Phthalate esters and nonylphenol concentrations correspond with microplastic distribution in anthropogenically polluted river sediments

Ming-Huang Wang; Chih-Feng Chen; Frank Paolo Jay B Albarico; Shan-Lu Lin; Chiu-Wen Chen; Cheng-Di Dong

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116031

Phthalate esters and nonylphenol concentrations correspond with microplastic distribution in anthropogenically polluted river sediments

Mar Pollut Bull. 2024 Feb:199:116031. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116031. Epub 2024 Jan 18.

Authors

Ming-Huang Wang¹, Chih-Feng Chen², Frank Paolo Jay B Albarico¹, Shan-Lu Lin², Chiu-Wen Chen³, Cheng-Di Dong⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan; Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, College of Hydrosphere Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
² Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan.
³ Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan. Electronic address: cwchen@nkust.edu.tw.
⁴ Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan; Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, College of Hydrosphere Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. Electronic address: cddong@nkust.edu.tw.

PMID: 38237245
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116031

Abstract

This paper presents the phthalate esters (PAEs), nonylphenol (NPs), and microplastics (MPs) in river sediments. Results showed that sediments near residential areas were mainly composed of fine particles, potentially influencing the adsorption of PAEs and NPs in the area. The concentrations of Σ10 PAEs in the sediments ranged between 2448 and 63,457 μg/kg dw, dominated by DEHP and DnOP. Microplastics were detected in all samples, with higher abundances found in sediments near residential areas dominated by polypropylene. Toxicological risk assessment indicated potential risks to sensitive aquatic organisms exposed to the sediments. Correlations between MPs, PAEs, and NPs suggest that MPs may serve as possible sources of PAEs in the sediments. Principal component analysis explained 95.4 % of the pollutant variability in the sediments. Overall, this study emphasizes the significance of monitoring and understanding the presence and interactions of PAEs and MPs in river sediments to assess their potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

Keywords: Microplastics; Phthalate esters (PAE); Plasticizers; Sediment; Sustainable development goals (SDGs).

MeSH terms

China
Dibutyl Phthalate / analysis
Diethylhexyl Phthalate* / analysis
Ecosystem
Esters / analysis
Geologic Sediments / analysis
Microplastics
Phenols*
Phthalic Acids* / analysis
Plastics
Rivers
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

phthalic acid
Dibutyl Phthalate
Plastics
nonylphenol
Microplastics
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Esters
Phthalic Acids
Diethylhexyl Phthalate
Phenols