Anti-inflammatory drugs in the marine environment: Bioconcentration, metabolism and sub-lethal effects in marine bivalves. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Almeida, Ângela; Solé, Montserrat; Soares, Amadeu M.V.M.; Freitas, Rosa
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 263(2020)Supplement Part A
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Pharmaceuticals -- Marine environment -- Bivalves -- Metabolism -- Sub-lethal effects; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114442
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Pharmaceuticals such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been found in the marine environment. Although there is a large body of evidence that pharmaceutical drugs exert negative impacts on aquatic organisms, especially in the freshwater compartment, only limited studies are available on bioconcentration and the effects of NSAIDs on marine organisms. Bivalves have a high ecological and socio-economic value and are considered good bioindicator species in ecotoxicology and risk assessment programs. Therefore, this review summarizes current knowledge on the bioconcentration and the effects of three widely used NSAIDs, diclofenac, ibuprofen and paracetamol, in marine bivalves exposed under laboratory conditions. These pharmaceutical drugs were chosen based on their environmental occurrence both in frequency and concentration that may warrant their inclusion in the European Union Watch List. It has been highlighted that ambient concentrations may result in negative effects on wild bivalves after long-term exposures. Also, higher trophic level organisms may be more impacted due to food-chain transfer (e.g., humans are shellfish consumers). Overall, the three selected NSAIDs were reported to bioconcentrate in marine bivalves, with recognized effects at different life-stages. Immune responses were the main target of a long-term exposure to the drugs. The studies selected support the inclusion of diclofenac on the European Union Watch List and highlight the importance of extending research for ibuprofen and paracetamol due to their demonstrated negative effects on marine bivalves exposed to environmental realistic concentrations, under laboratory conditions. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: NSAIDs, some included in the Watch List, are of concern in the marine environment. Studies on bioconcentration and effects of NSAIDs on marine organisms are limited. NSAIDs accumulated by marine bivalves, showed mainly sub-lethal effects. Immune responses are the main target of long-term exposure to NSAIDs.