Projects per year
Abstract
A multitude of biologically active pharmaceuticals contaminate surface waters globally, yet their presence in aquatic food webs remain largely unknown. Here, we show that over 60 pharmaceutical compounds can be detected in aquatic invertebrates and riparian spiders in six streams near Melbourne, Australia. Similar concentrations in aquatic invertebrate larvae and riparian predators suggest direct trophic transfer via emerging adult insects to riparian predators that consume them. As representative vertebrate predators feeding on aquatic invertebrates, platypus and brown trout could consume some drug classes such as antidepressants at as much as one-half of a recommended therapeutic dose for humans based on their estimated prey consumption rates, yet the consequences for fish and wildlife of this chronic exposure are unknown. Overall, this work highlights the potential exposure of aquatic and riparian biota to a diverse array of pharmaceuticals, resulting in exposures to some drugs that are comparable to human dosages.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 4491 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Nature Communications |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2018 |
Keywords
- Pharmaceuticals
- Stream Ecology
- Invertebrates
- Riparian spiders
- Emergence
- LS-MS-MS
Projects
- 1 Finished
-
Impacts of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products on Australian Aquatic Ecosystems
Grace, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Marriott, P. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Coleman, R. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Pettigrove, V. (Partner Investigator (PI)) & Rosi-Marshall, E. (Partner Investigator (PI))
Australian Research Council (ARC), Melbourne Water Corporation (MWC) (trading as Melbourne Water) (Victoria)
16/01/14 → 11/07/17
Project: Research