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Fluvial biofilms: a pertinent tool to assess β-blockers toxicity

Among increasingly used pharmaceutical products, β-blockers have been commonly reported at low concentrations in rivers and littoral waters of Europe and North America. Little is known about the toxicity of these chemicals in freshwater ecosystems while their presence may lead to chronic pollution. Hence, in this study the acute toxicity of 3 β-blockers: metoprolol, propranolol and atenolol on fluvial biofilms was assessed by using several biomarkers. Some were indicative of potential alterations in biofilm algae (photosynthetic efficiency), and others in biofilm bacteria (peptidase activity, bacterial mortality). Propranolol was the most toxic β-blocker, mostly affecting the algal photosynthetic process. The exposure to 531 μg/L of propranolol caused 85% of inhibition of photosynthesis after 24 h. Metoprolol was particularly toxic for bacteria. Though estimated No-Effect Concentrations (NEC) were similar to environmental concentrations, higher concentrations of the toxic (503 μg/L metoprolol) caused an increase of 50% in bacterial mortality. Atenolol was the least toxic of the three tested β-blockers. Effects superior to 50% were only observed at very high concentration (707 mg/L). Higher toxicity of metoprolol and propranolol might be due to better absorption within biofilms of these two chemicals. Since β-blockers are mainly found in mixtures in rivers, their differential toxicity could have potential relevant consequences on the interactions between algae and bacteria within river biofilms

© Aquatic Toxicology, 2010, vol. 96, núm. 3, p. 225-233

http://hdl.handle.net/10803/36688

Elsevier

Author: Bonnineau, Chloé
Guasch i Padró, Helena
Proia, Lorenzo
Ricart Viladomat, Marta
Geiszinger, Anita
Romaní i Cornet, Anna M.
Sabater, Sergi
Date: 2010
Abstract: Among increasingly used pharmaceutical products, β-blockers have been commonly reported at low concentrations in rivers and littoral waters of Europe and North America. Little is known about the toxicity of these chemicals in freshwater ecosystems while their presence may lead to chronic pollution. Hence, in this study the acute toxicity of 3 β-blockers: metoprolol, propranolol and atenolol on fluvial biofilms was assessed by using several biomarkers. Some were indicative of potential alterations in biofilm algae (photosynthetic efficiency), and others in biofilm bacteria (peptidase activity, bacterial mortality). Propranolol was the most toxic β-blocker, mostly affecting the algal photosynthetic process. The exposure to 531 μg/L of propranolol caused 85% of inhibition of photosynthesis after 24 h. Metoprolol was particularly toxic for bacteria. Though estimated No-Effect Concentrations (NEC) were similar to environmental concentrations, higher concentrations of the toxic (503 μg/L metoprolol) caused an increase of 50% in bacterial mortality. Atenolol was the least toxic of the three tested β-blockers. Effects superior to 50% were only observed at very high concentration (707 mg/L). Higher toxicity of metoprolol and propranolol might be due to better absorption within biofilms of these two chemicals. Since β-blockers are mainly found in mixtures in rivers, their differential toxicity could have potential relevant consequences on the interactions between algae and bacteria within river biofilms
Format: application/pdf
Citation: Bonnineau, C., Guasch, H., Proia, L., Ricart, M., Geiszinger, A., Romaní, A.M., et al. (2010). Fluvial biofilms: a pertinent tool to assess β-blockers toxicity. Aquatic Toxicology, 96 (3), 225-233. Recuperat 27 octubre de 2011, a doi:10.1016/j.aquatox.2009.10.024
ISSN: 0166-445X (versió paper)
1879-1514 (versió electrònica)
Document access: http://hdl.handle.net/10256/3676
Language: eng
Publisher: Elsevier
Collection: Versió Preprint del document publicat a: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2009.10.024
Articles publicats (D-CCAA)
Is part of: © Aquatic Toxicology, 2010, vol. 96, núm. 3, p. 225-233
See also: http://hdl.handle.net/10803/36688
Rights: Tots els drets reservats
Subject: Biofilms
Indicadors biològics
Indicators (Biology)
Title: Fluvial biofilms: a pertinent tool to assess β-blockers toxicity
Type: info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Repository: DUGiDocs

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