Human Footprints in Dublin Bay: Tracking Contaminants from Farms to Beaches

Advanced Analysis Detects a Range of Contaminants

Samples were processed using solid phase extraction for water and solvent-based methods followed by SPE for sediment, then analysed with liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (LCMS/QQQ). Analytical performance was carefully evaluated through recovery rates, matrix effects, and detection limits, ensuring high accuracy, sensitivity, and reliability in detecting target compounds in complex marine environments.

Human Activities Shape Contaminant Patterns

The study revealed clear geographic patterns in contaminant distribution. Pesticides were most prevalent in northern sites linked to agricultural activity, while pharmaceuticals and sunscreen compounds were detected at locations associated with wastewater discharge and recreational use. The recurring presence of these chemicals across multiple sites highlights the complex and widespread impact of human activity on Dublin Bay’s coastal waters.

Informing Future Monitoring and Policy

This chemical profile of Dublin Bay demonstrates the value of combining water and sediment analysis to understand human pressures on marine environments. The findings can help shape monitoring strategies in transitional and coastal waters and inform the EU Water Framework Directive’s classification of priority or hazardous substances. Enhanced monitoring could ultimately support EU-wide efforts to assess and mitigate risks posed by contaminants to marine ecosystems.