Marta Villagrasa

Bridging levels of pharmaceuticals in river water with biological community structure in the Llobregat River basin (northeast Spain).

A wide range of human pharmaceuticals are present at low concentrations in freshwater systems, particularly in sections of polluted river. These compounds show high biological activity, often associated with a high stability. These characteristics imply a potential impact of these substances on aquatic biota even when present at low environmental concentrations. Low flow conditions in Mediterranean rivers, most of which flow through densely populated areas and are subjected to intensive water use, increase the environmental risk of these emergent compounds. Here, we studied whether pharmaceuticals in river water affect the local benthic community structure (diatoms and invertebrates). For this purpose, we analyzed the occurrence of pharmaceuticals along the Llobregat River and examined the benthic community structure (diatoms and invertebrates) of this system. Some pharmaceutical products in the Llobregat River registered concentrations greater than those cited in the literature. Multivariate analyses revealed a potential causal association between the concentrations of some anti-inflammatories and beta-blockers and the abundance and biomass of several benthic invertebrates (Chironomus spp. and Tubifex tubifex). Further interpretation in terms of cause-and-effect relationships is discussed; however, it must be always taken with caution because other pollutants also may have significant contributions. Combined with further community experiments in the laboratory, our approach could be a desirable way to proceed in future risk management decisions.

Effects of low concentrations of the phenylurea herbicide diuron on biofilm algae and bacteria.

A system of recirculating channels was used in this study to examine the long-term effects (29d) of environmentally realistic concentrations of the herbicide diuron (from 0.07 to 7 microg L(-1)) on biofilm communities. The autotrophic activity of biofilms was affected by this herbicide, as reflected by a marked decrease in the photosynthetic efficiency. Diuron exposure also increased chlorophyll-a content and reduced the biovolume of diatom taxa at low concentrations. The effects on bacteria were also remarkable. Bacterial abundance was reduced after a week of exposure to the herbicide at a range of concentrations. Effects were on the number of live bacteria and on the increase in the leucine-aminopeptidase activity. It is suggested that inputs of herbicides to the river ecosystem at low concentrations may cause a chain of effects in the biofilm, which include inhibitory effects on algae but also indirect effects on the relationships between biofilm components.

Endocrine disruption in thicklip grey mullet (Chelon labrosus) from the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve (Bay of Biscay, Southwestern Europe).

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) interfere with the development and functioning of the endocrine system, causing reproductive disturbance in aquatic wildlife. The aim of the present work was to determine the presence of EDs in sediments and to investigate possible exposure and effects of EDs in the estuary of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve (Gernika) in comparison with the Arriluze marina. For this, gonad histology, plasma vitellogenin (VTG) protein levels and mRNA levels of vitellogenin (vtg), cyp19 aromatases, estrogen receptor (er) and retinoid X receptor (rxr) were studied in Chelon labrosus. The presence of alkylphenols (APs) in fish bile was also assessed. In sediments, estrogenic hormones were below the detection limit and levels of bisphenol A were very low. In Gernika organotin compounds were low but in Arriluze levels of up to 12 μg/g were found. Moderate levels of APs and phthalate levels of up to 8 μg/g were found in sediments. In fish, a high prevalence up to 33% of intersex gonads was found in Gernika, whereas only one intersex was found in Arriluze. Accordingly, mullets from Gernika showed higher concentrations of APs in bile. VTG protein levels were detected not only in females but also in some undifferentiated, male and intersex fish. mRNA of vtg was detected in one male from Gernika. mRNA of er and rxr showed significant differences between seasons. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that C. labrosus from the Urdaibai estuary were exposed to EDs and showed clear signs of endocrine disruption.

Liquid Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry Methods for Analysis of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Wastewaters

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2009 Abstract Endocrine disrupters (EDs) continue to be the focus of extensive research. Their effects and mode of action as well as their occurrence and fate in the aquatic environment are still largely unknown and need investigation. Wastewater treatment plant effluents are for most of them the main source of contamination in water bodies. A large number of EDs are relatively polar compounds that pass easily wastewater treatments and reach the aquatic environment, where they can exert undesirable effects on both wildlife and humans. Their removal during wastewater treatment, very often inefficient, is usually estimated from the comparison of the concentrations detected at the influent and the effluent and the technique of choice for their analysis is in many cases liquid chromatography–(tandem)mass spectrometry (LC–(tandem)MS). Herein we review the analytical methods, including sample preparation and analysis, based on LC–(tandem)MS described in the literature for the determination of different classes of EDs (pesticides, phthalates, bisphenol A, alkylphenolic compounds, perfluorinated compounds, pharmaceuticals, and estrogens) in wastewater and their occurrence in this kind of matrix.

Water research in the Mediterranean: challenges and perspectives. The Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA)

This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness through the project SCARCE of Consolider-Ingenio 2010 program (CSD2009-00065) and the projects CARBONET (CGL2011-30474-C02-01), GEISTTAR (CTM 2011-27163), WATERFATE (CTM2012-38314-C02-01), (DEGRAPHARMAC-CTQ2010-21776-CO2-02), CDTI INNPRONTA ITACA project (IPT-2011102), MBRControl (CDTI - OHL MedioAmbiente INIMA SAU) andARCOS (CGL2012-33033). It also received funding from the European Community 7th Framework Programme under Grant Agreement No. 603629-ENV-2013-6.2.1-GLOBAQUA, ECsafeSEAFOOD (FP7 KBBE 311820), ENDETECH (FP7-ENV-2011-Eco-innovation), and SEA-on-a-CHIP. Also, the Marie Curie Reintegration Grants (2010-RG-277050; FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG 303946) and the Marie Curie Initial Training Network SANITAS (ITN-289193). M. Pijuan also acknowledges the Ramon y Cajal research fellowship (RYC-2009-04959) provided by the Spanish Government.