Check out our New Publishers' Select for Free Articles

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (v.51, #1)

Fate of the Chemical Warfare Agent VX in Asphalt: A Novel Approach for the Quantitation of VX in Organic Surfaces by S. Gura; N. Tzanani; M. Hershkovitz; R. Barak; S. Dagan (pp. 1-10).

VX is one of the most toxic chemical warfare agents. Its low volatility and its persistence in the environment raise the issue of long-term exposure risks, either by inhalation or by transdermal penetration. Therefore, a topic of acute interest is the fate of VX in preservative environmental surfaces. In this work, the fate of VX in asphalt pavement, a suspected preservative matrix, was explored, by applying a novel quantitative method for the extraction of trapped VX from “digested” asphalt. It is based on dissolution of asphalt in toluene, precipitation of the heavy components by basic methanol followed by GC-NPD analysis. This method is complementary to methanol extraction of VX from the outer surface of asphalt, and enabled us to explore the total amount of viable VX both on and inside the matrix. Using this method, bis-diisopropylaminoethyl-disulfide [(DES)2], a degradation product of VX, was also assayed. Small chunks of Asphalt were spiked with VX, sealed and analyzed after various aging periods up to 425 days. The level of VX on the outer surface of the asphalt was found to be diminishing with time following a single-exponential decay. The level inside the asphalt increases during the first day, decays steeply to a level of about 5% during the following two weeks, and declines moderately during all the period up to 425 days following a bi-exponential decay. The total recovery of VX from the asphalt declined from almost 100% after 30 minutes to about 2% after 425 days, with a half-life of about 14 days.

Biodegradation of [¹⁴C] Ring-Labeled Nonylphenol Ethoxylate by C. G. Naylor; C. A. Staples; G. M. Klecka; J. B. Williams; P. T. Varineau; C. Cady (pp. 11-20).

Nonylphenol (NP) and the 9-mole ethoxylate of nonylphenol (NPE9) were synthesized with a uniform radioactive ¹⁴C label in the aromatic ring. The [¹⁴C]NP isomer distribution and [¹⁴C]NPE9 oligomer distribution closely matched that of commercial NPE9. Biodegradation of [¹⁴C]NPE9 was examined under conditions simulating a river water environment, and changes in the oligomer distribution and mineralization to ¹⁴CO₂ were monitored for 128 days. Over 40% of the [¹⁴C]NPE aromatic ring carbon was converted to ¹⁴CO₂ and another 21% was incorporated into the biomass. Primary degradation of NPE (conversion to metabolites other than NP, NPE ethoxylates, and NPE carboxylates) was estimated to be 87–97%. NP was a minor metabolite, accounting for less than 0.4% of the initial NPE. These studies demonstrate that the phenolic ring of NPE is opened, metabolized, and mineralized in the aquatic environment.

Elimination of Macrolides, Tiamulin, and Salinomycin During Manure Storage by M. P. Schlüsener; M. A. von Arb; K. Bester (pp. 21-28).

The extensive use of veterinary drugs in livestock farming increases the risk that these compounds end up in the environment when manure is used as fertilizer. This study focuses on the fate of antibiotics in liquid manure tanks before the liquid manure is spread on fields. A 180-day degradation experiment of four commonly used antibiotics erythromycin, roxithromycin, salinomycin, and tiamulin in liquid manure was performed. The resulting half-lives during manure storage were calculated as follows: 41 days for erythromycin, 130 days for roxithromycin, and 6 days for salinomycin. A first-order degradation rate was calculated for these three antibiotics. The concentration of tiamulin remained unchanged during the entire experiment. No degradation of tiamulin was detected even after 180 days.

Effects of Triazine Herbicides on Organophosphate Insecticide Toxicity in Hyalella azteca by A. J. Trimble; M. J. Lydy (pp. 29-34).

The frequent use of pesticides in agricultural and commercial settings has led some researchers to devote their attention to studying the effects of mixtures of these compounds as they co-occur in the environment. Recent studies have demonstrated the potentiating effects of triazine herbicides, such as atrazine and its analogs, to the toxicity of a variety of organophosphate (OP) insecticides. One such OP insecticide, chlorpyrifos, has been the topic of much concern because of its prevalence in the environment. This study focused on examining the effects of 10 select triazine herbicides at concentrations of 1 μmole/L (approximately 200 μg/L) to chlorpyrifos with Hyalella azteca. The compounds selected include atrazine, three of its degradation products, and six other herbicide active ingredients. Toxicity tests were performed using a two-way analysis of variance matrix design with effect levels determined by way of probit analysis. Atrazine was found to have the greatest acutely lethal effect to H. azteca, followed by its closest degradation product, deethylatrazine. Two of the six atrazine analogs, simazine and cyanazine, also showed significant effects to the insecticide’s toxicity. Synergistic ratios (SRs) were calculated to compare the effect magnitudes for each of the herbicides. The highest ratio obtained was with atrazine (SR = 1.42). A majority of the past studies involving mixtures of triazines and OPs have examined the potentiation effects of active-use triazine herbicides on Chironomus species. However, compared with the acute effects previously obtained for Chironomus species, H. azteca show a higher tolerance to the presence of the triazine herbicides, even at levels often considered as being at the high end of environmentally relevant concentrations. When coupled with past studies from our laboratory, this research helps to provide a better understanding of the toxic effects of herbicide–insecticide interactions.

Uptake and Elimination of Lead, Zinc, and Copper by Caddisfly Larvae (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) Using Stable Isotope Tracers by R. D. Evans; G. C. Balch; H. E. Evans; P. M. Welbourn (pp. 35-42).

Stable isotopes of Pb, Zn, and Cu were used in laboratory experiments to determine the uptake and elimination of these metals by stream-dwelling caddisfly (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) larvae. For Pb and Cu, larvae were exposed to environmentally realistic levels (2.5 and 4.5 μg · L⁻¹, respectively) of one isotope for 9 days followed by a 9-day exposure to either the same isotope, to a second stable isotope of the same metal, or to RW containing no added isotope (two phases in total). For zinc, the exposure concentration was 15 μg · L⁻¹, and the experiment lasted for a total of 27 (i.e., three phases) rather than 18 days to see if uptake and elimination changed during the extended time period. The uptake clearances (k_u) determined for the various metals averaged 7.8, 1.4, and 0.6 L · g dw⁻¹ · d⁻¹ for Pb, Zn, and Cu, respectively, if the total metal concentration in the water was used in the calculations. The clearance rate constants (k_e) were less variable, averaging 0.15 d⁻¹ for Pb, 0.22 d⁻¹ for Zn, and approximately 0.1 d⁻¹ for Cu and were similar in both the presence (i.e., elimination) and absence (i.e., depuration) of metal in the water. These values are also comparable with those reported in the literature for other aquatic invertebrates. The use of stable isotopes thus allowed simultaneous measurement of uptake and clearance (elimination and depuration) of these metals at environmentally realistic concentrations and could be of great benefit for determining partitioning, assimilation efficiency, and pathways of these and other metals in the environment.

The Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Hexadecyl and Heptadecyl Sulfate to Aquatic Organisms by Donald J. Versteeg; Jane Rawlings; Eva Bozso; Jay Shi (pp. 43-53).

HSAS (high-solubility alkyl sulfate) is a new anionic surfactant composed predominantly of methyl and ethyl branched hexadecyl and heptadecyl sulfate. Effects of HSAS on a wide range of fish, algae, and invertebrates were investigated in conventional laboratory toxicity tests as well as in exposures conducted as part of an experimental stream model ecosystem study. For invertebrates and fish, C_16.7HSAS (average alkyl chain length 16.7) acute LC₅₀ values ranged from 0.23 (channel catfish) to 2.9 (Asiatic clam, Corbicula) mg/L in well and river waters. LC₅₀ values for those species tested in both waters were typically within a factor of 1.5 and all were within a factor of 2 of each other, suggesting bioavailability is similar in these waters. Chronic toxicity values ranged from 0.070 (fathead minnow) to 0.42 (amphipod, Hyalella) mg/L across fish and invertebrates with algal chronic toxicity values ranging from 0.5 (blue-green algae, Anabaena flos-aquae) to 7.8 (green algae, Scenedesmus) mg/L. The order of sensitivity to HSAS acute and chronic toxicity was fish = invertebrate > algae. Based on the chronic single species sensitivity distribution, the concentrations protective of 90 and 95% of species were estimated to be 0.058 and 0.036 mg/L, respectively. These compare well with the model ecosystem NOEC of 0.064 mg/L (Belanger et al. 2005).

Exposure to Cadmium-Phenanthrene Mixtures Elicits Complex Toxic Responses in the Freshwater Tubificid Oligochaete, Ilyodrilus templetoni by Kurt A. Gust; John W. Fleeger (pp. 54-60).

The joint toxicity of metal–hydrocarbon mixtures in sediments was investigated using cadmium (Cd) and phenanthrene (Phen) as model contaminants. Sediment bioassays were utilized to quantify effects of individual and combined contaminants in the bulk-deposit feeding oligochaete Ilyodrilus templetoni. Combined contaminants elicited antagonistic lethal effects and independent responses for feeding rate (measured as sediment ingestion). The 10-d LC₅₀ for Cd alone was 1375 mg kg⁻¹ (95% C.I. 1340–1412), whereas Phen elicited no mortality even when loaded to sediment saturation. The presence of Phen decreased Cd lethality, increasing the LC₅₀ of Cd by as much as 40%. Regression analyses indicated that Phen was nearly 10 times more potent than Cd in eliciting feeding rate reductions. Exposure to Cd–Phen mixtures resulted in feeding rate reductions equivalent to those caused by Phen alone. The marked reduction in sediment ingestion induced by the co-pollutant Phen reduced exposure to Cd via ingestion. We suggest that this Phen-induced reduction in Cd exposure decreased Cd bioaccumulation and subsequent lethality. More generally, we suggest that even if the toxicological effects among dissimilarly acting chemicals (including metals and hydrocarbons) are independent, contaminant mixtures may elicit unexpected interactive effects facilitated by modifying exposure.

Toxic Effects of Irgarol and Diuron on Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus Early Development, Fertilization, and Offspring Quality by S. Manzo; S. Buono; C. Cremisini (pp. 61-68).

Irgarol and Diuron are the most representative “organic booster biocides” that replaced organotin compounds in antifouling paints. It cannot be assumed beforehand that their use will have no environmental impact: more ecotoxicological data and a significant environmental monitoring are required. Spermio and embryotoxicities of the biocides Irgarol and Diuron were investigated on Paracentrotus lividus, the dominant echinoid species of the Mediterranean Sea. Spermiotoxicity was studied by assessing the effects of sperm exposure on fertilization rate as well as on the induction of transmissible damages to the offspring. Embryotoxicity was studied by assessing the developmental defects in the exposed larvae. The experimental results show a Diuron EC50 of 2.39 (± 0.21) mg/L with a NOEL of 0.25 mg/L for embryos, and of 5.09 (± 0.45) mg/L with a NOEL of 0.5 mg/L for sperms, respectively. Data obtained from the embryotoxicity test on Irgarol [EC50 0.99 (± 0.69) mg/L] are of the same order of magnitude as the literature data about Japanese urchins. Spermiotoxicity tests show an Irgarol EC50 of 9.04 (± 0.45) mg/L with a NOEL of 0.1 mg/L. These data show the different sensitivities of the two tests: embryos are more sensitive than sperms for both the tested chemicals and Diuron seems to be the less toxic one. Moreover, as a major output of the experimental work, tested herbicides exert transmissible damage to spermatozoa evidenced by larval malformations in the offspring, mainly P1 type (skeletal alterations). The comparison of the endpoints results offers an interesting indication of a probable different mode of action (Irgarol seems to interact with calcium homeostasis) of the two biocides.

Induction of Morphological Deformities and Moulting Alterations in Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) Juveniles Exposed to the Triazole-Derivative Fungicide Tilt by Miguel Betancourt-Lozano; Donald J. Baird; Ravinder S. Sangha; Fernando González-Farias (pp. 69-78).

A tropical marine bioassay was developed with juveniles of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, in order to test the acute and sublethal toxicity of Tilt, which is the commercial formulation of the fungicide propiconazole. A 10-d acute toxicity and a 32-d sublethal test were performed. A median lethal concentration (LC50) was determined for different exposure times, resulting in a 24-h LC50 of 1167 (1101–1386) μg/L (concentration based on active ingredient propiconazole), and reaching a threshold LC50 (72-h) at 1043 (1018–1068) μg/L. The sublethal exposure test was performed with propiconazole concentrations ranging from 367 to 825 μg/L. Animals in most treatments showed a significant increase in intermoult duration compared to those in the control treatment, although this did not seem to be concentration-dependent. However, the shrimps exposed to the sublethal concentrations of this fungicide showed morphological deformities, with a significant positive relationship between concentration and deformities of the rostrum, paraeopods, and uropods. Altogether, the results presented indicate the potential effects of Tilt on shrimp, particularly under long-term exposures, although these were found to occur at concentrations exceeding those reported in natural environments.

Cypermethrin Toxicity to Aquatic Life: Bioassays for the Freshwater Prawn Palaemonetes argentinus by P. Collins; S. Cappello (pp. 79-85).

Cypermethrin (CY) effects were evaluated in freshwater prawn Palaemonetes argentinus, a common member of the aquatic fauna in the vegetated littoral of lotic and lentic environment of La Plata basin. LC50 was calculated, and oxygen uptakes together with ammonia-N excretion were related to biocide concentrations. Behavioral and growth changes were analyzed, and a unique application of CY was evaluated in P. argentinus micropopulations. LC50 and their 95% confidence limit were 0.0031 μg CY L⁻¹ (0.0023–0.0039) for 24 h and 0.0020 μg CY L⁻¹ (0.0014–0.0027) for 96 h. Oxygen uptake and ammonia-N excretion increased in the prawns kept in CY solutions. The behavioral effect was hyperactivity. Although prawns in biocide groups have null or negative growth, the intermolt period was 246% larger than in the control group. Moreover, the mortality in the second cycle was 100%. A unique application of pyrethoid provoked high mortality after 50 days. The low concentrations of this biocide affected the survival and altered the prawn metabolic activity, behavioral and ecdysis cycle. These results suggest that juveniles of P. argentinus are much more sensitive to CY pollution than other crustaceans, fish, and tadpoles.

Toxic Effects Produced by Microcystins from a Natural Cyanobacterial Bloom and a Microcystis aeruginosa Isolated Strain on the Fish Cell Lines RTG-2 and PLHC-1 by S. Pichardo; A. Jos; J. Zurita; M. Salguero; A. M. Camean; G. Repetto (pp. 86-96).

Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are a worldwide problem, causing serious water pollution and public health hazard to humans and livestock. The intact cells as well as the toxins released after cellular lysis can be responsible for toxic effects in both animals and humans and are actually associated with fish kills. Two fish cell lines—PLHC-1 derived from a hepatocellular carcinoma of the topminnow Poeciliopsis lucida and RTG-2 fibroblast-like cells derived from the gonads of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were exposed to several concentrations of extracts from a natural cyanobacterial bloom and a Microcystis aeruginosa–isolated strain. After 24 hours, morphologic and biochemical changes (total protein content, lactate dehydrogenase leakage, neutral red uptake, methathiazole tetrazolium salt metabolization, lysosomal function, and succinate dehydrogenase [SDH] activity) were investigated. The most sensitive end point for both cyanobacterial extracts in PLHC-1 cells was SDH activity, with similar EC₅₀ values (6 μM for the cyanobacterial bloom and 7 μM for the isolated strain). RTG-2 cells were less susceptible according to SDH activity, with their most sensitive end point lysosomal function with an EC₅₀ of 4 μM for the M. aeruginosa–isolated strain and 72 μM for the cyanobacterial bloom. The lysosomal function was stimulated at low concentrations, although SDH activity increased at high doses, indicating lysosomal and energetic alterations. Increased secretion vesicles, rounding effects, decreased cell numbers and size, hydropic degeneration, esteatosis, and apoptosis were observed in the morphologic study. Similar sensitivity to the M. aeruginosa–isolated strain was observed in both cell lines, whereas the cyanobacterial bloom was more toxic to the PLHC-1 cell line.

Toxic Effects of Brominated Indoles and Phenols on Zebrafish Embryos by U. Kammann; M. Vobach; W. Wosniok (pp. 97-102).

Organobromine compounds in the marine environment have been the focus of growing attention in past years. In contrast to anthropogenic brominated flame retardants, other brominated compounds are produced naturally, e.g., by common polychaete worms and algae. Brominated phenols and indoles assumed to be of biogenic origin have been detected in water and sediment extracts from the German Bight. These substances as well as some of their isomers have been tested with the zebrafish embryo test and were found to cause lethal as well as nonlethal malformations. The zebrafish test was able to detect a log K_OW–related toxicity for bromophenols, suggesting nonpolar narcosis as a major mode of action. Different effect patterns could be observed for brominated indoles and bromophenols. The comparison of effective concentrations in the zebrafish embryo test with the concentrations determined in water samples suggests the possibility that brominated indoles may affect early life stages of marine fish species in the North Sea.

Assessment of Stress-Related Bioindicators in Winter Flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) Exposed to Discharges from a Pulp and Paper Mill in Newfoundland: A 5-Year Field Study by R. A. Khan (pp. 103-110).

This study assessed the effects of discharges from a sulphite-bleaching paper mill on winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) sampled each spring over a 5-year period in St. George’s Bay, Newfoundland, prior to foraging activity. The fish were captured by SCUBA divers near the mill and at a reference site 10 km up current. Several bioindicators were used to assess fish health. Larger and older flounder exhibiting gross and microscopic tissue lesions, lower condition factor, and elevated hepatosomatic index but lower gonadosomatic index that was associated with delayed development, were observed in samples caught near the mill compared to those at the reference site. Additionally, fish examined near the mill were infested with an ectoparasite, Cryptocotyle lingua, that causes black spot disease but harbored fewer numbers of a digene, Steringophorus furciger, in the digestive tract than samples taken at the reference site. These results suggest that abnormal size distribution, interruption of growth, high prevalence of lesions, lower condition factor, enlarged liver, delayed gonadal development, and differences in parasitic levels were indicative of stress in winter flounder caused by discharges from the mill compared to samples from a reference site. There was no evidence of a population decline in the inlet because of annual recruitment possibly from St. George’s Bay into which it opens.

Effect of Acute Exposure to Malathion and Lead on Sprint Performance of the Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) by R. R. Holem; William A. Hopkins; Larry G. Talent (pp. 111-116).

There are few ecotoxicological studies involving reptiles, despite the fact that anthropogenic pollutants have been identified as a major threat to reptile populations worldwide. Particularly lacking are effects-based studies in reptiles exposed to known concentrations of contaminants. We hypothesized that acute exposure to neurotoxic metals and pesticides could influence locomotor performance of reptiles. To test this hypothesis, we exposed western fence lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis) to two common and widely studied neurotoxic contaminants, malathion and lead (Pb). Single doses were administered via oral gavage at order-of-magnitude levels ranging from 0.2 to 200 and 1.0 to 1,000 mg/kg (body weight basis) for malathion and Pb, respectively. Lizard sprint velocity was determined using a 2.3-m sprint track interfaced with a laptop computer 24 hrs prior to dosing and again at 4, 24, 120, and 312 hrs post-dose. Twenty percent and 30% mortality occurred at the highest malathion and Pb dose levels (200 and 1000 mg/kg) and 70% of the lizards exposed to 200 mg/kg malathion exhibited clinical symptoms of organophosphate poisoning. Contrary to our predictions, exposure to Pb had no effect on locomotor performance, and exposure to the highest concentration of malathion increased sprint velocity. Based on the fact that the lower and most ecologically relevant concentrations of Pb and malathion had no effect on sprint velocity, we suggest that other performance parameters that require fine locomotor skills (e.g., climbing ability) may be more sensitive metrics of acute neurotoxicity and warrant further study.

In Ovo Exposure to a Triazine Herbicide: Effects of Atrazine on Circulating Reproductive Hormones and Gonadal Histology in Young Japanese Quail by K. W. Wilhelms; K. F. Fitzpatrick; C. G. Scanes; L. L. Anderson (pp. 117-122).

The triazine herbicide, atrazine, has come under scrutiny for its reported feminizing effects in amphibians. To date, there is little information concerning the effects of atrazine on reproduction in avian species. The current study examined the putative reproductive toxicity of atrazine after exposure in ovo. Atrazine at 504, 246, and 123 μg/kg was administered to Japanese quail eggs before incubation. The eggs were hatched and the birds raised to 14 days of age. Indices of hatchability, sex ratios, and growth were determined. Furthermore, circulating concentrations of reproductive hormones (estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone) and gonadal histology were examined. Atrazine at 504 μg/kg decreased 14-day hatchling weight by 13.1% versus controls. However, no detrimental effects on hatchability or sex ratios were observed. In female birds, atrazine at 504 μg/kg decreased ovarian weights and circulating concentrations of progesterone to 48.3% and 73.3%, respectively, versus control. However, concentrations of estradiol and testosterone did not differ from controls. In male quail, at all doses tested, atrazine had no effect on gonadal weights or circulating concentrations of estradiol, testosterone, or progesterone. Moreover, no incidences of left ovotestis formation were observed. In contrast, 10 ng/kg ethinylestradiol (a positive control) induced the formation of a left ovotestis in four of eight birds analyzed. The current results may suggest that exposure to atrazine in ovo at concentrations above ecologic relevance exerts effects on the reproductive system of young Japanese quail. However, no evidence is presented that atrazine induces feminization of the testis in male quail.

Organochlorine and Heavy-Metal Contaminants in Wild Mammals and Birds of Urbino-Pesaro Province, Italy: An Analytic Overview for Potential Bioindicators by E. Alleva; N. Francia; M. Pandolfi; A. M. De Marinis; F. Chiarotti; D. Santucci (pp. 123-134).

Tissue samples from 56 bird and 11 mammal species of different trophic levels, collected from 1994 to 1995 from the Urbino–Pesaro area in the Marche region of central Italy, were analyzed for the presence of organochlorine compounds (polychlorinated biphenyls and p,p′-DDE) and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg). Results revealed interspecies differences in pollutant residue concentrations. A clear relationship between contaminant and trophic levels emerged depending on several factors specific to the chemicals and the organisms, the importance of dietary accumulation, and metabolic capacity as it increased toward higher trophic levels. Polychlorinated biphenyls and p,p′-DDE were found in all of the bird and mammal species analyzed (bird- or fish-eating birds), and insectivore mammals showed the highest level of these contaminants. Pb and Hg residues were also widely detected and reflected trophic-level differences. The highest concentration of Pb was found in herbivorous or bird-eating aquatic invertebrates and in insectivorous mammals, particularly in the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), whereas the highest Hg levels were found in fish-eating birds. All of the other heavy metals were detected at low concentrations and represented background levels for birds and mammals, with the exception of increased amounts of Cd and Cr, respectively, found in stone marten (Martes foina) and fox (Vulpes vulpes). Data from this study provided information on baseline levels of interest to monitor status and trends in chemical residue in biota in this specific area, and therefore they represent a tool to evaluate potential ecologic, wildlife, and human health exposure.

Bioaccumulation of Naturally Occurring Mixed Halogenated Dimethylbipyrroles in Whale and Dolphin Products on the Japanese Market by K. Haraguchi; Y. Hisamichi; T. Endo (pp. 135-141).

Mixed halogenated dimethyl bipyrroles (HDBPs), which are thought to be produced naturally, were quantified in whale and dolphin products marketed for human consumption in Japan. The major component of HDBPs was 3,3′,4,4′-tetrabromo-5,5′-dichloro-1,1′-dimethyl -2,2′-bipyrrole (Br₄Cl₂-DBP), accounting for 85% of the total of five HDBPs detected, followed by Br₃Cl₂-DBP. Mean concentrations of HDBPs ranged from 0.27 μg/g lipid (n = 31) in minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from the northwest Pacific Ocean to 11.8 μg/g lipid (n = 33) in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops trucatus) from the southwest Japanese coastal water. At higher levels, HDBPs made up 37% of the total organohalogen body burden in Dall’s porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), whereas the contribution was less than 8.9% in minke whales. In two data subsets from Baird’s beaked whale (Berardius bairdii), the products from the Pacific Ocean contained significantly higher concentrations of HDBPs than those from the Sea of Japan. Furthermore, the geographical distribution of HDBPs did not resemble those of ubiquitous anthropogenic organochlorines, such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs). Higher concentration ratios of ΣHDBP/ΣPCB and different patterns of HDBP congeners were observed in whale products from the Asia-Pacific as compared to non-Pacific Ocean mammals reported previously. These results support the hypothesis that HDBPs and anthropogenic organochlorines have different sources and that the consumption of HDBPs by Japanese individuals could be an exposure/health risk.

Geographical Clustering of Pancreatic Cancers in the Northeast Nile Delta Region of Egypt by A. S. Soliman; X. Wang; J.-D. Stanley; N. El-Ghawalby; M. L. Bondy; F. Ezzat; A. Soultan; M. Abdel-Wahab; O. Fathy; G. Ebidi; N. Abdel-Karim; K.-Anh. Do; B. Levin; S. R. Hamilton; J. L. Abbruzzese (pp. 142-148).

The northeast Nile Delta, Egypt’s most polluted region, appears to have a high incidence of pancreatic cancer. We sought to determine whether there is any geographic clustering of pancreatic cancers there and, if so, whether such clustering might be associated with environmental pollution. Using data from the medical records of the Gastrointestinal Surgical Center of Mansoura University in the Dakahleia Province of Egypt and detailed geographical maps of the northeast Nile Delta region, we plotted the residences of all 373 patients who had pancreatic cancer diagnosed between 1995 and 2000. The study region has 15 administrative districts, whose centroid coordinates, population, and number of pancreatic cancer patients were determined for this study. Monte Carlo simulation identified statistically significant clustering of pancreatic cancer in five subdivisions located near the Nile River and Delta plains. This clustering was independent of population size and formed two larger clusters. When data were analyzed by sex, clustering of pancreatic cancer was observed in the same five subdivisions for men but only two subdivisions showed clustering for women. Together, our data suggest that there is clustering of pancreatic cancer cases in the northeast Nile delta region and that this clustering may be related to water pollution. Our data also warrant future studies of the association between water pollution and pancreatic cancer in the region.

The Effects of Endosulfan on the Testes of Bluegill Fish, Lepomis macrochirus: A Histopathological Study by Hiran M. Dutta; Douglas Misquitta; Sanaullah Khan (pp. 149-156).

The effect of endosulfan, an Organochlorine pesticide, on bluegill testes was studied. Endosulfan is aqua-toxic and has an immediate effect on fish and other aquatic life. In this experiment, we exposed the fish for 24-, 48-, 72-, 96-h, and 1- and 2-week periods. A second group of fish without exposure to endosulfan served as the control. The control testis appeared structurally normal. The seminiferous tubules were of round or oval shape and contained primary spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, spermatozoa, spermatids, Sertoli cells, and interstitial cells of Leydig. Within the connective tissue that connected the seminiferous tubules were Leydig cells. After 24 h of exposure, there was evidence of slight signs of connective tissue splintering. The 48-h exposure resulted in breakage of primary spermatocyte walls and separation from the seminiferous tubules. The 72-h testis showed further connective tissue damage and migration of primary spermatogonia into the lumen. After 96 h, there was significant damage to connective tissue and the seminiferous tubules were less pronounced. After 1 and 2 weeks, the seminiferous tubule walls were disrupted and missing in places and the structure of the testis was very disorganized compared to the control testis. Biometric analysis indicated that the diameter of the primary spermatogonia decreased from 24 h to two weeks. There also appeared to be fewer Leydig cells, responsible for testosterone production, over the exposure period and damaged Sertoli cells, which support, protect, and nourish the spermatogonic cells, synthesize ABP, and assist in maintaining the necessary concentration of testosterone in the seminiferous tubules so that spermatogenesis can progress. These kinds of damage could affect the spermatids and spermatozoa and possibly have a negative impact on spermatogenesis and male fertility, affecting bluegill fish population.

Sections

Personal tools

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (v.51, #1)

Sections

Personal tools

Local resources

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (v.51, #1)