Review of warming and acidification effects to the ecotoxicity of pharmaceuticals on aquatic organisms in the era of climate change

Unravelling biochemical responses in the species Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to the antineoplastics ifosfamide and cisplatin under different temperature scenarios

This study investigates the chronic impact of two of the most widely consumed antineoplastic drugs, Ifosfamide (IF) and Cisplatin (CDDP), on the bivalve species Mytilus galloprovincialis under current (17 °C) and predicted warming conditions (21 °C). Accompanying the expected increase in worldwide cancer incidence, antineoplastics detection in the aquatic environment is also expected to rise. Mussels were exposed to varying concentrations of IF (10, 100, 500 ng/L) and CDDP (10, 100, 1000 ng/L) for 28 days. Biochemical analyses focused on metabolic, antioxidant and biotransformation capacities, cellular damage, and neurotoxicity. Results showed temperature-dependent variations in biochemical responses. Metabolic capacity remained stable in mussels exposed to IF, while CDDP exposure increased it at 1000 ng/L for both temperatures. Antioxidant enzyme activities were unaffected by IF, but CDDP activated them, particularly at 21 °C. Biotransformation capacity was unchanged by IF but enhanced by CDDP. Nevertheless, cellular damage occurred at CDDP concentrations above 100 ng/L, regardless of temperature. Integrated biomarker responses highlighted CDDP's greater impact, emphasizing the critical role of temperature in shaping organismal responses and underscoring the complexity of environmental stressor interactions.

Responses of multi-faceted benthic macroinvertebrates alpha and beta diversity to flooding in a highland floodplain

Flooding is an important process in natural fluvial floodplains. How the flood shapes aquatic community diversity in highland floodplains is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to unravel the multi-faceted responses of benthic macroinvertebrate diversity to flooding and habitat environments in the Baihe River Basin from a taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional perspective. We examined the alpha and beta diversity patterns of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the mainstream, tributaries, and oxbow lakes during the normal water and flood periods. The results showed that the traditional alpha taxonomic diversity (TD) varied across habitats, despite minor changes after flood pulse. Alpha phylogenetic diversity (PD) decreased and alpha functional diversity (FD) markedly increased after flooding, with functional traits transiting toward risk avoidance. While all the three facets of beta diversity significantly responded to habitat differences, beta TD and PD shifted in response to flooding. Species turnover prominently increased in beta TD and PD after flood pulse, which contrasted with a weaker response of this process in FD. The explanatory power of significant environmental factors on both alpha and beta diversity was reduced by flooding. Compared with traditional TD, cooperating multi-faceted diversity could better depict the responses of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to flooding. The assessment and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in highland floodplains should take into account the three facets of alpha and beta diversity.

Emerging and legacy contaminants on the Brazilian southern coast (Santa Catarina): A multi-biomarker approach in oysters Crassostrea gasar (Adanson, 1757)

Coastal environments, such as those in the Santa Catarina State (SC, Brazil), are considered the primary receptors of anthropogenic pollutants. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the levels of emerging contaminants (ECs) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in indigenous Crassostrea gasar oysters from different regions of SC coast in the summer season (March 2022). Field collections were conducted in the São Francisco do Sul, Itajaí, Florianópolis and Laguna coastal zones. We analyzed the bioaccumulation levels of 75 compounds, including antibiotics (AB), endocrine disruptors (ED), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides. Furthermore, we assessed biomarker responses related to biotransformation, antioxidant defense, heat shock protection and oxidative damage in oysters' gills. Prevalence of ECs was observed in the central and southern regions, while the highest concentrations of POPs were detected in the central-northern regions of SC. Oysters exhibited an induction in biotransformation systems (cyp2au1 and cyp356a1, sult and GST activity) and antioxidant enzymes activities (SOD, CAT and GPx). Higher susceptibility to lipid peroxidation was observed in the animals from Florianópolis compared to other regions. Correlation analyses indicated possible associations between contaminants and environmental variables in the biomarker responses, serving as a warning related to climate change. Our results highlight the influence of anthropogenic activities on SC, serving as baseline of ECs and POPs levels in the coastal areas of Santa Catarina, indicating more critical zones for extensive monitoring, aiming to conserve coastal regions.

The effect of warming and seasonality on bioaccumulation of selected pharmaceuticals in freshwater invertebrates

Multiple human-induced environmental stressors significantly threaten global biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Climate warming and chemical pollution are two widespread stressors whose impact on freshwaters is likely to increase. However, little is known about the combined effects of warming on the bioaccumulation of environmentally relevant mixtures of emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in freshwater biota. This study investigated the bioaccumulation of a mixture of 15 selected PhACs at environmentally relevant concentrations in common freshwater macroinvertebrate taxa, exposed to ambient temperatures and warming (+4 °C) during the warm and cold seasons in two outdoor mesocosm experiments. Nine PhACs (carbamazepine, cetirizine, clarithromycin, clindamycin, fexofenadine, telmisartan, trimethoprim, valsartan and venlafaxine) were dissipated faster in the warm season experiment than in the cold season experiment, while lamotrigine showed the opposite trend. The most bioaccumulated PhACs in macroinvertebrates were tramadol, carbamazepine, telmisartan, venlafaxine, citalopram and cetirizine. The bioaccumulation was taxon, season and temperature dependent, but differences could not be fully explained by the different water stability of the PhACs and their partitioning between water and leaf litter. The highest water-based bioaccumulation factors were found in Asellus and Planorbarius. Moreover, the bioaccumulation of some PhACs increased with warming in Planorbarius, suggesting that it could be used as a sentinel taxon in environmental studies of the effects of climate warming on PhAC bioaccumulation.

Divergent perspectives on the synergistic impacts of thermal-chemical stress on aquatic biota within the framework of climate change scenarios

Climate change, including global warming, leads to rising temperatures in aquatic ecosystems, which is one of the numerous repercussions it brings. Furthermore, water warming can indirectly impact aquatic organisms by modifying the toxicity levels of pollutants. Nevertheless, numerous studies have explored the potential impacts of chemical stress on aquatic biota, but little is known about how such chemicals and toxins interact with climate change factors, especially elevated temperatures. As such, this review paper focuses on exploring the potential effects of thermochemical stress on a wide sector of aquatic organisms, including aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates, in various aquatic ecosystems (freshwater and marine systems). Herein, the objective of this study is to explore the most up-to-date the impact of water warming (without chemical stress) and thermochemical stress on various biochemical and physiological processes in aquatic fauna and how this greatly affects biodiversity and sustainability. Therefore, there is a growing need to understand and evaluate this synergistic mechanism and its potential hazardous impacts. However, we need further investigations and scientific reports to address this serious environmental issue in order to confront anthropogenic pollutants regarding climate change and chemical pollution risks in the near future and subsequently find sustainable solutions for them.

High-resolution freshwater dissolved calcium and pH data layers for Canada and the United States

Freshwater ecosystems are biologically important habitats that provide many ecosystem services. Calcium concentration and pH are two key variables that are linked to multiple chemical processes in these environments, influence the biology of organisms from diverse taxa, and can be important factors affecting the distribution of native and non-native species. However, it can be challenging to obtain high-resolution data for these variables at regional and national scales. To address this data gap, water quality data for lakes and rivers in Canada and the continental USA were compiled and used to generate high-resolution (10 × 10 km) interpolated raster layers, after comparing multiple spatial interpolation approaches. This is the first time that such data have been made available at this scale and resolution, providing a valuable resource for research, including projects evaluating risks from environmental change, pollution, and invasive species. This will aid the development of conservation and management strategies for these vital habitats.

Determination of caffeine in treated wastewater discharged in the Nile River with emphasis on the effect of zinc and physicochemical factors

The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence of caffeine residues in the Nile River according to drainage of treated wastewater at Assiut, Egypt, and the effects of physicochemical parameters and zinc on its concentration. Four different sites were selected to perform the study: S, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) canal (source site); J, a junction site between WWTP canal and the Nile; R, a reference site in the Nile before J site; and A, a site located after J site in the Nile. Water and sediment samples were collected in Summer 2022 and Winter 2023. Caffeine and Zn concentrations and physicochemical parameters were measured in the collected samples. The caffeine concentrations in water samples ranged from 5.73 to 53.85 μg L-1 at S in winter and summer, respectively, while those in sediment ranged from 0.14 mg kg-1 at R in winter to 1.54 mg kg-1 at S in summer. Caffeine and Zn concentrations were higher in summer samples. The Water Quality Index (WQI) of the collected samples recorded the lowest values in winter season at S and J sites. The study found that caffeine and zinc concentrations are positively correlated with water temperature and conductivity, while negatively correlated with pH. The association between caffeine and Zn highlights the environmental impact of heavy metals and pharmaceutical residues, and stresses the need for future research on these interactions.

Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Aquatic Environment: How Can Regions at Risk be Identified in the Future?

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are an indispensable component of a healthy society. However, they are well-established environmental contaminants, and many can elicit biological disruption in exposed organisms. It is now a decade since the landmark review covering the top 20 questions on PPCPs in the environment (Boxall et al., 2012). In the present study we discuss key research priorities for the next 10 years with a focus on how regions where PPCPs pose the greatest risk to environmental and human health, either now or in the future, can be identified. Specifically, we discuss why this problem is of importance and review our current understanding of PPCPs in the aquatic environment. Foci include PPCP occurrence and what drives their environmental emission as well as our ability to both quantify and model their distribution. We highlight critical areas for future research including the involvement of citizen science for environmental monitoring and using modeling techniques to bridge the gap between research capacity and needs. Because prioritization of regions in need of environmental monitoring is needed to assess future/current risks, we also propose four criteria with which this may be achieved. By applying these criteria to available monitoring data, we narrow the focus on where monitoring efforts for PPCPs are most urgent. Specifically, we highlight 19 cities across Africa, Central America, the Caribbean, and Asia as priorities for future environmental monitoring and risk characterization and define four priority research questions for the next 10 years. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:575-588. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

The influence of climate changes on heavy metals accumulation in Alosa immaculata from the Danube River Basin

This research report provides a comprehensive overview of the historical trends in heavy metal concentrations in the Pontic shad (Alosa immaculata) populations from both the Danube River and the Black Sea, while also exploring the potential influence of global warming on metal accumulation. Through bibliometric modeling analysis, it reveals significant limitations in existing international research, particularly the lack of comprehensive data on the impact of hydroclimatic changes on heavy metal accumulation in Alosa immaculata. Recognizing the critical importance of studies on heavy metal bioaccumulation in Danube shad, this research underscores their significance in defining tolerance thresholds, quantifying the impact of toxic elements along the aquatic food chain, and enhancing the economic sustainability of ichthyofauna monitoring efforts. Furthermore, these studies contribute invaluable insights into the complex dynamics of aquatic ecosystems, offering essential decision-making support for optimizing commercial fishing management practices on the Danube and ensuring robust support systems for industrial fishing endeavors.

The Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Potential of Berberine and Silymarin on Acetaminophen Induced Toxicity in Cyprinus carpio L

Berberine (BBR) and silymarin (SM) are natural compounds extracted from plants known for their antioxidant and chemoprotective effects on the liver. The present study aimed to investigate the beneficial properties of BBR and SM and the association of BBR with SM on liver function using fish as "in vivo" models. Moreover, the study investigated their hepatoprotective role after acetaminophen (APAP) exposure. For this purpose, the fish (N = 360; 118.4 ± 11.09 g) were fed with control or experimental diets for 9 weeks. In the experimental diets, the feed was supplemented with either SM (1 g/kg feed), BBR (100 and 200 mg/kg feed), or a combination of BBR with SM (SM 1 g/kg feed + BBR 100 mg/kg feed and, respectively, SM 1 g/kg feed + BBR 200 mg/kg feed). After the feeding trial, seven fish from each tank were randomly selected and exposed to a single APAP dose. The selected serum biochemical markers, oxidative stress markers, and lysozyme activity were used to evaluate the efficiency of the supplements on carp's health profile, particularly regarding the hepatopancreas function. Our results showed that the inclusion of SM and BBR (either as a single or in combination) reduced the serum contents of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and alanine transaminase. An increase in the high-density cholesterol was observed after the administration of BBR or BBR in association with SM. Both supplements showed hepatoprotective activity against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity, especially BBR. The ameliorative effects of SM (1 g) in association with BBR (100 mg) were highlighted by the modulation of the nonspecific immune system and oxidative stress alleviation after APAP exposure.

Bioaccumulation of pharmaceuticals and stimulants in macrobenthic food web in the European Arctic as determined using stable isotope approach

Although pharmaceuticals are increasingly detected in abiotic matrices in the Arctic, the accumulation of drugs in the resident biota and trophic transfer have not been yet examined. This study investigated the behaviour of several pharmaceuticals in the rocky-bottom, macrobenthic food web in the coastal zone of Isfjorden (western Spitsbergen) using stable isotope analyses (SIA) coupled with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Across 16 macroalgal and invertebrate species the highest average concentration was measured for ciprofloxacin (CIP) (on average 60.3 ng g-1 dw) followed by paracetamol (PCT) (51.3 ng g-1 dw) and nicotine (NIC) (37.8 ng g-1 dw). The biomagnification potential was assessed for six target compounds of 13 analytes detected that were quantified with a frequency > 50 % in biological samples. The trophic magnification factor (TMF) ranged between 0.3 and 2.8, and was significant for NIC and CIP. TMF < 1.0 for NIC (0.3; confidence interval, CI 0.1-0.5) indicated that the compound does not accumulate with trophic position. The dilution of pharmaceutical residues in the food web may result from limited intake with dietary route, poor assimilation efficiency and high biotransformation rates in benthic invertebrates. TMF for CIP (2.8, CI 1.2-6.4) suggests trophic magnification, a phenomenon observed previously for several antibiotics in freshwater food webs. Trophic transfer therefore plays a role in controlling concentration of CIP in the Arctic benthic communities and should be considered in environmental risk assessment. Biomagnification potential of diclofenac (DIC; 0.9, CI 0.5-1.7), carbamazepine (CBZ; 0.4, CI 0.1-2.1), caffeine (CAF; 0.9, CI 0.5-1.9) and PCT (1.3, CI 0.7-2.7) was not evident due to large 95 % confidence of their TMFs. This study provides the first evidence of drug bioaccumulation in the Arctic food web and indicates that behaviour of pharmaceuticals varies among target compounds.

Ecology of Saline Watersheds: An Investigation of the Functional Communities and Drivers of Benthic Fauna in Typical Water Bodies of the Irtysh River Basin

In this study, we investigated how changes in salinity affect biodiversity and function in 11 typical water bodies in the Altai region. The salinity of the freshwater bodies ranged from 0 to 5, the brackish water salinities ranged from 5 to 20, and the hypersaline environments had salinities > 20. We identified 11 orders, 34 families, and 55 genera in 3061 benthic samples and classified them into 10 traits and 32 categories. Subsequently, we conducted Mantel tests and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and calculated biodiversity and functional diversity indices for each sampling site. The results indicated that biodiversity and the proportion of functional traits were greater in freshwater environments than in saline environments and decreased gradually with increasing salinity. Noticeable shifts in species distribution were observed in high-salinity environments and were accompanied by specific functional traits such as swimming ability, smaller body sizes, and air-breathing adaptations. The diversity indices revealed that the species were more evenly distributed in high-diversity environments under the influence of salinity. In contrast, in high-salinity environments, only a few species dominated. The results suggested that increasing salinity accelerated the evolution of benthic communities, leading to reduced species diversity and functional homogenization. We recommend enhancing the monitoring of saline water resources and implementing sustainable water resource management to mitigate the impact of salinity stress on aquatic communities in response to climate-induced soil and water salinization.

Insights in Pharmaceutical Pollution: The Prospective Role of eDNA Metabarcoding

Environmental pollution is a growing threat to natural ecosystems and one of the world's most pressing concerns. The increasing worldwide use of pharmaceuticals has elevated their status as significant emerging contaminants. Pharmaceuticals enter aquatic environments through multiple pathways related to anthropogenic activity. Their high consumption, insufficient waste treatment, and the incapacity of organisms to completely metabolize them contribute to their accumulation in aquatic environments, posing a threat to all life forms. Various analytical methods have been used to quantify pharmaceuticals. Biotechnology advancements based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques, like eDNA metabarcoding, have enabled the development of new methods for assessing and monitoring the ecotoxicological effects of pharmaceuticals. eDNA metabarcoding is a valuable biomonitoring tool for pharmaceutical pollution because it (a) provides an efficient method to assess and predict pollution status, (b) identifies pollution sources, (c) tracks changes in pharmaceutical pollution levels over time, (d) assesses the ecological impact of pharmaceutical pollution, (e) helps prioritize cleanup and mitigation efforts, and (f) offers insights into the diversity and composition of microbial and other bioindicator communities. This review highlights the issue of aquatic pharmaceutical pollution while emphasizing the importance of using modern NGS-based biomonitoring actions to assess its environmental effects more consistently and effectively.

Effect of salinity on the toxicity of diclofenac, ibuprofen and naproxen toward cyanobacterium Synechocystis salina

Aquatic species are continuously exposed to pharmaceuticals and changeable water conditions simultaneously, which can induce changes in the toxicity of pollutants. Cyanobacterium are an organism for which less ecotoxicological tests have been performed compared to green algae. In this study, we decided to check how selected non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) affect the grow of Synechocystis salina, picocyanobacterium isolated from the Baltic Sea, with salinity as potential modulator of toxicity. S. salina was exposed to diclofenac (DCF), ibuprofen (IBF) and naproxen (NPX) (nominal 100 mg L-1) in BG11 medium and sea salt supplemented BG11 medium (38 PSU) over 96 h in continuous light at 23 °C. No acute toxicity was found in both tested salinity levels. The comparable grow rate in exposed culture compared to control culture over 4 days indicate lack of stress for several generations which need to be overcome with substantial energy consumption. S. salina was found to be halotolerant and can be species for ecotoxicology test where salinity in an additional stressor. Furthermore, resistant of S. salina to target NSAIDs provide a competitive advantage over other phytoplankton species.

Co-exposure of environmental contaminants with unfavorable temperature or humidity/moisture: Joint hazards and underlying mechanisms

In the context of global climate change, organisms in their natural habitats usually suffer from unfavorable climatic conditions together with environmental pollution. Temperature and humidity (or moisture) are two central climatic factors, while their relationships with the toxicity of contaminants are not well understood. This review provides a synthesis of existing knowledge on important interactions between contaminant toxicity and climatic conditions of unfavorable temperature, soil moisture, and air humidity. Both high temperature and low moisture can extensively pose severe combined hazards with organic pollutants, heavy metal ions, nanoparticles, or microplastics. There is more information on the combined effects on animalia than on other kingdoms. Prevalent mechanisms underlying their joint effects include the increased bioavailability and bioaccumulation of contaminants, modified biotransformation of contaminants, enhanced induction of oxidative stress, accelerated energy consumption, interference with cell membranes, and depletion of bodily fluids. However, the interactions of contaminants with low temperature or high humidity/moisture, particularly on plants and microorganisms, are relatively vague and need to be further revealed. This work emphasizes that the co-exposure of chemical and physical stressors results in detrimental effects generally greater than those caused by either stressor. It is necessary to take this into consideration in the ecological risk assessment of both environmental contamination and climate change.