Phthalate esters in sediments near a sewage treatment plant outflow in Hamilton Harbour, Ontario: SFE extraction and environmental distribution
Mcdowell, DC; Metcalfe, CD
HERO ID
1322016
Reference Type
Journal Article
Year
2001
Language
English
| HERO ID | 1322016 |
|---|---|
| In Press | No |
| Year | 2001 |
| Title | Phthalate esters in sediments near a sewage treatment plant outflow in Hamilton Harbour, Ontario: SFE extraction and environmental distribution |
| Authors | Mcdowell, DC; Metcalfe, CD |
| Journal | Journal of Great Lakes Research |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Page Numbers | 3-9 |
| Abstract | Esters of phthalic acid are ubiquitous environmental contaminants as a result of their use as plasticizers and as constituents in many other commercial products. Although the acute toxicity of phthalates is low, recent concerns over their potential to disrupt the gonadal development of vertebrates has prompted interest in determining the distribution of these compounds in the environment. However, trace analysis of phthalates in environmental samples has been hampered by their presence as ubiquitous laboratory contaminants. In this study, the problem of high background contamination was addressed by developing an analytical method using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), which was used to extract phthalates from sediment samples collected near the outflow of a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Hamilton Harbour at the western end of Lake Ontario. GC-MS-SIM analysis of sediment samples indicated that di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)was present at very high concentrations; ranging from a mean of 29.7 mug/g dry weight at a site near the STP outflow to a mean of 6.5 mug/g dry weight at a site 300 m away. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and benzylbutyl phthalate (BBP) were judged to be present in some sediment samples bur at concentrations below the Method Detection Limits (< 0.3 <mu>g/g). Di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) were not detected in any of the sediment samples. This study indicates that SFE can be an efficient extraction method for phthalates in sediments, which avoids the extensive use of glassware and organic solvents that may contaminate environmental samples. In addition, STP effluents are sources of phthalates in the aquatic environment; in particular, DEHP. |
| Doi | 10.1016/S0380-1330(01)70618-1 |
| Wosid | WOS:000167834600002 |
| Url | https://search.proquest.com/docview/26881675?accountid=171501 |
| Is Certified Translation | No |
| Dupe Override | No |
| Is Public | Yes |
| Language Text | English |
| Keyword | phthalate; Hamilton Harbour; sewage; supercritical fluid extraction |
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