Determination of organic contaminants in L'Albufera Natural Park using microporous polyethylene tube passive samplers: An environmental risk assessment

Abstract

L'Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain) is a protected wetland of international significance that provides critical habitats to endemic and threatened bird and plant species. This study aims to use multiple cross-validation techniques to generate an accurate estimation of the environmental risk of organic contaminants (OCs) in an internationally important coastal wetland, to identify compounds of concern and their potential sources and risk factors. Microporous polyethylene tube (MPT) passive samplers were deployed at 12 locations across L'Albufera Natural Park with concurrent grab samples collected. A subset of MPT samplers were also analysed by an additional laboratory in Australia to widen the range of contaminants and assess interlaboratory reproducibility of results. Forty-three pesticides, 20 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), 20 per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 4 organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) were detected in the MPT samplers. The fungicides tebuconazole and difenoconazole were detected at the highest concentrations in passive samplers (maximum concentrations, 153 ng sampler−1 and 106 ng sampler−1, respectively). Several other pesticides were detected in all locations (mean concentrations >1 ng sampler−1). The compounds fenamiphos, propyzamide, difenoconazole, propiconazole, metsulfuron methyl, sodium bis (perfluorohexyl) phosphinate (6:6 PFPiA), 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide alkylbetaine (6:2 FTAB), 6:2 fluorotelomersulfonate (6:2 FTS), citalopram desmethyl and citalopram were reported in the wetland for the first time. Spatial distribution analysis revealed higher pesticide concentrations in the North of L'Albufera. A risk quotient (RQ) analysis showed that ibuprofen is of concern in the area. Overall, the MPT sampling approach is promising as a risk assessment tool for better understanding the transport and fate of OCs in protected areas.