Effect studies of human pharmaceuticals on Fucus vesiculosus and Gammarus spp

In two experiments, the human pharmaceutical propranolol negatively affected the physiology of two test organisms, Fucus vesiculosus and Gammarus spp. from a Baltic Sea littoral community in a concentration of 1000 μg l−1. Some effects were also observed for the lower, more ecologically relevant concentrations (10 μg l−1 and 100 μg l−1). The effects on F. vesiculosus not only increased with increasing concentration, but also with exposure time; while the effects on Gammarus spp. were more inconsistent over time. No clear effects of the pharmaceuticals diclofenac and ibuprofen were observed for any of the organisms. Physiological parameters measured were GP:R-ratio, chlorophyll fluorescence and release of coloured dissolved organic matter, respiration and ammonium excretion. Pharmaceutical substances are repeatedly detected in the Baltic Sea which is the recipient for STP effluents from more than 85 million people living in the catchment area, but the knowledge of their effects on non-target organisms is still very limited.

► Propranolol influence the physiology of a Baltic Sea macroalga and an amphipod.
► The macroalgae was more sensitive to propranolol exposure than the amphipod.
► Increased effect on the algae with increased concentration and exposure time.
► Propranolol cause leakage of coloured dissolved organic substances in the macroalgae.
► Stronger effects from β-blocker than Non Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).