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Abstract • A total of 84 phytoplankton species were identified, belonging to five taxonomic groups: Cyanobacteria (13 species and 7 genera), Chlorophyta (29 species and 21 genera), charophyta (4 species and 2 genera), Bacillariophyta (31 species and 13 genera) and Euglenozoa (7 species and 4 genera). • The environmental water analysis revealed the presence of various classes of pharmaceutical compounds. • The detected concentrations of ibuprofen were ranged between 28.22 and187.35 μg L−1 and diclofenac was 14.52−101.27 μg L−1. These concentrations were remarkable and were the highest among the targeted non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). • The measured concentrations of tetracycline and amoxicillin were the highest among the targeted antibiotics and their levels were below 30 μg L−1. • A hazard quotient index (Hq) values based on the detected drug concentrations were higher than unity for all the studied sites reflecting an environmental risk of pharmaceuticals to phytoplankton assemblage. • Pharmaceutical pollution was found to affect both phytoplankton abundance and taxonomic structure resulting in reduced biodiversity. • Prokaryotic phytoplankton (Cyanobacteria) was more sensitive to pharmaceutical pollution, especially antibiotics in comparison to eukaryotic green algae and diatoms. |