Effects of Zinc in an Outdoor Freshwater Microcosm System.

A long-term exposure outdoor microcosm study was conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc (Zn) on zooplankton, phytoplankton, and periphyton in a freshwater system. Five Zn treatment concentrations (nominal: 8, 20, 40, 80, and 160 µg/L Zn) and an untreated control with 3 replicates each were used. Various physical and chemical characteristics of the microcosms and biological assessment endpoints (e.g., total abundance, group abundance, species richness, chlorophyll a, etc.) were measured to determine the effects of Zn over time. In general, physical and chemical characteristics (e.g., total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, pH, dissolved organic carbon) of water fluctuated over time, but they were not significantly different within treatments and controls during the study. Zinc significantly affected the population dynamics and community structure of plankton. The effects occurred 7 d after initial treatment exposures began and continued to the end of the treatment phase, especially at the high treatment concentrations. Total and group abundance, species richness, the Shannon index, and chlorophyll a concentrations for high Zn treatment concentrations were significantly lower than the controls during the treatment phase. The no-observed-effect, lowest-observed-effect, and median effect concentrations were generally lower than the literature-reported results from single-species toxicity tests for fish and invertebrates, suggesting that plankton are more sensitive to Zn than planktivores. Although primary producers play an important role in the ecosystem, they have not been consistently incorporated into numerical environmental quality criteria for freshwater organisms, at least in the United States. The results of the present study are useful for development of environmental quality guidelines for freshwater ecosystems and ecological risk assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2053-2072. © 2021 SETAC.

Relevance weighting of tier 1 endocrine screening endpoints by rank order.

Weight of evidence (WoE) approaches are recommended for interpreting various toxicological data, but few systematic and transparent procedures exist. A hypothesis-based WoE framework was recently published focusing on the U.S. EPA's Tier 1 Endocrine Screening Battery (ESB) as an example. The framework recommends weighting each experimental endpoint according to its relevance for deciding eight hypotheses addressed by the ESB. Here we present detailed rationale for weighting the ESB endpoints according to three rank ordered categories and an interpretive process for using the rankings to reach WoE determinations. Rank 1 was assigned to in vivo endpoints that characterize the fundamental physiological actions for androgen, estrogen, and thyroid activities. Rank 1 endpoints are specific and sensitive for the hypothesis, interpretable without ancillary data, and rarely confounded by artifacts or nonspecific activity. Rank 2 endpoints are specific and interpretable for the hypothesis but less informative than Rank 1, often due to oversensitivity, inclusion of narrowly context-dependent components of the hormonal system (e.g., in vitro endpoints), or confounding by nonspecific activity. Rank 3 endpoints are relevant for the hypothesis but only corroborative of Ranks 1 and 2 endpoints. Rank 3 includes many apical in vivo endpoints that can be affected by systemic toxicity and nonhormonal activity. Although these relevance weight rankings (WREL ) necessarily involve professional judgment, their a priori derivation enhances transparency and renders WoE determinations amenable to methodological scrutiny according to basic scientific premises, characteristics that cannot be assured by processes in which the rationale for decisions is provided post hoc.

Human pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment: a review of recent toxicological studies and considerations for toxicity testing.

Although an increasingly large amount of data exists on the acute and chronic aquatic toxicity of pharmaceuticals, numerous questions still remain. There remains a dearth of information pertaining to the chronic toxicity of bivalves, benthic invertebrates, fish, and endangered species, as well as study designs that examine mechanism-of-action (MOA)-based toxicity, in vitro and computational toxicity, and pharmaceutical mixtures. Studies examining acute toxicity are prolific in the published literature; therefore, we address many of the shortcomings in the literature by proposing "intelligent" well-designed aquatic toxicology studies that consider comparative pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. For example, few studies on the chronic responses of aquatic species to residues of pharmaceuticals have been performed, and very few on variables that are plausibly linked to any therapeutic MOA. Unfortunately, even less is understood about the metabolism of pharmaceuticals in aquatic organisms. Therefore, it is clear that toxicity testing at each tier of an ecological risk assessment scheme would be strengthened for some pharmaceuticals by selecting model organisms and endpoints to address ecologically problematic MOAs. We specifically recommend that future studies employ AOP approaches (Ankley et al. 2010) that leverage mammalian pharmacology information, including data on side effects and contraindications. Use of conceptual AOP models for pharmaceuticals can enhance future studies in ways that assist in the development of more definitive ecological risk assessments, identify chemical classes of concern, and help protect ecosystems that are affected by WWTP effluent discharge.

A review of personal care products in the aquatic environment: environmental concentrations and toxicity.

Considerable research has been conducted examining occurrence and effects of human use pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment; however, relatively little research has been conducted examining personal care products although they are found more often and in higher concentrations than pharmaceuticals. Personal care products are continually released into the aquatic environment and are biologically active and persistent. This article examines the acute and chronic toxicity data available for personal care products and highlights areas of concern. Toxicity and environmental data were synergized to develop a preliminary hazard assessment in which only triclosan and triclocarban presented any hazard. However, numerous PCPs including triclosan, paraben preservatives, and UV filters have evidence suggesting endocrine effects in aquatic organisms and thus need to be investigated and incorporated in definitive risk assessments. Additional data pertaining to environmental concentrations of UV filters and parabens, in vivo toxicity data for parabens, and potential for bioaccumulation of PCPs needs to obtained to develop definitive aquatic risk assessments.

Effects of an environmentally realistic pesticide mixture on Daphnia magna exposed for two generations.

Daphnia magna were exposed under semistatic conditions (i.e., conditions taking natural degradation into account) to a pesticide mixture consisting of a pyrethroid insecticide (cyfluthrin) and a pre-emergent herbicide (diuron) as well as pesticides individually using a full life cycle exposure (21 days). Subsequently, offspring from the second reproductive brood were used to continue exposure for a second generation. Survival, time to first brood, total number of offspring produced, number of broods produced, growth rate, and population growth rate were recorded for each generation and concentration. Significant differences existed between F0 and F1 D. magna for survival, in which F1 were less sensitive to pesticide mixtures than F0. In addition, F1 D. magna were significantly smaller than F0, which resulted in longer time to first brood. There were no differences in any end point examined between D. magna exposed to the pesticide mixture and diuron alone, although differences existed in survival, total number of offspring, total number of broods, and population growth rate when F0 D. magna were exposed to cyfluthrin alone. This study illustrates the utility of a two-generation study design that may more fully reflect, and more accurately predict, population level effects of pesticide exposures to short-lived aquatic organisms.

Effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus).

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous contaminants of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and are known to induce biochemical alterations in exposed organisms. Aside from a variety of adverse physiological effects associated with exposure to petroleum products, oils, and oil sludges, little is known about the effects of individual PAH on birds. Acute toxicity of naphthalene, pyrene, and benz[a]anthracene (BAA) was examined in adult northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). Additionally, subacute (8 d) and subchronic (60 d) studies were conducted to assess alterations in metabolic enzyme activity. Neither naphthalene, nor pyrene, nor BAA exposure via oral gavage produced acute toxicity up to the limit dose of 2 g/kg body weight. In the subacute study, quail provided feed containing the highest concentration of BAA for 5 d had significantly increased renal ethoxyresorufin O-deeththylase (EROD) activity compared to controls. Following a 3-d recovery period, significant increases between 10 and 100 mg/kg of BAA in feed existed for both hepatic EROD and pentoxyresorufin O-deethylase (PROD) activity compared to controls. Subchronic exposure to BAA (ranging from 0.1 to 10 mg/kg) also resulted in a significant rise of EROD and PROD in both kidney and liver tissue compared to controls. Though the individual PAH used in this study were not acutely toxic, these results confirm that these individual PAH induce alterations in metabolic enzyme activity in northern bobwhite quail.

Surface water mitigates the anti-metamorphic effects of perchlorate in New Mexico spadefoot toads (Spea multiplicata) and African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis).

Spea multiplicata (New Mexico spadefoot toad) larvae were exposed to 60, 110, and 1000 microg L(-1) perchlorate dissolved in natural surface water to determine risks associated with perchlorate exposure in desert-adapted anurans. Hind- and forelimb development and tail resorption were measured to identify effects of perchlorate exposure. No perchlorate-related effects on snout-vent length, hindlimb length, and proportion metamorphosed were observed in the highest treatment group (positive control; 1000 microg L(-1)) suggesting that either S.multiplicata are not sensitive to the effects of perchlorate at the concentrations tested or that unidentified constituents of natural surface water mitigated perchlorate toxicity. To identify whether surface water mitigated perchlorate toxicity, Xenopuslaevis were exposed to 20 and 60 microg L(-1) perchlorate in surface water and synthetic laboratory prepared water (i.e., FETAX media). X.laevis exposed to perchlorate dissolved in surface water exhibited no perchlorate-related anti-metamorphic effects, whereas X.laevis exposed to perchlorate in FETAX media experienced changes in percent metamorphosing (p<0.001), time to metamorphosis (p<0.001), snout-vent length (p<0.001), and hindlimb length (p<0.001) as compared to FETAX controls. These results suggest that natural surface water can mediate perchlorate effects at concentrations up to 60 microg L(-1) for X.laevis and greater than 1 mg L(-1) for S.multiplicata, potentially due to physicochemical properties of surface water. CAPSULE: This manuscript discusses the effects of perchlorate in natural surface water to S.multiplicata and X.laevis.

Development of resistance to cyfluthrin and naphthalene among Daphnia magna.

In this study, Daphnia magna were exposed to a pyrethroid insecticide (cyfluthrin) or a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (naphthalene) for 12 generations to evaluate development of resistance followed by a 12 generation recovery period. Twenty-four hour old D. magna were exposed to concentrations of each chemical resulting in 50-70% mortality to select for the least sensitive individuals. LC50 values, survival, reproductive output, and time to first brood in stressor-exposed and control D. magna were recorded for each generation. Significant changes in LC50 values were observed after 4 generations and then declined after 6-10 generations post-exposure. D. magna were 5 times less sensitive to cyfluthrin and 3 times less sensitive to naphthalene as compared to controls after 12 generations of exposure. There were no differences in survival, time to first brood, or total number of offspring produced between control and either of the resistant F13 D. magna. Cyfluthrin exposed D. magna exhibited cross-resistance to DDT and methyl parathion, and naphthalene resistant D. magna were less sensitive than controls to both pyrene and benz(a)anthracene. When the cytochrome P450 inhibitor piperonyl butoxide was used in conjunction with cyfluthrin and naphthalene the sensitivity of resistant and control D. magna were equal, suggesting P450s were responsible for conveying resistance. This study demonstrates that life history and organisms' capacity to develop resistance is important to consider ensuring accuracy of ecological risk assessments.

Mechanisms of resistance and cross-resistance to agrochemicals in the fairy shrimp Thamnocephalus platyurus (Crustacea: Anostraca).

Extensive pesticide usage in the Southern High Plains has led to the development of resistance in many pest species, as well as some non-target organisms. Thamnocephalus platyurus derived from agriculturally impacted watersheds are between two and three times less sensitive to commonly applied agrochemicals than T. platyurus from native grassland watersheds. Biological mechanisms that convey such resistance are currently unknown. This study identified the contribution of metabolic enzymes to T. platyurus pesticide resistance using the synergists piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF) to inhibit cytochrome P450s or hydrolases, respectively. Inhibition of cytochrome P450s and hydrolases partially restored cyfluthrin and DDT sensitivity in T. platyurus, suggesting other resistance inferring mechanism(s) were also involved. However, inhibition of hydrolases with DEF completely restored methyl parathion sensitivity in pesticide resistant T. platyurus. DDT resistance paralleled cyfluthrin resistance, but did not for methyl parathion resistance. These data suggest that the primary mechanism for the development of resistance to agrochemicals in T. platyurus is due to increased metabolic detoxification.

Pesticide resistance from historical agricultural chemical exposure in Thamnocephalus platyurus (Crustacea: Anostraca).

Extensive pesticide usage in modern agriculture represents a considerable anthropogenic stressor to freshwater ecosystems throughout the United States. Acute toxicity of three of the most commonly used agricultural pesticides (Methyl Parathion 4ec, Tempo SC Ultra, Karmex DF, and DDT) was determined in two different wild-caught strains of the fairy shrimp Thamnocephalus platyurus. Fairy shrimp collected from playas surrounded by native grasslands were between 200% and 400% more sensitive than fairy shrimp derived from playas in agricultural watersheds for Methyl Parathion 4ec, Tempo SC Ultra, and Karmex DF, likely due to the development of resistance. Additionally, reduced sensitivity to DDT was observed among fairy shrimp from agriculturally-impacted playas as compared to those from native grassland-dominated playas. These data suggest that fairy shrimp inhabiting playas in agricultural regions have developed some degree of resistance to a variety of agrochemicals in response to historical usage.

Acute and sub-lethal toxicity of three POEA surfactant formulations to Daphnia magna.

Polyethoxylated tallowamine (POEA) is a non-ionic surfactant used in many herbicide formulations to increase the ability of active ingredients to penetrate leaf cuticles. However, it has also been shown to disrupt respiratory membranes in aquatic organisms. In this study, Daphnia magna was used to examine the lethal and sub-lethal toxicity of three POEA formulations consisting of 5:1, 10:1, and 15:1 average oxide:tallowamine. The formulation consisting of 10:1 was the most acutely toxic with a 48-h LC50 value of 97.0 microg/L and 15:1 was least toxic at 849.4 microg/L. All formulations inhibited growth at concentrations between 100 and 500 microg/L.

Toxicity of three polyethoxylated tallowamine surfactant formulations to laboratory and field collected fairy shrimp, Thamnocephalus platyurus.

Polyethoxylated tallowamine (POEA) is a non-ionic surfactant used in herbicide formulations to increase the efficacy of active ingredients. POEA promotes penetration of herbicide active ingredients into plant cuticles, and in animal species is known to cause alterations in respiratory surfaces. POEA use has increased recently with the advent of "Roundup-Ready" crops; however, its potential effects on aquatic invertebrates are relatively unknown. The aquatic macroinvertebrate Thamnocephalus platyurus (Crustacea, Anostraca) was used to assess the acute toxicity of POEA. Three formulations of POEA consisting of a 5:1, 10:1, and 15:1 average oxide:tallowamine were used in this study. All POEA formulations were found to be extremely toxic to T. platyurus with 48-h LC50 concentrations as low as 2.01 microg/L for 15:1. POEA toxicity increased as the tallowamine chain length was reduced, whereas the oxide chain length appeared to only slightly increase toxicity. Based on these results, POEA has the potential to adversely affect aquatic organisms in areas in which it is used.