Occurrence and risk assessment of bisphenol A and alkylphenols as new pollutants in the Hubei section of the Yangtze River Basin

Bisphenol A (BPA) and alkylphenols (APs) are new pollutants with endocrine-disrupting properties that pose potential risks to ecosystems and human health. These compounds have garnered notable attention owing to their widespread use in industrial and consumer products. BPA is primarily used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, and APs are widely used in the manufacturing of surfactants and detergents and are used in various industrial applications such as the plastics industry, the textile industry, and the rubber industry. The release of these substances into the environment via industrial effluents, domestic wastewater, and other pathways has resulted in their detection in aquatic environments worldwide. Previous studies identified BPA and APs in surface water, groundwater, and drinking water sources, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive assessments of their environmental fate, distribution, and potential ecological and health risks. In response to these growing concerns, this study systematically screened for pollution and assessed the risk of BPA and APs in major surface waters, drinking water sources, and tap water in the Hubei section of the Yangtze River Basin. The total concentration ranges (averages) of BPA and APs in surface water, source water, and tap water were nondetectable (ND)–1818 ng/L (442 ng/L), 19.1–2974 ng/L (1236 ng/L), and ND–128 ng/L (38.7 ng/L), respectively. BPA was the predominant pollutant in surface water (411 ng/L) and source water (1186 ng/L), whereas its concentration in tap water was relatively low. In contrast, branched nonylphenol (NP) was the dominant monomer in tap water, with an average concentration of 25.8 ng/L, accounting for 67% of the total mass concentration. Seasonal variations in pollutant concentrations were evident, with the flood season exhibiting higher BPA levels than the dry season, likely due to increased surface runoff transporting pollutants from urban and industrial areas into water bodies. In contrast, during the dry season, branched APs concentrations increased, possibly due to reduced dilution and enhanced persistence of these compounds in aquatic environments. Correlation analysis revealed that the concentrations of BPA and APs were significantly positively correlated with pH, total dissolved solids, and total nitrogen and significantly negatively correlated with oxidation–reduction potential. These correlations suggest that water chemistry plays a critical role in the environmental behavior and distribution of these pollutants. The risk assessment results showed that BPA posed a moderate ecological risk to green algae in certain water sources during the flood season, indicating potential disruption to local aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, NP increased the risks to fish and daphnids, emphasizing the need for targeted mitigation strategies to minimize its harmful effects on aquatic life. Although the health risks posed by BPA and APs in tap water in Wuhan were low and did not constitute a significant threat to human health, their presence in drinking water sources highlights the importance of effective water treatment processes to ensure public safety. This study elucidated the pollution characteristics and potential ecological risks of BPA and APs in the Hubei section of the Yangtze River Basin, providing a scientific basis for drinking water safety and ecological risk management. These findings provide critical data for supporting the governance and control of new pollutants in regional water bodies. Future research should focus on developing more effective monitoring and treatment technologies to address the challenges posed by these pollutants. In addition, further studies are needed to explore the long-term ecological and health effects of these compounds and to identify effective mitigation strategies to reduce their environmental footprint.