Assessment of gemfibrozil persistence in river water alone and in co-presence of naproxen

Toxicity and tissue accumulation characteristics of the herbicide pendimethalin under silicon application in ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

Environmental health and food safety issues potentially caused by the dinitroaniline herbicide pendimethalin (PM) are a worldwide concern. The toxicity response of ginger and tissue accumulation effects of PM on ginger biomass were studied by utilizing PM (CK (clean water), PM1 (0.4%), PM2 (0.67%), PM3 (1.0%), and PM4 (1.67%)) in a dose-response study. It significantly reduced the biomass of ginger under PM4, which is attributed to root damage. The net photosynthetic rate of ginger under PM4 was 11.37% lower than that of CK, which is mainly caused by stomatal limitation. In addition, the ultrastructure of chloroplasts has changed. PM4 caused the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ginger. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) increased accordingly, maintaining the dynamic balance of ROS content. PM had no significant effect on the expression of ginger α-tubulin genes. PM was significantly accumulated in ginger roots, but not rhizomes. Si increased the productivity of ginger under PM4, which is mainly related to the increase of root development (root application of silicon) and photosynthetic efficiency (foliar application of silicon). Si reduced the ROS content due to the increase in SOD, POD, and catalase (CAT) activity and photosynthetic efficiency.

Acute and chronic exposure of the holometabolous life cycle of Aedes aegypti L. to emerging contaminants naproxen and propylparaben

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are a class of emerging contaminants commonly detected in environmental waters worldwide. Although reports about their detection in aquatic environments are increasing, limited studies show their effects on holometabolous insects. In this study, acute and chronic exposure to naproxen (0.02, 41, 82, 164, 382, 656, and 1312 mg L^-1) and propylparaben (0.02, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 mg L^-1) were evaluated in Aedes aegypti L. Acute exposure to naproxen (≥0.02 mg L^-1) and propylparaben (≥0.02 mg L^-1) reduced egg eclosion. Propylparaben (≥250 mg L^-1) caused significant larval mortality but naproxen did not even at the highest experimental concentration used. LC₅₀ for naproxen and propylparaben in larvae were 1100 mg L^-1 and 182.6 mg L^-1, respectively. Naproxen (≥0.02 mg L^-1) and propylparaben (≥0.02 mg L^-1) reduced pupation. Emergence was also reduced by naproxen (≥164 mg L^-1) and propylparaben (≥0.02 mg L^-1). The fecundity of females was significantly reduced due to chronic exposure to naproxen (≥0.02 mg L^-1). There was also a reduction in the fecundity of females due to chronic propylparaben exposure but it was statistically insignificant in the concentrations used. In the F1 generation eggs, only 100 mg L^-1 propylparaben reduced eclosion. Eclosion and larval survival were sensitive to acute exposure, particularly to propylparaben. The reduced pupation and emergence indicated a delay in the progression of the life cycle. Chronic exposure also indicated a reduction in fecundity. F1 eggs exhibited tolerance to the negative effect of subsequent exposure. Our findings suggest that propylparaben can affect Ae. aegypti more negatively than naproxen.

High-rate algal pond for removal of pharmaceutical compounds from urban domestic wastewater under tropical conditions. Case study: Santiago de Cali, Colombia

This study evaluated the capacity of a pilot-scale high-rate algal pond (HRAP) to remove pharmaceutical compounds (PCs) from domestic wastewater in the city of Santiago de Cali, Colombia. The compounds analyzed included antiepileptics, hypolipidemic drugs, tranquilizers and analgesics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. The HRAP operated under a continuous water flow of 0.2 m³d^-1 and a 3-day hydraulic retention time (HRT). Removal efficiencies were high (>70%) for fenofibric acid, ibuprofen, and paracetamol; medium (30-70%) for gabapentin, lamotrigine, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, diclofenac, ketoprofen, naproxen, and pentoxifylline; and low (<30%) for carbamazepine and its metabolite 10,11-Dihidro-10,11-dihidroxicarbamazepine (CBZ-Diol). The findings herein are similar to other studies, but were obtained with a shorter HRT. These results show that tropical environmental conditions favor photodegradation and contribute to the development of microalgae and the biodegradation process. Twenty microalgae species were identified, with the phylum Chlorophyta as the most abundant, particularly due to its natural introduction. The removal of the PCs also reflected a percentage reduction (>50%) in the ecological hazard posed by most of the compounds, although it is important to note that the hazard from gemfibrozil and ibuprofen remained high even after treatment, indicating the need for complementary treatment.

Effects of gemfibrozil on the growth, reproduction, and energy stores of Daphnia magna in the presence of varying food concentrations

Gemfibrozil, a common lipid regulator, enters aquatic environments through treated municipal wastewater effluent that fails to remove it completely from effluent streams. When exposed to gemfibrozil concentrations of 50, 500, 5,000, and 50,000 ng L^-1, Daphnia magna showed increased lipid reserves by 14-21% (significant at 500 ng L^-1), increased length by 9-13% (significant at 50 ng L^-1), increased mass by 6-13% (significant at 50 ng L^-1) and increased neonate production by 57-74% (significant at 50 ng L^-1). Gemfibrozil-exposed Daphnia held under conditions where food availability was low, grew and reproduced as well as those in the control. Taken together, these results suggest that gemfibrozil exposure within environmentally relevant concentration ranges is not toxic to Daphnia magna but has the potential to be beneficial to the species under these conditions.