Pollution status, influencing factors and environmental risks of neonicotinoids, fipronil and its metabolites in a typical semi-closed bay in China

The occurrence, spatiotemporal variations, influence factors and environmental risks of eight common neonicotinoids (NEOs), fipronil, and three fipronil metabolites (fipronil and its metabolites are collectively referred to as FIPs) in different seasons from the estuary to the inner area of Jiaozhou Bay, China were comprehensively investigated. First- and second-generation NEOs were found to be the predominant pesticides in this area. The average contents of n-ary sumation NEOs and n-ary sumation FIPs from the estuary to the inner bay decreased from 12.99 ng/L to 0.82 ng/L and from 1.10 ng/L to 0.17 ng/L, respectively. NEO and FIP concentrations were higher in summer and autumn. High n-ary sumation NEO content is distributed in main inflow rivers, such as Dagu River and Licun River, which are influenced by pesticide application. NEO concentrations in all rivers were high upstream and low downstream because of the influence of heavy rainfall and seawater dilution in summer. NEO concentrations were high along the coast and low at the mouth and center of Jiaozhou Bay in summer and autumn and evenly distributed in winter and spring. Temperature has a great influence on most NEOs and FIPs owing to its effect on their degradation. Nitrogen-containing nutrients have an important influence on the distribution of fipronil and acetamiprid, which may be due to the activity of nitrogen-containing functional groups in their structure. Only Licun River, Dagu River and Haibo river sewage treatment plant in summer posed a certain risk of chronic toxicity for NEOs using the new threshold established by the species sensitive distribution (SSD) method for Chinese native aquatic lives. These findings should arouse people's attention.

Automated summary

The study comprehensively investigated the occurrence, spatiotemporal variations, influence factors, and environmental risks of neonicotinoids and fipronil in Jiaozhou Bay, China. Both NEOs and FIPs were found to be predominant pesticides in the area, with higher concentrations observed in summer and autumn. Temperature and nitrogen-containing nutrients were identified as key factors affecting the distribution of these pesticides in the environment. Some rivers and sewage treatment plants were found to pose a certain risk of chronic toxicity for NEOs in summer. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and addressing pesticide contamination in aquatic environments.