EFF-Pharm: Effects of pharmaceuticals (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and beta-blockers) in fish and invertebrates and their detection by newly developed in vitro-bioassays

As tools for environmental monitoring of pharmaceuticals, mode of action -based in vitro-assays were developed for beta-blockers as metoprolol, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as diclofenac. In order to validate these tests for their suitability to reflect in vivo-effects in aquatic organisms, toxicity tests and biomarker studies were conducted with fish, crustaceans, snails and sediment-dwelling invertebrates. Test were conducted in laboratory, aquatic mesocosm and under field conditions. In addition to population relevant endpoints individual health parameters were determined by means of stress protein analyses, histological investigations and studies revealing oxidative stress.