Occurrence and spatiotemporal variability of sunscreen agents along the polish part of the Baltic Sea coast

UV-filters accumulate in tissues of aquatic organisms and induce negative effects on fertility and reproduction. Since they are “new emerging pollutants” general monitoring programs are rare and mainly conducted in touristic places, where high temperatures are recorded throughout the year (Spain, the Gulf of Mexico, the Mediterranean coast). This study is focused on benzophenones and derivatives of camphor. The concentration of UV-filters was monitored seasonally in core sediments collected in four Polish beaches (Ustka, Rowy, Darłowo, Czołpino) characterized by various level of touristic pressure along a transect perpendicular to the shoreline over a period of 1 year. Analysis of target compounds in sand cores was performed by means of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method followed by high performance liquid chromatography equipped with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). In samples collected in the most touristic attractive location the presence of benzophenones was confirmed.