Detection of PPCPs in marine organisms from contaminated coastal waters of the Saudi Red Sea

Highlights: • Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are quantified in marine biota from Saudi Red Sea. • 7 PPCPs were found in macro algae (Methylparaben max. = 43 ng/g dw). • 11 PPCPs were quantified in barnacles (Amitriptyline, max. 18 ng/g dw). • 17 PPCPs were detected in fish (Metronidazole, max. = 82 ng/g dw). • Bioaccumulation potential was found for PPCPs in marine biota of the sampling area. The occurrence of PPCPs in macroalgae, barnacle and fish samples from contaminated coastal waters of the Saudi Red Sea is reported. Solvent extraction followed by solid phase extraction was applied to isolate the compounds, and their quantification was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Atenolol, ranitidine, chlorpheniramine, DEET, and atrazine were detected in one or more macroalgae at < LOQ concentration, whereas caffeine, methylparaben, and carbamazepine were present atmaximum concentrations of 41.3, 44.3, and 1.7 ng/g (on a dry weight basis = dw), respectively. Eleven PPCPs were detected in the barnacle samples at concentrations between < LOQ and maximum concentration of 17.9 ng/g dw for amitriptyline. Furthermore, 17 compounds were detected in several or all of the five fish species studied with a maximum concentration of 82.1 ng/g dw for metronidazole in Silver Biddy. The bioaccumulation factors (BAF) for selected PPCPs were determined and compared. The occurrence and enrichment of PPCPs in macroalgae and barnacles might indicate that a new route for uptake of such chemicals by marine biota is available, specifically in contaminated waters where a continuous supply of non-persistent contaminants such as PPCPs is available for long-term exposure of local benthic organisms.