Nontarget analysis of polar contaminants in freshwater sediments influenced by pharmaceutical industry using ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

► UHPLC-QTOFMS coupling was applied for nontarget analysis of polar contaminants. ► Wide spectrum of polar contaminants was identified in polluted sediments. ► Pharmaceuticals and their intermediates were present in high concentrations.