Effect of bis(tributyltin) oxide on reproduction and population growth rate of calanoid copepod Schmackeria poplesia

A full life-cycle toxicity test, combined with histology, on calanoid copepod Schmackeria poplesia was used to study the effect of bis(tributyltin) oxide (TBTO). The results indicate no sex-specific differences in TBTO toxicity. Long-term mortalities of the copepods exposed to concentrations higher than 20 ng TBTO L⁻¹ were significantly elevated compared with that of control, and larval development was inhibited when they were exposed to 40 and 60 ng TBTO L⁻¹. The percentages of ovigerous females were reduced compared with the control (P<0.01) after 24 days exposure to concentrations higher than 10 ng TBTO L⁻¹. Histological examinations suggest that exposure to TBTO might block the posterior end of the diverticula and inhibits the production of egg sacs. A modified Euler-Lotka equation was used to calculate a population-level endpoint, the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m), from individual life-table endpoints, i.e. mortality rate, time of release of first brood, sex ratio, the fraction of ovigerous females among all females as well as the number of nauplii per ovigerous female. Apart from the highest TBTO concentration (60 ng L⁻¹), where all females aborted their egg sacs, 20 ng TBTO L⁻¹ was the only concentration that significantly decreased r _m compared with that of control (an effect associated with decreased sex ratio). The results show that the S. poplesia is affected by prolonged exposure to low concentrations of TBTO. The full life-cycle toxicity test combined with histology experiments provides more integral understanding of the toxicity of endocrine disrupters.     

A Multi-Generation Schmakeria poplesia Culturing System for Use in Ecotoxicological Study

Crustacean zooplankton form the keystone link between primary producers and fish stocks in marine and estuary ecosys-tems. We have established a multi-generation cultivation system for zooplankton with which future experiments on the biological effects of pollutants in marine and estuary environments can be better performed. A population of calanoid copepod, Schmakeria poplesia, was collected in December 2003 and maintained in a static system through all stages (eggs to adults). The population ex-hibited an average developmental time of 13.6d in conditions corresponding to the natural enwronment (water temperature 20℃ salinity 15). A series of experiments were performed to examine copepod egg production and hatching success as functions of food type and feeding concentration. Results in our study showed that Isochrysis galbana was more favored for the reproduction of cope-pods than Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and 10×104cellsmL-1 was the most practical algae concentration. We have demonstrated that the Schmakeria poplesia population can be maintained in the laboratory through multiple generations. In addition, methods to control egg production through changes in food concentration have been established, making it feasible to control the start date of exposure experiments or the timing of the collection of offspring to initiate a new generation.     

An Investigation on Tolerance and Accumulation of a Facultative Marine Fungus Aspergillus flavus to Pentavalent Arsenic

Tolerance of a facultative marine fungus Aspergillus flavus towards As (V) was tested.Luxuriant growth of the test isolate was observed in culture media with As (V) concentrations of 25 mg L-1 and 50 mg L-1,indicating its tolerance to the metal.Accumulation rate of arsenic was always higher when exposed to As (V) at 50 mg L-1 than at 25 mg L-1.The study reveals Aspergillus flavus as a promising candidate for environmental bioremediation.Arsenic contents (mg g-1) in the fungus when exposed to 50 mg L-1 As (V) were measured as 11.1773,4.0983,and 8.0000 mg g-1 on day 3,6 and 9,respectively.The highest content was observed initially,i.e.on day 3,followed by a decline and a rise again.These results provide baseline information for further explorations regarding the exploitation of the fungus for arsenic removal.     

Adverse Effect of TiO_2 Nanoparticles on Antioxidant System and Antitumor Activities of Macroalgae Gracilaria lemaneiformis

Recently, the widespread use of TiO_2 nanoparticles(nano-TiO_2) has attracted the global concern regarding their adverse effects to aquatic organisms. Nanoparticles may get to the aquatic environments and harm the growth of algae. This paper presents the studies of nano-TiO_2 concentrations influence on the photosynthetic characteristics, antioxidant system and antitumor activity of marine macroalgae Gracilaria lemaneiformis after exposed to 0, 5, 10, 20 or 40 mg L-1 of nano-TiO_2. Results showed that the photosynthetic pigment content of G. lemaneiformis obviously decreased and the antioxidant defense system was significantly disturbed after exposure to nano-TiO_2. Compared with control, the maximum level of malondialdehyde showed 3.3-fold increase for 15 days exposure to nano-TiO_2. The activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase enhanced obviously by 1.10-2.24-fold. The aqueous extract of G. lemaneiformis(AEGL) possesses anticancer activity against HepG2 liver cancer cells proliferation and the 48 h-cell inhibition exceeds 35%. But the toxicity of nano-TiO_2 would inhibit the anticancer activity of AEGL. When G. lemaneiformis was exposed to nano-TiO_2, the effect of the aqueous extract of G. lemaneiformis on the cell inhibition, reactive oxygen species production, apoptosis, cycle arrest of HepG2 cells significantly lessened, and which were linearly associated with nano-TiO_2 exposure concentration. Those results further confirmed that nano-TiO_2 can inhibit the anticancer activity of G. lemaneiformis. The results in this work imply that macroalgae can be an effective biomarker of nano-TiO_2 contaminant, and can be useful indicator to evaluate ecological effects of increasing pollutants in marine ecosystem.     

A Bioassay for the Cytotoxicity of Gemcitabine Using the Marine Ciliate Euplotes vannus

This study investigated the cytotoxicity of gemcitabine using the marine ciliate Euplotes vannus as the test organism.The median lethal concentrations(LC50 values)were determined using acute toxicity tests within an exposure time of 30 min with 0,6,12,24,and 48 mg mL^-1 gemcitabine.The median inhibition effect(IC50 value)on the growth of the ciliate cells was examined using chronic toxicity tests within 5 days(120 h)after exposure for 30 min with 0,0.7,3.5,7,and 14 mg mL^-1 gemcitabine.The 30-min LC50value was 10.66-mg mL 1.The LC50 values decreased with increasing exposure times and well fitted to the toxicity curve equation LC50=10.93+28.4e^-0.19t(R2=0.93;P<0.05,t=exposure time).The IC50 value for growth rates was 7.05 mg mL^-1,and the inhibition effect on growth rates well fitted to the model equation r%=0.8681e^-0.0782Cgem(r%means growth rate with inhibition by gemcitabine,Cgem means concentrations of gemcitabine,R^2=0.99 and P<0.05).The LC50 values of a wide range of gemcitabine concentrations could therefore be predicted for any given exposure time.These results suggest that the clinical dose of gemcitabine(20 mg mL^-1)was higher than the 30-min LC50 value,which was almost the same as the 6-min LC50 value(19.88 mg mL^-1)for E.vannus cells.The results also demonstrate that E.vannus can be used as a robust test organism for bioassays of chemotherapeutic drugs during short exposure periods.     

黄鳝血清甲状腺激素的检测与分析

用放射免疫测定法测定了４４ 条不同性别黄鳝（Ｍｏｎｏｐｔｅｒｕｓ ａｌｂｕｓ Ｚｕｉｅｗ ）血清总甲状腺激素Ｔｈｙｒｏｘｉｎｅ Ｔ３,Ｔｒｉｉｏｄｏｔｈｙｒｏｎｉｎｅ Ｔ４）含量。结果表明：（１）５～９ 月雄性Ｔ３ 含量一直较高;雌性５～６ 月Ｔ３含量比雄性和兼性低,７ 月以后升至与兼性持平,８～９ 月达到与雄性持平,高于兼性含量,升幅较大,但差异不显著（Ｐ＞ ０．０５）。（２）５～６ 月雄性Ｔ４ 含量稍高于其它性别,７ 月以后有所降低;雌性与兼性 Ｔ４ 含量与变化趋势基本相同。（３）同性别Ｔ４ 含量比Ｔ３ 含量要低得多。甲状腺激素可能与性逆转关系不大,其作用在于促进代谢与生长。     

Acute Toxicity of Formalin to the Red-tide Dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum Schiller (Protozoa, Mastigophora)

1Introduction Red tides occur in recorded history,but in recentyears there is a global increase in the number of theseevents due to coastal pollution and other unclear fac-tors.Some kinds of red tides cause mass deaths of cul-tured animals and thus cause heavy economic losses forcoastwise mariculture(Nakanishi et al.,1996;Changet al.,1998;Zhu et al.,1998;Tada et al.,2001).The investigation on red tide control,however,rem-ains insufficient(Burkholder,1998;Edwards and Clark,1999).Although man…     

双棘黄姑鱼血清性类固醇激素的周年变化

采用放射免疫法(RIA)测定双棘黄姑鱼(Nibea diacanthus)血清性类固醇激素的周年变化。结果表明:雌鱼血清雌二醇(Estadiol-17β)浓度一年出现两次峰值,均在成熟产卵前一个月,即4月[(338±59)pg/mL]和9月[(296±48)pg/mL];血清睾酮(T)浓度在卵黄发生期急剧上升,并在卵巢成熟期达到最高值,分别是5月(2.506±0.262 ng/mL)和10月份(2.268±0.243 ng/mL),分别在血清雌二醇浓度两次峰值出现1个月之后,因此,雌鱼的血清雌二醇浓度和血清睾酮浓度均与性腺发育相关。雄鱼血清睾酮浓度的两次峰值均出现在性腺已发育成熟的5月份(2.307±0.792 ng/mL)和10月份(2.286±0.607 ng/mL),与性腺发育有明显的相关性;而血清雌二醇浓度全年维持在一个相对稳定的水平,与雄性性腺发育相关性不明显。     

甲状腺素对斜带石斑鱼卵黄囊期仔鱼生长发育的影响

用4种不同浓度的甲状腺素(T4)分别浸泡斜带石斑鱼卵黄囊期仔鱼,研究T4对仔鱼发育、生长和存活的影响。结果表明,在孵化后24 h内,T4对仔鱼发育的促进作用不明显;在孵化24 h后,T4对仔鱼消化道的发育有促进作用。在孵化后72 h,0.01 mg·L-1 T4处理组仔鱼小肠管径、直肠管径、全长与对照组相比差异均不明显;0.10 mg·L-1和1.00 mg·L-1 T4处理组仔鱼小肠和直肠管径显著比对照组大(P<0.01),1.00 mg·L-1 T4处理组仔鱼全长显著比对照组短(P<0.01),而0.10 mg·L-1处理组仔鱼全长与对照组相比无明显差异(P>0.05)。在孵化后第8天,0.10 mg·L-1 T4处理组仔鱼存活率明显比对照组高(P<0.01),而0.01 mg·L-1 T4组和1.00 mg·L-1 T4组与对照组之间存活率差异不明显(P>0.05)。结果提示0.10 mg·L-1 T4处理能促进斜带石斑鱼卵黄囊期仔鱼的消化道发育并提高其存活率。     

Effects of exposure to four endocrine disrupting-chemicals on fertilization and embryonic development of Barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus)

The toxicities of 4 common endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), 17β-estradiol (E2), p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloro-ethylene (DDE), 4-nonylphenol (NP) and tributyltin (TBT), to sperm motility, fertilization rate, hatching rate and embryonic development of Barbel chub (Squaliobarbus curriculus) were investigated in this study. The duration of sperm motility was significantly shortened by exposure to the EDCs at the threshold concentrations of 10 ng L^?1 for E2 and TBT, 1 μg L^?1 for NP and 100 μg L^?1 for DDE, respectively. The fertilization rate was substantially reduced by the EDCs at the lowest observable effect concentrations (LOECs) of 10 ng L^?1 for E2 and TBT and 10 μg L^?1 for DDE and NP, respectively. Of the tested properties of S. curriculus, larval deformity rate was most sensitive to EDC exposure and was significantly increased by DDE at the lowest experimental level of 0.1 μg L^?1. Other EDCs increased the larval deformity rate at the LOECs of 1 ng L^?1 for E2, 10 ng L^?1 for TBT and 1 μg L^?1 for NP, respectively. Despite their decreases with the increasing EDC concentrations, the hatching rate and larval survival rate of S. curriculus were not significantly affected by the exposure to EDCs. The results indicated that all the 4 EDCs affected significantly and negatively the early life stages of the freshwater fish S. curriculus. Overall, E2 and TBT were more toxic than NP and DDE, while DDE might be more toxic to larval deformity rate than to other measured parameters. Thus, the 4 EDCs showed potential negative influences on natural population dynamics of S. curriculus. Our findings provided valuable basic data for the ecological risk assessment of E2, DDE, NP and TBT.     

5种药物对方斑东风螺面盘幼虫的急性毒性

在水温29.0～29.5℃、盐度28.5条件下,采用静水试验法对5种常用药物对方斑东风螺面盘幼虫的急性毒性进行了研究。结果表明:各种药物的24 hLC50、48 hLC50、96 hLC50和安全浓度分别为:高锰酸钾1.71、1.04、0.55和0.115 mg.L-1,新洁尔灭78.58、28.90、6.06和1.17 mg/L,硫酸锌4.52、2.36、0.62和0.193 mg/L,制霉素2.36×104、1.46×104、0.64×104和0.168×104 U.L-1,甲醛10.9、7.11、3.66和0.908μL.L-1。     

Acute Toxicity of Formalin to the Red-tide Dinoflageilate Prorocentrum minimum Schiller （Protozoa, Mastigophora）

The acute toxic levels of formalin to a marine red-tide dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum Schiller (Mastigophora, Dinoflagellida) were determined by linear regression analysis. The data obtained revealed that there is a close regression relationship between logarithmic concentrations of formalin and mortality probit scales of the organism when exposure times are 1, 2, 6, 12, 24 h. The median lethal concentrations (LC50 values) obtained from correlation analysis for these exposure times (with 95% confidence intervals), were 11.83, 6.76, 4.37, 4.27 and 3.98mgL^-1 respectively. A toxicity curve was obtained to connect the exposure time and LC50 value from the correlation between them. The results indicated that P. minimum could be killed or fixed by formalin in the concentration range of 4-12mgL^-1 within 1-24h.     

Effects of salinity on egg and fecal pellet production,development and survival,adult sex ratio and total life span in the calanoid copepod, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acartia tonsa</Emphasis>: a laboratory study

The effects of salinity on the copepod, Acartia tonsa in terms of daily egg production rate (EPR), hatching success, fecal pellet production rate (FPR), naupliar development time and survival, sex ratio, and total life span were determined in laboratory conditions through three experiments. In experiment 1, EPR, hatching success, and FPR of individual females were monitored at salinities of 13, 20, 35 and 45 during short-periods (seven consecutive days). Results show EPR was affected by salinity with the highest outputs recorded at 20 and 35, respectively, which were considerably higher than those at 13 and 45. Mean FPR was also higher in 35 and 20. In experiment 2, the same parameters were evaluated over total life span of females (long-term study). The best EPR and FPR were observed in 35, which was statistically higher than at 13 and 20. In experiment 3, survival rates of early nauplii until adult stage were lowest at a salinity of 13. The development time increased with increasing of salinity. Female percentage clearly decreased with increasing salinity. Higher female percentages (56.7% and 52.2%, respectively) were significantly observed at two salinities of 13 and 20 compared to that at 35 (25%). Total longevity of females was not affected by salinity increment. Based on our results, for mass culture we recommend that a salinity of 35 be adopted due to higher reproductive performances, better feeding, and faster development of A. tonsa.     

Effects of salinity on egg and fecal pellet production,development and survival,adult sex ratio and total life span in the calanoid copepod,A cartia tonsa:a laboratory study

The ef fects of salinity on the copepod, A cartia tonsa in terms of daily egg production rate(EPR), hatching success, fecal pellet production rate(FPR), naupliar development time and survival, sex ratio, and total life span were determined in laboratory conditions through three experiments. In experiment 1, EPR, hatching success, and FPR of individual females were monitored at salinities of 13, 20, 35 and 45 during short-periods(seven consecutive days). Results show EPR was aff ected by salinity with the highest outputs recorded at 20 and 35, respectively, which were considerably higher than those at 13 and 45. Mean FPR was also higher in 35 and 20. In experiment 2, the same parameters were evaluated over total life span of females(long-term study). The best EPR and FPR were observed in 35, which was statistically higher than at 13 and 20. In experiment 3, survival rates of early nauplii until adult stage were lowest at a salinity of 13. The development time increased with increasing of salinity. Female percentage clearly decreased with increasing salinity. Higher female percentages(56.7% and 52.2%, respectively) were signifi cantly observed at two salinities of 13 and 20 compared to that at 35(25%). Total longevity of females was not af fected by salinity increment. Based on our results, for mass culture we recommend that a salinity of 35 be adopted due to higher reproductive performances, better feeding, and faster development of A. tonsa.     

Purification and Characterization of a Novel Lipase from Antarctic Krill

Lipase from Antarctic krill,with a molecular weight of 71.27kDa,was purified with ammonium sulfate precipitation and a series of chromatographic separations over ion exchange(DEAE)and gel filtration columns(Sephacryl S-100),resulting in 5.2%recovery with a 22.4-fold purification ratio.The optimal pH and temperature for enzyme activity were 8.0 and 45℃,respectively.Purified lipase had Km and Vmax values of 3.27mmolL−1 and 2.4Umg−1,respectively,using p-nitrophenyl laurate as the substrate.Lipase activity was enhanced by adding Ca2+and Mg2+ions in the concentration ranges of 0–0.5mmolL−1 and 0–0.3mmolL−1,respectively,while the activity was inhibited by a further increase in these ion concentrations.Fe3+and Cu2+ions showed obvious inhibitory effects on enzyme activity,and the inhibition rates were 71.8%and 53.3%when the ion concentrations were 0.5mmolL−1.     

GROWTH, REPRODUCTION & POPULATION STRUCTURE OF THE FRESHWATER CRAB SINOPOTAMON YANG TSEKIENSE BOTT, 1967, FROM ZHEJIANG, CHINA

Monthly investigatiom were made on the population of Chinese freshwater crab, Sinopotamon yangteskiense Bott, 1967 from April, 1984 to Match, 1985. The data on 4413 specimens show that the growth was affected mainly by temperature. During the April to November growth period, the crabs' major development occured from June through October. One year was required for a fine white oocyte to develop into a mature egg. The reproduction period was June-October. Females bearing eggs were taken from June-August, and crabs with young were found from July-October. The females reproduced once a year but could for more than one year. The number of eggs carried by a female varied greatly according to the size of the crab, ranging from 30 to 100 eggs. New-bom crabs become mature after 1-2 yeats. The sex ratio was approximately 1:1 in the overall population. However, the larger crabs are predominantly male. The age distribution of S. yangtsekinese was estimated from size frequency histograms. There were more adult crabs     

Temporal and spatial variability of dissolved organic carbon concentration in the Xijiang River, South China

A whole year analysis of riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in the Xijiang River (XJR), South China, showed that the mean riverine DOC concentration (1.24 mg L-1) in the XJR was notably lower than the averaged value (5.75 mg L-1) of the global riverine DOC concentration in several major rivers. There is an inconspicuous monthly fluctuation of the DOC signal in the XJR, but on a semi-yearly time scale, however, the riverine DOC concentration had significant difference between hydrological...     

Growth,reproduction & population structure of the freshwater crabSinopotamon yangtsekiense bott, 1967, from Zhejiang,China

Monthly investigations were mae on the population of Chinese freshwater crab,Sinopotamon yangtsekiense Bott, 1967 from April, 1984 to March, 1985. The data on 4413 specimens show that the growth was affected mainly by temperature. During the April to November growth period, the crabs' major development occurred from June through October. One year was required for a fine white oocyte to develop into a mature egg. The reproduction period was June–October. Females bearing eggs were taken from June–August, and crabs with young were found from July–October. The females reproduced once a year but could for more than one year. The number of eggs carried by a female varied greatly according to the size of the crab, ranging from 30 to 100 eggs. New-born crabs become mature after 1–2 years. The sex ratio was approximately 1∶1 in the overall population. However, the larger crabs are predominantly male. The age distribution ofS. yangtsekinese was estimated from size frequency histograms. There were more adult crabs (over 70%) from June to October and more immature crabs (over 50%) from November to May.     

Distribution and elimination of Norfloxacin in Fenneropenaeus chinensis larvae

This study examined the distribution and elimination of Norfloxacin(NFLX) in Fenneropenaeus chinensis ovary and egg and newly hatched larvae.Mature parental shrimp were exposed to 4 or 10 mg L 1NFLX for 2 or 5 d.Ovary and eggs of the shrimp were sampled after spawning in order to detect NFLX residue using high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).Results showed that NFLX residue accumulated in F.chinensis eggs after the parental exposure,with the highest residue detected in ovary.To examine the fate of NFLX residue in larvae,we further determined the concentration of NFLX residue in F.chinensis eggs and larvae at 4 different developmental stages after 24-h exposure.From the newly metamorphosed larvae(0 h post-metamorphosis,h.p.m),samples were taken at different time intervals to 72 h.p.m.HPLC assay showed that the concentrations of NFLX residue in zoea exposed to 4 and 10 mg L 1NFLX were the highest at 1.5 h,i.e.,0.332 and 0.454 μg g 1,respectively.At the two NFLX exposure levels,the elimination time of half NFLX(half life) in nauplius was 45.36 and 49.85 h,respectively,followed by that in zoea(31.68 and 33.13 h),mysis larvae(42.24 and 47.28 h) and postlarvae(24.48 and 30.96 h).Both NFLX exposure levels had a germicidal effect.The distribution and elimination of NFLX residue in F.chinensis tissue,eggs and larvae correlated well with the drug exposure level.The disappearance of NFLX residue coincided with the larval growth,and the half-life of NFLX decreased with the larval development.