We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Occurrence, source apportionment, and ecological risk assessment of organophosphate esters in surface sediment from the Ogun and Osun Rivers, Southwest Nigeria
AI summary Read the abstract
This study is not directly about microplastics; it measures organophosphate ester flame retardants in river sediments from two Nigerian rivers, finding that some chlorinated variants pose high ecological risk to aquatic organisms. Organophosphate esters are chemical additives used in plastics and electronics, making this relevant to the broader context of plastic-associated chemical pollution.
Abstract Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are synthetic chemicals widely used as e.g., flame retardants and plasticisers in various consumer products. Due to the toxicity of OPEs in aquatic ecosystems, exposure of fauna and flora to these compounds is of potential concern. In this study, the concentrations, profiles, sources, and ecological risk of eight OPEs were investigated in two major rivers in southwest Nigeria. Concentrations of SOPEs in surface sediments were in the range 13.1 – 2110 ng/g dry weight (dw) (median: 378 ng/g dw) in the Ogun River and 24.7 - 589 ng/g dw (median: 174 ng/g dw) in the Osun River. These concentrations are broadly within the range of those reported in surface sediment in previous studies conducted in other locations around the world. Tris (butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) was the dominant OPE in the sediment samples with a median concentration of 337 and 126 ng/g dw for the Ogun and Osun Rivers respectively, while tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP) was not detected in any sample. Excluding TBOEP, the chlorinated organophosphate esters: tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tris(2-chloro-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP), and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) were the dominant OPEs in the Osun River, while the aryl-OPEs: triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP), and tri- m -tolyl phosphate(TMTP) were dominant in the Ogun River. Under a median exposure scenario, moderate ecological risk was predicted from exposure to TCIPP in the Osun River. In contrast, under a high exposure scenario, concentrations of TDCIPP (risk quotient, RQ = 5.33 - 5.37) constituted a high ecological risk in both rivers, with moderate risks observed for tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate TBOEP (RQ = 0.022 - 0.18) and TCIPP (RQ = 0.097 – 0.16). Therefore, the risk to aquatic organisms from concomitant exposure to mixtures of OPEs and their metabolites in freshwater ecosystems requires further investigation.
More Papers Like This
Occurrence, source apportionment, and ecological risk assessment of organophosphate esters in surface sediment from the Ogun and Osun Rivers, Southwest Nigeria
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured concentrations of organophosphate esters, chemicals used as flame retardants and plasticizers, in sediments from two major rivers in southwest Nigeria. The study found concentrations ranging up to 2110 ng/g in the Ogun River and 589 ng/g in the Osun River, with ecological risk assessments indicating potential concern for aquatic organisms in these environments.
Microplastics in surficial sediments from some UK rivers and canals: seasonal and spatial variation and relationship with concentrations of organophosphate esters
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers collected seasonal freshwater sediment samples from three UK rivers and an urban canal to examine microplastic abundance and its relationship with organophosphate ester (OPE) concentrations, finding spatial and temporal variation in MP levels and investigating co-contamination patterns with plastic additive chemicals.
Microplastics in freshwater sediments: Analytical methods, temporal trends, and risk of associated organophosphate esters as exemplar plastics additives
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines analytical methods for detecting microplastics in freshwater sediments and assesses the risks posed by associated organophosphate ester additives. Researchers found that microplastics serve as vectors for transporting toxic plastic additives into aquatic food chains, with organophosphate esters being a particularly concerning group. The study highlights increasing temporal trends in sediment microplastic contamination and calls for standardized detection methods.
Phthalate esters and nonylphenol concentrations correspond with microplastic distribution in anthropogenically polluted river sediments
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Elucidating the role of microplastics as reservoirs of brominated flame retardants in river sediment
AI summary Read the abstract
This study measured brominated flame retardant chemicals — persistent and toxic pollutants — on microplastics isolated from river sediments collected over 12 months above and below a wastewater treatment plant. Microplastics carried less than 1% of the total flame retardant load in sediments, suggesting they play a minor role as pollutant vectors compared to the sediment itself. However, higher microplastic and chemical concentrations were consistently found downstream of the treatment plant, pointing to wastewater discharge as a key contamination source.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.