Brodin, Tomas
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Umeå University
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.
Published in
Nature Communications
2018, volume: 9, article number: 4491
Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
SLU Authors
Global goals (SDG)
SDG3 Good health and well-being
SDG6 Clean water and sanitation
UKÄ Subject classification
Ecology
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-06822-w
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/97229