Organophosphate flame retardants and their metabolites in the Pearl River Estuary: Occurrence, influencing factors, and ecological risk control strategies based on a mass balance model

Huang, Qian-Yi; Hou, Rui; Xu, Ru; Lin, Lang; Li, Heng-Xiang; Liu, Shan; Qian, Pei-Yuan; Cheng, Yuan-Yue; Xu, Xiang-Rong

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2024.108478

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 74 publications

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“…The ∑ 7 aryl-OPE concentrations ranged from 0.20 to 4.75 ng g –1 in PRE surface sediments, with a mean value of 0.80 ng g –1 . The ∑ 7 aryl-OPE concentrations in the present study were relatively lower than those of alkyl- and chlorinated OPEs investigated in the previous studies in the PRE, which were observed with average concentrations of 11.0 and 19.3 ng g –1 in 2010, 13.1 and 27.0 ng g –1 in 2015, 4.7 and 16.8 ng g –1 in 2021, and 30.5 and 4.6 ng g –1 in 2022, respectively, likely due to high production volume and wide use of alkyl- and chlorinated OPEs in various domains, particularly for tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate. ,− Nonetheless, it was reported that aryl-OPE levels could be comparable or even higher than those of alkyl- and halogenated OPEs in rivers of the GBA . Compared to riverine outlet sediments, PRE sediments generally exhibited lower levels of individual aryl-OPEs.…”

Section: Resultscontrasting

confidence: 78%

“…This finding suggests that TOC might be a significant factor influencing the long-range transport and distribution of various aryl-OPEs in surface sediments in the PRE, in accordance with a previous study in PRE. 39 Although some studies have demonstrated insignificant correlations between TOC contents and OPE concentrations, 38,41 aryl-OPEs may be more easily subject to the influence of TOC in surface sediments as compared to the other types of OPEs, due to their relatively stronger hydrophobicity. 42 The emerging-to-traditional aryl-OPE concentration ratios increased with decreasing distance from the shore, peaking in the eastern outlets (Figure 2i).…”

Section: ■ Materials and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Aggravating Pollution of Emerging Aryl Organophosphate Esters in Urban Estuarine Sediments of South China

Lao,

Huang,

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Emerging aryl organophosphate esters (aryl-OPEs) have been employed as substitutes for organohalogen flame retardants in recent years; however, their environmental occurrence and associated impacts in urban estuarine sediments have not been adequately investigated, impeding regulatory decision-making. Herein, field-based investigations and modeling based on surface sediment and sediment core analysis were employed to uncover the historical pollution and current environmental impacts of aryl-OPEs in the Pearl River Estuary, South China. Our results revealed a substantial increase in aryl-OPE emission, particularly emerging aryl-OPEs, through sediment transport to the estuary since the 2000s. The emerging aryl-OPEs comprised 83% of the total annual input in the past decade, with an average annual input of 155,000 g. Additionally, the emerging-to-traditional aryl-OPE concentration ratios increased with decreasing distance from the shore, peaking in the highly urbanized riverine outlets. These findings indicate that inventories of emerging aryl-OPEs are likely increasing in estuarine sediments and their emissions are surpassing those of traditional aryl-OPEs. Our risk-based priority screening approach indicates that some emerging aryl-OPEs, particularly bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate), can pose a higher environmental risk than traditional aryl-OPEs in estuarine sediments. Overall, our study highlights the importance of recognizing the environmental impacts of emerging aryl-OPEs.

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