Περίληψη σε άλλη γλώσσα
Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are used either as additives to flammable materials (electrical/electronic devices, vehicles, polyurethane foam, textiles) to prevent or delay a fire or as plasticizers to protect or enhance the properties of plastics. They have been detected in both abiotic and biotic environments. Exposure to these compounds is of high concern due to their possible cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity and endocrine disruption. To date, there is no data on the presence of OPEs in the aquatic environment of Greece. The aim of the present dissertation is the comprehensive study of the presence, environmental fate, and risk of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in the urban-coastal environment in the region of Thessaloniki. Analytical methods were developed for the determination of 11 OPEs in various aqueous and solid environmental samples, using solid phase extraction or ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Mo ...
Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are used either as additives to flammable materials (electrical/electronic devices, vehicles, polyurethane foam, textiles) to prevent or delay a fire or as plasticizers to protect or enhance the properties of plastics. They have been detected in both abiotic and biotic environments. Exposure to these compounds is of high concern due to their possible cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity and endocrine disruption. To date, there is no data on the presence of OPEs in the aquatic environment of Greece. The aim of the present dissertation is the comprehensive study of the presence, environmental fate, and risk of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in the urban-coastal environment in the region of Thessaloniki. Analytical methods were developed for the determination of 11 OPEs in various aqueous and solid environmental samples, using solid phase extraction or ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Most compounds were highly detected (>70%) in inland and coastal samples and TBOEP was the dominant compound. The highest concentrations of OPEs were found in Dendropotamos stream (4297-30,560 ng/L). Finally, an ecotoxicological risk assessment was carried out to aquatic organisms (algae, Daphnia magna and fish) and results showed low environmental risk except for Dendropotamos stream, suggesting a possible risk. Wastewater is a major source of emerging contaminants in the aquatic environment, thus the presence and fate of OPEs were studied in two municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Thessaloniki. OPEs were determined along different treatment stages (influent, primary sedimentation, secondary sedimentation, effluent, primary sludge, activated sludge and dewatered sludge). Removal efficiencies varied among OPEs, ranging from 55 to 80% for most compounds, whereas lower removal (<50%) was observed for Cl-OPEs. The major processes that could affect the fate of OPEs in a WWTP are biodegradation, volatilization and sorption to sludge. Atmospheric deposition may also contribute to the presence of OPEs in the aquatic and terrestrial environment. Six OPEs were highly detected in PM2.5 samples (85-100%). The risk assessment of OPEs via inhalation of PM2.5 revealed low risk for adults and toddlers. All compounds were determined in rainwater samples (80-100%) and their concentrations ranged from 520 to 4719 ng/L.
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