DEHP enrichment in the surface microlayer of a small eutrophic lake

Investigation of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in the surface microlayer (SM) and subsurface water (SSW) of a small eutrophic lake was carried out from April to June 2002. Results obtained from the field samples showed that tens to several hundred (mu)g/L of DEHP was found in each sample of SM and SSW, indicating that the lake has been polluted by DEHP. Linear regression analysis showed that concentrations of DEHP were more strongly correlated with sampling temperature than with chlorophyll a concentrations. Correlation between DEHP concentrations and total phosphor concentrations was also obtained. Enrichment factors (EFs) of DEHP in the SM comparing with the corresponding SSW were ranging over 0.85–2.12 with an average of 1.35. DEHP EFs were significantly related to both enrichment of chlorophyll a in the SM and sampling temperature.