Skip to main content
Log in

Occurrence and assessment of the risk of ultraviolet filters and light stabilizers in Victorian estuaries

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This reconnaissance study was undertaken to examine the occurrence of common ultraviolet filters (UVF) and light stabilizers (UVLS), and preservatives in four different estuaries in Port Philip Bay, Victoria, for the first time. In total, 11 UV filters, 10 UV stabilizers, 12 preservatives and a metabolite, and one fragrance were screened in grab samples of water and sediment using a combination of solid phase extraction and gas and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry measurement techniques. In that context, 16 of the UVF and UVLS and 5 of the preservatives screened were observed in water and/or sediment samples. There are no marine water quality guideline values for any of the fragrances, preservatives and UV filters and light stabilizers in Australia’s current national water quality guidelines, so potential risk was assessed using the risk quotient (RQ) and toxic unit (TU) concepts. In that context, only two chemicals (OC and EHMC) had both an RQ above 1 and a log10TU above − 3, suggesting that few of the screened chemicals would have posed an individual, short-term risk to organisms in the waters studied at the time of sampling. However, the detection of common UV filters, such as 4MBC, EHMC, OC and the common preservatives 2-PE, MP, and PB in these Victorian estuaries highlights that the existence of personal care products in the environment is not just an issue for more densley populated countries in the northern hemisphere, but also potentially of concern in Australia. And, in that context, more sampling campaigns in Port Philip Bay are of paramount importance to assess the potential risk posed by these compounds to aquatic ecosystems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmed FK (2009) Worldwide regulation of UV filters: current status and future trends. In: Lim HW, Draelos ZD (eds) Clinical guide to sunscreens and photoprotection. Informa Healthcare USA, New York New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Almeida C, Nogueira JMF (2014) Determination of trace levels of parabens in real matrices by bar adsorptive microextraction using selective sorbent phases. J Chromatogr A 1348:17–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2014.04.057

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amine H, Gomez E, Halwani J, Casellas C, Fenet H (2012) UV filters, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, octocrylene and ethylhexyl dimethyl PABA from untreated wastewater in sediment from eastern Mediterranean river transition and coastal zones. Mar Pollut Bull 64:2435–2442

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andresen JA, Muir D, Ueno D, Darling C, Theobald N, Bester K (2007) Emerging pollutants in the North Sea in comparison to Lake Ontario, Canada, data. Environ Toxicol Chem 26(6):1081–1089. https://doi.org/10.1897/06-416R.1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ANZECC and ARMCANZ (2000) Australian and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality. Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand, Canberra, Australia

  • Barón E, Gago-Ferrero P, Gorga M, Rudolph I, Mendoza G, Zapata AM, Díaz-Cruz S, Barra R, Ocampo-Duque W, Páez M, Darbra RM, Eljarrat E, Damià Barceló D (2013) Occurrence of hydrophobic organic pollutants (BFRs and UV-filters) in sediments from South America. Chemosphere 92(3):309–316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.03.032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bayen S, Zhang H, Desai MM, Ooi SK, Kelly BC (2013) Occurrence and distribution of pharmaceutically active and endocrine disrupting compounds in Singapore’s marine environment: influence of hydrodynamics and physical-chemical properties. Environ Pollut 182:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.06.028

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bedoux G, Roig B, Thomas O, Dupont V, Le Bot B (2012) Occurrence and toxicity of antimicrobial triclosan and by-products in the environment. Environ Sci Pollut Res 19:1044–1065

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benedé JL, Chisvert A, Salvador A, Sánchez-Quiles D, Tovar-Sánchez A (2014) Determination of UV filters in both soluble and particulate fractions of seawaters by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Anal Chim Acta 812:50–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bratkovics S, Wirth E, Sapozhnikova Y, Pennington P, Sanger D (2015) Baseline monitoring of organic sunscreen compounds along South Carolina’s coastal marine environment. Mar Pollut Bull 101:370–377

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carpinterio I, Abuín B, Rodríguez I, Ramil R, Cela R (2010) Pressurized solvent extraction followed by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of benzotriazole light stabilizers in indoor dust. J Chromatogr A 1217:3729–3735

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chau WC, Wu J-L, Cai Z (2008) Investigation of levels and fate of triclosan in environmental waters from the analysis of gas chromatography coupled with ion trap mass spectrometry. Chemosphere 73(1):S13–S17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2007.01.087

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cherian MT, Chai SC, Chen T (2015) Small-molecule modulators of the constitutive androstane receptor. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 11(7):1099–1114. https://doi.org/10.1517/17425255.2015.1043887

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Combi T, Pintado-Herrera MG, Lara-Martin PA, Miserocchi S, Langone L, Guerra R (2016) Distribution and fate of legacy and emerging contaminants along the Adriatic Sea: a comparative study. Environ Pollut 218:1055–1064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.08.057

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Danovaro R, Bongiorni L, Corinaldesi C, Giovannelli D, Damiani E, Astolfi P, Greci L, Pusceddu A (2008) Sunscreens cause coral bleaching by promoting viral infections. Environ Health Persp 116(4):441–447

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Emnet P, Gaw S, Northcott G, Storey B, Graham L (2015) Personal care products and steroid hormones in the Antarctic coastal environment associated with two Antarctic research stations, McMurdo Station and Scott Base. Environ Res1 36:331–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans WA, Davies PJ, McRae C (2016) The occurrence of methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl parabens in the urban rivers and stormwaters of Sydney, Australia. Environ Sci: Water Res Technol 2:733–742

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gago-Ferrero P, Díaz-Cruz MS, Barceló D (2015) UV filters bioaccumulation in fish from Iberian river basins. Sci Total Environ 518–519:518–525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haman C, Dauchy X, Rosin C, Munoz J-F (2015) Occurrence, fate and behavior of parabens in aquatic environments: a review. Water Res 68:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.09.030

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang W, Xie Z, Yan W, Mi W, Xu W (2016) Occurrence and distribution of synthetic musks and organic UV filters from riverine and coastal sediments in the Pearl River estuary of China. Mar Pollut Bull 111(1-2):153–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.07.018

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Janośek J, Hilscherová K, Bláha L, Holoubek I (2006) Environmental xenobiotics and nuclear receptors - interactions, effects and in vitro assessment. Toxicol in Vitro 20(1):18–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tiv.2005.06.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jonkers N, Sousa A, Galante-Oliveira S, Barroso CM, Kohler H-PE, Giger W (2010) Occurrence and sources of selected phenolic endocrine disruptors in Ria de Aveiro, Portugal. Environ Sci Pollut Res 17(4):834–843. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-009-0275-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jurado A, Gago-Ferrero P, Vàzquez-Suñé E, Carrera J, Pujades E, Díaz-Cruz MS, Barceló D (2014) Urban groundwater contamination by residues of UV filters. J Haz Mat 271:141–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.01.036

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamata R, Shiraishi F, Nakajima D, Takigami H, Shiraishi H (2009) Mono-hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls are potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands in recombinant yeast cells. Toxicol in Vitro 23:736–743

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kamata R, Nakajima D, Shiraishi F (2017) Agonistic effects of diverse xenobiotics on the constitutive androstane receptor as detected in a recombinant yeast-cell assay. Toxicol in vitro 46:335–349

  • Kameda Y, Kimura K, Miyazaki M (2011) Occurrence and profiles of organic sun-blocking agents in surface waters and sediments in Japanese rivers and lakes. Environ Pollut 159:1570–1576

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kasprzyk-Hordern B, Dinsdale RM, Guwy AJ (2008) The occurrence of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disruptors and illicit drugs in surface water in South Wales, UK. Water Res 42(13):3498–3518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2008.04.026

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim D, Kim S, Kim S-A, Choi M, Kwon K-J, Kim M, Kim D_S, Kim S-H, Choi AB-K (2017) Simultaneous analysis and monitoring of 16 UV filters in cosmetics by high-performance liquid chromatography. J Cosmet Sci 63:103–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimura K, Kameda Y, Yamamoto H, Nakada N, Tamura I, Miyazaki M, Masunaga S (2014) Occurrence of preservatives and antimicrobials in Japanese rivers. Chemosphere 107:393–399

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kunz PY, Fent K (2006) Estrogenic activity of UV filter mixtures. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 217(1):86–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.taap.2006.07.014

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Langford KH, Thomas KV (2008) Inputs of chemicals from recreational activities into the Norwegian coastal zone. J Environ Monit 10(7):894–898. https://doi.org/10.1039/b806198j

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Langford KH, Reid MJ, Fjeld E, Øxnevad S, Thomas KV (2015) Environmental occurrence and risk of organic UV filters and stabilizers in multiple matrices in Norway. Environ Int 80:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2015.03.012

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee I-S, Kim U-J, Oh J-E, Choi M, Hwang D-W (2014) Comprehensive monitoring of synthetic musk compounds from freshwater to coastal environments in Korea: with consideration of ecological concerns and bioaccumulation. Sci Total Environ 470:1502–1508

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liess M, Von Der Ohe PC (2005) Analyzing effects of pesticides on invertebrate communities in streams. Environ Toxicol Chem 24(4):954–965. https://doi.org/10.1897/03-652.1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lou Y-H, Wang J, Wang L, Shi LYY, Zhang M-Y (2016) Determination of synthetic musks in sediments of Yellow River Delta wetland, China. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 97(1):78–83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-1814-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magi E, Di Carro M, Scapolla C, Nguyen KTN (2012) Stir bar sorptive extraction and LC–MS/MS for trace analysis of UV filters in different water matrices. Chromatographia 75(17):973–982. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10337-012-2202-z

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller D, Wheals BB, Beresford N, Sumpter JP (2001) Estrogenic activity of phenolic additives determined by an in vitro yeast bioassay. Environ Health Persp 109(2):133–138

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nagayoshi H, Kakimoto K, Takagi S, Konishi Y, Kajimura K, Matsuda T (2015) Benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers show potent activities as human aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands. Environ Sci Technol 49(1):578–587. https://doi.org/10.1021/es503926w

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakata H, Murata S, Filatreau J (2009) Occurrence and concentrations of benzotriazole UV stabilizers in marine organisms and sediments from the Ariake Sea, Japan. Environ Sci Technol 43:6920–6926

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Necibi M, Lanceleur L, Mzoughi N, Monperrus M (2016) Determination of synthetic musks in surface sediment from the Bizerte Lagoon by QuEChERS extraction followed by GC-MS. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 97(5):659–669. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-1935-z

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen KTN, Scapolla C, Di C, M Magi E (2011) Rapid and selective determination of UV filters in seawater by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry combined with stir bar sorptive extraction. Talanta 85(5):2375–2384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2011.07.085

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peng X, Xiong S, Ou W, Wang Z, Tan J, Jin J, Tang C, Jun Liu J, Fan Y (2017) Persistence, temporal and spatial profiles of ultraviolet absorbents and phenolic personal care products in riverine and estuarine sediment of the Pearl River catchment, China. J Haz Mat 323(Pt A):139–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.05.020

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perez D, Kite J, Dunlop SM, Cust AE, Goumas C, Cotter T, Walsberger SC, Dessaix A, Bauman A (2015) Exposure to the ‘Dark Side of Tanning’ skin cancer prevention mass media campaign and its association with tanning attitudes in New South Wales, Australia. Higher Educ Res 30(2):336–346

    Google Scholar 

  • Pintado-Herrera MG, González-Mazo E, Lara-Martín PA (2014) Determining the distribution of triclosan and methyl triclosan in estuarine settings. Chemosphere 95:478–485

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramos S, Homem V, Alves A, Santos L (2016) A review of organic UV-filters in wastewater treatment plants. Environ Int 86:24–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2015.10.004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ramos S, Homem V, Alves A, Santos L (2015) Advances in analytical methods and occurrence of organic UV-filters in the environment—a review. Sci Total Environ 526:278–311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.055

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Román IP, Chisvert A, Canals A (2011) Dispersive solid-phase extraction based on oleic acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for UV-filter determination in water samples. J Chromatogr A 1218:2467–2475

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts J, Kumar A, Dua J, Hepplewhite C, Ellis DJ, Christy AG, Beavis SG (2016) Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in Australia's largest inland sewage treatment plant, and its contribution to a major Australian river during high and low flow. Sci Total Environ 541:1625–1637

  • Sánchez-Quiles D, Tovar-Sánchez A (2015) Are sunscreens a new environmental risk associated with coastal tourism? Environ Int 83:158–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2015.06.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez-Rodríguez A, Rodrigo Sanz M, Betancort Rodríguez JR (2015) Occurrence of eight UV filters in beaches of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). An approach to environmental risk assessment. Chemosphere 131:85–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.02.054

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sang Z, Leung KS-Y (2016) Environmental occurrence and ecological risk assessment of organic UV filters in marine organisms from Hong Kong coastal waters. Sci Total Environ 566–567:489–498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sankoda K, Murata K, Tanihata M, Suzuki K, Nomiyama K, Shinohara R (2015) Seasonal and diurnal variation of organic ultraviolet filters from personal care products used along the Japanese coast. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 68(2):217–224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-014-0106-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schlumpf M, Kypke K, Vökt CC, Birchler M, Durrer S, Faass O, Ehnes C, Fuetsch M, Gaille C, Henseler M, Hofkamp L, Maerkel K, Reolon S, Zenker A, Timms B, Tresguerres JAF, Lichtensteiger W (2008) Endocrine active UV filters: developmental toxicity and exposure through breast milk. Chimia 62:345–351

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schreurs RHMM, Sonneveld E, Jansen JHJ, Seinen W, van der Burg B (2005) Polycyclic musks and UV filters with the estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR), and progesterone receptor (PR) in reporter gene bioassays. Toxicol Sci 83:264–272

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sorensen JPR, Lapworth DJ, Nkhuwa DCW, Stuart ME, Gooddy DC, Bell RA, Chirwa M, Kabika J, Liemisa M, Chibesa M, Pedley S (2015) Emerging contaminants in urban groundwater sources in Africa. Water Res 72:51–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.08.002

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Subedi B, Yun S, Jayaraman S, Bergen BJ, Kannan K (2014) Retrospective monitoring of persistent organic pollutants, including PCBs, PBDEs, and polycyclic musks in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) and sediments from New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts, USA: 1991–2005. Environ Monit Assess 186:5273–5284

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun Q, Li Y, Li M, Ashfaq M, Lv M, Wang H, Hu A, Yu C-P (2016) PPCPs in Jiulong River estuary (China): spatiotemporal distributions, fate, and their use as chemical markers of wastewater. Chemosphere 150:596–604. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.02.036

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sumner NR, Guitart C, Fuentes G, Readman JW (2010) Inputs and distributions of synthetic musk fragrances in an estuarine and coastal environment; a case study. Environ Pollut 158(1):215–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2009.07.018

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tanoue R, Nomiyama K, Nakamura H, Kim J-W, Isobe T, Shinohara R, Kunisue T Tanabe S (2015). Uptake and tissue distribution of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in wild fish from treated-wastewater-impacted streams

  • Tashiro Y, Kameda Y (2013) Concentration of organic sun-blocking agents in seawater of beaches and coral reefs of Okinawa Island, Japan. Mar Pollut Bull 77(1-2):333–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.09.013

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomatou A-A, Zacharias I, Hela D, Konstantinou I (2013) Determination and risk assessment of pesticide residues in lake Amvrakia (W. Greece) after agricultural land use changes in the lake’s drainage basin. Int J Environ Anal Chem 93(7):780–799. https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319.2012.656099

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tovar-Sánchez A, Sánchez-Quiles D, Basterretxea G, Benede´ JL, Chisvert A, Salvador A, Moreno-Garrido I, Blasco J (2013) Sunscreen products as emerging pollutants to coastal waters. PLoS One 8(6):e65451. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0065451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsui MMP, Leung HW, Wai T-C, Yamashita N, Taniyasu T, Liu W, Lam PKS, Murphy MB (2014) Occurrence, distribution and ecological risk assessment of multiple classes of UV filters in surface waters from different countries. Water Res 67:55–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.09.013

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsui MMP, Lam JCW, Ng TY, Ang PO, Murphy MB, Lam PKS (2017) Occurrence, distribution, and fate of organic UV filters in coral communities. Environ Sci Technol 51:4182–4190

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vila M, Lamas JP, Garcia-Jares C, Dagnac T, Llompart M (2016) Ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of UV filters in water. Microchem J 124:530–539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2015.09.023

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu M-H, Xie D-G, Xu G, Sun R, Xia X-Y, Liu W-L, Tang L (2017) Benzophenone-type UV filters in surface waters: an assessment of profiles and ecological risks in Shanghai, China. Ecotoxicol Environ Safe 141:235–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.03.013

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Q, Ma X, Dzakpasu M, Wang XC (2017) Evaluation of ecotoxicological effects of benzophenone UV filters: luminescent bacteria toxicity, genotoxicity and hormonal activity. Ecotoxicol Environ Safe 142:338–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.04.027

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Funding for this study was provided by the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria (DPI Project #06889); additional resources were provided by the Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management (CAPIM), and the Saitama City Institute of Health Science and Research. At the time of the study, CAPIM was funded by The Victorian Science Agenda Investment Fund, managed by the Department of Business and Innovation, Victoria (DBI) (www.innovation.vic.gov.au) with partner funding contributed from Melbourne Water, Department of Primary Industries (Victoria), and Environment Protection Authority (Victoria). The authors would like to thank members of CAPIM for their assistance with sampling, particularly Dr. Kathryn Hassell.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Graeme Allinson.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Ester Heath

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 472 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Allinson, M., Kameda, Y., Kimura, K. et al. Occurrence and assessment of the risk of ultraviolet filters and light stabilizers in Victorian estuaries. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 12022–12033 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1386-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1386-7

Keywords

Navigation