1
|
Rogers JD, Leusch FD, Chambers B, Daniels KD, Everett LJ, Judson R, Maruya K, Mehinto AC, Neale PA, Paul-Friedman K, Thomas R, Snyder SA, Harrill J. High-Throughput Transcriptomics of Water Extracts Detects Reductions in Biological Activity with Water Treatment Processes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2027-2037. [PMID: 38235672 PMCID: PMC11003563 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The presence of numerous chemical contaminants from industrial, agricultural, and pharmaceutical sources in water supplies poses a potential risk to human and ecological health. Current chemical analyses suffer from limitations, including chemical coverage and high cost, and broad-coverage in vitro assays such as transcriptomics may further improve water quality monitoring by assessing a large range of possible effects. Here, we used high-throughput transcriptomics to assess the activity induced by field-derived water extracts in MCF7 breast carcinoma cells. Wastewater and surface water extracts induced the largest changes in expression among cell proliferation-related genes and neurological, estrogenic, and antibiotic pathways, whereas drinking and reclaimed water extracts that underwent advanced treatment showed substantially reduced bioactivity on both gene and pathway levels. Importantly, reclaimed water extracts induced fewer changes in gene expression than laboratory blanks, which reinforces previous conclusions based on targeted assays and improves confidence in bioassay-based monitoring of water quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D. Rogers
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Frederic D.L. Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport Qld 4222, Australia
| | - Bryant Chambers
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | | | - Logan J. Everett
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Richard Judson
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Keith Maruya
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, 3535 Harbor Boulevard, Suite 110, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA
| | - Alvine C. Mehinto
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, 3535 Harbor Boulevard, Suite 110, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA
| | - Peta A. Neale
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport Qld 4222, Australia
| | - Katie Paul-Friedman
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Russell Thomas
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| | - Shane A. Snyder
- Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), Nanyang Technological University, 1 Cleantech Loop, CleanTech One, #06-08, 637141, Singapore
| | - Joshua Harrill
- Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Glassmeyer ST, Burns EE, Focazio MJ, Furlong ET, Gribble MO, Jahne MA, Keely SP, Kennicutt AR, Kolpin DW, Medlock Kakaley EK, Pfaller SL. Water, Water Everywhere, but Every Drop Unique: Challenges in the Science to Understand the Role of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Management of Drinking Water Supplies. GEOHEALTH 2023; 7:e2022GH000716. [PMID: 38155731 PMCID: PMC10753268 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The protection and management of water resources continues to be challenged by multiple and ongoing factors such as shifts in demographic, social, economic, and public health requirements. Physical limitations placed on access to potable supplies include natural and human-caused factors such as aquifer depletion, aging infrastructure, saltwater intrusion, floods, and drought. These factors, although varying in magnitude, spatial extent, and timing, can exacerbate the potential for contaminants of concern (CECs) to be present in sources of drinking water, infrastructure, premise plumbing and associated tap water. This monograph examines how current and emerging scientific efforts and technologies increase our understanding of the range of CECs and drinking water issues facing current and future populations. It is not intended to be read in one sitting, but is instead a starting point for scientists wanting to learn more about the issues surrounding CECs. This text discusses the topical evolution CECs over time (Section 1), improvements in measuring chemical and microbial CECs, through both analysis of concentration and toxicity (Section 2) and modeling CEC exposure and fate (Section 3), forms of treatment effective at removing chemical and microbial CECs (Section 4), and potential for human health impacts from exposure to CECs (Section 5). The paper concludes with how changes to water quantity, both scarcity and surpluses, could affect water quality (Section 6). Taken together, these sections document the past 25 years of CEC research and the regulatory response to these contaminants, the current work to identify and monitor CECs and mitigate exposure, and the challenges facing the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan T. Glassmeyer
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| | | | - Michael J. Focazio
- Retired, Environmental Health ProgramEcosystems Mission AreaU.S. Geological SurveyRestonVAUSA
| | - Edward T. Furlong
- Emeritus, Strategic Laboratory Sciences BranchLaboratory & Analytical Services DivisionU.S. Geological SurveyDenverCOUSA
| | - Matthew O. Gribble
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental HealthRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Michael A. Jahne
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Scott P. Keely
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Alison R. Kennicutt
- Department of Civil and Mechanical EngineeringYork College of PennsylvaniaYorkPAUSA
| | - Dana W. Kolpin
- U.S. Geological SurveyCentral Midwest Water Science CenterIowa CityIAUSA
| | | | - Stacy L. Pfaller
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mehinto AC, Du B, Wenger E, Tian Z, Kolodziej EP, Apeti D, Maruya KA. Bioanalytical and non-targeted mass spectrometric screening for contaminants of emerging concern in Southern California bight sediments. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 331:138789. [PMID: 37116726 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Assessing the impact of chemical contaminants on aquatic ecosystem health remains challenging due to complex exposure scenarios and the myriad of impact metrics to consider. To expand the breadth of compounds monitored and evaluate the potential hazard of environmental mixtures, cell-based bioassays (estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)) and non-targeted chemical analyses with high resolution mass spectrometry (NTA-HRMS) were used to assess the quality of ∼70 marine sediment samples collected from 5 distinct coastal and offshore habitats of the Southern California Bight. AhR responses (<0.12-4.5 ng TCDD/g dry weight) were more frequently detectable and more variable than for ERα (<0.1-0.5 ng E2/g dry weight). The range of AhR and ERα responses increased by habitat as follows: Channel Islands < Mid-shelf < Marinas < Ports < Estuaries. The narrow range and magnitude of ERα screening response suggested limited potential for estrogenic impacts across sediments from all 5 habitats. The AhR response was positively correlated with total PAH and PCB concentrations and corresponded with a chemical score index representing the severity of metal and organic contamination. NTA-HRMS fingerprints generated in positive electrospray ionization mode were clearly distinguishable among coastal vs. offshore samples, with the greatest chemical complexity (n = 982 features detected) observed in estuarine sediment from a highly urbanized watershed (Los Angeles River). The concordance and complementary nature of bioscreening and NTA-HRMS results indicates their utility as holistic proxies for sediment quality, and when analyzed in conjunction with routine targeted chemical monitoring, show promise in identifying unexpected contaminants and novel toxicants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alvine C Mehinto
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA.
| | - Bowen Du
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
| | - Ellie Wenger
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
| | | | - Edward P Kolodziej
- Center for Urban Waters, Tacoma, WA, USA; Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington, Tacoma, WA, USA; Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dennis Apeti
- NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Keith A Maruya
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vasantha Raman N, Dubey A, Millar E, Nava V, Leoni B, Gallego I. Monitoring contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic systems through the lens of citizen science. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162527. [PMID: 36870506 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Global urbanization trends have led to the widespread increasing occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, and micro- and nano-plastics in aquatic systems. Even at low concentrations, these contaminants pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems. To better understand the effects of CECs on aquatic ecosystems, it is important to measure concentrations of these contaminants present in these systems. Currently, there is an imbalance in CEC monitoring, with more attention to some categories of CECs, and a lack of data about environmental concentrations of other types of CECs. Citizen science is a potential tool for improving CEC monitoring and to establish their environmental concentrations. However, incorporating citizen participation in the monitoring of CECs poses some challenges and questions. In this literature review, we explore the landscape of citizen science and community science projects which monitor different groups of CECs in freshwater and marine ecosystems. We also identify the benefits and drawbacks of using citizen science to monitor CECs to provide recommendations for sampling and analytical methods. Our results highlight an existing disparity in frequency of monitoring different groups of CECs with implementing citizen science. Specifically, volunteer participation in microplastic monitoring programs is higher than volunteer participation in pharmaceutical, pesticide, and personal care product programs. These differences, however, do not necessarily imply that fewer sampling and analytical methods are available. Finally, our proposed roadmap provides guidance on which methods can be used to improve monitoring of all groups of CECs through citizen science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nandini Vasantha Raman
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Asmita Dubey
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Edward Millar
- Environmental Applied Science and Management, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Veronica Nava
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Barbara Leoni
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Irene Gallego
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG), Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cuccaro A, Freitas R, De Marchi L, Oliva M, Pretti C. UV-filters in marine environments: a review of research trends, meta-analysis, and ecotoxicological impacts of 4-methylbenzylidene-camphor and benzophenone-3 on marine invertebrate communities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:64370-64391. [PMID: 35852751 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21913-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The potential adverse effects of UV-filter pollution in marine environments have been the focus of research in recent years. This systematic review aims to determine the extent of this emerging problem, both quantitatively and qualitatively, combining temporal and science mapping analyses to explore the development of the field of UV-filters in the marine environment (from 1990 to 2021), and to outline new research frontiers. The temporal trend analysis revealed an exponential growth of published studies over the last decade (70% since 2016), confirming the emerging role of this topic in environmental science. The meta-analysis determined that 4-methylbenzylidene-camphor (4-MBC) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3) are top-priority environmental pollutants due to their increasing usage and, in turn, a frequent occurrence in marine ecosystems. This meta-analysis determined the focus on these two contaminants for this review. A critical discussion of the applications, regulatory aspects, and environmental occurrences of these selected compounds was provided. The present study also focused on the most recent (2015-2021) field and laboratory studies investigating the ecotoxicological impacts of 4-MBC and BP-3 on marine invertebrates. This review highlights the need for more research efforts to fill the knowledge gaps on the realistic effects these compounds may have when considered individually, in combination, or as subsequent exposures. Overall, this review aims to establish guidelines for further studies to understand the effect of UV-filters on marine ecosystems and marine invertebrate communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Cuccaro
- Department of Biology & Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
- Interuniversity Consortium of Marine Biology and Applied Ecology "G. Bacci", 57128, Leghorn, Italy.
| | - Rosa Freitas
- Department of Biology & Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Lucia De Marchi
- Department of Biology & Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Interuniversity Consortium of Marine Biology and Applied Ecology "G. Bacci", 57128, Leghorn, Italy
| | - Matteo Oliva
- Interuniversity Consortium of Marine Biology and Applied Ecology "G. Bacci", 57128, Leghorn, Italy
| | - Carlo Pretti
- Interuniversity Consortium of Marine Biology and Applied Ecology "G. Bacci", 57128, Leghorn, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, 56122, San Piero a Grado (PI), Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Maruya KA, Lao W, Vandervort DR, Fadness R, Lyons M, Mehinto AC. Bioanalytical and chemical-specific screening of contaminants of concern in three California (USA) watersheds. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09534. [PMID: 35663765 PMCID: PMC9160045 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To broaden the scope of contaminants monitored in human-impacted riverine systems, water, sediment, and treated wastewater effluent were analyzed using receptor-based cell assays that provide an integrated response to chemicals based on their mode of biological activity. Samples were collected from three California (USA) watersheds with varying degrees of urbanization and discharge from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). To complement cell assay results, samples were also analyzed for a suite of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) using gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC- and LC-MS/MS). For most water and sediment samples, bioassay equivalent concentrations for estrogen and glucocorticoid receptor assays (ER- and GR-BEQs, respectively) were near or below reporting limits. Measured CEC concentrations compared to monitoring trigger values established by a science advisory panel indicated minimal to moderate concern in water but suggested that select pesticides (pyrethroids and fipronil) had accumulated to levels of greater concern in river sediments. Integrating robust, standardized bioanalytical tools such as the ER and GR assays utilized in this study into existing chemical-specific monitoring and assessment efforts will enhance future CEC monitoring efforts in impacted riverine systems and coastal watersheds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Maruya
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626, USA
| | - Wenjian Lao
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626, USA
| | - Darcy R Vandervort
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626, USA
| | - Richard Fadness
- California Regional Water Quality Control Board, North Coast Region, Santa Rosa, CA, 95403, USA
| | - Michael Lyons
- California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region, Los Angeles, CA, 90013, USA
| | - Alvine C Mehinto
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chang D, Richardot WH, Miller EL, Dodder NG, Sedlak MD, Hoh E, Sutton R. Framework for nontargeted investigation of contaminants released by wildfires into stormwater runoff: Case study in the northern San Francisco Bay area. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2021; 17:1179-1193. [PMID: 34009690 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires can be extremely destructive to communities and ecosystems. However, the full scope of the ecological damage is often hard to assess, in part due to limited information on the types of chemicals introduced to affected landscapes and waterways. The objective of this study was to establish a sampling, analytical, and interpretive framework to effectively identify and monitor contaminants of emerging concern in environmental water samples impacted by wildfire runoff. A nontargeted analysis consisting of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC/TOF-MS) was conducted on stormwater samples from watersheds in the City of Santa Rosa and Sonoma and Napa Counties, USA, after the three most destructive fires during the October 2017 Northern California firestorm. Chemicals potentially related to wildfires were selected from the thousands of chromatographic features detected through a screening method that compared samples from fire-impacted sites versus unburned reference sites. This screening led to high confidence identifications of 76 potentially fire-related compounds. Authentic standards were available for 48 of these analytes, and 46 were confirmed by matching mass spectra and GC × GC retention times. Of these 46 compounds, 37 had known commercial and industrial uses as intermediates or ingredients in plastics, personal care products, pesticides, and as food additives. Nine compounds had no known uses or sources and may be oxidation products resulting from burning of natural or anthropogenic materials. Preliminary examination of potential toxicity associated with the 46 compounds, conducted via online databases and literature review, indicated limited data availability. Regional comparison suggested that more structural damage may yield a greater number of unique, potentially wildfire-related compounds. We recommend further study of post-wildfire runoff using the framework described here, which includes hypothesis-driven site selection and nontargeted analysis, to uncover potentially significant stormwater contaminants not routinely monitored after wildfires and inform risk assessment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:1179-1193. © 2021 SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Chang
- San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - Ezra L Miller
- San Francisco Estuary Institute, Richmond, California, USA
| | - Nathan G Dodder
- San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego, California, USA
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - Eunha Hoh
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Rebecca Sutton
- San Francisco Estuary Institute, Richmond, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Barbosa J, De Schamphelaere K, Janssen C, Asselman J. Prioritization of contaminants and biological process targets in the North Sea using toxicity data from ToxCast. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 758:144157. [PMID: 33333300 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The increasing number of chemicals detected in the marine environment underlines the need for appropriate prioritization strategies prior to further testing and potential inclusion into monitoring programs. Here, a prioritization strategy is proposed for chemicals detected in the North Sea over the last decade, through the development of a Concern Index (CI) using exposure and toxicity data obtained from peer-review publications and the ToxCast database, respectively. A total of 158 chemicals were ranked and the most sensitive tested assay endpoints were identified. Additionally, similar analysis was performed for the classes of chemicals and Biological Process Targets (BPTs). By first ranking chemicals currently acknowledged for their high toxicity to the aquatic environment, i.e. naphthalene, salicylic acid and simazine, the obtained results not only reinforce the risk posed by these but also promote a confident extrapolation from mammalian in vitro toxicity data to fish. Furthermore, genes targeted by the most sensitive assays, related to basic cell maintenance processes and immune defense, are highly evolutionarily conserved across species. The identification of these assays further reinforces the importance of a shift from traditional toxicity endpoints to lower levels of biological organization, allowing the detection of adverse effects at lower concentrations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Barbosa
- Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, GhEnToxLab, Ghent University, Belgium; Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium.
| | - Karel De Schamphelaere
- Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, GhEnToxLab, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Colin Janssen
- Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, GhEnToxLab, Ghent University, Belgium; Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Jana Asselman
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mehinto AC, Schoenfuss HL, Wenger E, Diehl D, Bay SM. Application of an Effects-Based Monitoring Strategy to Assess the Impact of Contaminants on Fish Health in an Urbanized Watershed. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:402-412. [PMID: 33136302 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Effects-based monitoring frameworks that combine the use of analytical chemistry with in vitro cell bioassays, as well as in vivo whole organism tests offer an integrative approach to broadly screen for chemical contaminants and link their presence with adverse effects on aquatic organisms. California (USA) is currently evaluating the use of such a framework to assess the impact of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) on biota in urbanized rivers and other waterbodies. In the present study, the occurrence and effects of contaminants found in the Los Angeles River (Los Angeles County, CA, USA) were examined using analytical chemistry and in vitro and in vivo bioassays. Male fathead minnows were deployed in field-based exposure units and exposed to river water for 21 d. The 2 field sites (above Bull Creek [BLC] and below Glendale Water Reclamation Plant [GWR]) were selected based on their unique characteristics and different contaminant discharge sources. In addition, 2 control units (filtered city water and estrone-spiked water) were added to the experimental design. Chemical analyses revealed differences in abundance of CECs between the 2 field sites and the controls, with GWR having the highest number and concentrations of CECs and metals. Cell bioassays screening for estrogenic, glucocorticoid, progestin, and dioxin-like activities were near or below detection limits in all river water samples, indicating a low potential for endocrine-related toxicity and tissue damage. Cell bioassay results were corroborated by the in vivo analyses. Field-exposed fish exhibited no changes in plasma hormones (e.g., estradiol), vitellogenin, or gonad maturation, but gene biomarkers of chemical exposure (cytochrome p450 1A and metallothionein) were significantly elevated, confirming exposure of the fish to complex chemical mixtures. The results demonstrate the value of a tiered monitoring approach to assess the sublethal effects of chemical mixtures on aquatic life. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:402-412. © 2020 SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alvine C Mehinto
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Heiko L Schoenfuss
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ellie Wenger
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Dario Diehl
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Steven M Bay
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Leung KM, Yeung KW, You J, Choi K, Zhang X, Smith R, Zhou G, Yung MM, Arias‐Barreiro C, An Y, Burket SR, Dwyer R, Goodkin N, Hii YS, Hoang T, Humphrey C, Iwai CB, Jeong S, Juhel G, Karami A, Kyriazi‐Huber K, Lee K, Lin B, Lu B, Martin P, Nillos MG, Oginawati K, Rathnayake I, Risjani Y, Shoeb M, Tan CH, Tsuchiya MC, Ankley GT, Boxall AB, Rudd MA, Brooks BW. Toward Sustainable Environmental Quality: Priority Research Questions for Asia. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2020; 39:1485-1505. [PMID: 32474951 PMCID: PMC7496081 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Environmental and human health challenges are pronounced in Asia, an exceptionally diverse and complex region where influences of global megatrends are extensive and numerous stresses to environmental quality exist. Identifying priorities necessary to engage grand challenges can be facilitated through horizon scanning exercises, and to this end we identified and examined 23 priority research questions needed to advance toward more sustainable environmental quality in Asia, as part of the Global Horizon Scanning Project. Advances in environmental toxicology, environmental chemistry, biological monitoring, and risk-assessment methodologies are necessary to address the adverse impacts of environmental stressors on ecosystem services and biodiversity, with Asia being home to numerous biodiversity hotspots. Intersections of the food-energy-water nexus are profound in Asia; innovative and aggressive technologies are necessary to provide clean water, ensure food safety, and stimulate energy efficiency, while improving ecological integrity and addressing legacy and emerging threats to public health and the environment, particularly with increased aquaculture production. Asia is the largest chemical-producing continent globally. Accordingly, sustainable and green chemistry and engineering present decided opportunities to stimulate innovation and realize a number of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Engaging the priority research questions identified herein will require transdisciplinary coordination through existing and nontraditional partnerships within and among countries and sectors. Answering these questions will not be easy but is necessary to achieve more sustainable environmental quality in Asia. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1485-1505. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth M.Y. Leung
- Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Hong KongPokfulamHong KongChina
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and Department of ChemistryCity University of Hong KongKowloonHong KongChina
| | - Katie W.Y. Yeung
- Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Hong KongPokfulamHong KongChina
| | - Jing You
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and HealthJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | | | - Xiaowei Zhang
- School of the EnvironmentNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | | | - Guang‐Jie Zhou
- Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological SciencesUniversity of Hong KongPokfulamHong KongChina
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chris Humphrey
- Supervising Scientist BranchCanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryAustralia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bin‐Le Lin
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and TechnologyTokyoJapan
| | - Ben Lu
- International Copper Association–AsiaShanghaiChina
| | | | - Mae Grace Nillos
- College of Fisheries and Ocean SciencesUniversity of the Philippines VisayasIloilo CityPhilippines
| | | | - I.V.N. Rathnayake
- Department of MicrobiologyFaculty of Science, University of KelaniyaKelaniyaSri Lanka
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bryan W. Brooks
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and HealthJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Baylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ju YR, Chen CF, Chen CW, Tsai ML, Wu JC, Dong CD. An integrative assessment to determine the sediment toxicity of Kaohsiung Harbor in Taiwan: combining chemical analysis and cytotoxicity assay. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:34321-34331. [PMID: 30919177 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04840-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the toxicity of sediments collected from the mouths of four rivers and entrances of Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan, a combination of in vitro cytotoxicity assays (Clone 9 cells) and chemical analysis that quantified 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 10 phthalate esters (PAEs), and 2 alkylphenols (APs) was employed. Results showed that the total concentrations of PAHs, PAEs, and APs ranged between 77.9 and 24,363 ng/g dw, between 268 and 118,010 ng/g dw, and between 32.6 and 84,438 ng/g dw in sediments, respectively. The highest concentrations of PAHs, PAEs, and APs were found in the mouths of the Salt River (SR), Love River (LR), and Jen-Gen River (JR), respectively. Mean reference sediment quotient (m-RSQ) values were calculated using the chemical concentrations measured in the sediment of entrance I (EI) as the benchmark, and the order was SR > LR > JR > CR (Canon River mouth) > EII (entrance II) > EI. Results of the cytotoxicity assay showed that the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Clone 9 cells was in the order of LR < SR < JR < CR < EII < EI. Results on DNA content, apoptotic and autophagy protein biomarkers, and acridine orange staining indicated that the cause of death of Clone 9 cells after treatment with sediment extracts of the LR site was mainly through apoptosis. There was a significant correlation between m-RSQ values and IC50 of Clone 9 cells. The correlation analysis between cytotoxicity and chemical analytical data indicated that certain unknown chemicals may exist in LR sediment. Overall, this study demonstrated that the combination of chemical and biological analyses can provide a more comprehensive and realistic assessment of sediment toxicity to aquatic organisms compared to traditional chemistry-based-only analytical approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Ru Ju
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Feng Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Wen Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan.
| | - Mei-Ling Tsai
- Department of Seafood Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Ching Wu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 704, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Di Dong
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Leonard JA. Supporting systems science through in silico applications: A focus on informing metabolic mechanisms. CURRENT OPINION IN TOXICOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cotox.2019.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
13
|
Fairbrother A, Muir D, Solomon KR, Ankley GT, Rudd MA, Boxall AB, Apell JN, Armbrust KL, Blalock BJ, Bowman SR, Campbell LM, Cobb GP, Connors KA, Dreier DA, Evans MS, Henry CJ, Hoke RA, Houde M, Klaine SJ, Klaper RD, Kullik SA, Lanno RP, Meyer C, Ottinger MA, Oziolor E, Petersen EJ, Poynton HC, Rice PJ, Rodriguez‐Fuentes G, Samel A, Shaw JR, Steevens JA, Verslycke TA, Vidal‐Dorsch DE, Weir SM, Wilson P, Brooks BW. Toward Sustainable Environmental Quality: Priority Research Questions for North America. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2019; 38:1606-1624. [PMID: 31361364 PMCID: PMC6852658 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Anticipating, identifying, and prioritizing strategic needs represent essential activities by research organizations. Decided benefits emerge when these pursuits engage globally important environment and health goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. To this end, horizon scanning efforts can facilitate identification of specific research needs to address grand challenges. We report and discuss 40 priority research questions following engagement of scientists and engineers in North America. These timely questions identify the importance of stimulating innovation and developing new methods, tools, and concepts in environmental chemistry and toxicology to improve assessment and management of chemical contaminants and other diverse environmental stressors. Grand challenges to achieving sustainable management of the environment are becoming increasingly complex and structured by global megatrends, which collectively challenge existing sustainable environmental quality efforts. Transdisciplinary, systems-based approaches will be required to define and avoid adverse biological effects across temporal and spatial gradients. Similarly, coordinated research activities among organizations within and among countries are necessary to address the priority research needs reported here. Acquiring answers to these 40 research questions will not be trivial, but doing so promises to advance sustainable environmental quality in the 21st century. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1606-1624. © 2019 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Derek Muir
- Aquatic Contaminants Research DivisionEnvironment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington ONCanada
| | - Keith R. Solomon
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of Guelph, GuelphOntarioCanada
| | | | | | | | - Jennifer N. Apell
- Department of Civil & Environmental EngineeringMassachusetts Institute of Technology, CambridgeMAUSA
| | - Kevin L. Armbrust
- Department of Environmental Sciences, College of the Coast and EnvironmentLouisiana State University, Baton RougeLouisianaUSA
| | - Bonnie J. Blalock
- School for the EnvironmentUniversity of Massachusetts BostonBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Sarah R. Bowman
- Michigan Department of Environmental QualityDetroitMichiganUSA
| | - Linda M. Campbell
- Environmental Science, Saint Mary's University, HalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
| | - George P. Cobb
- Department of Environmental ScienceBaylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
| | | | - David A. Dreier
- Center for Environmental & Human ToxicologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Marlene S. Evans
- Aquatic Contaminants Research DivisionEnvironment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington ONCanada
| | | | | | - Magali Houde
- Aquatic Contaminants Research DivisionEnvironment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington ONCanada
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mary Ann Ottinger
- Department of Biology and BiochemistryUniversity of HoustonHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Elias Oziolor
- Department of Environmental ScienceBaylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
| | - Elijah J. Petersen
- Material Measurement LaboratoryNational Institute of Standards and TechnologyGaithersburgMarylandUSA
| | - Helen C. Poynton
- School for the EnvironmentUniversity of Massachusetts BostonBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Pamela J. Rice
- US Department of AgricultureAgricultural Research ServiceWashington, DC
| | | | | | - Joseph R. Shaw
- School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana UniversityBloomingtonIndianaUSA
| | | | | | | | - Scott M. Weir
- Queen's University of CharlotteCharlotteNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Bryan W. Brooks
- Procter and GambleCincinnatiOhioUSA
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abbas A, Schneider I, Bollmann A, Funke J, Oehlmann J, Prasse C, Schulte-Oehlmann U, Seitz W, Ternes T, Weber M, Wesely H, Wagner M. What you extract is what you see: Optimising the preparation of water and wastewater samples for in vitro bioassays. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 152:47-60. [PMID: 30660097 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.12.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of water quality is crucial for safeguarding drinking water resources and ecosystem integrity. To this end, sample preparation and extraction is critically important, especially when investigating emerging contaminants and the toxicity of water samples. As extraction methods are rarely optimised for bioassays but rather adopted from chemical analysis, this may result in a misrepresentation of the actual toxicity. In this study, surface water, groundwater, hospital and municipal wastewater were used to characterise the impacts of common sample preparation techniques (acidification, filtration and solid phase extraction (SPE)) on the outcomes of eleven in vitro bioassays. The latter covered endocrine activity (reporter gene assays for estrogen, androgen, aryl-hydrocarbon, retinoic acid, retinoid X, vitamin D, thyroid receptor), mutagenicity (Ames fluctuation test), genotoxicity (umu test) and cytotoxicity. Water samples extracted using different SPE sorbents (Oasis HLB, Supelco ENVI-Carb+, Telos C18/ENV) at acidic and neutral pH were compared for their performance in recovering biological effects. Acidification, commonly used for stabilisation, significantly altered the endocrine activity and toxicity of most (waste)water samples. Sample filtration did not affect the majority of endpoints but in certain cases affected the (anti-)estrogenic and dioxin-like activities. SPE extracts (10.4 × final concentration), including WWTP effluents, induced significant endocrine effects that were not detected in aqueous samples (0.63 × final concentration), such as estrogenic, (anti-)androgenic and dioxin-like activities. When ranking the SPE methods using multivariate Pareto optimisation an extraction with Telos C18/ENV at pH 7 was most effective in recovering toxicity. At the same time, these extracts were highly cytotoxic masking the endpoint under investigation. Compared to that, extraction at pH 2.5 enriched less cytotoxicity. In summary, our study demonstrates that sample preparation and extraction critically affect the outcome of bioassays when assessing the toxicity of water samples. Depending on the water matrix and the bioassay, these methods need to be optimised to accurately assess water quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aennes Abbas
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Ilona Schneider
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Anna Bollmann
- Zweckverband Landeswasserversorgung, Am Spitzigen Berg 1, D-89129, Langenau, Germany
| | - Jan Funke
- IWW Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wasser Beratungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, Moritzstraße 26, D-45476, Muelheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Jörg Oehlmann
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Carsten Prasse
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Ulrike Schulte-Oehlmann
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Wolfram Seitz
- Zweckverband Landeswasserversorgung, Am Spitzigen Berg 1, D-89129, Langenau, Germany
| | - Thomas Ternes
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, D-56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Marcus Weber
- Department of Numerical Analysis and Modelling, Konrad-Zuse-Zentrum für Informationstechnik Berlin (ZIB), Takustraße 7, D-14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henning Wesely
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, D-56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Martin Wagner
- Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438, Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Solid-phase extraction of estrogens and herbicides from environmental waters for bioassay analysis-effects of sample volume on recoveries. Anal Bioanal Chem 2019; 411:2057-2069. [PMID: 30734083 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-019-01628-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ecotoxicological screening of surface waters can involve multiple analyses using multiple bioassay and chemical analytical methods that require enriched samples to reach low concentrations. Such broad screening of the same sample necessitates sufficient sample volume-typically several liters-to produce a sufficient amount of enriched sample. Often, this is achieved by performing parallel solid-phase extractions (SPE) where extracts are combined into a pool-this is a laborious process. In this study, we first validated our existing SPE method for the chemical recovery of an extended set of compounds. We spiked four estrogenic compounds and 11 herbicides to samples from independent rivers (1 L) and wastewater treatment plant effluents (0.5 L). Then, we investigated the effect of increased sample loading of the SPE cartridges on both chemical and biological recoveries by comparing the validated volumes with four times larger sample volumes (i.e., 4 L river water and 2 L effluent). Samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS and three bioassays: an estrogen receptor transactivation assay (ERα-CALUX), the combined algae test, and a bacterial bioluminescence inhibition assay. Our existing SPE method was found to be suitable for enriching the extended set of estrogens and herbicides in river water and effluents with near to perfect chemical recoveries (~ 100%), except for the herbicide metribuzin (46 ± 19%). In the large volume river and effluent samples, the biological activities and concentrations of the spiked compounds were between 87 and 104% of those measured with the lower sample loading, which is adequate. In addition, the ratio between the large and original volume SPE method for the non-target endpoint (bacterial bioluminescence inhibition) was acceptable (on average 82 ± 9%). Results indicate that our current water extraction method can be applied to up to four times larger sample volumes, resulting in four times more extract volumes, without significant reductions in recoveries for the tested estrogens and herbicides. Graphical abstract ᅟ.
Collapse
|
16
|
Dingemans MML, Baken KA, van der Oost R, Schriks M, van Wezel AP. Risk-based approach in the revised European Union drinking water legislation: Opportunities for bioanalytical tools. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2019; 15:126-134. [PMID: 30144268 PMCID: PMC7379647 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A plethora of in vitro bioassays are developed in the context of chemical risk assessment and clinical diagnostics to test effects on different biological processes. Such assays can also be implemented in effect-based monitoring (EBM) of (drinking) water quality alongside chemical analyses. Effects-based monitoring can provide insight into risks for the environment and human health associated with exposure to (unknown) complex, low-level mixtures of micropollutants, which fits in the risk-based approach that was recently introduced in the European Drinking Water Directive. Some challenges remain, in particular those related to selection and interpretation of bioassays. For water quality assessment, carcinogenesis, adverse effects on reproduction and development, effects on xenobiotic metabolism, modulation of hormone systems, DNA reactivity, and adaptive stress responses are considered the most relevant toxicological endpoints. An evaluation procedure of the applicability and performance of in vitro bioassays for water quality monitoring, based on existing information, has been developed, which can be expanded with guidelines for experimental evaluations. In addition, a methodology for the interpretation of in vitro monitoring data is required, because the sensitivity of specific in vitro bioassays in combination with sample concentration may lead to responses of chemicals (far) below exposure concentrations that are relevant for human health effects. Different approaches are proposed to derive effect-based trigger values (EBTs), including EBTs based on (1) relative ecotoxicity potency, (2) health-based threshold values for chronic exposure in humans and kinetics of reference chemicals, and (3) read-across from (drinking) water guideline values. Effects-based trigger values need to be chosen carefully in order to be sufficiently but not overly conservative to indicate potential health effects. Consensus on the crucial steps in the selection and interpretation of in vitro bioassay data will facilitate implementation and legal embedding in the context of water quality monitoring of such assays in EBM strategies. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:126-134. © 2018 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ron van der Oost
- Waternet Institute for the Urban Water CycleAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | - Annemarie P van Wezel
- KWR Watercycle Research InstituteNieuwegeinThe Netherlands
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable DevelopmentUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Yang M, Ren B, Qiao L, Ren B, Hu Y, Zhao R, Ren Z, Du J. Behavior responses of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to aquatic environmental stresses in the characteristic of circadian rhythms. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 210:129-138. [PMID: 29986218 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
As behavior shows a distinct circadian rhythm, it is hypothesized that circadian rhythms based on zebrafish (Danio rerio) behavior responses could be affected by contaminants in this study, and then the behavior strength of zebrafish exposed to 0.005 mg/L Cadmium chloride (CdCl2), 0.01 mg/L Dibasic Sodium Phosphate (Na2HPO4), 0.002 mg/L deltamethrin, and 0.003 mg/L atrazine for 6 days is used to illustrate the possibility of behavior circadian rhythms as an indicator in the environmental stress assessment. Statistical analysis with p < 0.01 shows that a clear difference between average values of BS during dark period (AVD) and those during light period (AVL) could be observed, and 24 h circadian rhythms do exist in zebrafish behavior responses. Both BS values and circadian rhythms of zebrafish can be affected in the aspect of periodicity with clear time delay, which were 1 h delay in CdCl2, 4 h delay in Na2HPO4, 4 h delay in deltamethrin, and 1 h delay in atrazine. Behavior circadian rhythms were disturbed according to the repetitive cycles after autocorrelation analysis, and the toxic effects of different chemicals could be reflected by the profiles of the Self-Organizing Map (SOM), which indicated the circadian rhythm disorder in different degrees. These results deduced from the statistical analysis, autocorrelation and SOM strongly supported that circadian rhythms based on zebrafish BS could be used as an indicator in the environmental stress assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meiyi Yang
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Ji'nan 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Baigang Ren
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Ji'nan 250014, Shandong, China; School of Physics and Electronic Science, Shandong Normal University, Ji'nan 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Linlin Qiao
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Ji'nan 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Baixiang Ren
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Ji'nan 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Yongyuan Hu
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Ji'nan 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Ruibin Zhao
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Ji'nan 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Zongming Ren
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Ji'nan 250014, Shandong, China.
| | - Jun Du
- School of Physics and Electronic Science, Shandong Normal University, Ji'nan 250014, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Marshall M, Pineda M, Yargeau V. Impact of Suspended Solids on the Use of LuminoTox to Detect Toxicity of Micropollutants. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2018; 74:633-644. [PMID: 29167965 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-017-0478-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing need for tools to monitor toxicity of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in wastewater. The purpose of this work was to assess interferences in the presence of total solids (TS) and total suspended solids (TSS) in the LuminoTox at concentrations typical of those found in municipal secondary effluent (SE) and to evaluate a simple sample enrichment method for increased CEC sensitivity. 4 or 10 µg/L atrazine in different TS concentrations and in corresponding filtrates (TSS removed) exhibited equivalent toxicities. Because the only difference between these two fractions is the TSS, this result demonstrates that, generally, this fraction does not induce toxicity nor interfere with the bioassay. At constant medium-low TS, the LuminoTox was able to detect the presence of 4 µg/L of atrazine but could not distinguish the change in atrazine concentration between 4 and 6 µg/L. No inhibition was observed in the presence of a mix of 14 CECs each at 0.23 µg/L. However, upon sample enrichment by lyophilization (50×), an inhibition of 81 ± 3% was observed. The enriched SE alone (not spiked with CECs) led to an inhibition of 49 ± 1%, indicating the detection of the CEC contribution to toxicity after sample preconcentration. The LuminoTox is a promising tool for monitoring SE; however, if the intent is to detect CECs, enrichment method optimization is required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Marshall
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University St, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Marco Pineda
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University St, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C5, Canada
| | - Viviane Yargeau
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University St, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C5, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Neale PA, Brack W, Aït-Aïssa S, Busch W, Hollender J, Krauss M, Maillot-Maréchal E, Munz NA, Schlichting R, Schulze T, Vogler B, Escher BI. Solid-phase extraction as sample preparation of water samples for cell-based and other in vitro bioassays. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2018; 20:493-504. [PMID: 29493668 DOI: 10.1039/c7em00555e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
In vitro bioassays are increasingly used for water quality monitoring. Surface water samples often need to be enriched to observe an effect and solid-phase extraction (SPE) is commonly applied for this purpose. The applied methods are typically optimised for the recovery of target chemicals and not for effect recovery for bioassays. A review of the few studies that have evaluated SPE recovery for bioassays showed a lack of experimentally determined recoveries. Therefore, we systematically measured effect recovery of a mixture of 579 organic chemicals covering a wide range of physicochemical properties that were spiked into a pristine water sample and extracted using large volume solid-phase extraction (LVSPE). Assays indicative of activation of xenobiotic metabolism, hormone receptor-mediated effects and adaptive stress responses were applied, with non-specific effects determined through cytotoxicity measurements. Overall, effect recovery was found to be similar to chemical recovery for the majority of bioassays and LVSPE blanks had no effect. Multi-layer SPE exhibited greater recovery of spiked chemicals compared to LVSPE, but the blanks triggered cytotoxicity at high enrichment. Chemical recovery data together with single chemical effect data were used to retrospectively estimate with reverse recovery modelling that there was typically less than 30% effect loss expected due to reduced SPE recovery in published surface water monitoring studies. The combination of targeted experiments and mixture modelling clearly shows the utility of SPE as a sample preparation method for surface water samples, but also emphasizes the need for adequate controls when extraction methods are adapted from chemical analysis workflows.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peta A Neale
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Werner Brack
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany. and RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Selim Aït-Aïssa
- Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques INERIS, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Wibke Busch
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Juliane Hollender
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland and Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Krauss
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | | | - Nicole A Munz
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland and Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rita Schlichting
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Tobias Schulze
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Bernadette Vogler
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Beate I Escher
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia and UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany. and Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Environmental Toxicology, Center for Applied Geosciences, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Mehinto AC, Kroll KJ, Jayasinghe BS, Lavelle CM, VanDervort D, Adeyemo OK, Bay SM, Maruya KA, Denslow ND. Linking in vitro estrogenicity to adverse effects in the inland silverside (Menidia beryllina). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2018; 37:884-892. [PMID: 29091346 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput cell assays that detect and integrate the response of multiple chemicals acting via a common mode of action have the potential to enhance current environmental monitoring practices. Establishing the linkage between in vitro and in vivo responses is key to demonstrating that in vitro cell assays can be predictive of ecologically relevant outcomes. The present study investigated the potency of 17β-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), nonylphenol (NP), and treated wastewater effluent using the readily available GeneBLAzer® estrogen receptor transactivation assay and 2 life stages of the inland silverside (Menidia beryllina). In vitro estrogenic potencies were ranked as follows: E2 > E1 >> NP. All 3 model estrogens induced vitellogenin and choriogenin expression in a dose-dependent manner in larvae and juveniles. However, apical effects were only found for E2 and E1 exposures of juveniles, which resulted in female-skewed sex ratios. Wastewater effluent samples exhibiting low in vitro estrogenicity (below the 10% effective concentration [EC10]), did not cause significant changes in M. beryllina. Significant induction of estrogen-responsive genes was observed at concentrations 6 to 26 times higher than in vitro responses. Gonadal feminization occurred at concentrations at least 19 to 26 times higher than the in vitro responses. These findings indicated that in vitro cell assays were more sensitive than the fish assays, making it possible to develop in vitro effect thresholds protective of aquatic organisms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:884-892. © 2017 SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alvine C Mehinto
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority (SCCWRP), Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Kevin J Kroll
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - B Sumith Jayasinghe
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Candice M Lavelle
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Darcy VanDervort
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority (SCCWRP), Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Olanike K Adeyemo
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Steven M Bay
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority (SCCWRP), Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Keith A Maruya
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority (SCCWRP), Costa Mesa, California, USA
| | - Nancy D Denslow
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Glover CN. Defence mechanisms: the role of physiology in current and future environmental protection paradigms. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 6:coy012. [PMID: 29564135 PMCID: PMC5848810 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Ecological risk assessments principally rely on simplified metrics of organismal sensitivity that do not consider mechanism or biological traits. As such, they are unable to adequately extrapolate from standard laboratory tests to real-world settings, and largely fail to account for the diversity of organisms and environmental variables that occur in natural environments. However, an understanding of how stressors influence organism health can compensate for these limitations. Mechanistic knowledge can be used to account for species differences in basal biological function and variability in environmental factors, including spatial and temporal changes in the chemical, physical and biological milieu. Consequently, physiological understanding of biological function, and how this is altered by stressor exposure, can facilitate proactive, predictive risk assessment. In this perspective article, existing frameworks that utilize physiological knowledge (e.g. biotic ligand models, adverse outcomes pathways and mechanistic effect models), are outlined, and specific examples of how mechanistic understanding has been used to predict risk are highlighted. Future research approaches and data needs for extending the incorporation of physiological information into ecological risk assessments are discussed. Although the review focuses on chemical toxicants in aquatic systems, physical and biological stressors and terrestrial environments are also briefly considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chris N Glover
- Faculty of Science and Technology and Athabasca River Basin Research Institute, Athabasca University, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, CW 405, Biological Sciences Bldg. University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9
- Corresponding author: 1 University Drive, Athabasca, Alberta, Canada T9S 3A3. Tel: +(587) 985 8007.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Müller ME, Escher BI, Schwientek M, Werneburg M, Zarfl C, Zwiener C. Combining in vitro reporter gene bioassays with chemical analysis to assess changes in the water quality along the Ammer River, Southwestern Germany. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE 2018; 30:20. [PMID: 29984126 PMCID: PMC6006277 DOI: 10.1186/s12302-018-0148-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rivers receive water and associated organic micropollutants from their entire catchment, including from urban, agricultural and natural sources, and constitute an important environmental component for catalyzing pollutant turnover. Environmental removal processes were extensively investigated under laboratory conditions in the past but there is still a lack of information on how organic micropollutants attenuate on the catchment scale. The aim of this study was to describe the chemical and toxicological profile of a 4th order river and to characterize in-stream processes. We propose indicator chemicals and indicator in vitro bioassays as screening methods to evaluate micropollutant input and transport and transformation processes of the chemical burden in a river. Carbamazepine and sulfamethoxazole were selected as indicators for dilution processes and the moderately degradable chemicals tramadol and sotalol as indicators for potential in-stream attenuation processes. The battery of bioassays covers seven environmentally relevant modes of action, namely estrogenicity, glucocorticogenic activity, androgenicity progestagenic activity and oxidative stress response, as well as activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, using the GeneBLAzer test battery and the AhR-CALUX and AREc32 assays. RESULTS Both approaches, targeted chemical analysis and in vitro bioassays, identified a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) as a major input source of organic micropollutants that dominantly influenced the water quality of the river. Downstream of the WWTP the amount of detected chemicals and biological effects decreased along the river flow. The organic indicator chemicals of known degradability uncovered dilution and potential loss processes in certain river stretches. The average cytotoxic potency of the river water decreased in a similar fashion as compounds of medium degradability such as the pharmaceutical sotalol. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that the indicator chemical/indicator bioassay approach is suitable for identifying input sources of a mixture of organic micropollutants and to trace changes in the water quality along small rivers. This method forms the necessary basis for evaluating the natural attenuation processes of organic micropollutants on a catchment scale, especially when combined with enhanced sampling strategies in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian E. Müller
- Center for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Beate I. Escher
- Center for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marc Schwientek
- Center for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Martina Werneburg
- Center for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christiane Zarfl
- Center for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Zwiener
- Center for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
You J, Li H. Improving the accuracy of effect-directed analysis: the role of bioavailability. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2017; 19:1484-1498. [PMID: 29114659 DOI: 10.1039/c7em00377c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic ecosystems have been suffering from contamination by multiple stressors. Traditional chemical-based risk assessment usually fails to explain the toxicity contributions from contaminants that are not regularly monitored or that have an unknown identity. Diagnosing the causes of noted adverse outcomes in the environment is of great importance in ecological risk assessment and in this regard effect-directed analysis (EDA) has been designed to fulfill this purpose. The EDA approach is now increasingly used in aquatic risk assessment owing to its specialty in achieving effect-directed nontarget analysis; however, a lack of environmental relevance makes conventional EDA less favorable. In particular, ignoring the bioavailability in EDA may cause a biased and even erroneous identification of causative toxicants in a mixture. Taking bioavailability into consideration is therefore of great importance to improve the accuracy of EDA diagnosis. The present article reviews the current status and applications of EDA practices that incorporate bioavailability. The use of biological samples is the most obvious way to include bioavailability into EDA applications, but its development is limited due to the small sample size and lack of evidence for metabolizable compounds. Bioavailability/bioaccessibility-based extraction (bioaccessibility-directed and partitioning-based extraction) and passive-dosing techniques are recommended to be used to integrate bioavailability into EDA diagnosis in abiotic samples. Lastly, the future perspectives of expanding and standardizing the use of biological samples and bioavailability-based techniques in EDA are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing You
- School of Environment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Mehinto AC, VanDervort DR, Lao W, He G, Denison MS, Vliet SM, Volz DC, Mazor RD, Maruya KA. High throughput in vitro and in vivo screening of inland waters of Southern California. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2017; 19:1142-1149. [PMID: 28612856 DOI: 10.1039/c7em00170c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The impact of unmonitored contaminants, also known as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), on freshwater streams remains largely uncharacterized. Water samples from 31 streams representing urban, agricultural and undeveloped (i.e., open space) land use in Southern California (USA) were analyzed for in vitro and in vivo bioactivity. The extent and magnitude of bioactivity screened using endocrine-responsive cell bioassays and a fish embryo screening assay were low. In contrast, a wider gradient of responses for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) assay was observed, which was negatively correlated with a measure of benthic community structure. Both aromatic and non-aromatic CECs were tentatively identified in these samples, but polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), known AhR agonists in urban environments, were not present at detectable levels. These results suggest that a combination of in vitro and in vivo show potential as screening techniques for biological condition in situ, but that more advanced, comprehensive analytical methods are needed to identify bioactive contaminants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A C Mehinto
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Boehler S, Strecker R, Heinrich P, Prochazka E, Northcott GL, Ataria JM, Leusch FDL, Braunbeck T, Tremblay LA. Assessment of urban stream sediment pollutants entering estuaries using chemical analysis and multiple bioassays to characterise biological activities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 593-594:498-507. [PMID: 28360001 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.03.209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Stormwater contaminants are a major source of often neglected environmental stressors because of the emphasis placed on the management of municipal and industrial wastewaters. Stormwater-derived pollutants in sediments from two New Zealand estuaries was characterised by analytical chemistry and bioassays. Contaminants were extracted from sediment using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), recovered and concentrated by solid phase extraction (SPE), and analysed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), selected metals, and musk fragrances. The concentrations of PAHs were below the ANZECC Interim Sediment Quality Guideline values while those of lead and zinc exceeded them in some samples. The sediment extracts containing organic contaminants exhibited acute toxicity in the zebrafish fish embryo toxicity (FET) and teratogenicity, induction of biotransformation (EROD activity), and genotoxicity (comet assay) in zebrafish. The potential of the extracts to interact with endocrine signalling processes was assessed by GeneBLAzer reporter gene bioassays and they exhibited estrogenic, androgenic, and anti-progestagenic activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Boehler
- Aquatic Ecology and Toxicology Section, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 504, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ruben Strecker
- Aquatic Ecology and Toxicology Section, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 504, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patrick Heinrich
- Aquatic Ecology and Toxicology Section, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 504, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Erik Prochazka
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia
| | | | | | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia
| | - Thomas Braunbeck
- Aquatic Ecology and Toxicology Section, Centre for Organismal Studies, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 504, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Louis A Tremblay
- Cawthron Institute, Nelson 7010, New Zealand; School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Perkins EJ, Habib T, Escalon BL, Cavallin JE, Thomas L, Weberg M, Hughes MN, Jensen KM, Kahl MD, Villeneuve DL, Ankley GT, Garcia-Reyero N. Prioritization of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Wastewater Treatment Plant Discharges Using Chemical:Gene Interactions in Caged Fish. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51. [PMID: 28651047 PMCID: PMC6126926 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We examined whether contaminants present in surface waters could be prioritized for further assessment by linking the presence of specific chemicals to gene expression changes in exposed fish. Fathead minnows were deployed in cages for 2, 4, or 8 days at three locations near two different wastewater treatment plant discharge sites in the Saint Louis Bay, Duluth, MN and one upstream reference site. The biological impact of 51 chemicals detected in the surface water of 133 targeted chemicals was determined using biochemical endpoints, exposure activity ratios for biological and estrogenic responses, known chemical:gene interactions from biological pathways and knowledge bases, and analysis of the covariance of ovary gene expression with surface water chemistry. Thirty-two chemicals were significantly linked by covariance with expressed genes. No estrogenic impact on biochemical endpoints was observed in male or female minnows. However, bisphenol A (BPA) was identified by chemical:gene covariation as the most impactful estrogenic chemical across all exposure sites. This was consistent with identification of estrogenic effects on gene expression, high BPA exposure activity ratios across all test sites, and historical analysis of the study area. Gene expression analysis also indicated the presence of nontargeted chemicals including chemotherapeutics consistent with a local hospital waste stream. Overall impacts on gene expression appeared to be related to changes in treatment plant function during rain events. This approach appears useful in examining the impacts of complex mixtures on fish and offers a potential route in linking chemical exposure to adverse outcomes that may reduce population sustainability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edward J. Perkins
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS, USA
- Corresponding author: ; ERDC, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd,Vicksburg, MS 39180; phone: +1-601-634-2872
| | - Tanwir Habib
- Badger Technical Services, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS, USA
| | - Barbara L. Escalon
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS, USA
| | - Jenna E. Cavallin
- U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Linnea Thomas
- U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Matthew Weberg
- U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Megan N. Hughes
- U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Jensen
- U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Michael D. Kahl
- U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Daniel L. Villeneuve
- U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Gerald T. Ankley
- U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Natàlia Garcia-Reyero
- U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory, 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg, MS, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Conley JM, Evans N, Cardon MC, Rosenblum L, Iwanowicz LR, Hartig PC, Schenck KM, Bradley PM, Wilson VS. Occurrence and In Vitro Bioactivity of Estrogen, Androgen, and Glucocorticoid Compounds in a Nationwide Screen of United States Stream Waters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:4781-4791. [PMID: 28401766 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b06515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In vitro bioassays are sensitive, effect-based tools used to quantitatively screen for chemicals with nuclear receptor activity in environmental samples. We measured in vitro estrogen (ER), androgen (AR), and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activity, along with a broad suite of chemical analytes, in streamwater from 35 well-characterized sites (3 reference and 32 impacted) across 24 states and Puerto Rico. ER agonism was the most frequently detected with nearly all sites (34/35) displaying activity (range, 0.054-116 ng E2Eq L-1). There was a strong linear relationship (r2 = 0.917) between in vitro ER activity and concentrations of steroidal estrogens after correcting for the in vitro potency of each compound. AR agonism was detected in 5/35 samples (range, 1.6-4.8 ng DHTEq L-1) but concentrations of androgenic compounds were largely unable to account for the in vitro activity. Similarly, GR agonism was detected in 9/35 samples (range, 6.0-43 ng DexEq L-1); however, none of the recognized GR-active compounds on the target-chemical analyte list were detected. The utility of in vitro assays in water quality monitoring was evident from both the quantitative agreement between ER activity and estrogen concentrations, as well as the detection of AR and GR activity for which there were limited or no corresponding target-chemical detections to explain the bioactivity. Incorporation of in vitro bioassays as complements to chemical analyses in standard water quality monitoring efforts would allow for more complete assessment of the chemical mixtures present in many surface waters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Conley
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory/Toxicity Assessment Division , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 United States
| | - Nicola Evans
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory/Toxicity Assessment Division , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 United States
| | - Mary C Cardon
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory/Toxicity Assessment Division , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 United States
| | - Laura Rosenblum
- CB&I Federal Services , Cincinnati, Ohio 45212 United States
| | - Luke R Iwanowicz
- U.S. Geological Survey/Leetown Science Center , Kearneysville, West Virginia 25430 United States
| | - Phillip C Hartig
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory/Toxicity Assessment Division , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 United States
| | - Kathleen M Schenck
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/National Risk Management Research Laboratory/Water Supply and Water Resources Division , Cincinnati, Ohio 45220 United States
| | - Paul M Bradley
- U.S. Geological Survey/South Atlantic Water Science Center , Columbia, South Carolina 29210 United States
| | - Vickie S Wilson
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory/Toxicity Assessment Division , Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 United States
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Mehinto AC, Jayasinghe BS, Vandervort DR, Denslow ND, Maruya KA. Screening for Endocrine Activity in Water Using Commercially-available In Vitro Transactivation Bioassays. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 28060336 DOI: 10.3791/54725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro transactivation bioassays have shown promise as water quality monitoring tools, however their adoption and widespread application has been hindered partly due to a lack of standardized methods and availability of robust, user-friendly technology. In this study, commercially available, division-arrested cell lines were employed to quantitatively screen for endocrine activity of chemicals present in water samples of interest to environmental quality professionals. A single, standardized protocol that included comprehensive quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) checks was developed for Estrogen and Glucocorticoid Receptor activity (ER and GR, respectively) using a cell-based Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assay. Samples of treated municipal wastewater effluent and surface water from freshwater systems in California (USA), were extracted using solid phase extraction and analyzed for endocrine activity using the standardized protocol. Background and dose-response for endpoint-specific reference chemicals met QA/QC guidelines deemed necessary for reliable measurement. The bioassay screening response for surface water samples was largely not detectable. In contrast, effluent samples from secondary treatment plants had the highest measurable activity, with estimated bioassay equivalent concentrations (BEQs) up to 392 ng dexamethasone/L for GR and 17 ng 17β-estradiol/L for ER. The bioassay response for a tertiary effluent sample was lower than that measured for secondary effluents, indicating a lower residual of endocrine active chemicals after advanced treatment. This protocol showed that in vitro transactivation bioassays that utilize commercially available, division-arrested cell "kits", can be adapted to screen for endocrine activity in water.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Keith A Maruya
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority;
| |
Collapse
|