The highest concentration of antidepressants have been reported in red-stone perch
Today there is little doubt that the uncontrolled use of antibiotics in agriculture leads to accumulation of drugs in natural ecosystems and the emergence of resistant strains of bacteria. But it turns out that in nature are deposited in the animals and less obvious drugs. Scientists discovered in the brain of fish in the Great lakes region, synthetic antidepressants.
An international team under the leadership of Diana Aga (Aga Diana) from the state University of new York at Buffalo investigated ten species of fish from the Niagara river that connects the Great lakes Erie and Ontario. In particular, their are two or several species of perch and pike-perch, Bowfin AMI, Rudd and Talegaon. In the organs and muscles of all specimens were found traces of drugs used to treat depression.
The highest concentration was registered at red-stone perch in the brain which contained 400 nanograms of N-desmethylsertraline per gram of nervous tissue. This substance is a primary metabolite of the common antidepressant of the sertraline. And this is just one of the drugs discovered in the brain of this particular fish, along with a cocktail, which also includes citalopram, the active ingredient of the drug of Selex (Celexa), and norfluoxetine, the active component of the drugs Prozac (Prozac) and Sarafem (Sarafem).
Despite the fact that the levels of hazardous compounds were lower than in specialized experiments, in which researchers have previously studied the effect of these substances on the behavior and health of fish, the situation still raises concerns. The fact that their content in the tissues was much higher than the concentration in water, which indicates the accumulation of the described substances with time.
“These drugs definitely could have a negative impact on the behavior of fish, says yeah in a press release from the University. – We are not engaged in this question, but previously, other research groups have shown that antidepressants can affect the feeding and survival instinct. Some animals don’t even recognize coming from predators danger.”
The authors add that the balance in the relationship between the species in the wild is very slim, and its violation is so flagrant manner may undermine the General health of the ecosystem.
As for how the drugs get into nature, then it’s pretty simple. After taking the man antidepressants and their metabolites excreted in the urine and fall into the sewer. Wastewater treatment plant effectively removed from waste water solid wastes and bacteria, but, according to scientists, the problem of release into the environment of drugs is still ignored. The situation with sewage is compounded by the fact that sometimes due to overflow of containers, for example, after heavy rains they fall directly into the river.
“The treatment facilities are concentrated on the output from the wastewater of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon, while many other dangerous compounds are not considered a priority when caring for the environment – adds yeah. – As a result, they fall into the wild. Fish are exposed to this cocktail 24 hours a day and, in the end, we find antidepressants in their brain”.
Scientists are rushing to reassure that the antidepressants from the brain of the fish pose no danger to people: most of them just don’t use this part of the product in food. But the threat to biodiversity emerges a very real and environmentalists are extremely concerned about the situation on the Great lakes.
More detail on the study results and authors ‘ conclusions can be found by reading the article published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
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