Toxicity of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin to Moina macrocopa and investigation of p-value adjustments for (eco)toxicological studies

Abstract

Ciprofloxacin (CFX) and ofloxacin (OFX) are commonly found as residual contaminants in aquatic environments, posing potential risks to various species. To ensure the safety of aquatic wildlife, it is essential to determine the toxicity of these antibiotics and establish appropriate concentration limits. Additionally, in (eco)toxicological studies, addressing the issue of multiple hypothesis testing through p-value adjustments is crucial for robust decision-making. In this study, we assessed the no observed adverse effect concentration (NOAEC) of CFX and OFX on Moina macrocopa across a concentration range of 0–400 µg L−1. Furthermore, we investigated multiple p-value adjustments to determine the NOAECs. Our analysis yielded consistent results across seven different p-value adjustments, indicating NOAECs of 100 µg CFX L−1 for age at first reproduction and 200 µg CFX L−1 for fertility. For OFX treatment, a NOAEC of 400 µg L−1 was observed for both biomarkers. However, further investigation is required to establish the NOAEC of OFX at higher concentrations with greater certainty. Our findings demonstrate that CFX exhibits higher toxicity compared to OFX, consistent with previous research. Moreover, this study highlights the differential performance of p-value adjustment methods in terms of maintaining statistical power while controlling the multiplicity problem, and their practical applicability. The study emphasizes the low NOAECs for these antibiotics in the zooplanktonic group, highlighting their significant risks to ecological and environmental safety. Additionally, our investigation of p-value adjustment approaches contributes to a deeper understanding of their performance characteristics, enabling (eco)toxicologists to select appropriate methods based on their specific needs and priorities.