Bioaccumulation Characteristics of Organophosphoric Acid Triesters and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Phragmites

Abstract

The concentration levels of seven organophosphoric acid triesters (OPEs) and nine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Phragmites were measured to investigate the bioaccumulation characteristics. Phragmites was sampled from Yamato River basin in Japan in 2009 and 2011. To investigate the bioaccumulation characteristics, the concentrations of the micropollutants in stems, leaves, ears, and roots of the Phragmites were measured. All of the OPEs and eight PAHs were detected, among which tributyl phosphate, tri-2-chloroethyl phosphate, triethyl phosphate, tris (2-ethylhexyl) phosphate and fluoranthene were detected frequently. The total concentration of OPEs ranged between N.D. and 4,020 ng/g dry weight and that of PAHs ranged between N.D. and 396 ng/g dry weight. The concentrations tend to be higher in the ears than in the stems, leaves and roots. Significant proportional relationships were observed between the concentrations in the stems and those in the other parts. The concentrations of OPEs and PAHs tend to decrease as the stem height of Phragmites increases.