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Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (v.42, #4)
A Comparison of Sensitivity of Spirotox Biotest with Standard Toxicity Tests by G. Nałcz-Jawecki; J. Sawicki (pp. 389-395).
The Spirotox test utilizes a large ciliate protozoan, Spirostomum ambiguum, as a bioindicator. Two kinds of test responses were observed after 24 and 48 h of incubation: different deformations and lethal response. The toxicity of 78 organic compounds evaluated by the Spirotox-volatile procedure varied over six orders of a magnitude from −log (24-h LC50) = −3.0 (methanol) to 3.0 (pentachlorophenol). Deformations of the S. ambiguum were two to three times more sensitive toxic response than lethality. The sensitivity of the Spirotox test was compared to four bioassay systems used worldwide: Tetrahymena pyriformis, Microtox®, Daphnia magna, and Pimephales promelas. The toxicants were sorted according to the mechanism of action. The toxicity data for both protozoa. T. pyriformis and S. ambiguum were almost identical. Microtox, D. magna, and P. promelas were in general six- to eightfold more sensitive than the 24-h LC50 Spirotox. The best agreement of toxicity data appeared in the group of nonpolar narcotics. In contrast the toxicity data for all tests only slightly correlated for polar narcotics. Very low slope for polar narcotics indicates that the toxicity range was much broader for the Spirotox test comparing to the others. The most toxic polar narcotics were even more toxic to Spirotox than to Microtox, Daphnia, and fish.
Bioaccumulation of PCBs in Aquatic Biota from a Tidal Freshwater Marsh Ecosystem by B. S. Crimmins; P. Doelling Brown; D. P. Kelso; G. D. Foster (pp. 396-404).
Water, sediments, and aquatic biota were sampled in a tidal river-marsh on the Potomac River near Washington, DC (USA) to assess baseline concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and bioaccumulation in finish species. The mean sediment total-PCB concentration in the wetland was 50 ng/g dry weight, and mean concentrations in biota ranged from 150 ng/g to 450 ng/g wet weight. The highest PCB concentrations were observed in channel catfish. The median biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) estimated in all finfish species for total-PCBs was 2.9. However, some of the individual and co-eluting PCB congeners had median BSAFs that were substantially greater (e.g., congener numbers 42, 74, 182/187/128, and 171) or lower (e.g., congener numbers 18/15, 45, 185, and 208) than the total-PCB average. Apparent bioaccumulation factors (biota/water PCB concentration ratios) for PCB congeners showed a parabolic relation with n-octanol/water partition coefficients, confirming some previous investigations. There was no clear trend between apparent bioaccumulation factors and trophic level. Organic-carbon-normalized sediment distribution constants (sediment/water PCB concentration ratios) were linearly related to the apparent bioaccumulation factors for all the finfish species investigated.
Mouthpart Deformities and Nucleolus Activity in Field-Collected Chironomus riparius Larvae by G. Meregalli; R. Bettinetti; L. Pluymers; A. C. Vermeulen; B. Rossaro; F. Ollevier (pp. 405-409).
Chironomid mouthpart deformities and aberrations of their polytenic chromosomes are sublethal responses to toxic stress. These endpoints have been used in several cases as bioindications for sediment pollution. In the present study we aimed to establish whether there was an association between mouthpart deformities and nucleolus activity in the polytenic chromosomes. Such information could be useful to gain insight into the mechanisms involved in the occurrence of mouthpart deformities and their consequences on the larvae. Third-instar larvae of Chironomus riparius were collected at a site downstream of a sewage treatment plant mostly contaminated by pesticides. Larvae were then raised in the laboratory in aquaria containing sediment and water from the study location. During a 16-day period, larvae ready to molt to the fourth instar were reared individually. Within a few hours of their molt, the larvae were preserved. The presence of mouthpart deformities (mentum, mandibles, and pecten epipharyngis) and the percentage of active nucleoli were assessed. Those larvae presenting mentum deformities had a significantly higher incidence of active nucleoli in their polytenic chromosomes than nondeformed larvae. Because a high number of active nucleoli generally indicates increased rRNA synthesis, deformed larvae seemed to exhibit a higher protein synthesis than normal individuals. The synthesis of additional proteins may increase deformed larva tolerance to toxicants.
Heavy Metals in Green Mussel (Perna viridis) and Oysters (Crassostrea sp.) from Trinidad and Venezuela by L. Rojas de Astudillo; I. Chang Yen; J. Agard; I. Bekele; R. Hubbard (pp. 410-415).
Heavy metal concentrations were monitored in edible soft tissues of shellfish from Trinidad and Venezuela. Oysters (Crassostrea sp.) and the green mussel (Perna viridis), which is a recently transplanted species to the Caribbean from the Far East, were collected at six locations in Venezuela and five in Trinidad, the latter along the coast line of the Gulf of Paria. Simple and low-cost methods of analysis were optimized and validated using standard reference materials. Cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Mercury was determined by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. The present study has confirmed that oysters have a much greater capacity for accumulation of copper and zinc than does green mussel. In addition, concentrations of copper and zinc in oysters (Crassostrea sp.) at many of the sites in the Gulf of Paria exceeded local and international standards, whereas green mussel P. viridis contained generally acceptable levels for human consumption.
Impaired Acroneuria sp. (Plecoptera, Perlidae) Populations Associated with Aluminum Contamination in Neutral pH Surface Waters by D. J. Soucek; B. C. Denson; T. S. Schmidt; D. S. Cherry; C. E. Zipper (pp. 416-422).
Our aim was to quantify impairment to invertebrate predator populations, particularly to Acroneuria sp. (Plecoptera, Perlidae), downstream of an acid mine drainage-impacted tributary to the North Fork of the Powell River, southwestern Virginia. Predatory insects comprised 9.0 ± 1.3% of the total abundance at the three stations upstream of the impacted tributary, but were significantly reduced (p = 0.0039) downstream (3.9 ± 0.6%). Acroneuria sp. populations followed the same trend, with the upstream average (2.3 and 2.8%) being significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the downstream averages (0.2 and 0%) during 1999 and 2000, respectively. Using correlation analysis, we evaluated the relationship between the percent abundance of Acroneuria sp. throughout this reach and metal concentrations in water, sediment, and biological tissues (invertebrate predators and primary consumers). Water column aluminum (Al) concentration was the only parameter that was significantly correlated with percent Acroneuria sp. abundance, with correlation coefficients of −0.845 and −0.873 during 1999 and 2000, respectively. While this correlation exists, it may not indicate a causal relationship, and experiments should be conducted to determine the long-term toxicity of various Al species to perlid stoneflies.
Impact of a Commercial Peat Moss Operation on Water Quality and Biota in a Small Tributary of the Richibucto River, Kent County, New Brunswick, Canada by C. Surette; G. L. Brun; V. N. Mallet (pp. 423-430).
The St-Charles Plain (Kent County, New Brunswick, Canada) commercial peat moss operation has been ongoing since 1983. To process the peat, a dry extraction method is used that requires extensive drainage of the peat bog. The water is directed toward sedimentation ponds, where it drains into a small brook, which feeds into a river affected by tidal salt water. Water discharge from the bog contains large amounts of peat particles that deposit in the surrounding watershed. As a result, the pH of the freshwater sites that receive the drainage water from the commercial operation, is fairly acidic (pH 3.9–4.7). Water samples from or near the peat moss operation have a higher concentration of total phosphorous and total organic carbon. The peat particles contain relatively high levels of total mercury, as reflected by analysis of peat sediments. However, the water samples contained low levels of dissolved mercury. Indigenous samples of biota—namely, sand shrimps (Crangon septemspinosa) and mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus)—did not contain mercury levels higher in the impacted sites than in the reference sites. Introduced blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) did not accumulate significant amounts of mercury during a 62-day exposure in the study area. Overall, the data suggest that although relatively large amounts of mercury-containing peat particles are discharged into the ecosystem, bioaccumulation of mercury in the biota does not occur.
Selenium in a Wyoming Grassland Community Receiving Wastewater from an In Situ Uranium Mine by P. Ramirez, Jr.; B. P. Rogers (pp. 431-436).
Water, soil, vegetation, grasshoppers, bird eggs, and bird livers collected at a 23.5-ha (58 acres) grassland irrigated with wastewater from an in situ uranium mine (study area) and a reference site in 1998 were analyzed for selenium and other trace elements. Selenium concentrations in the uranium mine wastewater applied onto the grassland ranged from 340 to 450 μg/L. Selenium in the upper 15 cm (6 in) of soil from the irrigated grassland at the mine ranged from 2.6 to 4.2 μg/g dry weight (DW). Mean selenium concentrations in soil and water were 5 and 15 times higher at the study area than at the reference site. Selenium concentrations in grasses and grasshoppers ranged from 6.8 to 24 μg/g and 11 to 20 μg/g DW, respectively. Selenium in red-winged blackbird eggs and livers collected from the study area ranged from 13.2 to 22 μg/g and 33 to 53 μg/g DW, respectively, and concentrations were well in excess of toxic thresholds. Mean selenium concentrations in grasses, grasshoppers, and bird eggs and livers were 5.8 to 30 times higher at the study area than at the reference site. Elevated selenium concentrations in water, soil, grasshoppers, and red-winged blackbird eggs and livers collected from the study area demonstrate that selenium is being mobilized and is bioaccumulating in the food chain.
Synthetic Musks in the Environment. Part 1: Species-Dependent Bioaccumulation of Polycyclic and Nitro Musk Fragrances in Freshwater Fish and Mussels by R. Gatermann; S. Biselli; H. Hühnerfuss; G. G. Rimkus; M. Hecker; L. Karbe (pp. 437-446).
Bioaccumulation of polycyclic musks (HHCB, AHTN) and nitro musks (musk xylene, musk ketone, and their amino metabolites) in aquatic biota was investigated by analyzing 18 fish samples (rudd, tench, crucian carp, eel) and 1 pooled zebra mussel sample from the pond of a municipal sewage treatment plant. Furthermore, water samples taken at the effluent of the sewage plant as well as water samples and two series of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) from the pond were included. This comprehensive data set allowed the determination of species-dependent bioaccumulation factors on a lipid basis (BAFL), e.g., for HHCB the BAFL in tench were more than 20 times higher than in eel. The BAFL for HHCB and AHTN in biota were lower than the partition coefficients K SPMD/W obtained from SPMD samples, which are assumed to represent model bioconcentration values. This stresses that metabolism of these compounds in fish must not be neglected.
Synthetic Musks in the Environment. Part 2: Enantioselective Transformation of the Polycyclic Musk Fragrances HHCB, AHTN, AHDI, and ATII in Freshwater Fish by R. Gatermann; S. Biselli; H. Hühnerfuss; G. G. Rimkus; S. Franke; M. Hecker; R. Kallenborn; L. Karbe; W. A. König (pp. 447-453).
A method for the enantioselective separation of the chiral polycyclic musks HHCB, AHTN, AHDI, and ATII is presented. Eighteen fish samples (rudd, tench, crucian carp, eel) and one pooled zebra mussel sample from the pond of a municipal sewage treatment plant were investigated with regard to their concentrations and the enantiomeric ratios (ERs) of polycyclic musks. In addition, three water samples taken at the effluent of the sewage plant, as well as two water samples and two series of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) consisting of six samples each from the pond were included in the present study. This comprehensive data set allowed a reliable evaluation of species-dependent metabolization processes. The pattern of the polycyclic musks in the chromatograms obtained by enantioselective gas chromatography seems to be typical of each species, like a fingerprint. The highest deviations from the racemic ER were found for trans-HHCB and trans-ATII in crucian carp with values of or below 0.1. Calculations showed that enantioselective transformation seems to be the most important process, resulting in the observed lower concentrations in crucian carp compared to tench. Consequences for a risk assessment are discussed.
Total Mercury Concentrations in Lakes and Fish of Western Maryland, USA by M. S. Castro; E. N. McLaughlin; S. L. Davis; R. P. Morgan, II (pp. 454-462).
The purpose of this study was to quantify total mercury concentrations in three species of fish in three lakes of western Maryland: Piney Creek reservoir, Deep Creek Lake, and Lake Habeeb. We measured total mercury concentrations in water from each lake and muscle tissue from 119 fish collected in fall 2000: 15 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), 15 yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and 15 bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) from the Piney Creek reservoir; 15 largemouth bass, 15 yellow perch, and 14 bluegill from Deep Creek Lake; and 15 largemouth bass and 15 bluegill from Lake Habeeb. Average total mercury concentrations (± SD) in surface waters were 0.96 ± 0.03 ng L−1 for the Piney Creek reservoir, 0.56 ± 0.07 ng L−1 for Deep Creek Lake, and 0.40 ± 0.05 ng L−1 for Lake Habeeb. These water quality differences were sometimes reflected in the total mercury concentration in fish muscle tissue. Total mercury concentrations in bluegill (0.05 ± 0.02 μg g−1) and largemouth bass (0.10 ± 0.03 μg g−1) from Lake Habeeb were significantly (p < 0.001) lower than the total mercury concentrations in bluegill and largemouth bass from the Piney Creek reservoir (bluegill: 0.13 ± 0.04 μg g−1 and largemouth bass: 0.37 ± 0.18 μg g−1) and Deep Creek Lake (bluegill: 0.11 ± 0.04 μg g−1 and largemouth bass: 0.30 ± 0.09 μg g−1). Yellow perch from the Piney Creek reservoir had significantly higher total mercury concentrations than yellow perch from Deep Creek Lake (0.20 ± 0.08 μg g−1 versus 0.13 ± 0.04 μg g−1). In contrast, total mercury concentrations in largemouth bass from the Piney Creek reservoir and Deep Creek Lake were not significantly different. With the exception of largemouth bass from Lake Habeeb and yellow perch from Deep Creek Lake, there were relatively strong (r 2 > 0.39–0.79) log-log relationships between the size (weight and length) of the fish and total mercury concentrations in muscle tissue. The largest largemouth bass (> 800 g and > 38 cm) from both Deep Creek Lake and the Piney Creek reservoir had total mercury concentrations that exceeded the consumption advisory of 0.5 μg g−1 that is used by many states and Canada. In contrast, total mercury concentrations in largemouth bass from Lake Habeeb did not exceed this consumption advisory. Our results suggest that fish consumption advisories are needed for largemouth bass in the Piney Creek reservoir and Deep Creek Lake.
Effects of Tetrachloroethylene on the Viability and Development of Embryos of the Japanese Medaka, Oryzias latipes by H. B. Spencer; W. R. Hussein; P. B. Tchounwou (pp. 463-469).
We evaluated the acute toxicity of Tetrachloroethylene (C2Cl4), and investigated its sub-chronic effects on the embryonic development of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). One-day-old eggs/embryos of this fish species were exposed, under static renewal conditions, to serial concentrations (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/L) of C2Cl4 for 96 h (acute) and 10 days (sub-chronic) time periods. The toxic endpoints evaluated included: egg/embryo viability, hatchability, and morphological/developmental abnormalities. The acute toxicity test resulted in a 96 h-LC50 of 27.0 (19.5–32.9) mg/L for egg viability. Exposure of eggs to sub-chronic concentrations (0, 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 25 mg/L) of C2Cl4 significantly reduced hatchability and larval survival, in a concentration dependent manner. At the highest tested concentration (25 mg/L) of the sub-lethal exposure, larval survival was greatly reduced to within three days post-hatch. The lowest tested concentration (1.5 mg/L) produced a significant number of developmental effects to the Japanese medaka, including abnormal development of the circulatory system, yolk-sac edema, pericardial edema, scoliosis, hemorrhaging, blood pooling, and defects in heart morphology. The severity of these abnormalities was concentration-dependent. It can be concluded from these results that tetrachloroethylene is teratogenic to the Japanese medaka.
Dietary Exposure of Finfish to Aromatic Contaminants and Tissue Distribution by J. Hellou; J. Leonard; C. Anstey (pp. 470-476).
Large rainbow trout (400 g) were exposed to food pellets spiked with four polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs). Muscle, liver, internal organs, fatty tissue, and blood were analyzed after 5, 10, 15, and 19 weeks for PAC, lipid, and moisture content. At all collection times, concentrations expressed on a per gram basis were higher in fatty tissue and internal organs, followed by liver and muscle, and lowest levels were observed in blood. When examining the tissue burden, the highest bioaccumulations of carbazole, dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, and fluorene were in muscle and internal organs, intermediate in fatty tissue, and lowest in blood and liver. Carbazole with the lowest log K OW showed the lowest concentration within any tissue. Levels in tissues were significantly correlated to log K OW (> 5% level of significance), especially with longer exposure, and were more highly correlated when examining muscle, fatty tissue, and internal organs (> 0.05%). Different tissues displayed different time trends, and ratios between organs help determine the length of exposure. The most striking change in levels observed with time was in internal organs relative to other tissues, particularly when compared to daily exposure. The elimination of contaminants in feces and gallbladder bile was also compared, because they represent additional tools to assess recent exposure.
Effect of Pyrene on Hepatic Cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) Expression in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by O. Zapata-Pérez; G. Gold-Bouchot; A. Ortega; T. López; A. Albores (pp. 477-485).
The effect of pyrene on the regulation of the gene expression of cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) was studied in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), a tropical fish of great ecological and economical importance. To evaluate CYP1A mRNA, tilapia CYP1A cDNA was cloned, sequenced, and compared with those CYP1A reported sequences in the GeneBank DNA database. The top seven matches corresponded to CYP1A from other teleosts. Hepatic CYP1A mRNA levels showed a significant increase at day 1 after pyrene injection (20 mg kg−1 body weight [BW]), and this CYP1A mRNA levels did not return to basal levels for up to 5 days. The immunoblot analysis of CYP1A protein levels using polyclonal rabbit-anti-trout antibodies in the liver of pyrene-treated (20 mg kg−1 BW) tilapias showed a 1.9-fold increase at day 3 after injection. Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity increased 18-fold with respect to control fish at day 3 after injection. CYP1A protein and EROD activity remained increased for 5 days after a single pyrene IP administration. Similarly, the highest concentration of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH pyrene) in bile was observed in fish sacrificed at day 3 after injection. EROD activity and 1-OH pyrene concentration showed a statistically significant correlation (r = 0.85) according to the Spearman test, suggesting the participation of this cytochrome in the biotransformation of pyrene.
PCDDs/PCDFs, PCBs, and Organochlorine Pesticides in Eggs of Eurasian Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus), Hobbies (Falco subbuteo), and Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) Collected in the Area of Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany by T. Wiesmüller; P. Sömmer; M. Volland; B. Schlatterer (pp. 486-496).
Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine (OC) pesticides were measured in unsuccessfully hatched eggs of three different kinds of predatory birds: 3 eggs of sparrowhawks, 7 eggs of hobbies, and 16 eggs of goshawks collected in the German region of Berlin-Brandenburg.Using toxic equivalency factors for birds, eggs of hobbies contained mean concentrations of 478 pg TEQ/g fat and 551 pg TEQ/g fat contributed by PCDD/Fs and coplanar PCBs, respectively. For sparrowhawks the respective TCDD equivalents were 424 and 1278 pg/g fat; those for goshawks were 211 and 935 pg/g fat. The mean value of the summed concentrations of the PCB congeners 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180 amounted to 11 μg/g fat in eggs of hobbies, 9.5 μg/g fat for sparrowhawks, and 16.1 μg/g fat for goshawks.Of the analyzed organochlorine pesticides the concentration of p,p′-DDE was highest (up to 273 μg/g); the concentration of the other OCs, with the exception of methoxychlor in eggs of goshawks (highest level of 10.6 μg/g fat), were negligible. In all cases the calculated toxicity of the coplanar PCBs surpassed the toxicity of the PCDD/Fs, at least by a factor of two. Due to the higher concentration of the coplanar PCB 77 compared to PCB 126 in eggs of hobbies, it is concluded that its metabolic excretion in this species is much lower than in sparrowhawks and goshawks.
Bioaccumulation of Organochlorine Contaminants in Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus) from Barrow, Alaska by P. F. Hoekstra; T. M. O'Hara; S. J. Pallant; K. R. Solomon; D. C. G. Muir (pp. 497-507).
Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) blubber (n = 72) and liver (n = 23) samples were collected during seven consecutive subsistence harvests (1997–2000) at Barrow, Alaska, to investigate the bioaccumulation of organochlorine contaminants (OCs) by this long-lived mysticete. The rank order of OC group concentrations (geometric mean, wet weight) in bowhead blubber samples were toxaphene (TOX; 455 ng/g) > polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCBs; 410 ng/g) > dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane-related compounds (ΣDDT; 331 ng/g) ≥ hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (ΣHCHs; 203 ng/g) ≥ chlordanes and related isomers (ΣCHLOR; 183 ng/g) > chlorobenzenes (ΣCIBz; 106 ng/g). In liver, ΣHCH (9.5 ng/g; wet weight) was the most abundant ΣOC group, followed by ΣPCBs (9.1 ng/g) ≥ TOX (8.8 ng/g) > ΣCHLOR (5.5 ng/g) > ΣCIBz (4.2 ng/g) ≥ ΣDDT (3.7 ng/g). The dominant analyte in blubber and liver was p,p′-DDE and α-HCH, respectively. Total TOX, ΣPCBs, ΣDDT, and ΣCHLOR concentrations in blubber generally increased with age of male whales (as interpreted by body length), but this relationship was not significant for adult female whales. Biomagnification factor (BMF) values (0.1–45.5) for OCs from zooplankton (Calanus sp.) to bowhead whale were consistent with findings for other mysticetes. Tissue-specific differences in OC patterns in blubber and liver may be attributed to variation of tissue composition and the relatively low capacity of this species to biotransform various OCs. Principal component analysis of contaminants levels in bowhead blubber samples suggest that proportions of OCs, such as β-HCH, fluctuate with seasonal migration of this species between the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas.
Intercomparison Studies on Distribution and Coassociations of Heavy Metals in Liver, Kidney, and Muscle of Harbor Porpoise, Phocoena phocoena, from Southern Baltic Sea and Coastal Waters of Denmark and Greenland by P. Szefer; I. Zdrojewska; J. Jensen; C. Lockyer; K. Skóra; I. Kuklik; M. Malinga (pp. 508-522).
The concentrations of selected metals such as Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Mn, and Fe were determined in liver, kidney, and muscle of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) from three geographical regions, i.e., the Baltic Sea and Danish and Greenland coastal waters. The concentrations of Cd in liver and kidney increased with age of the specimens analyzed. Significant interspatial variations in both hepatic and renal levels of Cd were also observed. Average hepatic levels of Cd in Baltic, Danish, and Greenland specimens were (age range) 0.05–0.09, 0.12–0.25, and 20.6–51.6 μg g−1 dry weight, respectively. Such values for renal Cd were as follows: 0.55–0.71, 0.14–1.84, and 0.55–94.3 μg g−1 dry weight. In contrast to Cd, concentrations of Cu in the liver and kidney of specimens from Baltic, Danish, and Greenland areas did not indicate such great interspatial variability. The average hepatic values amounted to (age range) 14.1–15.5, 22.1–63.6, and 16.3–25.9 μg g−1 dry weight, and kidney contained on the average 7.83–8.80, 11.7–16.2, and 11.1–15.7 μg Cu g−1 dry weight, respectively. The higher levels of hepatic and renal Cd in Greenland specimens than in Baltic ones could be explained by different food composition in the area studied. Baltic porpoises mainly feed on fish (cod, plaice) containing extremely low levels of muscle Cd, but an important diet component of Greenlandic individuals is squid, characterized by elevated levels of Cd.
Examination of the Contaminants and Performance of Animals Fed and Bedded Using De-Inking Paper Sludge by C. J. Beauchamp; R. Boulanger; J. Matte; G. Saint-Laurent (pp. 523-528).
In the noncereal-producing areas, there is not enough straw to supply the amount required for animal bedding. However, pulp and paper mills produce tons of wood fiber wastes, including de-inking paper sludge (DPS), in which most toxic compounds are at their detection limit. Among the detected compounds in DPS, aluminum, copper, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are present and were selected as model molecules. In this context, broilers were submitted to a diet containing 0, 5, and 10% of their ration as DPS. In addition, broilers and pigs were grown on de-inking paper sludge and wood shavings beddings. The presence of aluminum and copper were evaluated in blood and bones, whereas the presence of PAHs was evaluated in fat, liver, meat, and urine or blood of broilers and pigs. Animal performances were also investigated. DPS bedding did not increase aluminum or copper contents of blood or bones or PAHs in animal tissues. Animal performances and health were similar on DPS and wood shaving beddings. Using DPS as bedding material provides an integrated source of disposal of DPS and animal manure.