Assessing sources, fate, exposure and potential risks of UV filters in aquatic environments

UV filters are compounds of emerging concern due to their frequent consumer use, widespread presence in the environment and potential toxicity. Within Australia, there is little known about the prevalence of these compounds in the environment, their fate and potential risks. My PhD aims to assess the release of organic UV filters into the Australian aquatic environment from wastewater effluent and recreational activities, and to conduct a preliminary risk assessment of selected UV filter compounds. Five UV filters were detected in wastewater influent and effluent from over 30 sites in Australia. We detected summed concentrations in effluent up to 8400 ng/L. The prevalence and fate of UV filters in a recreational reservoir was also investigated. Octocrylene and 4-MBC were the most dominant compounds at the study site. A 144hr laboratory degradation study estimated UV filter half-lives up to 143 ±26 hours (BP8). We will also perform a risk assessment to evaluate the risk of these compounds to aquatic species via release through effluent and recreational activities.

Please note this is a PhD Student Thesis Review seminar.

Elissa completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours at the University of Queensland in 2013 and has since worked as a research assistant at QAEHS (formerly ENTOX). She is currently completing a PhD investigating the exposure and fate of UV filters in the aquatic environment. Elissa has an interest in water quality and environmental health and is looking to pursue a career in this direction.