Is urban micro-watershed driven organophosphate flame retardants threatening major tropical river basin? First sediment-water exchange evidence from India.
Urban micro-watersheds in India release up to 107,958.6 ng/L of organophosphate flame retardants, posing potential ecological risks in tropical river basins.
- Why it matters: Understanding the presence and transfer of OPFRs is crucial because these emerging contaminants threaten aquatic ecosystems and may bioaccumulate in food webs, yet data from tropical regions are limited.
- What they did: Researchers conducted a baseline assessment measuring 12 OPFRs in surface water and sediments across an Indian micro-watershed, quantifying concentrations and potential risks.
- The result: Findings indicate significant OPFR levels, with an annual riverine input of 1.2 tons, highlighting urban micro-watersheds as key sources that could impact larger tropical river systems.