Classic (polybromodiphenyl
ethers,
PBDEs) and emerging halogenated
flame retardants (
HFRs) such as hexabromobenzenze (HBB), pentabromoetilbenzene (PBEB),
decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) and halogenated
norbornenes (HNs), as well as naturally produced methoxylated-
PBDEs (MeO-
PBDEs), were analyzed in 12 sediment and 30 urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) samples collected from Bizerte Lagoon in northern Tunisia. Levels of
HFRs in the sediments ranged from nd to 51.8 ng/g dry weight (dw), while MeO-
PBDEs were not detected. As regards levels in urchins, concentrations of
PBDEs, HNs and MeO-
PBDEs ranged from 3.67 to 56.9, 4.52 to 116 and nd to 364 ng/g
lipid weight (lw), respectively. Thus, levels of naturally occurring compounds were higher than those of an anthropogenic origin. As regards
HFRs, the highest contribution comes from HNs with levels ranging between 9.98 and 143 ng/g lw. HN and
PBDE concentrations in sea urchin are similar or slightly lower than other reports for other species, while total MeO-
PBDE concentrations are higher. The comsumption of sea urchins in Bizerte city is not a threat to public health concerning
PBDE intakes.