Jose Luis Rodriguez-Gil - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Jose Luis Rodriguez-Gil

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of the presence of cardiovascular and analgesic/anti-inflammatory/antipyretic pharmaceuticals in river-and drinking-water of the Madrid Region in Spain

Interest in the presence of pharmaceuticals in wastewater, in the water of our rivers and, to a l... more Interest in the presence of pharmaceuticals in wastewater, in the water of our rivers and, to a lesser extent, in our drinking water, has been growing in recent decades. Many of these substances, currently classified as “emerging pollutants”, are biologically active compounds and continuously released in effluents. As sewage treatment plants (STPs) are not adequately equipped to eliminate all of these substances completely, some are discharged directly into rivers.

Research paper thumbnail of Heterogeneous photo-Fenton treatment for the reduction of pharmaceutical contamination in Madrid rivers and ecotoxicological evaluation by a miniaturized fern spores bioassay

Fifty-six pharmaceuticals of various chemical groups, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial an... more Fifty-six pharmaceuticals of various chemical groups, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and cardiovascular drugs, were detected in four selected river waters receiving sewage effluents in the Community of Madrid (Spain). A promising approach for the degradation of those residues is the application of a photo-Fenton treatment.

Research paper thumbnail of Development of cost-effective strategies for environmental monitoring of irrigated areas in Mediterranean regions: Traditional and new approaches in a changing world

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2013

A series of reliable and cost-effective microbioassay-based techniques for routine water quality ... more A series of reliable and cost-effective microbioassay-based techniques for routine water quality monitoring were developed and tested on a recently developed irrigation area in western Spain. Results from these assays were compared to a screening-level risk characterisation based on pesticide concentrations in water samples from the study area. The levels of 147 pesticides were measured in irrigation channels, fluvial water and selected animal (Red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii) and plant (Willow, Salix spp. and Holm Oak, Quercus ilex) tissue. The presence of 59 human and veterinary pharmaceuticals in the watershed was also explored. Mitochondrial activity (tetrazolium salts reduction), lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid method), chlorophyll content (autofluorescence) and total amount of DNA (Hoechst fluorimetry) were evaluated in fern (Soft shield fern, Polystichum setiferum) spores and gametophytes as markers of effects on plant development. Lipid peroxidation was assessed as a measure for acute animal toxicity in zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio). Pollution by pesticides (atrazine, diuron, molinate and oxadiazon) and pharmaceuticals (caffeine, cotinine, ivermectine, nicotine and paraxanthine) was detected in water courses receiving irrigation drainage. Pesticide traces were detected in red swamp crayfish (oxadiazon), and Holm oak leaves (oxadiazon, terbutilazine) but not in willow leaves. Preliminary risk assessment described potential moderate or high risk in the lower waters of both studied rivers. The battery of bioassays was able to detect toxicity in the waters of the lower Gargáligas as well as toxic effects on the waters from the irrigation channel. Such methods could both cut costs and improve the prognostic capability of current monitoring programmes.

Research paper thumbnail of Toxicity of Cúspide 480SL® spray mixture formulation of glyphosate to aquatic organisms

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2015

In 2011, a formulation of glyphosate called Cúspide 480SL® was chosen to replace Roundup-SL®, Fue... more In 2011, a formulation of glyphosate called Cúspide 480SL® was chosen to replace Roundup-SL®, Fuete-SL®, and Gly-41® for the control of Erythroxylum coca in Colombia. Cúspide 480SL contains the active ingredient glyphosate isopropylamine (IPA) salt, which is the same active ingredient used in previous formulations. However, Cúspide 480SL contains an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant rather than the polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA) surfactant used in other formulations and known to be more toxic to non-primary producing aquatic organisms than glyphosate itself. An adjuvant, Cosmo-Flux F411, and water also are added to the spray mixture before application. Aquatic ecosystems adjacent to the target coca fields might be exposed to the spray mix, placing aquatic organisms at risk. Because there were no toxicity data for spray mixture on aquatic organisms, acute toxicity tests were conducted on aquatic plants; Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Lemna minor, invertebrates; Ceriodaphnia dubia, Hyalella azteca, Chironomus dilutus, Hexagenia spp., Lumbriculus variegatus, Planorbella pilsbryi, Daphnia magna; and fish; Pimephales promelas, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and Salvelinus namaycush using the Cúspide 480SL spray mix. Based on the EC50 values for similar organisms, the spray mixture was less toxic to aquatic organisms than formulations previously used for the control of coca (i.e., Roundup-SL, Fuete-SL, and Gly-41). A hazard assessment for the Cúspide 480SL spray mix, using estimated worst-case exposure scenario concentrations and EC50 values from the toxicity tests, indicated de minimis hazard for the tested aquatic animals, with hazard quotients all <1. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Research paper thumbnail of Detection of pharmaceutically active compounds in the rivers and tap water of the Madrid Region (Spain) and potential ecotoxicological risk

Chemosphere, 2011

Concentrations of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in the order of ng L À1 to lg L À1 ha... more Concentrations of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in the order of ng L À1 to lg L À1 have been reported worldwide in waste, fluvial and even drinking water, raising concern about the efficacy of the currently employed waste water treatments in the elimination of this kind of compounds. Despite ranking 29th in terms of population, Spain is currently the 8th country on pharmaceutical prescription with an expense of 14 Â 10 9 euros in 2008. In this context, the aim of this study was to determine the presence of 33 pharmaceutically active compounds in specific points of the main rivers of the Madrid Region (MR) as well as tap water samples from the metropolitan area of Madrid. Additionally, a screening level risk characterization by means of the Hazard Quotient (HQ) method was applied. A total of 25 pharmaceutical compounds and metabolites were detected in the 10 sampling points downstream the outlet of the major STPs of the MR. The highest concentrations were detected for the anticonvulsant carbamazepine and the stimulant caffeine. Concentrations for most of the analyzed compounds exceed levels previously reported in the literature. Moreover, we report the highest concentration of the cytostatic ifosfamide, detected for the first time in Spain in surface water. Preliminary risk characterization shows that a total of 16 compounds represent at least a low potential hazard based on their scored HQs, with five of them present in a concentration that exceeds the predicted no effect concentration (PNEC). Toxic Units calculation indicates that for all the selected sampling points high hazard is anticipated from the presence of the analyzed compounds in the measured concentrations (TUs > 10). Caffeine and cotinine were detected in all (10) the analyzed tap water samples. Carbamazepine and nicotine were detected in six and venlafaxine in two samples. No studies venlafaxine in drinking water have been reported. These results clearly pinpoint the need for water quality monitoring and research in urban rivers, as well as the need for improved water treatment techniques able to eliminate this kind of compounds from the effluent waters as well as from drinking water sources.

Research paper thumbnail of Protective role of NO in lichens: environmental implications (II)

Research paper thumbnail of Chronic Phytotoxicity in Gametophytes: DNA as Biomarker of Growth and Chlorophyll Autofluorescence as Biomarker of Cell Function

Working with Ferns: Issues and Applications, 2011

The use of an adequate range of taxa in ecotoxicological studies is a key point for the achieveme... more The use of an adequate range of taxa in ecotoxicological studies is a key point for the achievement of ecologically relevant results. Higher plants are an essential part of a healthy and balanced ecosystem and new plant models are essential in the evaluation of potential impacts of pollutants. With more than 10,000 living species, ferns are the second-largest group of vascular plants. Fern spores, and spore-developed gametophytes, have long been recognized as useful models for plant research in important areas. One of the main ...

Research paper thumbnail of Optimization of culturing conditions for toxicity testing with the alga Oophila sp. (Chlorophyceae), an amphibian endosymbiont

Environmental toxicology and chemistry / SETAC, 2014

Eggs of the yellow-spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) have a symbiotic relationship with gr... more Eggs of the yellow-spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) have a symbiotic relationship with green algae. It has been suggested that contaminants that are preferentially toxic to algae, such as herbicides, may impair the symbiont and, hence, indirectly affect the development of the salamander embryo. To enable testing under near-standard conditions for first-tier toxicity screening, the authors isolated the alga from field-collected eggs and identified conditions providing exponential growth rates in the apparent asexual phase of the alga. This approach provided a uniform, single-species culture, facilitating assessment of common toxicity end points and comparison of sensitivity relative to other species. Sequencing of the 18s ribosomal DNA indicated that the isolated alga is closely related to the recently described Oophila amblystomatis but is more similar to other known Chlamydomonas species, suggesting possible biogeographical variability in the genetic identity of the algal s...

Research paper thumbnail of Response of the green alga Oophila sp., a salamander symbiont, to a PSII-inhibitor under laboratory conditions

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2014

In a rare example of autotroph-vertebrate endosymbiosis, eggs of the yellow-spotted salamander (A... more In a rare example of autotroph-vertebrate endosymbiosis, eggs of the yellow-spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) are colonized by a green alga (Oophila sp.) that significantly enhances salamander development. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential for impacts to the salamander embryo when growth of the algae is impaired by exposure to herbicides. To further investigate this relationship, the authors characterized the response of the symbiotic algae (Oophila sp.) alone to the photosystem II (PSII) inhibitor atrazine under controlled laboratory conditions. After extraction of the alga from A. maculatum eggs and optimization of culturing conditions, 4 toxicity assays (96 h each) were conducted. Recovery of the algal population was also assessed after a further 96 h in untreated media. Average median effective concentration (EC50) values of 123 µg L(-1) (PSII yield), 169 µg L(-1) (optical density), and 299 µg L(-1) (growth rate) were obtained after the 96-h exposure. Full recovery of exposed algal populations after 96 h in untreated media was observed for all endpoints, except for optical density at the greatest concentration tested (300 µg L(-1) ). Our results show that, under laboratory conditions, Oophila sp. is generally less sensitive to atrazine than standard test species. Although conditions of growth in standard toxicity tests are not identical to those in the natural environment, these results provide an understanding of the tolerance of this alga to PSII inhibitors as compared with other species.

Research paper thumbnail of Seasonal variation of pharmaceutically active compounds in surface (Tagus River) and tap water (Central Spain)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2013

Your article is protected by copyright and all rights are held exclusively by Springer-Verlag. Th... more Your article is protected by copyright and all rights are held exclusively by Springer-Verlag. This e-offprint is for personal use only and shall not be self-archived in electronic repositories. If you wish to self-archive your work, please use the accepted author's version for posting to your own website or your institution's repository. You may further deposit the accepted author's version on a funder's repository at a funder's request, provided it is not made publicly available until 12 months after publication.

Research paper thumbnail of Pollution by psychoactive pharmaceuticals in the Rivers of Madrid metropolitan area (Spain)

Environment International, 2010

The presence of pharmaceuticals in surface and drinking water has been evidenced in numerous stud... more The presence of pharmaceuticals in surface and drinking water has been evidenced in numerous studies. Despite representing one of the most common consumption sources, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in bottled mineral water. Pollution of these sources not only could pose a serious human health risk, but would also warn about the quality of the water in our aquifers, a vital and vulnerable source of water, essential for the future water supply. Fifty eight pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) belonging to the 12 main therapeutic groups were analyzed in 10 bottled mineral water brands produced in Spain. Nicotine was detected in concentrations ranging from 7 ng L − 1 to 15 ng L − 1 in 5 of 10 bottled mineral waters. Despite the low nicotine concentration measured, the presence of this compound in bottled water still raises concern. Health risk assessment researchers have postulated that the risk to adult healthy humans from oral intake of nicotine at low levels is negligible. However, no studies have been conducted to assess the human health risk of vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and newborns. This population is the target of advertising on the purity and quality characteristics of bottled mineral water.

Research paper thumbnail of Temperature and Resource Availability May Interactively Affect Over-Wintering Success of Juvenile Fish in a Changing Climate

PLoS ONE, 2011

The predicted global warming may affect freshwater systems at several organizational levels, from... more The predicted global warming may affect freshwater systems at several organizational levels, from organism to ecosystem. Specifically, in temperate regions, the projected increase of winter temperatures may have important effects on the overwinter biology of a range of organisms and especially for fish and other ectothermic animals. However, temperature effects on organisms may be directed strongly by resource availability. Here, we investigated whether over-winter loss of biomass and lipid content of juvenile roach (Rutilus rutilus) was affected by the physiologically relatively small (2-5uC) changes of winter temperatures predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), under both natural and experimental conditions. This was investigated in combination with the effects of food availability. Finally, we explored the potential for a correlation between lake temperature and resource levels for planktivorous fish, i.e., zooplankton biomass, during five consecutive winters in a south Swedish lake. We show that small increases in temperature (+2uC) affected fish biomass loss in both presence and absence of food, but negatively and positively respectively. Temperature alone explained only a minor part of the variation when food availability was not taken into account. In contrast to other studies, lipid analyses of experimental fish suggest that critical somatic condition rather than critical lipid content determined starvation induced mortality. Our results illustrate the importance of considering not only changes in temperature when predicting organism response to climate change but also food-web interactions, such as resource availability and predation. However, as exemplified by our finding that zooplankton over-winter biomass in the lake was not related to over-winter temperature, this may not be a straightforward task. Citation: Brodersen J, Rodriguez-Gil JL, Jö nsson M, Hansson L-A, Brö nmark C, et al.

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of the presence of cardiovascular and analgesic/anti-inflammatory/antipyretic pharmaceuticals in river-and drinking-water of the Madrid Region in Spain

Interest in the presence of pharmaceuticals in wastewater, in the water of our rivers and, to a l... more Interest in the presence of pharmaceuticals in wastewater, in the water of our rivers and, to a lesser extent, in our drinking water, has been growing in recent decades. Many of these substances, currently classified as “emerging pollutants”, are biologically active compounds and continuously released in effluents. As sewage treatment plants (STPs) are not adequately equipped to eliminate all of these substances completely, some are discharged directly into rivers.

Research paper thumbnail of Heterogeneous photo-Fenton treatment for the reduction of pharmaceutical contamination in Madrid rivers and ecotoxicological evaluation by a miniaturized fern spores bioassay

Fifty-six pharmaceuticals of various chemical groups, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial an... more Fifty-six pharmaceuticals of various chemical groups, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and cardiovascular drugs, were detected in four selected river waters receiving sewage effluents in the Community of Madrid (Spain). A promising approach for the degradation of those residues is the application of a photo-Fenton treatment.

Research paper thumbnail of Development of cost-effective strategies for environmental monitoring of irrigated areas in Mediterranean regions: Traditional and new approaches in a changing world

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2013

A series of reliable and cost-effective microbioassay-based techniques for routine water quality ... more A series of reliable and cost-effective microbioassay-based techniques for routine water quality monitoring were developed and tested on a recently developed irrigation area in western Spain. Results from these assays were compared to a screening-level risk characterisation based on pesticide concentrations in water samples from the study area. The levels of 147 pesticides were measured in irrigation channels, fluvial water and selected animal (Red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii) and plant (Willow, Salix spp. and Holm Oak, Quercus ilex) tissue. The presence of 59 human and veterinary pharmaceuticals in the watershed was also explored. Mitochondrial activity (tetrazolium salts reduction), lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid method), chlorophyll content (autofluorescence) and total amount of DNA (Hoechst fluorimetry) were evaluated in fern (Soft shield fern, Polystichum setiferum) spores and gametophytes as markers of effects on plant development. Lipid peroxidation was assessed as a measure for acute animal toxicity in zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio). Pollution by pesticides (atrazine, diuron, molinate and oxadiazon) and pharmaceuticals (caffeine, cotinine, ivermectine, nicotine and paraxanthine) was detected in water courses receiving irrigation drainage. Pesticide traces were detected in red swamp crayfish (oxadiazon), and Holm oak leaves (oxadiazon, terbutilazine) but not in willow leaves. Preliminary risk assessment described potential moderate or high risk in the lower waters of both studied rivers. The battery of bioassays was able to detect toxicity in the waters of the lower Gargáligas as well as toxic effects on the waters from the irrigation channel. Such methods could both cut costs and improve the prognostic capability of current monitoring programmes.

Research paper thumbnail of Toxicity of Cúspide 480SL® spray mixture formulation of glyphosate to aquatic organisms

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2015

In 2011, a formulation of glyphosate called Cúspide 480SL® was chosen to replace Roundup-SL®, Fue... more In 2011, a formulation of glyphosate called Cúspide 480SL® was chosen to replace Roundup-SL®, Fuete-SL®, and Gly-41® for the control of Erythroxylum coca in Colombia. Cúspide 480SL contains the active ingredient glyphosate isopropylamine (IPA) salt, which is the same active ingredient used in previous formulations. However, Cúspide 480SL contains an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant rather than the polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA) surfactant used in other formulations and known to be more toxic to non-primary producing aquatic organisms than glyphosate itself. An adjuvant, Cosmo-Flux F411, and water also are added to the spray mixture before application. Aquatic ecosystems adjacent to the target coca fields might be exposed to the spray mix, placing aquatic organisms at risk. Because there were no toxicity data for spray mixture on aquatic organisms, acute toxicity tests were conducted on aquatic plants; Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Lemna minor, invertebrates; Ceriodaphnia dubia, Hyalella azteca, Chironomus dilutus, Hexagenia spp., Lumbriculus variegatus, Planorbella pilsbryi, Daphnia magna; and fish; Pimephales promelas, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and Salvelinus namaycush using the Cúspide 480SL spray mix. Based on the EC50 values for similar organisms, the spray mixture was less toxic to aquatic organisms than formulations previously used for the control of coca (i.e., Roundup-SL, Fuete-SL, and Gly-41). A hazard assessment for the Cúspide 480SL spray mix, using estimated worst-case exposure scenario concentrations and EC50 values from the toxicity tests, indicated de minimis hazard for the tested aquatic animals, with hazard quotients all <1. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Research paper thumbnail of Detection of pharmaceutically active compounds in the rivers and tap water of the Madrid Region (Spain) and potential ecotoxicological risk

Chemosphere, 2011

Concentrations of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in the order of ng L À1 to lg L À1 ha... more Concentrations of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in the order of ng L À1 to lg L À1 have been reported worldwide in waste, fluvial and even drinking water, raising concern about the efficacy of the currently employed waste water treatments in the elimination of this kind of compounds. Despite ranking 29th in terms of population, Spain is currently the 8th country on pharmaceutical prescription with an expense of 14 Â 10 9 euros in 2008. In this context, the aim of this study was to determine the presence of 33 pharmaceutically active compounds in specific points of the main rivers of the Madrid Region (MR) as well as tap water samples from the metropolitan area of Madrid. Additionally, a screening level risk characterization by means of the Hazard Quotient (HQ) method was applied. A total of 25 pharmaceutical compounds and metabolites were detected in the 10 sampling points downstream the outlet of the major STPs of the MR. The highest concentrations were detected for the anticonvulsant carbamazepine and the stimulant caffeine. Concentrations for most of the analyzed compounds exceed levels previously reported in the literature. Moreover, we report the highest concentration of the cytostatic ifosfamide, detected for the first time in Spain in surface water. Preliminary risk characterization shows that a total of 16 compounds represent at least a low potential hazard based on their scored HQs, with five of them present in a concentration that exceeds the predicted no effect concentration (PNEC). Toxic Units calculation indicates that for all the selected sampling points high hazard is anticipated from the presence of the analyzed compounds in the measured concentrations (TUs > 10). Caffeine and cotinine were detected in all (10) the analyzed tap water samples. Carbamazepine and nicotine were detected in six and venlafaxine in two samples. No studies venlafaxine in drinking water have been reported. These results clearly pinpoint the need for water quality monitoring and research in urban rivers, as well as the need for improved water treatment techniques able to eliminate this kind of compounds from the effluent waters as well as from drinking water sources.

Research paper thumbnail of Protective role of NO in lichens: environmental implications (II)

Research paper thumbnail of Chronic Phytotoxicity in Gametophytes: DNA as Biomarker of Growth and Chlorophyll Autofluorescence as Biomarker of Cell Function

Working with Ferns: Issues and Applications, 2011

The use of an adequate range of taxa in ecotoxicological studies is a key point for the achieveme... more The use of an adequate range of taxa in ecotoxicological studies is a key point for the achievement of ecologically relevant results. Higher plants are an essential part of a healthy and balanced ecosystem and new plant models are essential in the evaluation of potential impacts of pollutants. With more than 10,000 living species, ferns are the second-largest group of vascular plants. Fern spores, and spore-developed gametophytes, have long been recognized as useful models for plant research in important areas. One of the main ...

Research paper thumbnail of Optimization of culturing conditions for toxicity testing with the alga Oophila sp. (Chlorophyceae), an amphibian endosymbiont

Environmental toxicology and chemistry / SETAC, 2014

Eggs of the yellow-spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) have a symbiotic relationship with gr... more Eggs of the yellow-spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) have a symbiotic relationship with green algae. It has been suggested that contaminants that are preferentially toxic to algae, such as herbicides, may impair the symbiont and, hence, indirectly affect the development of the salamander embryo. To enable testing under near-standard conditions for first-tier toxicity screening, the authors isolated the alga from field-collected eggs and identified conditions providing exponential growth rates in the apparent asexual phase of the alga. This approach provided a uniform, single-species culture, facilitating assessment of common toxicity end points and comparison of sensitivity relative to other species. Sequencing of the 18s ribosomal DNA indicated that the isolated alga is closely related to the recently described Oophila amblystomatis but is more similar to other known Chlamydomonas species, suggesting possible biogeographical variability in the genetic identity of the algal s...

Research paper thumbnail of Response of the green alga Oophila sp., a salamander symbiont, to a PSII-inhibitor under laboratory conditions

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2014

In a rare example of autotroph-vertebrate endosymbiosis, eggs of the yellow-spotted salamander (A... more In a rare example of autotroph-vertebrate endosymbiosis, eggs of the yellow-spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) are colonized by a green alga (Oophila sp.) that significantly enhances salamander development. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential for impacts to the salamander embryo when growth of the algae is impaired by exposure to herbicides. To further investigate this relationship, the authors characterized the response of the symbiotic algae (Oophila sp.) alone to the photosystem II (PSII) inhibitor atrazine under controlled laboratory conditions. After extraction of the alga from A. maculatum eggs and optimization of culturing conditions, 4 toxicity assays (96 h each) were conducted. Recovery of the algal population was also assessed after a further 96 h in untreated media. Average median effective concentration (EC50) values of 123 µg L(-1) (PSII yield), 169 µg L(-1) (optical density), and 299 µg L(-1) (growth rate) were obtained after the 96-h exposure. Full recovery of exposed algal populations after 96 h in untreated media was observed for all endpoints, except for optical density at the greatest concentration tested (300 µg L(-1) ). Our results show that, under laboratory conditions, Oophila sp. is generally less sensitive to atrazine than standard test species. Although conditions of growth in standard toxicity tests are not identical to those in the natural environment, these results provide an understanding of the tolerance of this alga to PSII inhibitors as compared with other species.

Research paper thumbnail of Seasonal variation of pharmaceutically active compounds in surface (Tagus River) and tap water (Central Spain)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2013

Your article is protected by copyright and all rights are held exclusively by Springer-Verlag. Th... more Your article is protected by copyright and all rights are held exclusively by Springer-Verlag. This e-offprint is for personal use only and shall not be self-archived in electronic repositories. If you wish to self-archive your work, please use the accepted author's version for posting to your own website or your institution's repository. You may further deposit the accepted author's version on a funder's repository at a funder's request, provided it is not made publicly available until 12 months after publication.

Research paper thumbnail of Pollution by psychoactive pharmaceuticals in the Rivers of Madrid metropolitan area (Spain)

Environment International, 2010

The presence of pharmaceuticals in surface and drinking water has been evidenced in numerous stud... more The presence of pharmaceuticals in surface and drinking water has been evidenced in numerous studies. Despite representing one of the most common consumption sources, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in bottled mineral water. Pollution of these sources not only could pose a serious human health risk, but would also warn about the quality of the water in our aquifers, a vital and vulnerable source of water, essential for the future water supply. Fifty eight pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) belonging to the 12 main therapeutic groups were analyzed in 10 bottled mineral water brands produced in Spain. Nicotine was detected in concentrations ranging from 7 ng L − 1 to 15 ng L − 1 in 5 of 10 bottled mineral waters. Despite the low nicotine concentration measured, the presence of this compound in bottled water still raises concern. Health risk assessment researchers have postulated that the risk to adult healthy humans from oral intake of nicotine at low levels is negligible. However, no studies have been conducted to assess the human health risk of vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and newborns. This population is the target of advertising on the purity and quality characteristics of bottled mineral water.

Research paper thumbnail of Temperature and Resource Availability May Interactively Affect Over-Wintering Success of Juvenile Fish in a Changing Climate

PLoS ONE, 2011

The predicted global warming may affect freshwater systems at several organizational levels, from... more The predicted global warming may affect freshwater systems at several organizational levels, from organism to ecosystem. Specifically, in temperate regions, the projected increase of winter temperatures may have important effects on the overwinter biology of a range of organisms and especially for fish and other ectothermic animals. However, temperature effects on organisms may be directed strongly by resource availability. Here, we investigated whether over-winter loss of biomass and lipid content of juvenile roach (Rutilus rutilus) was affected by the physiologically relatively small (2-5uC) changes of winter temperatures predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), under both natural and experimental conditions. This was investigated in combination with the effects of food availability. Finally, we explored the potential for a correlation between lake temperature and resource levels for planktivorous fish, i.e., zooplankton biomass, during five consecutive winters in a south Swedish lake. We show that small increases in temperature (+2uC) affected fish biomass loss in both presence and absence of food, but negatively and positively respectively. Temperature alone explained only a minor part of the variation when food availability was not taken into account. In contrast to other studies, lipid analyses of experimental fish suggest that critical somatic condition rather than critical lipid content determined starvation induced mortality. Our results illustrate the importance of considering not only changes in temperature when predicting organism response to climate change but also food-web interactions, such as resource availability and predation. However, as exemplified by our finding that zooplankton over-winter biomass in the lake was not related to over-winter temperature, this may not be a straightforward task. Citation: Brodersen J, Rodriguez-Gil JL, Jö nsson M, Hansson L-A, Brö nmark C, et al.