Evaluation of Biotransformation of Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in Anaerobic Digester Sludge, Soils, and Freshwater Sediments

The study evaluated the biotransformation of TBBPA in anaerobic digester sludge, soils, and freshwater sediments. The results of this study were consistent with previously published studies where TBBPA biotransformed in anaerobic environments (digester sludge and sediments) by debromination and slowly mineralized in the test environments (anaerobic digester sludge, soils, and freshwater sediments).1Source: McAvoy, Drew C., Charles A. Pittinger, and Alison M. Willis. “Biotransformation of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in anaerobic digester sludge, soils, and freshwater sediments.” Ecotoxicology and environmental safety (2015).

Key Takeaways:

  • The fate studies described here demonstrated low mineralization potential and high biotransformation potential of TBBPA in anaerobic digester sludge, agricultural soils, and freshwater sediments.
  • These soil fate studies demonstrated extensive incorporation into soils, increasing with organic carbon content.
  • Biotransformation products consisted of three unknown products and BPA. Results of these studies are consistent with previously published studies in demonstrating rapid biotransformation and slow mineralization of TBBPA in anaerobic digester sludge, agricultural soils, and freshwater sediments.