DETECTION
Research Projects
DETECTION
Method Development and Monitoring of Illicit Drugs in the Influents of the Six Wastewater Treatment Plants of Cyprus
Program at a glance
Funding Agency | National Addictions Authority of Cyprus |
Program Period | April 2024 – April 2025 |
Action Acronym | DETECTION |
Action Name | Method Development and Monitoring of Illicit Drugs in the Influents of the Six Wastewater Treatment Plants of Cyprus |
Project Coordinator | Nireas-International Water Research Center, University of Cyprus, Cyprus |
Total Budget | 49940 € |
Budget for Nireas-IWRC | 49940 € |
Objectives
In this research activity, the concentration of illicit drugs such as amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cocaine using as tracer its major metabolite, benzoylecgonine, are investigated, by means of an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. This research activity involves a weekly sampling campaign once every three months, at the 6 major UWTPs of Cyprus, which serve the five most populated areas of the island. The concentrations of the drugs in influent wastewater are determined and the daily consumption of each drug through back calculations is also estimated for each site. This collaboration was initiated in 2018 and it is annually renewed.