Determination and assessment of phthalate esters content in sediments from Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan

Mar Pollut Bull. 2017 Nov 30;124(2):767-774. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.11.064. Epub 2016 Dec 20.

Abstract

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are known organic endocrine disruptors. The distribution of 10 PAEs in sediments of Kaohsiung Harbor of Taiwan was studied using organic solvents extraction and quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The average concentration of total PAEs (ΣPAEs) in the sediment was 8713±11,454ng/g dw with di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (3630ng/g-dw) and diisononyl phthalate (DiNP) (3497ng/g dw) being the major species, which constitutes of 41.7% and 40.1% of ΣPAEs. PAEs concentration was relatively high near the river mouths, especially in Love River mouth, and diminished toward the harbor. Based on the sediment quality guidelines developed from previous studies, several of the observed PAE levels exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level, especially for DEHP and thus may cause adverse effect in aquatic organisms.

Keywords: Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP); Diisononyl phthalate (DiNP); Phthalate esters (PAEs); Sediment.

MeSH terms

  • Aquatic Organisms
  • Dibutyl Phthalate / analysis
  • Diethylhexyl Phthalate / analysis
  • Endocrine Disruptors / analysis*
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Esters / analysis
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Geologic Sediments / analysis*
  • Phthalic Acids / analysis*
  • Rivers / chemistry
  • Taiwan

Substances

  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Esters
  • Phthalic Acids
  • Dibutyl Phthalate
  • diisononyl phthalate
  • phthalic acid
  • Diethylhexyl Phthalate
  • diisodecyl phthalate