Occurrence, analytical methods, and ecotoxicological effects of 6PPD-Quinone in aquatic environments: A review

The release of 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-Q), a transformation product of the tire antioxidant N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD), has attracted considerable research attention. However, knowledge of 6PPD-Q fate and effects in the aquatic environment remain limited. Here, we systematically review 6PPD-Q detection techniques in aquatic environments, current environmental pollution status, and 6PPD-Q’s toxic effects toward aquatic organisms. Currently, 6PPD-Q is mainly detected using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry. 6PPD-Q is widely detected in road runoff, snowmelt, and river waters with concentrations ranging from 4 × 10 −5 to 19 μg/L, which exceed the acute toxicity thresholds for sensitive species, such as coho salmo. In addition, the potential adverse biological effects included developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and oxidative stress. Ultimately, these effects may contribute to ecological risk in contaminated aquatic systems. Finally, future directions were highlight for the detection methods, environmental behaviors, toxicity mechanisms, and long-term ecological effects of 6PPD-Q. • Evaluates detection of 6PPD-Q with LC-MS/MS, LC-HR/MS and CP-MIMS. • Global distribution of 6PPD-Q is examined from source-to-sink and regional perspectives. • Summarizes the ecotoxicological effects of 6PPD-Q on aquatic organisms such as fish, algae and invertebrates. • Highlights knowledge gaps in marine fate, chronic toxicity, and global monitoring.