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ABSTRACT
The occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment has become an issue of growing concern. Non-steroidal drugs are some of the most frequently detected pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment due to a combination of their recalcitrance and continuous input. Although the concentrations reported are generally too low to cause acute toxicity to vertebrates, effects of chronic exposure on naturally occurring microbial communities are unknown, with potentially major environmental consequences. This study investigated the occurrence of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) diclofenac, naproxen in sediment of Ikpoba River, Edo State, Nigeria. Sediment samples were collected from three different stations across the study area. Solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry were used to detect the pharmaceuticals in the enrichments. The concentrations of ibuprophen ranged from 0.09 – 0.35µg/kg, while the concentration of diclofenac detected in the sediment sample range from 2.18 – 7.24µg/kg. The results showed that station 1 had the highest concentration of diclofenac, while station 3 recorded the highest concentration of ibuprophen. Further evaluations on the occurrence, persistence and impacts of these pharmaceuticals in freshwater ecosystems is recommended.
