Ecotoxicological consequences of pharmaceutical facility discharges on wild fish : a french case of study

Discharges of wastewater treatment plants receiving effluents from pharmaceutical factories represent a non-negligible source of biologically active chemicals in surface waters able to induce ecological/ecotoxicological effects on wildlife and populations. Recently, ecotoxicological effects on teleost fish and tadpoles exposed to dilutions of Indian bulk drug manufactures effluents have been concluded, suggesting that deleterious biological effects could be induced. Furthermore, an in situ study has demonstrated a high proportion of intersex in gudgeons (Gobio gobio) living downstream from a French bulk drug manufacture discharges which could be explained by the nature of pharmaceutical production. The present work consists of an evaluation of long-term adverse effects induced by another French pharmaceutical manufacture discharges in wild fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus) using a multi biomarker approach. Ecotoxicological analysis includes a semi-quantitative evaluation of histopathological lesions in liver and spleen, an analysis of intersexe frequencies, DNA damages on erythrocytes, and biochemical markers related to biotransformation capabilities (EROD, GST, CYP 3A) and neurotoxicity (AchE). Our results highlights a marked hepatotoxic effects mainly characterized by fibrosis, lipoid degradation, confirmed by inductions of biochemical responses, increased densities of splenic melanomacrophages aggregates, and elevated DNA damages in sticklebacks sampled in receiving waters. This works argues for the implementation of monitoring programs, using effect-based tools, and the need to improve our knowledge about possible ecotoxicological disturbances occurring in specific waters which receiving pharmaceutical facilities discharges. This work was supported by the French Ministry for Ecology and Sustainable Development (MEDDE-Program 181)