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Environmental risk assessment of human pharmaceuticals in Scottish marine waters; combining new exposure and effect driven monitoring approaches

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Project Description

Our oceans and seas are the final destination for pollutants present in wastewaters from households, hospitals and industry. It is now recognised that ‘dilution isn’t the solution’ and pollutants from land have a negative impact on marine life. Pollutants such as pharmaceuticals used by humans are released in treated wastewater directly to marine waters, or via rivers. Harmful effects on freshwater organisms have been observed at extremely low concentrations, demonstrating the importance of investigating their impact in the marine environment.

This project will assess the risk posed by pharmaceuticals in marine waters, against a background of legacy and other chemicals regularly detected in our seas and oceans, investigate pharmaceutical toxicity to sensitive marine organisms and shed light on the risk pharmaceuticals pose to marine biota and the functioning of marine ecosystems.

Status Project Complete
Funder(s) The Royal Society
Value £17,649.00
Project Dates Mar 15, 2019 - Mar 14, 2020

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