Emerging contaminants as indicators of short-term environmental changes in an eutrophicated coastal lagoon

Abstract

This research aimed to assess the potential of emerging contaminants as environmental quality indicators for short-term monitoring programs, in contrast with traditional contaminants. Thirteen sediment samples from from Piratininga, a coastal lagoon subjected to anthropogenic impact, were analyzed for the following compounds: napropamide, diclofenac, naproxen, triclosan, ibuprofen, 17β-estradiol, bisphenol A, nadolol, ethofibrate and carbamazepine. The developed method, which included solid phase extraction, derivatization, and analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, demonstrated robustness and suitability with quantification limits between 0.32 and 1.49 ng g⁻¹. The concentrations of etofibrate, nadolol, napropamide and diclofenac were below the quantification limits for all the analyzed samples. The highest concentration was reported for bisphenol A (4.76 ± 0.44 ng g⁻¹), followed by 17β-estradiol (2.88 ± 0.65 ng g⁻¹), ibuprofen (2.70 ± 1.67 ng g⁻¹) and triclosan (1.5 ± 0.43 ng g⁻¹). The detected concentrations, spatial distribution, and local climatic conditions with distinct dry and wet seasons indicate the feasibility of biannual environmental quality monitoring. By evaluating the concentrations and statistical treatment, the use of contaminants of emerging concern as short-term indicators proved promising, leading to an optimized monitoring program from nine to three compounds (bisphenol A, ibuprofen and triclosan) and a sampling grid reduced from 13 to 4 points.