A Preliminary Ecotoxicity Study of Pharmaceuticals in the Marine Environment

Abstract

Environmental fates and effects of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment have been the focus of recent research in environmental ecotoxicology. Worldwide studies of common over-the-counter pharmaceuticals have reported detectable levels in the aquatic environment, but there are few studies examining impacts on marine habitats. These drugs can affect the functions of various vertebrates and invertebrates. The stability of two pharmaceuticals, cyclizine (CYC) and prochlorperazine (PCZ), in seawater was examined under light and dark conditions, as well as the toxicity of these compounds to larvae of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite, which is a cosmopolitan marine organism found in most of the world's oceans. CYC was very stable under all the tested conditions. On the other hand, PCZ degraded in light but not in the dark, and was more stable in seawater than fresh water. For the barnacle larvae, the LC50 of prochlorperazine was 0.93 microg/ml and the LC50 for CYC was approximately 0.04 microg/ml.

Biodegradation and removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in treatment systems: a review

“…Though PPCPs are present usually only at trace concentrations in the environment, questions are raised regarding chemical persistence, microbial resistance, and synergistic effects of the numerous PPCPs present (Daughton and Ternes 1999). Researchers examining the toxicological implications of PPCPs in the environment have found that these low concentrations can elicit adverse effects on aquatic life (Choong et al 2006;Crane et al 2006). These findings have engendered public concerns as to the possible effects the compounds may exert on both human health and waterway ecology (Ankley et al 2007).…”

Sources, impacts and trends of pharmaceuticals in the marine and coastal environment

“…There is some evidence to suggest that the environmental fate of pharmaceuticals can differ between fresh and saline environments. The transformation behaviour of ibuprofen differed between freshwater and seawater [44] and prochlorperazine was more stable in seawater than freshwater [43].…”

“…Photodegradation may be a less important removal mechanism in coastal waters compared with more shallow freshwater environments due to light attenuation. Indirect photodegradation mechanisms may differ to those occurring in freshwater due to differences in water composition [42,43]. There is some evidence to suggest that the environmental fate of pharmaceuticals can differ between fresh and saline environments.…”

“…R. Soc. B 369: 20130572 resulting in lower rates of biological activity enhancing the persistence of pharmaceuticals in marine ecosystems [43]. Reduced sunlight levels during winter can inhibit removal of pharmaceuticals susceptible to photodegradation [60].…”

Removal of pharmaceutically active compounds in constructed wetlands: mechanisms and application

“…Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) were developed to target specific human physiological pathways [270]. After consumption, residual PhACs or/and their metabolites are excreted from human bodies into sewage systems.…”