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Abstract Concerns are growing about the presence of fluoxetine (FLX) in environmental matrices, as well as its harmful effects on non-target organisms. FLX in aquatic ecosystems has been detected in a range varying from pg/L to ng/L, while adverse effects have been reported in several organisms inhabiting freshwater and marine environments. The present study quantifies FLX concentrations in seawater samples from Santos Bay, Brazil and assesses metabolic responses and sublethal effects on the tropical brown mussel Perna perna. Levels of ethoxyresorufin‑O‑deethylase, dibenzylfluorescein dealkylase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, cholinesterase, lipoperoxidation, and DNA damage were assessed in the gills and digestive gland of these animals, and lysosomal membrane stability was also assessed in hemocytes. FLX altered phase I and II enzyme activities, caused cytogenotoxic effects, and negatively impacted the overall health of mussels exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations. These findings contribute to characterize the risks of introducing this drug into the marine environment. Highlights • Fluoxetine (FLX) occurs in seawater samples from Santos bay at 0.58 ng/L. • FLX induced Phase I and II enzymes in gills and digestive gland in mussels Perna perna. • Lipid peroxidation and DNA damage found in mussels gills exposed to 300 ng/L. • Environmentally relevant concentrations reduced the stability of haemocytes lysosomal membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical discharges into the aquatic ecosystem are of environmental concern and sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been pointed out as the major source of these compounds to coastal zones, where oceanic disposal of sewage occurs through submarine outfalls. Diclofenac (DCF) is one of the most frequently detected pharmaceuticals in water, but little is known about the effects on marine organisms. In this study, we employed a tiered approach involving the determination of environmental concentrations of DCF in marine water and the adverse biological effects for fertilization, embryo-larval development and biomarker responses of the mussel Perna perna . Results indicate that effects in fertilization rate and embryo-larval development were found in the order of mg·L −1 . However, low concentrations of DCF (ng·L −1 ) significantly decreased the lysosomal membrane stability and COX activity, as well as triggered DNA damage, oxidative stress and changes in antioxidant defenses. Our results point to an environmental hazard at coastal ecosystems and suggest the need for improvements in the treatment of domestic wastewater aiming to reduce DCF concentrations, as well as regulation on current environmental legislation and monitoring of aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocaine (COC) is a powerful illicit drug frequently detected in the aquatic environment. COC acts by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine (DOPA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT – serotonin) and causes endocrine disturbances in mammals. This study investigated similar effects from cocaine exposure in the marine mussel Perna perna , as well as neurotoxicity and energy imbalances. Mussels were exposed to COC (0.2 μg.L−1 and 2 μg.L−1) for periods of 48, 96, and 168 h. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was measured in adductor muscle tissue to determine neurotoxicity, and neurotransmitter levels (DOPA and 5-HT), monoamine oxidase (MAO) and cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, and energy status (mitrochondrial electron transport, MET, and total lipids, TLP) were evaluated in the mussels' gonads. COC decreased AChE activity in the mussels exposed to 0.2 μg.L−1 and 2 μg.L -1 after 168 h, and all concentrations of COC increased neurotransmitter levels. Increases in MET (0.2 μg.L -1, for all exposure periods) and TLP (0.2 μg.L 1 after 48 h, and 2 μg.L -1 after 96 h and 168 h) were also observed. No significant change was detected in MAO activity. COC also decreased COX activity in the mussels exposed to 0.2 μg.L -1 (48 h and 96 h) and 2 μg.L -1 (96 h). These results suggest that COC may compromise neurotransmitter levels and COX activity. Furthermore, the changes in MET and LPT suggest that COC affects the energy balance of the mussels, and could negatively affect physiological processes such as metabolism, hormone production, and embryonic development. [Display omitted] • Mussels exposed to cocaine showed decreasing AChE and COX activities • DOPA and 5- HT levels were increased after mussels' cocaine exposure • Lipid contents and mitochondrial electron transport were altered • Cocaine at realistic concentrations could disturb reproductive process [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the sublethal effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of DCOIT on the neotropical oyster Crassostrea brasiliana. Gills and digestive glands of animals exposed to increasing concentrations of DCOIT were analyzed for biochemical, cellular, and histopathological responses. Exposure to DCOIT (0.2 to 151 μg L−1) for 120 h triggered oxidative stress in both tissues (through the modulation of GPX, GST, GSH and GR), which led to damage of membrane lipids (increase of LPO and reduction of the NRRT). DCOIT increased histopathological pathologies in gills, such as necrosis, lymphocyte infiltration and epithelial desquamation. This study showed that short term exposure to environmental concentrations of DCOIT causes negative effects on C. brasiliana at biochemical, physiological, and histological levels. Therefore, the use of DCOIT as a booster biocide in antifouling paints should be further assessed, as it may cause environmental hazards to marine organisms. [Display omitted] • DCOIT caused biochemical, cellular, and histopathological effects on C. brasiliana • Digestive gland and gills presented tissue-specific responses at biochemical level • Modulation of antioxidant enzymes led to oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation • DCOIT damaged lysosomal membranes and increases histopathological pathologies • Environmental concentrations of DCOIT are enough to affect C. brasiliana [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illicit drugs and their metabolites represent a new class of emerging contaminants. These substances are continuously discharged into wastewater which have been detected in the aquatic environment in concentrations ranging from ng.L−1 to μg.L−1. Our study detected the occurrence of cocaine (COC) and benzoylecgonine (BE) in a subtropical coastal zone (Santos Bay, SP, Brazil) within one year. Water samples (surface and bottom) were collected from the Santos Submarine Sewage Outfall (SSOS) area. COC and BE were measured in the samples using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–ESI-MS/MS). Concentrations ranged from 12.18 to 203.6 ng.L−1 (COC) and 8.20 to 38.59 ng.L−1 (BE). Higher concentrations of COC were observed during the end of spring, following the population increase at summer season. COC and its metabolite occurrence in this coastal zone represent a threat to coastal organisms. Unlabelled Image • Cocaine (COC) and benzoylecgonine (BE) monitoring in a subtropical coastal zone • COC concentrations were higher than BE in spring and winter. • BE concentrations were higher in summer and autumn denoting recreational use in holidays. • COC and BE found in concentrations able to cause effects according previous studies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic sewage is an important source of pollutants in aquatic ecosystems and includes both microplastics (MPs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). This study sought to assess the biological effects of the interaction between plastic particles and the antibacterial agent triclosan (TCS). The study relied on the swamp ghost crab Ucides cordatus as a model. Herein polyethylene particles were contaminated with triclosan solution. Triclosan concentrations in the particles were then chemically analyzed. Swamp ghost crab specimens were exposed to experimental compounds (a control, microplastics, and microplastics with triclosan) for 7 days. Samplings were performed on days 3 (T3) and 7 (T7). Gill, hepatopancreas, muscle and hemolymph tissue samples were collected from the animals to evaluate the biomarkers ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), dibenzylfluorescein dealkylase (DBF), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), DNA strands break (DNA damage), cholinesterase (ChE) through protein levels and neutral red retention time (NRRT). Water, organism, and microplastic samples were collected at the end of the assay for post-exposure chemical analyses. Triclosan was detected in the water and crab tissue samples, results which indicate that microplastics serve as triclosan carriers. Effects on the gills of organisms exposed to triclosan-spiked microplastics were observed as altered biomarker results (EROD, GST, GPx, GSH, LPO, DNA damage and NRRT). The effects were more closely associated with microplastic contaminated with triclosan exposure than with microplastic exposure, since animals exposed only to microplastics did not experience significant effects. Our results show that microplastics may be important carriers of substances of emerging interest in marine environments in that they contaminate environmental matrices and have adverse effects on organisms exposed to these stressors. [Display omitted] • Sublethal effects of triclosan adsorbed in microplastic were assessed. • Spiked microplastic are capable of contaminating water and organisms. • Lipid peroxidation and DNA damage were observed. • The overall health status of Ucides cordaus is affected by polyethylene particles contaminated with triclosan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]