Most pollutants are either directly or indirectly derived from fossil fuels that are free of radiocarbon. Radiocarbon, especially at compound level, is a powerful tool to characterize the source and transport of the pollutants in marine environment. This technique is applied to apportion the source (fossil or biomass) of polyaromatic hydrocarbon in costal sediments, water and aerosols.  
Methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) have been found bioaccumulated in the tissues of a variety of aquatic animals and at concentrations comparable to those of anthropogenic halogenated organic compounds, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The origin of the MeO-PBDEs has been uncertain; circumstantial evidence supports a natural and/or an industrial source. By analyzing the natural abundance radiocarbon content of two MeO-PBDEs isolated from a True’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus), we show with radiocarbon data that these compounds were naturally produced.
Most pollutants are either directly or indirectly derived from fossil fuels that are free of radiocarbon. Radiocarbon, especially at compound level, is a powerful tool to characterize the source and transport of the pollutants in marine environment. This technique is applied to apportion the source (fossil or biomass) of polyaromatic hydrocarbon in costal sediments, water and aerosols.  
Methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) have been found bioaccumulated in the tissues of a variety of aquatic animals and at concentrations comparable to those of anthropogenic halogenated organic compounds, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The origin of the MeO-PBDEs has been uncertain; circumstantial evidence supports a natural and/or an industrial source. By analyzing the natural abundance radiocarbon content of two MeO-PBDEs isolated from a True’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus), we show with radiocarbon data that these compounds were naturally produced.
 

Radiocarbon, compound specifid radiocarbon analysis,,Methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers