Unexpected Mobility and Bioaccumulation of Effluent- and Biosolids-Borne PBDEs and Chlorinated Paraffins in an Organic-Rich Soil System

Land application of wastewater residuals introduces hydrophobic contaminants into soils, where high organic matter (OM) is widely assumed to ensure contaminant immobilization. We tested this assumption in greenhouse mesocosms using an organic-rich soil (50% OM, 50% sand) receiving selected polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and chlorinated paraffins (CPs) from biosolids or effluent. The soil's composition allowed us to test the conflict …