Biomarker responses in Danio rerio following an acute exposure (96 h) to e-waste leachate.

Electronic waste (e-waste) has been identified as an emerging pollutant and is the fastest growing waste stream at the present time. Significant technological development and modernization within the last decade has led to the rapid accumulation of outdated, broken and unwanted electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Electronic products mainly consist of a range of metal containing components that, when disposed of improperly, could result in metal constituents leached into the environment and posing a health risk to humans and animals alike. Metal exposure can induce oxidative stress in organisms, which could lead to synergistic, antagonistic and additive effects. The metals found highest in abundance in the simulated e-waste leachate, were nickel (Ni), barium (Ba), zinc (Zn), lithium (Li), iron (Fe), aluminium (Al) and copper (Cu). An acute exposure study was conducted over a 96 h period to determine the potential toxicity of e-waste on the test organism Danio rerio. Biomarker analysis results to assess the biochemical and physiological effects induced by e-waste leachate, showed a statistically significant effect induced on acetylcholinesterase activity, superoxide dismutase, catalase activity, reduced glutathione content, glutathione s-transferase, malondialdehyde and glucose energy available. The Integrated Biomarker Response (IBRv2) analysis revealed a greater biomarker response induced as the exposure concentration of e-waste leachate increased.

An integrated biomarker assessment of biochemical responses in a freshwater fish species after vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) exposure.

Vanadium (V) is a toxicant becoming increasingly concentrated in freshwater with the potential to affect aquatic organisms. Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), accumulated in fish, can act as an oxidizing agent and cause oxidative damage. To determine the effects of V2O5 on exposed adult Oreochromis mossambicus, acute exposure experiments were conducted. Bioaccumulation and biomarker analyses were performed on various excised tissues of the exposed fish. As expected, accumulated V concentrations in the gills increased as the exposure concentration increased. Gill tissue accumulated more vanadium than muscle tissue. Metallothionein content increased in the highest concentrations compared to the lower concentrations, therefore showing that metallothionein proteins were attempting to sequester V2O5 in the tissues. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed an excitation at lower concentrations and inhibition as the exposure concentrations increased, possibly due to ROS detoxification. Catalase activity decreased from the first exposure concentration to the last concentration; this could have been due to SOD compensation. Protein carbonyl concentration decreased as the concentrations of V2O5 increased, indicating an inhibition of protein oxidation. The IBRv2 comparison revealed the biochemical responses caused by V2O5 more effectively than traditional statistical analysis.

Biochemical responses revealed in an amphibian species after exposure to a forgotten contaminant: An integrated biomarker assessment.

Vanadium is a metal whose toxicity towards terrestrial and aquatic species has been under-reported to date.. The biochemical responses of vanadium in amphibian species have not been determined. To establish the effects of vanadium (V) on exposed adult Xenopus laevis, acute and chronic exposures were conducted, and biomarker analyses were performed on liver and muscle tissues from exposed frogs. Biomarkers of exposure, such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and metallothioneins (MT), were analysed. Biomarkers of effect were also analysed to determine possible increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the effect of the exposure on the energy balance in the organisms. These included superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), protein carbonyls (PC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and cellular energy allocation (CEA) (energy available, energy consumption, lipids, proteins and glucose). In acute exposures, the energy balances in organisms were distinctly affected, possibly due to insulin mimetic properties of V. In chronic exposures, MT, AChE, SOD, CAT and GSH responses were more pronounced. Although AChE is generally inhibited by pollutant exposure, in this study, it was stimulated. There were significant inhibitions of SOD and CAT, previously observed in frog species. PC levels increased in the highest acute exposure concentration, indicating protein damage. The IBR.v2 revealed the biochemical responses of V more effectively than traditional statistical analysis.

A multivariate examination of 'artificial mussels' in conjunction with spot water tests in freshwater ecosystems.

Metal pollution in aquatic systems is considered a serious environmental issue globally due to their ability to accumulate in aquatic environments. Wetlands are vulnerable to this pollution as they are known to trap toxins, removing them from the water. Artificial mussel technology, originally developed for marine environments, was applied to this freshwater system and spot water samples were collected. The Nyl River floodplain (Ramsar classified) is one of the largest and most ecologically significant wetlands in South Africa. The aims of this study were to determine metal contamination along the Nyl River system by means of artificial mussels (AM) and water ICP-MS analysis and to determine whether the use of AMs in conjunction with spot water testing could give more insight into the pollution in freshwater wetlands. The concentrations of Al, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined at seven sites. It was determined that the levels accumulated by the AMs differed in spatial and temporal trends when compared to spot water samples. It was determined that there were high levels of some metals found in the spot water tests that were not corroborated by the AMs results, which could indicate isolated pollution events. The use of AMs in conjunction with spot water testing was determined to be beneficial in gaining deeper insight into water metal conditions in dynamic freshwater systems.