%0 journal article
%@ 0269-7491
%A Logemann, A., Reininghaus, M., Schmidt, M., Ebeling, A., Zimmermann, T., Wolschke, H., Friedrich, J., Brockmeyer, B., Pröfrock, D., Witt, G.

%D 2022
%J Environmental Pollution

%P 119040 
%R doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119040
%T Assessing the chemical anthropocene – Development of the legacy pollution fingerprint in the North Sea during the last century
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119040
 
%X The North Sea and its coastal zones are heavily impacted by anthropogenic activities, which has resulted in significant chemical pollution ever since the beginning of the industrialization in Europe during the 19th century. In order to assess the chemical Anthropocene, natural archives, such as sediment cores, can serve as a valuable data source to reconstruct historical emission trends and to verify the effectiveness of changing environmental legislation. In this study, we investigated 90 contaminants covering inorganic and organic pollutant groups analyzed in a set of sediment cores taken in the North Seas' main sedimentation area (Skagerrak). We thereby develop a chemical pollution fingerprint that records the constant input of pollutants over time and illustrates their continued great relevance for the present. Additionally, samples were radiometrically dated and PAH and PCB levels in porewater were determined using equilibrium passive sampling. Furthermore, we elucidated the origin of lead (Pb) contamination utilizing non-traditional stable isotopic analysis. Our results reveal three main findings: 1. for all organic contaminant groups covered (PAHs, OCPs, PCBs, PBDEs and PFASs) as well as the elements lead (Pb) and titanium (Ti), determined concentrations decreased towards more recent deposited sediment. These decreasing trends could be linked to the time of introductions of restrictions and bans and therefor our results confirm, amongst possible other factors, the effectiveness of environmental legislation by revealing a successive change in contamination levels over the decades. 2. concentration trends for ΣPAH and ΣPCB measured in porewater correspond well with the ones found in sediment which suggests that this method can be a useful expansion to traditional bulk sediment analysis to determine the biologically available pollutant fraction. 3. Arsenic (As) concentrations were higher in younger sediment layers, potentially caused by emissions of corroded warfare material disposed in the study area after WW II.


%0 journal article
%@ 0269-7491
%A Wolschke, H., Sühring, R., Massai, R., Tang, J., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2018
%J Environmental Pollution

%P 391-395 
%R doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2018.01.061
%T Regional variations of organophosphorus flame retardants - Fingerprint of large river basin estuaries/deltas in Europe compared with China
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.01.061
 
%X This study reports the occurrence and distribution of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizer (OPEs) in sediments of eight large river basin estuaries and deltas across Europe. A robust and sensitive OPE analysis method was developed through the application of an in-cell clean-up in an accelerated solvent extraction and the use of an GC-MSMS System for instrumental analyses. OPEs were detected in all sediment samples with sum concentrations of up to 181 ng g−1 dw. A fingerprinting method was used to identify river specific pattern to compare river systems. The estuaries and deltas were chosen to have a conglomerate print of the whole river. The results are showing very similar OPE patterns across Europe with minor differences driven by local industrial input. The European estuary concentrations and patterns were compared with OPEs detected in the Xiaoquing River in China, as an example for a region with other production, usage and legislative regulations. The Chinese fingerprint differed significant from the overall European pattern.


%0 journal article
%@ 0013-936X
%A Massei, R., Busch, W., Wolschke, H., Schinkel, L., Bitsch, M., Schulze, T., Krauss, M., Brack, W.

%D 2018
%J Environmental Science and Technology
%N 4
%P 2251-2260 
%R doi:10.1021/acs.est.7b04355
%T Screening of Pesticide and Biocide Patterns As Risk Drivers in Sediments of Major European River Mouths: Ubiquitous or River Basin-Specific Contamination?
%U https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b04355
4 
%X Pesticides and biocides (PaB) are ubiquitously present in aquatic ecosystems due to their widespread application and have been detected in rivers at concentrations that may cause distress to aquatic life. Many of these compounds accumulate in sediments acting as long-term source for aquatic ecosystems. However, data on sediment contamination with current-use PaB in Europe are scarce. Thus, in this study, we elucidated PaB patterns and associated risks in sediments of seven major European rivers focusing on their last stretch as an integrative sink of particles transported by these rivers. Sediments were extracted with pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) using a broad-spectrum method recovering many compound classes with a wide range of physicochemical properties. Altogether 126 compounds were analyzed and 81 of them were detected with LC-HRMS and GC-NCI-MS/MS at least in one of the sediments. The highest number of compounds was detected (59) in River Elbe sediments close to Cuxhaven with outstanding concentrations ranging from 0.8 to 1691 mg/g organic carbon. Multivariate analysis identified a cluster with 3 ubiquitous compounds (cyhalothrin, carbendazim, fenpropimorph) and three clusters of chemicals with higher variability within and between rivers. Risk assessment indicates an acute toxic risk to benthic crustaceans at all investigated sites with the pyrethroids tefluthrin and cyfluthrin together with the fungicide carbendazim as the main drivers. Risks to algae were driven at most sites almost exclusively by photosynthesis inhibitors with estuary-specific herbicide mixtures, while in the rivers Po and Gironde cell division inhibitors played an important role at some sites. Mixtures of specific concern have been defined and suggested for integration in future monitoring programs.


%0 journal article
%@ 0269-7491
%A Freese, M., Suehring, R., Marohn, L., Pohlmann, J.-D., Wolschke, H., Byer, J.D., Alaee, M., Ebinghaus, R., Hanel, R.

%D 2017
%J Environmental Pollution

%P 348-356 
%R doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.096
%T Maternal transfer of dioxin-like compounds in artificially matured European eels
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.096
 
%X This study presents analytical data on maternal transfer of dioxin-like (dl) compounds in relevant tissue samples taken from artificially matured and non-matured European silver eels (Anguilla anguilla) from German inland waters using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS). Detected concentrations revealed a lipid-driven transfer of targeted compounds from muscle-fat-reserves to gonads and eggs respectively, with no distinct preferences concerning the chlorination degree of targeted compounds. Dl-PCBs were shown to contribute the major share of toxicity equivalents found in analysed eel tissues. Maternal muscle tissue to egg concentration ratios in wet weight–based samples had a mean of 6.95 ± 1.49 in accordance with the differences in total lipid content in the respective body matrices. Dioxins and furans in analysed samples were (from a toxicological point of view) of less relevance. Furthermore it was shown that muscle concentrations in silver eels could be used in future assessments to make conservative predictions for expected egg concentrations in female eels.


%0 journal article
%@ 0013-936X
%A Suehring, R., Wolschke, H., Diamond, M.L., Jantunen, L.M., Scheringer, M.

%D 2016
%J Environmental Science and Technology
%N 13
%P 6644-6651 
%R doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b00199
%T Distribution of organophosphate esters between the gas and particle phase – model predictions vs. measured data
%U https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b00199
13 
%X Gas-particle partitioning is one of the key factors that affects the environmental fate of semi volatile organic chemicals. Many organophosphate esters (OPEs) have been reported to primarily partition to particles in the atmosphere. However, because of the wide range of their physicochemical properties, it is unlikely that OPEs are mainly in the particle phase “as a class”. We compared gas-particle partitioning predictions for 32 OPEs made by the commonly used OECD POV and LRTP Screening Tool (“the Tool”) with the partitioning models of Junge-Pankow (J-P) and Harner-Bidleman (H-B), as well as recently measured data on OPE gas-particle partitioning. The results indicate that half of the tested OPEs partition into the gas phase. Partitioning into the gas phase seems to be determined by an octanol-air partition coefficient (log KOA) < 10 and a subcooled liquid vapour pressure (log PL) > –5, as well as the total suspended particle concentration (TSP) in the sampling area. The uncertainty of the physicochemical property data of the OPEs did not change this estimate. Furthermore, the predictions by the Tool, J-P- and H-B-models agreed with recently measured OPE gas-particle partitioning.


%0 journal article
%@ 1352-2310
%A Wolschke, H., Suehring, R., Mi, W., Moeller, A., Xie, Z., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2016
%J Atmospheric Environment

%P 1-5 
%R doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.04.028
%T Atmospheric occurrence and fate of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizer at the German coast
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.04.028
 
%X This study reports the occurrence and distribution of organophosphor esters (OPEs), used as flame retardants and plasticizer, in the marine atmosphere of the German Coast. From August 2011 to October 2012, 58 high volume air samples (gas/particle phase separately) were collected at the German North Sea coast town Büsum. With the use of a GC-MS/MS System for instrumental analysis, detection limits for OPEs in air samples could be significantly improved compared to the previously used single GC-MS method. The concentration (gas + particle phase) of total OPEs was on average 5 pg/m3, with eight of the nine investigated compounds detectable in over 50% of the samples. A focus of this investigation concerned the partioning of OPEs between the particle and the gas phase. The observed partitioning of OPEs in this study was distinguished from previous studies. While previous studies reported OPEs exclusively in the particle phase, a significant part of the sum OPE concentration (55%) was detected in the gas phase. The contribution of the gas phase even reached up to as high as 88% for individual compounds such as tri-iso-butyl phosphate.


%0 journal article
%@ 0045-6535
%A Chen, W.-L., Xie, Z., Wolschke, H., Gandrass, J., Koetke, D., Winkelmann, M., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2016
%J Chemosphere

%P 586-595 
%R doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.02.051
%T Quantitative determination of ultra-trace carbazoles in sediments in the coastal environment
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.02.051
 
%X Carbazole and some of its derivatives may possess dioxin-like toxicity and could be persistent in the environment, but information on their distribution and environmental fate is limited. This study developed and validated an ultra-trace targeted-analysis method for the determination of carbazole, 1,2-benzocarbazole, and 13 halogenated carbazoles in sediments from the river, coast, and North Sea. An 8-g sediment sample was extracted using accelerated solvent extraction combined with in-cell cleanup and analyzed using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The method was sensitive and reliable with method detection limits ranging from 4.54 to 52.9 pg/g, and most of the quantification biases and relative standard deviations were <20 and <15%, respectively. Carbazole and 1,2-benzocarbazole were the predominant substances in the sediments (median 565 and 369 pg/g, respectively) followed by 3,6-dichlorocarbazole (median 196 pg/g). The detection frequencies of carbazole, benzo-, 3-chloro-, and 3,6-dichlorocarbazole were >75%, while those of 3,6-dibromo-, 1-bromo-3,6-dichloro-, and 1,8-dibromo-3,6-dichlorocarbazole were approximately 50%. Brominated carbazoles occurred more frequently in marine than river-influenced sediments, which could indicate halogenation after discharge into the river. This is the first study regarding these substances in coastal environments without apparent contamination history. The ubiquity and bioaccumulative potential of these substances needs to be considered.


%0 journal article
%@ 0963-9292
%A Freese, M., Suehring, R., Pohlmann, J.-D., Wolschke, H., Magath, V., Ebinghaus, R., Hanel, R.

%D 2016
%J Ecotoxicology
%N 1
%P 41-55 
%R doi:10.1007/s10646-015-1565-y
%T A question of origin: dioxin-like PCBs and their relevance in stock management of European eels
%U https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-015-1565-y
1 
%X The stock of European Eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) has reached an all-time low in 2011. Spawner quality of mature eels in terms of health status and fitness is considered one of the key elements for successful migration and reproduction. Dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenyls (dl-PCBs) are known persistent organic pollutants potentially affecting the reproductive capability and health status of eels throughout their entire lifetime. In this study, muscle tissue samples of 192 European eels of all continental life stages from 6 different water bodies and 13 sampling sites were analyzed for contamination with lipophilic dl-PCBs to investigate the potential relevance of the respective habitat in light of eel stock management. Results of this study reveal habitat-dependent and life history stage-related accumulation of targeted PCBs. Sum concentrations of targeted PCBs differed significantly between life stages and inter-habitat variability in dl-PCB levels and -profiles was observed. Among all investigated life stages, migrant silver eels were found to be the most suitable life history stage to represent their particular water system due to habitat dwell-time and their terminal contamination status. With reference to a possible negative impact of dl-PCBs on health and the reproductive capability of eels, it was hypothesized that those growing up in less polluted habitats have a better chance to produce healthy offspring than those growing up in highly polluted habitats. We suggest that the contamination status of water systems is fundamental for the life cycle of eels and needs to be considered in stock management and restocking programs.


%0 journal article
%@ 0048-9697
%A Suehring, R., Busch, F., Fricke, N., Koetke, D., Wolschke, H., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2016
%J Science of the Total Environment

%P 578-585 
%R doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.10.085
%T Distribution of brominated flame retardants and dechloranes between sediments and benthic fish — A comparison of a freshwater and marine habitat
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.10.085
 
%X This study provides information on HFR contamination patterns and behaviour in both marine and freshwater sediments and their potential role as contamination source for benthic fish.


%0 journal article
%@ 2045-2322
%A Xie, Z., Wang, Z., Mi, W., Moeller, A., Wolschke, H., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2015
%J Scientific Reports

%P 8912 
%R doi:10.1038/srep08912
%T Neutral Poly-/perfluoroalkyl Substances in Air and Snow from the Arctic
%U https://doi.org/10.1038/srep08912
 
%X Levels of neutral poly-/perfluoroalkyl substances (nPFASs) in air and snow collected from Ny-Ålesund were measured and their air-snow exchange was determined to investigate whether they could re-volatilize into the atmosphere driven by means of air-snow exchange. The total concentration of 12 neutral PFASs ranged from 6.7 to 39 pg m−3 in air and from 330 to 690 pg L−1 in snow. A significant log-linear relationship was observed between the gas/particle partition coefficient and vapor pressure of the neutral PFASs. For fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOHs) and fluorotelomer acrylates (FTAs), the air-snow exchange fluxes were positive, indicating net evaporative from snow into air, while net deposition into snow was observed for perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (Me/EtFOSEs) in winter and spring of 2012. The air-snow exchange was snow-phase controlled for FTOHs and FTAs, and controlled by the air-phase for FOSEs. Air-snow exchange may significantly interfere with atmospheric concentrations of neutral PFASs in the Arctic.


%0 journal article
%@ 0269-7491
%A Wang, Z., Xie, Z., Moeller, A., Mi, W., Wolschke, H., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2015
%J Environmental Pollution

%P 120-125 
%R doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2015.03.029
%T Estimating dry deposition and gas/particle partition coefficients of neutral poly-/perfluoroalkyl substances in northern German coast
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2015.03.029
 
%X Dry deposition fluxes of 12 neutral poly-/perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were estimated at Büsum located in northern German coast, and their gas/particle partition coefficients were predicted by employing the polyparameter linear free energy relationships (PP-LFERs). The gas deposition flux, particle deposition flux and total (gas + particle) flux of the 12 PFASs during sampling periods were 1088 ± 611, 189 ± 75 and 1277 ± 627 pg/(m2 d), respectively. The gas deposition of PFASs played a key role during deposition to marine ecosystem. Sensitivity analysis showed that wind speed was the most sensitive parameter for gas deposition fluxes. Good agreements (within 1 log unit) were observed between the measured gas/particle partitioning data of PFASs and the predicted partition coefficients using PP-LFERs, indicating the model can reliably predict the gas/particle partitioning behaviors of atmospheric neutral PFASs.


%0 journal article
%@ 0269-7491
%A Wang, R., Tang, J., Xie, Z., Mi, W., Chen, Y., Wolschke, H., Tian, C., Pan, X., Luo, Y., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2015
%J Environmental Pollution

%P 172-178 
%R doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2014.12.037
%T Occurrence and spatial distribution of organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers in 40 rivers draining into the Bohai Sea, north China
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2014.12.037
 
%X Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are alternatives to polybrominated diphenyl ethers, often used as flame-retardants and plasticizers. There are few reports of OPEs in river water. This study focused on the occurrence and spatial distribution of 11 OPE congeners and one synthetic intermediate triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) in 40 major rivers entering into the Bohai Sea. Total OPEs ranged from 9.6 to 1549 ng L−1, with an average of 300 ng L−1. Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) (4.6–921 ng L−1, mean: 186 ng L−1) and tris(2-choroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) (1.3–268 ng L−1, mean: 80.2 ng L−1) were the most abundant OPEs and their distribution patterns are similar, indicating the same source (r = 0.61, P < 0.05) and the influence of large production and consumption of chlorinated OPEs in the region. Priority should be given to TCPP, PCEP and TPPO due to their high concentrations in the rivers and potential threat to aquatic organisms.


%0 journal article
%@ 0025-326X
%A Wolschke, H., Meng, X.-Z., Xie, Z., Ebinghaus, R., Cai, M.

%D 2015
%J Marine Pollution Bulletin
%N 1-2
%P 513-518 
%R doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.04.012
%T Novel flame retardants (N-FRs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in fish, penguin, and skua from King George Island, Antarctica
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.04.012
1-2 
%X Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are frequently detected in biota from Antarctica, whereas no data are available for their replacements, such as novel flame retardants (N-FRs). This study presented the occurrence of several N-FRs, PBDEs, and PCBs in tissue samples of an Antarctic rock cod (Trematomus bernacchii), a young gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), and a brown skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) collected from King George Island. The total concentrations of N-FRs (ΣN-FRs; mean: 931 pg/g dry weight (dw)) were comparable to PBDEs (Σ8PBDEs; 681 pg/g dw), which were much lower than PCBs (ΣDL-PCBs; 12,800 pg/g dw). Overall, skua contained two to three orders of magnitude higher contamination than penguin and fish. In the future, more attention should be focused on the fate of N-FRs in Antarctica, where usages have increased since PBDEs were banned. To our knowledge, this is the first report of N-FRs in biota from Antarctica.


%0 journal article
%@ 0013-936X
%A Wang, Z., Xie, Z., Mi, W., Moeller, A., Wolschke, H., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2015
%J Environmental Science and Technology
%N 13
%P 7770-7775 
%R doi:10.1021/acs.est.5b00920
%T Neutral Poly/Per-Fluoroalkyl Substances in Air from the Atlantic to the Southern Ocean and in Antarctic Snow
%U https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b00920
13 
%X The oceanic scale occurrences of typical neutral poly/per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the atmosphere across the Atlantic, as well as their air-snow exchange at the Antarctic Peninsula, were investigated. Total concentrations of the 12 PFASs (∑PFASs) in gas phase ranged from 2.8 to 68.8 pg m–3 (mean: 23.5 pg m–3), and the levels in snow were from 125 to 303 pg L–1 (mean: 209 pg L–1). Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) were dominant in both air and snow. The differences of specific compounds to ∑PFASs were not significant between air and snow. ∑PFASs were higher above the northern Atlantic compared to the southern Atlantic, and the levels above the southern Atlantic <30°S was the lowest. High atmospheric PFAS levels around the Antarctic Peninsula were the results of a combination of air mass, weak elimination processes and air-snow exchange of PFASs. Higher ratios of 8:2 to 10:2 to 6:2 FTOH were observed in the southern hemisphere, especially around the Antarctic Peninsula, suggesting that PFASs in the region were mainly from the long-range atmospheric transport. No obvious decrease of PFASs was observed in the background marine atmosphere after 2005.


%0 journal article
%@ 0013-9351
%A Suehring, R., Barber, J.L., Wolschke, H., Koetke, D., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2015
%J Environmental Research

%P 569-578 
%R doi:10.1016/j.envres.2015.05.018
%T Fingerprint analysis of brominated flame retardants and Dechloranes in North Sea sediments
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2015.05.018
 
%X In order to do that a fast and effective ASE extraction method with an on-line clean-up was developed as well as a GC-EI-MSMS and LC-ESI-MSMS method to analyse PBDEs, MeOBDEs, alternate BFRs, Dechloranes as well as TBBPA and HBCDD. A fingerprinting method was adopted to identify representative area-specific patterns based on detection frequency as well as concentrations of individual compounds. Concentrations in general were low, with<1 ng g−1 dw for most compounds. Exceptions were the comparably high concentrations of BDE-209 with up to 7 ng g−1 dw in selected samples and TBBPA in UK samples with 2.7±1.5 ng g−1 dw. Apart from BDE-209 and TBBPA, alternate BFRs and Dechloranes were predominant in all analysed samples, displaying the increasing relevance of these compounds as environmental contaminants.


%0 journal article
%@ 0048-9697
%A Suehring, R., Freese, M., Schneider, M., Schubert, S., Pohlmann, J.-D., Alaee, M., Wolschke, H., Hanel, R., Ebinghaus, R., Marohn, L.

%D 2015
%J Science of the Total Environment

%P 209-218 
%R doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.05.094
%T Maternal transfer of emerging brominated and chlorinated flame retardants in European eels
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.05.094
 
%X To our knowledge, the findings in this publication for the first time describe maternal transfer of contaminants in eels. We analysed the concentrations of in total 53 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their halogenated substitutes in muscle, gonads and eggs of artificially matured European eels and in muscle and gonads of untreated European eels that were used for comparison. We found evidence that persistent organic pollutants such as PBDEs, as well as their brominated and chlorinated substitutes are redistributed from muscle tissue to gonads and eggs. Concentrations ranged from 0.001 ng g− 1 ww for sum Dechlorane metabolites (DPMA, aCL10DP, aCl11DP) to 2.1 ng g− 1 ww for TBA in eggs, 0.001 ng g− 1 ww for Dechlorane metabolites to 9.4 ng g− 1 ww for TBA in gonads and 0.002 ng g− 1 ww for Dechlorane metabolites to 54 ng g− 1 ww for TBA in muscle tissue. Average egg muscle ratios (EMRs) for compounds detectable in artificially matured eels from both Schlei Fjord and Ems River ranged from 0.01 for Dechlorane 602 (DDC-DBF) to 10.4 for PBEB. Strong correlations were found between flame retardant concentrations and lipid content in the analysed tissue types, as well as transfer rates and octanol–water partitioning coefficient, indicating that these parameters were the driving factors for the observed maternal transfer. Furthermore, indications were found, that TBP-DBPE, TBP-AE, BATE and TBA have a significant uptake from the surrounding water, rather than just food and might additionally be formed by metabolism or biotransformation processes. Dechloranes seem to be of increasing relevance as contaminants in eels and are transferred to eggs. A change of the isomer pattern in comparison to the technical product of Dechlorane Plus (DP) was observed indicating a redistribution of DP from muscle tissue to gonads during silvering with a preference of the syn-isomer. The highly bioaccumulative DDC-DBF was the most abundant Dechlorane in all fish of the comparison group even though it is not produced or imported in the EU. The aldrin related “experimental flame retardant” dibromoaldrin (DBALD) was detected for the first time in the environment in similar or higher concentrations than DP.


%0 journal article
%@ 0160-4120
%A Trautwein, C., Berset, J.-D., Wolschke, H., Kuemmerer, K.

%D 2014
%J Environment International

%P 203-212 
%R doi:10.1016/j.envint.2014.05.008
%T Occurrence of the antidiabetic drug Metformin and its ultimate transformation product Guanylurea in several compartments of the aquatic cycle
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2014.05.008
 
%X To provide a more complete picture of the distribution and potential persistence of these compounds in the German water cycle, a new, efficient and highly sensitive liquid chromatography mass spectrometric method with direct injection was used for the measurement of Metformin and Guanylurea in drinking, surface, sewage and seawater. Limits of quantification (LOQ) ranging from 2–10 ng/L allowed the detection of Metformin and Guanylurea in different locations such as: Lake Constance (n = 11: AVMet = 102 ng/L, AVGua = 16 ng/L), river Elbe (n = 12: AVMet = 472 ng/L, AVGua = 9 ng/L), river Weser (n = 6: AVMet = 349 ng/L, AVGua = 137 ng/L) and for the first time in marine North Sea water (n = 14: AVMet = 13 ng/L, AVGua = 11 ng/L). Based on daily water discharges, Metformin loads of 15.2 kg/d (Elbe) and 6.4 kg/d (Weser) into the North Sea were calculated. Lake Constance is used to abstract potable water which is further purified to be used as drinking water. A first screening of two tap water samples contained 2 ng/L and 61 ng/L of Metformin, respectively. The results of this study suggest that Metformin and Guanylurea could be distributed over a large fraction of the world's potable water sources and oceans. With no natural degradation processes, these compounds can be easily reintroduced to humans as they enter the food chain.


%0 journal article
%@ 1352-2310
%A Wang, Z., Xie, Z., Moeller, A., Mi, W., Wolschke, H., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2014
%J Atmospheric Environment

%P 207-213 
%R doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2014.06.036
%T Atmospheric concentrations and gas/particle partitioning of neutral poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in northern German coast
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2014.06.036
 
%X Total 58 high volume air samples were collected in Büsum, Germany, from August 2011 to October 2012 to investigate air concentrations of 12 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and their gas/particle partitioning. The total concentration (vapor plus particle phases) of the 12 PFASs (ΣPFASs) ranged from 8.6 to 155 pg/m3 (mean: 41 pg/m3) while fluorotelomer alcohols 8:2 (8:2 FTOH) dominated all samples accounting for 61.9% of ΣPFASs and the next most species were 10:2 FTOH (12.7%). Air mass back trajectory analysis showed that atmospheric PFASs in most samples were from long range atmospheric transport processes and had higher ratios of 8:2 to 6:2 FTOH compared to the data obtained from urban/industrial sources. Small portion of particle PFASs in the atmosphere was observed and the average percent to ΣPFASs was 2.0%. The particle-associated fractions of different PFASs decreased from perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs) (15.5%) to fluorotelomer acrylates (FTAs) (7.6%) to perfluorooctane sulfonamides (FOSAs) (3.1%) and FTOHs (1.8%), indicating the functional group obviously influenced their gas/particle partitioning. For neutral compounds with acid dissociation constant (pKa) > 7.0 (i.e., FTOHs, FOSEs and FOSAs), a significant log-linear relationship was observed between their gas/particle partition coefficients (KSP) and vapor pressures (pºL), suggesting the gas/particle partitioning of neutral PFASs agreed with the classical logKSP - logpºL relation. Due to the pKa values of 6:2 and 8:2 FTA below the typical environmental pH conditions, they mainly exist as ionic form in aerosols, and the corrected logKSP (neutral form) were considerably lower than those of FTOHs, FOSEs and FOSAs with similar vapor pressures. Considering the strong partitioning potential to aqueous phases for ionic PFASs at higher pH values, a need exists to develop a model taking account of the ad/absorption mechanism to the condensed phase of aerosols for ionizable PFASs (e.g., FTAs).


%0 journal article
%@ 0045-6535
%A Suehring, R., Byer, J., Freese, M., Pohlmann, J.-D., Wolschke, H., Moeller, A., Hodson, P.V., Alaee, M., Hanel, R., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2014
%J Chemosphere

%P 104-111 
%R doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.10.096
%T Brominated flame retardants and Dechloranes in European and American eels from glass to silver life stages
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.10.096
 
%X In general, concentrations of flame retardants (FRs) were similar to or higher in American than in European eels, and a greater number of FRs were detected. PBDE congeners that are characteristic of the Penta-PBDE formulation were the most abundant FRs in all adult eels as well as American glass eels. In European glass eels the alternate BFR 2,3-dibromopropyl-2,4,6-tribromophenylether (DPTE) and Dechlorane Plus were the dominating FRs, with average concentrations of 1.1 ± 0.31 ng g−1 ww and up to 0.32 ng g−1 ww respectively. Of the PBDEs BDE-183 was the most abundant congener in European glass eels. Low concentrations (less than 10% of the total contamination) of Tetra and Penta-PBDEs in juvenile European eels indicated that bans of technical Penta-PBDE in the European Union are effective. Enrichment of PBDEs was observed over the life stages of both European and American eels. However, a greater relative contribution of PBDEs to the sum FR contamination in American eels indicated an on-going exposure to these substances. High contributions of alternate BFRs in juvenile eels indicated an increased use of these substances in recent years. Concentrations seemed to be driven primarily by location, rather than life stage or age.


%0 conference lecture
%@ 
%A Suehring, R., Byer, J., Freese, M., Pohlmann, J.-D., Wolschke, H., Moeller, A., Hodson, P.V., Alaee, M., Hanel, R., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2013
%J 6th International Symposium on Flame Retardants, BFR 2013

 

%T Brominated flame retardants and Dechloranes in European and American eels from glass to silver life stages
%U 
 
%X 


%0 journal article
%@ 0944-1344
%A Xie, Z., Zhao, Z., Moeller, A., Wolschke, H., Ahrens, L., Sturm, R., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2013
%J Environmental Science and Pollution Research
%N 11
%P 7988-8000 
%R doi:10.1007/s11356-013-1757-z
%T Neutral poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in air and seawater of the North Sea
%U https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1757-z
11 
%X Concentrations of neutral poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), such as fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs), perfluoroalkane sulfonamides (FASAs), perfluoroalkane sufonamidoethanols (FASEs), and fluorotelomer acrylates (FTACs), have been simultaneously determined in surface seawater and the atmosphere of the North Sea. Seawater and air samples were taken aboard the German research vessel Heincke on the cruise 303 from 15 to 24 May 2009. The concentrations of FTOHs, FASAs, FASEs, and FTACs in the dissolved phase were 2.6–74, <0.1–19, <0.1–63, and <1.0–9.0 pg L−1, respectively. The highest concentrations were determined in the estuary of the Weser and Elbe rivers and a decreasing concentration profile appeared with increasing distance from the coast toward the central part of the North Sea. Gaseous FTOHs, FASAs, FASEs, and FTACs were in the range of 36–126, 3.1–26, 3.7–19, and 0.8–5.6 pg m−3, which were consistent with the concentrations determined in 2007 in the North Sea, and approximately five times lower than those reported for an urban area of Northern Germany. These results suggested continuous continental emissions of neutral PFASs followed by transport toward the marine environment. Air–seawater gas exchanges of neutral PFASs were estimated using fugacity ratios and the two-film resistance model based upon paired air–seawater concentrations and estimated Henry's law constant values. Volatilization dominated for all neutral PFASs in the North Sea. The air–seawater gas exchange fluxes were in the range of 2.5 × 103–3.6 × 105 pg m−2 for FTOHs, 1.8 × 102–1.0 × 105 pg m−2 for FASAs, 1.1 × 102–3.0 × 105 pg m−2 for FASEs and 6.3 × 102–2.0 × 104 pg m−2 for FTACs, respectively. These results suggest that the air–seawater gas exchange is an important process that intervenes in the transport and fate for neutral PFASs in the marine environment.


%0 book part
%@ 
%A Readman, J., de Luna, F., Ebinghaus, R., Guzman, A.N., Price, A., Readman, E., Shepard, A., Sleight, V., Sturm, R., Thompson, R., Tonkin, A., Wolschke, H., Wright, R.

%D 2013
%J Coral Reefs of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories, Coral Reefs of the World

%P 283-298 
%R doi:10.1007/978-94-007-5965-7_21
%T Contaminants, Pollution and Potential Anthropogenic Impacts in Chagos/BIOT
%U https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5965-7_21
 
%X A broad range of chemical contaminants and pollutants have been measured within the Chagos Archipelago. Contamination is amongst the lowest in the world. Whilst much data is in the open literature, the chapter also includes details of extensive pollution monitoring for the atoll Diego Garcia which hosts a military facility. Hydrocarbons present are primarily of a natural origin with negligible evidence of contamination from petroleum or combustion origins. Tar balls, however, have been reported on several beaches in the Archipelago. Analyses of faecal steroids provide negligible evidence of sewage contamination. ‘Persistent organic pollutants’ (POPs), including PCBs and pesticides, were generally below analytical detection limits, as were polyfluorinated compounds, brominated, chlorinated and organo-phosphorous flame retardants, fluorinated tensides, and surfactants (PFOS). Antifouling biocides and herbicides in Diego Garcia show negligible contamination. Metal concentrations are very low. Levels of most contaminants are typically comparable to those recorded in environments perceived to be pristine, for example, the Antarctic. In Diego Garcia, extensive monitoring includes regular analyses in accredited US laboratories of over one hundred metals and organic contaminants. Results generally reveal concentrations below detection limits. This is in agreement with the open literature surveys. These legislated assessments are designed to ensure both environmental and human health preservation. Whilst many detection limits are higher than those of the independent surveys, they generally confirm the pristine nature of the Archipelago. Beach surveys, however, revealed a surprisingly high number of pieces of debris throughout the Archipelago, mainly plastics of South East Asian origin. The number of litter pieces in Diego Garcia was less than in the other atolls, reductions being attributed to beach clean-up events. Microplastic contamination is shown to be both widespread and relatively high compared to other locations on a global scale, and there were significantly more microplastics at uninhabited atolls compared to the Diego Garcia, showing the potential for microplastics to accumulate in remote locations. Holothurian (sea cucumber) poaching has been another significant environmental pressure on the coral reefs of Chagos and is included in this review, in view of the reported ecological benefits of the group to reef health and resilience.


%0 journal article
%@ 0045-6535
%A Suehring, R., Moeller, A., Freese, M., Pohlmann, J.-D., Wolschke, H., Sturm, R., Xie, Z., Hanel, R., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2013
%J Chemosphere
%N 1
%P 118-124 
%R doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.08.016
%T Brominated flame retardants and dechloranes in eels from German Rivers
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.08.016
1 
%X These are the first reports of Dec-602 and 603 in aquatic organisms from Europe. The results of this study show the lasting relevance of PBDEs as contaminants in rivers and river-dwelling species but also the growing relevance of emerging contaminants such as alternate BFRs and dechloranes.


%0 journal article
%@ 1099-0755
%A Sheppard, C.R.C., Ateweberhan, M., Bowen, B.W., Carr, P., Chen, C.A., Clubbe, C., Craig, M.T., Ebinghaus, R., Eble, J., Fitzsimmons, N., Gaither, M.R., Gan, C.H., Gollock, M., Guzman, N., Graham, N.A.J., Harris, A., Jones, R., Keshavmurthy, S., Koldewey, H., Lundin, C.G., Mortimer, J.A., Obura, D., Pfeiffer, M., Price, A.R.G., Purkis, S., Raines, P., Readman, J.W., Riegl, B., Rogers, A., Schleyer, M., Seaward, M.R.D., Sheppard, A.L.S., Tamelander, J., Turner, J.R., Visram, S., Vogler, C., Vogt, S., Wolschke, H., Yang, J.M.-C., Yang S.-Y., Yesson, C.

%D 2012
%J Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
%N 2
%P 232-261 
%R doi:10.1002/aqc.1248
%T Reefs and islands of the Chagos Archipelago, Indian Ocean: why it is the world’s largest no-take marine protected area
%U https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.1248
2 
%X archipelago for this purpose.


%0 journal article
%@ 0043-1354
%A Wolschke, H., Xie, Z., Moeller, A., Sturm, R., Ebinghaus, R.

%D 2011
%J Water Research
%N 18
%P 6259-6266 
%R doi:10.1016/j.watres.2011.09.028
%T Occurrence, distribution and fluxes of benzotriazoles along the German large river basins into the North Sea
%U https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2011.09.028
18 
%X Benzotriazole (BT) and tolyltriazole (TT) are high production volume chemicals which are used in various industrial and household applications. In this study, the distribution of benzotriazoles in the estuaries of different rivers of central Europe and in the North Sea was analyzed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). BT as well as TT was detected in all water samples. The concentrations for total benzotriazoles (BTs) ranged from 1.7 to 40 ng/L in the North Sea in costal areas. Concentrations in rivers are from 200 to 1250 ng/L, respectively. The mass flux of total benzotriazoles from the major rivers of central Europe into the North Sea was calculated to 78 t/a, dominated by the Rhine with an individual flux of 57 t/a of BTs. The analysis of the distribution profile in the North Sea showed that the decrease of the concentration was mostly caused by dilution and that the benzotriazoles are poorly degradable in the North Sea. This paper presents the first report of benzotriazoles in the marine environme