Synthetic phenolic antioxidants in paddy soils from central China: Contamination characteristics and risk prioritization analysis

Mohan Ma ¹, Meng Gao ¹, Zixiao Zhao ¹

⁰MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) +

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October 3, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs) and their transformation products contaminate paddy soils in China. Key contaminants like Ir1010 and BHT pose ecological risks, highlighting the need for further environmental monitoring and risk assessment.

Area Of Science

Environmental Chemistry
Soil Science
Ecotoxicology

Background

Synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs) are widely used but their environmental fate and ecological risks in agricultural soils are not well understood.
Paddy soils are crucial agricultural ecosystems potentially exposed to various chemical contaminants.
Understanding the occurrence and risks of SPAs and their transformation products is vital for soil health and environmental protection.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the contamination characteristics of 20 SPAs and 4 transformation products in paddy soils from the Dongting Lake Basin.
To assess the ecological risks posed by these detected SPAs and their transformation products.
To identify predominant SPAs and their spatial distribution patterns.

Main Methods

Analysis of 20 SPAs and 4 transformation products using advanced analytical techniques.
Quantification of contaminant concentrations in paddy soil samples.
Spatial distribution analysis and ecological risk assessment using risk quotient (RQ) and toxicological priority index (TPI).

Main Results

Median concentrations of SPAs (Σ20SPAs) and transformation products were 147 ng/g and 127 ng/g, respectively.
Ir1010 and BHT were identified as the predominant SPA contaminants.
Elevated concentrations of transformation products were observed in eastern Dongting Lake Basin, indicating regional variability. Cumulative RQ values reached up to 23.6, indicating potential ecological risks. Ir1010 and Ir80 showed high TPI values.

Conclusions

SPAs and their transformation products co-occur in paddy soils, presenting complex environmental risks.
The ecological risks associated with these emerging contaminants warrant significant attention and further investigation.
Findings highlight the need for targeted monitoring and risk management strategies for SPAs in agricultural environments.

Keywords:

Dongting lake basin Farmland soil Risk assessment SPAs Toxicological priority index