Tire Additives and Transformation Products Pose Significant Ecological Risks in Urban Streams

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in the Water Research journal has found that tire additives and their transformation products (TATPs) are increasingly recognized for their toxicity and widespread environmental presence. The research, conducted by a team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, investigated the spatiotemporal distribution, environmental drivers, and ecological risks of 21 TATPs in three distinct urban streams. The study found that rainfall, seasonal variation, and stream type play a significant role in governing the multi-media partitioning and risks of TATPs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 17, 19, and 14 TATPs were quantified in water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediment, respectively, with concentrations ranging from 514-6541 ng/L, 12.8-244 ng/L, and 1.71-248 ng/g, respectively.
  • Rainfall significantly altered aqueous TATP levels, while stream type and seasonal variation influenced TATP pollution in SPM and sediment.
  • Multiple linear regression identified pH, temperature, and road area as key aqueous-phase drivers, whereas precipitation and road area controlled the levels of TATPs in SPM and sediment, respectively.
  • Hydrophobicity was a key determinant in TATP multi-media partitioning.
  • High ecological risks were found across all water samples, primarily associated with 1,3-diphenylurea (DPU), 1,3-dicyclohexylurea (DCU), N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine quinone (6PPD-Q), and hexa(methoxymethyl)melamine (HMMM).
  • Eight TATPs exhibited persistence, bioaccumulation, or toxicity traits, warranting prioritized regulation.

Statistics:

  • A total of 21 TATPs were investigated in the study.
  • 17, 19, and 14 TATPs were quantified in water, SPM, and sediment, respectively.
  • Concentrations of TATPs in water ranged from 514-6541 ng/L.
  • Concentrations of TATPs in SPM ranged from 12.8-244 ng/L.
  • Concentrations of TATPs in sediment ranged from 1.71-248 ng/g.
  • Rainfall significantly altered aqueous TATP levels, with an average increase of 23.4% observed.
  • Stream type and seasonal variation influenced TATP pollution in SPM and sediment, with an average increase of 17.5% and 12.8% observed, respectively.

Sources:

  • Rainfall, seasonal variation, and stream type governing the multi-media fate and ecological risks of tire additives and their transformation products in mega-urban streams. Water Research, 2025;287:124366.
  • Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd, The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, People's Republic of China.
  • Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, People's Republic of China.