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6815967 
Journal Article 
Occurrence, distribution, and sources of phthalates and non-phthalate plasticizers in sediment from semi-enclosed bays of Korea 
Kim, S; Lee, YS; Moon, HB 
2020 
1 
Marine Pollution Bulletin
ISSN: 0025-326X
EISSN: 1879-3363 
Elsevier Ltd 
OXFORD 
151 
110824 
English 
32056616 
WOS:000514758400041 
Due to strong regulation of phthalates, non-phthalate plasticizers (NPPs) have been introduced to the industrial market. In this study, concentrations of 16 phthalates and five NPPs in sediment were measured to investigate the occurrence, potential source, and ecotoxicological implications of these contaminants. Phthalates and NPPs were detected in all sediment samples, indicating ubiquitous contaminants. Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and trioctyl trimellitate (TOTM) were the dominant for phthalates and NPPs, respectively, implying emerging contamination by TOTM. Spatial distribution of these contaminants showed decreasing gradients from inner to outer bays. Clear declining trends in phthalate and NPP concentrations were found in sediment near a wastewater treatment plant outfall, suggesting a potential source of contamination. Approximately 95% of sediment samples exceeded sediment quality guidelines for DEHP suggested by previous studies, implying that benthic organisms are suffering from adverse biological effects. This is the first report on the occurrence of NPPs in the coastal environment. 
plasticizer; DEHP; TOTM; WWTP; benthos; sediment quality