Metabolite

Computer security

Citalopram

Receptor

Risk assessment

Psychiatry

Benzoylecgonine

Computer science

Anxiety

Illicit drug

Antidepressant

Drug

Environmental health

Environmental chemistry

Hippocampus

Venlafaxine

Lorazepam

Internal medicine

Environmental science

Pharmacology

Environmental protection

Medicine

Chemistry

Environmental risk assessment

Serotonin

Chemosphere

The knowledge on the presence of pharmaceutical compounds, and possible risks, in coastal and marine systems is still limited. This study represents the first attempt at monitoring psychoactive pharmaceuticals (PaPs) (benzodiazepines and anxiolytics) and illicit drugs (IDs) in the Rías Baixas coastal area of Northwestern Spain, an area of economic and ecological relevance, leader in shellfish production. Fourteen PaPs and 9 IDs were detected in the water samples with venlafaxine (59%), benzoylecgonine (40%), EDDP (40%), and citalopram (36%) showing the highest detection frequencies. The highest concentrations were measured for venlafaxine (291 ng L−1), benzoylecgonine (142 ng L−1), lorazepam (95.9 ng L−1), and citalopram (92.5 ng L−1). Risk assessment, based on hazard quotients suggested that venlafaxine, citalopram, sertraline, and EDDP were present in concentrations potentially able to cause chronic effects in exposed organisms. Based on the results obtained further monitoring of venlafaxine, citalopram, and EDDP in coastal waters is recommended.

Psychoactive pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs in coastal waters of North-Western Spain: Environmental exposure and risk assessment