ASSESSMENT OF EMERGENT PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOUNDS IN THE BLACK SEA ECOSYSTEM

Abstract

The Black Sea, a unique semi-enclosed marine ecosystem, faces increasing environmental challenges due
to emerging contaminants, including pharmaceutical compounds. These pollutants, and traditionally
monitored substances, contribute to the complex pollution landscape, with potential risks to marine
biodiversity and human health.
Pharmaceutical contaminants enter the Black Sea through multiple pathways, including wastewater
discharges, agricultural runoff, and various industrial and urban activities. Owing to its limited water
exchange with other seas, the Black Sea has a high potential for pollutant accumulation, which may
exacerbate ecological and toxicological impacts. Among the most frequently detected pharmaceuticals are
antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, metformin) and endocrine-disrupting compounds, which have been
reported in coastal waters. These substances are known to interfere with endocrine functions, potentially
affecting the reproductive health and development of marine organisms, while also posing risks to human
consumers of contaminated seafood.
The present study aims to establish analytical protocols for the determination of emerging pollutants and
to quantify and assess the distribution of pharmaceutical compounds in water and sediment samples from
the Romanian Black Sea coast. In addition, it investigates the bioaccumulation of pharmaceuticals in
selected pelagic fish species, including Sprattus sprattus (European sprat), Trachurus mediterraneus
(Mediterranean horse mackerel), Pomatomus saltatrix (bluefish), and Alosa tanaica (Azov shad). The
findings provide new insights into the extent of pharmaceutical contamination in the Black Sea
environment and contribute to strengthening environmental monitoring strategies and ecological risk
assessment frameworks.