Severe contamination and time trend of legacy and alternative plasticizers in a highly industrialized lake associated with regulations and coastal development

Few studies have been conducted on aquatic contamination by alternative plasticizers. Phthalates and novel plasticizers were measured in sediments from a highly industrialized lake to assess occurrence, sources, time trends, and ecological risks. Legacy and alternative plasticizers were detected in all sediments. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was a predominant plasticizer, indicating its popular industrial consumption for the last two decades. Predominant novel plasticizers were changed over time. The highest sedimentary DEHP level was recorded on the global scale. Legacy and alternative plasticizers in creek sediments significantly increased from 2008 to 2016, while those from inshore and offshore regions of the lake significantly decreased in association with a dilution effect caused by the operation of a tidal power plant. Concentration ratios of alternative plasticizers to DEHP increased for the last decade, implying a shift in consumption of plasticizers. Sedimentary DEHP concentrations in creeks exceeded almost all threshold values associated with ecological risks.

Automated summary

The study found a variety of plasticizer sources in a highly industrialized lake, with DEHP as the main plasticizer and an increasing concentration ratio of alternative plasticizers. DEHP concentrations in creeks exceeded almost all threshold values associated with ecological risks.