Patterns of pharmaceutical contamination in streams of European cities across urbanisation gradients: Potential impacts on One Health
Pharmaceuticals are Contaminants of Emerging Concern, with known effects on aquatic organisms such as increased mortality and reproduction inhibition. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview on occurrence of pharmaceuticals in European urban streams, and to assess the patterns and factors influencing their presence in the water. Sixteen pharmaceuticals from 6 therapeutic groups were detected in 102 sites sampled in 2022-2023 within 5 European cities (Coimbra-Portugal, Toulouse-France, Benevento-Italy, Ghent-Belgium, and Oslo-Norway). Pharmaceuticals and their mixtures were observed in 91 % and 79 % of the sites, respectively. Irbesartan, bisoprolol and carbamazepine were found in more than 50 % of the sites. Acetaminophen had the highest median concentration (near 1 μg/L). Toulouse had the higher total pharmaceutical concentration, followed by Ghent, Benevento, Coimbra and Oslo. Contaminants from the European Union Watch List (ofloxacin, propranolol, fluoxetine) were detected. The pharmaceutical patterns differed among cities, except between Coimbra and Oslo. The contamination by pharmaceuticals, considering all sites, was predicted by population and tree cover densities, but also by morphological condition, riparian zone, water pollution and imperviousness within some of the cities. This study reveals a high contamination of urban streams by pharmaceuticals, which could lead to risks for the health of aquatic organisms and humans.
Authors
- Fernanda Rodrigues (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3566-2058)
- Marie Anne Eurie Forio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6675-4751)
- Luísa Durães (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3336-2449)
- Adeline Loyau (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4230-5892)
- Liliana J.G. Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2372-1874)
- Andrée De Cock (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7911-4219)
- Ana Raquel Calapez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0590-0046)
- Anne Moen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3825-9355)
- Dirk S. Schmeller (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3860-9933)
- Maria João Feio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0362-6802)
- Nadia Piscopo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4731-7510)
- André M.P.T. Pereira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4777-4340)
- Peter L.M. Goethals (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1168-6776)
- Andreia Freitas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3292-5473)
- Janine Pereira da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1010-938X)
- Nuno Simões (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4500-7981)
- Rayan Bouchali
- Silje H Henni
Institutions
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NO)
- Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées (FR)
- University of Oslo (NO)
- Ghent University (BE)
- Federico II University Hospital (IT)
- Association for the Development of Douro Viticulture (PT)
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR)
- University of Naples Federico II (IT)
- University of Coimbra (PT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Hazardous Materials
- Published
- 2025-09-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139946
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.76
Funders
- European Commission
- Rede de Química e Tecnologia
- Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde
- HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
- European Regional Development Fund