can lead to the bioaccumulation in different plant parts. The uptake and translocation
therefore is dependent on multiple parameters, i.e. physicochemical properties of
compounds, plant physiology and environmental factors. This book chapter combines a theoretical background on the main principles of uptake and translocation of
pharmaceuticals by plants and a critical evaluation of current available literature, by
analysing studies for the bioconcentration and translocation factors of different
pharmaceutical groups in several plant species. Thereby, interesting results were
obtained by looking at the translocation of various pharmaceuticals in radish and at
cationic compounds in soil studies. Comparing the different studies, the relevance of
testing not only high but also real environmental concentrations became obvious,
since for some pharmaceuticals, higher uptake and translocation ratios were
achieved with lower applied concentrations. Basic guidelines could provide a
possibility to make scientific data more comparable and reliable and to avoid the
exclusion of potential reasons for the missing uptake or translocation of pharmaceuticals. This book chapter provides recommendations for future research studies to
generate more valid conclusions within the scientific community.
Keywords Bioconcentration factor, Hydroponic studies, Ionic compounds,
Sequestration, Soil studies, Translocation factor
1 Background
Ecosystems are often exposed to natural or synthetic substances that have no direct
nutritional value or significance for metabolism but can have a negative impact on
the function and performance of biota. Commonly, these substances enter the aquatic
environments through wastewater treatment plant effluents as a consequence of
partial and/or inefficient removal during wastewater treatment processes. Recent
studies, supported by powerful analytical screening analyses, described a high
number of emerging pollutants in those effluents; they can range from pesticides,
pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), illicit drugs, endocrine disruptive compounds, flame retardants, food additives, disinfection by-products through
all possible metabolites and transformation products (TPs) [1, 2]. Although only low
concentrations (ng/L–μg/L) of these organic molecules were frequently found in
surface and groundwater, they can be considered as ‘pseudo-persistent’ because of
their continuous discharge and deposition into the environment [3]. These substances can also enter the terrestrial environment by agricultural practices, i.e. the
irrigation of plants with treated wastewater or fertilization with manure; after their
exposure to agricultural soils, compounds can be taken up by crops and therefore
enter the food chain. In case of pharmaceuticals, long-term exposure to low concentration levels can induce toxic or metabolic dysregulation in terrestrial and aquatic
organisms [4, 5].
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Y. Bigott et al.
therefore is dependent on multiple parameters, i.e. physicochemical properties of
compounds, plant physiology and environmental factors. This book chapter combines a theoretical background on the main principles of uptake and translocation of
pharmaceuticals by plants and a critical evaluation of current available literature, by
analysing studies for the bioconcentration and translocation factors of different
pharmaceutical groups in several plant species. Thereby, interesting results were
obtained by looking at the translocation of various pharmaceuticals in radish and at
cationic compounds in soil studies. Comparing the different studies, the relevance of
testing not only high but also real environmental concentrations became obvious,
since for some pharmaceuticals, higher uptake and translocation ratios were
achieved with lower applied concentrations. Basic guidelines could provide a
possibility to make scientific data more comparable and reliable and to avoid the
exclusion of potential reasons for the missing uptake or translocation of pharmaceuticals. This book chapter provides recommendations for future research studies to
generate more valid conclusions within the scientific community.
Keywords Bioconcentration factor, Hydroponic studies, Ionic compounds,
Sequestration, Soil studies, Translocation factor
1 Background
Ecosystems are often exposed to natural or synthetic substances that have no direct
nutritional value or significance for metabolism but can have a negative impact on
the function and performance of biota. Commonly, these substances enter the aquatic
environments through wastewater treatment plant effluents as a consequence of
partial and/or inefficient removal during wastewater treatment processes. Recent
studies, supported by powerful analytical screening analyses, described a high
number of emerging pollutants in those effluents; they can range from pesticides,
pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), illicit drugs, endocrine disruptive compounds, flame retardants, food additives, disinfection by-products through
all possible metabolites and transformation products (TPs) [1, 2]. Although only low
concentrations (ng/L–μg/L) of these organic molecules were frequently found in
surface and groundwater, they can be considered as ‘pseudo-persistent’ because of
their continuous discharge and deposition into the environment [3]. These substances can also enter the terrestrial environment by agricultural practices, i.e. the
irrigation of plants with treated wastewater or fertilization with manure; after their
exposure to agricultural soils, compounds can be taken up by crops and therefore
enter the food chain. In case of pharmaceuticals, long-term exposure to low concentration levels can induce toxic or metabolic dysregulation in terrestrial and aquatic
organisms [4, 5].
104
Y. Bigott et al.