Risk-based screening for prioritisation of organic micropollutants in Swedish freshwater

• Concerns about environmental contamination by organic micropollutants (OMPs) are increasing, due to their potential bioaccumulative and toxic properties. This study evaluated the risk posed by OMPs to aquatic eco- systems in Swedish freshwaters. The assessment was based on measured environmental concentrations (MEC) of OMPs in surface waters upstream and downstream of Swedish wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). A novel optimised risk quotient (RQf) was used to identify potential high-risk substances in the aquatic environment. A secondary objective was to assess the impact of WWTP effluent on aquatic ecosystems using a novel impact factor (I) based on the risk quotient (RQ). Among the 126 substances investigated, four compounds (metformin, N,N- dimethyltetradecylamine, oxazepam, and venlafaxine) were identified as likely to pose a risk to aquatic eco- systems in Swedish surface waters (RQf>1), and five compounds (clindamycin, gemfibrozil, sertraline, o-des- methylvenlafaxine, and diclofenac) were identified as posing a moderate risk to aquatic ecosystems ( 0.1 f<1). WWTP effluent appeared to pose an environmental risk for all recipient sites, but the impact of calculated RQ was site-specific. These results can be used by authorities to prioritise OMPs and contaminated hotspots, in order to decrease negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems.Synopsis: A novel optimised risk assessment approach for identification of high-concern organic micropollutants in aquatic environments.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Aquatic environment

Ecotoxicology

Environmental monitoring

Pharmaceuticals

Risk assessment

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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