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Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (v.40, #2)
Trace Organic Contaminants in Sediment and Water from Ulsan Bay and Its Vicinity, Korea by J. S. Khim; K. T. Lee; K. Kannan; D. L. Villeneuve; J. P. Giesy; C. H. Koh (pp. 141-150).
Sediment and water samples collected from 32 locations in Ulsan Bay and adjacent inland areas were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocabons (PAHs), nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP), bisphenol A (BPA), organochlorine (OC) pesticides (HCB, HCHs, CHLs, and DDTs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to characterize their spatial distribution and contamination status. PAHs were detected in nearly all sediment and water extracts from Ulsan Bay and its inland locations. The sedimentary PAH concentrations ranged from 17 to 3,100 ng/g on a dry weight basis (DW), which were predominated by two- and three-ring aromatic hydrocarbons in river and/or stream, and four- to six-ring compounds in Ulsan Bay sediment. Concentrations of PAHs in pore water samples were generally two or three orders magnitude less than those of corresponding sediment samples. Maximum concentrations of NP, OP, and BPA in sediments were 1,040, 120, and 54 ng/g DW, respectively. Concentrations of OP and BPA were, on average, 5- to 13-fold less than those of NP. PCB concentrations in sediment ranged from 1.4 to 77 ng/g DW, which were predominated by lower chlorinated congeners such as di- through pentachlorinated biphenyls. Among different OC pesticides analyzed, concentrations of DDTs were the greatest, ranging from 0.02 to 41.9 ng/g DW. NP concentrations were greater at inner locations proximal to municipal wastewater discharges into rivers and/or streams, whereas the concentrations of PCBs and PAHs were great near the sites of high industrial activities. Sediment-pore water partitioning coefficients correlated with those of reported K oc or K ow values for selected PAHs in Ulsan Bay, but these varied by an order of magnitude for stream and/or river sediments.
In Vitro Bioassay Determination of Dioxin-Like and Estrogenic Activity in Sediment and Water from Ulsan Bay and Its Vicinity, Korea by J. S. Khim; K. T. Lee; D. L. Villeneuve; K. Kannan; J. P. Giesy; C. H. Koh (pp. 151-160).
Extracts of sediment and water samples collected from Ulsan Bay, Korea, were screened for their ability to induce dioxin-like and estrogenic gene expression in vitro. Each sample was tested as raw extract (RE) and fractionated extract (FE). Based on the initial screening of RE, 23 of 31 sediment samples showed significant dioxin-like activity in H4IIE-luc bioassay, whereas most sediment samples did not elicit estrogenic response in MVLN bioassay. Most of the activities associated with FE samples revealed that mid-polar (F2) and most polar (F3) fractions were responsible for the significant reporter gene expression in H4IIE-luc bioassay. The results suggest that complex interactions may have depressed the activities of the known arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists present in F1 samples. The F2 samples were the most active fraction. All F2 samples except one induced significant dioxin-like activity, and over half of the F2 samples induced significant estrogenic activity. Ten of the F2 samples produced magnitudes of response in H4IIE-luc bioassay similar to those induced by a 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin standard. Sediment associated with F2 samples was estimated to contain 24.9–826 pg TCDD-EQ/g DW. Based on a qualitative mass balance analysis, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) appeared to account for both the estrogenic and dioxin-like responses observed. Over half of the F3 samples were either cytotoxic or caused morphological changes in both H4IIE-luc and MVLN cells. Known concentrations of alkylphenols and bisphenol A were not great enough to account for both the estrogenic response and cytotoxicity observed for F3 samples. Despite the apparent toxic or stressful effects, most of F3 samples induced significant dioxin-like activity in vitro, adding to a growing body of evidence that suggests the presence of unidentified, relatively polar, AhR agonists in sediment from some areas.
Distribution of Inorganic Mercury in Sacramento River Water and Suspended Colloidal Sediment Material by D. A. Roth; H. E. Taylor; J. Domagalski; P. Dileanis; D. B. Peart; R. C. Antweiler; C. N. Alpers (pp. 161-172).
The concentration and distribution of inorganic Hg was measured using cold-vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry in samples collected at selected sites on the Sacramento River from below Shasta Dam to Freeport, CA, at six separate times between 1996 and 1997. Dissolved (ultrafiltered, 0.005 μm equivalent pore size) Hg concentrations remained relatively constant throughout the system, ranging from the detection limit (< 0.4 ng/L) to 2.4 ng/L. Total Hg (dissolved plus colloidal suspended sediment) concentrations ranged from the detection limit at the site below Shasta Dam in September 1996 to 81 ng/L at the Colusa site in January 1997, demonstrating that colloidal sediment plays an important role in the downriver Hg transport. Sequential extractions of colloid concentrates indicate that the greatest amount of Hg associated with sediment was found in the “residual” (mineral) phase with a significant quantity also occurring in the “oxidizable” phase. Only a minor amount of Hg was observed in the “reducible” phase. Dissolved Hg loads remained constant or increased slightly in the downstream direction through the study area, whereas the total inorganic Hg load increased significantly downstream especially in the reach of the river between Bend Bridge and Colusa. Analysis of temporal variations showed that Hg loading was positively correlated to discharge.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Organochlorine Pesticides in Soils from the Southern Part of Poland by J. Falandysz; B. Brudnowska; M. Kawano; T. Wakimoto (pp. 173-178).
Surface soil and sediment samples collected from the cities of Kraków, Katowice, and Chorzów in 1993–94 were analyzed to determine the residual levels of persistent organochlorine pesticides (HCB, HCHs, DDTs, CHLs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Detection, identification, and quantification were made after a two-step clean-up and fractionation of sample extract with concentrated sulfuric acid and Florisil gel, followed by capillary gas chromatography with a 63Ni electron capture detector (GC-ECD) or a mass selective detector (GC-LRMS). The soil from the city of Katowice is relatively more polluted, mainly by PCBs but also by the other organochlorines. Both the soil in the cities of Kraków and Katowice are more polluted by organochlorines than soil from many other places in Poland. The residual concentrations of the organochlorines indicated nonexistence of the domestic sources of pollution by CHLs and elevated local contamination with PCBs. Sediment contained PCBs and CHLs in much higher concentrations than found in soil. In the case of DDTs, HCHs and HCB, the concentrations were of the same order of magnitude. Composition of DDT metabolites and of HCH isomers were investigated in detail.
Long-Term Fate of Glyphosate Associated with Repeated Rodeo Applications to Control Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) in Willapa Bay, Washington by K. M. Kilbride; F. L. Paveglio (pp. 179-183).
Cordgrasses (Spartina sp.) are exotic, invasive species that threaten to degrade the intertidal zones of estuaries along the West Coast of North America. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies primarily focus on the use of aerial and ground applications of Rodeo® in conjunction with mowing, but IPM treatments over multiple years usually are necessary to control Spartina. Although information exists regarding the short-term fate and effects to marine biota of a single Rodeo® application to control Spartina, little information is available regarding the fate and biotic effects associated with repeated Rodeo® applications necessary for control. Consequently, we conducted a 3-year study to assess the short- and long-term fate and potential effects to marine biota associated with repeated applications of Rodeo® to control smooth cordgrass in a southwestern Washington estuary. At each of three intertidal locations in Willapa Bay, we established plots on exposed mudflats and along the edge of a Spartina meadow that were hand sprayed with Rodeo® (5% solution) and LI-700® (2% solution) during July 1997 and 1998. Glyphosate concentrations in sediment from mudflat plots declined 88% to 96% from 1 day posttreatment in 1997 to 1 year after the second Rodeo® applications in 1999. In contrast, glyphosate concentrations in Spartina plots increased 231% to 591% from 1997 to 1999 because Spartina rhizomes likely did not readily metabolize or exude it. Comparison of concentrations from mudflat and Spartina plots with toxicity test values for marine biota indicates that under worst-case conditions short- and long-term detrimental effects to aquatic biota from repeated application of Rodeo® for Spartina control would be highly unlikely.
Effects of Composting Process and Fly Ash Amendment on Phytotoxicity of Sewage Sludge by S. S. S. Lau; M. Fang; J. W. C. Wong (pp. 184-191).
With the increasingly growing global production of sewage sludge, evaluation of its applicability in agriculture and land restoration is essential. This study assessed the potential effects of composting process and fly ash amendment on soil-ameliorating properties of sewage sludge. The metal availability and phytotoxicity of ash-amended sludge compost (AS, mature sewage sludge compost mixed with fresh lagoon ash) and sludge-ash co-compost (SA, co-composted mixture of sewage sludge and lagoon ash) were compared. The results of this work suggested that both composts favored the applicability of sewage sludge for land application by reducing Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn availability. The SA co-compost stimulated seed germination at ash amendment rates of ≤10%, whereas various treatments of AS compost inhibited germination at an extract dilution of 50%. Amendment of lagoon ash before or after sludge composting increased electrical conductivity (EC) and volatilization of NH4-N, but lowered availability of PO4-P. Together with the results of phytotoxicity, an optimal ash amendment rate of 5% for AS and 10% for SA were most desirable. Alkaline amendment prior to sludge composting was recommended, because it could be more effective in reducing soluble and plant-available metal concentrations through the composting process.
Effects of Copper Sulfate on Typha latifolia Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth in Aqueous and Sediment Exposures by S. L. Muller; D. B. Huggett; J. H. Rodgers, Jr. (pp. 192-197).
The vascular macrophyte Typha latifolia Linnaeus (common cattail) may be a sentinel for evaluating potential phytotoxicity to rooted aquatic macrophytes in aquatic systems. To further evaluate the potential utility of this species, T. latifolia seed germination, shoot growth, and root elongation were measured in 7-day aqueous exposures using mean measured aqueous copper concentrations of 10.0, 23, 41, 62, 174, and 402 μg Cu/L, which were ≥ 62% of nominal concentrations. Seed germination and seedling shoot growth were not significantly affected by any of these copper concentrations as compared to controls. Mean measured no-observed-effect-concentration (NOEC) and lowest-observed-effect-concentration (LOEC) for root elongation were 18.6 μg Cu/L and 35.0 μg Cu/L, respectively. Seven-day sediment tests were conducted by amending uncontaminated sediments with copper sulfate to mean measured concentrations of 7.9, 17.1, 21.0, 51.2, 89.5, and 173.5 mg Cu/kg, which were ≥ 84% of nominal concentrations. Seed germination was not significantly different from controls. Mean measured NOEC and LOEC values for seedling shoot growth were 89.5 mg Cu/kg and 173.5 mg Cu/kg, respectively, and mean measured NOEC and LOEC values for root growth were 14.0 mg Cu/kg and 19.7 mg Cu/kg, respectively. These results demonstrate that T. latifolia early seedling growth can be utilized for assessing aqueous and sediment toxicity of copper.
Effects of Atrazine and Nicosulfuron on Phytoplankton in Systems of Increasing Complexity by F. Seguin; C. Leboulanger; F. Rimet; J. C. Druart; A. Bérard (pp. 198-208).
We have tested the sensitivity of phytoplankton to the herbicides atrazine and nicosulfuron in experiments conduced in increasingly complex systems, from single strain phytoplankton cultures (microplates) to mesocosms mimicking whole ecosystems. The endpoints used to assess sensitivity to atrazine and nicosulfuron were total biomass increase, photosynthetic efficiency, and community diversity, depending on the system considered. Nicosulfuron appeared to be very much less toxic to phytoplankton than atrazine, in accord with the planned changes in agricultural practices to reduce the effects of surface water contamination on aquatic biota. Nevertheless, nicosulfuron had significant effects in some systems (principally microcosms), whereas the single monocultures were almost insensitive to it. This points out the inaccuracy of standardized toxicity test on phytoplanktonic algae alone for predicting the effects of xenobiotics on natural communities and the need for tests in microcosms and mesocosms to obtain reliable evidence about the toxicity of a given chemical on freshwater aquatic ecosystems.
Determination of Cadmium Partitioning in Microalgae and Oysters: Contribution to the Assessment of Trophic Transfer by H. Ettajani; B. Berthet; J. C. Amiard; L. Chevolot (pp. 209-221).
Alternative methodologies have been applied to the study of cadmium transfer in a food chain: water, microalgae (Skeletonema costatum and Tetraselmis suecica), oysters (Crassostrea gigas). The potential bioavailability of Cd in organisms was assessed through partitioning at the cell or tissue levels, and the predictive value of this method was evaluated by determining directly the metal transfer in an experimental food chain model. Cd concentrations were lower in S. costatum than T. suecica, in controls as well as in contaminated algae. In both algal species, Cd was firmly bound to the cell wall or had entered the cell. Cytosolic Cd was bound to intracellular ligands, the biochemical characteristics of which were not consistent with the hypothesis of detoxification via phytochelatins. In both algal species, Cd was predominantly present in the insoluble fraction, but at pHs such as those existing in the digestive tract of bivalves, it was easily extracted from the cells. Thus, exposure to Cd through phytoplanktonic food induced a significant uptake of this metal in soft tissues of bivalves. Due to the difference in Cd accumulation in algae, Cd doses associated with S. costatum were lower than those bound to T. suecica. Moreover, oysters retained a lower percentage of the metal associated with S. costatum compared to T. suecica (9 and 20%, respectively, after 21 days of exposure). Cd doses potentially available to oysters exposed directly in sea water were considerably higher, and direct uptake induced the highest levels of Cd incorporation but only 2% of dissolved Cd was actually retained by oysters over 21 days of exposure. In the soft tissues of oysters, Cd was distributed equally between soluble and insoluble fractions. Cytosolic Cd was present predominantly in the heat-stable fraction and mainly bound to compounds of molecular weight equal to 13.5 kDa. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between metallothionein-like protein (MTLP) levels and gross concentrations of Cd in the soft tissues of oysters. These data are consistent with the hypothesis of an important role of metallothioneins in Cd metabolism in oysters and suggest a potential availability of MT-bound fraction of Cd to the consumers. These data are in agreement with the response of oysters exposed to Cd in the field.
Biochemical Response of the Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis from Bizerta (Tunisia) to Chemical Pollutant Exposure by A. Khessiba; P. Hoarau; M. Gnassia-Barelli; P. Aissa; M. Roméo (pp. 222-229).
Three biomarkers (glutathione S-transferase [GST] activity, catalase [CAT] activity, and malonedialdehyde [MDA] levels) were measured in specimens of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis collected from two different stations (BC and MJ) in the lagoon of Bizerta (Tunisia). Animals were allowed to acclimate in the laboratory for some days. They were then exposed for 48 h to two concentrations of pp′DDE and two doses of mercury chloride. The acclimation period increased CAT activities and MDA levels in control mussels from both sites. GST activities were not modified during the acclimation period, whereas the sampling site of mussels appeared to exert a significant influence (higher values in control mussels from MJ than in those from BC). The treatment with both contaminants also increased GST activities of mussels from BC and not from MJ. It is hypothesized that animals from this last location are more exposed to the urban waste waster disposal, their biochemical response (GST activity) to pollutant exposure will be less marked. The treatment with pp′DDE or mercury did not show significant trend in CAT activities or MDA levels due to the variation of controls, and comparison of sites for mussels exposed to either pollutant therefore seems difficult. The acclimation period in the laboratory and the origin of mussels must be taken into consideration when studying the biochemical responses of mussels experimentally exposed to chemical pollutants.
Interclonal Variation in the Acute and Delayed Toxicity of Cadmium to the European Prosobranch Gastropod Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray) by A. Jensen; V. E. Forbes (pp. 230-235).
The lethal responses of three European clones—A, B, and C—of the prosobranch snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum to acute cadmium exposure were examined by the use of a conventional LC50 test and a delayed toxicity test. The questions addressed were: (1) Are there differences in susceptibility (LC50 values and uniformity of response) among the three European clones of P. antipodarum? (2) Are the patterns of differences in susceptibility among clones observed in the LC50 test also observed for the delayed toxicity test? (3) Is there concordance in the ranking of susceptibility among clones under acute cadmium exposure and under chronic cadmium exposure?The results showed that the widths of the tolerance distribution differed among clones. Clones A and B had a steeper slope than clone C (for clone A the difference was marginally significant), which indicates that individuals from clones A and B showed a more uniform response to acute lethal cadmium stress than individuals from clone C. On the basis of the measured differences in LC50 values, clone A individuals showed the highest tolerance to acute cadmium (LC50 value: 1.92 mg Cd L−1) followed by clone B (LC50 value: 1.29 mg Cd L−1) and clone C (LC50 value: 0.56 mg Cd L−1). Clone C was significantly less tolerant than clones A and B.The delayed toxicity test showed a similar pattern to the LC50 test with regard to tolerance differences among clones; however, mortality continued following transfer to clean water, indicating that cadmium was lethal at much lower concentrations than indicated by the conventional LC50 test.Results of the LC50 test and the delayed toxicity test in the present study were in general agreement with results from chronic cadmium exposure experiments (Jensen et al.[2000]Ecol Appl[submitted]), i.e., the least susceptible clone A in the acute cadmium exposure test was also the least susceptible clone in the chronic cadmium exposure test.Based on the dramatic differences between the LC50 and the cadmium exposure concentrations causing delayed toxicity, we suggest that the potential for delayed toxicity should be given greater consideration in ecotoxicity testing.
Element Concentrations in the Flesh and Osteoderms of Estuarine Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) from the Alligator Rivers Region, Northern Australia: Biotic and Geographic Effects by R. A. Jeffree; S. J. Markich; J. R. Twining (pp. 236-245).
The concentrations of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Ba, Sr, Fe, Al, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, Se, U, and Ti were determined in the flesh and osteoderms of estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) captured in three adjacent catchments of Kakadu National Park, within the Alligator Rivers Region of northern Australia. This study provides, for the first-time, baseline concentrations of elements in both flesh and osteoderms of wild crocodiles. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the effects of total crocodile length, estimated age, gender, inferred reproductive status, physical condition, and catchment of capture on element concentrations in both tissues. The Mg concentration (log10) in the flesh and osteoderms of C. porosus significantly (p ≤ 0.001) decreased with increasing length (1.7–5.0 m) and estimated age (5–40 years). Similarly, the Ti concentration (log10) in flesh significantly (p ≤ 0.01) decreased with increasing length. In contrast, Zn and Se concentration (log10) in flesh significantly (p ≤ 0.001) increased with increasing length and/or age, suggesting that these relationships are mediated by biological rather than environmental chemical factors. In flesh, Fe and Na concentrations (log10) significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased as the physical condition of C. porosus deteriorated. No significant (p > 0.05) effects of gender or inferred reproductive status on element concentrations in the flesh and osteoderms were found. The mean concentrations (log10) of Al, Ba, Cr, Ni, and Pb in flesh and Co, Fe, Mg, Mn, and U in the osteoderms were significantly (p ≤ 0.01) different between catchments. The significant (p ≤ 0.05) effects of catchment on the concentrations of various elements indicate that C. porosus reflects the chemistry of its environmental milieu and therefore has a certain degree of catchment fidelity, even though the catchments are adjacent to one another. Such catchment-specific signals may be useful in the determination of the provenance of itinerant crocodiles. They also point to the utility of crocodiles as long-term biomonitors of their environment.
Selenium, Cadmium, Copper, and Zinc Concentrations in Sediments and Mullet (Mugil cephalus) from the Southern Basin of Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia by J. Kirby; W. Maher; F. Krikowa (pp. 246-256).
Selenium, cadmium, copper, and zinc concentrations were measured in sediments and the tissues of mullet (Mugil cephalus) collected from the southern basin of Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia. Trace metals in surficial sediments are enriched in trace metals relative to background concentrations (selenium, 3–19; cadmium, 14–42; copper, 1.5–3.6; zinc, 0.77–2.2 times background).Selenium, cadmium, and copper in Lake Macquarie mullet tissues are elevated compared to those in mullet collected from the Clyde River estuary, a relatively pristine location. Selenium and copper concentrations are also elevated compared to those reported in mullet tissues from other nonpolluted coastal environments. Zinc concentrations in Lake Macquarie mullet muscle tissues are significantly higher than those in muscle tissues of mullet from the Clyde River estuary, but mullet from both locations have similar zinc concentrations in other tissues. These results show that contamination of sediment with trace metals has resulted in elevated trace metals in the benthic feeding fish M. cephalus.Little of the variation of trace metal concentrations between fish was explained by variation in mass.Selenium concentrations in mullet are of concern in muscle tissues as they are above recommended acceptable limits for safe human consumption, while concentrations in tissues are at levels that may effect fish growth, reproduction, and survival. Copper concentrations in mullet tissues are also at levels that may reduce fish growth.
Selenium and Mercury Concentrations in Brood-Stock Walleye Collected from Three Sites on Lake Oahe by R. J. Mauk; M. L. Brown (pp. 257-263).
A decline in the walleye Stizostedion vitreum sport fishery in lower Lake Oahe, South Dakota, was documented in the early 1980s and has been attributed to poor natural reproduction and/or recruitment. Contaminants were suspected of causing low natural reproduction/recruitment in lower Lake Oahe as well as low hatchability of eggs produced from broodstock walleyes taken from lower Lake Oahe. Concentrations of dissolved selenium in the Cheyenne River, which enters lower Lake Oahe, have increased considerably over the last 15 years. To determine whether selenium concentrations contributed to the reproduction problems in the lower Lake Oahe walleye population, adult walleye were collected during spawning operations in April 1994, 1995, and 1996 to obtain tissue samples. Muscle, liver, reproductive tissue, and unfertilized eggs were analyzed with a modified fluorometric method for determining selenium concentrations in plants. These tissues were also analyzed for mercury content using cold-vapor atomic absorption. No statistical differences (p < 0.05) in selenium or mercury concentrations among sites could be determined that would explain differential walleye egg hatchability. Correlation analysis determined significant inverse associations existed between the gonadal somatic index of male walleye and gonadal tissue selenium concentrations (r =−0.41, p = 0.0012). Both walleye sexes exhibited significant inverse associations between the hepatic somatic index (HSI) and liver selenium concentrations (males r =−0.33, p = 0.0095; and females r =−0.38, p = 0.0034). Positive relationships existed for female walleye selenium concentrations in the liver and the ovaries (r = 0.37, p = 0.003) and the liver and muscle tissue (r = 0.28, p = 0.027). Mercury concentrations in walleye ovaries were positively correlated with HSI (r = 0.30, p = 0.0012), length (r = 0.36, p = 0.0046), relative weight (r = 0.36, p = 0.0054), and muscle concentrations (r = 0.49, p = 0.0001). Mercury concentrations in male walleye muscle were correlated with age (r = 0.57, p = 0.0001), length (r = 0.79, p = 0.0001), and mercury concentrations in the testes (r = 0.43, p = 0.0006).
The Effect of Different Oil Spill Remediation Techniques on Petroleum Hydrocarbon Elimination in Australian Bass (Macquaria novemaculeata) by A. M. Cohen; D. Nugegoda; M. M. Gagnon (pp. 264-270).
Petroleum hydrocarbons were investigated in juvenile Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata, following exposure to the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of Bass Strait crude oil, chemically dispersed crude oil, and burnt crude oil. Each treatment was administered for 16 days either through the water column or through the diet (amphipod, Allorchestes compressa). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) elimination was determined by measuring biliary benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) and naphthalene-type metabolites. Biliary PAH-type metabolite concentrations varied with the type of oil spill remediation technique, route of exposure (food versus water), and exposure concentration. Fish exposed to chemically dispersed crude oil via the water exhibited the highest PAH-type biliary metabolite concentrations, relative to fish exposed to other treatments. In fish exposed via the diet, the highest concentration of both types of biliary metabolites also appeared in the dispersed oil–exposed individuals. The results suggest that chemically dispersing oil may have the greatest effect on bioavailability of hydrocarbons, both through waterborne and food chain exposures.
Paper and Pulp Mill Effluent-Induced Immunotoxicity in Freshwater Fish Channa punctatus (Bloch) by M. Fatima; I. Ahmad; R. Siddiqui; S. Raisuddin (pp. 271-276).
The influence of temperature variation on the humoral immune response using the plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay in freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch) was investigated. The fish was exposed to 1% concentration (v/v in water) of paper and pulp mill effluent under standard laboratory conditions in glass aquaria. Effect of effluent exposure on the organ weight and organ cellularity was also evaluated. In general, lower temperature in winter produced a subdued response in control as well as experimental group. At higher temperature of summer and rainy seasons, an elevated response was observed. It was revealed that though suppressive effect of effluent was evident during all the seasons, in summer, extent of suppression was greater as compared to winter. Paper and pulp mill effluent exposure resulted in a decrease in the splenic and pronephric (head kidney) cellularity, with more pronounced effect in the summer season. We also studied the effects of the length of exposure on various parameters. Fish were exposed for 15, 30, 60, and 90 days to effluent. Short-term exposure for 15 days induced an elevated PFC response, but change was not statistically significant. Conversely, the exposure for 30, 60, and 90 days significantly reduced (p < 0.05–0.001) the PFC response. Long-term exposure also caused significant reduction (p < 0.05–0.01) in the weights of lymphoid organs (spleen, head kidney, and total kidney). These results show a suppressive effect of chemical constituents of paper and pulp mill effluent on the immune functions. Furthermore, results demonstrated that though modulatory effect of the temperature on immune functions is recognized, it was not a major contributory factor to the elevated immunotoxicity of paper and pulp mill effluent in the seasons of high temperature.
Changes in Contaminant Levels in New Jersey Osprey Eggs and Prey, 1989 to 1998 by K. E. Clark; W. Stansley; L. J. Niles (pp. 277-284).
Ospreys are good indicators of the health of estuarine areas because they feed almost exclusively on fish with the balance on other aquatic biota. Through the 1980s, ospreys nesting on Delaware Bay in New Jersey had reduced reproductive success relative to those nesting on the Atlantic coast and the Maurice River, a tributary of Delaware Bay. Earlier research suggested that elevated levels of DDT and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminants identified in addled osprey eggs contributed to this reduced productivity. We repeated egg and prey sampling initially conducted in 1989 to evaluate the trends of contaminants in the last decade. Most organochlorine contaminants declined in osprey eggs in 1998 relative to 1989. Across three study areas, PCBs decreased from 4.1–7.7 ppm in 1989 to 1.8–3.2 ppm in 1998; DDE decreased from 1.2–3.2 ppm in 1989 to 0.7–1.2 ppm in 1998. Lead in eggs increased from an average of 0.01 to 0.30 ppm wet weight, and mercury averaged 0.12 ppm and increased only in Atlantic coast eggs. Most of these contaminant changes were also found in typical prey fish: PCBs decreased from 0.18–1.2 ppm in 1989 to 0.06–0.43 ppm in 1998; DDE decreased from 0.05–0.69 ppm in 1989 to 0.03–0.13 ppm in 1998. Lead and mercury increased in most fish samples. The improvement in most organochlorine contaminants in osprey eggs and prey reflected improved nest success in the Delaware Bay study area, and the nesting populations in the Atlantic and Maurice River study areas increased approximately 200% since 1989. PCBs and DDE in osprey eggs were below levels considered to be toxic to egg development. This study documents significant improvements in organochlorine contaminants in southern New Jersey ospreys, but justifies continued monitoring of heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, in aquatic ecosystems.
Food Chain Aspects of Chlordane Poisoning in Birds and Bats by W. Stansley; D. E. Roscoe; E. Hawthorne; R. Meyer (pp. 285-291).
We have observed recurring chlordane poisonings of large numbers of common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula), European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), and American robins (Turdus migratorius) at suburban roosts in New Jersey during the month of July. This paper describes aspects of the food chain uptake of chlordane that account for the periodicity of these poisonings. Chlordane concentrations ranged from < 0.02 to 20.3 μg/g wet weight in 11 soil samples collected from residential lawns and a golf course near one roost. Of the 10 species of insects and soil invertebrates collected from the area, two scarab beetles, the oriental beetle (Anomala orientalis) and Japanese beetle (Popilla japonica), had the highest concentrations of chlordane-related compounds (15.1 and 5.9 μg/g wet weight, respectively). Concentrations in the other eight species ranged from < 0.04 to 1.3 μg/g. Oriental and Japanese beetles collected from a rural location had concentrations of 0.03 and < 0.02 μg/g, respectively. Emergence of adult beetles peaked in mid- to late July, when bird mortality also peaked. Fecal pellets collected near the roost (n = 24) contained the remains of 1–5 beetles each (mean = 2), and scarab beetles accounted for 40% of the total number of insect parts in the stomach contents of common grackles (n = 8). Unlike soil samples, in which cis- and trans-chlordane predominated, beetles contained large amounts of the more toxic metabolites heptachlor epoxide and oxychlordane. Total chlordane-related compounds ranged from < 0.05 to 18.4 μg/g in Japanese beetles collected from 16 sites in New Jersey and 2 sites in Ohio. The highest concentrations were found in beetles from suburban areas and golf courses. We also analyzed brain tissue from insectivorous bats (15 big brown bats, Eptesicus fuscus, and 5 little brown bats, Myotis lucifugus) that were submitted to the New Jersey Rabies Laboratory in late June/July 1998 and 1999 but found to be rabies-negative. We suggest that high concentrations in three of the bats caused debility or abnormal behavior that may have precipitated submission for rabies testing.