Organophosphorus flame retardants in the Qiantang River of China: occurrence, source and ecological risk assessment

Abstract

In recent years, the prevalence and danger of organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) have drawn attention from all around the world. This study examined twenty-five OPFRs observed in water and sediment samples from the Qiantang River in eastern China, as well as their occurrence, spatial distribution, possible origins, and ecological hazards. All the 25 OPFRs were detected in water and sediment samples. The levels of Σ₂₅OPFRs in water and sediment were 35.5-192 ng/L and 8.84-48.5 ng/g dw, respectively. Chlorinated OPFRs were the main contributions in water, whereas alkyl-OPFRs were the most common congeners found in sediment. Spatial analysis revealed that sample locations in neighboring cities had somewhat higher water concentrations of OPFRs. Slowing down the river current and making the reservoir the main sink of OPFRs, the dam can prevent OPFRs from moving via the Qiantang River. Positive matrix factorization indicated that plasticizer in polyvinyl chloride, polyester resins, and polyurethane foam made the greatest contributions in water, whereas polyurethane foam and textile were the predominant source in sediment. Analysis of sediment-water exchange of OPFRs showed that twelve OPFRs in sediments can re-enter into the water body. The risk quotients showed the ecological risk was low to medium, but trixylyl phosphate exposures posed high ecological risk to aquatic organisms.

Keywords: Organophosphate esters; Pollution source; Risk assessment; Sediment–water exchange; Spatial variation.