Long-term effects of tributyltin compounds on the baltic amphipod, Gammarus oceanicus

Amphipod larvae, Gammarus oceanicus, were exposed for 8 weeks to bis(tributyltin) oxide (TBTO) or tributyltin fluoride (TBTF), or for 5 weeks to leachates from tributyltin-containing antibiofouling paints. No larvae survived 8 weeks' exposure to 3 μg/litre TBTO or TBTF. Differential larval survival occurred during exposure to 0·3 gmg/litre of these same compounds. Paint leachates were shown to cause similar toxicity responses at comparable aqueous tributyltin concentrations. An examination of sublethal responses showed slight decreases in growth for larvae exposed to TBTO and to paint leachates, although responses at tributyltin levels below 1 μg/litre were not marked. Whole-animal oxygen consumption rates were not affected by low tributyltin exposure levels. While these studies demonstrate low level toxicity of tributyltins, effects on oxygen consumption and growth do not indicate a mode of action for these compounds.     

The genotoxic disease syndrome

Since lower animals develop neoplasia rarely or not at all, the DNA- and chromosomal-alterations observed in them after exposure to genotoxic chemicals should be correlated to some genotoxic endpoint other than neoplasia. On the basis of good correlations between induction of DNA- and chromosomal-alterations and the induction of gene mutations, this paper argues that in natural species a variety of manifestations of the mutational event may actually prove to be of much greater biological and ecological importance than induction of neoplasia. These manifestations include impairments in enzyme function, altered protein turnover, impairments in general metabolism, production of initiators of cytotoxic injuries, inhibition of growth, degenerative processes and atrophy in tissues and organs, decreased scope for growth in organisms, faster ageing, decreased fitness and well-being, impairments in immunoresponse and reproduction, increased frequency of diseases and neoplasia, impairments in adaptation, survival, and succession, and finally, extinction of species. Taken together, these ‘symptoms’ constitute a syndrome of a disease which etiologically could be named the genotoxic disease syndrome.     

Exploring the use of caged Nucella lapillus to monitor changes to TBT hotspot areas: a trial in the River Tyne estuary (UK)

Caged dogwhelks (Nucella lapillus) and mussels (Mytilus edulis) were placed in situ at sites along the River Tyne (UK) in order to investigate the potential for monitoring any change in tributyltin (TBT) mediated effects. After 6 months the development of imposex was investigated in the dogwhelks and concentrations of TBT were determined in the whole tissues of both species. Sites within the estuary showed a high degree of imposex, whilst those at sites North and South of the estuary mouth exhibited significantly lower induction. Concentrations of TBT measured in the dogwhelk and mussel tissues showed the same pattern. The success of the caging technique, occurrence of imposex at other UK sites and the need for further monitoring at TBT impacted locations in the light of current international controls on the use of TBT-based antifouling paints on sea-going vessels are discussed.     

Phototoxicity of pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene to embryo-larval stages of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose a greater hazard to aquatic organisms than previously demonstrated, due to their potential to cause photo-induced toxicity when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The consequences of photo-induced toxicity are reported here for embryo-larval stages of the pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, following exposure to pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene. During laboratory investigations, significant increases in toxicity were observed in the presence of environmentally attainable levels of UV-radiation, compared with embryos exposed to PAH alone, at levels previously deemed to have little acute biological effect. The phototoxicity of pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene completely inhibited the development to the D-shell larval stage when embryos were simultaneously exposed to 5 microg l(-1) PAH and ultraviolet light (UVB = 6.3 +/- 0.1 microW/cm2 and UVA = 456.2 +/- 55 microW/cm2). A linear relationship was also demonstrated for benzo[a]pyrene phototoxicity with decreasing UV light intensity.     

Metabolism of tributyltin oxide by crabs, oysters and fish

Bis(tributyltin) oxide (TBTO) is widely used as an antifouling agent in various antifouling paints. Thus, some marinas have TBTO concentrations as high as 2 μg/liter.¹ These concentrations can be toxic to zooplankton.² The objectives of the present study were to determine the ability of a number of marine animals, including crabs, oysters and fish, to metabolize TBTO. Earlier work showed that extracts of rat liver were able to metabolize TBTO to a variety of metabolites, e.g. β-hydroxybutyldibutylin.³ The role of the cytochrome P-450 dependent mixed-function oxygenase system in oxidizing TBTO in marine animals was also of interest. Both in vivo (uptake of ¹⁴C-TBTO from food or water) and in vitro studies demonstrated that all the animals were able to metabolize TBTO. The oysters metabolized TBTO at a much slower rate than the other animals. The mixed-function oxygenase system from hepatic tissues of the various animals was able to metabolize TBTO by forming a number of hydroxylated metabolites.     

A comparison of ozone and chlorine toxicity to three life stages of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica

The effects of ozone-produced oxidants (OPO) on three developmental stages of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica, were evaluated. Both straight-hinge (48-h post fertilisation) and setting pediveliger larvae were exposed to a series of OPO concentrations ranging from 0·05 to 0·30 mg/litre OPO (as total residual chlorine) at 25°C for 96 h. Mortality was used as the response parameter and results were quantitatively compared with the effects of chlorine-produced oxidants (CPO) obtained from the literature on these same developmental stages. Adult oysters (2- to 4-year class) were exposed to OPO concentrations ranging from 0·01 to 0·50 mg/litre at 15°C for 5 days and to the same concentration range at 25°C for two consecutive 6-day periods. Shell deposition and faecal matter accumulation were used as the response parameters for this stage.Straight-hinge larvae were significantly more sensitive to OPO than setting pediveliger larvae. Both larval stages were significantly more sensitive to CPO than to OPO. Shell deposition was significantly inhibited at all OPO concentrations for both 15°C and 25°C acclimated adult oysters. No significant differences were found between the shell deposition response of oysters at the two acclimation temperatures. Faecal matter accumulation was significantly reduced at OPO concentrations ≥ 0·05 mg/litre at both 15°C and 25°C. It was significantly (p < 0·05) greater for 25°C acclimated oysters than for 15°C acclimated oysters at OPO concentrations < 0·10 mg/litre but not at higher concentrations.     

A simple new bioassay based on echinochrome synthesis by larval sea urchins

A simple, rapid and quantitative embryo-larval bioassay that uses changes in echinochrome pigment synthesis as an indicator of seawater toxicity has been developed to allow increased use of sensitive sea urchin bioassays where time, resources and technical expertise may be limited. Several 48 h embryo-larval tests were conducted with lowered salinity and increased concentrations of copper as the potential toxicants. At 48 h the larvae were examined for echinochrome pigment level (E), the number of embryos that had gastrulated (G) and the percentage of gastrulas that had developed to prisms (P). Relationships between the pigment levels (E) and morphological parameters (G and P) were investigated using simple and partial correlation analysis. Reductions in echinochrome levels were correlated with both G and P, and partial correlation analysis showed that changes in echinochrome levels are associated with G, P, or G and P, depending on the experimental conditions. The echinochrome measurement procedure appears to be as good as or better than the morphological examination technique since it is as sensitive, less variable and takes about 25% of the time required for morphological examination.     

The Effects of Industrial Pollution on the Development and Succession of Marine Fouling Communities I. Analysis of Species Richness and Frequency Data

Abstract. The effects of industrial pollution were determined by comparing the pattern of development of marine fouling communities situated along a pollution gradient within Port Kembla Harbour (Australia) with those from nearby Wollongong Harbour, a relatively unpolluted area. Fifty-three fouling species were found in the communities from Wollongong Harbour compared to only 40 in those from Port Kembla Harbour. Twenty-eight species (including many bryozoans) occurred only in the former, while 15 species occurred solely in the latter. Ten of the 25 species common to both areas were more numerous in Port Kembla Harbour, probably because of the greater availability of free substratum and food in this area. The species richness of fouling communities in Port Kembla Harbour was found to decrease as pollutant concentrations increased. In both study areas, communities established in summer showed significantly higher species richness than those whose development was initiated in winter. This difference was less pronounced in Port Kembla Harbour and was attributed to the effects of pollution on larval settlement. Although species richness increased at all sites through time, Wollongong Harbour communities contained a greater number of species at the end of the experiment than communities from Port Kembla Harbour. Despite this, fewer species were found in the very early developmental stages of the communities from Wollongong Harbour. This result highlights the inherent problems associated with using species richness or diversity measures as a means of determining marine environmental quality.     

Metals in sediments and benthic organisms in the Mersey estuary

Concentrations of twelve metals were determined in sediments, seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus), winkles (Littorina littorea), polychaetes (Nereis diversicolor), suspension feeding bivalves (Mytilus edulis, Cerastoderma edule) and deposit feeding bivalves (Macoma balthica, Scrobicularia plana) collected from the Mersey estuary between April 1980 and June 1984.Sediments and organisms in the Mersey are moderately contaminated with most of the metals measured, but mercury concentrations are consistently higher than in other United Kingdom estuaries. Comparisons with other sites in the North West of England indicate that mercury residues in organisms, though primarily dependent on sediment concentrations, are also influenced by complexation with particulate organic matter which reduces the availability of mercury. The biological availability of arsenic in Mersey sediments is similarly influenced by complexation with iron oxyhydroxides.Nereis diversicolor and Macoma balthica are the most suitable indicator species in terms of abundance and widespread distribution along the estuary, and, for the majority of metals, tissue concentrations increase upstream, reflecting corresponding gradients in sediment contamination. However mid-estuarine peaks for tin, chromium copper and nickel in Nereis indicate more localised inputs to the estuary. Correlations between lead in sediments and organisms are poor; it is suggested that hydrophilic alkyl lead compounds may be the predominant biologically available forms.Progressive reductions in mercury contamination in sediments and mercury and lead in organisms have occurred in recent years, which coincide with efforts to reduce inputs of these metals to teh Mersey estuary.     

盐度对中国东南沿海两种常见藤壶幼虫发育的影响

网纹藤壶Amphibalanus reticulatus和鳞笠藤壶Tetraclita squamosa squamosa是我国东南沿海两种常见的海洋污损生物种类, 在海洋生态系统中占有重要地位。探讨这两种藤壶的幼虫发育与盐度的关系有助于丰富和发展海洋生物学知识, 并为海洋污损生物防除相关工作的开展提供数据资料。研究探讨了网纹藤壶和鳞笠藤壶无节幼虫在盐度为6‰、12‰、18‰、24‰、30‰(对照组)和36‰的培养条件下的发育状况, 观察记录5天后幼虫的存活率和各期幼虫所占百分比, 采用最小显著差数法进行差异显著性分析。结果表明, 当水体盐度≤18‰时, 会严重阻滞网纹藤壶和鳞笠藤壶幼虫的发育, 甚至导致死亡; 而当盐度≥24‰时, 这2种藤壶幼虫的成活率虽不会随盐度改变发生显著变化, 但盐度为30‰的水体更有利于网纹藤壶幼虫的发育, 而鳞笠藤壶幼虫发育状况受盐度变化的影响不大, 具备更强的耐受能力。     

Critical tissue copper residues for marine bivalve (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and echinoderm (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) embryonic development: conceptual, regulatory and environmental implications

Critical tissue copper (Cu) residues associated with adverse effects on embryo-larval development were determined for the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and purple sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) following laboratory exposure to Cu-spiked seawater collected from San Diego Bay, California, USA. Whole body no-observed-effect-residues (NOER) were similar, with means of 21 and 23mugg(-1)dw, for M. galloprovincialis and S. purpuratus, respectively. Mean whole body median effect residues (ER50) were 49 and 142mugg(-1)dw for M. galloprovincialis and S. purpuratus, respectively. The difference in ER50s between species was reduced to a factor of <2 when expressed as soft tissue residues. Coefficients of variation among whole body-ER50s were 3-fold lower than median waterborne effect concentrations (EC50) for both species exposed to samples varying in water quality characteristics. This suggests that tissue concentrations were a better predictor of toxicity than water concentrations. The CBRs described herein do not differentiate between the internal Cu concentrations that are metabolically available and those that are accumulated and then detoxified. They do appear, however, to be well enough related to the level of accumulation at the site of action of toxicity that they serve as useful surrogates for the copper concentration that affects embryonic development of the species tested. Results presented have potentially important implications for a variety of monitoring and assessment strategies. These include regulatory approaches for deriving saltwater ambient water quality criteria for Cu, contributions towards the development of a saltwater biotic ligand model, the conceptual approach of using CBRs, and ecological risk assessment.     

紫外辐射对鱼类及水生无脊椎动物影响的研究进展

全球性的气候变化严重地威胁着自然生态环境间的平衡。在影响生态系统功能的诸多因素中,太阳紫外辐射的增强逐渐成为最受关注的全球性环境问题之一。太阳紫外辐射对地球生物的生命过程有着举足轻重的影响。生物体一旦吸收了高能量的紫外辐射,则可对其各种生理过程产生影响,打破内稳态,尤其是紫外辐射对DNA的损伤作用,是诱导一系列生物效应的主要原因。本文综述了近年来与鱼类及水生无脊椎动物有关的紫外辐射研究。从紫外辐射对生物不同发育时期的影响、生物对紫外线响应方式、紫外辐射与其他因素复合影响三个层面进行总结。通过总结紫外辐射对鱼类及水生无脊椎动物的影响,可为预测紫外辐射在水生生态系统中的作用提供助力,为海洋生物对环境变化的生理响应研究提供参考。     

Study of fouling organisms at Tuoji Island in the Bohai Channel

From June 1984 to May 1985, monthly and seasonal panel tests of fouling organisms were carried out on rafts at Tuoji Island. Seventy - three species were obtained. The occurring frequencies of the following species are all at least 30%: Ectocarpus confervoides, Polysiphonia urceolata, Tubularia mesembryanthmum, Cfytia edwardsi, Tubulipora pulchra, Celleporella hyalina, Mytilus edulis, Hiatella arctica, Caprella acanthogaster, Corophium crassicome, Jassa cf.falcata and Podocerus cf . inconspicuus. Large or calcareous species are not dominant ones. The wet weight is comparatively light, the yearly wet weight being 9.12 kg m-2. Attaching seasons of major species are from June to October and no bio - attachment occurs between January and April. Fouling organisms at Tuoji Island differ rather greatly from those in the harbours along the continental coast, showing the charcteristics of fouling organisms in the northern island harbours of China.     

Use of the Comet assay to assess DNA damage in hemocytes and digestive gland cells of mussels and clams exposed to water contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons

Oil spills can result in the deposition of large quantities of petroleum hydrocarbons into intertidal and shallow waters seriously impacting bivalve populations. Petroleum hydrocarbons are enriched in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and PAH analogs many of which may have potential to damage DNA. The Comet assay is useful for assessing DNA damage and has been used to a limited degree with aquatic organisms, but mostly with studies in vitro. We have carried out studies with the Comet assay to assess the DNA damaging potential of complex mixtures of petroleum hydrocarbons for bivalves. Experiments were carried out with mussels (Mytilus edulis) and clams (Mya arenaria) with dispersions and water soluble fractions of an Arabian crude oil which was also chemically characterized in detail by GC-MS. Pilot studies were first conducted to evaluate test performance and reproducibility. An interindividual coefficient of variation ranging from 17 to 30% was established for the assay with hemocytes and digestive gland cells of both species. Exposure to hydrocarbon fractions had no significant impact on clams. However, an increase in DNA damage was observed at P < 0.1 with digestive gland cells of mussels exposed to aqueous fractions of a light crude oil. These studies have demonstrated a potential for DNA damage in bivalves exposed to oil spills in inshore waters as well as potential for interspecies sensitivity.     

Influence of age, sex and body condition on zinc, copper, cadmium and metallothioneins in common guillemots (Uria aalge) stranded at the Belgian coast.

The common guillemots, Uria aalge, found stranded at the Belgian coast, display high levels of Cu in both liver and kidneys. The condition index of the animals, defined as the ratio of liver to kidneys mass (Wenzel & Adelung, 1996, The suitability of oiled Guillemots (Uria aalge) as monitoring organisms for geographical comparisons of trace element contaminants. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 31, 368-377), influences both the metal concentration and its binding to metallothioneins (MT): the lower the condition index, the more emaciated the animals, and the higher the total Cu concentration and the concentration of Cu bound to MT. In less robust individuals, our results suggest that Cu could displace Zn from MT, rendering the Zn ions available to induce a new MT synthesis. Sex-related effects also emerged as significantly higher hepatic MT as well as Cu- and Zn-MT concentrations were found in emaciated male guillemots compared to females. In both organs, Cd concentrations remained low and typically demonstrated an age-dependent renal accumulation, with no noticeable effect of the condition index. As a whole, these results suggest that, for guillemots found stranded at the Belgian coast. Cu binding to hepatic and renal MT could function as a protective mechanism, rendering the metal ions unavailable to exert any cytotoxic activity.     

Chemical speciation of arsenic in different marine organisms: Importance in monitoring studies

Arsenic is a widely distributed element in the marine environment. Inorganic and organic compounds have extremely different toxicological effects, and their characterization is thus of great utility when monitoring and assessing the impact of arsenic pollution. In this study both the levels of total arsenic and its chemical speciation were analyzed in several marine organisms collected from Cienfuegos Bay (Cuba) following an episode of acute As-contamination. Fish from the more impacted site were characterized by elevated concentrations of arsenic (up to 500 microg/g d.w.) and inorganic species represented the predominant forms in muscle tissues of these organisms.     

基于海洋细菌为受试生物的海洋防污剂快速筛选方法

本文研究探索了一种快速简单易行的海洋防污剂室内评价筛选方法。将待测防污剂均匀分散于凝胶溶液中,然后均匀涂布到一定面积的玻璃板上,固化得到含防污剂凝胶测试板,将其置于接种有三种分离自舟山以东海域的优势海洋菌种(编号为Y-16,W-1和F-6)的人工加富海水中,连续培养24h后显微镜下可发现凝胶板表面上细菌菌落,将凝胶板表面细菌淋洗、定容,测定其光密度(optical density,OD)值,计算平均抑菌率,得到吡啶硫酮锌(ZPT)为38.87%,吡啶硫酮铜(CPT)为41.24%,三甲基氧化锡(TBTO)为65.19%,N,N-二甲基-3,4-二氯苄胺(DCDMA)为30.88%,敌草隆(Diuron)仅为15.29%,抑菌性大小为TBTOCPTZPTDCDMADiuron。实验结果表明5种受试防污剂的抑菌性大小为TBTOCPTZPTDCDMADiuron。采用绘制OD-t生长曲线法,分别得到5种防污剂对3种海洋细菌的最小抑制浓度(minimum inhibitory concentration,MIC),TBTO对三种菌的MIC均为0.5×10–3mg/mL;CPT对W-1和F-6的MIC为0.97×10–3mg/mL,对Y-16的MIC为1.93×10–3mg/mL;ZPT对W-1和Y-16的MIC为1.91×10–3mg/mL,对F-6的MIC为0.96×10–3mg/mL;DCDMA对W-1和F-6的MIC为8.46×10–3mg/mL,对Y-16的MIC为×10–342.29mg/mL。其中,Diuron对细菌的生长几乎没有抑制作用。其抑菌性与室内短期挂板结果具有一致性,表明经OD-t生长曲线得到的MIC可作为溶剂可溶型防污剂评价的辅助方法。另外,将本文中室内短期挂板方法应用于不同粒径的氧化亚铜的防污评价,也取得了与文献一致的结果。     

有机锡对金藻（Dicrateria sp.）的毒性效应

研究了有机锡对金藻的毒性效应 ,结果表明 ,三丁基锡 (TBT)和三苯基锡 (TPT)在低浓度的情况下 ,即可限制金藻细胞的生长和存活。室内一次培养研究显示 ,该 2种有机锡化合物对金藻表现出很强的毒性 ,对生长速率的 72 h半数效应浓度 EC50 分别为 0 .58和 0 .77μg/ dm3。     

Evidence of uptake, biotransformation and DNA binding of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in Atlantic cod and corkwing wrasse caught in the vicinity of an aluminium works

Feral Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and corkwing wrasse (Symphodus melops) were investigated for polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in the Karmsund strait, western Norway. This strait is highly contaminated with PAHs, and a main source is the chronic release of gas-scrubbing effluents from a local aluminium works. In both species, the level of biliary PAH metabolites and hepatic DNA adducts were higher in fish collected near the aluminium works. Interestingly, a significantly higher level of both biliary PAH metabolites and hepatic DNA adducts was found in corkwing wrasse as compared to cod, indicating a higher potential for genotoxic effects in this species. Hepatic cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) in cod estimated by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase and an immunoassay technique (ELISA), seemed to be weakly induced at the contaminated sites. At the most contaminated site, skin ulcers and fin erosion were detected in about 70 and 45% of the cods, respectively. The data demonstrated that both cod and corkwing wrasse may be suitable target species for PAH pollution monitoring.     

Effects of salinity on embryonic and larval development of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis(Decapoda: Brachyura) and salinity-induced physiological changes

To investigate the effects of salinity on early development of Chinese mitten crab ( Eriocheir sinensis ), and the salinity tolerance mechanism of embryos, different developmental stages of embryos (gastrula, eyespot and pre-hatching stage), and hatched stage I zoea and megalopa, were exposed to a range of salinities (1, 5, 10, 15 (control), 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40). Hatching, survival and molting were monitored. Effects of 24-hour hypersaline (35) and hyposaline (1) stress on egg diameter, water content, Na +/K +-ATPase (NKA) activity, and crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) gene mRNA expression in embryos and megalopa, are reported. Embryos are more tolerant of low (≤ 5) than high (≥25) salinities, with optimum ranges for gastrula and pre-hatching stage embryos being 5-20, and for eyespot embryo and stage I zoea, 10-20. Most megalopa can molt to the first juvenile instar by day 5 at salinities between 1 and 40, whereas molting of megalopa stages was delayed at 40. Hypersaline conditions resulted in a loss of moisture, reduction of egg volume, and a signifi cant increase in NKA activity and CHH mRNA expression at some developmental stages. Hyposaline conditions did not affect moisture content or egg volume, but resulted in decreased NKA activity and CHH mRNA expression in embryos. For megalopa stages, NKA activity was significantly upregulated following both hypo- and hypersaline stress. Our results suggest high salinity will inhibit development and hatching of E. sinensis embryos, and low salinity will affect the survival of their stage I zoea. Increased NKA activity in embryos and megalopa stages might indicate a hyporegulation response under hypersaline conditions. These findings provide useful information for spawning ground protection of indigenous E . sinensis and enrich the knowledge of embryonic tolerance mechanisms of hyperregulating crustaceans following osmotic stress.