Ecotoxicity effects of 3-chloromethcathinone (3-CMC) on the swimming behaviour of Daphnia magna: preliminary data
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48797/sl.2025.368Keywords:
PosterAbstract
Background: The continuous release of various compounds can have potentially harmful effects on non-target organisms, raising concerns about the ecosystem and human health (1,2). 3-chloromethcathinone (3-CMC) is a chiral synthetic cathinone, classified as a new psychoactive substance (NPS) with similar effects to amphetamines and posing potential toxicological risks (3). After consumption, 3-CMC and its metabolites are excreted in urine and reach surface water via sewage, due to inefficient removal in wastewater treatment plants. (4). Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the ecotoxicity of racemate 3-CMC on the swimming behaviour parameters using the freshwater microcrustacean, Daphnia magna, as an aquatic model. Methods: Neonates were used in a total of 20 daphnids per replicate, in a total of 5 replicates per group. The organisms were exposed to 260, 325 and 520 μg/L nominal sublethal concentrations of racemate 3-CMC for 9 days based on a previous 48 h immobilization assay. Daphniids were kept in moderately hard reconstituted water (MHRW) at 20 °C ± 2 °C, with a cycle of 16:8 h (light/dark) and fed every 48 h with Raphidocelis subcapitata suspension. Swimming behaviour was evaluated considering swimming speed, active time and total distance travelled. Results: No significant differences were observed in both active time and swimming speed. However, a significant decrease was observed in the total distance travelled at the highest concentration (520 μg/L). Conclusions: These results suggest that 3-CMC has a limited impact in the swimming behaviour of D. magna. However, additional physiological parameters are under evaluation to better understand the global effects of this environmental contaminant.
References
1. Zhang, H. et al. Source, transport, and toxicity of emerging contaminants in aquatic environments: A review on recent studies. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2023, 30, 121420-121437. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-30869-y
2. Sultan, M.B. et al. Emerging contaminants and their potential impacts on estuarine ecosystems: Are we aware of it? Mar Pollut Bull 2024, 199, 115982. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115982
3. World Health Organization. WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence: forty-sixth report. 2022.
4. Langa, I.M. et al. Amphetamine-like substances and synthetic cathinones in Portuguese wastewater influents: Enantiomeric profiling and role of suspended particulate matter. Forensic Sci Int 2024, 361, 112128. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112128
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Copyright (c) 2025 João António, Ivan Langa, Ana Carvalho, Renata Vidal, Maria Tiritan, Cláudia Ribeiro
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