Characterization of pharmaceutically active compounds in Beijing, China: Occurrence pattern, spatiotemporal distribution and its environmental implication

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2017-02, Vol.323 (Pt A), p.147-155
• Main Authors: Ma, Ruixue, Wang, Bin, Yin, Lina, Zhang, Yizhe, Deng, Shubo, Huang, Jun, Wang, Yujue, Yu, Gang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Aquatic Organisms - drug effects; China; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental risks; Overall trends; Pharmaceutical Preparations - analysis; PPCPs; Rivers - chemistry; Seasonal variation; Seasons; Spatio-Temporal Analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.05.030

•33 PPCPs were monitored in Beiyun River and tributaries in summer and winter in 2015.•Caffeine, acetaminophen and erythromycin were the most abundant compounds.•Antibiotics had higher concentration in winter, but only accounted 28% of the total.•The burden of PhACs in 2015 in Beiyun River basin reduced by 37% of that in 2013.•CBZ level changed little and may exert sustained risks on aquatic environment. Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) as an important group of “emerging contaminants” (ECs), have been highlighted and received global attentions in last decade. China has tremendous consumption of PhACs and the most pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide. In this study, 33 PhACs (19 antibiotics included) were monitored in the Beiyun River basin in Beijing, China. The seasonal occurrence, temporal-spatial distribution and potential source were investigated. The total levels were about 2μgL−1. Non-antibiotics were more frequently detected. The highest median concentrations were observed for caffeine (558ngL−1) and erythromycin (319ngL−1). Acetaminophen, erythromycin, diclofenac and N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide showed highly significant seasonal variation, while caffeine, carbamazepine, metoprolol and most sulfonamides were more stable. The burden was most heavy in Qing River in both seasons (up to 4μgL−1). Antibiotics from veterinary use accounted for minor contribution in this region. The characteristics and trends were overviewed by comparing with our previous survey. The total level of 15 PhACs dropped significantly by 37% on average from 2013 to 2015. The proportion of caffeine, once a major component in 2013, reduced from 77% to 47%. The burden of these ECs in surface water of Beijing is remarkably reduced, suggesting the overall situation has been improving.