Abstract
This research proposes an environmental quality indicator to detect, predict and scientifically evaluate the environmental impact generated by chemical substances within the pollutant group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are categorized as emerging contaminants (ECs) with endocrine disruptive action. The present study was carried out in two coastal lagoons affected by wastewater produced by urban and rural settlements in the states of Colima and Jalisco. Four pharmaceutical compounds were analyzed: diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketorolac and naproxen. The muscle tissues of 14 fish species were analyzed; all had measurable concentrations of the four contaminants. The presence of the ECs was confirmed in all the samples collected. The bioaccumulative potential risk (BPR) of the ECs is estimated by calculating the environmental risk factors and the potential risks to human health, evaluating the concentration and assessing the risk involved in the incorporation of the pollutants into the environment. The BPR indicates the potential impact of NSAIDs on the ecology of these coastal lagoons, and predicts whether a contaminant is likely to act and persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in organisms. Additionally, it estimates the possibility of contamination and risks to human health caused by residues of the chemical contaminants.
Highlights
As a consequence of the high levels of industrialization and urbanization along river basins, coastal ecosystems have been significantly impacted by a wide range of anthropogenic contaminants [1].Chemical contaminants, emerging organic pollutants, have been detected in coastal zones at trace concentration levels, which are still harmful to ecosystems [2]
It was possible to identify the presence of the four targeted nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) within all samples
The bioaccumulative potential risk (BPR), estimated by calculating the environmental risk factor and the potential risk to human health, is used as an environmental indicator to evaluate the toxicity of four NSAIDs in wastewater discharged into estuarine coastal ecosystems in the central Mexican Pacific
Summary
Emerging organic pollutants, have been detected in coastal zones at trace concentration levels, which are still harmful to ecosystems [2] Within this pollutant group are the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include the pharmaceuticals diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketorolac and naproxen. These products are biologically active and persistent substances [3]. Water 2020, 12, 2721 processes, NSAIDs are among the most frequently detected pharmaceuticals in treatment plants and surface waters worldwide [4] This explains their occurrence in the environment, in aquatic ecosystems, which they enter through municipal and hospital wastewater discharges [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
