A significant event has taken place at the Laboratory of Experimental Neurophysiology of Irkutsk State University. Scientists have discovered pharmaceuticals in the Baikal endemics. They found that Baikal amphipod crustaceans collected in different areas of the lake - in the coastal zone and at depth – contain ibuprofen, erythromycin, tetracycline and other antibiotics.
Maria Dmitrieva, researcher at the laboratory:
This is the first study of the amphipods of Lake Baikal for the presence of pharmaceuticals. Having analyzed about 150 samples collected in different parts of the lake, we have proven the fact of contamination of Baikal endemics with pharmaceuticals. The results of our work were recently published in the international scientific journal “Antibiotics”. The journal is listed as an edition of the first quartile and all published works undergo the most serious international expertise.
According to the scientists, contamination was more frequent in amphipods collected in areas close to settlements and tourist bases. This suggests that pharmaceuticals enter Baikal waters “thanks to” human activities.
Young scientists began working on this topic three years ago. Back then, a new instrument – a highly sensitive liquid chromatograph with a mass spectrometer – was acquired for research and educational purposes as part of federal support. The instrument can literally detect a drop of ink in a tank of distilled water, and it needed to be mastered and maximally utilized in research. That’s when the idea came up: “Why not turn to Baikal?”. Especially since scientific research on pharmaceutical pollution of the environment is being conducted worldwide, but no such studies had been done on Baikal. In 2021-2022, there were only a few mentions of traces (low concentrations) of caffeine and paracetamol being found in Baikal water.
Denis Aksenov-Gribanov, Head of the laboratory:
One crustacean – one sample. First, it is thoroughly ground, then an extract is prepared from the resulting mass. The extract is injected into the analyzer. Only a couple of microliters are used for the analysis. This is enough. The resulting chromatogram is analyzed using a special computer program.
Now the staff of ISU Laboratory of Experimental Neurophysiology plans to continue research on Lake Baikal. It is decided to expand the range of studied endemics of the lake and the pharmaceuticals that can be found in them. The research is funded by a grant from the state assignment from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation within the framework of support of laboratories established at scientific and educational centers.
Denis Aksenov-Gribanov:
The fundamental significance of this study is that we have shown that the problem exists and is quite global. We hope this information will give a push to new scientific and environmental projects aimed at preserving Lake Baikal. The applied task standing before us is to develop a biotechnological method for eliminating pharmaceutical contamination. This is important, for example, at wastewater treatment plants, as the classic method of treatment using activated sludge does not remove traces of pharmaceutical contamination.
Side effect
Additional equipment was required to support the work with the chromatograph. For example, a special grinder. Such a device costs over a million rubles from laboratory equipment manufacturers. Additionally, the research began during the pandemic, and waiting for equipment delivery could take six months or more.
Young ISU scientists decided to build their own grinder. The cost of the device, which received the name “Babr”, was significantly lower than a commercial one. This became the foundation for developing a project on domestic instrument manufacture and import substitution. From August 27th to 30th, “Babr” will be presented at the XI International Technology Development Forum Technoprom-2024.
