Forgot your password?
New user?
New Window Opens on the Secret Life of Microbes: Scientists Develop First Microbial Profiles of Ecosystems
CAS announces the release of SciFinder Scholar for Mac OS X
Press Releases
Press Releases
| Check out our New Publishers' Select for Free Articles |
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (v.38, #1)
Oxidative Cell Damage in Kat-Sod Assay of Oxyhalides as Inorganic Disinfection By-Products and Their Occurrence by Ozonation by H. Ueno; K. Oishi; Y. Sayato; K. Nakamuro (pp. 1-6).
Nine oxyhalides as possible inorganic disinfection by-products were tested for oxidative cell damage by Kat-sod assay with E. coli mutant strains deficient in the active oxygen-scavenging enzymes. Chlorine dioxide, chlorite, and iodate were highly cytotoxic, whereas in the presence of cysteine, bromate (BrO3 −) and metaperiodate (IO4 −) showed more growth inhibition toward the superoxide dismutase–deficient strains than the wild strain. BrO3 − also showed oxidative mutagenicity with cysteine or glutathione ethyl ester in S. typhimurium TA100. To identify oxyhalides formed by ozonation of raw water containing sea water, the occurrence of ozonation by-products of bromide and iodide was investigated. The results indicate that BrO3 − is toxicologically one of the most remarkable oxyhalides detectable in drinking water because IO4 − was not detected in the ozonated solution of iodide, and the ozonation condition to lower BrO3 − is to keep it neutral in the presence of ammonium ion.
Analysis of Multiple Pesticides in Urban Storm Water Using Solid-Phase Extraction by J. B. Belden; C. S. Hofelt; M. J. Lydy (pp. 7-10).
An analytical method was developed using C18 solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography—nitrogen phosphorus detection (GC-NPD) to determine the presence and quantity of 12 contemporary pesticides in storm water runoff from an urban environment. The method was validated, using deionized water and water collected from a local pond, for two concentration levels and four holding time regimes. The method was then utilized in a study examining nonpoint source (NPS) pollution in Wichita, KS. Accuracy and precision were demonstrated in each test for each analyte except diazinon, which degraded rapidly during holding times in aqueous solution. For all matrices, concentration levels, and holding times, mean recoveries for the remaining 11 pesticides ranged from 50% to 105% with percent relative standard deviations less than 25%.
Temporal Variability of Organic Micropollutants in Suspended Particulate Matter of the River Elbe at Hamburg and the River Mulde at Dessau, Germany by O. P. Heemken; B. Stachel; N. Theobald; B. W. Wenclawiak (pp. 11-31).
The compound classes of n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and a number of chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHs) in the River Elbe and its tributary Mulde were investigated on the basis of monthly mixed samples of suspended particulate matter (SPM). Covering the period from September 1994 to August 1995, samples from the River Elbe were taken at Hamburg, those from the River Mulde at Dessau. The samples were extracted by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Analysis of all substance groups were performed by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC), followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC/MSD). As a statistical approach for the interpretation of data, hierarchical cluster analysis of the individual compound classes were performed to determine differences or similarities between the sampling sites Hamburg and Dessau to find spatial and seasonal concentration patterns. These analysis showed that, with a high significance, the concentration patterns of n-alkanes, PAHs, and CHs were sampling site–specific in both the Elbe and Mulde throughout the entire sampling period. In all cases, clustering of mostly consecutive months indicated continuous, slow changes of input, which moreover showed a constancy with respect to annual cycles. Correlation analysis of pollutant loads with different hydrographic parameters showed a number of linear dependencies of the contaminants with temperature, SPM content, and water discharge. Annual fluxes of particle-bound pollutants were calculated for each sampling site, taking into account the average monthly SPM levels and the water discharge. The particle-bound pollutant loads for the River Elbe at Hamburg were estimated to 13.4 t/a n-alkanes, 4.1 t/a PAHs, and 175.8 kg/a CHs. The pollutant loads for the River Mulde at Dessau amounted 0.55 t/a n-alkanes, 0.14 t/a PAHs, and 15.5 kg/a CHs during the monitoring period. The input of n-alkanes originated from different sources. The n-alkane pattern of samples of the River Elbe showed a predominance of odd-numbered compounds in the range of C-20 and C-30 originating from terrestrial plants and, depending on the season, high concentrations of C-15 and C-17 due to aquatic organisms. Only a small proportion of n-alkane input originated from petroleum sources. Samples from the River Mulde showed high amounts of the n-alkanes C-12 to C-15, indicating the input of light oil throughout the entire sampling period, constituting approximately 25% of the total n-alkane concentration. PAHs, which are considered combustion products, were widely distributed in all samples. Although the major inputs of PAHs were probably combustion sources and urban runoff, unusually high concentrations were found for some PAHs, which can be explained by point sources. A comparison of the standardized PAH patterns in samples from both stations clearly showed that higher fused ring systems, which mainly originate from combustion processes (four- to six-ring systems), had considerably higher relative concentrations in SPM from the Elbe than from the Mulde, where higher relative concentrations of the two- and three-ring systems were measured. This confirms findings that petroleum input was higher in the Mulde than in the Elbe. Concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons in SPM samples from the river Mulde had comparatively high levels. The largest differences were found for p,p′-DDT and its metabolites p,p′-DDD and p,p′-DDE. On average, concentrations of p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDD, and p,p′-DDE in the Mulde were about 10, 15, and 25 times higher, respectively, than in the Elbe. Concentrations of HCB, which in the samples from Hamburg had the highest concentrations of all CHs, were found to be higher by about a factor of 3 in the Mulde River. The PCB levels in samples from the Mulde and Elbe were about equal, although there were differences in the pattern of PCB congeners.
Effects of Water Stress on Selenium Accumulation in Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) from a Selenium-Contaminated Soil by T. Tennant; L. Wu (pp. 32-39).
A greenhouse experiment was conducted evaluating the effects of water stress on uptake and accumulation of selenium (Se) as well as on uptake of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb). Also, this study has documented changes in soil Se inventory of Se-contaminated field soil. The findings of this experiment suggest that low soil moisture and plant water stress had a positive effect on plant tissue Se concentration. However, the negative effect of water stress on plant growth superimposed the increase of plant tissue Se concentration. Therefore, Se accumulation and soil Se removal by tall fescue became largely dependent on plant dry weight production. Strategies utilizing for remediation of Se-contaminated soils should maximizing the growth rates of tall fescue by maintaining soil moisture levels above water-stress conditions (greater than −1.0 MPa). The results of this study also suggest that the relative sensitivity of net uptake of Se and the three macronutrients to reduced soil moisture is: Ca uptake < Se uptake < Mg uptake < K uptake.
Accumulation and Elimination of Trace Metals in a Transplantation Experiment with Crassostrea rhizophorae by M. Wallner-Kersanach; H. Theede; U. Eversberg; S. Lobo (pp. 40-45).
Oysters, Crassostrea rhizophorae, were reciprocally transplanted to two different sites: a contaminated site in the Cotegipe Channel at Aratu Bay and an uncontaminated site at Cacha-Prego, inside and outside of Todos os Santos Bay (Brazil), respectively. Trace metal accumulation was measured after 0, 15, 30, and 60 days of exposure at the contaminated site. Oysters transplanted for 60 days from the clean to the contaminated site had accumulated cadmium and lead to similar concentrations as found in the native oysters. They had also accumulated copper and zinc, but to lower levels compared to native specimens. Elimination experiments were carried out by transplanting oysters in the reverse direction. After 30 days, concentrations of cadmium and lead had decreased to levels comparable to those in the native specimen, whereas concentrations of copper and zinc did not diminish. A second elimination experiment, bringing back to Cacha-Prego oysters that had been exposed 60 days at Cotegipe Channel, indicated stronger decreases of copper and lead, but no clear changes of cadmium and zinc concentrations. The accumulation experiment with C. rhizophorae is useful to estimate trace metal bioavailability and changes in concentrations as a function of time at the contaminated site. The different results of elimination experiments in the uncontaminated site suggest different degrees of trace metal fixation after long-term and short-term accumulation periods.
Sublethal Lead Affects Pituitary Function of Rainbow Trout During Exogenous Vitellogenesis by S. M. Ruby; R. Hull; P. Anderson (pp. 46-51).
Sexually maturing female rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were exposed to 10 μg/L of waterborne lead Pb(NO3)2 for 12 days during endogenous vitellogenesis and 12 days during exogenous vitellogenesis. Lead had no significant effect on either gonadosomatic indices or mean maximum diameters of developing oocytes during early vitellogenesis. When females were exposed during exogenous vitellogenesis, however, both GSI and oocyte growth were significantly different from controls on day 12. Similarly GSI and oocyte growth was significantly reduced in lead-exposed fish. Atomic absorption spectroscopy measurements of lead levels in liver, ovaries, and blood tissues showed significant levels of lead in the blood. Lead did not accumulate in either the ovaries or the liver. Analysis of pituitary basophils during both endogenous and exogenous vitellogenesis and subsequent comparison with reproductive parameters in the ovaries indicated that GtH-basophils did not significantly increase in controls during endogenous vitellogenesis, and there was no significant change in GSI or ovarian growth in either controls or lead-exposed females. However during exogenous vitellogenesis, control basophils significantly increased over the 12-day experiment, but were not significantly different over 12 days in lead-exposed females. Both GSI and oocyte growth were significantly different from controls in lead-exposed females. The results suggest that naturally occurring changes in GTH-producing basophils during vitellogenesis alters GSI and oocyte growth in female rainbow trout exposed to lead during exogenous vitellogenesis, but not during endogenous vitellogenesis.
Biochemical Responses of Fish Sac Fry and a Primary Cell Culture of Fish Hepatocytes Exposed to Polychlorinated Naphthalenes by M. Pesonen; P. Teivainen; J. Lundström; E. Jakobsson; L. Norrgren (pp. 52-58).
Chlorinated naphthalenes are planar halogenated aromatic compounds, which are widespread in the environment. Knowledge of their biochemical and toxicological actions in aquatic biota is, however, limited. The objective of this study was to assess the toxicity of highly chlorinated naphthalene congeners found in the aquatic environment on fish sac fry and to study their effects on xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (CYP) using a short-term primary culture of fish hepatocytes and liver microsomes. A few days after hatching, rainbow trout sac fry were administered either Hallovax 1014, a mixture of 1,2,3,4,6,7-hexachloronaphthalene and 1,2,3,5,6,7-hexachloronaphthalene (HxCN-mix), or 1,2,3,4,5,6,7-heptachloronaphthalene (HpCN) (0.08, 0.8, and 4 μg/sac fry injected into the yolk sac). The exposure was terminated 2 weeks later. The naphthalene preparations did not cause any clinical signs of toxicity or difference in mortality rates between the control and treated groups. Immunohistochemical analysis of CYP1A expression in the treated sac fry revealed that staining was most pronounced in the hepatocytes and thereafter in kidney tubular epithelial cells. Moderate CYP1A staining was also seen in the mucosal epithelium of pyloric caecae and mild staining in the epithelium of olfactory organ. Staining in control sac fry was weak or absent. Exposure of the primary cell culture of trout hepatocytes to a low doses (≤10 ng/ml) of the chlorinated naphthalenes increased significantly CYP1A-associated EROD activity and CYP1A mRNA content, HxCN-mix being the most potent and thereafter HpCN and Hallovax 1014. The higher doses (50–100 ng/ml) of each naphthalene also inhibited EROD activity. However, the content of CYP1A mRNA or the intensity of the CYP1A protein band (58 kDa) recognized by anti-trout CYP1A peptide antibodies were not decreased with increasing polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN) concentration, indicating that the inhibition was not due to reduced protein synthesis. Furthermore, in vitro analyses of the inhibitory potential of PCNs on CYP1A activity with trout liver microsomes suggested that these naphthalene preparations may be CYP1A substrates and act as competitive inhibitors of CYP1A catalyst. Our results demonstrate that highly chlorinated naphthalenes are potent modulators of fish CYP1A enzyme and suggest that hepatocytes and tubular epithelial cells are the cell types that may be vulnerable to their metabolic products for cell injury in fish sac fry.
Cytochrome P4501A Induction and Porphyrin Accumulation in PLHC-1 Fish Cells Exposed to Sediment and Oil Shale Extracts by S. E. Huuskonen; A. Tuvikene; M. Trapido; K. Fent; M. E. Hahn (pp. 59-69).
The present study describes the use of a fish hepatoma cell line (PLHC-1) in monitoring the biological effects of sediments collected from recipient waters of the oil shale industry. Sampling sites were located in River Purtse and River Kohtla in northeast Estonia. The effects of pure oil shale on the PLHC-1 cells were also studied. The cells were exposed to n-hexane–extracted samples in 48-well plates for 24 h, and 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity, total protein, and porphyrin content were measured in the exposed cells. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contents in the samples were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). All the sediment and oil shale samples induced CYP1A activity and led to porphyrin accumulation in the cells. The most potent inducers were the sediments collected near the oil shale processing plants (site Lüganuse in River Purtse and Kohtla in River Kohtla), as well as those at the most downstream site in River Purtse (Purtse). These samples possessed high total PAH contents, ranging from 4,270 to nearly 150,000 μg/kg dry sediment. The presence of other lipophilic organic contaminants in the samples was not determined in this study. Both EROD activity and porphyrin content exhibited biphasic induction curves, and the ED50 1 values for EROD activity were lower than the ED50s for porphyrin content. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin induction equivalents (TCDD-EQs) calculated from EROD induction potencies correlated well with total PAHs (r 2 = 0.827 and p = 0.003 for log-transformed data) and also with individual PAHs. TCDD-EQs for porphyrin content did not correlate significantly with total PAHs (log-log r2 = 0.785, p = 0.116). The biological potency and PAH contamination of the samples showed the same rank order, except at Lüganuse, where sediment extracts induced CYP1A and porphyrins more than could have been expected based on PAH contents. Bioassay-derived induction EQs (normalized to dibenz(a,h)anthracene) were 20- to 3,200-fold greater than EQs calculated from the concentrations of five PAHs, suggesting important contributions from other compounds or nonadditive effects. The PLHC-1 cells proved to be a sensitive bioanalytical tool for sediments contaminated with PAH-type pollutants in the oil shale processing area. We suggest further use of this bioassay in screening and monitoring waters with similar background of pollution as in northeast Estonia.
EROD Induction and Biliary Metabolite Excretion Following Exposure to the Water Accommodated Fraction of Crude Oil and to Chemically Dispersed Crude Oil by M. M. Gagnon; D. A. Holdway (pp. 70-77).
Immature Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were exposed to water accommodated fraction (WAF) of Bass Strait crude oil or to Corexit 9527–dispersed crude oil for 6 days, followed by a depuration period of 29 days. Serum sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) levels, indicator of liver damages, remained low during the experiment. Hepatic EROD activity was induced within 2 days following the onset of the exposure in both treatments, and persisted for 2–4 and 4–6 days after transfer to clean sea water in the WAF and dispersed oil treatment, respectively. Naphthalene-type metabolites, determined by fixed-wavelength fluorescence detection, appeared in the bile of the fish with 2 days' delay compared to EROD induction. In both treatments, EROD activity induction and levels of naphthalene-type metabolites in the bile were significantly related. The biliary levels of naphthalene-type metabolites were over 15 times higher in fish exposed to dispersed crude oil relative to fish exposed to the WAF of Bass Strait crude oil. BaP-type metabolites appeared only in the bile of the fish exposed to the WAF, possibly due to BaP-type compounds remaining associated with the dispersant in the water column or to an inhibition of Phase II detoxification enzymes by the dispersant. Bile metabolites as determined by fixed-wavelength fluorescence and EROD induction appear to be sensitive and complementary biomarkers of exposure to PAH.
Seasonal Changes and Tissue Distribution of Mercury in Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) from Dorena Reservoir, Oregon by E. P. Foster; D. L. Drake; G. DiDomenico (pp. 78-82).
Mercury contamination in fish has lead to the issuance of fish consumption advisories in many water bodies of the United States. There is evidence that mercury concentrations may fluctuate seasonally, which could affect consumption advisories. Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were collected from Dorena Reservoir, Oregon, in spring and summer of 1995 and spring, summer, and fall of 1996. Samples of muscle, liver, and gonad were analyzed for total mercury. There were seasonal differences for mercury in liver and gonads, but not muscle tissue. Liver mercury concentrations were higher in summer and lower in spring whereas ovarian mercury concentrations were higher in fall and lower in spring. This study shows that liver tissue was more sensitive than muscle tissue to seasonal variability of mercury, but these seasonal fluctuations may not influence consumption advisories.
Wintering Greater Scaup as Biomonitors of Metal Contamination in Federal Wildlife Refuges in the Long Island Region by J. B. Cohen,; J. S. Barclay; A. R. Major; J. P. Fisher (pp. 83-92).
Tissues of greater scaup (Aythya marila mariloides) and components of their habitat (sediment, plankton, macroalgae, and invertebrates) were collected for heavy metal analysis in the winter of 1996–97 from US Department of the Interior wildlife refuges in the Long Island region. Geographic and temporal relationships between the concentration of nine metals in tissue and in habitat components were examined. In greater scaup tissues and habitat components, concentrations of As and Se were highest in Branford, Connecticut; Pb values were greatest in Oyster Bay, New York; and Hg concentrations were largest in Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Over the course of the winter, the concentration of Hg in liver increased, and concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, and Zn in kidney decreased. Based on several criteria derived from geographic and temporal trends, metals were ranked using the apparent biomonitoring efficacy of greater scaup (As = Cr > Cu = Pb = Zn = Hg > Se = Cd > Ni). Although the seasonal migration and daily mobility of greater scaup are drawbacks to using this species as a sentinel for metal pollution, it was possible to demonstrate a relationship between geographic and temporal patterns of metals in habitat and greater scaup tissue. However, most metal concentrations in tissue were below thresholds known to adversely affect health of waterfowl.
Contaminants in Ospreys from the Pacific Northwest: II. Organochlorine Pesticides, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and Mercury, 1991–1997 by J. E. Elliott; M. M. Machmer; L. K. Wilson; C. J. Henny (pp. 93-106).
Eggs of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) were collected over the period 1991 to 1997 at 111 nests in the Fraser and Columbia River drainage systems of British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. Contents were analyzed for organochlorine (OC) pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and total mercury. Blood samples were taken from nestling ospreys at two time points during the 1992 breeding season on the Thompson River and analyzed for non-ortho PCBs. Concentrations of DDE and related compounds showed high variability among individual eggs within study areas and no significant differences in mean concentrations among study areas. Some eggs contained high concentrations of DDE, up to 20 mg/kg (wet weight), for which there were no evident local sources, suggesting that exposure occurred outside of the breeding grounds. Most other OC pesticides measured in osprey eggs showed a similar distribution, although mean concentrations of chlordane-related compounds were generally, and in some cases significantly, higher in samples collected from the Columbia River sites compared to elsewhere. Significantly greater concentrations of PCBs were found in eggs from the Columbia River basin compared to the Fraser. This was attributed to extensive development of hydroelectric generation and related industries on the Columbia system. Significant differences among sites were also found in the pattern of PCB congeners, e.g., eggs from the lower Columbia River site had proportionally greater concentrations of less chlorinated, Aroclor 1242–type PCBs compared to other sites. In contrast, eggs from upper reaches of the Columbia River had relatively greater amounts of Aroclor 1254 and 1260 congeners. Mercury concentrations in osprey eggs tended to be uniform among sites and comparable to those reported in the literature for ospreys nesting on naturally formed lakes and rivers. There were no significant temporal changes in mean concentrations of any of the measured compounds at sites monitored from 1991 to 1997.
Contaminant Exposure and Biomarker Responses in Spectacled Eiders (Somateria fischeri) from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska by K. A. Trust; K. T. Rummel; A. M. Scheuhammer; I. L. Brisbin Jr.; M. J. Hooper (pp. 107-113).
Effects of chemical contaminant exposure may be contributing to the decline of spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) nesting in coastal areas of western Alaska. We evaluated chemical exposure and potential effects in 20 male eiders collected near St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. Analytes included metals, trace elements, chlorinated organics, and 137Cesium (137Cs). Effects of contaminant exposure were evaluated using histopathology and biochemical measures of porphyrin profiles, cytochrome P450 activities, and metallothionein (MT) concentrations. Copper, cadmium, and selenium concentrations were elevated in spectacled eiders when compared to literature values for other marine birds. Only a few samples had trace concentrations of chlorinated organic compounds. Muscle 137Cs levels were all below the average minimum quantifiable concentration of 0.079 Bq/g. No histopathological lesions were associated with elevated contaminant concentrations in liver, kidney, or testes. Protoporphyrin was found in highest concentration in both the liver and kidneys, followed by coproporphyrin and uroporphyrin, respectively. Hepatic uroporphyrin concentrations correlated significantly to hepatic arsenic concentrations. Mean activities of hepatic EROD, MROD, BROD, and PROD were consistent with other avian species. Comparisons of cadmium/MT ratios from this study to published literature ratios in seven marine avian species suggest that, although adult male spectacled eiders have elevated liver concentrations of certain MT-inducing metals, their MT concentrations are not as strongly induced as would be predicted based on literature values. Despite elevated metal concentrations, the apparent good health of the St. Lawrence Island birds suggests that should these contaminants be a factor in population declines, they likely act by decreasing fecundity or survival of young rather than via direct health impacts on adult male spectacled eiders.
Red-Legged Partridges (Alectoris rufa) as Bioindicators for Persistent Chlorinated Chemicals in Spain by A. Herrera; A. Ariño; M. P. Conchello; R. Lazaro; S. Bayarri; C. Yagüe; J. M. Peiro; S. Aranda; M. D. Simon (pp. 114-120).
Persistent organochlorine residues such as hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), chlorocyclodienes, and the DDT group (DDTs) were determined in fat and muscle samples of resident red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) hunted in Spain. Chlorinated contamination pattern varied largely depending on geographical distribution. Birds collected from the northern part of Spain contained greater concentrations of lindane (34.4 ng/g fat basis) than those from central or southern Spain. In contrast, red-legged partridges collected in southern locations exhibited elevated levels of p,p′-DDE (62.3 ng/g fat basis) as compared with central (31.2 ng/g fat basis) and northern areas (5.6 ng/g fat basis). The only cyclodiene detected, dieldrin, showed higher amounts (3.4 ng/g fat basis) in partridges collected in central Spain. The sex differences in pollutant occurrence and concentrations were negligible. One-year-old birds accumulated greater concentrations of β-HCH, and dieldrin than older birds. Global comparison of organochlorine concentrations indicated that northern partridges are more contaminated by compounds of industrial origin, whereas southern birds contained greater amounts of agricultural chemicals. Estimates of hazards associated with organochlorine levels in resident red-legged partridges in Spain suggested that southern birds may be at risk from exposure to DDTs, and northern birds may be affected by excessive concentrations of lindane. The use of red-legged partridge as bioindicator for OCP contamination is discussed.
The Fluoride Content of Antlers as an Indicator of Fluoride Exposure in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus): A Historical Biomonitoring Study by U. Kierdorf; H. Kierdorf (pp. 121-127).
Bone fluoride concentrations were analyzed in 141 red deer antlers grown between the 17th/early 18th century and 1997, that originated from four study areas (Arnsberg, Bad Berleburg, Dämmerwald, Schmidtheim) in the federal state of North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany. Fluoride concentrations in the specimens ranged between 27.7 and 1,392.1 mg F−/kg ash and varied significantly both between samples collected during different time-spans in the same area and between samples taken from different study areas over the same period. For antlers (n = 8) collected prior to 1860 in the study areas Arnsberg and Schmidtheim, values between 27.7 and 78.7 mg F−/kg ash were recorded. It is assumed that antler fluoride contents in this range are quite close to baseline levels for these regions, i.e., represent concentrations largely unaffected or only slightly influenced by fluoride from anthropogenic sources. With the onset and expansion of large-scale industrial activities, bone fluoride concentrations in the antler samples markedly increased over these baseline values, indicating fluoride deposition from industrial emissions into the red deer habitats. In the later 1980s and the 1990s, a pronounced decline in antler fluoride content was observed, which is attributed to the reduction of industrial fluoride discharges due to effective emission control programs. However, even the lowest fluoride values recorded for antlers grown in the 1990s (study area Schmidtheim, n = 10, range 158.5–367.3 mg F−/kg ash) clearly exceeded the concentrations found in the antlers collected prior to 1860, thereby indicating an additional fluoride burden from anthropogenic sources on the recent populations. The present study has corroborated the view that antlers are good indicators of fluoride exposure in deer. The facts that they grow during a seasonally fixed time-span and thus constitute relatively well “naturally standardized” samples and are often kept over long periods of time make antlers suitable monitoring units for historical biomonitoring studies.
Effects of Contaminants in Dredge Material from the Lower Savannah River by P. V. Winger; P. J. Lasier; D. H. White; J. T. Seginak (pp. 128-136).
Contaminants entering aquatic systems from agricultural, industrial, and municipal activities are generally sequestered in bottom sediments. The environmental significance of contaminants associated with sediments dredged from Savannah Harbor, Georgia, USA, are unknown. To evaluate potential effects of contaminants in river sediments and sediments dredged and stored in upland disposal areas on fish and wildlife species, solid-phase sediment and sediment pore water from Front River, Back River, an unnamed Tidal Creek on Back River, and Middle River of the distributary system of the lower Savannah River were tested for toxicity using the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca. In addition, bioaccumulation of metals from sediments collected from two dredge-disposal areas was determined using the freshwater oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus. Livers from green-winged teals (Anas crecca) and lesser yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) foraging in the dredge-spoil areas and raccoons (Procyon lotor) from the dredge-disposal/river area and an upland site were collected for metal analyses. Survival of H. azteca was not reduced in solid-phase sediment exposures, but was reduced in pore water from several locations receiving drainage from dredge-disposal areas. Basic water chemistry (ammonia, alkalinity, salinity) was responsible for the reduced survival at several sites, but PAHs, metals, and other unidentified factors were responsible at other sites. Metal residues in sediments from the Tidal Creek and Middle River reflected drainage or seepage from adjacent dredge-disposal areas, which could potentially reduce habitat quality in these areas. Trace metals increased in L. variegatus exposed in the laboratory to dredge-disposal sediments; As, Cu, Hg, Se, and Zn bioaccumulated to concentrations higher than those in the sediments. Certain metals (Cd, Hg, Mo, Se) were higher in livers of birds and raccoons than those in dredge-spoil sediments suggesting bioavailability. Cadmium, Cr, Hg, Pb, and Se in livers from raccoons collected near the river and dredge-disposal areas were significantly higher than those of raccoons from the upland control site. Evidence of bioaccumulation from laboratory and field evaluations and concentrations in sediments from dredge-disposal areas and river channels demonstrated that some metals in the dredge-disposal areas are mobile and biologically available. Drainage from dredge-disposal areas may be impacting habitat quality in the river, and fish and wildlife that feed and nest in the disposal areas on the lower Savannah River may be at risk from metal contamination.