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Global relevant concentration of emerging contaminants: species sensitivity distributions and ecological risks to aquatic organisms – a comprehensive data synthesis
Summary
This large data synthesis compiled global concentration data for a wide range of emerging contaminants — including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and endocrine disruptors — and used species sensitivity distributions to estimate ecological risk to aquatic organisms by region. Microplastics emerged as a notable concern in Spain, Japan, and Singapore, while other chemical groups posed the greatest risks in countries like China, Bangladesh, and India. By providing a global, comparative risk picture across contaminant classes, this study helps policymakers prioritize which pollutants and regions require the most urgent regulatory attention.
• Emerging contaminants exhibit notable global variation in distribution across countries • Pearson correlation analysis reveals strong associations among ECs groups • PCA highlights distinct chemical correlations across continents and groups • SSD analysis identifies EE2, 4-NP, and 4-t-OP as high-risk compounds for aquatic ecosystems • Morocco, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Turkey face heightened ecological risks for specific pollutants. • Elevated RQs for surfactants and microplastics are notable in Spain, Japan, and Singapore. Emerging contaminants (ECs) are inadequately monitored or unregulated chemicals that pose growing threats to aquatic ecosystems due to their biological effects on organisms. This study provides a global overview of EC concentrations, species sensitivity distributions (SSDs), and associated ecological risks. We analysed global EC concentrations using comprehensive secondary datasets and applied multivariate statistical techniques such as One-way PERMANOVA and Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (nMDS) to assess contaminant patterns worldwide. SSDs and Risk Quotients (RQs) were used to evaluate species-level sensitivities and ecological risk. Findings reveal considerable global variation in EC concentrations. Morocco reported the highest levels of estrogens (E1, E2), Australia in Estriol (E3), and Bangladesh in pesticides (DDT, Diazinon, Heptachlor). Canada showed peak Bisphenol A (BPA) levels, while China and Japan led in PFOS and PFOA, respectively. The Netherlands and Argentina showed elevated levels of surfactants and pharmaceuticals. PERMANOVA results (F = 1.677, p = 0.10) indicate no significant overall group differences; however, pairwise tests revealed notable distinctions, especially among estrogens, microplastics, and pesticides. nMDS analysis showed clearer clustering by region than chemical class. SSDs highlighted varying sensitivities of aquatic species based on chemical-specific NOECs (µg/L). Elevated RQs were observed in Morocco, China, Bangladesh, and Turkey, with Spain, Japan, and Singapore showing high RQs for surfactants and microplastics. These findings underscore the urgency of incorporating SSD and RQ data into regulatory frameworks to set protective concentration thresholds. Ongoing research is vital to address chronic and sub-lethal effects, supporting evidence-based policymaking and enhanced treatment and risk management strategies.