AI Article Synopsis
- Pharmaceutical pollutants, such as carbamazepine, are found in freshwater ecosystems globally and can alter the biology of aquatic organisms, but their overall impact on ecosystems is still not well understood.
- Recent research focused on carbamazepine showed that it affects the development, growth, and behavior of mayfly nymphs (Stenonema sp.) at concentrations of 2,000 ng/L without affecting the interactions between these nymphs and their food sources (algae).
- The findings suggest that while carbamazepine influences mayfly characteristics, it may not significantly alter the dynamics of consumer-resource relationships in natural waters, hinting at possible broader ecological implications.
Article Abstract
Pharmaceutical pollutants are commonly detected in freshwater ecosystems around the world and have biological effects on aquatic organisms. However, current understanding of the influence this contaminant class has on freshwater communities and ecosystems is lacking. Recently the scientific community has called for research focusing on certain pharmaceuticals due to their ubiquity and potential toxicity. Carbamazepine is one of these pharmaceuticals. To better understand the effect carbamazepine has on life history characteristics of aquatic organisms and consumer-resource interactions, we quantified the influence of carbamazepine on the development, growth and behavior of mayfly nymphs (Stenonema sp.) and the alterations in food consumer-resource interactions between Stenonema and algae (Chaetophora). Microcosms were assembled in a factorial design containing algae and mayfly nymphs native to central Indiana and dosed with environmentally relevant concentrations of carbamazepine. From this ecotoxicological experiment we were able to infer that carbamazepine at 2,000 ng/L influenced the development and behavior of Stenonema nymphs and the body dimensions of adult individuals. However, it appears that carbamazepine does not influence consumer-resource interactions at concentrations found in surface waters. The pharmaceutical carbamazepine may influence the behavior, growth and development of mayflies, which could have significant consequences at the population, community and ecosystem level.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10646-014-1309-4 | DOI Listing |
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