Benzophenone-type UV Filters in Surface Waters: An Assessment of Profiles and Ecological Risks in Shanghai, China

Benzophenone-type UV filters (BP-UV filters) are frequently introduced into aquatic environment from several sources. The occurrence and fate of select BP-UV filters and their metabolites were investigated in this study. All target compounds were detected in water samples, except for 2, 3, 4-trihydroxybenzophenone (2, 3, 4-OH-BP). The concentration reached up 131ngL for 5-benzoyl-4-hydroxy-2-ethoxybenzenesulfonic acid (BP-4), 30.0ngL for 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3), and mean value of 158ngL for benzophenone (BP). Concentrations of BP-UV filters were not related to recreational waters but with high population frequencies. In addition, five BP-UV filters, namely 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (BP-2), 2,3,4-OH-BP, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP-1), 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OH-BP) and BP were investigated for probable sources, and found that they originate from BP-3 metabolism. There is a similar source for BP-3, BP-4, BP-1, 4-OH-BP and BP. Environmental risk assessment (ERA) showed that risk quotients (RQs) of BP-4, BP-3 and BP were 2.7, 0.8 and 0.5, respectively.