Table 2. Concentrations of the target pharmaceuticals found in the rivers of this study and other regions/countries reported in the literature.
| Compound | Concentration range (ng/L) | Mean concentration (ng/L) | Region/Country | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZM | n.d.-67 | 17a | This study | |
| n.d.-24 | 4 | Rivers adjacent to Jiaozhou Bay, China | 18 | |
| n.d.-1620 | n.a. | Barcelona, Spain | 12 | |
| CLM | n.d.-48 | 12a | This study | |
| n.d.-85 | 11 | Rivers adjacent to Jiaozhou Bay, China | 18 | |
| 2-21 | n.a. | Barcelona, Spain | 12 | |
| STZ | n.d.-56 | 9a | This study | |
| LOQ-2 | n.a. | Alzette and Mess rivers, Luxembourg | 30 | |
| TMP | 3–26 | 8a | This study | |
| <5–8 | <5 | England and Wales | 31 | |
| 2–12 | 4 | Huangpu river, China | 13 | |
| n.d.-9 | n.a. | Barcelona, Spain | 12 | |
| IBU | n.d.-195 | 61a | This study | |
| 9–2383 | n.a. | Alzette and Mess rivers, Luxembourg | 30 | |
| LOQ-210 | 15 | Gründlach river, Germany | 15 | |
| <LOQ | n.a. | Acheloos River, Greece | 14 | |
| <5–36 | <5 | England and Wales | 31 | |
| n.d.-988 | n.a. | Barcelona, Spain | 12 | |
| DCF | n.d.-64 | 20a | This study | |
| LOQ-55 | n.a. | Alzette and Mess rivers, Luxembourg | 30 | |
| <LOD-51 | 27 | Acheloos River, Greece | 14 | |
| <10–76 | 13 | England and Wales | 31 | |
| n.d.-380 | n.a. | Barcelona, Spain | 12 | |
| CLF | n.d.-299 | 36a | This study | |
| 105–168 | 142 | Acheloos River, Greece | 14 | |
| n.d.-8 | n.a. | Barcelona, Spain | 12 | |
| <LOD-107 | 44 | Lobregat river basin, Barcelona, Spain | 32 | |
| PRC | 2–7024 | 1132a | This study | |
| 144–305 | 259 | Acheloos River, Greece | 14 | |
| <LOD | n.a. | Barcelona, Spain | 12 | |
| ATL | 1–91 | 12a | This study | |
| 8–68 | 18 | England and Wales | 31 | |
| <LOD | n.a. | Barcelona, Spain | 12 | |
| PNL | n.d.-9 | 1a | This study | |
| 1–8 | 4 | Gruündlach river, Germany | 15 | |
| n.d.-9 | n.a. | Barcelona, Spain | 12 | |
| CBZ | 1–30 | 13a | This study | |
| 92–186 | 144 | Acheloos River, Greece | 14 | |
| <1–25 | 13 | England and Wales | 31 | |
| 2–128 | 13 | Kaveri River, India | 33 | |
| n.d.-136.0 | n.a. | Barcelona, Spain | 12 | |
| CAF | 66.3–8570.8 | 1990a | This study | |
| 37.6–72.2 | 52 | Acheloos River, Greece | 14 | |
| 54.7–199.0 | 102 | England and Wales | 31 |
Note: n.d.-not detected; n.a.-not available; LOQ-limits of quantification.
aMean concentrations in this study were calculated using the measured values if above the LOQ, the 1/2 LOQ if <LOQ or 0 if not detected.