Drugs found in crustaceans include ibuprofen, diclofenac, various antibiotics and
The goal of the project is to study the human footprint in the worldnature. Namely, to measure how much biological and chemical material is thrown away and how important it is. The results could affect how people manage the Arctic regions in the future.
The first thing the researchers noticed was the high levels of ibuprofen in all animals.
Ibuprofen is a widely used drug thathas been in the environment for a rather long time compared to drugs such as paracetamol, which often degrade quickly. So it was not such a surprising discovery. However, what really surprised us was the high concentration of drugs in such a sparsely populated area.
Ida Beat Overjordet, SINTEF researcher
Because crustaceans such as copepodscrustaceans, occupying the lowest levels of the food pyramid, compounds in the preparations will be transferred up the food chain to larger animals. Copepods make up the bulk of life in the Arctic as they are rich in fats. They are essential for building and maintaining the fat reserves of Arctic fish and seabird species.
Likewise, finding traces of such drugs,like antibiotics and diclofenac, it wasn't all that strange since these drugs are also widely used. However, the discovery of antidepressants surprised scientists.
Ny-Ålesund is populated by service personnel andresearchers from ten different countries. There are only 30 permanent residents here, but in the summer visiting scientists and seasonal workers can increase the population to 200 people. Everyone between the ages of 20 and 70 is generally healthy and in good health. There are also short-term tourists, most of them just for day trips.
Scientists plan to find out why the crustaceans' drug levels were off the charts.
This study is part ofresearch project called PharmArctic, which is funded by the leading research program Miljøgifter at the Fram Research Center in Tromsø. The program aims to gain knowledge about the effects of environmental toxins on Arctic ecosystems and is exploring the links between the concentration of pharmaceuticals and beauty products and emissions from settlements and tourism in the Arctic.
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