The major aims of this project were to (1) investigate concerned chemicals in fifteen Taiwanese rivers, (2) simulated distribution patterns of particular chemicals in a specific river, and (3) established managing and decision-making platform regarding distribution of chemicals. Sediment and fish samples were collected from fifteen Taiwanese rivers (i.e., Danshuei River, Sindian River, Dahan River, Keelung River, Dajia River, Jhuoshuei River, Bajhang River, Jishuei River, Shincheng River, Zengwun River, Gaoping River, Linbien River, Hualien River, Siouguluan River and Beinan River). Concentrations of hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (HCBD), short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), nonylphenol (NP), bisphenol A (BPA), phthalate esters (PAEs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabrominated biphenyls (HBBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metal and methylmercury were determined in collected samples and 16,005 analyzed data were obtained. The concentrations of many analyzed chemicals in sediments decreased with time. The results indicated that the regulation to control usage of these chemicals is helpful to limit their releases into the environment. This project has evaluated the multiple media transport and health risk assessment in the Yanshuei river basin by metal concentrations of water sampling, in groundwater from simulation and air dispersion based on air pollution diffusion models. The results revealed that the estimated concentrations by the multiple media transport in fish were higher than the real samplings, but the simulated levels in sediment were lower than the real sampling for most metals. As the results of health risk assessment based on wastewater pollution simulations, the main exposure route was “eat fish” and “eat crops with water irrigation”. The cancer risk of 95% UL was 1.45 ×10-5; non-cancer risk of 95% UL HI was 0.006. Summary of health risk assessment based on wastewater pollution simulations, the main exposure route was “eat fish”, and cancer risk of 95% UL was 7.90 ×10-4; non-cancer risk of 95% UL HI was 1.77. Hazard index of oral intake on dioxin are highest in Yunjianan area in the male and female groups (male: 0.665, female: 0.610), and lowest in Yilan area (male: 0.326, female: 0.272). Hazard index of mercury are highest in Kaohsiung and Pingtung area in the male and female groups (male: 0.401, female: 0.395), lowest in the Huadong area in male (0.134), and lowest in female (0.099) in Hsinchu and Miaoli area. The non-carcinogenic risk due to exposure to dioxin and mercury is within the acceptable limits (ie HI<1) in male and female groups in all regions of Taiwan.

Chemical Substances, Environmental distribution, River, Sediment, Fish, Multiple media transport