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Seasonal variation of pharmaceutically active compounds in surface (Tagus River) and tap water (Central Spain)

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Abstract

Numerous studies have shown the presence of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in different environmental compartments, for example, in surface water or wastewater ranging from nanograms per litre to micrograms per litre. Likewise, some recent studies have pointed to seasonal variability, thus indicating that PhAcs concentrations in the aquatic environment may depend on the time of year. This work intended to find out (1) whether Tagus fluvial and drinking water were polluted with different groups of PhACs and (2) if their concentrations differed between winter and summer seasons. From the 58 substances analysed, 41 were found belonging to the main therapeutic groups. Statistical differences were seen for antibacterials, antidepressants, anxiolytics, antiepileptics, and cardiovascular drugs, with higher concentrations being detected in winter than in summer. These results might indicate that the PhACs analysed in this study undergo lower environmental degradation in winter than in summer. In order to confirm these initial results, a continuous monitoring should be performed especially on those PhACs that either because of an elevated consumption or an intrinsic chemical persistence are poorly degraded during winter months due to low temperatures and solar irradiation. It is especially important to identify which of these specific PhACs are in order to recommend their substitution by equally effective and safe substances but also environmentally friendly.

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Abbreviations

DSSTP:

downstream sewage treatment plant

DWTP:

Drinking water treatment plant

MR:

Madrid region

PhACs:

Pharmaceutically active compounds

INE:

National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estadística)

SIGRE:

Integrated System of Management and Collection of Packaging and Medicines (Sistema Integrado de Gestión y Recogida de Envases y Medicamentos)

RSP:

River sampling point

CE:

Centre of Spain

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Acknowledgements

This project was funded by FISCAM (PI 2007/28). The authors would like to thank the Department of Hydrogeology & Analytical Chemistry (Almería University) for performing the drug analyses, and Toledo and Talavera de la Reina Town Halls for watershed data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Preventive Medicine, Public Health, Immunology and Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Science, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda. Atenas s/n. Alcorcón, 28922, Madrid, Spain

    Y. Valcárcel & S. González Alonso

  2. Department of Biology and Geology, School of Experimental Science & Technology, Rey Juan Carlos University, C/Tulipán s/n. Móstoles, 28933, Madrid, Spain

    M. Catalá

  3. Centre for Toxicology, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Bovey Building, N1G2W1, Guelph, ON, Canada

    J. L. Rodríguez-Gil

  4. Environmental Toxicology Area, National Centre of Environmental Health, Carlos III Health Institute, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain

    A. Castaño

  5. Castilla-La Mancha Health Service (SESCAM), Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain

    J. J. Criado-Alvarez

  6. Public Health District of Torrijos, Castilla-La Mancha Regional Health Authority, Avda de la Estacion 102, 45500, Torrijos, Toledo, Spain

    I. J. Mirón

  7. Health Science Institute of Castilla–La Mancha, Talavera de la Reina, Castile–La Mancha, Spain

    J. C. Montero

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  1. Y. Valcárcel
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  2. S. González Alonso
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  3. J. L. Rodríguez-Gil
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  4. A. Castaño
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  5. J. C. Montero
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  6. J. J. Criado-Alvarez
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  7. I. J. Mirón
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  8. M. Catalá
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Correspondence to Y. Valcárcel.

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Valcárcel, Y., Alonso, S.G., Rodríguez-Gil, J.L. et al. Seasonal variation of pharmaceutically active compounds in surface (Tagus River) and tap water (Central Spain). Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 1396–1412 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-1099-2

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