Emerging contaminants detected in aquaculture sites in Java, Indonesia.

Pharmaceuticals of emerging concern (acetaminophen (ACM), trimethoprim (TMP), oxytetracycline (OTC), and sulfamethoxazole (SMX)) were detected in water samples from aquaculture environments and nonaquaculture sites in four regions located on the northern coast of Central Java. ACM was the most prevalent pharmaceutical, with a mean concentration ranging from not detected (n.d.) to 5.5 ± 1.9 ngL-1 (Brebes). Among the target antibiotics (TMP, OTC, SMX), OTC was the most ubiquitous, with a mean concentration varying from n.d. to 8.0 ± 3.3 ngL-1. Correlation analysis demonstrated that there was a significant correlation between TMP and SMX concentrations. Based on ecological risk assessment evaluation, the use of OTC requires serious consideration, as it presented high health risks to algae, while ACM, TMP, and SMX posed an insignificant to moderate risk to algae, invertebrates, and fish. The findings obtained from this study highlight OTC as an emerging contaminant of prominent concern. More attention needs to be given to managing and planning for the sustainable management of shrimp farms, particularly in the northern part of Central Java.

Ecological risk assessment of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in surface sediments from aquaculture system.

Organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) and Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the surface sediments from shrimp ponds in four regions of the northern part of the Central Java coast (namely Brebes, Tegal, Pemalang, and Pekalongan) were investigated. The highest concentration of ∑ OCPs was found in Brebes Regency, ranging from 68.1 ± 3.4 to 168.1 ± 9.8 µg kg-1 dw. As indicated by the DDT ratio and chlordane ratio, the value suggested that those compounds may mainly originate from historical inputs rather than a recent application. The concentrations of Æ© 7 indicator PCBs were determined, with the concentration ranged from 1.2 ± 0.7 µg kg-1 dw (Pekalongan) to 2.2 ± 0.4 µg kg-1 dw (Tegal). The most toxic PCB congener, PCB 118, was detected in all studied regions, with the highest proportion found in Tegal. Source analysis indicated that PCBs in the sediments mainly originated from Aroclor 1254 and Aroclor 1248. Compared to sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), some OCPs were found with concentrations which potentially posed an adverse effect. Our findings suggested that more attention should be paid to ensure sustainable shrimp culture facing such a risk of the OCPs and PCBs.

Persistent organic pollutants in sediments of the Wouri Estuary Mangrove, Cameroon: Levels, patterns and ecotoxicological significance.

The anthropogenic impact in the Wouri Estuary Mangrove located in the rapidly developing urban area of Douala, Cameroon, Africa, was studied. A set of 45 Persistent Organic Pollutant were analysed in surficial mangrove sediments at 21 stations. Chlorinated Pesticides (CLPs), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) have concentrations ranging from 2.2 - 27.4, and 83 - 544 ng/g, respectively. The most abundant CLPs were endosulfan, alachlor, heptachlor, lindane (γ-HCH) and DDT, which metabolites pattern revealed recent use. Selected PAHs diagnostic ratios show pyrolytic input predominantly. The sum of 7 carcinogenic PAHs (ΣC-PAHs) represented 30 to 50% of Total PAHs (TPAHs). According to effect-based sediment quality guidelines, the studied POPs levels imply low to moderate predictive biological toxicity. This study contributes to depict how far water resources are shifting within what is now termed the Anthropocene due to increasing local pressures in developing countries or African countries.

Study of organic pollution in superficial sediments of Meliane river catchment area: aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Organic contaminants can be accumulated in aquatic systems even at trace concentrations with potential threats to the environment and human health. The present study has been performed to evaluate the effects of organochlorines and polyaromatic hydrocarbons on surface sediments of the Meliane river catchment. Their determination provides an essential scientific approach for a better understanding of the expected sources and the processes of bioaccumulation. The concentrations of saturated hydrocarbons in extractable organic matter of the dry sediment were found ranging from 0.58 to 3 83 µg kg-1 and PAHs content ranged from 63 to 131 µg kg-1. These results indicated the adherence of Oued Meliane to the pollution of the Tunis Gulf. The fraction of saturated hydrocarbons extracted from the sediments of Oued Meliane included a majority of organic compounds of biogenic nature with a small oil input. In addition, characterization with the TAR index and the LMW/HMW index confirmed that terrigenous inputs in this fraction are more abundant than aquatic inputs. The characterization of PAHs fraction has shown its pyrolitic origin with a predominance of high molecular weight PAHs.