Mussels get higher: A study on the occurrence of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in seawater, sediment and mussels from a subtropical ecosystem (Santos Bay, Brazil)

Data on the occurrence of cocaine (COC) and benzoylecgonine (BE) in marine environmental compartments are still limited, with few studies reporting superficial water contamination, mainly in tropical zones. In this sense, environmental data of these substances are essential to identify potential polluting sources, as well as their impact in costal ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of COC and BE in seawater, sediment and mussels from a subtropical coastal zone (Santos Bay, São Paulo, Brazil), as well as to determine a field measured Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF). COC and BE were detected in all water samples in concentrations ranging from 1.91 ng·L−1 to 12.52 ng·L−1 and 9.88 ng·L−1 to 28.53 ng·L−1, respectively. In sediments, only COC was quantified in concentrations ranging from 0.94 ng·g−1 to 46.85 ng·g−1. Similarly, only COC was detected in tissues of mussels 0.914 μg·kg−1 to 4.58 μg·kg−1 (ww). The field-measured BAF ranged from 163 to 1454 (L·kg−1). Our results pointed out a widespread contamination by cocaine and its main human metabolite benzoylecgonine in Santos Bay. Mussels were able to accumulate COC in areas used by residents and tourists for bathing, fishing, and harvest, denoting concern to human health. Therefore, our data can be considered a preliminary assessment, which indicates the need to evaluate drugs (including illicit as COC) in environmental and seafood monitoring programs, in order to understand their risks on the ecosystem and human health. [Display omitted] •Santos Bay showed widespread contamination by cocaine and benzoylecgonine.•Surface water was contaminated by both compounds.•Sediment and mussels were contaminated only by cocaine.•Cocaine had preferential bioaccumulation over its demethylated metabolite.•A field-measured BAF was determined for cocaine.