Long-term exposure to environmentally relevant doses of methyl-tert-butyl ether causes significant reproductive dysfunction in the zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE), an anthropogenic chemical used as a gasoline additive, is being detected at an increasing frequency in the environment. The acute lethal concentration that kills 50% of the fish test population and the chronic effects of exposure to MTBE were investigated in the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Chronic exposure over three weeks to effective MTBE conceritrations as low as 0.11 mg/L induced a significant increase in the vitellogenin concentration of male fish. The impact of a chronic, eight-week exposure at effective concentrations ranging from 0.44 to 220 mg/L had no significant effect on fecundity, fertilization, or hatch rate but highly significant impacts on sperm motility. Spermatozoa of all MTBE-exposure groups showed a significantly lower straight-line velocity and lower average path velocity compared to those of the nonexposed group. These results suggest that chronic exposure to MTBE negatively affects fish sperm motility at concentrations that are environmentally relevant and several orders of magnitude lower than concentrations inducing acute effects.

Organic pollution and salt intrusion in Cai Nuoc District, Ca Mau Province, Vietnam.

In Ca Mau, Vietnam, farmers converted from rice to shrimp farming, while ignoring the degradation of the aquatic environment. We assessed the seasonal variations in organic pollution of the surface water and salt intrusion in one district and assessed the difference in chemical characteristics of the surface water of shrimp ponds and canals. Several variables reflecting salinity and organic pollution were measured in the wet and dry season. The results show that in the dry season salinity increased to 37.36-42.73 g l(-1) and COD and suspended solids increased to a maximum of 268.7 mg l(-1) and 1312.0 mg l(-1), respectively. In the wet season salinity values of 8.16 to 10.60 g l(-1) were recorded, indicating that salinity could no longer be washed out completely in this season. It is concluded that salinity and suspended solids in the aquatic environment in the Cai Nuoc district are increased by shrimp monoculture, whereas organic pollution is contributed by human population pressure.

Effect of short-term exposure to methyl-tert-butyl ether and tert-butyl alcohol on the hatch rate and development of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus.

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a synthetic chemical used as a fuel additive, has been detected more frequently in the environment than previously. In this study, we examine the effects of MTBE (up to 100 mg/L) and its primary metabolite tertbutyl alcohol (TBA) (up to 1,400 mg/L) on the hatch rate and larval development of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Exposure to higher MTBE concentrations resulted in deformed eyes, mouthparts, and spinal cord and in increased larval mortality. Methyl tert-butyl ether exposure had no significant impact on egg viability, whereas TBA induced a decline of hatch rate. The MTBE can be regarded as a pollutant with toxicological effects on catfish larvae at concentrations above 50 mg/L. Although such concentrations greatly surpass present-day concentrations found in surface water (0.088 mg/L), concentrations up to 200 mg/L have been detected in groundwater.