A comprehensive analysis of 15 target chemical compounds (pharmaceuticals and personal care product, perfluoroalkyl compounds and industrial chemicals) were carried out to determine their concentrations in selected commercially exploited, wild caught small and medium sized pelagic fish species and their organs (Thyrsites atun (snoek), Sarda orientalis (bonito), Pachymetopon blochii (panga) and Pterogymnus laniarius (hottentot)) obtained from Kalk Bay harbour, Cape Town. Solid phase extraction (SPE) method based on Oasis HLB cartridges were used to concentrate and clean-up the samples. Liquid chromatographyemass spectrometry analysis of these chemical compounds revealed the simultaneous presence of at least 12 compounds in different parts of the selected fish species in nanogram-per-gram dry weight (ng/g dw) concentrations. The results revealed that perfluorodecanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid and perfluoroheptanoic acid were the most predominant among the perfluorinated compounds and ranged between: (20.13e179.2 ng/g), (21.22e114.0 ng/g) and (40.06e138.3 ng/g). Also, diclofenac had the highest concentration in these edible fish species out of all the pharmaceuticals detected (range: 551.8e1812 ng/g). The risk assessment values were above 0.5 and 1.0 for acute and chronic risk respectively which shows that these chemicals have a high health risk to the pelagic fish, aquatic organisms and to humans who consume them. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a precautionary approach and the adequate regulation of the use and disposal of synthetic chemicals that persist in aquatic/marine environment in this province and other parts of South Africa, to prevent impacts on the sustainability of our marine environment, livelihood and lives.
Despite the increasing presence of pharmaceuticals in marine environments and their potential negative impacts, little research has been reported on the level and occurrence of these contaminants in the marine ecosystem. This review provides information on the occurrence (level–concentration) of pharmaceuticals in marine environments including seawater, sediments, and organisms within and (or) around this ecosystem. Also, the classification, sources, metabolism, and fate of these contaminants in the marine environment were discussed to identify knowledge gaps. We showed that antibiotics are the most commonly investigated and detected drugs in marine environments. In addition, this review suggested that focused case studies should be a priority for future research and highlighted the need for future assessments of the potential risks of pharmaceuticals to marine species. We also suggested that it is necessary to monitor the level of the most frequent and widespread pharmaceuticals like antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in sewage and marine outfalls. Finally, we concluded that there is a need for the development of effective treatment methods for the removal of these pollutants from wastewater before their discharge into the receiving marine environment or the main drinking water networks.
In 2017 sewage released into Camps Bay, Cape Town was nine fold more than rainfall.• Five herbicides were found in seawater, sediments and marine biota from Camps Bay. • The chemical load in sewage was not removed by a 3 mm screen pretreatment step. • The chemical signature found in marine biota was linked to herbicides in sewage. • Dilution of sewage by seawater did not prevent bioaccumulation of herbicides.
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