Concentration and environmental fate of ivermectin in floodplain wetlands: An ecosystem approach

Ivermectin (IVM) is commonly used for broad control of endo- and ecto- parasites in cattle. In wetlands of the Parana Medio River, cattle has been treated repeatedly with IVM for years and concerns have been raised on possible presence of the drug in these ecosystems. A field study was conducted to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2020-03, Vol.706, p.135692, Article 135692
Main Authors: Mesa, Leticia, Gutiérrez, Ma. Florencia, Montalto, Luciana, Perez, Vanina, Lifschitz, Adrián
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bioaccumulation
Biomagnification
Cattle
Ecosystem
Floodplain systems
Ivermectin
Larva
Rivers
Veterinary medical products
Wetlands
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Summary:Ivermectin (IVM) is commonly used for broad control of endo- and ecto- parasites in cattle. In wetlands of the Parana Medio River, cattle has been treated repeatedly with IVM for years and concerns have been raised on possible presence of the drug in these ecosystems. A field study was conducted to assess concentration of IVM in two wetlands subjected to different cattle use and frequency of IVM injection. Concentration of IVM in roots of macrophytes, Chironomus sp., Coelotanypus sp., Brachymesia furcata (larvae), Dero sp., Hyalella sp., Hirudinea, Planorbidae, Boana pulchella (larvae), Aphyocharax anisitsi and Serrapinnus calliurus were shown for the first time. Total concentration of IVM in the wetlands, and concentration in cattle manure, sediment, water and macrophytes increased with the number of treated cattle and frequency of IVM injections. Accumulation of IVM in aquatic assemblages is alarming because these organisms fulfill a key role in food webs, constituting a serious risk to human health. Management strategies should be implemented by farmers to keep recently treated animals away from watercourses to reduce the introduction of IVM into aquatic systems. [Display omitted] •Presence, concentration and fate of the IVM were assessed in wetlands subjected to different cattle use and frequency of injection of the drug•Concentration of IVM was detected in cattle manure, sediment, water, macrophytes, invertebrate and vertebrate fauna of wetlands•Management strategies should be implemented by farmers that can keep treated animals away from watercourses.
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135692