In a groundbreaking study conducted by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), a team of environmental chemists has revealed a startling array of chemicals contaminating European streams. From pesticides to pharmaceuticals to industrial waste products, a total of 610 chemicals were scrutinized for their presence and concentration levels in various water bodies across Europe.
After analyzing 445 samples from 22 different rivers, the researchers unearthed a staggering 504 of the 610 chemicals under investigation. The detected chemicals included 229 pesticides and biocides, 175 pharmaceutical compounds, as well as surfactants, plastic additives, PFAS, and corrosion inhibitors. Shockingly, in 40% of the samples, up to 50 different chemical substances were discovered, with an additional 41% containing between 51 and 100 chemicals. In a few instances, more than 200 organic micropollutants were identified in a single sample, with the highest number, 241 chemicals, detected in a water sample from the Danube.
Among the detected compounds, the researchers highlighted the presence of N-acetyl-4-aminoantpyrine, a degradation product of the analgesic metamizole, whose environmental impact remains largely unknown. In contrast, the detrimental effects of other substances like the anticonvulsant carbamazepine and insecticides diazinon and fipronil on aquatic organisms have been well-documented. Carbamazepine, for instance, is known to impede the reproductive capabilities of invertebrates and delay fish development, warranting its inclusion on the watch list of the Federal Environment Agency and the EU Water Framework Directive.
The study emphasized the cumulative impact of these chemical mixtures on aquatic ecosystems, stressing the urgent need for a comprehensive assessment of their additive effects. To address this concern, the researchers introduced the concept of the chemical footprint, a tool designed to measure the combined impact of various chemicals on water quality and aquatic life. Their analysis revealed that in 74% of the samples tested, the scientific limit values for different groups of organisms were exceeded, posing a severe risk to the survival of crustaceans and other vulnerable species.
In light of their findings, the UFZ researchers underscored the necessity of expanding chemical water monitoring efforts to encompass a broader range of substances and to prioritize the assessment of chemical mixtures. They advocated for a more comprehensive understanding of the ecological impact of these chemicals and emphasized the need for additional measurement data to inform effective environmental management strategies.
The study, conducted between 2016 and 2019 across multiple sampling campaigns in Europe, serves as a wake-up call regarding the pervasive contamination of European water bodies with a multitude of harmful chemicals. It calls for immediate action to address the alarming levels of chemical pollution threatening the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems and the diverse organisms they support.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036905
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