Molecular Methods as Potential Tools in Ecohydrological Studies on Emerging Contaminants in Freshwater Ecosystems

Elzbieta Mierzejewska,Magdalena Urbaniak

doi:10.3390/w12112962

Elzbieta Mierzejewska, Magdalena Urbaniak

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/w12112962

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Abstract

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) present a threat to the functioning of freshwater ecosystems. Their spread in the environment can affect both plant and animal health. Ecohydrology serves as a solution for assessment approaches (i.e., threat identification, ecotoxicological assessment, and cause–effect relationship analysis) and solution approaches (i.e., the elaboration of nature-based solutions: NBSs), mitigating the toxic effect of CECs. However, the wide array of potential molecular analyses are not fully exploited in ecohydrological research. Although the number of publications considering the application of molecular tools in freshwater studies has been steadily growing, no paper has reviewed the most prominent studies on the potential use of molecular technologies in ecohydrology. Therefore, the present article examines the role of molecular methods and novel omics technologies as essential tools in the ecohydrological approach to CECs management in freshwater ecosystems. It considers DNA, RNA and protein-level analyses intended to provide an overall view on the response of organisms to stress factors. This is compliant with the principles of ecohydrology, which emphasize the importance of multiple indicator measurements and correlation analysis in order to determine the effects of contaminants, their interaction with other environmental factors and their removal using NBS in freshwater ecosystems.

Highlights

IntroductionTo define the regulations for their use, there is a constant need for more data concerning CECs, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and a wide range of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) such as analgesics, antibiotics, hormones, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiviral, and psychoactive drugs [2]
This review highlights the important role played by molecular tools in the assessment and solution approach (Figure 1) for the management and removal of CECs from freshwater environments
The studies use a range of DNA analyses, the most common are those based on genotoxicity assessment, DNA quantification, the assessment of DNA impairments, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and qPCR of selected DNA fragments, and genetic diversity assessment using various methods

Summary

Introduction

To define the regulations for their use, there is a constant need for more data concerning CECs, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and a wide range of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) such as analgesics, antibiotics, hormones, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiviral, and psychoactive drugs [2]. These compounds nowadays represent a threat for freshwater ecosystems, especially because they remain intact following wastewater treatment or emerge as by-products. Extensive studies of the consequences of their spread in the environment and their effect on human health are needed to establish sustainable solutions for their management, removal and mitigation of their toxic effect [2]

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