Unveiling the Molecular Characteristics, Origins, and Formation Mechanism of Reduced Nitrogen Organic Compounds in the Urban Atmosphere of Shanghai Using a Versatile Aerosol Concentration Enrichment System.

Reduced nitrogen-containing organic compounds (NOCs) in aerosols play a crucial role in altering their light-absorption properties, thereby impacting regional haze and climate. Due to the low concentration levels of individual NOCs in the air, the utilization of accurate detection and quantification technologies becomes essential. For the first time, this study investigated the diurnal variation, chemical characteristics, and potential formation pathways of NOCs in urban ambient aerosols in Shanghai using a versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system (VACES) coupled with HPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The results showed that NOCs accounted over 60% of identified components of urban organic aerosols, with O/N < 3 compounds being the major contributors (>70%). The predominance of the positive ionization mode suggested the prevalence of reduced NOCs. Higher relative intensities and number fractions of NOCs were observed during nighttime, while CHO compounds showed an opposite trend. Notably, a positive correlation between the intensity of NOCs and ammonium during the nighttime was observed, suggesting that the reaction of ammonium to form imines may be a potential pathway for the formation of reduced NOCs during the nighttime. Seven prevalent types of reduced NOCs in autumn and winter were identified and characterized by an enrichment of CH2 long-chain homologues. These NOCs included alkyl, cyclic, and aromatic amides in CHON compounds, as well as heterocyclic or cyclic amines and aniline homologue series in CHN compounds, which were associated with anthropogenic activities and may be capable of forming light-absorbing chromophores or posing harm to human health. The findings highlight the significant contributions of both primary emissions and ammonium chemistry, particularly amination processes, to the pollution of reduced NOCs in Shanghai's atmosphere.

MPZL1 upregulation promotes tumor metastasis and correlates with unfavorable prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), accounting for 85% of all lung cancer, is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Previously, we demonstrated that MPZL1 gene amplification promotes liver cancer metastasis through activating Src/Cortactin pathway. However, the clinical relevance and biological roles of the MPZL1 gene in lung cancer are still unknown. Here, we found that MPZL1 expression upregulates in human NSCLC, which is partly due to the copy number amplification of this gene. Next, we observed that high MPZL1 expression correlates with unfavorable prognosis of NSCLC patients. We further demonstrated that ectopic MPZL1 overexpression promotes in vitro migratory but not proliferation and colony formation abilities of both H1299 and H460 cells. Consistently, we found that MPZL1 knockdown impairs the migratory abilities of A549 and H1775 cells. Moreover, we found that MPZL1 knockdown inhibits in vivo metastatic but not tumor growth abilities of the A549 cells. Additionally, a total of 297 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by RNA sequencing in A549 cells upon MPZL1 knockdown. By integrative analysis of DEGs regulated by MPZL1 in A549 cells and human NSCLC tissues, we revealed that COL11A1 is the potential effector gene that positively regulated by MPZL1 and correlates with poor prognosis of NSCLC patients. In conclusion, our work indicates that one of the mechanisms by which MPZL1 promotes NSCLC metastasis is through upregulating the COL11A1, and MPZL1 can be used as a biomarker to predict the prognosis of NSCLC patients.

H3K36 trimethylation mediated by SETD2 regulates the fate of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

During the aging process, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) exhibit declined osteogenesis accompanied by excess adipogenesis, which will lead to osteoporosis. Here, we report that the H3 lysine 36 trimethylation (H3K36me3), catalyzed by histone methyltransferase SET-domain-containing 2 (SETD2), regulates lineage commitment of BMSCs. Deletion of Setd2 in mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (mBMSCs), through conditional Cre expression driven by Prx1 promoter, resulted in bone loss and marrow adiposity. Loss of Setd2 in BMSCs in vitro facilitated differentiation propensity to adipocytes rather than to osteoblasts. Through conjoint analysis of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data, we identified a SETD2 functional target gene, Lbp, on which H3K36me3 was enriched, and its expression was affected by Setd2 deficiency. Furthermore, overexpression of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) could partially rescue the lack of osteogenesis and enhanced adipogenesis resulting from the absence of Setd2 in BMSCs. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that the trimethylation level of H3K36 could regulate Lbp transcriptional initiation and elongation. These findings suggest that H3K36me3 mediated by SETD2 could regulate the cell fate of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro and in vivo, indicating that the regulation of H3K36me3 level by targeting SETD2 and/or the administration of downstream LBP may represent a potential therapeutic way for new treatment in metabolic bone diseases, such as osteoporosis.

PM1.0-Nitrite Heterogeneous Formation Demonstrated via a Modified Versatile Aerosol Concentration Enrichment System Coupled with Ion Chromatography.

Particulate nitrite is a critical source of hydroxyl radicals; however, it lacks high-resolution methods due to its low abundance and stability to explore its formation mechanism. In this study, a modified versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system (VACES) coupled with ion chromatography (IC) was used to measure particulate NO2- hourly online and achieve a lowered detection limit of 10-3 µg m-3. VACES-IC was used to observe a high- and low-concentration events of PM1.0-NO2- in Shanghai, corresponding to the ambient-level concentrations of 0.34 and 0.05 µg m-3, respectively. The morning peak concentrations of NO2- even exceeded 3σ (standard deviation) in the high-concentration event due to the reduction of NO2 by aerosol SO32- based on kinetics and regression analysis. This implies that controlling SO2 emissions would be an effective strategy to decrease morning NO2- concentrations, correspondingly reducing the kinetic formation of SO42- by 20.8-34.8%. However, after sunrise, NO2- formation was primarily attributed to NO2 hydrolysis at pH 4.97-6.14. In the low-concentration event, NO2 hydrolysis also accounted for an overwhelming proportion (∼90%) of NO2- formation. This work estimates the contribution of different paths to particulate NO2- formation based on newly established high-resolution measurements.

Toxic Effects of Ethyl Cinnamate on the Photosynthesis and Physiological Characteristics of Chlorella vulgaris Based on Chlorophyll Fluorescence and Flow Cytometry Analysis.

The toxic effects of ethyl cinnamate on the photosynthetic and physiological characteristics of Chlorella vulgaris were studied based on chlorophyll fluorescence and flow cytometry analysis. Parameters, including biomass, F(v)/F(m) (maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII), Ф(PSII) (actual photochemical efficiency of PSII in the light), FDA, and PI staining fluorescence, were measured. The results showed the following: (1) The inhibition on biomass increased as the exposure concentration increased. 1 mg/L ethyl cinnamate was sufficient to reduce the total biomass of C. vulgaris. The 48-h and 72-h EC50 values were 2.07 mg/L (1.94-2.20) and 1.89 mg/L (1.82-1.97). (2) After 24 h of exposure to 2-4 mg/L ethyl cinnamate, the photosynthesis of C. vulgaris almost ceased, manifesting in Ф(PSII) being close to zero. After 72 h of exposure to 4 mg/L ethyl cinnamate, the Fv /Fm of C. vulgaris dropped to zero. (3) Ethyl cinnamate also affected the cellular physiology of C. vulgaris, but these effects resulted in the inhibition of cell yield rather than cell death. Exposure to ethyl cinnamate resulted in decreased esterase activities in C. vulgaris, increased average cell size, and altered intensities of chlorophyll a fluorescence. Overall, esterase activity was the most sensitive variable.

Organochlorine pesticides in the dust fall around Lake Chaohu, the fifth largest lake in China.

The residual levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the dust fall around Lake Chaohu were measured using gas chromatography mass spectrometry from April 2010 to March 2011. The fluxes, components, temporal-spatial variations, and sources of OCPs were also analyzed. Twenty-one types of OCPs were detected in the dust fall samples around Lake Chaohu, with a total concentration of 51.54 ± 36.31 ng/g and a total flux of 10.01 ± 13.69 ng/(m(2) day). Aldrin (35.3 %), endosulfan (39.1 %), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) (49.8 %), and isodrin (37.1 %) were the major OCPs in the spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. Both the residual level and the flux were higher in the spring than in other seasons and higher at the outer lake sampling sites than inner lake sampling site. The potential source of the hexachlorcyclohexanes in the dust fall may be recent lindane usage. The DDTs mainly came from historical dicofol usage, and a significant input of DDT was found during April and June. The presence of endosulfan may be due to the present use of technical endosulfan. The aldrin in the dust might be due to its occasional usage, and isodrin may be a result of long-distance transport from other countries.

Abundant bacteria and fungi attached to airborne particulates in vegetable plastic greenhouses.

The proliferation of modern vegetable plastic greenhouses (VPGS) supplies more and more vegetables for food all over the world. The airborne bacteria and fungi induce more exposure opportunities for workers toiling in confined plastic greenhouses. Culture-independent approaches by qPCR and high-throughput sequencing technology were used to study the airborne particulates microbiota in typic VPGS in Shandong, a large base of vegetables in China. The result revealed the mean airborne bacteria concentrations reached 1.67 × 103 cells/m3 (PM2.5) and 2.38 × 103 cells/m3 (PM10), and the mean airborne fungal concentrations achieved 1.49 × 102 cells/m3 (PM2.5) and 3.19 × 102 cells/m3 (PM10) in VPGS. The predominant bacteria in VPGS included Ralstonia, Alcanivorax, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Acinetobacter. Botrytis, Alternaria, Fusarium, Sporobolomyces, and Cladosporium were frequently detected fungal genera in VPGS. A higher Chao1 of bacteria in PM10 was significantly different from PM2.5 in VPGS. The potential pathogens in VPGS include Raltonia picketti, Acinetobacter lwoffii, Bacillus anthracis, Botrytis cinerea, and Cladosporium sphaerospermum. The network analysis indicated that airborne microbiota was associated with soil microbiota which was affected by anthropologic activities. The predicted gene functions revealed that bacterial function mainly involved metabolism, neurodegenerative diseases, and fungal trophic mode dominated by Pathotroph-Saprotroph in VPGS. These findings unveiled airborne microbiomes in VPGS so that a strategy for improving air quality can be applied to safeguard health and vegetation.

Global emission of black carbon from motor vehicles from 1960 to 2006.

Black carbon (BC) is a key short-lived climate change forcer. Motor vehicles are important sources of BC in the environment. BC emission factors (EF(BC)), defined as BC emitted per mass of fuel consumed, are critical in the development of BC emission inventories for motor vehicles. However, measured EF(BC) for motor vehicles vary in orders of magnitude, which is one of the major sources of uncertainty in the estimation of emissions. In this study, the main factors affecting EF(BC) for motor vehicles were investigated based on 385 measured EF(BC) collected from the literature. It was found that EF(BC) for motor vehicles of a given year in a particular country can be predicted using gross domestic product per capita (GDP(c)), temperature, and the year a country's GDP(c) reached 3000 USD (Y(3000)). GDP(c) represents technical progress in terms of emission control, while Y(3000) suggest the technical transfer from developed to developing countries. For global BC emission calculations, 87 and 64% of the variation can be eliminated for diesel and gasoline vehicles by using this model. In addition to a reduction in uncertainty, the model can be used to develop a global on-road vehicle BC emission inventory with spatial and temporal resolution.

Levels, distribution, and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in four freshwater edible fish species from the Beijing market.

We first estimated the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the brain, liver, bladder, roe, and muscle of four species of edible freshwater fish from the Beijing market. The distribution characteristics of PAHs in these tissues and organs were analyzed to determine their health risks to humans. The results showed that the residual levels of wet weight and lipid-normalized weight ∑PAHs in various tissues of these fish ranged from 0.51 ng·g(-1) to 28.78 ng·g(-1) and from 93.62 ng·g(-1) to 8203.43 ng·g(-1), respectively. The wet weight contents of ∑PAHs were relatively higher in the brain and lower in the liver and muscle. But the differences were not significant. And the differences of lipid-normalized weight PAHs were significant, which in the bighead carp were found significantly the highest, followed in crucian carp, and the lowest in grass carp and carp. The contents of ∑PAHs were the highest in the liver and the lowest in the brain. In the tissues with a higher lipid content, higher residual levels of PAHs were found. The carcinogenic risks for humans from residual ∑PAHs in the various fish tissues were far below 10(-5).

Simulation of the fate and seasonal variations of α-hexachlorocyclohexane in Lake Chaohu using a dynamic fugacity model.

Fate and seasonal variations of α-hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH) were simulated using a dynamic fugacity model in Lake Chaohu, China. Sensitivity analyses were performed to identify influential parameters and Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to assess model uncertainty. The calculated and measured values of the model were in good agreement except for suspended solids, which might be due to disregarding the plankton in water. The major source of α-HCH was an input from atmospheric advection, while the major environmental outputs were atmospheric advection and sediment degradation. The net annual input and output of α-HCH were approximately 0.294 t and 0.412 t, respectively. Sediment was an important sink for α-HCH. Seasonal patterns in various media were successfully modeled and factors leading to this seasonality were discussed. Sensitivity analysis found that parameters of source and degradation were more important than the other parameters. The sediment was influenced more by various parameters than air and water were. Temperature variation had a greater impact on the dynamics of the model output than other dynamic parameters. Uncertainty analysis showed that the model uncertainty was relatively low but significantly increased in the second half of the simulation period due to the increase in the gas-water diffusion flux variability.

Levels, temporal-spatial variations, and sources of organochlorine pesticides in ambient air of Lake Chaohu, China.

The residual levels of OCPs in the gas phase and particle phase in Lake Chaohu, China, were measured using GC-MS from March 2010 to February 2011. The temporal-spatial variations and sources of OCPs were also analyzed. Twenty types of OCPs were detected in the gas phase with a total concentration of 484.8 ± 550.4 pg/m³. Endosulfan, DDTs and chlordane were the primary OCPs in the gas phase. The mean concentration of OCPs in the gas phase was significantly higher in the summer than in the winter. Seventeen types of OCPs were detected in the particle phase with a total concentration of 18.3 ± 26.1 pg/m³. DDTs were major OCPs in the particle phase. The mean concentration of OCPs in the particle phase decreased at first and then increased during the period. The potential source of the HCHs in ambient air of Lake Chaohu might come from recent lindane usage. DDTs mainly came from historical dicofol usage, and an input of DDT was observed in the spring, which may result from the present use of marine paint that contains technical DDT. Endosulfan and chlordane in the air may be due to the present use of technical endosulfan and chlordane.

Residues, distributions, sources, and ecological risks of OCPs in the water from Lake Chaohu, China.

The levels of 18 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the water from Lake Chaohu were measured by a solid phase extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometer detector. The spatial and temporal distribution, possible sources, and potential ecological risks of the OCPs were analyzed. The annual mean concentration for the OCPs in Lake Chaohu was 6.99 ng/L. Aldrin, HCHs, and DDTs accounted for large proportions of the OCPs. The spatial pollution followed the order of Central Lakes > Western Lakes > Eastern Lakes and water area. The sources of the HCHs were mainly from the historical usage of lindane. DDTs were degraded under aerobic conditions, and the main sources were from the use of technical DDTs. The ecological risks of 5 OCPs were assessed by the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) method in the order of heptachlor > γ-HCH > p,p'-DDT > aldrin > endrin. The combining risks of all sampling sites were MS > JC > ZM > TX, and those of different species were crustaceans > fish > insects and spiders. Overall, the ecological risks of OCP contaminants on aquatic animals were very low.

Accurate observation of black and brown carbon in atmospheric fine particles via a versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system (VACES).

Carbonaceous aerosols (CAs) are major components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that dramatically influence the energy budget of Earth. However, accurate assessment of the climatic impacts of CAs is still challenging due to the large uncertainties remaining in the measurement of their optical properties. In this respect, a modified versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system integrated into optical instruments (VACES-OPTS) was set up to increase particle concentration and amplify signal-noise ratio during optical measurement. Based on the novel technique, this study was able to lower the detection limit of CAs by an order of magnitude under high temporal resolution (2 h) and small sampling flow (6 L min-1). Besides, stable and reliable optical data were obtained for absorption apportionment and source identification of black carbon (BC) and brown carbon (BrC). In the field application of the new system, high absorption coefficient of CAs in Shanghai, China was witnessed. Further analysis of the contribution of black carbon BC and BrC to light absorption revealed that BrC could account for over 15% of the total absorption at 370 nm. According to the potential source contribution function model (PSCF) classification, CAs with strong light absorption in urban Shanghai originated not only from highly polluted inland China but also from active marine ship emissions.

From concept to action: a united, holistic and One Health approach to respond to the climate change crisis.

It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the planet, which is seriously affecting the planetary health including human health. Adapting climate change should not only be a slogan, but requires a united, holistic action and a paradigm shift from crisis response to an ambitious and integrated approach immediately. Recognizing the urgent needs to tackle the risk connection between climate change and One Health, the four key messages and recommendations that with the intent to guide further research and to promote international cooperation to achieve a more climate-resilient world are provided.

H3K36 methyltransferase NSD1 regulates chondrocyte differentiation for skeletal development and fracture repair.

Chondrocyte differentiation is a critical process for endochondral ossification, which is responsible for long bone development and fracture repair. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the transcriptional control of chondrocyte differentiation; however, epigenetic regulation of chondrocyte differentiation remains to be further studied. NSD1 is a H3K36 (histone H3 at lysine 36) methyltransferase. Here, we showed that mice with Nsd1 deficiency in Prx1+ mesenchymal progenitors but not in Col2+ chondrocytes showed impaired skeletal growth and fracture healing accompanied by decreased chondrogenic differentiation. Via combined RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) analysis, we identified sex determining region Y box 9 (Sox9), the key transcription factor of chondrogenic differentiation, as a functional target gene of NSD1. Mechanistically, NSD1 regulates Sox9 expression by modulating H3K36me1 and H3K36me2 levels in the Sox9 promoter region, constituting a novel epigenetic regulatory mechanism of chondrogenesis. Moreover, we found that NSD1 can directly activate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), which plays a vital role in chondrogenic differentiation through its regulation of Sox9 expression. Collectively, the results of our study reveal crucial roles of NSD1 in regulating chondrogenic differentiation, skeletal growth, and fracture repair and expand our understanding of the function of epigenetic regulation in chondrogenesis and skeletal biology.

Hirschsprung disease is associated with an L286P mutation in the fifth transmembrane domain of the endothelin-B receptor in the N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mutant line.

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), or colonic aganglionosis, is a congenital disorder characterized by the absence of intramural ganglia along variable lengths of the colon, resulting in intestinal obstruction. It is the most common cause of congenital intestinal obstruction, with an incidence of 1 in 5,000 live births. N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced mutagenesis is a powerful tool for the study of gene function and the generation of human disease models. In the current study, a novel mutant mouse with aganglionic megacolon and coat color spotting was generated by ENU-induced mutagenesis. Histological and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) whole-mount staining analysis showed a lack of ganglion cells in the colon in mutant mice. The mutation was mapped to chromosome 14 between markers rs30928624 and D14Mit205 (Chr 14 positions 103723921 bp and 105054651 bp). The Ednrb (Chr 14 position 103814625-103844173 bp) was identified as a potential candidate gene in this location. Mutation analysis revealed a T>C missense mutation at nucleotide 857 of the cDNA encoding endothelin receptor B (EDNRB) in which a proline was substituted for the highly conserved Lys-286 residue (L286P) in the fifth transmembrane (TM V) domain of this G protein-coupled receptor. The mutant mouse was named Ednrb(m1yzcm) (Ednrb; mutation 1, Yangzhou University Comparative Medicine Center). The results of the present study implicate the structural importance of the TM V domain in Ednrb function, and the Ednrb(m1yzcm) mouse represents a valuable model for the study of HSCR in humans.

The residual levels and health risks of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethanes (DDTs) in the fish from Lake Baiyangdian, North China.

The tissue and organs (muscle, brain, liver, and gill) of four species of freshwater fish from Lake Baiyangdian were analyzed for hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethanes (DDTs). The distribution characteristics were analyzed for HCHs and DDTs in various tissue and organs, which determined the health risks for humans. The research results showed that the wet weight content of all HCHs (∑HCHs) ranged from 0.05 ∼ 14.53 ng g(-1), with a mean of 3.47 ng g(-1). The wet weight content of all DDTs (∑DDTs) ranged from ND to 8.51 ng g(-1), with a mean of 2.41 ng g(-1). For the various species of fish, the residual level of ∑HCHs was relatively higher in chub and grass carp and lowest in snakehead. The residual level of ∑DDTs was the highest in snakehead and did not exhibit a significant variance in the other three species. For the various tissues and organs, the contents of HCHs and DDTs were both highest in the fish liver, second highest in the fish gill, and lowest in the fish brain and muscle. Among the four types of isomers, the residual level of γ-HCH was relatively higher, while the residual level of α-HCH was the lowest. The content of p,p'-DDE was significantly greater to other forms of DDT and its isomer. The residual levels of HCHs and DDTs in fish were both below the national standard. However, the carcinogenic risk from the HCHs in parts of the tissue and organs of four fish species in Lake Baiyangdian exceeded the screen value threshold set by USEPA.

The residues, distribution, and partition of organochlorine pesticides in the water, suspended solids, and sediments from a large Chinese lake (Lake Chaohu) during the high water level period.

The levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the water, suspended solids, and sediments from Lake Chaohu during the high water level period were measured by a solid-phase extraction gas chromatograph-electron capture detector. The spatial distributions of the three phases and the water/suspended solids and sediment/water partition coefficients were analyzed. The results showed the following: (1) The mean contents of OCPs in the water, suspended solids, and sediments were 132.4 ± 432.1 ng/L, 188.1 ± 286.7 ng/g dry weight (dw), and 13.7 ± 9.8 ng/g dw, respectively. The dominant OCP components were isodrin (85.1%) for the water, DDTs (64.4%) for the suspended solids, and both isodrin (48.5%) and DDTs (31.8%) for the sediments. (2) ß-HCH was the primary isomer of HCHs in the water and sediments, and the proportions were 61.7 and 41.3%; γ-HCH was the primary isomer in the suspended solids, accounting for 49.3%; p,p'-DDT was the dominant content of DDTs in the water and suspended solids, whereas p,p'-DDD was the main metabolite of DDTs in the sediments. (3) The concentrations of contaminants in the water from the western lake were greater than those from the eastern lake, but the concentrations in the suspended solids from the western lake were less than those from the eastern lake. (4) There was no significant correlation between the water-suspended solids partition coefficient Kd and the n-octanol-water partition coefficient Kow, and between the sediment-water organic-C weighted sorption coefficients Koc and Kow.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the surface sediments and suspended particulate matter (SPM) from Lake Chaohu, a large shallow Chinese lake.

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) and surface sediment samples were collected from Lake Chaohu to investigate the residues, congener profile, and spatial distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a large shadow lake in the middle of the Yangtze River Basin. The concentration of Σ13BDEs (defined as the sum of 13 target congeners excluding BDE 209) and the concentration of BDE 209 ranged from 236.7 to 1373.4 pg/g dry weight (dw) and from 4.2 to 691.2 pg/g dw in the surface sediments, respectively, which were 2-3 orders of magnitude smaller than those found in the SPM. The congener composition was dominated by BDE 47 (50.8%) and BDE 209 (21.3%) in the sediment, while the proportion of BDE 47 to Σ14BDEs in the SPM was slightly higher than that in the sediment. The concentration of Σ14BDEs in the sediment from the drinking water source (WR) area in the eastern part of the lake was very low, with a mean value of 514.8 pg/g, whereas the mean concentration was 102.4 ng/g in the SPM. A cluster analysis (CA) was conducted to further illustrate the dominance of each congener and the similarity of each sampling site. Many factors, including resuspension, photodecomposition, microbial oxidation, local discharge, and dredging, influenced the distribution in the sediment and SPM for the PBDE congeners as well as the spatial distribution of PBDEs. A formula for the PBDE concentrations in the surface sediment and SPM was constructed to understand the potential relationship between sediment and SPM concentrations. Although the formula did not accurately predict specific PBDE congener concentrations in the sediment, it remains a practical and useful way to assess the overall pollution of PBDE in sediment in Lake Chaohu, as it depends only on the concentrations of PBDEs in the SPM.