Occurrence and concentration of caffeine and cadmium as micropollutants in the Red Sea coast, Egypt

Abstract

Abstract This study investigated the occurrence and levels of caffeine residue and cadmium traces on the Red Sea coast of Egypt and the effects of environmental variables on caffeine concentration, in order to evaluate the anthropogenic impacts on the coastal area of the Red Sea. To accomplish this study; three different sites were taken: El-Hamraween (HMR), Abo El-Swater (SWT), and Om El-Abas (ABS). Sediment and water samples were collected from low and high intertidal zones during June 2023. Some physicochemical variables and concentrations of caffeine and Cd were measured in the collected samples. Caffeine concentration in water samples ranged from 10.94 to 14.17 µg/L at low intertidal zone in SWT and the high intertidal zone in ABS, respectively, while caffeine concentration in sediment ranged from 0.27 to 0.66 µg/g at low intertidal zone in ABS and the high intertidal zone in HMR, respectively. The results indicate significant differences among the investigated sites according to variations in anthropogenic impacts. This study showed a clear association between caffeine and cadmium concentrations with physicochemical variables. Caffeine and Cd’s correlation and anthropogenic impacts highlight the need for more research on the interactions between pharmaceutical residues and heavy metals and their effects on the environment.