PHARMASEA

Presence, behavior and risk assessment of pharmaceuticals in marine ecosystems


Project coordinator: Prof. Francesco REGOLI Department of Life and Environmental Sciences - Polytechnic University of Marche (UPM) - Italy Communication contact: Marica MEZZELANI - m.mezzelani (at)staff.univpm.it Website
Partners:
Prof. Thomas Braunbeck	University of Heidelberg (UHEI)	Germany
Prof. Daniela Maria Pampanin	University of Stavanger (UiS)	Norway
Prof. Purificación López Mahía	Instituto Universitario de Medio Ambiente, Universidade da Coruña (UDC)	Spain
Prof Víctor M. León	Spanish Institute of Oceanography of Murcia (IEO)	Spain

Abstract

PHARMASEA integrates international expertise to answer key research questions on the fate and biological effects of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), well-recognized contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) for marine ecosystems.
The project will allow in-depth studies on APIs distribution, effects and risks in four European coastal areas, targeting:

occurrence, uptake and trophic transfer along with regional marine food webs;
bioaccumulation/excretion kinetics, potential ecotoxicological effects from molecular
to individual levels, and characterization of modes-of-action in model and
selected marine species;
development of specific risk assessment procedures for APIs.

The communication and connection with industries, private and public stakeholders as well as citizen engagement are important aims to promote public awareness, pre-normative research and implementation into European Directives.
The project is expected to have a major impact on enhancing the scientific knowledge and awareness on interactions between human and environmental health. The results could influence prescribing and disposal practices of domestic medicines and increase market opportunities and competitiveness of European pharma industries investing in the environmental sustainability of their products.

WP structure

WP number	Led by	WP number	Led by
WP1	UDC	WP4	UiS
WP2	UHEI	WP5	UPM
WP3	UPM

Expected research results

Overview on the occurrence, fate and knowledge gaps of APIs in different European coastal ecosystems.
Characterization of biological effects of APIs on non-target species, list of priority APIs and mixtures in regional coastal environments.
A harmonized strategy for APIs monitoring in aquatic systems and development of a scientifically sound software-assisted tool for Environmental Risk Assessment

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For more details on the work plan and expected impact of the project consult the AquaticPollutants booklet.

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Keywords: Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Occurrence, Trophic Transfer, Biological Effects, Risk Assessment.