Municipal wastewater effluent affects fish communities: A multi-year study involving two wastewater treatment plants

McCallum, Erin S.; Nikel, Kirsten E.; Mehdi, Hossein; Du, Sherry; Bowman, Jennifer; Midwood, Jonathan D.; Kidd, Karen A.; Scott, Graham R.; Balshine, Sigal

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2019.06.075

Cited by 38 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…However, the characterization of any environmental factor affecting the aquatic biota, as the habitat quality (e.g., provided by the RAP) can provide an initial profiling of the ecosystems and improve our ability to interpret biological responses [92]. Additionally, it can show us that biological responses may not vary until a sufficient alteration has occurred within the systems (i.e., resilience) [93].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Fish-Based Index of Biotic Integrity for Neotropical Rainforest Sandy Soil Streams—Southern Brazil

Gonino

Benedito

Cionek

et al. 2020

Water

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Multimetric indices are considered a low-cost and rapid means of assessing ecological integrity in streams. This study aimed to develop a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (N3S-IBI) in an agricultural region within the domains of the Atlantic rainforest in Brazil. We sampled 23 first-order streams and used large-scale land use and a local physical condition index to choose reference sites and to classify sites according to the disturbance level. N3S-IBI resulted in six metrics (Simpson’s dominance; the numbers of Characiformes and non-native individuals (Poecilia reticulata); and the percentages of Characidae species, intolerant insectivorous individuals, and tolerant species), contemplating tolerance, composition, abundance, richness, trophic habits, and origin. The low number of metrics contributes to a quick and easy biomonitoring process. N3S-IBI showed an excellent performance to separate least and most disturbed sites in our study area and can provide additional knowledge about anthropogenic effects within this impacted region. In fact, this tool could be utilized by managers to direct restoration actions for the most disturbed sites and to strengthen the preservation of the least disturbed sites.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Fish-Based Index of Biotic Integrity for Neotropical Rainforest Sandy Soil Streams—Southern Brazil

Gonino

Benedito

Cionek

et al. 2020

Water

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“…Another concern of these chemicals that is relatively unexplored is their frequent presence with other stressors, especially in environments impacted by wastewater inputs. Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent-dominated environments typically suffer high nutrient loads, decreased dissolved oxygen levels, increased water temperature, as well the presence of PPCPs and other chemicals of concern (Chambers et al, 1997; Daughton and Ternes, 1999; Environment Canada, 2001; Kinouchi et al, 2007; Odjadjare and Okoh, 2010; McCallum et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Stressors in the Environment: The Effects of Exposure to an Antidepressant (Venlafaxine) and Increased Temperature on Zebrafish Metabolism

et al. 2019

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Aquatic organisms are continuously exposed to multiple environmental stressors working cumulatively to alter ecosystems. Wastewater-dominated environments are often riddled by a myriad of stressors, such as chemical and thermal stressors. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of an environmentally relevant concentration of a commonly prescribed antidepressant, venlafaxine (VFX) [1.0 μg/L], in addition to a 5°C increase in water temperature on zebrafish metabolism. Fish were chronically exposed (21 days) to one of four conditions: (i) 0 μg/L VFX at 27°C; (ii) 1.0 μg/L VFX at 27°C; (iii) 0 μg/L VFX at 32°C; (iv) 1.0 μg/L VFX at 32°C. Following exposure, whole-body metabolism was assessed by routine metabolic rate (RMR) measurements, whereas tissue-specific metabolism was assessed by measuring the activities of major metabolic enzymes in addition to glucose levels in muscle. RMR was significantly higher in the multi-stressed group relative to Control. The combination of both stressors resulted in elevated pyruvate kinase activity and glucose levels, while lipid metabolism was depressed, as measured by 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase activity. Citrate synthase activity increased with the onset of temperature, but only in the group treatment without VFX. Catalase activity was also elevated with the onset of the temperature stressor, however, that was not the case for the multi-stressed group, potentially indicating a deleterious effect of VFX on the anti-oxidant defense mechanism. The results of this study highlight the importance of multiple-stressor research, as it able to further bridge the gap between field and laboratory studies, as well as have the potential of yielding surprising results that may have not been predicted using a conventional single-stressor approach.

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“…This contributes to chronic exposure of aquatic organisms, such as fish, to human pharmaceuticals. Even though surface water concentrations typically contain pharmaceutical compounds in the nanogram to microgram per litter range [3,4], chronic exposure will likely cause adverse effects on non-target organisms [5][6][7]. The accumulation of pharmaceutical compounds in the environment can indirectly affect public health through the food chain [8,9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Vitro Metabolic Transformation of Pharmaceuticals by Hepatic S9 Fractions from Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

et al. 2020

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Water from wastewater treatment plants contains concentrations of pharmaceutically active compounds as high as micrograms per liter, which can adversely affect fish health and behavior, and contaminate the food chain. Here, we tested the ability of the common carp hepatic S9 fraction to produce the main metabolites from citalopram, metoprolol, sertraline, and venlafaxine. Metabolism in fish S9 fractions was compared to that in sheep. The metabolism of citalopram was further studied in fish. Our results suggest a large difference in the rate of metabolites formation between fish and sheep. Fish hepatic S9 fractions do not show an ability to form metabolites from venlafaxine, which was also the case for sheep. Citalopram, metoprolol, and sertraline were metabolized by both fish and sheep S9. Citalopram showed concentration-dependent N-desmethylcitalopram formation with Vmax = 1781 pmol/min/mg and Km = 29.7 μM. The presence of ellipticine, a specific CYP1A inhibitor, in the incubations reduced the formation of N-desmethylcitalopram by 30–100% depending on the applied concentration. These findings suggest that CYP1A is the major enzyme contributing to the formation of N-desmethylcitalopram. In summary, the results from the present in vitro study suggest that common carp can form the major metabolites of citalopram, metoprolol, and sertraline.

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Municipal wastewater effluent affects fish communities: A multi-year study involving two wastewater treatment plants

Cited by 38 publications

References 56 publications

A Fish-Based Index of Biotic Integrity for Neotropical Rainforest Sandy Soil Streams—Southern Brazil

A Fish-Based Index of Biotic Integrity for Neotropical Rainforest Sandy Soil Streams—Southern Brazil

Multiple Stressors in the Environment: The Effects of Exposure to an Antidepressant (Venlafaxine) and Increased Temperature on Zebrafish Metabolism

In Vitro Metabolic Transformation of Pharmaceuticals by Hepatic S9 Fractions from Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

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