Quaternary (triphenyl-) phosphonium compounds: Environmental behavior and toxicity. (1st June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brand, Simon; Schlüsener, Michael P.; Albrecht, Dinah; Kunkel, Uwe; Strobel, Claudia; Grummt, Tamara; Ternes, Thomas A.
• Is Part Of: Water research. Volume 136(2018)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 219
• Publication Date: 2018-06-01
• Subjects: Tetrabutylphosphonium -- Sorption -- Partition coefficient -- Cytotoxicity -- Genotoxicity -- LC-QTOF MS; Water -- Pollution -- Research -- Periodicals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.02.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1354

Abstract

Abstract: An analytical method based on high resolution mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography (LC-HRMS) for 25 quaternary phosphonium compounds (QPCs) and derived phosphine oxides (POs) was developed and validated. To investigate the occurrence and fate of QPCs in the aquatic environment, water, suspended solids and sediments from the rivers Rhine and Elbe (upper and middle Elbe as well as tidal Elbe) were analyzed, as well as samples from tributaries bearing significant loads of QPCs. For the first time, the quaternary phosphonium compound tetrabutylphosphonium (Bu4 P + ) was detected. In the river Elbe concentrations were determined of up to 4700 ng/L (surface water) and 1000 μg/kg (sediment), respectively. Analysis of a time series of suspended solids (2005–2015) showed that QPCs have been present in the Elbe and Rhine catchment for at least one decade, with partly rising tendency. A degradation experiment with Rhine sediment revealed that triphenylphosphonium compounds (R-Ph3 P + ) and Bu4 P + are persistent in contact with sediment and suspended solids and tend to sorb onto sediment particles. Toxicological studies (reactive oxygen species (ROS) after substance exposure, Ames test, Micronucleus test, determination of cytotoxicity) with selected QPCs confirmed that all of them exhibit cytotoxicity and some even genotoxic potential at elevated concentrations, which emphasizes the need for an emission regulation of these compounds. Highlights: Bu4 P + was detected for the 1st time in environmental samples (up to 1000 μg/kg). QPCs are cytotoxic and show genotoxic potential at elevated concentrations. Investigated QPCs were persistent and sorbed onto SD or SS particles. QPCs have been emitted by the chemical industry since at least 2005.