Bioaccumulation of organophosphorus flame retardants in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

The bioaccumulation and depuration of seven organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) in marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis were studied. OPFRs showed to be bioavailable in aquatic environments. When mussels are exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of OPFRs, uptake kinetics fit well to a first-order model with a single compartment; in contrast depuration rates were generally underestimated by that model, most likely because it does not take into account the biotransformation of OPFRs by the organisms. The highest bioaccumulation rates were observed for tricresyl phosphate (TCrP), triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) and 2-ethylhexyldiphenylphosphate (EHDPP). This could be due to the presence of aryl groups in these compounds, their low solubility in water, and their affinity for fat tissues. According to these findings TCrP, with a BCF value of 4042 L kg(-1) wet weight, should be classified in environmental regulations as an accumulative chemical. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Mussels exposed to organophosphorus flame retardants showed bioaccumulation, with tricresyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, and 2-ethylhexyldiphenylphosphate having the highest accumulation rates. The presence of aryl groups, low solubility in water, and affinity for fat tissues may contribute to this phenomenon. It is important to consider the bioaccumulation of these compounds in marine environments.