Use of exposure time and life expectancy in models for toxicity to aquatic organisms

The exposure time is a variable which is usually not incorporated into models for toxicity. However, with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) exhibiting a nonspecific mode of action and lipophilic properties this variable can be modeled by the usage of the internal concentrations as a measure of the toxicity with fish. The bioconcentration process with fish is a relatively well understood and predictable process which allows the calculation of the internal lethal concentration. When the exposure time is relatively short the critical internal lethal concentrations are relatively constant for the group of POPs whereaas the LC50 measured in the ambient water is quite variable. When the exposure time is relatively long, results on the measurement of the critical internal concentration with fish over different exposure times has demonstrated that the internal lethal concentration falls with increasing exposure times in a consistent and predictable manner. This reduction in life expectancy can be described in a model which can be used to estimate the critical internal concentration for any exposure time. It also provides information useful in assessing the risk to fish and potentially other species due to the occurrence of residues of POPs in natural aquatic systems. It is suggested that these relationships can be extended to other groups of organisms and chemicals.     

Prediction of bioconcentration and related lethal and sublethal effects with aquatic organisms

It is now well established that the octanol/water partition coefficient (K_0W) can be used to estimate bioconcentration of persistent organic compounds, such as the chlorohydrocarbons as well as PAHs and other hydrophobic substances. However, while these relationships are well established in the laboratory, use in the field often poses a number of problems. In recent studies of contaminants in fish from Australia, bioconcentration has been described using additional information on specimen size, lipid content and fish movement patterns.The use of internal biotic concentration provides an additional new and different perspective on toxicant behaviour as compared to the conventional ambient aqueous concentration-based toxicity measures. The internal lethal concentration for persistent organic compounds approaches a constant value for many compounds, and at these concentrations lethal effects are observed. This constant internal lethal concentration provides a basis for predicting toxicity and its relationship to exposure period. In addition, sublethal effects can be successfully related to the internal biotic concentration.     

Importance of Internal Biotic Concentrations in Risk Evaluations with Aquatic Systems

Ecological risk evaluations are commonly performed using aqueous concentrations and aqueous toxicity measurements as a starting point. However risk evaluations could be carried out using internal biotic concentrations and the internal lethal or sublethal concentrations. This has several advantages. Firstly, the internal lethal and sublethal concentrations are relatively consistent in groups of chemicals having a similar mode of action. Thus in field situations the internal concentration, in fish and possibly other biota, can be used to evaluate possible biotic effects. Also other histopathological, biochemical, biomolecular and physiological effects can be assessed and used with this information to give an overall assessment. There are, however, several limitations with this approach including sensitivity, health, age and nutritional status of the biota as well as a lack of data on dose/response relationships with internal concentrations.     

Non-food-chain transfer of sediment-associated persistent organic pollutants to a marine benthic fish

We investigated the transfer of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from unspiked bottom sediment to a benthic marine fish, marbled sole (Pleuronectes yokohamae), via non-food-chain pathways, i.e., via sediment particles and water column. One-year-old sole were held for 28 days in an exposure tank with bottom sediment or in a control tank. o,p′-DDE and tri- to penta-chlorobiphenyls were transferred from the sediment to the fish via non-food-chain pathways, as demonstrated by concentrations in the exposed fish at 2.5-30 times the control levels. A model analysis based on first-order kinetic equations indicated that the overall rate constant of transfer of these compounds from sediment to fish was generally lower than that from food (median of ratio, 0.48). It also suggested that relatively high concentrations of the other POPs in the food and the longer times necessary for them to reach a steady state masked any transfer of them from the sediment.     

Zur akuten Toxizität von Trichlorfon gegenüber ausgewählten Wasserorganismen

Two different formulations of Trichlorfon were examined for their acute toxicity in laboratory tests. Cyprinus carpio L., Salmo gairdneri Rich. and the fish food organisms Cyclops spec., Diaptomus spec. and Chironomus spec. were used as test objects. The differences in toxicity between crystalline and technical Trichlorfon were not very large. The recorded lethal concentrations are summarized in graphical representations and tables. After exposure for several hours to lower concentrations of active constituents, the toxicant-damaged fishes regained their original activity of life during a subsequent phase of recovery Tests of fish food organisms with 100 … 200 μg/l Trichlorfon led to death within 48 hours. Also on chironomid larvae Trichlorfon has a lethal effect at 0.2 mg/l within 48 hours. Toxicity is increased by the hardness constituents of the water. As experiments conducted with Crustacea have shown, growth is inhibited only at a certain concentration in the body.     

Effect of dispersed crude oil exposure upon the aerobic metabolic scope in juvenile golden grey mullet (Liza aurata)

This study evaluated the toxicity of dispersant application which is, in nearshore area, a controversial response technique to oil spill. Through an experimental approach with juveniles of Liza aurata, the toxicity of five exposure conditions was evaluated: (i) a chemically dispersed oil simulating dispersant application; (ii) a single dispersant as an internal control of chemically dispersed oil; (iii) a mechanically dispersed oil simulating natural dispersion of oil; (iv) a water soluble fraction of oil simulating an undispersed and untreated oil slick and (v) uncontaminated seawater as a control exposure condition. The relative concentration of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) biliary metabolites showed that the incorporation of these toxic compounds was increased if the oil was dispersed, whether mechanically or chemically. However, toxicity was not observed at the organism level since the aerobic metabolic scope and the critical swimming speed of exposed fish were not impaired.     

Simulated distribution and ecotoxicity-based assessment of chemically-dispersed oil in Tokyo Bay

To assess risks of chemically-dispersed oil to marine organisms, oil concentrations in the water were simulated using a hypothetical spill accident in Tokyo Bay. Simulated oil concentrations were then compared with the short-term no-observed effect concentration (NOEC), 0.01 mg/L, obtained through toxicity tests using marine diatoms, amphipod and fish. Area of oil concentrations higher than the NOEC were compared with respect to use and non-use of dispersant. Results of the simulation show relatively faster dispersion near the mouth of the bay compared to its inner sections which is basically related to its stronger water currents. Interestingly, in the inner bay, a large area of chemically-dispersed oil has concentrations higher than the NOEC. It seems emulsifying oil by dispersant increases oil concentrations, which could lead to higher toxicity to aquatic organisms. When stronger winds occur, however, the difference in toxic areas between use and non-use of dispersant is quite small.     

Toxicity of Distillery Effluent to the Cyprinid Weed Fish Rasbora daniconius (Ham).

The toxicity of distillery wastes to the fish Rasbora daniconius was tested by bioassay. Ten concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 100% were employed. It was found that the fish were quite tolerant at the 1% concentration for about 24 hours of exposure and survived even up to 96 hours. Mortality was noticed in concentrations from 1.5% onwards. In the concentrations of 3.0% and above there was a heavy mortality beginning at 15 hours of exposure. From the chemistry of the medium studied it was found that the toxicity was inversely proportional to pH but directly proportional to conductivity and bicarbonate alkalinity of the medium.     

Zum Einfluß von Rückständen von Zink- und Bleiverbindungen im Wasser auf die Assimilation von Fontinalis antipyretica

The carbon-dioxide assimilation of Fontinalis antipyretica is inhibited by 100 mg/1Zn²⁺ or Pb²⁺, without a lethal effect being caused. With increasing time of exposure from one to six days the threshold value of toxicity is lowered and at the same time the net assimilation is reduced within the range of concentration of 0.1 mg/1. In the ecological optimum of the environmental conditions the toxicity is weaker than under other unfavourable environmental conditions at the same time. Therefore, the photoecologically optimum illumination of 1200 lx is an effective bioprotector against phytotoxic lead ion concentrations, so that at 1200 lx also at a comparatively high load a positive photosynthesis balance can be maintained. In the dark, in the first hour after the application of the lead ions dissimilation is a function of concentration, subsequently the respiration differences decrease very much in the range between 0 and 100 mg/1 lead(II)-ions. Stimulating effects could be demonstrated only by 0.01 mg/1 Pb²⁺ and only for the carbondioxide assimilation.     

Improved approaches to ecotoxicity testing of petroleum products

Crude oils produced in the North West shelf of Western Australia are highly volatile, a characteristic not shared by most of the Northern Hemisphere crude oils on which internationally accepted toxicity test protocols were developed. Because of this volatility and some other factors, the LC50 and EC50 values obtained from acute toxicity tests will be significantly affected by the changes of toxicant concentration in test solutions during the period of exposure. To address these issues all steps of a standard protocol for crude oil toxicity testing have been revised. A systematic study has been performed on factors which affect petroleum hydrocarbon solubilisation in aqueous systems during test solution preparations. The influence of mixing time, agitation energy and volume/interface ratio on a hydrocarbon concentration in a water-soluble fraction (WSF) was studied for heavy, medium and light crude oils. A study of the sensitivity of marine unicellular algae to WSF of crude oils was conducted with Isochrysis sp., Nannochloropsis-like sp. and Nitzchia closterium. Total concentrations of hydrocarbons dissolved in test solutions were estimated by UV-spectrometry and GC/FID chemical analyses. When the toxicant concentration decreased during the exposure period, the EC50 values derived from initial or final concentrations either underestimate or overestimate toxicity, respectively. Therefore, weighted average concentrations (WAC) calculated for the whole test period were recommended for expressing hydrocarbon concentrations in test solutions of crude oils. Toxicity indices calculated from WAC of total hydrocarbons for different crude oils can be compared regardless of the rates of hydrocarbon loss.     

Sediment pollution and its effect on fish through food chain in the Yangtze River

Suspended sediment adsorbs pollutants from flowing water in rivers and deposits onto the bed. However, the pollutants accumulated in the river bed sediment may affect the bio-community through food chain for a long period of time. To study the problem the concentration of heavy metals （Cr, Cd, Hg, Cu, Fe, Zn, Pb and As） in water, sediment, and fish/invertebrate were investigated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River during 2006-2007. The concentrations of heavy metals were 100-10,000 times higher in the sediment than in the water. Benthic invertebrates had relatively high concentrations of heavy metals in their tissues due to their proximity to contaminated sediments. Benthic invertivore fish had moderately high concentrations of heavy metals whereas phytoplanktivore fish, such as the silver carp, accumulated the lowest concentration of heavy metals. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Fe were higher than Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, and As in the tissue samples. The concentration of heavy metals was lower in the river sediments than in the lake sediments. Conversely, the concentration of heavy metals was higher in river water than in lake water. While a pollution event into a water body is often transitory, the effects of the pollutants may be long-lived due to their tendency to be absorbed in the sediments and then released into the food chain. The heavy metals were concentrated in the following order： bottom material 〉 demersal fish and benthic fauna 〉 middle-lower layer fish 〉 upper-middle layer fish 〉 water.     

Retardation of Fin Regeneration in Freshwater Fish Oreochromis mossambicusby Zinc

Regeneration of partially amputated caudal fin was studied in freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus exposed to sublethal concentrations of zinc (5.0 mg L^—1 and 10.0 mg L^—1) under ambient laboratory conditions over a period of 20 days. Caudal fin regeneration was measured on 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th day of exposure and after amputation. Significant ( p < 0.05) retardation in fin regeneration was observed on day 5th and 10th in fish exposed to the nominal concentration of 5.0 mg L^—1 Zn, while retardation was found highly significant ( p < 0.01) at all the observations in 10.0 mg L^—1. The maximum inhibition in caudal fin regeneration (20.8 % and 24.3 %) was found during the initial observation at both of the concentrations (5.0 mg L^—1 and 10.0 mg L^—1) of zinc exposure. Later on the regeneration rate was almost as good as in the control group. Thus in this study fin regeneration was significantly inhibited at all time points following Zn exposure as a detrimental effect of Zn to fish. This study demonstrates that fish caudal fin regeneration is a simple assay, sensitive and easy to perform, and can serve as a model to determine the toxicity of pollutants in aquatic environment.     

Acute toxicity of heavy metals to some marine larvae

The toxicity of copper, mercury and zinc to the larvae of oysters, shrimp, crab and lobsters has been examined over periods of up to 64 hours. Mercury was found to be more toxic than copper and zinc, which had similar levels of toxicity. Over the experimental period, the relationship between toxicity and concentration was linear. Larvae were from 14 to 1,000 times more susceptible than adults of the same species. The median lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) of each metal to the most sensitive species of larvae, tested over a 48 hour period, exceeded the concentrations found in natural sea water by a factor of 100. For longer test periods, the LC₅₀ would be considerably less and this factor would then be considerably reduced. Hence the continued addition of these metals to confined waters should give cause for concern.     

Measuring and monitoring persistent organic pollutants in the context of risk assessment

Due to growing concerns regarding persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environment, extensive studies and monitoring programs have been carried out in the last two decades to determine their concentrations in water, sediment, and more recently, in biota. An extensive review and analysis of the existing literature shows that whilst the vast majority of these efforts either attempt to compare (a) spatial changes (to identify “hot spots”), or (b) temporal changes to detect deterioration/improvement occurring in the environment, most studies could not provide sufficient statistical power to estimate concentrations of POPs in the environment and detect spatial and temporal changes. Despite various national POPs standards having been established, there has been a surprising paucity of emphasis in establishing accurate threshold concentrations that indicate potential significant threats to ecosystems and public health. Although most monitoring programs attempt to check compliance through reference to certain “environmental quality objectives”, it should be pointed out that many of these established standards are typically associated with a large degree of uncertainty and rely on a large number of assumptions, some of which may be arbitrary. Non-compliance should trigger concern, so that the problem can be tracked down and rectified, but non-compliance must not be interpreted in a simplistic and mechanical way. Contaminants occurring in the physical environment may not necessarily be biologically available, and even when they are bioavailable, they may not necessarily elicit adverse biological effects at the individual or population levels. As such, we here argue that routine monitoring and reporting of abiotic and biotic POPs concentrations could be of limited use, unless such data can be related directly to the assessment of public health and ecological risks. Risk can be inferred from the ratio of predicted environmental concentration (PEC) and the predicted no effect concentration (PNEC). Currently, the paucity of data does not allow accurate estimation of PNEC, and future endeavors should therefore, be devoted to determine the threshold concentrations of POPs that can cause undesirable biological effects on sensitive receivers and important biological components in the receiving environment (e.g. keystone species, populations with high energy flow values, etc.), to enable derivation of PNECs based on solid scientific evidence and reduce uncertainty. Using the threshold body burden of POPs required to elicit damages of lysosomal integrity in the green mussel (Perna virvidis) as an example, we illustrate how measurement of POPs in body tissue could be used in predicting environmental risk in a meaningful way.     

Measuring and monitoring persistent organic pollutants in the context of risk assessment

Due to growing concerns regarding persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environment, extensive studies and monitoring programs have been carried out in the last two decades to determine their concentrations in water, sediment, and more recently, in biota. An extensive review and analysis of the existing literature shows that whilst the vast majority of these efforts either attempt to compare (a) spatial changes (to identify "hot spots"), or (b) temporal changes to detect deterioration/improvement occurring in the environment, most studies could not provide sufficient statistical power to estimate concentrations of POPs in the environment and detect spatial and temporal changes. Despite various national POPs standards having been established, there has been a surprising paucity of emphasis in establishing accurate threshold concentrations that indicate potential significant threats to ecosystems and public health. Although most monitoring programs attempt to check compliance through reference to certain "environmental quality objectives", it should be pointed out that many of these established standards are typically associated with a large degree of uncertainty and rely on a large number of assumptions, some of which may be arbitrary. Non-compliance should trigger concern, so that the problem can be tracked down and rectified, but non-compliance must not be interpreted in a simplistic and mechanical way. Contaminants occurring in the physical environment may not necessarily be biologically available, and even when they are bioavailable, they may not necessarily elicit adverse biological effects at the individual or population levels. As such, we here argue that routine monitoring and reporting of abiotic and biotic POPs concentrations could be of limited use, unless such data can be related directly to the assessment of public health and ecological risks. Risk can be inferred from the ratio of predicted environmental concentration (PEC) and the predicted no effect concentration (PNEC). Currently, the paucity of data does not allow accurate estimation of PNEC, and future endeavors should therefore, be devoted to determine the threshold concentrations of POPs that can cause undesirable biological effects on sensitive receivers and important biological components in the receiving environment (e.g. keystone species, populations with high energy flow values, etc.), to enable derivation of PNECs based on solid scientific evidence and reduce uncertainty. Using the threshold body burden of POPs required to elicit damages of lysosomal integrity in the green mussel (Perna virvidis) as an example, we illustrate how measurement of POPs in body tissue could be used in predicting environmental risk in a meaningful way.     

Effect of ammonium jarosite on early life stages of a saltwater fish,Cyprinodon variegatus

Embryos and juveniles of the sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus), a saltwater fish, were exposed to ammonium jarosite, a waste product of the processing of zinc ore, during a 28-day posthatch, flow-through toxicity test. Exposure to measured ammonium jarosite concentrations ≤ 290 ppm had no significant effect on the hatching success of embryos. However, slight delays in hatching were observed in test concentrations ≥ 140 ppm. Although exposure to test concentrations ≥ 140 ppm significantly decreased the ability of juvenile fish to uncurl after hatching, juvenile mortality was significantly increased only in test concentrations ≥ 230 ppm. There was no effect on growth of juvenile fish in jarosite concentrations ≤ 230 ppm. The estimated maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC), based on measured concentrations, was > 140< 230 ppm.     

Toxicity of distillery wastes to Puntius sophore (HAM.) and Mystus Vittatus (BLOCH) (Pisces,Cyprinidae, Bagridae) Part 3: Bioassay studies and TLm determination

The toxicity of the distillation wastes with low acidity, high turbidity and high organic load to the two fish species is tested by a laboratory test. The threshold value of toxicity is found at a 4 or 7 per cent dilution of wastewater. The statistical analysis of the survival rates has shown that the survival rates are significantly dependent on concentration and the time of exposure, for Puntius sophore also on temperature within the range of 20…34°C. Mystus vittatus proves to be the significantly more resistant species. The maximum permissible concentration of waste in the water ist calculated, too.     

Some Haematological Effects of Crude Oil on Freshwater Catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis (BLOCH)

The exposure of catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis to different concentrations (200, 500, 700, 1000, 1500, 2000 ppm) of crude oil extract for a varying period (for up to 48 h in lethal extract and 360 h in sublethal one) resulted into a number of haematological changes. All the parameters taken here were found to have been increased except the haemoglobin level which fell down to 14.3 % in an acute lethal concentration (2000 ppm) after 48 h of exposure. The haematocrit value increased significantly (12 %) in 2000 ppm. The blood sugar level showed hyperglycemia in all the concentrations. The increase in ascorbic acid (28 %) was pronounced in higher concentrations. Changes occurring in different parameters seemed to be reversible as all the parameters returned to their normal levels after returning the fish to normal media, except the nuclear swelling which did not resume the normal functioning even after a prolonged treatment (1 month or more) in the recovery jar. The haematological effects shown by the crude oil resembled partly those kept in severe hypoxic conditions and partly to the fishes poisoned by heavy metals (Cu and Zn). On the basis of results obtained in this investigation, crude oil may be categorised as a complex toxic agent.     

Climate change and global cycling of persistent organic pollutants: A critical review

Climate warming, one of the main features of global change, has exerted indelible impacts on the environment, among which the impact on the transport and fate of pollutants has aroused widespread concern. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a class of pollutants that are transported worldwide. Determining the impact of climate warming on the global cycling of POPs is important for understanding POP cycling processes and formulating relevant environmental policies. In this review, the main research findings in this field over the past ten years are summarized and the effects of climate warming on emissions, transport, storage, degradation and toxicity of POPs are reviewed. This review also summarizes the primary POP fate models and their application. Additionally, research gaps and future research directions are identified and suggested. Under the influence of climate change, global cycling of POPs mainly shows the following responses. (1) Global warming directly promotes the secondary emission of POPs; for example, temperature rise will cause POPs to be re-released from soils and oceans, and melting glaciers and permafrost can re-release POPs into freshwater ecosystems. (2) Global extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, result in the redistribution of POPs through intense soil erosion. (3) The changes in atmospheric circulation and ocean currents have significantly influenced the global transport of POPs. (4) Climate warming has altered marine biological productivity, which has changed the POP storage capacity of the ocean. (5) Aquatic and terrestrial food-chain structures have undergone significant changes, which could lead to amplification of POP toxicity in ecosystems. (6) Overall, warming accelerates the POP volatilization process and increases the amount of POPs in the environment, although global warming facilitates their degradation at the same time. (7) Various models have predicted the future environmental behaviors of POPs. These models are used to assist governments in comprehensively considering the impact of global warming on the environmental fate of POPs and therefore controlling POPs effectively. Future studies should focus on the synergistic effects of global changes on the cycling of POPs. Additionally, the interactions among global carbon cycling, water cycling and POP cycling will be a new research direction for better understanding the adaptation of ecosystems to climate change.     

A review of pollutants in the sea-surface microlayer (SML): a unique habitat for marine organisms

Boundary layers between different environmental compartments represent critical interfaces for biological, chemical and physical processes. The sea-surface microlayer (uppermost 1-1000 microm layer) forms the boundary layer interface between the atmosphere and ocean. Environmental processes are controlled by the SML, and it is known to play a key role in the global distribution of anthropogenic pollutants. Due to its unique chemical composition, the upper organic film of the SML represents both a sink and a source for a range of pollutants including chlorinated hydrocarbons, organotin compounds, petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and heavy metals. These pollutants can be enriched in the SML by up to 500 times relative to concentrations occurring in the underlying bulk water column. The SML is also a unique ecosystem, serving as an important habitat for fish eggs and larvae. Concentration ranges and enrichment factors of pollutants in the SML in different areas of the world's oceans have been critically reviewed, together with available toxicity data for marine biota found within the SML. Overall, the SML is highly contaminated in many urban and industrialized areas of the world, resulting in severe ecotoxicological impacts. Such impacts may lead to drastic effects on the marine food web and to fishery recruitment in coastal waters. Studies of the toxicity of fish eggs and larvae exposed to the SML contaminants have shown that the SML in polluted areas leads to significantly higher rates of mortality and abnormality of fish embryos and larvae.