Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis of UV filters in marine mussels (Mytilus galloprovinciallis) from the southern coast of Spain

Abstract Ultraviolet (UV) filters are a family of organic compounds widely used in sunscreens and personal care products (PCPs) as well as other materials such as plastics, toys and outdoor furniture, for their effectiveness in absorbing UVA and UVB radiation. These compounds directly enter the marine environment because of inefficient wastewater treatments and anthropogenic activities, posing a risk to the marine biota. The present study develops and validates a method to determine some of the most used UV filters (BP-1, BP-2, BP-3, BP-6, BP-8, 4-OH-BP and 4-MBC), in wild Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The sample treatment is based on an ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by a clean-up step using C18 as sorbent. The methodology was satisfactorily validated, obtaining good features, and it was applied for the evaluation of the occurrence of the target analytes in mussels collected in five areas along the tourist coast of Granada (Spain) just after summer holydays period. The results showed a higher bioaccumulation in specimens sampled in recreational areas and with a closed geomorphology, being BP-3 the most predominant in all locations. BP-1 and BP-3 were quantified in all samples and the rest of UV filters were detected in most of them, except for BP-2. The data raises concern about the undesirable effects that UV filter pollution can cause in the area and highlights the need to establish practices that help preserve and sustain the marine ecosystem.