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Abstract
To evaluate the ecotoxicological potential of ten prescription drugs against aquatic
organisms from different taxonornical classes, a set of biotests were performed using
the cladoceran Daphnia magna, the chlorophyte Desmodesmus subspicatus and the macrophyte
Lemna minor. Endpoints were immobilisation for Daphnia and inhibition of the average
growth rate for Desmodesmus and Lemna. For most of the substances, toxicities were
moderate, with EC(50)s in the range from 10 to 100 mgl(-1) or even far above, whereas
Lemna was the most sensitive test species in the majority of all tested compounds.
Tests with combinations of various pharmaceuticals revealed stronger effects than
expected from the effects measured singly. Clofibrinic acid and Carbamazepine have
been found to act by a non-specific mode of action (non-polar narcosis), and with
Daphnia the combination effect of these substances followed the concept of concentration
addition, while in the algae test the concept of independent action could be used
to calculate the mixture toxicity. The anti-inflammatory drugs Diclofenac and Ibuprofen
have also been found to act unspecific by non-polar narcosis and to follow the concept
of concentration addition in the algal test as well as in the Daphnia test. The measured
toxicities of the tested pharmaceuticals shows that acute effect of single substances
in the aquatic environment are very unlikely. But we should keep in mind that considerable
combination effects can occur and that toxicity data from chronic studies are needed
to assess the environmental risk of drug residues.