Identification and occurrence of brominated and nitrated phenols in estuarine sediments

Brominated and nitrated phenols were positively identified for the first time in estuarine sediments (Rhône estuary). 2,4-Dibromophenol, 2,4,6-tribromophenol and 2-nitrophenol were the major components present, exhibiting concentrations in the range of 7–5850 ng g⁻¹. The analysis of sediment extracts by CGC-MS in the negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) mode allowed also the identification of a series of bromochloro, dibromochloro and bromodichloronitrophenol and their alkylated derivatives. The observed seaward negative gradient of concentrations, suggests a land-based discharge as the principal source, probably originated in automobile emissions which are wash-out to the riverine streams by urban runoff. However, their precise origin remains to be identified.