Phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals in an urban receiving river (Panlong river) of Yunnan–Guizhou plateau: Occurrence, bioaccumulation and sources

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to track the occurrence, bioaccumulation and sources of phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in a representative urban river (Panlong River) of Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau. It provided more comprehensive fundamental data for risk assessment and contamination control of phenolic EDCs in aquatic environments. Phenolic EDCs, such as nonylphenol-di-ethoxylate (NP2EO), nonylphenol-mono-ethoxylate (NP1EO), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), bisphenol A (BPA), 4-cumylphenol (4-CP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP), were ubiquitously present in Panlong River. The distribution of phenolic EDCs in the water and sediment tended to assume a shape like an inverted letter “W”. The residual levels of phenolic EDCs increased dramatically in certain areas. The concentrations of NP2EO, NP1EO, 4-NP, BPA, 4-CP, 4-t-OP and the total phenolic EDCs (ΣPEDCs) were up to 202, 154, 17, 79, 3.3, 4.6 and 429ng/L in water, and were up to 352, 316, 124, 18, 14, 4.8 and 813ng/g in sediment, respectively. However, the concentrations of 4-NP, BPA, 4-CP, 4-t-OP and ΣPEDCs in the three predominant fish species (Carassius auratus, Cyprinus carpio and Anabarilius alburnops) were up to 63, 113, 12, 14 and 201ng/g, respectively. Distribution characteristics of phenolic EDCs in water were significantly similar to those found in sediment, but different in fish. Occurrence, bioaccumulation and sources of phenolic EDCs were mainly subjected to the distribution characteristics of industry, agriculture and residential areas in Panlong catchment. Moreover, the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were closely related to the octanol-water partition coefficients (logKow) of phenolic EDCs. Without direct input, the redissolution of phenolic EDCs from sediments seems conceivable. The concentrations of phenolic EDCs in the sections of urban areas were remarkably higher than those in suburban sections, since there could exist a potential risk to aquatic organisms and even to human.