Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1151
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1151
05 Jun 2023
 | 05 Jun 2023

The atmospheric fate of 1,2-Dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane (TBECH): Spatial patterns, seasonal variability, and deposition to Canadian coastal regions

Jenny Oh, Chubashini Shunthirasingham, Ying Duan Lei, Faqiang Zhan, Yuening Li, Abigaëlle Dalpé Castilloux, Amina Ben Chaaben, Zhe Lu, Kelsey Lee, Frank A. P. C. Gobas, Sabine Eckhardt, Nick Alexandrou, Hayley Hung, and Frank Wania

Abstract. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) that are gradually phased out are being replaced by emerging BFRs. Here, we report the concentration of the α- and β-isomers of 1,2-Dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl) cyclo–hexane (TBECH) in over 300 air, water, and precipitation samples collected between 2019 and 2022 using active air and deposition sampling as well as networks of passive air and water samplers. The sampling region includes Canada's most populated cities and areas along the St. Lawrence River and Estuary, Quebec, as well as around the Salish Sea, British Columbia. TBECH was detected in over 60 % of air samples at levels comparable to those of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47). Concentrations of TBECH and BDE-47 were typically higher in urban areas, with stronger correlations with population density during warmer deployments. Uniform α/β-TBECH ratios across space, time and environmental media indicate highly similar atmospheric fate of the two isomers. Although TBECH air concentrations were strongly related to temperature in urban Toronto and a remote site on the East coast, the lack of such dependence at a remote site on the West coast can be explained by the small seasonal temperature range and summertime air mass transport from the Pacific Ocean. Despite there being no evidence that TBECH has been produced, or imported for use, in Canada, it is now one of the most abundant gaseous BFRs in the Canadian atmosphere. The recorded spatial and temporal variability of TBECH suggest that its emissions are not constrained to specific locations but are generally tied to the presence of humans. The most likely explanation for its environmental occurrence in Canada is the release from imported consumer products containing TBECH. Chiral analysis suggests that despite its urban origin, at least some fraction of TBECH has experienced enantioselective processing, i.e., has volatilized from reservoirs where it has undergone microbial transformations. Microbial processes in urban soils and in marine waters may have divergent enantioselectivity.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

12 Sep 2023
The atmospheric fate of 1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane (TBECH): spatial patterns, seasonal variability, and deposition to Canadian coastal regions
Jenny Oh, Chubashini Shunthirasingham, Ying Duan Lei, Faqiang Zhan, Yuening Li, Abigaëlle Dalpé Castilloux, Amina Ben Chaaben, Zhe Lu, Kelsey Lee, Frank A. P. C. Gobas, Sabine Eckhardt, Nick Alexandrou, Hayley Hung, and Frank Wania
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 10191–10205, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10191-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10191-2023, 2023
Short summary
Jenny Oh, Chubashini Shunthirasingham, Ying Duan Lei, Faqiang Zhan, Yuening Li, Abigaëlle Dalpé Castilloux, Amina Ben Chaaben, Zhe Lu, Kelsey Lee, Frank A. P. C. Gobas, Sabine Eckhardt, Nick Alexandrou, Hayley Hung, and Frank Wania

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1151', Terry Bidleman, 26 Jun 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply to comments by Terry Bidleman', Frank Wania, 01 Jul 2023
      • RC1: 'Reply on AC1', Terry Bidleman, 10 Jul 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1151', Anonymous Referee #2, 11 Jul 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Frank Wania, 19 Jul 2023

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1151', Terry Bidleman, 26 Jun 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply to comments by Terry Bidleman', Frank Wania, 01 Jul 2023
      • RC1: 'Reply on AC1', Terry Bidleman, 10 Jul 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1151', Anonymous Referee #2, 11 Jul 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Frank Wania, 19 Jul 2023

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
AR by Frank Wania on behalf of the Authors (19 Jul 2023)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (11 Aug 2023) by Ivan Kourtchev
AR by Frank Wania on behalf of the Authors (14 Aug 2023)

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

12 Sep 2023
The atmospheric fate of 1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane (TBECH): spatial patterns, seasonal variability, and deposition to Canadian coastal regions
Jenny Oh, Chubashini Shunthirasingham, Ying Duan Lei, Faqiang Zhan, Yuening Li, Abigaëlle Dalpé Castilloux, Amina Ben Chaaben, Zhe Lu, Kelsey Lee, Frank A. P. C. Gobas, Sabine Eckhardt, Nick Alexandrou, Hayley Hung, and Frank Wania
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 10191–10205, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10191-2023,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10191-2023, 2023
Short summary
Jenny Oh, Chubashini Shunthirasingham, Ying Duan Lei, Faqiang Zhan, Yuening Li, Abigaëlle Dalpé Castilloux, Amina Ben Chaaben, Zhe Lu, Kelsey Lee, Frank A. P. C. Gobas, Sabine Eckhardt, Nick Alexandrou, Hayley Hung, and Frank Wania
Jenny Oh, Chubashini Shunthirasingham, Ying Duan Lei, Faqiang Zhan, Yuening Li, Abigaëlle Dalpé Castilloux, Amina Ben Chaaben, Zhe Lu, Kelsey Lee, Frank A. P. C. Gobas, Sabine Eckhardt, Nick Alexandrou, Hayley Hung, and Frank Wania

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Short summary
An emerging brominated flame retardant (BFRs) called TBECH has never been produced or imported for use in Canada, yet is found to be one of the most abundant gaseous BFRs in the Canadian atmosphere. The recorded spatial and temporal variability of TBECH suggest that the release from imported consumer products containing TBECH are the most likely explanation for its environmental occurrence in Canada.