“…In fact, these compounds, like many other contaminants of emerging concern have been shown to be resistant to physicochemical and biological treatment at WWTPs and are therefore continuously introduced into the aquatic environment (Boleda et al, 2009;Bolong et al, 2009;Chiaia et al, 2008;Huerta-Fontela et al, 2008;Pal et al, 2013;Postigo et al, 2010;Valcárcel et al, 2012;Yargeau et al, 2013;Zuccato et al, 2008). These compounds have also been detected in surface waters in many countries (Boleda et al, 2011;Gonzalez-Marino et al, 2010;Martínez Bueno et al, 2011;Terzic et al, 2010;Valcárcel et al, 2012) and since illicit drugs have psychoactive properties, their presence in the aquatic environment raises concern (Huerta-Fontela et al, 2012). In addition, the potential for adverse effects exists due to the presence of these and other compounds as complex mixtures in the environment and multi-generational exposure of aquatic organisms (Kantiani et al, 2010).…”