Contamination of Water and Sediments of Harike Wetland with Phthalate Esters and Associated Risk Assessment

Phthalate esters (PEs) are esters that are used as plasticizers and are widely known for their contamination and toxicological effects on various environmental matrices. The present study is designed to observe the co-occurrence of phthalate esters and their ecotoxicological and human health risk assessments on Harike wetland, Ramsar, a site recognized globally, is the largest freshwater wetland in Northern India. During the winter, summer, and monsoon seasons, samples of the water and sediments were collected. These samples were then analyzed for ubiquitously detected seven PEs as per the literature survey using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography. According to the results, the total PEs content in the water sample ranged from 31.5 to 95.6 mg/L, whereas in the sediments it ranged from 35.1 to 345.2 mg/100 g dw. Prominent levels of PEs in water and sediments from the Harike wetland were discovered when compared to studies from different parts of the world. Based on drinking water consumption there is a potentially high risk of PEs especially benzyl butyl phthalate and dibutyl phthalate. Further, as per the US Environmental Protection Agency, chronic values of PEs levels in water and sediments are expected to possess a threat to sensitive organisms present in freshwater ecosystems. As far, as this is a detailed study that described the levels and ecotoxicological risks of PEs and is an important reference for the protection of aquatic organisms in the Harike wetland.

Automated summary

The study aims to observe the co-occurrence of phthalate esters (PEs) and their ecotoxicological and human health risk assessments in Harike wetland, the largest freshwater wetland in Northern India. The results show that PEs content in water and sediments from Harike wetland is higher compared to studies from different parts of the world, posing a potential threat to sensitive organisms in freshwater ecosystems.