Emerging contaminants in Belgian marine waters: single toxicant and mixture risks of pharmaceuticals
Claessens, M.; Vanhaecke, L.; Wille, K.; Janssen, C.R. (2013). Emerging contaminants in Belgian marine waters: single toxicant and mixture risks of pharmaceuticals. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 71(1-2): 41-50. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.03.039 In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: London. ISSN 0025-326X; e-ISSN 1879-3363, more |  |
| Keywords | Bacillariophyceae [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | Emerging contaminants; Marine environment; Pharmaceuticals; Mixtures; Ecotoxicity; Marine diatom |
| Abstract | Knowledge on the effects of pharmaceuticals on aquatic marine ecosystems is limited. The aim of this study was therefore to establish the effect thresholds of pharmaceutical compounds occurring in the Belgian marine environment for the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and subsequently perform an environmental risk assessment for these substances. Additionally, a screening-level risk assessment was performed for the pharmaceutical mixtures.No immediate risk for acute toxic effects of these compounds on P. tricornutum were apparent at the concentrations observed in the Belgian marine environment. In two Belgian coastal harbours however, a potential chronic risk was observed for the ß-blocker propranolol. No additional risks arising from the exposure to mixtures of pharmaceuticals present in the sampling area could be detected. However, as risk characterization ratios for mixtures of up to 0.5 were observed, mixture effects could emerge should more compounds be taken into account. |
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