Pharmaceutical pollution in marine waters and benthic flora of the southern Australian coastline

Environmental context Most human pharmaceutical waste is discharged to the environment. While presence of pharmaceuticals in freshwater systems well documented globally, little known impact on marine ecosystems. We measured a environment south-eastern Australia and found concentrations around 24 000 times higher benthic flora than surface waters. discuss potential use seaweeds as biological indicators pollution. Rationale Pharmaceuticals are emerging pollutants concern with range adverse consequences for organisms Their estuarine has been documented, but less about their prevalence open ocean, or uptake by flora. This preliminary survey southern Australian coastline sought measure key both waters Methodology study used LC-MS/MS concentration carbamazepine, tramadol venlafaxine (1) samples from wastewater treatment plants, (2) ocean (3) several species Surface were sampled at two sites near water plant (WWTP) discharges, one site away any discharge. Results All three detected risk assessed (via quotient) medium (carbamazepine) low (venlafaxine, tramadol). also flora, particularly brown macroalgae; Tramadol was maximum 34.7 ng g−1 Hormosira banksii, Venlafaxine recorded 17.3 Caulocystis cephalornithos. Discussion The calculated bioconcentration factors suggest up ~24 surrounding water. There evidence that proximity WWTP outfalls influenced levels results may be suitable bioindicators contamination impacts ecosystems demand further investigation.