Occurrence of emerging pollutants in estuaries of the Basque Country: Analysis of sources and distribution, and assessment of the environmental risk. (15th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mijangos, Leire; Ziarrusta, Haizea; Ros, Oihana; Kortazar, Leire; Fernández, Luis Angel; Olivares, Maitane; Zuloaga, Olatz; Prieto, Ailette; Etxebarria, Nestor
• Is Part Of: Water research. Volume 147(2018)
• Page Start: 152
• Page End: 163
• Publication Date: 2018-12-15
• Subjects: Emerging pollutants -- Occurrence -- WWTPs -- Estuaries -- Passive sampling -- Environmental risk assessment; AF assessment factor -- ANOVA analysis of variance -- ARA-II angiotensin II receptor -- CEC contaminants of emerging concern -- DO dissolved oxygen -- EC effect concentration -- ECOTOX ecotoxicology knpwledgebase -- EQS environmental quality standard -- ERA environmental risk assessment -- ESI electrospray ionization -- HPLC-QqQ liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole -- LC lethal concentration -- MEC measured environmental concentration -- MeOH methanol -- MSFD marine strategy framework directive -- MQL method quantification limit -- n.d. non-detected -- Na2EDTA sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic -- NH4+ ammonia -- NO3− nitrate -- NOEC no-observed effect concentration -- NPOC non-purgable organic carbon -- OBT 2-hydroxybenzothiazole -- ORP oxidation-reduction potential -- PC principal component -- PCA principal component analysis -- PFAS perfluoroalkyl substance -- PFBS nonafluorobutanesulfonate -- PFOA perfluorooctanoic acid -- PFOS perfluorooctane sulfonic acid -- PFOSA perfluoroctylsulfonamide -- PNEC predicted no-effect concentration -- PO43− phosphate -- POCIS polar organic chemical integrative sampler -- pp polypropylene -- PPCP Personal care products and pharmaceuticals -- PRC performance reference compound -- r correlation coefficient -- QSAR quantitative structure-activity relationship model -- Rs sampling rate -- RQ risk quotient -- Si(OH)4- silicates -- SM supplementary material -- SPE solid phase extraction -- TDS total dissolved solids -- TWA time weight average -- UV-VIS Ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry -- WFD water framework directive -- WWTP wastewater treatment plant; Water -- Pollution -- Research -- Periodicals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.09.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1354

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, the spatial and temporal-distribution of 41-multiclass organic compounds were assessed in three estuaries of the Basque Country, from winter 2016 to winter 2017 by grab (active) sampling methods and an extra campaign combining both, grab and passive sampling methods. Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents were also evaluated to assess their impact on the estuaries. Moreover, the physicochemical features (phosphate and nitrate concentrations, pH, etc.) of each site were measured and included in the statistical analysis. Anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac and acetaminophen), hypertensive drugs (irbesartan and valsartan), a stimulant (caffeine), an artificial sweetener (acesulfame) and a corrosion inhibitor (2-hydroxybenzothiazole) were the most ubiquitous compounds. Due to the stratification of the waters in the estuary of Bilbao two independent sources were identified: WWTP and harbour activities. In the case of Gernika and Plentzia, both are estuaries with a high tidal dilution, and the main sources were localized in the effluents of the WWTPs. In addition to this, the use of POCIS provides an efficient way to monitor emerging pollutants over a relatively long sampling period. Finally, risk quotient (RQ) values of each contaminant were estimated from the maximum values determined at each estuary and WWTP effluent for acute and chronic effects. In the case of acute toxicity the highest RQ values (»1) were obtained for the angiotensin II receptor blockers (telmisartan, eprosartan, etc.), diuron and diclofenac. In the case of the chronic toxicity the highest RQ values (»1) were estimated for caffeine, diclofenac, bezafibrate and sulfadiazine. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Temporal distribution of 41 analytes was assessed in three estuaries and wastewater. Different surface and bottom water distribution was observed in Bilbao estuary. The use of pollution markers was studied to identify non-monitored effluent sources. The suitability of POCIS samplers as an efficient monitor tool should be highlighted. Sartan compounds ranked as highly concern compounds on the basis of risk assessment.