«New pollutants» in aquatic environment. Drugs, ultraviolet filters, artificial sugar substitute products (review)

Summary

The data on the concentrations of illegal drugs (cocaine and its metabolites, opioids, marihuana derivatives, amphetamine and ecstasy group compounds), ultraviolet filters found in sun protection creams (titanium dioxide, para-aminobenzoates, cinnamates, benzophenones, dibenzoylmethanes, camphor derivatives, benzimidazoles), and artificial sugar substitute products (sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame) in waste, surface, ground and drinking water are presented. As a result of incomplete removal in the processes of physical, chemical and biological treatment at the traditional wastewater treatment facilities the given pollutants get into the natural aquatic environment where can be found in concentrations mainly of nanograms per liter of water. In foreign countries a marked increase of studies in the field of aquatic environment pollution with illegal drugs, UV filters and artificial sugar substitute products dates back to the beginning of the 2000-ies. Herewith the main attention is paid to improving the efficiency of degradation of these substances at the treatment facilities; to the transformation in aquatic environment resulted from the impact of the natural factors with possible formation of products more toxic than the original substances; to the potential role of these substances as precursors of water disinfection byproducts; to the mechanism of toxicological effect and related risks for aquatic organisms and human beings; to the development of analytical methods.

Key words

toxicological effect , drugs , ultraviolet filters , artificial sugar substitute products , aquatic environment , photodegradation