Cited by 850Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Toxicology and EcotoxicologyReproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species

Dilute Concentrations of a Psychiatric Drug Alter Behavior of Fish from Natural Populations

Brodin, T., Fick, J., Jonsson, M., Klaminder, J.·2013·Science

Abstract

Environmental pollution by pharmaceuticals is increasingly recognized as a major threat to aquatic ecosystems worldwide. A variety of pharmaceuticals enter waterways by way of treated wastewater effluents and remain biochemically active in aquatic systems. Several ecotoxicological studies have been done, but generally, little is known about the ecological effects of pharmaceuticals. Here we show that a benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug (oxazepam) alters behavior and feeding rate of wild European perch (Perca fluviatilis) at concentrations encountered in effluent-influenced surface waters. Individuals exposed to water with dilute drug concentrations (1.8 micrograms liter(-1)) exhibited increased activity, reduced sociality, and higher feeding rate. As such, our results show that anxiolytic drugs in surface waters alter animal behaviors that are known to have ecological and evolutionary consequences.

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Crossref · 10.1126/science.1226850

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24 of 24 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Brodin, T., Fick, J., Jonsson, M., & Klaminder, J.
Affiliations
  • Umeå University (SE)
  • Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden.
Corresponding author
Brodin, T.
Venue
Science
Published
2013-02-15
Volume
339
Issue
6121
Pages
814-815
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W2025530120
Cited by
850
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 37 · 2025: 58 · 2024: 54 · 2023: 68 · 2022: 61 · 2021: 74 · 2020: 72 · 2019: 73 · 2018: 63 · 2017: 81 · 2016: 58 · 2015: 67 · 2014: 55 · 2013: 29
FWCI
54.32
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas
  • Vetenskapsrådet
  • Umeå Universitet
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Physiology › Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species
Keywords
pharmaceutical pollution, oxazepam, benzodiazepines, Perca fluviatilis, fish behavior, feeding rate, sociality, treated wastewater effluent, aquatic ecotoxicology, anxiolytics, surface water
MeSH terms
Animals, Behavior, Animal, Benzodiazepines, Environmental Exposure, Environmental Pollution, Feeding Behavior, Fishes, Oxazepam, Perches, Anti-Anxiety Agents, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Wastewater

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