Passive samplers as a monitoring tool for pharmaceuticals in Marine environment: Comparison between Grab and passive sampling,

Passive sampling is an emerging and effective monitoring strategy applied in the monitoring of pharmaceuticals in the marine environment by continuously collecting the contaminants, which usually go undetected with once-off time-point grab sampling. The study aimed to determine pharmaceutical concentrations in surface seawater along Tudor creek by employing grab and Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler (POCIS) techniques. Laboratory results showed that POCIS uptake kinetics were linear over a 17-day exposure period, supporting its reliability for time-integrated measurements. All the target compounds were detected in all the stations, with high concertation observed in passive sampling (∑1931.3 ng/L) compared to grab sampling (∑1687.7 ng/L). The highest concentrations were recorded at Coast General, with a sum concentration of ∑3147 ng/L and ∑3423 ng/L in grab and passive sampling, respectively compared to other stations along Tudor Creek. Tetracycline concentrations were notably higher in grab samples with a mean concentration of 1776.8 ng/L compared to passive sampling (1138.5 ng/L). Overall, the findings highlight the effectiveness of POCIS as a quantitative tool for monitoring pharmaceuticals in marine waters. By providing time-weighted average concentrations, passive sampling better represents environmental exposure levels, making it valuable for assessing ecological risks and supporting the development of informed remediation and environmental management strategies