Claessens, M.

De Brabander, H.

Janssen, C.R.

Vanhaecke, L.

Wille, K.

Open Marine Archive

  
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OCCURRENCE AND EFFECTS OF PHARMACEUTICALS IN THE BELGIAN 
COASTAL ZONE 
Claessens Michiel1, Klaas Wille2, Lynn Vanhaecke2, Hubert De Brabander2 and Colin R. Janssen1 
1 Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering,  
Ghent University, J. Plateaustraat 22, 9000 Ghent, Belgium 
Email: michiel.claessens@ugent.be  
2 Research group of Veterinary public Health and Zoonoses, Laboratory of Chemical Analysis, 
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium 
 
For freshwater ecosystems, a considerable number of studies have reported detectable levels of 
common pharmaceuticals. For the marine environment, however, only a limited number of studies 
are available. While concentrations of pharmaceuticals in the marine environment are generally 
thought to be lower than in freshwater, potential effects cannot be excluded since these substances 
are designed to exert a well-defined effect at low doses.  
 
In this study, which is part of the INRAM project aimed at developing an integrated impact 
assessment and monitoring strategy for the Belgian coastal zone, environmental concentrations of 
15 pharmaceuticals were determined in Belgian marine waters. Ecotoxicological data have been 
generated for a number of the most frequently observed compounds, using the marine diatom 
Phaeodactylum tricornutum (72h growth inhibition test) and the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas 
(24h larval development test) as test species.  
 
Of the 15 pharmaceuticals analyzed, nine were frequently detected. The highest concentrations 
were found for salicylic acid (855ng/L, Oostende harbour), carbamazepine (119ng/L, Oostende 
harbour) and atenolol (88ng/L, Oostende harbour). Based on the ecotoxicological test results and 
the environmental monitoring data, an initial risk characterisation was performed. This exercise 
indicated that individual substances do not pose a substantial risk to marine life in the Belgian 
coastal zone. However, the potential risks of mixtures and long term effects still need to be 
established. 


Occurrence and effects of pharmaceuticals in the Belgian coastal zone

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