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Toxic potential of the emerging contaminant nicotine to the aquatic ecosystem

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An Erratum to this article was published on 20 June 2017

Abstract

Nicotine is a “life-style compound” widely consumed by human populations and, consequently, often found in surface waters. This fact presents a concern for possible effects in the aquatic ecosystems. The objective of this study was to assess the potential lethal and sublethal toxicity of nicotine in aquatic organisms from different trophic levels (Vibrio fischeri, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, Thamnocephalus platyurus, and Daphnia magna). The bioassays were performed by exposing the organisms to concentrations of nicotine in a range of 0.5–1000 μg/L. Results showed that nicotine, at tested concentration, was not acutely toxic to V. fischeri and T. platyurus. On the contrary, this substance exhibited toxicity to P. subcapitata and Daphnia magna. Thus, concentrations of nicotine of 100 and 200 μg/L promoted an inhibition in the growth of P. subcapitata. In addition, a concentration of 100 μg/L nicotine acted on the reproduction of the crustacean D. magna, by decreasing the number of juveniles produced by female. On the other hand, the results showed that concentrations equal to or greater than 10 μg/L induced the production of daphnids male offspring, which may indicate that nicotine is a weak juvenoid compound of the D. magna endocrine system. Furthermore, the result showed that concentrations tested of this chemical have the capacity to revert the effect of fenoxycarb, a strong juvenoid chemical insecticide. The results of the study revealed that nicotine can induce several changes in some of the most important key groups of the aquatic compartment, which can compromise, in a short time, the balance of aquatic ecosystem. Finally, a preliminary environmental risk assessment of this stimulant was performed from the highest measured concentration in surface water and the no observable effect concentration value in the most sensitive species, i.e., D. magna. This process revealed that nicotine can produce an important risk to aquatic organisms.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to P Nozes (Laboratório de Biologia, Escola Superior Agrária de Beja, Portugal). Authors also wish to thank the financial support given to A.L. Oropesa by Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte en el marco del Programa Estatal de Promoción del Talento y su Empleabilidad en I + D + i, Subprograma Estatal de Movilidad, del Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2013–2016 through a post-doctoral research grant (CAS15-00049).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unidad de Toxicología, Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06071, Badajoz, Spain

    Ana Lourdes Oropesa

  2. INBIO G+C - Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Biotecnología Ganadera y Cinegética, Universidad de Extremadura, 10003, Cáceres, Spain

    Ana Lourdes Oropesa

  3. Departamento de Tecnologias e Ciências Aplicadas, Escola Superior Agrária de Beja, 7801-295, Beja, Portugal

    António Miguel Floro & Patrícia Palma

  4. CIMA-Centro de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, CIMA, FCT, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal

    Patrícia Palma

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  1. Ana Lourdes Oropesa
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  2. António Miguel Floro
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Correspondence to Ana Lourdes Oropesa.

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Responsible editor: Cinta Porte

The name of the 1st Author should be Ana Lourdes Oropesa.

An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9332-7.

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Oropesa, A.L., Floro, A.M. & Palma, P. Toxic potential of the emerging contaminant nicotine to the aquatic ecosystem. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 16605–16616 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9084-4

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