2026-10-10T20:09:53Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34027675 2026-09-29T21:05:45Z category_4 category_146 category_19 category_272 category_873 category_69 portal_63 item_type_6 month_year_09_2026

Integrating a Comprehensive Analytical Approach for Toxic-Load Assessment in Urban Wastewater: Implications for Data-Driven Regulation Georgios Gkotsis (17831876) Rallis Lougkovois (20825908) Christoforos Bouzoukas (25139044) Dimitrios Triantafyllos Gerokonstantis (25139047) Antigoni Konomi (17831873) Aikaterini Ragazou (25139050) Marios Kostakis (19688500) Reza Aalizadeh (1506514) Peter C. Voh der Ohe (25139053) Nikolaos S. Thomaidis (1506520) Biochemistry Space Science Pharmacology Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified Inorganic Chemistry two sites subjected specific human activities scientific evidence remain different anthropogenic pressures comprehensive analytical approach wastewater treatment plants increased chemical complexity higher toxic pressure counting compounds exceeding load assessment showed quantitative suspect screening overall mixture toxicity cumulative toxic load suspect screening overall toxicity load assessment novel approach mixture toxic yet discrepancies urban wastewater toxic composition study introduces study aims regulatory prioritization quantitative contribution organic pollutants necessarily correspond limited number integrated target impact substances effluent wastewater comprehensively characterize compounds identified compound ’ chemical classes based monitoring Extensive monitoring of organic pollutants in urban wastewater is mandated by Directive (EU) 2024/3019, yet discrepancies between regulatory prioritization and scientific evidence remain. This study aims to comprehensively characterize the chemical and toxic composition of wastewater from two sites subjected to different anthropogenic pressures. To achieve this, a combined analytical strategy integrating target analysis with semi-quantitative suspect screening was applied, extending beyond current regulatory requirements. The results revealed complex mixtures of organic pollutants across multiple chemical classes in both wastewater treatment plants, with distinct chemical fingerprints reflecting location-specific human activities. Suspect screening substantially expanded (+23%) chemical coverage, identifying 90 previously overlooked contaminants. Instead of counting compounds exceeding their PNEC, compounds and chemical classes were ranked by their contribution to the cumulative toxic load, preserving each compound’s quantitative contribution to overall mixture toxicity. Toxic-load assessment showed that increased chemical complexity does not necessarily correspond to higher toxic pressure, as overall toxicity was driven by a limited number of high-impact substances. The study introduces a robust, holistic, and novel approach for next-generation, integrated target and suspect screening-based monitoring of urban wastewater and mixture toxic-load assessment for compounds identified in effluent wastewater. 2026-09-29T00:00:00Z Text Journal contribution 10.1021/acs.estlett.6c00733.s001 https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Integrating_a_Comprehensive_Analytical_Approach_for_Toxic-Load_Assessment_in_Urban_Wastewater_Implications_for_Data-Driven_Regulation/34027675 CC BY-NC 4.0