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This study investigated the presence of pharmaceuticals in the water and sediment of Buffalo and Sundays River Estuary, South Africa. Extraction for water and sediment samples was achieved with solid-phase extraction and ultrasonic extraction methods, respectively. Quantification of the target analytes was done with UPLC-QTOF-MS. The pH of surface water in all the sampling sites (8.18–10.1) were above the WHO guideline (6.5). A good correlation was observed between the concentrations of analytes with organic matter and organic carbon. Results showed that carbamazepine exhibited the highest concentration (8.75 ± 1.45 μg/kg) of all the pharmaceuticals, while trimethoprim has the highest detection frequency with the highest concentration of 1.62 ± 0.83 μg/kg in the sediment samples. Sulfamethoxazole was below the detection limit in both estuaries. Calculated risk quotients revealed that carbamazepine and trimethoprim could be of potential risk, while caffeine may pose a very low risk to the aquatic organisms investigated. Proper monitoring of the runoff entering Buffalo Estuary is required, being the point of discharge of Buffalo River to the Indian Ocean. Also, the domestic waste discharge from residences in the surroundings of Sundays Estuary should be monitored.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present a growing environmental and health concern globally. This study examines the state of PFAS research and management in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Sultanate of Oman. A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, including English-language literature without temporal constraints up until November 2023. The search specifically targeted primary research studies employing descriptive or observational methodologies that were published in peer-reviewed journals. The review focused on studies investigating PFAS in both human and environmental contexts within the GCC region. The NIH Quality Assessment Tools and PRISMA guidelines were employed to evaluate the quality of the included studies and report the results. Despite some progress in understanding PFAS, considerable knowledge gaps exist, particularly in wastewater treatment processes and environmental monitoring. The study underscores the need for enhanced research, monitoring, and regulatory strategies to address the environmental sustainability challenges posed by PFAS, ensuring the protection of public health and ecosystems in the GCC region.