Pollutants of emerging concern in tourist beaches of Guerrero, Mexico: A first approach to sources

The presence of Emerging Pollutants (EPs) on the beaches of Acapulco, Mexico, is evaluated for the first time. Samples were taken from the discharge of the wastewater treatment plant at Olvidada beach, and at three beaches that receive contributions from different streams that cross through the city...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2023-07, Vol.192, p.114989-114989, Article 114989
Main Authors: Martínez-Orgániz, Ángeles, Crespo-Barrera, Paula Montserrat, Becerril-Bravo, José Elías, Navarro-Frómeta, Amado Enrique
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acapulco beaches
Bathing Beaches
Cities
Emerging pollutants
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Environmental Pollutants - analysis
Factor analysis
Humans
Mexico
Wastewater discharges
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
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Summary:The presence of Emerging Pollutants (EPs) on the beaches of Acapulco, Mexico, is evaluated for the first time. Samples were taken from the discharge of the wastewater treatment plant at Olvidada beach, and at three beaches that receive contributions from different streams that cross through the city in Santa Lucia Bay (SLB). Using solid phase extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, 77 EPs were identified. A semiquantitative evaluation of their concentrations were made using the relative areas of the chromatographic peaks, showing that the contamination of the beaches of SLB is mainly due to the pollutants going into the streams of the micro-basins. A statistical factor analysis of all the EPs allowed differentiation of the sampling points, reducing the number of variables, which benefits future analytical determinations in the study area. Due to the toxicological characteristics of the compounds found, their presence on public-use beaches represents a risk to human health. [Display omitted] •First evaluation of the emerging pollutants present in four tourist beaches in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico, was carried out.•77 emerging pollutants (EP) were identified and semi-quantified.•Contrary to popular opinion, the beach where the wastewater treatment plant discharges was not the most polluted one.•City's streams carry most of the pollution, due to population density and other sources, to the beaches and coastal waters.•EPs regulation and removal, improved waste collection, and upgrading WWTPs, is key to improving water and lifestyle quality.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114989