| Title: | Pharmaceuticals May Disrupt Natural Chemical Information Flows and Species Interactions in Aquatic Systems: Ideas and Perspectives on a Hidden Global Change |
| Author(s): | Van Donk E; Peacor S; Grosser K; De Senerpont Domis LN; Lurling M; |
| Address: | "Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, Netherlands. e.vandonk@nioo.knaw.nl. Department of Ecology and Biodiversity, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands. e.vandonk@nioo.knaw.nl. Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, Netherlands. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. Aquatic Ecology & Water Quality Management Group, Dept. Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands" |
| Journal Title: | Rev Environ Contam Toxicol |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0179-5953 (Print) 0179-5953 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Pharmaceuticals consumption by humans and animals is increasing substantially, leading to unprecedented levels of these compounds in aquatic environments worldwide. Recent findings that concentrations reach levels that can directly have negative effects on organisms are important per se, but also sound an alarm for other potentially more pervasive effects that arise from the interconnected nature of ecological communities. Aquatic organisms use chemical cues to navigate numerous challenges, including the location of mates and food, and the avoidance of natural enemies. Low concentrations of pharmaceuticals can disrupt this 'smellscape' of information leading to maladaptive responses. Furthermore, direct effects of pharmaceuticals on the traits and abundance of one species can cascade through a community, indirectly affecting other species. We review mechanisms by which pharmaceuticals in surface waters can disrupt natural chemical information flows and species interactions. Pharmaceuticals form a new class of chemical threats, which could have far-reaching implications for ecosystem functioning and conservation management" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Aquatic Organisms/*drug effects/physiology *Ecosystem Olfactory Perception/*drug effects Pharmaceutical Preparations Pheromones/metabolism Water Pollutants, Chemical/*toxicity;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineVan Donk, Ellen Peacor, Scott Grosser, Katharina De Senerpont Domis, Lisette N Lurling, Miquel eng Review 2015/11/18 Rev Environ Contam Toxicol. 2016; 238:91-105. doi: 10.1007/398_2015_5002" |
