Screening of Organic Ecotoxicants in Water Samples of the Luga River
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17308/geo/1609-0683/2026/2/146-153Keywords:
Luga River, pollutants, organophosphorus esters, non-targeted study, chromatography-mass spectrometryAbstract
The purpose of this study is to identify organic ecotoxicants not covered by standard monitoring in various sections of the Luga River. Materials and methods. A non-targeted analysis of water samples from the Luga River was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results and discussion. Twenty-seven compounds of anthropogenic and technogenic origin were identifi ed in the samples. Compounds belonging to the groups of phthalates, phenols, certain fatty acids, and the organophosphorus ester trichloroethyl phosphate were detected in all analyzed samples. The highest concentrations of pollutants were recorded near the town of Kingisepp and the discharge point of municipal sewage. Conclusions. Based on the results of non-target analysis, it was concluded that an ecotoxicant previously undetected in the ecosystem of the Luga River – tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) – is present in the water at concentrations ranging from 0.269 to 1.409 μg/L. The compound belongs to the group of phosphorus-containing fl ame retardants, poorly studied persistent organic ecotoxicants that exhibit carcinogenic and neurotoxic properties and cause a range of serious adverse eff ects in living organisms and humans. The fi ndings complement existing data on the pollution of the Luga River and can serve as a basis for further research.
References
1. Баш П. В. Анализ международных инициатив по ограничению использования органических фосфатов как источников негативного воздействия на здоровье человека и окружающую среду // Успехи современного естествознания, 2025, № 1, с. 36-42.
2. Спирин Ю. А., Зотов С. И., Таран В. С. Анализ пространственно-временной динамики загрязнения рек юго-восточной части Калининградской области // Вестник Воронежского государственного университета. Серия География. Геоэкология, 2025, № 3, с. 102-110.
3. Andresen J., Bester K. Elimination of organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers in drinking water purification // Water Resources, 2006, no. 40, pp. 621-629.
4. Gbadamosi M. R., Abdallah M. A. E., Harrad S. A critical review of human exposure to organophosphate esters with a focus on dietary intake // Science of the Total Environment, 2021, no. 771, pp. 144752.
5. Comprehensive insight from phthalates occurrence: From health outcomes to emerging analytical approaches / C. Luís, M. Algarra, J. S. Câmara, R. Perestrelo // Toxics, 2021, vol. 9, no. 7, pp. 157.
6. Formal waste treatment facilities as a source of halogenated fl ame retardants and organophosphate esters to the environment: A critical review with particular focus on outdoor air and soil Y. Ma / W. A. Stubbings, M. A. E. Abdallah, R. Cline-Cole, et al. // Science of the Total Environment, 2022, no. 807, pp. 150747.
7. Non-targeted analysis (NTA) and suspect screening analysis (SSA): a review of examining the chemical exposome K. E. Manz / A. Feerick, J. M. Braun, Y. L. Feng et al. // J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol, 2023, no. 33, pp. 524-536.
8. Organophosphate esters in water and air: A minireview of their sources, occurrence, and air-water exchange N. Marlina / F. Hassan, H. R. Chao, M. T. Latif et al. // Chemosphere, 2024, no. 356, pp. 141874.
9. Ecological risk assessment for tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate to freshwater organisms Y. Qiao / D. Liu, C. Feng, N. Liu et al. // Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2022, no. 10, pp. 963918.
10. Rojas C. M., Wiersielis K. R., Roepke T. A. Mechanisms of flame retardant toxicity and their impacts on anxiety and cognition in the brain // Endocrinology, 2025, no. 166, pp. bqaf074.
11. Monitoring of phthalic acid monoesters in river water by solid-phase extraction and GC-MS determination / T. Suzuki, K. Yaguchi, S. Suzuki, T. Suga // Environmental science & technology, 2001, vol. 35, no. 18, pp. 3757-3763.
12. Suspect and Nontarget Screening for Contaminants of Emerging Concern in an Urban Estuary Z. Tian / K. T. Peter, A. D. Gipe, H. Zhao, et al. // Environmental Science and Technology, 2020, vol. 54, no. 2, pp. 889-901.
13. Tudor L. The identifi cation and quantifi cation of organophosphate flame retardants in raw materials utilized in polyurethane production, 2022.
14. A comprehensive evaluation of the endocrine-disrupting eff ects of emerging organophosphate esters Q. Zhang / L. Yang, H. Wang, C. Wu et al. // Environment International, 2024, no. 193, pp. 109120.
