Occurrence and dry deposition of organophosphate esters in atmospheric particles above the Bohai Sea and northern Yellow Sea, China

Abstract

Levels of eleven organophosphate esters (OPEs) were measured in particle phase atmospheric samples collected at Bohai Sea and northern Yellow Sea in China. The concentration of ∑11OPEs in atmospheric particles ranged from 426 to 3933 pg/m3, with the mean concentration of 1412 pg/m3. Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) and triphenyl-phosphine oxide (TPPO) were the most abundant OPE congeners measured, and the individual concentrations of trimethyl phosphate (TMP), tri-iso-butyl phosphate (TiBP), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP), tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCP), triphenyl phosphate (TPhP), 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP), TPPO and tri-m-cresyl phosphate (TMTP) in atmospheric particles above the Bohai Sea were higher than those above the northern Yellow Sea. The estimated atmospheric dry deposition fluxes ranged from 202 to 1869 ng/m2/day. Up to 18.3 ± 12.5 ton/year of OPEs can be loaded to the Bohai Sea.