This project was undertaken to identify and quantify PBDEs in sediment samples and in tissue samples of organisms inhabiting an estuary near a landfill in Southeast Alaska and to compare these levels to those from samples (sediment and biota) obtained from a more pristine southeast Alaskan watershed. Estuarine environments are important habitats for emigrating salmonids as well as for many invertebrate species. The presence of PBDEs in southeast Alaskan estuaries has not yet been demonstrated.

Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) were measured in biota and surficial sediments collected from two study sites in Southeast Alaska. One site encompassed a glacial stream draining into a large tidally influenced estuary and subject to leachate from an adjacent municipal solid waste landfill. The second site had similar hydrologic features, i.e. a glacial stream draining into a tidally influenced estuary, but was removed from significant industrial or urban influence. Both biota and sediments exhibited low PBDE levels compared to samples collected from highly industrialized areas but increased levels were evident when comparing biota to sediments suggesting bioaccumulation is occurring. Comparison of levels at the municipal site relative to the pristine site, suggest non-local sources of PBDEs and may be tied to atmospheric transport to sub-polar glaciers followed by physical transport to the receiving waters.