Occurrence and distribution of contaminants of legacy and emerging concern in surface waters of two Western Mediterranean coastal areas: Mar Menor Lagoon and Ebro Delta

Abstract

The occurrence and distribution of UV filters, plastic additives, synthetic musks, other personal care products (Other PCPs), triazines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other current-use pesticides (Other CUPs) were characterised during summer 2018 and winter 2019 in surface waters of two sensitive areas of the Spanish coast located on the Mediterranean Sea (Mar Menor lagoon and Ebro Delta). Sixty-three organic contaminants out of a total of 100 compounds were detected, thus confirming the presence of all groups of pollutants studied in surface water at concentrations of ng/L. Both areas are affected by agricultural, urban and recreational activities, PCPs (mainly UV filters) being the predominant compounds found in both seasons which showed significant increases in concentrations in summer. The contaminants found at the highest concentrations were octocrylene, homosalate and ethylhexyl salicylate, which showed risk quotients higher than 1, indicating a potential risk to aquatic organisms, particularly in summer.