Nonylphenol, octylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates dissemination in the Canadian freshwater environment

Abstract

Nonylphenol, octylphenol and nonylphenol ethoxylates are man made compounds which are only discharged in the environment due to anthropogenic activities. The objectives of this study were to determine the current concentrations of these substances in the Canadian freshwater environment and to determine if past regulatory actions were beneficial to the environment. Freshwater samples (n=241) were collected and analysed for 4-nonylphenols (NP), nonylphenol monoethoxylate (NP1EO), nonylphenol diethoxylate (NP2EO) and octylphenols (OP) at 35 sites in Canada from 2014 to 2019 with individual compound concentrations ranging from 1.29 to 477.22 ng/L. In addition, 18-65 % of the samples were reported to be under the laboratory detection limit, depending on the compound. Sampling sites were categorised into five groups based on the dominant activities present upstream in their watersheds; mixed use sites, municipal waste water treatment plant (MWWTP)-associated sites, textile mill-associated sites, urban and reference sites. All four compounds in the study were detected more frequently in urban and MWWTP-associated sites than at other locations. Additionally, there is a statistically significant (p<0.05) downward temporal trend in NP concentrations in Canadian surface waters from 2014-2019. There were no exceedances of the Canadian Water Quality Guideline of 1000 ng/L.