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Abstract Detail



Recent Topics Posters

Terry, Lynn [1], Lee, Alec [1], Gagnon, Zofia [1].

Peltandra virginica as a bioindicator of pharmaceutical exposure in Hudson River aquatic vegetation.

The presence of commonly used prescription and non-prescription pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), is raising concerns among the scientific community due to potential impacts on the environment and human health. These pollutants are resistant to wastewater treatment; currently there are no developed methods available to remove these anthropogenic pollutants from aquatic ecosystems. Few regulations exist in New York for use and disposal of pharmaceuticals. Arrow arum (Peltandra virginica), an emergent aquatic plant common to wetlands and shallow waters in the Hudson River estuary, was used as a model to determine the potential impact of pharmaceuticals on aquatic ecosystems. In this experiment, the plants were treated with fluoxetine, amphetamine, and triclosan, and were observed for 18 days for growth and development. The experiment was conducted in the Marist College Cornell Boathouse River Lab, with access to raw Hudson River water. The experimental plants were placed in twelve fish tanks, and an additional six tanks were used for control treatments. Roots of the plants were covered with pebbles. Each tank (with the exception of flow-through) contained a filter and aquarium air pump. Raw Hudson River water was used for both controls and treatments. The following treatments were established: raw standstill Hudson River water at room temperature (control), a flow-through of continuous Hudson River water (control), 0.05 and 5.00 mg/L (fluoxetine), 0.002 and 0.2 mg/L ((S)-amphetamine), 0.0023 and 0.23 mg/L (triclosan). Choice of chemicals and concentrations were based on known ambient levels detected in the Hudson River. Treatments were duplicated. Tanks contained three plants, three inches apart. Temperature, pH, and conductivity levels were measured daily. At the conclusion, plant and root length, number of shoots and leaves, were recorded. Histological analysis of the leaf blades, petioles, and roots showed cellular tissue decay. Chemical analysis showed increased chlorophyll content in triclosan treatments (80 mg/L) compared to the control group (30 mg/L), and also showed potential bioaccumulation of (S)-amphetamine in low and high treatments. ICP-OES analysis revealed decreased magnesium levels in low and high amphetamine exposure treatments (483.3 and 581 μg/g dry weight, respectively), in comparison with Hudson River flow-through control (736.4 μg/g dry weight). Histopathological changes in the plants demonstrate that rooted aquatic plants are bioindicators of the indirect impact of PPCPs on the health of the environment. As plants are an important part of the food chain, these results raise concerns that PPCP exposure in aquatic vegetation might biomagnify in the environment.


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1 - Marist College, School of Science, 3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601, USA

Keywords:
Aquatic plants
pharmaceuticals
toxicology
Hudson River
environmental health
pharmaceutical exposure
bioindicator
pharmaceuticals and personal care products.

Presentation Type: Recent Topics Poster
Session: P, Recent Topics Posters
Location: Exhibit Hall/Omni Hotel
Date: Monday, June 26th, 2017
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PRT003
Abstract ID:729
Candidate for Awards:None


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