Pharmaceuticals Pollute Arctic Marine Ecosystems
Pharmaceuticals in the environment can pose a problem, especially for organisms that live in water. (Source: Ivan Radic/Flickr)
Scientists have found significant evidence of the presence and accumulation of pharmaceutical pollution in Arctic marine ecosystems. A new study shows that pharmaceutical pollution constitutes a substantial threat to Arctic marine species and that the concentration and possible consequences of pharmaceuticals in the Arctic Ocean have not been researched enough.
A new study titled Human Pharmaceuticals in the Arctic—A Review has researched the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the Arctic Ocean. The study was published in the journal Chemosphere, which publishes research focused on chemicals in the environment.
Pharmaceuticals have become an increasing environmental issue, particularly in the ocean, as they most often end up in water.
The Arctic is a unique environment in terms of temperatures, UV radiation, circulation, and human impact. In the past decades, the Arctic has become more available for human operations and more exposed to pollution, including pharmaceuticals.
The ten researchers behind the study write that pharmaceuticals can remain in the Arctic environment for a long time and affect the marine biota.
Environmental impact of pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals in the environment can pose a problem, particularly for organisms that live in water.
Pharmaceuticals enter the environment in various ways. After normal use, they and/or their metabolites are excreted in urine and feces and will eventually end up in the wastewater.
Drugs disposed of in sinks or toilets will also end up in the wastewater. When they are thrown out with the trash, remnants of the pharmaceuticals can eventually seep into water from the landfills. In addition, the production of pharmaceuticals also leads to emissions.
Because the pharmaceuticals most often end up in water, one usually sees their impact here.
Source: Tidsskriftet.no
Arctic marine ecosystems contain rich natural resources and cover a broad spectrum of ecosystem functions. This also applies to coastal areas, such as the Arctic fjords, which are important feeding grounds for various fish, bird, and mammal species, such as humpback whales, killer whales, seals, and blue whales.
The Arctic Ocean and coastal areas are therefore indispensable and must be protected against new threats, write the researchers.
The pharmaceuticals diclofenac, carbamazepine, fluoxetine, and metoprolol are among the pollutants that are now found in the Arctic after long-term use and could have negative consequences for marine ecosystems and the species found there. These drugs can originate from both local sources within the region and distant locations.
Lack of efficient wastewater treatment facilities
One of the most significant factors contributing to increased marine pollution of pharmaceuticals in the Arctic is the lack of efficient wastewater treatment facilities. This particularly applies to areas near hospitals and large human settlements like Longyearbyen.
In addition, long-range transport from Europe, America, and Northern Asia, for example, is likely adding to the total load of pharmaceuticals in the Arctic marine environment. Microplastics can work as a "carrier" for pharmaceutical molecules and thereby contribute to the transport of these chemicals to the Arctic.
Another potential contributor to pollution can be zooplankton, which is known to accumulate pharmaceutical pollution, writes the researchers.
Consequences
The study emphasizes that there are major knowledge gaps and little research on the consequences of pharmaceuticals in Arctic marine ecosystems. Therefore, the researchers refer to studies on sub-Arctic species to illustrate possible consequences for Arctic species in addition to the research found on Arctic ecosystems:
- Physical damage to marine organisms includes weakening immune systems, kidney damage, DNA damage, tissue inflammation, deterioration of gills, and increased oxidative stress.
- Accumulation of pharmaceuticals up the food chain since some pharmaceuticals accumulate in the tissue of marine species.
- Antibiotic resistance due to the spread of resistant bacteria, among other things.
- Reduced biodiversity if vulnerable species experience a decrease in population.
- Little is known about the combined effects of pharmaceuticals in Arctic environments, which can be more harmful than the effects of the individual drugs alone.
In addition, the decomposition of pharmaceuticals is poor in the Arctic due to low temperatures and little sunlight. Therefore, the retention period increases.
More research needed
The researchers behind the study underline the need for increased surveillance and research to understand pharmaceuticals' impact on the Arctic ecosystems.
They point to the research projects PHARMARINE and GoNorth as two of the few who have focused on the concentration and consequences of pharmaceuticals in the Arctic on a large scale.
They add that much more research is needed, and that future research must also include the Asian-Arctic region. In addition, a more extensive list of Arctic species must be studied.