A systematic approach to assess the fate of selected pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, naproxen, diclofenac,
clofibric acid and caffeine) in hydroponic mesocosms is described. The overall objective was to
determine the kinetics of depletion (from solution) and plant uptake for these compounds in mesocosms
planted with S. validus growing hydroponically. The potential for translocation of these pharmaceuticals
from the roots to the shoots was also assessed. After 21 days of incubation, nearly all of the caffeine,
naproxen and diclofenac were eliminated from solution, whereas carbamazepine and clofibric acid were
recalcitrant to both photodegradation and biodegradation. The fact that the BAFs for roots for carbamazepine
and clofibric acid were greater than 5, while the BAFs for naproxen, diclofenac and caffeine
were less than 5, implied that the latter two compounds although recalcitrant to biodegradation, still had
relatively high potential for plant uptake. Naproxen was sensitive to both photodegradation (30e42%)
and biodegradation (>50%), while diclofenac was particularly sensitive (>70%) to photodegradation
alone. No significant correlations (p > 0.05) were found between the rate constants of depletion or plant
tissue levels of the pharmaceuticals and either log Kow or log Dow.