Legacy and alternative plasticizers in sediment from artificial lakes and coastal waters near high-tech industrial complexes in Korea: Contamination, ecological risk, mass inventory, and dilution factor

Abstract

Few studies have been conducted on the occurrence and distribution of alternative plasticizers (APs) in aquatic environments. Legacy plasticizers (LPs) and APs were measured in sediments collected from four artificial lakes and a bay surrounded by high-tech industrial complexes. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate were major plasticizers. The concentrations of LPs and APs in sediment were similar, implying rapid adoption of APs. The highest AP concentrations were observed in sediment from a lake close to semi-conductor, liquid crystal display, and automobile manufactures, suggesting a preferential shift to APs. Contamination profiles of APs differed according to industrial type. The mass inventories of plasticizers in sediment from the lakes were 25 times higher than those from the bay. Hydrophobicity was a major factor determinant of dilution factors of plasticizers in sedimentary environments. The DEHP concentrations in lake sediments exceeded threshold values, indicating potential health risks to benthic organisms.

Keywords: Alternatives; DEHP; DEHTP; Dilution factor; Mass inventory.