Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in a Mediterranean coastal wetland: Impact of anthropogenic and spatial factors and environmental risk assessment. (15th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sadutto, Daniele; Andreu, Vicente; Ilo, Timo; Akkanen, Jarkko; Picó, Yolanda
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 271(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02-15
• Subjects: Environmental contamination -- PPCPs -- Water -- Soil -- Sediment -- Wastewater; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116353
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: The present study focused on the occurrence, distribution and risk assessment of 32 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in water and sediment, as well as the surrounding soil of the irrigation channels and lake of a Mediterranean coastal wetland, the Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain). Moreover, the influent and effluent of ten wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that treat wastewater from Valencia and the surrounding areas were also studied. BPA, caffeine, diclofenac, ethyl paraben, methyl paraben, metformin, tramadol and salicylic acid were the predominant PPCPs detected in the channels and the lake, and are in good agreement with those detected in the effluent. Furthermore, 22 PPCPs were detected in >47% of the sediment samples. Of them, BPA, ethyl paraben, furosemide, ibuprofen and salicylic acid were at higher concentrations. In contrast, only seven PPCPs were detected in >44% of the soil samples. Spatial variation showed that the concentration of many PPCPs was higher in the northern area of the park, whereas the ibuprofen concentrations were higher in the south. Differences were also observed according to the type of water used for irrigation and the land uses of the area. A risk assessment based on the hazardous quotient (HQ) indicated that caffeine is a compound of concern, and tramadol at the highest concentration showed a moderate risk for the organisms assessed. Considering the mixture of the PPCPs found at each sampling point, the green algae are at risk, particularly in those points located near the city of Valencia (the most important nearby human settlement). These results indicate the need for further studies. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The Occurrence of 32 PPCPs in the Albufera Natural Park (Spain) were investigated. Salicylic acid and tramadol were at the highest concentration in water. Ibuprofen at highest concentration in sediment and soil. Statistically significant higher concentrations in the North area of the Park. Risk assessment identify caffeine as a PPCP of concern to the aquatic biota.