Benzophenones and benzotriazoles are widely used as ultraviolet (UV) light filters and stabilizers in cosmetics, skin creams, and body lotions and as corrosion inhibitors in building materials, automobile components, and automotive antifreeze cooling systems. Benzophenones and benzotriazoles have been reported to occur in the environment. Some of these UV filters have been reported to possess significant estrogenic activity. Despite this, very few studies have examined their occurrence and profiles in the environment. In this work, we determined five benzophenone-type UV filters and two benzotriazole-type corrosion inhibitors, namely, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (2OH-4MeO-BP), 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (2,4OH-BP), 2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (2,2′OH-4MeO-BP), 2,2′,4,4′-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (2,2′,4,4′OH-BP), 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4OH-BP), 1H-benzotriazole (1H-BT), and 5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole (5Me-1H-BT), in sediment and sewage sludge samples, using liquid−liquid extraction and liquid ch...

Determination of benzotriazole and benzophenone UV filters in sediment and sewage sludge.

Occurrence and profiles of organic sun-blocking agents in surface waters and sediments in Japanese rivers and lakes.

Environmental occurrence and risk of organic UV filters and stabilizers in multiple matrices in Norway.

The purpose of this article is to summarize bio- logical monitoring information on UV-absorbing compounds, commonly referred as organic UV filters or sunscreen agents, in aquatic ecosystems. To date a limited range of species (macroinvertebrates, fish, and birds), habitats (lakes, rivers, and sea), and compounds (benzophenones and camphors) have been investigated. As a consequence there is not enough data enabling reliable understanding of the global distribution and effect of UV filters on ecosystems. Both liquid chroma- tography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry-based methods have been developed and ap- plied to the trace analysis of these pollutants in biota, enabling the required selectivity and sensitivity. As expected, the most lipophilic compounds occur most frequently with concentra- tions up to 7112 ng g �1 lipids in mussels and 3100 ng g �1 lipids (homosalate) in fish. High concentrations have also been reported for 4-methylbenzilidenecamphor (up to 1800 ng g �1 lipids) and octocrylene (2400 ng g �1 lipids). Many fewer studies have evaluated the potential bioaccumu- lation and biomagnification of these compounds in both fresh and marine water and terrestrial food webs. Estimated bio- magnification factors suggest biomagnification in predator- prey pairs, for example bird-fish and fish-invertebrates. Eco- toxicological data and preliminary environmental assessment of the risk of UV filters are also included and discussed.

An overview of UV-absorbing compounds (organic UV filters) in aquatic biota

Most current bioexposure assessments for UV filters focus on contaminants concentrations in fish from river and lake. To date there is not information available on the occurrence of UV filters in marine mammals. This is the first study to investigate the presence of sunscreen agents in tissue liver of Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei), a species under special measures for conservation. Fifty six liver tissue samples were taken from dead individuals accidentally caught or found stranded along the Brazilian coastal area (six states). The extensively used octocrylene (2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl-2-propenoate, OCT) was frequently found in the samples investigated (21 out of 56) at concentrations in the range 89-782 ng·g(-1) lipid weight. Sao Paulo was found to be the most polluted area (70% frequency of detection). Nevertheless, the highest concentration was observed in the dolphins from Rio Grande do Sul (42% frequency of detection within that area). These findings constitute the first data reported on the occurrence of UV filters in marine mammals worldwide.

First Determination of UV Filters in Marine Mammals. Octocrylene Levels in Franciscana Dolphins

The benzotriazole UV stabilizers, which are used in a variety of plastic products, were analyzed in marine organisms and sediments collected from the Ariake Sea, Japan. The UV stabilizers, such as UV-320, UV-326, UV-327, and UV-328 were detected in all of the samples analyzed, suggesting the production and use of these compounds in Japan. High concentrations of UV stabilizers were found in clams, oysters, and gastropods collected from the tidal flat at concentrations on the order of several hundreds of ng/g on a lipid weight (wt.) basis. The higher trophic species, such as hammerhead sharks and coastal birds, accumulated UV stabilizers, with mean concentrations of 190 ng/g and 74 ng/g (lipid wt.), respectively. These results indicate that benzotriazole UV stabilizers are persistent and bioaccumulative in the marine food-chains. The benzotriazole UV stabilizers were also detected in coastal and river sediments around the Ariake Sea, at concentrations in the range of 7.9-720 ng/g (dry weight basis). Significant correlations were found between concentrations of UV stabilizers and organic carbon content in sediments, implying adsorption of these compounds to organic matter. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ubiquitous contamination and bioaccumulation of benzotriazole UV stabilizers in the marine environment.

Occurrence and Concentrations of Benzotriazole UV Stabilizers in Marine Organisms and Sediments from the Ariake Sea, Japan

The benzotrialzol organic UV filters, such as UV-320 (CAS# 384671-7), UV-326 (CAS# 3896-11-5), UV-327 (CAS# 3864-99-1), and UV-328 (CAS# 25973-55-1), were detected in marine organisms collected from the Ariake Sea, western Japan. The high concentrations of UV filters were found in oysters and tidal flat species, at the concentrations of several ten ng/g (wet wt. basis). It is interesting to know that marine mammals and seabirds accumulate UV-326, 328 and UV-327, respectively. These results suggest the significant bioaccumulation of UV filters through the marine food-webs. Benzotriazole UV filters were also detected in surface sediments from the Ariake Sea, at the average concentrations of several ng/g (dry wt.). Significant correlations were found between UV filters concentrations and organic carbon contents in sediments, which implies an adsorption of these contaminants to organic carbon. In order to understand the geographical distribution of UV filters, blue and green mussels from 10 Asian countries and region were analyzed. UV filters were detected in most mussel samples, indicating the widespread use of these compounds in Asian coastal regions. The high concentrations of UV filters were found in mussels from Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan. Further investigations and global monitoring survey for organic UV filters are necessary to understand their contamination, fate and risks in the ecosystems.

http://www.terrapub.co.jp/onlineproceedings/ec/02/pdf/ERA28.pdf

Occurrence and Concentrations of Persistent Personal Care Products, Organic UV Filters, in the Marine Environment

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/es902653t

Julien Filatreau

Papers

Occurrence and Concentrations of Benzotriazole UV Stabilizers in Marine Organisms and Sediments from the Ariake Sea, Japan

Occurrence and Concentrations of Persistent Personal Care Products, Organic UV Filters, in the Marine Environment

Response to Comment on “Occurrence and Concentrations of Benzotriazole UV Stabilizers in Marine Organisms and Sediments from the Ariake Sea, Japan”