Benzophenone-type UV filters in surface waters: An assessment of profiles and ecological risks in Shanghai, China

- BP-UV filters from various point sources including river and water theme parks were investigated.
- Population is a major factor that determines BP levels in water.
- BP-3, and BP-4 may have a similar source with BP, BP-1 and 4-OH-BP.
- Environmental risks posed by BP, BP-3 and BP-4 should not be neglected.

Benzophenone-type UV filters (BP-UV filters) are frequently introduced into aquatic environment from several sources. The occurrence and fate of select BP-UV filters and their metabolites were investigated in this study. All target compounds were detected in water samples, except for 2, 3, 4-trihydroxybenzophenone (2, 3, 4-OH-BP). The concentration reached up 131 ng L−1 for 5-benzoyl-4-hydroxy-2-ethoxybenzenesulfonic acid (BP-4), 30.0 ng L−1 for 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3), and mean value of 158 ng L−1 for benzophenone (BP). Concentrations of BP-UV filters were not related to recreational waters but with high population frequencies. In addition, five BP-UV filters, namely 2,2′,4,4′-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (BP-2), 2,3,4-OH-BP, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP-1), 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OH-BP) and BP were investigated for probable sources, and found that they originate from BP-3 metabolism. There is a similar source for BP-3, BP-4, BP-1, 4-OH-BP and BP. Environmental risk assessment (ERA) showed that risk quotients (RQs) of BP-4, BP-3 and BP were 2.7, 0.8 and 0.5, respectively.

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