Presence and ecotoxicity of residual antidepressants in environmental samples

Abstract

The consumption of antidepressants by the world population, especially during the pandemic of COVID-19, has increased. The increase in the use of these substances is intrinsically linked to their environmental detection. In this regard, the present work aims to evaluate the presence of the antidepressants venlafaxine, citalopram, fluoxetine, and sertraline in the Piracicaba River and to perform acute and chronic toxicity tests in Daphnia magna with the environmental concentration detected. The samples were extracted by solid phase extraction (SPE) methodology and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization source. The highest environmental concentration detected for the acute and chronic tests with the individual antidepressants and their mixtures was used. The parameters used in the acute test were immobility and mortality, while in the chronic test were reproduction, survival, and dorsal and ventral size of D. magna. The acute risk quotient (RQ) was also estimated for each substance. The detection method was precise. The concentrations were determined to range from 1.0 to 4.48 ng L−1. The determined environmental concentrations do not present an acute risk for D. magna. According to the calculated RQ, antidepressants do not pose an acute risk to D. magna. The mixture of antidepressants using ambient concentrations did not cause dead or immobilized organisms. Reproduction and dorsal size of D. magna were affected by individual antidepressants and their mixtures. Antidepressants are present in the freshwater environment and can cause changes in non-target organisms; more studies are needed to verify the real impact of these substances on the entire trophic chain.