Work

Distribution, sources and ecological risk assessment of bisphenol analogues in groundwater in basin and plateau areas of China

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: A total of 136 groundwater samples were collected from Sichuan Basin (SC) and Tibetan Plateau regions (XZ) of China during the dry and wet seasons of 2022 to investigate the distribution characteristics, source, and ecological risks of 14 bisphenol analogues (BPs). The results showed that all 14 BPs were detected in groundwater, with detection rates of 100% for bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol AF (BPAF), with ∑14BPs ranging from 11.14 ng/L to 401.15 ng/L in SC, and 0.03 ng/L to 127.75 ng/L in XZ. Spatially, BPs concentrations in groundwater were significantly higher in SC than in XZ, correlating with population, GDP, plastic production, and usage in both regions. Temporally, SC showed no significant seasonal variation, whereas XZ exhibited markedly higher BPs concentrations during the wet season, attributed to declining groundwater levels, freezing conditions, and reduced tourist activities. Ecological risk assessment indicated that: SC region primarily faced moderate risk, while XZ region exhibited overall low risk, with BPPH being the primary contributor in both areas. Source analysis via correlation and principal component analysis revealed that BPs in SC originated mainly from polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, and food packaging

Source: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2026.120095