Distribution in marine fish and EDI estimation of contaminants of emerging concern by vortex-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion and HPLC-MS/MS

Due to their persistence or continuous discharge, toxic substances are present in the aquatic environment, and can bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the food web, generating a significant ecological risk and a threat to human health. The present study assess the occurrence and tissue (muscle, liver, stomach and gills) distribution of 59 anthropogenic contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in marine fish from Brazil. A simpler and faster analytical methodology based on vortex-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion (VA-MSPD) and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated. Limits of quantification ranged from 3.31 to 114 ng g- 1 dw with recovery rates between 60 and 140 % and relative standard deviation below 20 %. The ultraviolet filters 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4HB) (benzophenone-3 metabolite) and benzocaine (Et-PABA), and the antibacterial salicylic acid were frequently accumulated in muscle and liver at concentrations between 39.5 and 21.0 ngg- 1 dw. The determined concentrations resulted to be lower than the tolerable daily intake recommended by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Automated summary

Due to continuous discharge, toxic substances are present in the aquatic environment and pose ecological risks and health threats. A study in Brazil assessed the occurrence and tissue distribution of emerging pollutants in marine fish using a simpler and faster analytical methodology. The determined concentrations were found to be lower than the recommended daily intake.