Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Marine Environment: Current Challenges in Marine Pollution. Chapter: Personal care products in the marine environment

Abstract

Personal care products (PCPs) enter the marine environment through different sources, mainly wastewater discharges and direct inputs related to recreational activities. Monitoring of this group of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) allows knowing their fate and distribution. To date, wide ranges of concentrations have been measured in the aquatic environment, from undetected to several parts per billion; however, there is very little information about marine systems in this respect, especially regarding more complex matrices (e.g., biota and sediment). Depending on the physicochemical properties, environmental conditions, and frequency of use, different distribution patterns have been observed for PCPs, with higher levels detected in areas impacted by anthropogenic pressures. Moreover, their bioaccumulation has also been demonstrated in marine organisms, which can be used as a proxy of the dispersion of these chemicals. In this regard, biological effects have also been evidenced for some PCPs at environmental levels.