Mass loading and emission of benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and its derivatives in wastewater treatment plants in New York State, USA

Abstract

The occurrence of benzophenone type ultra-violet (UV) light filters, especially 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone (2OH-4MeO-BP; BP-3), in aquatic ecosystems is a concern due to the endocrine disruption potential of these chemicals. In this study, mass loading, emission and fate of BP-3 and its derivatives were investigated in two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Albany area of New York State, USA. The median concentrations of BP-3 and sum of its four derivatives (ΣBPderivatives) in influents were 35.6-49.1 and 124-145ng/L, respectively. The highest concentrations found for BP-3 and ΣBPderivatives in sludge (n=10) were 426-5770 and 856-5910ng/g, dry wt, respectively. Sorption to sludge explained for 13.2-15.7% of ΣBPs mass reduction, whereas predominant pathway of BPs removal was biodegradation. The mass loadings (25.7-81.4 and 76.1-194mg/d/1000 people) and environmental emissions (10.5-17.5 and 44.5-76.2mg/d/1000 people) for BP-3 and ΣBPderivatives in WWTPs were estimated. Approximately 11% and 20% of the total production of BP-3 and 2,4-diOH-BP (BP-1) in the U.S. reach WWTPs, while 3% and 15% of the loaded amounts were emitted through WWTP discharges.