatic ecosystems, Polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, Human behavior, Oysters

This report presents the results of the first nation-wide assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in coastal regions throughout the United States. The assessment was conducted by NOAA’s Mussel Watch Program. The results of the assessment show a wide distribution of PBDEs in both sediment and bivalve tissue, and there is a correlation between PBDE concentrations and the density of adjacent human populations.