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Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (v.63, #1)
National Screening Study on 10 Perfluorinated Compounds in Raw and Treated Tap Water in France by Virginie Boiteux; Xavier Dauchy; Christophe Rosin; Jean-François Munoz (pp. 1-12).
The occurrence of seven perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) and three perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFASs) was studied in raw- and treated-water samples from public water systems. Two sampling campaigns were performed during the summer of 2009 and in June 2010. Sampling was equally distributed across the 100 French departments. In total, 331 raw-water samples and 110 treated-water samples were analyzed during this study, representing approximately 20% of the national water supply flow. Concentrations of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were determined using automated solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. In raw-water samples, the highest individual PFC concentration was 139 ng/L for perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA). The sum of all of the determined components was >100 ng/L at three sampling points (199, 117, and 115 ng/L). Of the investigated PFCs, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and PFHxA predominated (detected in 27%, 13%, 11%, and 7% of samples, respectively). Geographical variability was observed, with departments crossed by major rivers or with high population densities being more affected by PFC contamination. Compared with raw water, short-chain PFCAs, but not PFASs, were found in higher abundance in treated water. This difference suggests a relative effectiveness of certain water treatments for the elimination of PFASs but also a possible degradation of PFCA precursors by water-treatment processes. Our investigations did not show any heavily contaminated sites. In treated-water samples, the highest individual PFC concentration was 125 ng/L for PFHxA. The sum of all of the determined components was >100 ng/L at one sampling point (156 ng/L). The values observed for PFOS and PFOA in drinking water were not greater than the health-based drinking-water concentration protectives for lifetime exposure that have been defined for other countries.
Distribution of Antifouling Biocides and Perfluoroalkyl Compounds in Sediments From Selected Locations in Indonesian Coastal Waters by Hiroya Harino; Zainal Arifin; Inneke F. M. Rumengan; Takaomi Arai; Madoka Ohji; Nobuyuki Miyazaki (pp. 13-21).
Coastal marine environments are considered to be the most sensitive areas for the accumulation of organotin (OT) compounds and other emerging new pollutants, such as perfluoroalkyl compounds. Contamination by these compounds is a matter of great concern due to their accumulation and possible negative impact on the coastal environment and organisms. The concentrations of tributyltin (TBT) compounds were greater in Indonesia, i.e., on the order of Bitung > Manado > Jakarta Bay > Gangga Island, and TBT in sediment from Bitung and Manado was the dominant species among butyltin (BT) compounds. Sea Nine 211, diuron, and irgarol 1051 were detected among alternative biocides in Bitung, Manado, and Gangga Island and irgarol 1051 was detected in Jakarta Bay. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorosulfonic acid (PFOS) in Jakarta Bay were detected at 0.25 to 6.1 μg kg−1 dry weight (dw) and 0.58 to 3.7 μg kg−1 dw, respectively, and the concentrations of PFOS at most sampling sites were greater than those of PFOA. Thus, coastal waters from Indonesia have already been contaminated by antifouling biocides and perfluoroalkyl compounds.
Occurrence of Nonylphenol and Nonylphenol Monoethoxylate in Soil and Vegetables from Vegetable Farms in the Pearl River Delta, South China by Quan-Ying Cai; Hui-Juan Huang; Huixiong Lü; Ce-Hui Mo; Jun Zhang; Qiao-Yun Zeng; Jun-Jian Tian; Yan-Wen Li; Xiao-Lian Wu (pp. 22-28).
Low molecular-mass nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs) and 4-nonylphenol (NP) are biodegradation products of higher molecular mass NPEOs used as surface active agents, and they are endocrine-disrupting contaminants. In this study, surface soil (0–20 cm) samples and different vegetable samples were collected from 27 representative vegetable farms located in Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Huizhou within the Pearl River Delta region, South China, and NP and nonylphenol monoethoxylate (NP1EO) were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The results show that NP and NP1EO were detected in soil and vegetable samples. The concentrations of NP and NP1EO in soil samples ranged from nondetectable (ND) to 7.22 μg kg−1 dry weight (dw) and from ND to 8.24 μg kg−1 dw, respectively. The average concentrations of both NP and NP1EO in soil samples decreased in the following order: Dongguan > Huizhou > Shenzhen. The levels of NP and NP1EO in vegetable samples varied from 1.11 to 4.73 μg kg−1 dw and from 1.32 to 5.33 μg kg−1 dw, respectively. The greatest levels of both NP and NP1EO were observed in water spinach, and the lowest levels of NP and NP1EO were recorded in cowpea. The bioconcentration factors (the ratio of contaminant concentration in plant tissue to soil concentration) of NP and NP1EO were <1.0 (mean 0.535 and 0.550, respectively). The occurrences of NP and NP1EO in this study are compared with other studies, and their potential sources are discussed.
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Contamination in Soil, Vegetation, and Cow Milk From a High-Mountain Pasture in the Italian Alps by Marco Parolini; Niccolò Guazzoni; Andrea Binelli; Paolo Tremolada (pp. 29-44).
This study investigates contamination by 13 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in a high-mountain pasture located in the Italian Alps. The trend of PBDE contamination in three soil layers was investigated by a spring–summer sampling period to understand the importance of different environmental variables, such as seasonality, topographical aspect, and soil features. We also evaluated PBDE accumulation in grasses covering the plateau, and because the study area has been used for a pasture for a long time, we measured PBDE levels in milk from grazing cows. Overall, we found moderate PBDE contamination in Andossi soils, with differences depending on the layer, mountain side, and organic matter content. The vegetation of the plateau had greater PBDE concentrations than the soils and showed a grass/soil accumulation ratio between 2 and 12, indicating that deposition from the atmosphere is actually the dominant process in this area. Last, PBDE concentrations in milk followed similar seasonal trends as the vegetation but showed variations in congener abundance in agreement with the biotransformation susceptibility, absorption efficiency, and residence time of different BDEs in dairy cattle.
Analysis of Benthic Invertebrate Communities as a Function of Distance from Two Fish-Processing Plant Effluent Discharges in New Brunswick, Canada by Benoit A. Lalonde; William Ernst (pp. 45-53).
Benthic invertebrate communities have been known to change due to impacts from nutrient-rich industrial outputs, such as those from pulp and paper, sewage-treatment plants, or aquaculture. Fish-processing plants have been recognized as contributors of large volumes of nutrient rich effluent to marine and estuarine environments, but their effect on benthic invertebrate communities is unknown. Benthic invertebrates and sediment samples were obtained from marine sampling stations at 0-, 10-, 30-, and 100-m distances from two fish-processing outfalls in Atlantic Canada. Sediment grain size, total organic carbon (TOC), ammonia, sulphide, and redox, as well as invertebrate abundance, density, taxa richness, Simpson’s Inverse Diversity Index, Bray-Curtis Index of (%) Similarity, and the AZTI marine biotic index (AMBI), were determined for all sampling sites. Results from this study illustrate that taxa richness and density significantly increased as distance from the outfall discharge increased. In our study, TOC was only significantly correlated to AMBI but not to the other benthic invertebrate assemblage descriptors calculated in this study (invertebrate density, taxa richness, Simpson’s Inverse Diversity Index). The study results suggest that taxa richness and density may be affected by effluent from fish-processing plants.
Laboratory Toxicity and Benthic Invertebrate Field Colonization of Upper Columbia River Sediments: Finding Adverse Effects Using Multiple Lines of Evidence by J. F. Fairchild; N. E. Kemble; A. L. Allert; W. G. Brumbaugh; C. G. Ingersoll; B. Dowling; C. Gruenenfelder; J. L. Roland (pp. 54-68).
From 1930 to 1995, the Upper Columbia River (UCR) of northeast Washington State received approximately 12 million metric tons of smelter slag and associated effluents from a large smelter facility located in Trail, British Columbia, approximately 10 km north of the United States–Canadian border. Studies conducted during the past two decades have demonstrated the presence of toxic concentrations of heavy metals in slag-based sandy sediments, including cadmium, copper, zinc, and lead in the UCR area as well as the downstream reservoir portion of Lake Roosevelt. We conducted standardized whole-sediment toxicity tests with the amphipod Hyalella azteca (28-day) and the midge Chironomus dilutus (10-day) on 11 samples, including both UCR and study-specific reference sediments. Metal concentrations in sediments were modeled for potential toxicity using three approaches: (1) probable effects quotients (PEQs) based on total recoverable metals (TRMs) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEMs); (2) SEMs corrected for acid-volatile sulfides (AVS; i.e., ∑SEM − AVS); and (3) ∑SEM − AVS normalized to the fractional organic carbon (foc) (i.e., ∑SEM − AVS/foc). The most highly metal-contaminated sample (∑PEQTRM = 132; ∑PEQSEM = 54; ∑SEM − AVS = 323; and ∑SEM − AVS/foc = 64,600 umol/g) from the UCR was dominated by weathered slag sediment particles and resulted in 80% mortality and 94% decrease in biomass of amphipods; in addition, this sample significantly decreased growth of midge by 10%. The traditional ∑AVS – SEM, uncorrected for organic carbon, was the most accurate approach for estimating the effects of metals in the UCR. Treatment of the toxic slag sediment with 20% Resinex SIR-300 metal-chelating resin significantly decreased the toxicity of the sample. Samples ∑SEM − AVS > 244 was not toxic to amphipods or midge in laboratory testing, indicating that this value may be an approximate threshold for effects in the UCR. In situ benthic invertebrate colonization studies in an experimental pond (8-week duration) indicated that two of the most metal-contaminated UCR sediments (dominated by high levels of sand-sized slag particles) exhibited decreased invertebrate colonization compared with sand-based reference sediments. Field-exposed SIR-300 resin samples also exhibited decreased invertebrate colonization numbers compared with reference materials, which may indicate behavioral avoidance of this material under field conditions. Multiple lines of evidence (analytical chemistry, laboratory toxicity, and field colonization results), along with findings from previous studies, indicate that high metal concentrations associated with slag-enriched sediments in the UCR are likely to adversely impact the growth and survival of native benthic invertebrate communities. Additional laboratory toxicity testing, refinement of the applications of sediment benchmarks for metal toxicity, and in situ benthic invertebrate studies will assist in better defining the spatial extent, temporal variations, and ecological impacts of metal-contaminated sediments in the UCR system.
Bioaccumulation of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers by the Freshwater Benthic Amphipod Gammarus pulex by Khawla Tlili; Pierre Labadie; Catherine Bourges; Annie Desportes; Marc Chevreuil (pp. 69-76).
This study reports on the relationship between polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels in water, sediment, and the benthic macroinvertebrate Gammarus pulex, which plays a major ecological role in freshwater ecosystems. Samples were taken in a periurban watershed (near Paris, France), and PBDEs were systematically detected in sediment (≤727 ng g−1 OC) and G. pulex (≤264 ng g−1 lipids). PBDEs were also occasionally detected in the water column at low levels (∑ PBDEs < 1.5 ng L−1). The log values of bioaccumulation factors were in the range 7.8 ± 0.1–8.3 ± 0.4 L kg−1 for tetra- and penta-BDEs, which were the only ones quantified in the dissolved phase of river water. Meanwhile, levels of individual tri- to hepta-PBDE congeners in G. pulex generally positively correlated with sediment levels, suggesting an equilibrium situation. Biota-to-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) of tri-hepta BDEs were congener specific and were in the range 0.5 ± 0.3–2.6 ± 1.2. For several PBDEs, BSAF values deviated from the expected range, likely because of in vivo metabolism.
Combined Effect of Invertebrate Predation and Sublethal Pesticide Exposure on the Behavior and Survival of Asellus aquaticus (Crustacea; Isopoda) by Mirco Bundschuh; Andreas Appeltauer; André Dabrunz; Ralf Schulz (pp. 77-85).
Invertebrate communities of lentic habitats comprise, amongst others, the crustacean Asellus aquaticus (Isopoda) and the turbellarian Dendrocoelum lacteum (Tricladida). Because D. lacteum preferentially preys on A. aquaticus, contaminants introduced into the aquatic environment may affect this predator–prey interaction, finally influencing the performance of the predator. However, no studies investigating implications of organic pollutants on this food web subsystem currently exist. Hence, the present study assessed short-term implications of pesticides with different modes of action, namely, the triazole fungicide tebuconazole and the pyrethroid insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin, during a 72 h trial. The experiments for tebuconazole showed a statistically significant decrease in predatory success of D. lacteum. Lambda-cyhalothrin, in contrast, increased predation success by 40%, which is, however, not statistically significant. Both the decrease and the increase in predation seemed to be primarily driven by an altered activity of the prey A. aquaticus. This may be hypothesized because any shift in the prey’s activity influenced its probability to stick to mucus, a viscous substance released by D. lacteum, or to encounter the predator directly.
Metal Accumulation From Dietary Exposure in the Sea Urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis by Gretchen K. Bielmyer; Tayler A. Jarvis; Benjamin T. Harper; Brittany Butler; Lawrence Rice; Siobhan Ryan; Peter McLoughlin (pp. 86-94).
Metal contamination is a common problem in aquatic environments and may result in metal bioaccumulation and toxicity in aquatic biota. Recent studies have reported the significance of dietary metal accumulation in aquatic food chains, particularly in species of lower trophic levels. This research investigated the accumulation and effects of dietary metals in a macroinvertebrate. The seaweed species Ulva lactuca and Enteromorpha prolifera were concurrently exposed to five metals (copper, nickel, lead, cadmium, and zinc) and then individually fed to the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis for a period of 2 weeks. Body mass, test length, total length, and coelomic fluid ion concentration and osmolality were measured. The sea urchins were also dissected and their organs (esophagus, stomach, intestine, gonads, and rectum) digested and analyzed for metals. The results demonstrated that metal accumulation and distribution varied between seaweed species and among metals. In general, there were greater concentrations of metals within the sea urchins fed E. prolifera compared with those fed U. lactuca. All of the metals accumulated within at least one organ of S. droebachiensis, with Cu being most significant. These results indicate that E. prolifera may accumulate metals in a more bioavailable form than within U. lactuca, which could impact the grazer. In this study, no significant differences in body length, growth, or coelomic fluid ion concentration and osmolality were detected between the control and metal-exposed sea urchins after the 2-week testing period. This research presents new data concerning metal accumulation in a marine herbivore after dietary metal exposure.
The Effects of Dietary Silver on Larval Growth in the Echinoderm Lytechinus variegatus by Kevin V. Brix; Phillip Gillette; Ali Pourmand; Tom R. Capo; Martin Grosell (pp. 95-100).
Previous studies have demonstrated that the euryhaline copepod Acartia tonsa is extremely sensitive to dietborne silver (Ag) exposure, with a 20 % inhibition (EC20) of survival occurring when copepods are fed algae with 1.6 μg g−1 dry weight (dw) Ag, corresponding to a waterborne Ag concentration of 0.46 μg l−1 Ag. In contrast, 43 μg l−1 Ag is required to elicit similar effects in copepods exposed to Ag by way of water. In the current study, we investigated whether another planktonic marine organism might also be sensitive to dietary Ag. Specifically, we tested larvae of the echinoderm, Lytechinus variegatus in an 18-day study in which larvae were continuously exposed to Ag-laden algae (Isochrysis galbana). After 7 days of exposure, no significant effects were observed on larval growth up to the highest concentration tested (10.68 μg g−1 dw Ag in algae after exposure to 3.88 μg l−1 waterborne Ag). After 18 days, significant effects were observed in all Ag treatments resulting in a lowest–observable effect concentration of 0.68 μg g−1 dw Ag in algae and corresponding waterborne Ag concentration of 0.05–0.07 μg l−1 Ag (depending on background Ag [see Results]). However, the dose–response relationship was quite flat with a similar level of growth inhibition (approximately 15 %) in all Ag treatments, resulting in an EC20 of >10.68 μg g−1 dw Ag in algae (>3.88 μg l−1 Ag in water). This flat dose–response relationship is characteristic of dietary metal (silver, copper, cadmium, nickel, and zinc) toxicity to copepods as well, although the effect is slightly more robust (approximately 20–30 % inhibition of survival or reproduction). We conclude that echinoderm larvae may be similar to copepods in their sensitivity to dietary Ag, although a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the apparent flat dose–response relationships is clearly needed.
Occurrence of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and Phthalates in Freshwater Fish From the Orge River (Ile-de France) by Marie-Jeanne Teil; Khawla Tlili; Martine Blanchard; Marc Chevreuil; Fabrice Alliot; Pierre Labadie (pp. 101-113).
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and phthalates were investigated from July 2009 to April 2010 in three fish species from the Orge river, which flows in a densely populated area of Ile-de-France. In two Cyprinidae (roach and chub) and one Percidae (perch), muscle contents in increasing order ranged as follows: 12–18 ng g−1 dw for PBDEs (Σtri-hepta), 120–170 ng g−1 dw for PCBs (Σ7), and 2,250–5,125 ng g−1 dw for phthalates (Σ7). No variation was observed between contaminant contents and lipid levels. No biomagnification was found according to the trophic level for PBDEs and PCBs, whereas for phthalates the highest contents were found in perch. Seasonal variations were observed with the lowest PBDE and PCB contents occurring in July after spawning in roach and perch (p < 0.001). PBDE content followed a decreasing trend—gonad > liver > muscle—whatever the period. For PCBs, gonad and liver contents remained greater than that of muscle (p < 0.05). Our results indicate a preferential accumulation of halogenated compounds in gonad and liver outside the reproduction period. Bioaccumulation factors for PCBs in muscle were significantly correlated to their chlorination degree in perch (p < 0.01) and roach (p < 0.01). In roach, that correlation slope was by decreasing importance order as follows: gonad > liver > muscle. The biota-sediment accumulation factors varied from 0.1 to 29.2, from 1.6 to 4.8, and from 1 to 123.5 for PBDEs, PCBs, and phthalates, respectively. These results contribute to document the use of freshwater fish as bioindicators of river quality.
Effects of Triclosan and Triclocarban, Two Ubiquitous Environmental Contaminants, on Anatomy, Physiology, and Behavior of the Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) by Melissa M. Schultz; Stephen E. Bartell; Heiko L. Schoenfuss (pp. 114-124).
Triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) are two common antimicrobial agents found in many personal care products and subsequently are detected ubiquitously in wastewater effluent and receiving waters. Both compounds are of recent regulatory interest due to their omnipresence in the environment, including in humans. Although TCS and TCC have been suggested to be endocrine active, little information exists about their effects on organismal end points in development (growth, escape performance), anatomy (morphological indices, histology), physiology (vitellogenin), and behavior of exposed aquatic organisms. In this study, newly hatched fathead minnows were exposed for 12 days, and mature male and female fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed for 21 days to environmentally realistic concentrations (nanograms per liter) of these two compounds singularly and in mixtures. At the end of the exposure, larvae were assessed for growth and predator-avoidance performance, and a subset of mature fish was assessed for plasma vitellogenin induction, expression of secondary sexual characteristics, relative size of liver and gonads, and histopathological changes to both organs. The remaining exposed mature fish were placed in breeding pairs of one male and one female minnow from the same treatment to assess their ability to defend a nest site and reproduce. Exposure to either antimicrobial compound, alone or as a mixture, caused no changes to larval fish, gonad size, or vitellogenin concentrations in mature fathead minnows. In contrast, decreased aggression was seen in adult male fathead minnows exposed to TCC (1.6 μg/l) or a mixture (560 ng/l TCS + 179 ng/l TCC and 1.6 μg/l TCS + 450 ng/l TCC). Decreased aggression would likely decrease their ability to defend and hold a nest site needed for spawning and reproduction. Substantial variability was found in the severity of observed effects within treatments, suggesting that environmentally realistic concentrations of these compounds may only affect particularly sensitive individuals.
Evaluation of Species-Specific Dissimilarities in Two Marine Fish Species: Mercury Accumulation as a Function of Metal Levels in Consumed Prey by C. L. Mieiro; J. P. Coelho; M. Pacheco; A. C. Duarte; M. E. Pereira (pp. 125-136).
The aim of this research was to compare mercury (Hg) accumulation (total and organic) and tissue distribution in two marine fish species with contrasting feeding tactics. Thus, juvenile specimens of European sea bass and Golden grey mullet were surveyed in an estuary historically affected by Hg discharges. Total Hg was preferentially accumulated in intestine, muscle, and liver, whereas gills and brain presented the lowest Hg levels observed in both species. Significant differences between species were only verified for muscle, with D. labrax’s levels being greater than L. aurata’s. Muscle accounted for >87% of the Hg relative tissue burden, whereas liver did not exceed 11%. Organic Hg accumulation occurred mainly in liver and muscle, with D. labrax evidencing significantly greater loads. Moreover, organic Hg in consumed prey items was also significantly greater in D. labrax. Accumulation of organic Hg in liver, intestine, and muscle seemed to vary as a function of the consumed prey items contamination, suggesting fish feeding strategies as the dominant factor determining metal accumulation. For both fish species, a stable ratio was observed between Hg increments from the reference to the contaminated site, possibly indicating that the organic Hg content of diet may regulate the internal levels of this contaminant. Thus, this ratio might prove to be a useful contamination predictor tool in early life stages of fish.
The Impact of Pesticides on the Pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Independent of Potential Hosts by Shane M. Hanlon; Matthew J. Parris (pp. 137-143).
Amphibians around the world are experiencing the greatest organismal decline in recent history. Xenobiotics, such as pesticides, and pathogenic biotic perturbations, including the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), have played major roles in amphibian decreases. We conducted laboratory culture studies to determine the effects of three pesticides {carbaryl, glyphosate, and thiophanate-methyl [TM; Topsin-M(R) (Cerexagri-Nisso LLC)]} on Bd zoospore production and zoosporangia growth. We applied Bd to pesticides mixed in an agar culture to simulate pathogen introduction to a system with pre-existing pesticides (Bd addition). Alternatively, pesticides were applied to pre-established Bd to simulate pesticide introduction after Bd establishment (pesticide addition). We then measured Bd zoosporangia and zoospore production. All pesticides significantly inhibited zoospore production; however, glyphosate and TM were more effective at doing so than carbaryl. In addition, only carbaryl and glyphosate inhibited zoosporangia production. Our data suggest that carbaryl and glyphosate are equally effective at inhibiting both zoosporangia and zoospore production; however, TM is selectively toxic to zoospores but not zoosporangia. One possible explanation for this observation could be that TM is toxic to zoospores but not the protective zoosporangia. In the case of pesticides applied to established Bd cultures, all pesticides caused significant mortality in both zoosporangia and zoospores, and no differences were found among pesticides. We conclude that examining pesticide and pathogen interactions independent of hosts provides mechanistic understanding of such interactions before and after host infection or contamination.
Mercury Concentrations in Nestling Wading Birds Relative to Diet in the Southeastern United States: A Stable Isotope Analysis by A. Lawrence Bryan Jr.; Heather A. Brant; Charles H. Jagoe; Christopher S. Romanek; I. Lehr Brisbin Jr. (pp. 144-152).
Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant that is transferred trophically through aquatic and terrestrial food webs. To better understand the routes of Hg uptake in organisms that rely on both aquatic and terrestrial food resources, we analyzed feather and down samples from nestling wading birds of varying trophic positions in both inland and coastal colonies. We used stable nitrogen and carbon isotope analyses to evaluate trophic positions of individual species (δ15N) and differences in foraging habitat use (δ13C). Inland, aquatic species had higher trophic status than the single terrestrial species examined, and the expected positive relationship between δ15N and Hg content of feathers was observed. However, the same was not true for all species from coastal colonies. Feathers from species that primarily consumed saltwater prey were relatively high in δ15N value and low in Hg content, which is opposite of the trend expected due to Hg biomagnification in food chains. In contrast, coastal species foraging in freshwater or a combination of freshwater and saltwater habitats displayed greater Hg contents in feathers. The apparent differential use of the two aquatic systems (freshwater and saltwater) in coastal environments by wading bird species results in variations in δ15N values and Hg contents in nestling feathers not found in species associated with only freshwater systems.
Changes of Mercury Contamination in Red-Crowned Cranes, Grus japonensis, in East Hokkaido, Japan by Hiroki Teraoka; Yukari Tagami; Moe Kudo; Yoshiaki Miura; Erika Okamoto; Fumio Matsumoto; Kimiya Koga; Akiko Uebayashi; Ryoji Shimura; Masako Inoue; Kunikazu Momose; Hiroyuki Masatomi; Takio Kitazawa; Takeo Hiraga; Annamalai Subramanian (pp. 153-160).
Red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) are native to eastern Hokkaido (island population), in contrast to the mainland, which migrates between the Amur River basin and eastern China–Korea peninsula. During the 1990s we found that Red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido were highly contaminated with mercury: however, the source was unknown. We investigated the time trend of mercury contamination in Red-crowned cranes. Total mercury levels in the livers and kidneys from cranes dead in the 2000s were lower than those dead in the 1990s. Feather is a major pathway of mercury excretion for many bird species and is used as an indicator of blood mercury level during feather growth. As internal organs from the specimens collected before 1988 were not available, we analyzed the flight feather shavings from stuffed Red-crowned cranes dead in 1959–1987 and found that the mercury level of feathers from cranes dead in the 1960s and 1970s was not more than those from the cranes dead in the 2000s. These results suggest that mercury contamination in Red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido decreased temporally during the 1990s–2000s. This indicates the possible occurrence of some mercury pollution in Red-crowned cranes’ habitat in this region in the 1990s or before.
Decabromobiphenyl, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, and Brominated Phenolic Compounds in Serum of Cats Diagnosed With the Endocrine Disease Feline Hyperthyroidism by Jessica Norrgran; Bernt Jones; Nils-Gunnar Lindquist; Åke Bergman (pp. 161-168).
The incidence of cats being diagnosed with feline hyperthyroidism (FH) has increased greatly since it was first described in 1979. The cause of FH has not been established. Hypothetically, there is a link between increasing FH and exposure to brominated flame retardants. Much greater polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) concentrations have been reported in cat serum compared with human serum, likely due to cat licking behaviour. This study aimed to extend the present identification of brominated compounds in cat serum, with a focus on hydroxylated metabolites of PBDE, to improve the understanding of feline metabolism of PBDEs. A pooled serum sample from 30 Swedish pet cats with FH was analysed, and brominated species were identified. The results showed exposure to the discontinued flame retardant decabromobiphenyl (BB-209) and technical penta- and octa-BDEs. Altogether 12 PBDE congeners were identified along with 2′-MeO-BDE68. Furthermore, 2,4-dibromophenol, 2,4,6-, 2,4,5- and 2,3,4-tribromophenol plus 2′-OH-BDE68, 6-OH-BDE47, 5-OH-BDE47, 4′-OH-BDE49 were identified. 2,4,6-tribromophenol and 6-OH-BDE47 were the most prominent species in cat serum. Considering that these are natural products, it can be concluded that metabolism of PBDEs to OH-PBDEs is not a major route of PBDE elimination in cats. It is notable that BB-209, 6-OH-BDE47, and 2,4,6-tribromophenol all suggested that endocrine-disrupting chemicals were present in high concentrations in cat serum.
Transport of a Solvent Mixture Across Two Glove Materials When Applied in a Paint Matrix by Jackelin Q. Tran; Diana M. Ceballos; Russell L. Dills; Michael G. Yost; Michael S. Morgan (pp. 169-176).
The transport of mixed paint solvents through natural rubber latex (4 mil) and nitrile rubber (5 mil) gloves was evaluated after spray application of the paint formulation directly on the glove surface. Glove materials and thicknesses were those selected by the majority of spray painters in the local automobile repair industry. A flat panel containing glove specimens mounted in multiple permeation cells permitted evaporation of solvents from the applied paint and incorporated a solid sorbent receiving medium for measuring glove membrane transport. The panel was sprayed in a paint booth to simulate use conditions. Charcoal cloth under the glove adsorbed transported solvents, which were quantified by gas chromatography. For each solvent component, results were expressed as mass transported through the glove relative to the mass applied, per unit area, during 30 min after spray application. The paint formulation contained ketones, acetates, and aromatics. Natural rubber latex allowed 6–10 times the transport of solvents relative to nitrile rubber for all eight solvent components: methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, styrene, ethyl benzene, xylene isomers, and 2-heptanone. m-Xylene showed the largest difference in transport between the two glove materials. This solvent also had the highest transport for each material. The results indicate that nitrile rubber gloves offer somewhat greater chemical resistance to all eight solvents studied compared with natural rubber latex gloves, regardless of the chemical properties of the individual solvent components. However, it must be emphasized that neither of the glove materials, in the thicknesses used in this study, provide adequate protection when exposed by direct spray painting. Simulation of realistic spray conditions may offer a source of useful information on the performance of chemical protective gloves because it accounts for solvent evaporation and the effect of paint polymerization after application on glove transport.