Monitoring studies on contamination of urban runoff with hazardous benzotriazoles and bisphenols in one of the least polluted places worldwide

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2024-10, Vol.366, p.143444, Article 143444
• Main Authors: Grzegorzek, Martyna, Struk-Sokołowska, Joanna, Canales, Fausto A., Kotowska, Urszula, Kaźmierczak, Bartosz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Benzhydryl Compounds - analysis; BTR; BUV; chemical species; Contaminants of emerging concern; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Iceland; Micropollutants; Phenols - analysis; pollutants; Traffic pollution; Triazoles - analysis; ultrasonic treatment; urban runoff; UV-BTR; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143444

Benzotriazoles (BTR) and bisphenols (BP) are artificial contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) commonly found in everyday products. This study focuses on urban runoff to investigate the occurrence of BTRs and BPs in Iceland, regarded as one of the least polluted places in the world, which made it reasonable to confirm or deny the presence of these micropollutants in its environment. Samples collected in February 2023 (SC1) and August 2024 (SC2) from seven locations along Iceland's Ring Road were evaluated to determine the occurrence of seven BTRs (1H-BTR, 4Me-BTR, 5Me-BTR, 5Cl-BTR, UV-P, UV-326, UV-329) and six BPs (BPF, BPE, BPA, BPZ, BPAP, BPM) in the runoff, using the ultrasound-assisted emulsification-microextraction for analytes isolation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for detection (USAEME-GC/MS). All locations showed detectable and varying levels of BTRs and BPs, with 5Cl-BTR (11.6 μg/L) and BPF (56.3 μg/L), both in SC1, demonstrating the highest concentrations, providing valuable insights into their prevalence and distribution. A correlational analysis investigated the connection between these pollutants and various characteristics associated with the locations along the Ring Road. This study contributes to the essential comprehension of these CECs, serving as input for future strategies for monitoring and mitigating their impact. [Display omitted] •BTRs and BPs were identified in runoff at 7 locations along Iceland's Ring Road.•For analytes isolation - USAEME, and for detection - GC-MS were used.•All samples showed detectable and varying levels of BTRs and BPs.•5Cl-BTR (11.6 μg/L) and BPF (56.3 μg/L) had the highest concentrations.•5Cl-BTR, 5Me-BTR, BPA had correlations with AMT or population - for vehicle traffic.