Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate in Urban River Sediments

Chih-Feng Chen, Yun-Ru Ju, Yee Cheng Lim, Jih-Hsing Chang, Chiu-Wen Chen and Cheng-Di Dong
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Chih-Feng Chen: Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan
Yun-Ru Ju: Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan
Yee Cheng Lim: Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan
Jih-Hsing Chang: Department of Environmental Engineering and Management, Chaoyang University of Technology, Taichung 41349, Taiwan
Chiu-Wen Chen: Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan
Cheng-Di Dong: Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: This study investigated the spatial distribution of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and its potential biological effects, in the surface sediments that were collected from 10 sites at the Love River during dry and wet seasons. The grain size and organic matter were measured to understand the key factors that affect the distribution of DEHP concentrations in the sediments of Love River. The mean DEHP concentrations in the sediments that were collected during the wet and dry seasons were 28.6 ± 19.5 and 17.8 ± 11.6 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. The highest DEHP concentration was observed in the sediments that were sampled in the vicinity of the estuary. The correlation analysis showed that the grain size and organic matter may play a key role in the DEHP distribution in the sediments during the dry season, whereas the DEHP concentrations in the wet season may be mainly affected by other environmental and hydrological conditions. By a comparison with the sediment quality guidelines, the levels of DEHP in the sediments of Love River were found to have the potential to result in an adverse effect on aquatic benthic organisms. Specifically, during the wet season, wastewater from upstream of Love River is flushed downstream, causing a higher DEHP concentration in the sediments. Future pollution prevention and management objectives should move towards reducing the discharge of upstream wastewater and establishing a complete sewer system to reduce DEHP pollution in the environment.

Keywords: di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate; DEHP; urban river; seasonal variation; sediments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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