Pharmaceutical residues, particularly anthelmintics (AHs), are increasingly detected in water, sediments, soils, and wastewater biosolids due to high usage, poor removal in treatment plants, and extensive use in both humans and animals. Many AHs are persistent, lipophilic, and toxic to non-target organisms. Environmental monitoring of AHs in sediments and wastewater-derived biosolids is essential to manage ecological and human health risks. This study reports the concentration of four AHs, albendazole (ABZ), emamectin benzoate (EMB), fenbendazole (FEN), and ivermectin (IVE) in n = 81 inland and transitional/coastal sediment samples in Ireland. Additionally, concentrations in n = 21 wastewater treatment plant-derived biosolid samples collected from seven wastewater treatment plants in Ireland are reported. FEN was the most frequently detected (DF, 86%) AH in sediment and also had the highest reported median concentration (0.103 µg/kg dw). Sediment concentrations were at the low end of those reported internationally. Comparison with Norman PNECsed values suggest that sediment ABZ concentrations present a low ecotoxicological risk, while concentrations of FEN present a moderate ecotoxicological risk. This study reports new data on sediment concentrations of EMB sampled at locations remote from aquacultural activities, with a small number of sample concentrations (n = 8) greater than concentrations suggested to present an ecological risk (0.2 ng/g). Both ABZ and IVE were frequently detected (100% DF) in biosolids. IVE had the highest median concentration (0.57 µg/kg dw) most likely due to higher logKow values promoting strong adsorption to the organic rich matrix. Biosolid concentrations were within the range of the limited previous reports for biosolids internationally. In light of the EU Soil Strategy and the ongoing review of the EU Sewage Sludge Directive (86/278/EEC), further studies on the concentrations of pharmaceutical residues, including AHs, are required to fully understand the impact of their reuse as agricultural fertilizers.
- Open Access
- Article
Concentrations of Anthelmintics in Irish Sediments and Wastewater Treatment Plant Derived Biosolids from Ireland
Author Information
Received: 08 Apr 2026 | Revised: 27 May 2026 | Accepted: 04 Jun 2026 | Published: 29 Jul 2026
Abstract
Keywords
anthelmintics | sediments | river | transitional | albendazole | emamectin benzoate | ivermectin | fendendazole
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