Occurrence and profiles of organic sun-blocking agents in surface waters and sediments in Japanese rivers and lakes

Sun-blocking agents including eight UV filters (UVF) and 10 UV light stabilizers (UVLS) were measured in water and sediment collected from 22 rivers, four sewage treatment plant effluents (STPE) and three lakes in Japan. Total sun blocking agents levels ranged from N.D. to 4928 ng/L and from 2.0 to 3422 μg/kg dry wt in surface water and in sediment, respectively. Benzyl salicylate, benzophenone-3, 2-ethyl hexyl-4-methoxycinnamte (EHMC) and octyl salicylate were dominant in surface water receiving wastewater effluents and STPE, although UV-328, benzophenone and EHMC were dominant in other surface water except background sites. Three UVF and nine UVLS were observed from all sediment and their compositions showed similar patterns with UV-328 and UV-234 as the most prevalent compounds. Homosalate, octocrylene, UV-326, UV-327, UV-328 and UV-234 were significantly correlated with Galaxolide® in sediments. Concentrations of UV-327 and UV-328 also had strong correlation between those of UV-326 in sediment.

► Total sun-blocking agents levels ranged from N.D. to 4928 ng/L in surface water from 29 sampling sites.
► The maximum concentration of total sun-blocking agents was 3422 μg/kg dry wt. in sediment.
► Residential wastewaters and STPE were considered to be potential sources of UVLS in river and lakes.
► Most of sun-blocking agents in sediment were significantly correlated with HHCB.
► UV-326 had a strong linear correlation between UV-327 as well as UV-328 in all sediment.