A multi-biomarker approach to assess effects of Triclosan in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum

The effects of 7 days’ exposure to differing Triclosan (TCS) concentrations (300, 600, and 900 ng/L) were investigated in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum. Vitellogenin (Vg)-like protein levels in haemolymph and digestive gland from males and females, gill acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in gills and digestive gland, and gill lipid peroxidation (LPO) were measured. The highest TCS concentrations decreased significantly Vg levels in male haemolymph and digestive gland, whereas no significant variations were found in females. The highest TCS concentrations increased significantly SOD activity in gills, but decreased it in digestive gland. No changes in CAT activity were observed. In gills, TCS reduced significantly AChE activity, but it did not induce significant variations in LPO. Our study demonstrates that TCS alters biochemical parameters in R. philippinarum, even at environmentally realistic concentrations, and suggests differing modes of action of the contaminant, in clams at least.     

Trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in feathers of Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophrys attending the Patagonian Shelf

We investigated the concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, nickel, lead and zinc among feather tissues in sexes of Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophrys killed in longliners off Argentina in 2005. We found no different metal concentration with sex for cadmium, copper, iron, lead and zinc in feathers of adult birds, though there were significant body-size differences between sexes. However, the concentrations of trace metals differed significantly among the type of feather within individual bird. The mean concentrations of copper, iron, and zinc in breast feathers of T.?melanophrys were lower than those reported for the species from Georgias del Sur/South Georgia, the southern Indian Ocean and for other seabirds' worldwide. While cadmium fall within the known range of concentrations for bird feathers lead were not. Our results may be indicating that level of pollution in Patagonia may not be as negligible as previously thought at least for some trace metals.     

Liver cadmium uptake,catalase inhibition and cadmium thionein production in the killifish (Fundulus Heteroclitus) induced by experimental cadmium exposure

Liver catalase activity was used as an index of cadmium poisoning in the killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, and was found to be inhibited following both in vivo and in vitro exposure to dissolved cadmium at a concentration greater than 1 mg/litre. Pre-exposure at 1 mg Cd/litre prevented catalase inhibition at higher subsequent doses of cadmium. Comparison of the effects of in vivo and in vitro exposure showed in vivo exposure to cadmium to result in greater catalase inhibition.Cadmium and copper binding was determined by gel chromatography and found to occur at three distinct liver cytosol fraction peaks. Both metals showed enhanced cytosol concentrations with cadmium exposure and relative changes in peak levels as related to cadmium exposure regimes. Cadmium thionein (molecular weight of 7–10,000) was found in the killifish liver and was correlated with adaptive responses in liver catalase activity. High molecular weight cadmium binding was found to be a better index of cadmium toxicity to liver catalase than total liver cadmium concentration.     

The influence of cyclic exposure on the accumulation of heavy metals by Mytilus edulis planulatus (Lamarck)

Accumulation of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in the tissues of Mytilus edulis planulatus was examined under cyclic conditions of exposure in order to establish whether the rate of accumulation of the metal is proportional to the time exposed to the elevated concentrations. When exposed to a single metal, the accumulation of lead and zinc was directly proportional to the exposure time, but that of copper was not. Under simultaneous exposure to all four metals both lead and cadmium were accumulated in direct proportion to the exposure time, while copper and zinc were not. Accumulation of the three metals cadmium, copper and zinc was influenced by the presence of other metals.     

Lead, cadmium, copper, nickel and iron in limpets, mussels and snails from the coast of ras Beirut, Lebanon

Samples of Patella coerulea (Linnaeus), Brachydontes variabilis (Krauss), Monodonta turbinata (Born) and surface seawater were collected at eight locations along the coast of Ras Beirut, Lebanon, and analysed for lead, cadmium, copper, nickel and iron. With the exception of cadmium, the metal levels found in the three molluscs appear to be high in relation to levels reported by investigators from other coastal areas. The average values for lead, cadmium and nickel within these animals were quite similar. Concentrations of copper in P. coerulea were lower, but concentrations of iron were much higher than those found in both B. variabilis and M. turbinata. Further studies of metal levels in various other intertidal organisms from Ras Beirut, together with investigations into the possible effects of seasonal changes on metal concentration and distribution, are currently under way.     

Metal accumulation in mussels of the Kuril Islands, north-west Pacific Ocean

Concentrations of cadmium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc were investigated in two species of mussel from the Kuril Islands in the north-western Pacific Ocean: the short-lived mussel Mytilus trossulus and the much larger and longer-lived Crenomytilus grayanus. The concentrations of most elements were low, and these reported levels are believed to reflect background values for pristine locations. However, both iron and zinc concentrations were elevated in some samples taken from areas of hydrothermal vent activity, and these are believed to reflect the enrichment of the two metals in solution at such sites. Furthermore, the concentrations of cadmium were unusually elevated in both species of mussel, especially in the longer-lived C. grayanus. The high accumulation of cadmium in mussels from the Kuril Islands is believed to reflect regional upwelling, but it is also postulated that filtration rates of the mussels are high due to low levels of suspended matter, and this leads to a high assimilation efficiency for cadmium. The distribution of cadmium amongst the tissues of C. grayanus is also reported, and the need for further ecotoxicological studies in the area is proposed.     

Dissolved microelements (heavy metals) in the near-Danube part of the Black Sea in the autumn of 1997

We analyse the distribution of the dissolved forms of cadmium, lead, cobalt, copper, and manganese in the near-Danube part of the Black Sea and in a section made at 45° 10′N in the autumn of 1997. It is shown that the discharge of rivers results in the appearance of significant amounts of cadmium, lead, cobalt, copper, and manganese in the near-Danube region. Copper is the most labile element in this collection of metals. Its behaviour is correlated with the vital activity of diatomic algae. The distribution of dissolved manganese in the near-bottom region is correlated with the distribution of O₂. Indeed, the elevated concentrations of manganese are observed in the regions with low concentrations of oxygen. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Variations des teneurs en Cd,Pb et Cu dans les eaux de l'estuaire maritime du St-Laurent Durant l'ete 1972

Concentrations of cadmium, lead and copper have been determined in the lower estuary of the St. Lawrence River during the summer of 1972 (from May to August). Seven sample stations distributed in the estuary have been studied. Analysis measurements have been made using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and are related to the soluble metals. The concentrations of cadmium are low and no important variations occur. Mean analysis of cadmium abundance gives a value of 1.05 μg/l. Similar variations are observed for copper and lead contents with a Cu/Pb ratio which is nearly equal to unity. Average concentrations for all the stations are 3.11 μg/l for copper and 3.48 μg/l for lead. Higher values are measured for copper and lead during the month of May and these are related to the fresh-water inflow arising from the thawing period. The lowest concentrations are observed during the months of June and July and are in correspondence with the spring period of intense primary production. The biologic-dynamic conditions affecting the concentrations of cadmium seem to be different from those affecting copper or lead contents (without considering pollution phenomena). The highest average values for copper and lead have been found on the south shore of the estuary. The values obtained in this work compared favourably with other results gathered in the neighbouring area.     

Response of hematological and biochemical parameters to heavy metal exposure: Implications in environmental monitoring

The use of selected hematological and biochemical parameters as indicators of metal exposure in aquatic organisms was evaluated. The hematological and biochemical parameters examined include glucose, hematocrit and aminotransferase levels in golden shiners exposed to cadmium. Cadmium exposure produced significant alterations in the levels of glucose, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase; however, hematocrit was not altered by exposure to cadmium. In addition, the comparative activity of Na/K adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) was evaluated in the fathead minnow, golden shiner and bluegill sunfish. Basal Na/K ATPase activity was lowest in golden shiner (1·01 μmol Pi/mg protein/h) and highest in bluegill sunfish (1·45 μmol Pi/mg protein/h). While a stimulation of Na/K ATPase activity was observed at an exposure concentration of 1 μg Cd/liter in the fathead minnow and bluegill sunfish, inhibition of enzymatic activity was observed at higher exposure concentrations (10 and 100 μg Cd/liter). Gill Na/K ATPase activity in golden shiner was not significantly influenced by cadmium exposure. The observed insensitivity of ATPase in shiner may, in part, be related to higher background and accumulated concentrations of cadmium in gill tissue.     

Metallothionein and heavy metal levels in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) during exposure to cadmium in the water

Rainbow trout were exposed to 200 ppb cadmium in the water during four months at 5°C. The liver, kidney and gills were analyzed for cadmium, copper, zinc and metallothionein. Cadmium accumulated in all three organs and reached the highest concentration in the kidney. The zinc and copper concentrations were not altered during the experiment. The metallothionein concentration was significantly higher in liver of exposed fish than in control fish after three months. The kidneys reached significantly elevated levels of metallothionein in the exposed group after four months. These results demonstrate that metallothionein is induced by cadmium after exposure to the metal via water.     

Sulfide control of cadmium and copper concentrations in anaerobic estuarine sediments

Equilibrium concentrations of the toxic trace metals copper and cadmium were calculated for the physico-chemical conditions characterizing pore waters of anaerobic estuarine sediments using available thermodynamic data and assuming simple sulfide minerals control solubilities. Polysulfide complexes are responsible for the solubility of copper in the cuprous (Cu(I)) oxidation state. Predicated copper concentrations, assuming covellite (CuS) is the controlling solid phase, are in reasonable agreement with copper analyses in a wide range of sulfidic waters and sediment pore waters. In the absence of thermodynamic data, no account could be taken of possible polysulfide complexes of cadmium. However, bisulfide complexes appear to account satisfactorily for observed solubilities assuming the existence of greenockite (CdS) as the controlling solid phase. Anaerobic estuarine sediments may act as a sink for copper and cadmium in the common situation in which free sulfide concentrations are controlled by the coexistence of iron sulfide and iron oxide minerals. However, where free sulfides reach high concentrations of 10^?3 M or more, the concomitant increase in concentration of bisulfide and polysulfide complexes may result in the sediments acting as a source of copper and cadmium.     

Heavy metals in some New Zealand commercial sea fishes

To establish a base line against which future pollution may be measured, eight common commercial species of New Zealand sea fish were analysed for cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, and zinc. One sample of edible muscle tissue was analysed for each of 70 samples of each species. The internal organs of up to five specimens of each species were also analysed. The fish studied were: kahawai, Arripis trutta, trevally, Caranx lutescens, tarakihi, Cheilodactylis macropterus, snapper, Chrysophrys auratus, moki, Latridopsis ciliaris, hapuku, Polyprion oxygeneios, kingfish, Seriola grandis and gurnard, Trigla kumu.

Although, none of the edible parts of the fish appeared to have trace element levels likely to be a public health problem (cadmium 0.002–0.02 ppm, chromium 0.01–0.04 ppm, copper 0.04–0.95 ppm, iron 0.9–13.5 ppm, lead ‘ 0.14–0.95 ppm, manganese 0.04–2.00 ppm, nickel 0.01–0.08 ppm, zinc 2.0–36.0 ppm), some of the organs (particularly the liver) had relatively high concentrations of elements such as cadmium (up to 54 ppm). Only if some industry were to seek to exploit internal organs of fish for human consumption would such levels become important. There was some evidence for a relationship between trace element concentrations and fish size for copper in kingfish and snapper, iron in hapuku, manganese in gurnard, and for zinc in kingfish and tarakihi. Some element pairs such as copper and zinc, iron and manganese, appeared to have concentrations which were mutually related. It was assumed that the elemental concentrations reported represent natural levels and are not the result of significant man‐made pollution because there are no major industries or large urban centres adjacent to the fishing grounds.     

Organic complexation of iron in the Southern Ocean

The chemical speciation of iron was determined in the Southern Ocean along a transect from 48 to 70°S at 20°E. Dissolved iron concentrations were low at 0.1–0.6 nM, with average concentrations of 0.25±0.13 nM. Organic iron complexing ligands were found to occur in excess of the dissolved iron concentration at 0.72±0.23 nM (equivalent to an excess of 0.5 nM), with a complex stability of log K_FeL′=22.1±0.5 (on the basis of Fe³⁺ and L′). Ligand concentrations were higher in the upper water column (top 200 m) suggesting in situ production by microorganisms, and less at the surface consistent with photochemical breakdown. Our data are consistent with the presence of stable organic iron-complexing ligands in deep global ocean waters at a background level of ∼0.7 nM. It has been suggested that this might help stabilise iron at levels of ∼0.7 nM in deep ocean waters. However, much lower iron concentrations in the waters of the Southern Ocean suggest that these ligands do not prevent the removal of iron (by scavenging or biological uptake) to well below the concentration of these ligands. Scavenging reactions are probably inhibited by such ligand competition, so it is likely that biological uptake is the chief cause for the further removal of iron to these low levels in waters that suffer from very low iron inputs.     

An experimental study on the speciation of dissolved zinc,cadmium, lead and copper in river rhine and north sea water,by differential pulsed anodic stripping voltammetry

Dissolved electroactive concentrations of zinc, cadmium, lead and copper in river Rhine and North Sea samples have been measured at natural and lower pH values by differential pulsed anodic stripping voltammetry using a Kemula-type hanging mercury drop electrode. Average concentrations detected in North Sea samples at salinities $\text{? 32‰ S}$ and their range are (in μgl^?1): 3.9 (2.0–7.5) for zinc, 0.23 (0.13–0.31) for cadmium, 0.3 (0.1–0.6) for lead and 0.3 (0.25–0.60) for copper (pH 8.1). The APDC-MIBK extracting/concentrating method, followed by AAS measurement applied to the same samples, resulted in 3.9 (2.0–7.5) for zinc, 0.11 (0.01–0.27) for cadmium, 0.5 (0.2–0.9) for lead and 1.6 (0.7–3.2) for copper. A fraction of the electroactive concentrations at pH 2.7 (6.1 for Zn) is electroactive at pH 8.1. The fractions are 100% for Cd, 20% for Cu, 13% for Pb and 40% for Zn. The remaining fractions are partly composed of organically bound species in solution. The low value for lead may be caused by the presence of particulate lead that is dissolved at low pH.Ionic copper and lead species, added separately to seawater at pH 8.1 are removed from the electroactive form, and taken up in (organic) complexes in the same ratio (at least for copper) as the species already present. Added ionic zinc is not removed within the time scale of the measurements (30 min). North Sea water at the natural pH has a complexing capacity, probably due to the presence of dissolved organic compounds, in a concentration equivalent to 3.10^?7M copper. The complexing capacity is zero at pH 2.7. The usual method of standard addition for the determination of electroactive copper and lead concentrations may lead to erroneous results in samples where complexation of this type occurs.     

Trace metal concentrations in brown seaweeds, Cardigan Bay, Wales

Concentrations of zinc, cadmium, copper, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel and molybdenum are examined in brown algae, Fucus serratus and F. vesiculosus, from Cardigan Bay, Irish Sea, Great Britain. In both species a seasonal variation in metal content was observed. Zinc, cadmium, copper, iron nickel and cobalt concentrations were highest in the spring and lowest in the autumn, probably reflecting levels of metabolic activity and climatic factors. All the studied elements, except nickel, reached highest concentrations in harbour specimens from Aberystwyth and Aberaeron where rivers draining mineralized areas enter the sea. Outside harbours, marked regional variations were observed in most of the studied elements. Zinc values were highest in the Aberystwyth area while copper and manganese were highest in the northeast part of the bay.Trace-element concentrations varied among different species from the same locality and also varied according to position on the shore.Marine algae may be used to monitor coastal-water trace-metal concentrations, provided a careful sampling procedure is adopted.     

Concentrations of cadmium,copper, lead and zinc in surface waters of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean — A comparison of Go-flo and teflon water samplers

The concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc were measured at two locations in surface waters of the western North Atlantic. Samples were collected upstream of the research vessel in 1-1 teflon bottles, and in a 30-1 teflon-coated Go-flo bottle. Surface mixed-layer samples were also collected at each location by ship cast using this same Go-flo sampler. A comparison of the three sampling modes shows that all the samples taken with the Go-flo sampler possessed much higher concentrations of zinc (7–10-fold) and lead (2–3-fold) than those collected directly in teflon bottles. No apparent differences were noted at each station in the concentrations of either copper or cadmium among the samples collected by the three different procedures. The measured values for copper and cadmium in these waters are in good agreement with recent reports for the western North Atlantic.     

Dissolved trace element cycles in the San Francisco Bay estuary

Dissolved trace element (copper, nickel, cadmium, zinc, cobalt, and iron) concentrations were measured in surface water samples collected from 27 stations in the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento—San Joaquin Delta during April, August and December of 1989. The trace element distributions were relatively similar for all three sampling periods, and evidenced two distinct biogeochemical regimes within the estuarine system. The two regimes were comprised of relatively typical trace element gradients in the northern reach and anthropogenically perturbed gradients in the southern reach of the estuary. These dichotomous trace element distributions were consistent with previous reports on the distributions of nutrients and some other constituents within the estuary.In the northern reach, trace element and dissolved phosphate concentrations were non-conservative. Simple estuarine mixing models indicated substantial internal sources of dissolved copper (46–150%), nickel (250–500%) and cadmium (630–780%) relative to riverine inputs in April and August, and sizable internal sinks for dissolved cobalt (> 99%) and iron (> 70%) during the same periods. Dissolved zinc fluxes varied temporally, with a relatively large (135%) internal source in April and a relatively small (29%) internal sink in August.Concentrations of many trace elements (copper, nickel, cadmium, zinc, and cobalt) in the southern reach were anomalously high relative to concentrations at comparable salinities in the northern reach. Mass balance calculations indicated that those excesses were primarily due to anthropogenic inputs (waste-water discharges and urban runoff) and diagenetic remobilization from benthic sediments. The magnitude of these excesses was amplified by the long hydraulic residence time of dissolved constituents within the South Bay.The influence of other factors was evident throughout the system. Notably, upwelling appeared to elevate substantially dissolved cadmium concentrations at the mouth of the estuary and authigenic flocculation appeared to dominate the cycling of dissolved iron in both the northern and southern reaches of the system. Biological scavenging, geochemical scavenging and diagenic remobilization were also found to be important in different parts of the estuary. Additional complementary information is required to quantify accurately these processes.     

渤海中部表层沉积物中重金属赋存相态及来源

近年来由于环渤海经济圈的快速发展,渤海接受了来自周边河流、沿岸排污及海上油气开采所产生的大量的重金属等污染物质,使得渤海的生态环境系统面临前所未有的压力。本文采用电感耦合等离子质谱仪（ICP-MS）对采自渤海中部的25个表层沉积物样品中的Cu、Co、Ni、Zn、Pb、Cr、Cd等重金属元素的含量和赋存相态进行了分析,探讨了重金属分布规律、污染状况及来源。研究结果表明,Cu、Co、Ni、Zn、Cr在渤海湾的近岸区域和渤海中部泥质区有较高的含量,而Pb和Cd则在整个研究区的含量都较高;表层沉积物中Cu、Co、Ni、Zn、Cr主要以残渣态形式存在,而Pb和Cd则具有较高的非残渣态含量;生态风险评价结果表明该区表层沉积物未受到Co、Ni、Cr的污染,Cu、Zn、Pb和Cd则为未污染-中等程度污染。重金属元素Co、Ni、Cr以自然来源为主,在沉积物中的分布主要受沉积物物质组成的影响,而Cu、Zn、Pb,尤其是Cd,则受到了人类活动的显著影响。黄河沉积物是研究区表层沉积物中重金属的主要来源,影响范围涵盖了本区大部分区域,但在研究区的北端受到滦河来源物质的影响,渤海湾和研究区中部则受到海河物质和大气沉降来源重金属的一定影响。     

The influence of increased iron concentration on survival and growth of seedlings and young plants of eelgrass Zostera marina

Iron (Fe) is an essential nutrient for plants but toxic at high concentrations. We subjected seedlings and young plants of eelgrass Zostera marina to different seawater iron concentrations (500, 600, 700, 800, 1,000 and 1,500 μg/L) for 30 days under controlled laboratory conditions. Natural seawater without added iron (500 μg/L) was used as reference seawater. No sediments were provided to avoid iron scavenging by particle surfaces in the sediment. We measured plant response in terms of survivorship, morphology, growth rate and productivity. Survival analysis combined with morphological, dynamic and productive assessment suggested that the optimum seawater iron concentration for the establishment of Z. marina seedlings and young plants is 700 μg/L. The no observed effect concentration, lowest observed effect concentration, lethal concentration that caused an increase in mortality to 10% of that of the control, and the effect concentration that caused a decrease in growth to 10% of that of the control values of young plants were significantly lower than those of seedlings, implying an increased sensitivity to high Fe concentrations (>1,000 μg/L). This study further develops our understanding of the physiological ecology of the early life stages of Z. marina and provides data that could prove helpful in the development of successful eelgrass restoration and conservation.     

亚心形扁藻超氧化物歧化酶活性对镉和铜的应答

以亚心形扁藻为实验材料,对不同浓度重金属镉(Cd2 )和铜(Cu2 )作用下亚心形扁藻的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性的变化和膜脂过氧化作用进行了探讨,以期了解藻类抗重金属的机制。结果表明:随着Cd2 和Cu2 浓度的增加亚心形扁藻的SOD的活性逐渐升高,但高浓度Cd2 可导致SOD活性活性下降。膜脂过氧化实验结果显示,半抑制浓度的重金属处理72hr后,膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)显著提高。用72h半抑制浓度的重金属处理亚心形扁藻随时间的变化关系表明,在最初的12hr内SOD活性被两种重金属离子诱导迅速升高,然后逐渐趋于平稳。总之,SOD活性的变化与重金属的种类、浓度和处理时间有关。