Occurrence and risk assessment of pharmaceuticals and cocaine around the coastal submarine sewage outfall in Guarujá, São Paulo State, Brazil

"Cocaine Shark": First report on cocaine and benzoylecgonine detection in sharks

Cocaine (COC) and benzoylecgonine (BE), the main COC metabolite, have been detected in aquatic ecosystems. Studies focusing on wild fish are, however, very limited, and no reports concerning elasmobranchs are available. This study investigated COC and BE levels in Brazilian Sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) (n = 13) using LC-MS/MS. All samples (13/13) tested positive for COC, with 92 % (12/13) testing positive for BE. COC concentrations (23.0 μg kg-1) were over 3-fold higher than BE (7.0 μg kg-1). COC levels were about three-fold significantly higher in muscle (33.8 ± 33.4 g kg-1) compared to liver (12.2 ± 14.2 μg kg-1). Females presented higher COC concentrations in muscle (40.2 ± 35.8 μg kg-1) compared to males (12.4 ± 5.9 μg kg-1). Several positive statistical correlations were noted between COC and BE (rho = 0.84) in females, indicating systemic COC transport and metabolization, as well as between BE and weight (rho = 0.62), and between COC and the Condition Factor (rho = 0.73). A strong correlation was noted between BE and COC in the muscle of non-pregnant females (rho = 1.00). This study represents the first COC and BE report in free-ranging sharks, and the findings point to the potential impacts of the presence of illicit drugs in environments.

Occurrence of Selected Pharmaceuticals in the East London Coastline Encompassing Major Rivers, Estuaries, and Seawater in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

This study investigated the occurrence of ibuprofen, naproxen, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and efavirenz in water resources (river, estuarine, and sea waters) of the East London coastline, South Africa. These pharmaceuticals were previously reported to be dominant in wastewater and inland rivers of South Africa. Hence, it is important to monitor their occurrence in the coastal and marine environment. The pharmaceuticals of interest were extracted with a solid-phase extraction method and analyzed by using a liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry instrument. The analytical method was validated by spiking the environmental samples with a mixture of pharmaceuticals at two concentration levels (5 and 15 μg L-1). The analytical method yielded acceptable recoveries ranging from 75 to 107%, with method quantitation limits from 0.16 to 9.44 ng of L-1. All five targeted pharmaceuticals were detected in seawater samples, with ibuprofen recording the highest concentration of 90 ng L-1. However, it was efavirenz and sulfamethoxazole with the highest concentrations of 572 and 60 ng L-1, respectively, in the Gonubie River that showed high ecotoxicological risks toward the aquatic organisms. There were no risks associated with the occurrence of other targeted pharmaceuticals. The suspect screening showed the occurrence of 57 additional pharmaceuticals in samples, with antibiotics being more dominant. The results of the present study demonstrate a need to perform a more robust investigation on the occurrence of a wide range of pharmaceuticals along the South African coasts.

Coastal streams and sewage outfalls: Hot spots of mercury discharge, pollution and cycling in nearshore environments

The coastal streams (CSs) and sewage outfalls (SOs) are widely distributed and direct anthropogenic stress on global coastal ecosystems. However, the CS/SO-associated mercury (Hg) discharge, pollution and cycle in nearshore environment are less quantified. Here, we report that total Hg (THg) and methylmercury (MMHg) concentrations in waters of CSs (n = 8) and SOs (n = 15) of the northern China were ∼102 to 103 times of coastal surface waters and 10 to 102 times of major rivers in China and other regions. The CS/SO discharges resulted in the increase of total organic carbon (TOC) contents, THg and MMHg concentrations and TOC-normalized THg and MMHg concentrations in sediments of CS/SO-impacted coasts. The laboratory experiments further illustrated that the CS/SO-impacted sediments characterized with high potentials of dissolved THg and MMHg productions and releases. Our findings indicate that the layout optimization of SOs is able to reduce the Hg risk in coastal environment.

Lipidomic, metabolomic, and behavior responses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to environmental levels of the beta blocker atenolol

Blood pressure medications are used to treat hypertension; however, low concentrations of beta-blockers in water systems can negatively impact aquatic wildlife. Here, we conducted a metabolic and behavioral study investigating atenolol, a beta-blocker frequently detected in global wastewater systems. The objectives were to determine the effects of low-level atenolol exposure on early stages of zebrafish. We measured survival, deformities, heartbeat, mitochondrial function, lipid and amino acid profiles, and locomotor activity to discern mechanisms of metabolic disruption. We hypothesized that atenolol disrupts lipid metabolism, which would negatively impact locomotor activity. Atenolol showed no overt toxicity to larval zebrafish up to 10 μg/L and deformities were infrequent (<5 %), and included cardiac edema and larvae with kinked tails. A hatch delay was observed at 2-day post-fertilization (dpf) for fish exposed to >5 μg/L atenolol. Heart rates were reduced in 2 and 3 dpf in fish treated with >500 ng/L atenolol. There was no change in oxygen consumption rates (basal and maximum respiration) of embryos when exposed to a range of atenolol concentrations, suggesting mitochondrial respiration was intact. Oil red staining for lipid content in larvae showed a global reduction in lipids with 10 μg/L exposure, prompting deeper investigation into the lipid profiles. Lipidomics quantified 86 lipids and revealed reduced abundance in Ceramide 18: 1 16:0 (Cer_NS d18:1_16:0), Ether linked Phosphatidylethanolamine 16:0 22:6 (EtherPE 16:0e_22:6), and Ether linked Phosphatidylcholine 16:0 22:6 (EtherPC 16:0e_22:6). We also quantified 12 amino acids and observed a subtle dose-dependent reduction in the levels of L-Histidine. Exposure to atenolol did not impact larval locomotor activity based on a Visual Motor Response test. Taken together, atenolol at environmentally relevant levels decreased heart rate of developing zebrafish and altered lipid content. As such, exposure to beta-blockers like atenolol may have negative consequences for developmental trajectories and growth of aquatic species.

First report on the occurrence of pharmaceuticals and cocaine in the coastal waters of Santa Catarina, Brazil, and its related ecological risk assessment

The worldwide occurrence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in aquatic ecosystems is reason for public concern. These emerging micropollutants include a large and diverse group of organic compounds, with continuous input, high environmental persistence and potential threat to biota and human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the occurrence of twenty-seven PPCPs of various therapeutic classes (including cocaine and its primary metabolite, benzoylecgonine), in the coastal waters of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Water samples were taken in November 2020, during the low tide periods, at eight sampling points located along the coast of Santa Catarina, covering its entire geographical extension. Sampling was carried out in triplicate and at different depths of the water column. Nine compounds were detected through liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS): caffeine (12.58-119.80 ng/L), diclofenac (1.34-7.92 ng/L), atenolol (1.13-2.50 ng/L), losartan (0.43-3.20 ng/L), acetaminophen (0.21-10.04 ng/L), orphenadrine (0.07-0.09 ng/L), cocaine (0.02-0.17 ng/L), benzoylecgonine (0.01-1.1 ng/L) and carbamazepine (0.02-0.27 ng/L). The highest occurrence of these compounds was detected in the northern and central coastal region of Santa Catarina, namely in Penha and Palhoça cities. Moreover, the risk assessment showed that almost compounds (atenolol, benzoylecgonine, carbamazepine, cocaine and orphenadrine) presented no ecological risk in the recorded concentrations. However, a few compounds suggest low (caffeine and diclofenac) to moderate (acetaminophen and losartan) risk taking into consideration the acute and chronic effects for the three trophic levels (algae, crustacean and fish) tested. These compounds are usually found in areas with high population density, aggravated by tourism, because of the sanitary sewage and solid waste. Although in low concentrations, the occurrence of these chemical compounds can imply deleterious effects on the environmental health of Santa Catarina coastal zone, and therefore deserve more attention by the public authorities and environmental agencies.

Solution blow spinning polysulfone-Aliquat 336 nanofibers: synthesis, characterization, and application for the extraction and preconcentration of losartan from aqueous solutions

Nanofibers are materials used in a wide range of applications due to their unique physicochemical properties. As an alternative to the most common method of its manufacturing (electrospinning) blow spinning has been used since it has greater production efficiency and simplicity. A wide variety of polymers is used for its preparation and can be modified to improve the interaction and selectivity toward specific analytes. Thereby nanofibers have been used for the extraction or removal of organic compounds such as drugs but there are still few reports of drug extractions like losartan. In this work polysulfone-Aliquat 336 nanofibers were prepared using the blow spinning method to extract and preconcentrate losartan. The studies showed that Aliquat 336 incorporation significantly improve the extraction of losartan with polysulfone fibers. Adsorption process was thermodynamically favorable with an adsorption capacity of 15.45 mg·g−1. Thus, it was possible to extract more than 92% of initial losartan using 10 mg of polysulfone-Aliquat 336 fibers (9 and 3.5% (w/v)), at pH 6 from deionized water and synthetic wastewater. Finally, losartan preconcentration was evaluated to facilitate its quantification using ultraviolet–visible spectrometry (UV-Vis), which allowed the determination of this drug at concentrations below the detection limit.

Occurrence of pharmaceuticals and cocaine in the urban drainage channels located on the outskirts of the São Vicente Island (São Paulo, Brazil) and related ecological risk assessment

"Wealth by the sea and poverty away from the sea breeze" is a metaphor that mirrors what happens along the Brazilian coastal zone, namely in São Vicente Island, São Paulo, Brazil. Due to the high cost of the properties on this shore, the impoverished population started to migrate to the northern outskirts of the island (away from the tourist beaches), potentiating the emergence of poor housing conditions, namely stilt-house slums. Consequently, the urban drainage channels across these outskirts neighbourhoods are potentially contaminated by human wastes. In this context, the occurrence and preliminary ecological risk assessment of eleven pharmaceuticals of various therapeutic classes (including cocaine and its primary metabolite, benzoylecgonine) were investigated, for the first time, in five urban drainage channels whose diffuse loads flow continuously to the estuarine waters of São Vicente Island. The results showed the widespread presence of these environmental stressors in all urban channels analysed, namely losartan (7.3-2680.0 ng/L), caffeine (314.0-726.0 ng/L), acetaminophen (7.0-78.2 ng/L), atenolol (6.2-23.6 ng/L), benzoylecgonine (10.2-17.2 ng/L), furosemide (1.0-7.2 ng/L), cocaine (2.3-6.7 ng/L), carbamazepine (0.2-2.6 ng/L), diclofenac (1.1-2.5 ng/L), orphenadrine (0.2-1.1 ng/L) and chlortalidone (0.5-1.0 ng/L). The overall total estimated load of pharmaceuticals and personal care products flowing to the estuarine waters of São Vicente Island is on the order of 41.1 g/day. The ecological risk assessment revealed a great environmental concern for São Vicente Island, ranging between low (e.g. carbamazepine and cocaine) and moderate to high (e.g. caffeine, acetaminophen and losartan) threats for the aquatic biota. Therefore, initiatives promoting basic sanitation, land-use regularisation and population awareness are highly recommended.

Emerging contaminants in Brazilian aquatic environment: identifying targets of potential concern based on occurrence and ecological risk

Although studies have shown the presence of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in the Brazilian environment in recent decades, several biological effects on the aquatic ecosystem are unknown. Brazil is the fifth largest country in extension in the world, and its wide territory presents geographic regions with diverse demographic and economic characteristics. In order to identify targets of potential concern based on occurrence and ecological risk, available data from previous studies were examined to conduct environmental risk analysis and provide a ranking of CECs in Brazilian aquatic environment based on environmental concentration measured in the last 10 years. The results indicate that 17α-ethynylestradiol, 17ß-estradiol, acetaminophen, Bisphenol A, caffeine, diclofenac, ibuprofen, methylparaben, sulfamethoxazole and triclosan are the CECs that represent the greatest threats to the Brazilian environment. Therefore, these contaminants should be considered as a priority in future monitoring studies. Besides, identification of target monitoring compounds can facilitate the selection of pollutant candidates in future legislations.

Occurrence and ecological risk assessment of pharmaceuticals and cocaine in the urban drainage channels of Santos beaches (São Paulo, Brazil): a neglected, but sensitive issue

In some Brazilian coastal cities, it is common to observe 'black tongues' in beaches, i.e. a mixture of urban runoff and untreated domestic sewage containing pollutants of emerging concern, namely pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs), flowing into the South Atlantic Ocean. Such diffuse loads of pollutants might expose nontarget aquatic organisms to harmful compounds. In this work, the occurrence and preliminary ecological risk of 27 PPCPs of various therapeutic classes (including cocaine and its primary metabolite, benzoylecgonine) were investigated, for the first time, in seven urban drainage channels whose diffuse loads flow continuously to the beaches of Santos Bay, São Paulo, Brazil. Of these, 21 compounds were detected using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and nine of them were consistently quantified in all urban channels of Santos, suggesting that those pollutants are ubiquitous in this region: caffeine (143.4-516.0 ng/L), losartan (4.2-21.8 ng/L), atenolol (1.1-18.2 ng/L), acetaminophen (1.5-13.8 ng/L), benzoylecgonine (1.0-4.8 ng/L), carbamazepine (1.1-4.0 ng/L), diclofenac (1.9-3.5 ng/L), cocaine (0.5-1.7 ng/L), and orphenadrine (0.1-0.8 ng/L). Moreover, twelve compounds were found below the limit of quantification ( <LOQ): citalopram, propranolol, diazepam, rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, midazolam, ranitidine, chlortalidone, clopidogrel, chlorpheniramine, enalapril and valsartan. According to our knowledge, this is the first report on the occurrence of midazolam, ranitidine and chlorpheniramine in surface waters in Latin America and, therefore, these compounds should be considered environmental warning signs. A preliminary ecological risk assessment revealed that caffeine, acetaminophen and losartan presented a moderate risk, and carbamazepine a low risk to sensitive aquatic organisms at maximum measured concentrations. This study provides valuable information to reinforce the importance of a continuous monitoring of the diffuse loads (containing PPCPs and illicit drugs) flowing to the coastal zones in developing countries.

Ecotoxicity of losartan potassium in aquatic organisms of different trophic levels

The intensive use of the antihypertensive losartan potassium (LOS) has culminated in its high occurrence in aquatic environments. However, insufficient studies had investigated its effects in non-target organisms. In this study, ecotoxicity of LOS was assessed in aquatic organisms from distinct trophic levels (Desmodesmus subspicatus, Daphnia magna, and Astyanax altiparanae). Genotoxicity was assessed by the comet assay in D. magna and A. altiparanae, and biochemical biomarkers for the fish. LOS was more toxic to D. subspicatus (EC_50(72h) = 27.93 mg L^-1) than D. magna (EC₅₀ = 303.69 mg L^-1). Subsequently, this drug showed to induce more DNA damage in D. magna than A. altiparanae, when exposed to 2.5 mg L^-1. No significant stress responses were observed by the fish biomarkers, suggesting that higher trophic levels organisms are more tolerant to LOS toxicity. LOS showed relatively low toxic potential for a short period of exposure, but with different patterns of toxicity for the organisms from distinct trophic levels, contributing to further risk assessment of LOS.

Emerging Contaminants in Seafront Zones. Environmental Impact and Analytical Approaches

Some chemical substances have the potential to enter the coastal and marine environment and cause adverse effects on ecosystems, biodiversity and human health. For a large majority of them, their fate and effects are poorly understood as well as their use still unregulated. Finding effective and sustainable strategies for the identification of these emerging and/or anthropogenic contaminants that might cause polluting effects in marine environments to mitigate their adverse effects, is of utmost importance and a great challenge for managers, regulators and researchers. In this review we will evaluate the impact of emerging contaminants (ECs) on marine coastal zones namely in their ecosystems and biodiversity, highlighting the potential risks of organic pollutants, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Emerging microextraction techniques and high-resolution analytical platforms used in isolation, identification and quantification of ECs will be also reviewed.

Pharmaceutical Pollution and Disposal of Expired, Unused, and Unwanted Medicines in the Brazilian Context

The occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is an everyday recognized concern worldwide, and drugs as environmental contaminants have been detected in water and soil systems, posing risks to humans and wildlife. The presence of drugs in wastewater, groundwater, and even drinking water occurs in several countries, including Brazil, where the pharmaceutical market is expanding over the years. The adverse, harmful effects of pharmaceuticals in the environment range from the spreading of antimicrobial resistance and species survival to the interference with reproduction and increased cancer incidence in humans. Therefore, it is demanding to count on proper legislation to prevent these pollutants from entering the distinct environment compartments. In some developed countries, laws, directives, programs, and initiatives regarding drug disposal reach a mature status. In Brazil, federal laws dealing with drug residues' management are recent, with flaws that might facilitate non-compliance with drug pollution issues. Besides, pharmacies and drugstores are not obligated to collect unneeded household medicines, while particular State laws aim to ordinate the disposal of drug residues regionally. In this review, we consider the current knowledge about pharmaceutical (drug) pollution, the recommendation and regulations on the disposal of useless medicines in some countries, and in the context of the expanding pharmaceutical market in Brazil. The awareness of emerging contaminants in the environment, besides the joint effort of authorities, consumers, and the general public nationwide, will be required to avoid pharmaceutical/drug pollution and achieve an eco-friendly environment and a sustainable society.