Work

Environmental risk of diclofenac in European groundwaters and implications for environmental quality standards

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Groundwater harbours unique species adapted to perpetual darkness. Groundwater fauna plays a crucial role in global ecosystem services, but contamination poses a threat to this keystone ecosystem. Diclofenac is a common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug of particular concern, due to its presence in both surface and groundwater. We assess the environmental risk of diclofenac in European groundwaters using different scenarios, analyzing Measured Environmental Concentrations (MECs) of diclofenac and estimating the Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNECs) through two approaches: considering the sensitivity of the groundwater crustacean Proasellus lusitanicus (Isopoda: Asellidae), and using surface water species as proxies. Our results show that scenarios based on surrogate species predict that groundwater ecosystems are at risk due to diclofenac contamination. On the other hand, the MECs of diclofenac were consistently lower than the PNEC of P. lusitanicus, suggesting that the current MECs do not pose a significant threat to this groundwater-adapted species. However, risk scenarios differ considering the sensitivity of other groundwater species, emphasizing the importance of considering multiple species' sensitivities in risk assessment. Therefore, we recommend establishing an environmental quality standard for diclofenac in groundwater at 5 ng/L, a value that accounts the need for precautionary measures to safeguard groundwater ecosystems, essential for preserving their unique biota and services.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71747-y

Authors: Cláudia Duarte, Tiziana Di Lorenzo, Ana Sofia P. S. Reboleira

Institutions: University of Lisbon, Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology, National Research Council, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri, Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência

Language: English

Topic: Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,590