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Phthalate esters and nonylphenol concentrations correspond with microplastic distribution in anthropogenically polluted river sediments
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Researchers measured phthalate esters, nonylphenol, and microplastics in river sediments and found that their concentrations were highest near residential areas. The distribution of these chemical pollutants closely corresponded with microplastic abundance, suggesting that microplastics may serve as carriers for these harmful substances. The study indicates that sediments near populated areas face compounding contamination from both plastic particles and the chemicals associated with them.
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.
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Researchers measured microplastics, phthalate esters, and bisphenol A in the Beiyun River basin of Beijing and found that all three pollutants were present in both water and sediment, with higher levels near urbanized areas. The pollutants were positively correlated with each other, meaning where one was high, the others tended to be high as well. This matters because phthalates and BPA are known hormone disruptors, and microplastics may be helping to transport and concentrate these harmful chemicals in waterways that affect human communities.
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Phthalate esters in the Largest River of Asia: An exploration as indicators of microplastics
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Researchers conducted the first investigation of phthalate ester (PAE) pollution throughout Yangtze River sediments, finding 14 of 16 PAE types at all sites with concentrations related to urbanization and industrial activity, and explored their potential as chemical proxy indicators for microplastic pollution patterns. Strong correlations between PAEs and microplastic distribution suggest that PAEs could serve as soluble chemical tracers for microplastic contamination in large river systems.
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Researchers conducted basin-scale monitoring of microplastics and phthalate plasticizers in sediments from the Peruvian Amazon, finding both contaminants distributed across the basin with elevated concentrations near urban and industrial areas. Phthalate concentrations correlated spatially with microplastic presence, suggesting co-release from the same plastic sources and raising concerns about combined chemical and particle exposure in this remote but threatened ecosystem.
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