Quantitative Analysis of Pharmaceutical Emerging Contaminants in Water and Fish Samples of River Kaduna
Authors: Rumah Hafsat Tukur , Rilwan H.B. , Bako Hauwa'u Yakubu , Nuhu Abdullahi Maikudi 
Published: October 2023

Purpose of the research:
The presence of pharmaceutical emerging contaminants (PECs) in natural waters has drawn the attention of many Scientists around the world. Reports on the presence of these contaminants in different water systems continue to increase over the last few decades. This provokes worry about their potential negative implications to biodiversity and humans and their accumulation over a long period of time due to their ability to biotransformed and thus, breaks down into metabolites which can be more bioactive than the drug itself. Additionally, they have the potential to create physiological effects in humans at small doses.
Methodology:
This research involved preliminary investigations on disposal practices of expired drugs by pharmacists within Kaduna. Water and fish samples from river Kaduna were collected and prepared for GC-MS analysis to detect the presence of PECs.
Findings:
preliminary investigations on disposal practices of expired drugs by pharmacists within Kaduna metropolis revealed that about 60% of the pharmacists discard their expired products through either dumping in bin or burning; 20% reported to follow National (NAFDAC) guidelines while about 20% either refused to respond or were not aware about the disposal practices. The GC-MS results obtained for water sample revealed the presence of N-(3-methylbutyl) acetamide (335 g/L), acetic acid (81 g/L) and cyclopentaneundecanoic acid (140 g/L). Whereas in fish sample, 26-Nor-5-cholesten-3-beta.-ol-25-one (400 g/kg), 1,3-benzene diol (160 g/kg), cyclopentaneundecanoic acid (170 g/kg) as well as N-(3-methylbutyl) acetamide (40 g/kg) were present. Some of the compounds found in relatively lower concentrations in the water sample are phthalic acid (27 g/L), guanidine (27 g/L), gluconic acid (17 g/L) and silver acetate (0.7 g/L) while in fish sample, hydroxylamine (3 g/kg), 1,5 heptadiene (12 g/kg) and silane (4 g/kg) were present. Most of the compounds detected are either esters, acids and alcoholic compounds. There is no doubt that this method detects not only PECs in water and fish samples efficiently but also other contaminants such as pesticides, surfactants and other hazardous gases.
Originality/Value:
Studies on PECs in Nigeria is either ignored or limited especially in Northern part of the Country despite its occurrence in different locations and different environmental compartments with variations in concentrations. This research will create awareness and expose individuals and stakeholders to the potential negative effects of these contaminants.
Conclusions:
Pharmaceutical chemicals are very broad which include solvents, water, reactants and others. There is no doubt that the methods employed in this study detect not only pharmaceutical contaminants in water and fish samples but even other contaminants such as pesticides in minute concentrations. There is need for incorporation of other detection methods such as LC-MS since GC-MS can only detect volatile substances.