Sammanfattning

Environmental pollution by pharmaceuticals is increasingly recognized as a major threat to aquatic ecosystems worldwide. A complex mix of pharmaceuticals enters waterways via treated wastewater effluent and many remain biochemically active after the drugs reach aquatic systems. However, to date little is known regarding the ecological effects that might arise following pharmaceutical contamination of aquatic environments. One group of particular concern is behaviorally modifying pharmaceuticals as seemingly minor changes in behavior may initiate marked ecological consequences. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of a benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug (oxazepam) on key behavioral traits in wild roach (Rutilus rutilus) at concentrations similar to those encountered in effluent surface waters. Roach exposed to water with high concentrations of oxazepam (280 mu g/L) exhibited increased boldness, while roach at low treatment (0.84 mu g/L) became bolder and more active compared to control fish. Our results reinforce the notion that anxiolytic drugs may be affecting fish behavior in natural systems, emphasizing the need for further research on ecological impacts of pharmaceuticals in aquatic systems and development of new tools to incorporate ecologically relevant behavioral endpoints into ecotoxicological risk assessment.

Publicerad i

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A: Current Issues
2017, Volym: 80, nummer: 16-18, sidor: 963-970
Utgivare: Taylor & Francis

SLU författare

• Hellström, Gustav

  • Institutionen för vilt, fisk och miljö, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

Globala målen

SDG6 Rent vatten och sanitet för alla
SDG14 Hav och marina resurser
SDG15 Ekosystem och biologisk mångfald


UKÄ forskningsämne

Ekologi


Publikationens identifierare

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15287394.2017.1352214

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/86364