Mesoscale cycling of organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea biotic and abiotic environment: A WRF-CMAQ modeling

Rapid urbanization and industrialization in the eastern seaboard region of China enhance the widespread use of organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs). The present study set up a coupled WRF-CMAQ-SMOKE and multi-compartment exchange modeling framework to assess the environmental fate and cycling of OPFRs and their contamination in the Bohai and Yellow Seas' marine food web. The framework predicts meteorological conditions, optimized air emissions, and concentrations of OPFRs in air, seawaters, marine sediment, and the food web. The model was implemented to simulate the temporal and spatial fluctuations of Tris (2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP), the most dominant congener of OPFRs in China, in the Bohai and the Yellow Sea ecosystems on a spatial resolution of 10 km. Results revealed the effects of source proximity, atmospheric transport and deposition, and the changes in meteorology on TCPP's temporal-spatial distribution across different areas of coastal waters. The model also captures TCPP levels in commercial fish species in the Bohai Sea. The detailed temporal-spatial characteristics of TCPP with the mesoscale resolution provide useful information and a new tool for the environmental and health consequences of mariculture, urban and industrial emission mitigation in coastal regions for emerging chemicals, and fishery industry development.

Automated summary

Rapid urbanization and industrialization in the eastern seaboard region of China have led to widespread use of organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs). This study assessed the environmental fate and contamination of OPFRs in the Bohai and Yellow Seas using a modeling framework, which predicted meteorological conditions, emissions, and concentrations of OPFRs in different compartments. The model revealed the effects of source proximity, atmospheric transport, and changes in meteorology on the distribution of OPFRs, specifically Tris (2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP), in coastal waters. The study provides useful information for environmental and health consequences, emission mitigation, and fishery industry development.