Bioaccumulation and toxic effects of decabromodiphenyl ether in the presence of nanoscale zero-valent iron in an earthworm–soil system

Abstract In this study, the bioaccumulation and toxic effects of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE209) (1 and 10 mg kg −1 ) were investigated in the earthworm Eisenia fetida in the presence of different levels of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) (100, 500, and 1000 mg kg −1 ) in an earthworm–soil system. The results demonstrated that compared to single BDE209 exposure, the addition of high levels of nZVI significantly ( P −1 BDE209 with 500 or 1000 mg kg −1 nZVI illustrated the presence of a serious injury in the intestinal tissues after a 28-day exposure. Additionally, a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the coexistence of high level of nZVI significantly ( P