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Published February 28, 2026 | Version v1
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Phthalate Esters in Aquatic Environments: Occurrence, Environmental Fate and Ecotoxicological Effects

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Research Scholar, Dept. of Zoology, Shia P.G. College, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • 2. Professor, Dept. of Zoology, Shia P.G. College, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
  • 3. Professor, Dept. of Zoology, Shia P.G. College, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Description

The prevalence of plasticizers in aquatic environments and their ecotoxicological effects are examined in this review. Synthetic organic compounds known as plasticizers, especially phthalate acid esters (PAEs), are widely used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to increase its durability and flexibility. They are constantly released into the environment through industrial effluents, municipal wastewater, and the breakdown of plastic waste because they are not chemically bound to polymer matrices. Anthropogenic activities continue to be the main source of contamination, despite the fact that small amounts of natural production by cyanobacteria and algae have been documented. Plasticizers persist in aquatic systems and easily accumulate in organisms because of their low volatility, limited water solubility, and high lipophilicity. Globally, there has been notable spatial variation in contamination, with developing nations like China, India, and Brazil typically reporting higher concentrations, sometimes surpassing regulatory limits. Plasticizers undergo hydrolysis, photodegradation, and mostly microbial degradation in aquatic environments; however, transformation rates are frequently slow, leading to extended environmental persistence. Endocrine disruption, immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, metabolic disorders, developmental abnormalities, and reproductive impairment are examples of ecotoxicological effects. In aquatic species, exposure, both acute and chronic, has been connected to mortality, organ damage, and deformities. Their lipophilic nature encourages trophic transfer and bioaccumulation in fatty tissues, posing risks to the environment and human health and emphasizing the need for ongoing research and monitoring.

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References

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