Biogeochemistry Of Pharmaceutical Compounds In Aquatic Ecosystems

Abstract

Pharmaceutical compounds, including antibiotics, analgesics, and hormones, have emerged as significant contaminants in aquatic ecosystems due to their widespread use and persistence. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the biogeochemical dynamics of these compounds, focusing on their sources, fate, ecological impacts, and management in aquatic environments. Primary sources, such as wastewater treatment plant effluents, agricultural runoff, and improper disposal, introduce pharmaceuticals into rivers, lakes, wetlands, and oceans. Biogeochemical processes, including adsorption to sediments, microbial and abiotic degradation, and bioaccumulation in aquatic biota, govern their transport and transformation. These processes influence nutrient cycling and ecosystem functions, with sublethal effects on fish, invertebrates, and algae, alongside broader consequences like biodiversity loss and antibiotic resistance gene proliferation. Case studies from systems like the Danube, Lake Geneva, and the Baltic Sea highlight spatial and temporal variations in pharmaceutical loads, emphasizing regional disparities between developed and developing nations. Mitigation strategies, including advanced treatment technologies (e.g., ozonation, activated carbon), regulatory frameworks, and sustainable practices like green pharmacy, offer solutions to reduce environmental impacts. However, challenges such as mixture toxicities, long-term ecological effects, and climate interactions remain. This review underscores the need for integrated monitoring, interdisciplinary research, and global collaboration to address pharmaceutical pollution, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding its biogeochemical and ecological implications in aquatic ecosystems.