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(M/EH062) Comparison of the toxicity of acetylsalicylic acid and metabolites to standard and autochthonous cladoceran species. Abrantes, Nelson1, Pereira, Patrícia1, Silva, Paula C.1, Gonçalves, Fernando1, 1 ABSTRACT- Pharmaceutical residues are important compounds that make part of a diverse group of water pollutants. Large quantities of drugs found in the environment are excreted by humans and domestic animals. The highest amount (50-90%) is excreted without changes, being the remainder excreted in the form of metabolites. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is one of the most widely used analgesics available for human use without prescription in several parts of the world. ASA is biotransformed in the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum and their metabolites are excreted in the urine. Some of the main metabolic products are salycilic acid, salicyluric acid and gentisic acid. To assess the potential environmental impact of ASA and their metabolites in aquatic systems, we examined the acute toxicity upon Cladocera species in accordance to OECD guidelines. The responses of standard species (Daphnia magna, Ceriodaphnia dubia) were compared with responses of autochthonous species (Daphnia longispina, Ceriodaphnia pulchella). Additionally, several dilutions of the tested compounds were submitted to the Microtox® to survey the level of toxicity. Our results indicated that high levels of ASA and their metabolites, due to human use and subsequent excretion in the aquatic environment, represent a potential risk to zooplanktonic communities. Key words: acetylsalicylic acid, acute toxicity, local Cladocera, Daphnia magna and Ceriodaphnia dubia |
