The concentrations and distribution of seven organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers (OPs) were investigated in 28 sediment samples collected from Taihu Lake. The analytes were ultrasonically extracted, enriched using solid-phase extraction, and determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results indicated that the analytes were all detected in the sediments. The total concentrations of seven OPs ranged from 3.38 to 14.25 µg/kg, and tris (2-chloroiso-propyl) phosphate (TCPP), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), and tris (2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) were the dominant compounds, with concentrations ranging from<limit of quantification to 2.27 µg/kg, 0.62 to 3.17 µg/kg, and 1.03 to 5.00 µg/kg, respectively. The highest concentration of total assessed OPs (14.25 µg/kg) was found at GH-5, with tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) as the main component at the sampling site. This result implied that there is an obvious emission source nearby at Suzhou City; in addition, human activities also play an important role in the concentration of OPs in the sediment.
Copyright © 2012 SETAC.