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Fate of three phosphate ester flame retardants in small ponds
Author(s) -
Muir D. C. G.,
Lint D.,
Grift N. P.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620040510
Subject(s) - phosphate , pimephales promelas , chemistry , environmental chemistry , sediment , triphenyl phosphate , volatilisation , chromatography , biology , fire retardant , biochemistry , organic chemistry , paleontology , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , minnow
The fate of 14 C‐labeled t ‐butylphenyldiphenyl phosphate (tBPDP), 2‐ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDP) and tri( m ‐cresyl) phosphate (mTCP) was studied for up to 360 d following addition of each compound to artificial ponds (5 m 3 volume) to give initial water concentrations of about 50 μg/L. Concentrations of each phosphate ester decreased rapidly, with half‐lives of about 0.5 d for each compound. Concentrations of intact esters in bottom sediments decreased more slowly, with half‐lives of 39 d for tBPDP and mTCP and 79 d for EHDP. A series of unidentified 14 C‐labeled nonpolar oxidation products, as well as diaryl phosphates, was isolated by TLC analysis of extracts of water and sediment. Concentrations of 197 ng/m 3 tBPDP and 32 ng/m 3 EHDP were detected in air (5 cm height) above the ponds during the first 18 h after the addition of the esters to the water. Volatilization losses during the experiment were estimated to represent less than 10% of the amounts added to the water initially. Maximum concentrations in fathead minnows ( Pimephales promelas ), ranging from 7.3 μg/g for mTCP to 10 μg/g for tBPDP, were observed 8 h after application. Chironomid larvae collected from bottom sediments accumulated concentrations that were 11‐ to 37‐fold greater than levels of each compound present in sediment. After 360 d, most of the remaining 14 C was present in bottom sediment, representing 24 to 30% of the amount originally added.