Determination and risk assessment of UV filters and benzotriazole UV stabilizers in wastewater from a wastewater treatment plant in Lüneburg, Germany

• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12853-2
• Publication Date: 2024-07-11T06:01:45Z
• Authors: Akinranti S. Ajibola; Marco Reich; Klaus Kümmerer
• Keywords: Benzotriazole

Abstract UV filters and benzotriazole stabilizers are considered emerging contaminants in the environment. LC–MS/MS GC–MS methods, involving a single solid phase extraction protocol, were developed validated to determine eight seven stabilizers, respectively wastewater from treatment plant (WWTP) Lüneburg, Germany. The method exhibited recoveries of ≥ 71% at six different fortification levels with limits detection (LODs) range 0.02 ng mL −1 – 0.09 . Extraction 47 119% obtained for LODs 0.01 Among filters, highest mean concentration was determined octocrylene (OCR) influent (3.49 ) while measured 2-hydroxy-4-octyloxybenzophenone (UV 531) (0.44 among stabilizers. Potential risk aquatic organisms assessed by quotient approach. Only OCR presented high invertebrates whereas 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate (EHMC) salicylate (EHS) posed risks algae. Benzotriazole negligible fish. This work reports rarely studied 4-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) 531 WWTP effluent. occurrence assessment target German demonstrated first time.