The Concentrations of Di (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) and Di-n-Butyl Phthalate (DnBP) in the Surface Waters of Anzali Wetland in May 2013

Background and Today، environmental pollution، especially pollution of aquatic ecosystems، has caused serious problems for humans and other organisms. Endocrine disrupting chemicals are a group of chemical compounds that have serious adverse effects on humans and animals reproduction system. Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) are used as plasticizers which are easily released and transferred from plastics to the environment. To our knowledge، so far، no studies have been done in Iran on contamination levels of 2 PAEs، therefore، this study aimed to determine the concentration of di (2- ethylhexylphtalate) (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) in the surface water of Anzali wetland. Water samples were taken from stations and prepared using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) method. Then، they were injected into the Gas Chromatographymass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The concentration ranges of DEHP and DnBP in water samples were 0. 41-31. 15 and 0. 03-21. 84 (in μg/l)، respectively. Among 30 samples analyzed، no sample was found to be free of DEHP and DBP، which indicates these two phthalate esters were ubiquitous in this wetland. The concentrations of DEHP and DnBP in eastern part of Anzali wetland were higher than those of the western part. Results showed that the concentrations of DEHP and DnBP in the water of Anzali wetland were higher than the environmental risk limit (ERL). DEHP and DnBP are potentially hazardous to the aquatic organisms and humans and could cause serious infertility problems in male species. So، an effective PAE management and control strategy must be implemented in order to reduce the problems caused by PAEs in the environment.