Occurrence, spatial distribution, and partitioning behavior of marine lipophilic phycotoxins in the Pearl River Estuary, South China

Jing Li; Yuefei Ruan; Rongben Wu; Yongsheng Cui; Jincan Shen; Yim Ling Mak; Qi Wang; Kai Zhang; Meng Yan; Jiaxue Wu; Paul K S Lam

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119875

Occurrence, spatial distribution, and partitioning behavior of marine lipophilic phycotoxins in the Pearl River Estuary, South China

Environ Pollut. 2022 Oct 1:310:119875. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119875. Epub 2022 Aug 1.

Authors

Jing Li¹, Yuefei Ruan², Rongben Wu³, Yongsheng Cui⁴, Jincan Shen⁵, Yim Ling Mak⁶, Qi Wang⁷, Kai Zhang³, Meng Yan⁷, Jiaxue Wu⁴, Paul K S Lam⁸

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (SKLMP) and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519080, China; Department of Transportation and Environment, Shenzhen Institute of Information Technology, Shenzhen, 518172, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (SKLMP) and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519080, 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.
³ State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (SKLMP) and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519080, China.
⁴ Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519080, China; School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, 519082, China.
⁵ Food Inspection and Quarantine Technology Center of Shenzhen Customs, Key Laboratory of Detection Technology R & D on Food Safety, Shenzhen Academy of Inspection Quarantine, Shenzhen, 518026, China.
⁶ State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (SKLMP) and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
⁷ State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (SKLMP) and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519080, China; Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China.
⁸ State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution (SKLMP) and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519080, China; Office of the President, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, 30 Good Shepherd Street, Hong Kong SAR, China.

PMID: 35926733
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119875

Abstract

The occurrence, spatial distribution, and partitioning behavior of 17 marine lipophilic phycotoxins (MLPs) in surface and bottom seawater, particulate organic matter (POM), and surface sediment from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) were investigated to understand current contamination and the potential risks to marine ecosystems in this region. Nine MLPs were detected, including azaspiracid1-3, gymnodimine, okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin 1-2, pectenotoxin2 (PTX2), and homoyessotoxin, with Σ₁₇MLP concentrations ranging 545-12,600 pg L^-1 and 619-8,800 pg L^-1 in surface and bottom seawater, respectively; 0-294 ng g^-1 and 0.307-300 ng g^-1 dry weight (dw) in surface and bottom POM, respectively; and 3.90-982 pg g^-1 dw in surface sediment. Lower Σ₁₇MLP levels in the seawater were found at the mouth of the PRE, and gradually increased with increasing distance offshore. According to the calculated partition coefficient, the affinity of MLPs for the aquatic environment components was as follows (from highest to lowest): POM > seawater > sediment. Overall, the distribution and migration of MLPs in the PRE may depend on partition coefficients, the organic carbon fraction, and environmental factors.

Keywords: Marine lipophilic phycotoxins; Particulate organic matter; Partitioning behavior; Seawater; Sediment.

MeSH terms

China
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring
Estuaries*
Geologic Sediments
Particulate Matter
Rivers
Seawater
Water Pollutants, Chemical*

Substances

Particulate Matter
Water Pollutants, Chemical