Adverse effects in wild fish living downstream from pharmaceutical manufacture discharges

Abstract

A set of biochemical and histological responses was measured in wild gudgeon collected upstream and downstream of urban and pharmaceutical manufacture effluents. These individual end-points were associated to fish assemblage characterisation. Responses of biotransformation enzymes, neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption biomarkers revealed contamination of investigated stream by a mixture of pollutants. Fish from sampled sites downstream of the industrial effluent exhibited also strong signs of endocrine disruption including vitellogenin induction, intersex and male-biased sex-ratio. These individual effects were associated to a decrease of density and a lack of sensitive fish species. This evidence supports the hypothesis that pharmaceutical compounds discharged in stream are involved in recorded endocrine disruption effects and fish population disturbances and threaten disappearance of resident fish species. Overall, this study gives argument for the utilisation of an effect-based monitoring approach to assess impacts of pharmaceutical manufacture discharges on wild fish populations.

Effects of trophic exposure to dexamethasone and diclofenac in freshwater fish

“…It has been estimated that 27,000 human prescriptions of dexamethasone were dispensed only in the United States in 2004 (Kostich and Lazorchak, 2008 potent glucocorticoid cortisone derivate is dexamethasone and relatively high levels have been detected in sewage effluent (Herrero et al, 2013). Sanchez et al (2011) detected a high concentration of dexamethasone (10 μg/L) in river water collected downstream from a French pharmaceutical factory. However, the concentration of dexamethasone usually found in sewage effluents is approximately 0.3 μg/L (Chang et al, 2007).…”

Biodegradability and transformation of human pharmaceutical active ingredients in environmentally relevant test systems

“…gels, crèmes, etc.) and AI emitted from production and formulation facilities also contribute to the pharmaceutical compounds introduced into the environment (Fick et al 2009; Phillips et al 2010; Sanchez et al 2011). During their use and their subsequent entry into the aquatic or terrestrial environment, AI are subject to metabolism and transformation.…”

Intersex in the clam Scrobicularia plana (Da Costa): Widespread occurrence in English Channel estuaries and surrounding areas

“…However, the mechanistics of EDC impact in molluscs remains an area where more research effort is required. Besides exposure to STW effluents and generalised estuarine pollution, endocrine disruption in a range of species has been reported to be associated with agriculture (McCoy et al, 2008;Orton and Routledge, 2011); aquaculture (Ford et al, 2007); pharmaceutical manufacture (Sanchez et al, 2011); paper mill effluent (Pollock et al, 2010) and urbanisation (Schultz et al, 2013;Skelly et al, 2010). Given the very broad range of agricultural activities, industry, urbanisation and population density within the catchments bordering the Channel region; the superimposition of natural variables such as rainfall, run-off, hydrodynamic regimes and sediment dynamics; together with the wide range of potential causative chemicals, it is perhaps not surprising that such complex patterns of intersex in S. plana were apparent across the survey area.…”

“…been the case of some marine gastropod molluscs, whereby male characteristics (penis and vas deferens) were superimposed onto females in response to TBT exposure derived from antifouling paints which, in severe cases in some species resulted in sterility and population decline (Barroso et al, 2000;Bauer et al, 1995Bauer et al, , 1997Bryan et al, 1993Bryan et al, , 1986bBryan et al, , 1987Gibbs et al, 1991aGibbs et al, , 1987Gibbs et al, , 1988Gibbs et al, , 1991bOehlmann et al, 1998). The opposite response, feminisation of male individuals, has been most widely reported in freshwater fish exposed to EDCs derived from sewage treatment works and other sources (Hinck et al, 2009;Jobling et al, 1998;McGee et al, 2012;Pollock et al, 2010;Sanchez et al, 2011;Tetreault et al, 2011;Vajda et al, 2011). However, the physical manifestation of intersex (feminization) may take several forms including production of the egg-yolk precursor protein vitellogenin (Arukwe et al, 2000;Harries et al, 1997;Kime et al, 1999;Leonardi et al, 2010;Matozzo et al, 2008;Routledge et al, 1998); formation of female-like ducts (Jobling et al, 2002;Liney et al, 2005;Nolan et al, 2001); and the occurrence of oocytes in testicular tissue (ovotestis) (Bateman et al, 2004;Chesman and Langston, 2006;Langston et al, 2007;Liney et al, 2005;Matthiessen et al, 2002;Nadzialek et al, 2010;Stentiford and Feist, 2005;Stentiford et al, 2003).…”