Micron-size tire tread particles leach organic compounds at higher rates than centimeter-size particles: Compound identification and profile comparison

Tire tread particles (TTP) are environmentally prevalent microplastics and generate toxic aqueous leachate. We determined the total carbon and nitrogen leachate concentrations and chemical profiles from micron (∼32 μm) and centimeter (∼1 cm) TTP leachate over 12 days. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) were used to measure the concentration of leached compounds. Nontargeted chemical analysis by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC/TOF-MS) was used to compare the chemical profiles of leachates. After leaching for 12 days, DOC was 4.0 times higher in the micron TTP leachate than in the centimeter TTP leachate, and TDN was 2.6 times higher. The total GC×GC/TOF-MS chromatographic feature peak area was 2.9 times greater in the micron TTP leachate than the centimeter TTP leachate, and similarly, the total relative abundance of 54 tentatively identified compounds was 3.3 times greater. We identified frequently measured tire-related chemicals, such as 6PPD, N-cyclohexyl-N'-phenylurea (CPU), and hexa(methoxymethyl)melamine (HMMM), but nearly 50% of detected chemicals were not previously reported in tire literature or lacked toxicity information. Overall, the results demonstrate that smaller TTP have a greater potential to leach chemicals into aquatic systems, but a significant portion of these chemicals are not well-studied and require further risk assessment.

Determination of HBCD, PBDEs and MeO-BDEs in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) stranded between 1993 and 2003

Blubber samples from male California sea lions (Zalphophus californianus) stranded between 1993 and 2003 were analyzed for 27 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners, three isomers of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and 14 methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ether (MeO-BDE) congeners. Total PBDEs ranged from 450 ng/g to 4740 ng/g wet mass and total HBCD ranged from < 0.3 ng/g to 12 ng/g wet mass. The concentration of HBCD increased from 0.7 ng/g to12.0 ng/g wet mass in sea lion blubber between 1993 and 2003. However, no significant temporal trend was observed for any of the other brominated compounds over this 10 year period. Only one of the 14 MeO-BDE congeners was detected in the blubber samples, 6-methoxy-2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (6-MeO-BDE 47), and concentrations ranged from < 0.2 ng/g to 12 ng/g wet mass. A bromo-, chloro-heterocyclic compound, 1,1'-dimethyl-tetrabromo-dichloro-2,2'-bipyrrole (DBP-Br4Cl2), previously reported in marine species along the Pacific coast, was also identified in the sea lion blubber. DBP-Br4Cl2 ranged from 44 ng/g wet mass to 660 ng/g wet mass and was present at concentrations rivaling the dominant PBDE congener, BDE 47 (2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether). Concentrations of DBP-Br4Cl2 were positively correlated with 6-MeO-BDE 47 (r = 0.7; p < 0.05). Both of these compounds have been identified in marine algae and sponges, and studies suggest they are both produced from natural sources. This study demonstrates that brominated compounds from both anthropogenic and biogenic sources can accumulate to similar levels in marine mammals. In addition, HBCD concentrations appear to be increasing in California sea lion populations, whereas PBDE concentrations, between 1993 and 2003, were highly variable.

Concentrations and spatial variations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and other organohalogen compounds in Great Lakes air

Air samples were analyzed from urban, rural, and remote sites near the Great Lakes to investigate the occurrence, concentrations, and spatial and temporal differences of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in air. The concentrations of PBDEs were compared to those of other organohalogen compounds such as PCBs and organochlorine pesticides. The samples were collected in 1997-1999 as part of the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN). To minimize the variability of the data, we selected only samples taken when the atmospheric temperature was 20 +/- 3 degrees C. PBDEs were found in all samples, indicating that these compounds are widely distributed and that they can be transported through the atmosphere to remote areas. The total concentrations of PBDEs were similar to some of the organochlorine pesticides such as sigmaDDT and ranged from 5 pg/m3 near Lake Superior to about 52 pg/m3 in Chicago. In fact, the spatial trend was well correlated to those of PCBs. Our results indicate a relatively constant level from mid-1997 to mid-1999. At 20 +/- 3 degrees C, about 80% of the tetrabromo homologues are in the gas phase and about 70% of the hexabromo homologues are associated with the particle phase. Thus, particle-to-gas partitioning in the atmosphere is an important process for these compounds.