The Accumulation of Organophosphorus Flame Retardant Tris(chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) by Aquatic Plants in Experimental Conditions

The concentrations of organophosphate flame retardants in the environment are increasing due to the growing volume of their production and usage. Trichloropropyl phosphate (TCPP), which is an organophosphorus ester (OPE), can be found in air, water, and soil. A significant amount of OPEs enters water bodies. Aquatic plants have been understudied in terms of their ability to accumulate organic esters. Meanwhile, plants are an important primary link in food chains. They play a significant role in the transformation and migration of organic compounds within ecosystems. The accumulation of TCPP in three species of aquatic plants, Lemna minor L., Ceratophyllum demersum L. and Elodea canadensis Michx, was studied experimentally at initial ether concentrations of 100, 500, and 1000 ng L–1. All plants accumulated TCPP. The maximum accumulation coefficient (BCF) was determined for all studied species at the lowest concentration of TCPP (100 ng L–1). In water with higher concentrations of TCPP, the BCF values decreased. With a tenfold increase in TCPP concentration, the BCF value decreased the least in C. demersum (by 17%) and decreased significantly in L. minor (by 72%). The accumulation coefficient of E. canadensis was 40% lower at 1000 ng L–1 of TCPP in water compared to 100 ng L–1. The bioaccumulation potential of C. demersum changed little depending on the concentration of TCPP. C. demersum accumulated 9–13% of the TCPP that was initially in the water. It is suggested that the uptake of OPEs by aquatic plants depends on the plant species and the ability of organic compounds to penetrate not only through the roots, but also through the shoots that are completely submerged in water.