Environmental occurrence of phthalate and organophosphate esters in sediments across the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean Sea)

Type Article
Date 2021-03
Language English
Author(s) Alkan Nigar1, 2, Alkan Ali1, 3, Castro-Jiménez JavierORCID1, 4, Royer Florian1, Papillon Laure1, Ourgaud Mélanie1, Sempéré Richard1
Affiliation(s) 1 : Aix Marseille Univ., University of Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, Marseille, France
2 : Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Marine Science, 61530, Sürmene, Trabzon, Turkey
3 : Karadeniz Technical University, Institute of Marine Science and Technology, 61080 Trabzon, Turkey
4 : IFREMER, Laboratory of Biogeochemistry of Organic Contaminants (LBCO), Rue de l'Ile d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311 Nantes, Cedex 3, France
Source Science Of The Total Environment (0048-9697) (Elsevier BV), 2021-03 , Vol. 760 , P. 143412 (8p.)
DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143412
WOS© Times Cited 28
Keyword(s) Plastic additives, Phthalates, Organophosphate esters, Sediment, Gulf of Lion
Abstract

even phthalate (PAEs) and nine organophosphate esters (OPEs) were measured in surface sediments across the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean Sea) at twelve stations characterized by different anthropogenic signatures. ∑PAEs and ∑OPEs concentrations ranged from 2 to 766 ng/g DW (av. 196 ng/g DW) and from 4 to 227 ng/g DW (av. 54 ng/g DW), respectively. Our analysis of the potential sources of these organic plastic additives in sediments of the Gulf of Lion suggests that the dominant factors affecting their occurrence and environmental distribution are port-based industrial activities and urban pressures. Indeed, the highest ∑PAEs and ∑OPEs concentrations were found close to the ports of Toulon and Marseille (Estaque) and at the sites impacted by the Marseille metropolitan area (i.e. at the outlets of the waste water treatment plant at Cortiou and at the mouth of the Huveaune River). The lowest levels were generally found in protected areas (e.g. Port-Cros) and at sites relatively far from the coast. DEHP was seen to be the most abundant PAE while TDCP, TEHP and TiBP were the most abundant OPEs in the area. Our results also expose the contribution of additives entering the Gulf of Lion via sedimentary material from the Rhône River, with positive correlations between the total organic carbon (TOC) content in the sediment and the ∑PAEs and ∑OPEs concentrations. However, additive concentrations decreased from shore to offshore in the Rhône River discharge area, indicating an efficient dilution of the contaminants accumulated at the river mouth area.

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Alkan Nigar, Alkan Ali, Castro-Jiménez Javier, Royer Florian, Papillon Laure, Ourgaud Mélanie, Sempéré Richard (2021). Environmental occurrence of phthalate and organophosphate esters in sediments across the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean Sea). Science Of The Total Environment, 760, 143412 (8p.). Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143412 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00658/77010/