Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals in the Seawater Samples of the Port of Cartagena (Murcia, Spain): A Pilot Study

A pilot study reveals significant pharmaceutical contamination in the seawater of Cartagena's port, with diclofenac and multiple antibiotics detected at concentrations exceeding environmental safety thresholds. The research analyzed 15 pharmaceuticals across nine sites, identifying hotspots near high human activity areas and even within a Special Area of Conservation, suggesting diffuse pollution likely linked to inadequate wastewater management in nearby informal settlements. These findings underscore the vulnerability of port environments to emerging contaminants and highlight the urgent need for continuous monitoring and improved environmental management to protect coastal ecosystems.

Badillo, E., Yuste, M. T., Vallejo, F., Escudero, E., Poapolathep, A., Poapolathep, S., & Marín, P. (2026). Occurrence of Pharmaceuticals in the Seawater Samples of the Port of Cartagena (Murcia, Spain): A Pilot Study. Toxics, 14(3), 217. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14030217