Emerging organic contaminants in coastal waters: anthropogenic impact, environmental release and ecological risk.
This study provides a first estimate of the sources, distribution, and risk presented by emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) in coastal waters off southwestern Taiwan. Ten illicit drugs, seven nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), five antibiotics, two blood lipid regulators, two antiepileptic drugs, two UV filters, caffeine, atenolol, and omeprazole were analyzed by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS). Thirteen EOCs were detected in coastal waters, including four NSAIDs (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and codeine), three antibiotics (ampicillin, erythromycin, and cefalexin), three illicit drugs (ketamine, pseudoephedrine, and MDMA), caffeine, carbamazepine, and gemfibrozil. The median concentrations for the 13 EOCs ranged from 1.47 ng/L to 156 ng/L. Spatial variation in concentration of the 13 EOCs suggests discharge into coastal waters via ocean outfall pipes and rivers. Codeine and ampicillin have significant pollution risk quotients (RQ>1), indicating potentially high risk to aquatic organisms in coastal waters.
Department of Marine Environment and Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan.
Jheng-Jie
JJ
Jiang
Department of Marine Environment and Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan; Kuroshio Research Group, Asia-Pacific Ocean Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan; Center for Emerging Contaminants Research, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan. Electronic address: linnohc@mail.nsysu.edu.tw.
Chon-Lin
CL
Lee
Green Energy and Environment Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 30011, Taiwan.
Meng-Der
MD
Fang
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000187:drug effects; D002110:Caffeine / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D011156:Population Density; D054199:Pseudoephedrine / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D012306:Risk; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction; D013624:Taiwan; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002220:Carbamazepine; D002110:Caffeine; D007649:Ketamine; D054199:Pseudoephedrine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D015248:Gemfibrozil
Anthropogenic input; Coastal waters; Emerging organic contaminants; Ocean outfall; Principal component analysis; Risk quotient