Huyen Thu Vu, Toan Duc Vu, Phuong Minh Ta, and Thanh Tuan Bui
Abstract
This study evaluates the occurrence and bioaccumulation patterns of six typical phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in benthic organisms (snails) within West Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam. The total concentration of âPAEs in the studied samples ranged from 10.44 ?g/kg to 29.85 ?g/kg. Detailed analytical results for May and November indicated that individual compound concentrations fluctuated between 0.01-14.95 ?g/kg and 0.01-15.28 ?g/kg, respectively. Compositional analysis revealed DEHP as the most dominant congener, contributing an average of more than 50% to the total detected PAEs. Notably, DEHP and DBP maintained high and stable accumulation levels across both seasons, demonstrating their strong hydrophobicity and persistent retention in biological tissues. The high bioaccumulation factors (BAF>1) observed for these compounds highlight the significant ecological risk and the potential for long-term exposure within the lakeâs aquatic food web.