Significant input of organophosphate esters through particle-mediated transport into the Pearl River Estuary, China

Jia-Yong Lao; Rongben Wu; Yongsheng Cui; Shiwen Zhou; Yuefei Ruan; Kenneth M Y Leung; Jiaxue Wu; Eddy Y Zeng; Paul K S Lam

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129486

Significant input of organophosphate esters through particle-mediated transport into the Pearl River Estuary, China

J Hazard Mater. 2022 Sep 15:438:129486. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129486. Epub 2022 Jun 27.

Authors

Jia-Yong Lao¹, Rongben Wu¹, Yongsheng Cui², Shiwen Zhou³, Yuefei Ruan⁴, Kenneth M Y Leung⁵, Jiaxue Wu², Eddy Y Zeng⁶, Paul K S Lam⁷

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
² Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519000, China; School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China.
³ Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519000, China; Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China. Electronic address: yruan8@cityu.edu.hk.
⁵ State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519000, China; Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China.
⁶ Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China.
⁷ State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519000, China; Office of the President, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: paullam@hkmu.edu.hk.

PMID: 35809364
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129486

Abstract

Most organophosphate esters (OPEs) enter the marine environment through atmospheric deposition and surface runoff, yet the role of particle-mediated transport in their inputs and loss processes remains poorly understood. To fill this knowledge gap, samples of size-segregated atmospheric particles, suspended particulate matter (SPM) in seawater, and sediments in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) were collected and analyzed for OPEs. Total concentrations of atmospheric particulate OPEs showed a decreasing trend with increasing offshore distance in the PRE. The spatial and vertical distribution patterns of OPEs in SPM were diverse, which could be largely affected by physicochemical properties of SPM, marine microbial activities, hydrodynamic conditions, and environmental factors. Sediment in the region close to Modaomen outlet was subject to relatively high OPE concentrations. Approximately 24,100 and 65,100 g d^-¹ of particulate OPEs were imported into the PRE through atmospheric deposition and surface runoff, respectively; 83,200 g d^-¹ of which were exported to the open sea. The input and environmental fate of particulate OPEs were found to be dependent on sources, particulate media, and chemical species. The present study provides insights into the influence of OPEs in the PRE through particle-mediated transport and calls for more concern on anthropogenic impact on the estuary.

Keywords: Atmospheric deposition; Mass budget; Organophosphate esters; Particulate phase; Sedimentation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

China
Environmental Monitoring
Esters / analysis
Estuaries
Flame Retardants* / analysis
Organophosphates / analysis
Particulate Matter / analysis
Rivers* / chemistry

Substances

Esters
Flame Retardants
Organophosphates
Particulate Matter