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Source determination of benzotriazoles in sediment cores from two urban estuaries on the Atlantic Coast of the United States
Citation:
Cantwell, M., J. Sullivan, D. Katz, R. Burgess, J. Hubeny, AND J. King. Source determination of benzotriazoles in sediment cores from two urban estuaries on the Atlantic Coast of the United States. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 101(1):208-218, (2015).
Impact/Purpose:
Benzotriazoles (BZTs) are organic compounds that have been used in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. These chemicals have been in high-volume commercial production and use since the1950s, with little information existing on their environmental behavior and fate. Consequently, BZTs should be considered contaminants of emerging concern. This study revealed that many BZTs have remained structurally intact over time in coastal sediment cores, demonstrating their resistance to degradation and persistence in environmental compartments. Some of the BZTs used in plastics as ultraviolet light stabilizing additives exhibit characteristics of persistence organic pollutants (POPs) and have been discovered at high levels in the environment, justifying further study on their long-term environmental persistence, and potential adverse effects.
Description:
Benzotriazoles (BZTs) are used in a broad range of commercial and industrial products, particularly as metal corrosion inhibitors and as ultraviolet (UV) light stabilizer additives in plastics and polymers. Their long-term usage and high production volumes have resulted in the release of these chemicals to the environment. In this study, dated sediment cores from two east coast estuaries (i.e., Salem Sound, MA, USA and Narragansett Bay, RI, USA) were analyzed for commonly used BZTs. In Narragansett Bay, the BZTs used as UV stabilizers (UV-BZTs) started appearing in the core at depths corresponding to the early 1960s, which supports patent information and local production records. Most of the measured BZTs were found in the Narragansett Bay core at high levels, reflecting past local production. In Salem Sound, UV-BZTs were present at concentrations consistent with other coastal marine locations not influenced by BZT production. Anticorrosive BZTs (AC-BZTs) were found in both cores as well, with the highest levels reported to date present in Narragansett Bay, indicating sorption to, and preservation in, sediments. This study revealed both classes of BZTs have remained structurally intact over time in coastal sediment cores, demonstrating their resistance to degradation and persistence in environmental compartments. Consequently, BZTs meet the definition of contaminants of emerging concern, as described by USEPA and warranting further investigation into their potential adverse effects in marine ecosystems.
