Effect of pharmaceutical micropollutants (Acetaminophen and Hydroxychloroquine) and its degradative products on soil nitrate

Pharmaceutical drugs and its degradative products have been reported in the environmental samples like soil, sediment, and water. Based on the limit of detection very few studies have been conducted on the effect of persistent, bio accumulative and toxic drugs on the environment. Considering the impact of nitrate on soil fertility and vegetables, current study was done to assess the impact of acetaminophen, hydroxychloroquine, acetaminophen biodegradative products (hydroquinone, 4 Aminophenol), and hydroxychloroquine biodegradative products (7 Chloroquinoline 4 amine, oxalic acid) on the soil nitrogen transformation. The test compounds (10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg) were added to soil samples, whereas untreated samples served as the control. Samples of treated and control soils were processed for nitrate estimate using the Mgo-Devarda's alloy technique for nitrate-N estimation after 0, 7, 14, and 28 days of incubation. Pollutants found to have significant effect on soil nitrate. At high concentration (1000 mg/kg), soil nitrate concentration was in the extremely high region suggesting possible impact on the soil fertility and accumulation in vegetable parts. Vegetable nitrate content is considered as important quality parameter for human health. This data is helpful for determination of the negative impact of the pharmaceuticals on human diet and subsequently suggesting for the environmental monitoring of drugs before discharge into the ecosystem. Keywords: Acetaminophen, 4-Aminophenol, Hydroquinone, Hydroxychloroquine, Nitrate, Soil