title: Human pharmaceuticals in the marine environment: Focus on exposure and biological effects in animal species.
abstract: Marine waters have been poorly investigated for the occurrence of pharmaceutical contamination. Recent data confirm that pharmaceuticals occur widely in marine and coastal environments; therefore, assessment of potential risk to marine species needs further efforts. The present study represents the first extensive review of pharmaceutical contamination in marine environments addressing the effects on the marine biota analyzed at the molecular, cellular, and individual levels. Because pharmaceuticals differ from conventional pollutants, being designed to interact with specific physiological pathways at low doses, the most recent evidence on modes of action and physiological alterations on marine animal species are discussed. Data on spatial distributions of pharmaceuticals in waters and sediments, as well as bioaccumulation rates, are also presented. The present review also seeks to expand knowledge of how the quality of coastal and marine environments could be efficiently monitored to anticipate possible health and environmental risks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy.|Interdepartment Centre for Environmental Sciences Research, University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy.|Interdepartment Centre for Environmental Sciences Research, University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Franzellitti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D058448:Biota / Q000187:drug effects; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Biomarkers; Marine environment; Marine fauna; Mode of action; Pharmaceuticals