UV filters and benzotriazoles in urban aquatic ecosystems: The footprint of daily use products.

The increased use of beauty and other daily use products, in particular those containing UV filters (UV-Fs) and benzotriazoles, results in their introduction in significant amounts into the aquatic environment. In this study, we aim to assess the occurrence and impact of UV-Fs and benzotriazoles in aquatic ecosystems in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, Spain. River water samples from the Llobregat and Besòs Rivers were analysed together with sediment, suspended particulate matter, and wastewater samples from 6 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) along their basins. The analysis of 6 UV-Fs and 2 benzotriazoles in water samples was performed using an automatized on-line solid phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-HPLC-MS/MS) method. The analysis of the target compounds in the suspended solids and in the sediments was performed by HPLC-MS/MS. The analysis of the water samples showed the ubiquitous presence of UV-Fs. Benzotriazole (BZT; partition coefficient octanol-water Log K