Assessment of Emergent Pharmaceutical Compounds in the Black Sea Ecosystem

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.