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Pharmaceutical substances are synthetic compounds with very widespread usage due to their therapeutic biological effects. These compounds and their bioactive metabolites are continually introduced into the aquatic environment as complex mixtures via sewage treatment plants (incomplete destruction), animal farms or leaching from landfills. In this study, an analytical procedure involving solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was developed to determine pharmaceutical compounds (caffeine, diclofenac, ketoprofen and ibuprofen) in aqueous samples (wastewater and surface water). The results demonstrated the suitability of the method at trace levels (ng·L −1) for multi-residue analysis of different types of water matrices.

Surface sediments collected from 10 stations of Taranto Gulf influenced by industrial waste waters were analysed for metals (Hg, Cd, Sn, As, Cu, Pb, Ni, V, Cr, Zn, Mn, Al and Fe), priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Data were compared with the published results from other coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea and with Sediments Quality Guidelines (effect range low-effects range medium, threshold effects level-probable effects level indexes) for evaluation of probable toxic effects on marine organisms. Moreover, mean effects range medium (ERM) and mean probable effects level (PEL) quotients were used to evaluate the degree to which chemicals exceed guidelines. Results suggest an ecotoxicological risk for benthic organisms, mainly in sediments near ironed steel production plant of ILVA, where high concentrations of PAHs were found.