Occurrence and ecological implications of organophosphate triesters and diester degradation products in wastewater, river water, and tap water

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2020-04, Vol.259, p.113810, Article 113810
• Main Authors: Li, Ying, Yao, Chi, Zheng, Qiangxi, Yang, Wen, Niu, Xiangming, Zhang, Yichun, Lu, Guanghua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Distribution; Ecotoxicological implication; Molecular docking modeling; Organophosphate esters
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113810

The occurrence and composition profiles of 13 triester organophosphate flame retardants and their three diester metabolites in river water, wastewater, and tap water in China were studied. Most target organophosphate esters (OPEs) were found in water samples, with average concentrations of 787 ng/L for triethyl phosphate (TEP) and 0.1 ng/L for tripropyl phosphate (TPP) in wastewater, 1.48 × 103 ng/L for TEP and 0.12 ng/L for tripentyl phosphate (TPeP) in river water, and 15.5 ng/L for tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and 0.08 ng/L for tritolyl phosphate (TMPP) in tap water. TEP was the most abundant compound among the detected OPEs in all water types. The exposure of zebrafish embryos showed negligible effects of TEP, triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP), while mixed solutions that mimic river water and wastewater composition disturbed the development of embryos and led to the altered transcription of genes relating to the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. In addition, the binding affinity between OPEs and a thyroid hormone receptor (TRβ) protein was further investigated by molecular docking modeling, which helped to estimate the effects of OPEs on TRβ. This research provides experimental and theoretical evidence for the ecotoxicological effects of OPEs in aquatic environments. [Display omitted] •The occurrence of OP triesters and their diester metabolites were investigated in wastewater, river water, and tap water.•Mimic wastewater and river water compositions affect embryo development and alter the transcription of genes.•OPEs bound to the TRβ receptor through different binding affinities. The occurrence and composition profiles of OP triesters and OP diesters were studied in various water samples, and evaluated toxicological impact in aquatic environments.