The Hidden Impact: Exploring Sublethal Effects of Pharmaceutical Disruption on Aquatic Ecosystem Functioning

Summary

The surge in global pharmaceutical consumption has heightened their prevalence in aquatic systems, impacting organisms. Traditional ecotoxicity tests focus on acute and chronic effects like mortality and growth, often neglecting sub-lethal impacts on traits, growth, and communication. Understanding the sub-lethal effects of pharmaceuticals on aquatic organisms and food webs is crucial. In my Ph.D. research, I explored these complexities. Chapter 2 examined diclofenac's impact on a phytoplankton-fungus interaction, showing that parasites were more sensitive to diclofenac than their hosts, affecting disease dynamics. Chapter 3 compared the effects of two antidepressants on snail behavior, revealing differences in response. In Chapter 4, I investigated the combined effects of fluoxetine and microplastics on aquatic ecosystems, noting non-linear responses in various parameters. Chapter 5 conducted a systematic review of citizen science projects monitoring emerging contaminants, highlighting disparities among categories. This research underscores the multi-faceted nature of pharmaceutical impacts, emphasizing nuanced assessments for better environmental risk management in aquatic ecosystems.