Development of a trace quantitative method to investigate caffeine distribution in the Yellow and Bohai Seas, China, and assessment of its potential neurotoxic effect on fish larvae

Zhi Yan; Yaxi Li; Ainuo Lin; Xiao Yang; Zhen Lu; Huilin Zhang; Jianhui Tang; Jianmin Zhao; Donglei Niu; Tianyu Zhang; Xiaodong Zhao; Ke Li

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115492

Development of a trace quantitative method to investigate caffeine distribution in the Yellow and Bohai Seas, China, and assessment of its potential neurotoxic effect on fish larvae

Mar Pollut Bull. 2023 Oct:195:115492. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115492. Epub 2023 Sep 8.

Authors

Zhi Yan¹, Yaxi Li², Ainuo Lin², Xiao Yang², Zhen Lu³, Huilin Zhang⁴, Jianhui Tang³, Jianmin Zhao³, Donglei Niu², Tianyu Zhang², Xiaodong Zhao⁵, Ke Li⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Ocean, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China.
² Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
³ Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China.
⁴ Center for Mitochondria and Healthy Aging, College of Life Science, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
⁵ School of Ocean, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
⁶ Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China. Electronic address: kli@yic.ac.cn.

PMID: 37690407
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115492

Abstract

Caffeine is an emerging contaminant in aquatic environments. The study utilized a validated method to investigate the presence and distribution of caffeine in the surface water of the Yellow and Bohai Seas, urban rivers, and the Yantai estuary area. The analytical method conforms to EPA guidelines and exhibits a limit of quantification that is 200 times lower than that of prior investigations. The study revealed that the highest concentration of 1436.4 ng/L was found in convergence of ocean currents in the Yellow and Bohai Seas. The presence of larger populations and the process of urban industrialization have been observed to result in elevated levels of caffeine in offshore regions, confirming that caffeine can serve as a potential indicator of anthropogenic contamination. Fish larvae exhibited hypoactivity in response to caffeine exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations. The study revealed that caffeine pollution can have adverse effects on marine and offshore ecosystems. This emphasizes the importance of decreasing neurotoxic pollution in the aquatic environment.

Keywords: Caffeine; Distribution characteristics; Locomotor behavior; SPE-UPLC-APCI-MS; Yellow and Bohai seas; Zebrafish embryo.

MeSH terms

Animals
Caffeine* / toxicity
China
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring / methods
Larva
Oceans and Seas
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / toxicity

Substances

Caffeine
Water Pollutants, Chemical