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<p>The present study investigated the occurrence of 25 emerging contaminants in wastewater effluents from treatment plants and their impact on the coastal environment in the United Arab Emirates. The research also included an ecological risk assessment targeting various trophic levels, such as algae, crustaceans, and fish. Analysis revealed the presence of 21 contaminants in wastewater effluents, 23 in seawater, and 22 in sediments. Contaminant concentrations ranged from trace levels to 1782 ng L − 1 in effluents, up to 236.10 ng L − 1 in seawater, and up to 60.15 ng g − 1 in sediments. Among the identified contaminants, imidacloprid was the most common in effluents, thiabendazole in seawater, and acetaminophen in sediments. The ecological risks were quantified using the risk quotient (RQ) method indicating that most contaminants posed a low risk to the tested organisms. However, sulphathiazole presented a medium risk, and imidacloprid, ofloxacin, and isoproturon exhibited a high risk to aquatic life, with imidacloprid showing the highest risk quotient of 35.64. The findings provide crucial insights into the prioritization of contaminants of emerging concern in coastal environments and emphasize the imperative for upgrading wastewater treatment and discharge infrastructures to minimize their ecological impact and safeguard aquatic ecosystems.</p> Graphical Abstract <p>This graphical abstract provides a visual summary of wastewater treatment plant effluent disposal and subsequent ecological risk assessment in the study area. Sharjah wastewater treatment plant in United Arab Emirates discharges treated effluents into the surrounding marine environment. Seawater and sediment samples are collected at the discharge and surrounding sampling locations and analyzed for selected emerging contaminants (EC). Highest recorded EC concentrations in varying environmental matrices are used to assess associated ecological risks to algae, <i>Daphnia</i> spp., and fish using the risk quotient (RQ) method. Findings indicate that most contaminants posed a low risk to the tested organisms; sulphathiazole presented a medium risk, and imidacloprid, ofloxacin, and isoproturon exhibited a high risk to aquatic life, with imidacloprid showing the highest RQ. These findings highlight the necessity of prioritizing these contaminants in monitoring programs and advocate for the enhancement of wastewater treatment technology to mitigate ecological concerns and facilitate evidence-based environmental policies.</p> <p></p>

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Assessment of Emerging Contaminants and their Ecological Risks in the United Arab Emirates Marine Ecosystems

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月25日

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  • Lucy Semerjian,
  • Salima Aissaoui,
  • Abdallah Shanableh,
  • Anthony Okoh,
  • Mohammad H. Semreen,
  • Khaled Abass

摘要

The present study investigated the occurrence of 25 emerging contaminants in wastewater effluents from treatment plants and their impact on the coastal environment in the United Arab Emirates. The research also included an ecological risk assessment targeting various trophic levels, such as algae, crustaceans, and fish. Analysis revealed the presence of 21 contaminants in wastewater effluents, 23 in seawater, and 22 in sediments. Contaminant concentrations ranged from trace levels to 1782 ng L − 1 in effluents, up to 236.10 ng L − 1 in seawater, and up to 60.15 ng g − 1 in sediments. Among the identified contaminants, imidacloprid was the most common in effluents, thiabendazole in seawater, and acetaminophen in sediments. The ecological risks were quantified using the risk quotient (RQ) method indicating that most contaminants posed a low risk to the tested organisms. However, sulphathiazole presented a medium risk, and imidacloprid, ofloxacin, and isoproturon exhibited a high risk to aquatic life, with imidacloprid showing the highest risk quotient of 35.64. The findings provide crucial insights into the prioritization of contaminants of emerging concern in coastal environments and emphasize the imperative for upgrading wastewater treatment and discharge infrastructures to minimize their ecological impact and safeguard aquatic ecosystems.

Graphical Abstract

This graphical abstract provides a visual summary of wastewater treatment plant effluent disposal and subsequent ecological risk assessment in the study area. Sharjah wastewater treatment plant in United Arab Emirates discharges treated effluents into the surrounding marine environment. Seawater and sediment samples are collected at the discharge and surrounding sampling locations and analyzed for selected emerging contaminants (EC). Highest recorded EC concentrations in varying environmental matrices are used to assess associated ecological risks to algae, Daphnia spp., and fish using the risk quotient (RQ) method. Findings indicate that most contaminants posed a low risk to the tested organisms; sulphathiazole presented a medium risk, and imidacloprid, ofloxacin, and isoproturon exhibited a high risk to aquatic life, with imidacloprid showing the highest RQ. These findings highlight the necessity of prioritizing these contaminants in monitoring programs and advocate for the enhancement of wastewater treatment technology to mitigate ecological concerns and facilitate evidence-based environmental policies.