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Nys C, Van Sprang P, Lofts S, Baken S, Delbeke K, De Schamphelaere K. Updated Chronic Copper Bioavailability Models for Invertebrates and Algae. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:450-467. [PMID: 38018744 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5796] [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] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Chronic copper (Cu) bioavailability models have been successfully implemented in European risk assessment frameworks and compliance evaluations. However, they were developed almost two decades ago, which calls for an update. In the study, we present updated chronic Cu bioavailability models for invertebrates and algae. They consider recent ecotoxicity data sets and use the more recent speciation model Windermere Humic Aqueous Model (WHAM) VII and an optimized model structure (i.e., a generalized bioavailability model [gBAM]). Contrary to the classic biotic ligand model, a gBAM models the effect of pH on Cu2+ toxicity via a log-linear relationship parametrized through the pH slope SpH . The recalibrated SpH parameters are -0.208 for invertebrates (Daphnia magna, two clones) and -0.975 for algae (Raphidocelis subcapitata and Chlorella vulgaris). The updated models predict 80% to 100% of the observed effect levels for eight different species within a factor of 2. The only exception was one of the two data sets considering subchronic 7-day mortality to Hyalella azteca: the prediction performance of the updated invertebrate model at pH ≥ 8.3 was poor because the effect of pH on Cu2+ toxicity appeared to be dependent on the pH itself (with a steeper pH slope compared with the updated invertebrate model at pH ≥ 8.1). The prediction performance of the updated Cu bioavailability models was similar to or better than that of the models used for regulatory application in Europe until now, with one exception (i.e., H. azteca). Together with the recently published fish bioavailability model, the models developed in the present study constitute a complete, updated, and consistent bioavailability model set. Overall, the updated chronic Cu bioavailability model set is robust and can be used in regulatory applications. The updated bioavailability model set is currently used under the European Union Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals framework regulation to guide the safe use of Cu. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:450-467. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephen Lofts
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH), Lancaster, UK
| | - Stijn Baken
- International Copper Association, Brussels, Belgium
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Weber-Theen A, Albaseer S, Friedl T, Lorenz M, Gutowski A, Dören L. A microplate-based bioassay for toxicity testing using the large benthic algal species Closterium ehrenbergii. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 255:114781. [PMID: 36933480 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Pollution of water bodies by metals has long been studied but still remains a threat to healthy ecosystems. While most ecotoxicological studies on algae are performed with planktonic standard species such as Raphidocelis subcapitata, benthic algae may depict the majority of the algal flora in rivers and streams. These species encounter different exposure scenarios to pollutants as they are sedentary and not carried away by the current. This particular way of life leads to an integration of toxic effects over time. Therefore, in this study, the effects of six metals on the large unicellular benthic species Closterium ehrenbergii were examined. A miniaturized bioassay with low cell densities of 10-15 cells/mL using microplates was developed. Through chemical analysis, metal complexing properties in the culture medium were demonstrated, that could lead to an underestimation of metal toxicity. Thus, the medium was modified by excluding EDTA and TRIS. The toxicity of the six metals ranked by EC50 values in descending order, was as follows: Cu (5.5 µg/L) > Ag (9.2 µg/L) > Cd (18 µg/L) > Ni (260 µg/L) > Cr (990 µg/L) > Zn (1200 µg/L). In addition, toxic effects on the cell morphology were visualized. Based on a literature review, C. ehrenbergii was shown to be partly more sensitive than R. subcapitata which suggests that it can be a useful addition to ecotoxicological risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Weber-Theen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Laboratories of Ecotoxicology and Analytical Chemistry, RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 3251, 65022 Wiesbaden, Germany; Department of Experimental Phycology and Culture Collection of Algae, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Saeed Albaseer
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Laboratories of Ecotoxicology and Analytical Chemistry, RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 3251, 65022 Wiesbaden, Germany
| | - Thomas Friedl
- Department of Experimental Phycology and Culture Collection of Algae, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maike Lorenz
- Department of Experimental Phycology and Culture Collection of Algae, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - László Dören
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Laboratories of Ecotoxicology and Analytical Chemistry, RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 3251, 65022 Wiesbaden, Germany
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Peters A, Nys C, Merrington G, Verdonck F, Baken S, Cooper CA, Van Assche F, Schlekat C, Garman E. Demonstrating the Reliability of bio-met for Determining Compliance with Environmental Quality Standards for Metals in Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2020; 39:2361-2377. [PMID: 32997832 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The importance of considering the bioavailability of metals in understanding and assessing their toxicity in freshwaters has been recognized for many years. Currently, biotic ligand models (BLMs) are being applied for the derivation and implementation of environmental quality standards (EQS) for metals under the Water Framework Directive in Europe. bio-met is a simplified tool that was developed for implementing bioavailability-based EQS for metals in European freshwaters. We demonstrate the reliability of the relationship between the full BLM predictions and the thresholds (hazardous concentration affecting 5% of species [HC5] values) predicted by bio-met in 3 stages, for the metals copper, nickel, and zinc. First, ecotoxicity data for specific species from laboratory tests in natural waters are compared with predictions by the individual species BLMs included in the full BLMs. Second, the site-specific HC5 values predicted by bio-met for the natural waters used for ecotoxicity testing are compared with those provided by the full BLMs. The reliability of both relationships is demonstrated for all 3 metals, with more than 80% of individual species BLM predictions being within a factor of 3 of the experimental results, and 99% of bio-met local HC5 predictions being within a factor of 2 of the full BLM result. Third, using a larger set of European natural waters in addition demonstrates the reliability of bio-met over a broad range of water chemistry conditions. bio-met is therefore an appropriate tool for performing compliance assessments against EQS values in Europe, due to the demonstrated consistency with the toxicity test data. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:2361-2377. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Peters
- WCA Environment, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Stijn Baken
- European Copper Institute, Brussels, Belgium
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Heavy Metal Extraction under Environmentally Relevant Conditions Using 3-Hydroxy-2-Naphthoate- Based Ionic Liquids: Extraction Capabilities vs. Acute Algal Toxicity. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10093157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the applicability of three task-specific ionic liquids (ILs) as heavy metal extracting agents by contrasting extraction capabilities with algal toxicity. The compounds tested were trihexyltetradecylphosphonium-, methyltrioctylphosphonium- and methyltrioctylammonium 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoates. Experiments were performed to assess if these ILs can provide environmentally safe residual concentrations of the target metals after extraction. Both pure water and natural mineral water samples were spiked with 20 µg L−1 of Cu, Ag, Cd, Hg and Pb, respectively. Quantitative extraction (> 99%) of Hg and Ag was achieved. Cu and Hg were below the respective no-observed-effect-concentrations (NOECs) after extraction and Ag below 0.03 µg L−1. Acute toxicity assays were conducted using two freshwater green algae Raphidocelis subcapitata and Tetradesmus obliquus. Growth inhibition and maximum photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II after 72 h were assessed. ILs were less toxic than similar compounds, but still must be classified as acute toxicants for algae. An inhibiting effect on both growth and chlorophyll fluorescence was observed. The leaching of the ILs into the samples remains a limitation regarding their environmental-friendly applicability. Nonetheless, the extremely efficient removal of Cu, Ag and Hg under environmentally relevant conditions calls for further research, which should focus on the immobilization of the ILs.
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Effects of Fe 3+ on Acute Toxicity and Regeneration of Planarian ( Dugesia japonica) at Different Temperatures. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:8591631. [PMID: 31534964 PMCID: PMC6724543 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8591631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Objective To investigate the effects of different concentrations of Fe3+ on the acute toxicity and regeneration of planarian at different temperatures. Method The planarians were treated with 40 mg/l, 50 mg/l, 60 mg/l, and 70 mg/l Fe3+ solution and placed in 15°C, 20°C, and 25°C, respectively, to observe the mortality and the poisoning pattern of the planarian. In addition, the planarians were cut into three parts of head, trunk, and tail, then placed in Fe3+ solution at concentrations of 10 mg/l, 15 mg/l, 20 mg/l, and 30 mg/l, and placed in 15°C, 20°C, and 25°C respectively, and the regeneration rate of the planarian was investigated. Results At the same temperature, in the concentration of Fe3+ from 40 mg/l to 70 mg/l, the mortality of the planarian increased with the increasing of the concentration of Fe3+; at the same concentration and different temperatures, the death speed of the planarian is the fastest at 20°C, the next at 25°C, and the lowest at 15°C, indicating that the toxic effect of Fe3+ can be accelerated at a suitable temperature of 20°C. At the same temperature, in the low concentration of Fe3+ from 10 mg/l to 30 mg/l, the regeneration rate of the planarian gradually decreased with the increasing of the concentration of Fe3+; at the same concentration and different temperature, the regeneration rate of planarian was faster at 20°C and 25°C, but the difference between 20°C and 25°C was small, and the slowest at 15°C, indicating that the low temperature significantly affects the planarian regeneration speed. The study also found the regeneration rates of the head, trunk, and tail of the planarian were different; the head regeneration was the fastest, the trunk was the second, and the tail was the slowest. Conclusion Fe3+ had obvious toxic effects on the survival and regeneration of planarian; the planarian is sensitive to Fe3+ and may be used to detect Fe3+ water pollution; in addition, temperature can affect the toxic effects of Fe3+ and thus affect the survival and regeneration of the planarian. Therefore, the temperature should be taken into consideration when detecting water Fe3+ pollution.
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Long M, Holland A, Planquette H, González Santana D, Whitby H, Soudant P, Sarthou G, Hégaret H, Jolley DF. Effects of copper on the dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum and its allelochemical potency. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 210:251-261. [PMID: 30878793 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum produces toxic compounds, including paralytic shellfish toxins, but also some unknown extracellular toxins. Although copper (Cu) is an essential element, it can impair microalgal physiology and increase their toxic potency. This study investigated the effect of different concentrations of dissolved Cu (7 nM, 79 nM and 164 nM) on A. minutum allelochemical potency, here defined as negative effects of a protist on competing protists through the release of chemicals. This was studied in relation to its physiology. The effects of Cu were assessed on A. minutum growth, reactive oxygen species level, photosynthesis proxies, lipid metabolism, exudation of dissolved organic compounds, allelochemical potency and on the associate free bacterial community of A. minutum. Only the highest Cu exposure (164 nM) inhibited and delayed the growth of A. minutum, and only in this treatment did the allelochemical potency significantly increase, when the dissolved Cu concentration was still toxic. Within the first 7 days of the high Cu treatment, the physiology of A. minutum was severely impaired with decreased growth and photosynthesis, and increased stress responses and free bacterial density per algal cell. After 15 days, A. minutum partially recovered from Cu stress as highlighted by the growth rate, reactive oxygen species level and photosystem II yields. This recovery could be attributed to the apparent decrease in background dissolved Cu concentration to a non-toxic level, suggesting that the release of exudates may have partially decreased the bioavailable Cu fraction. Overall, A. minutum appeared quite tolerant to Cu, and this work suggests that the modifications in the physiology and in the exudates help the algae to cope with Cu exposure. Moreover, this study shows the complex interplay between abiotic and biotic factors that can influence the dynamic of A. minutum blooms. Modulation in allelochemical potency of A. minutum by Cu may have ecological implications with an increased competitiveness of this species in environments contaminated with Cu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Long
- School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia; Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UMR 6539 CNRS UBO IRD IFREMER -Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, Rue Dumont d'Urville, 29280, Plouzané, France.
| | - Aleicia Holland
- La Trobe University, School of Life Science, Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, Centre for Freshwater Ecosystems, Albury/Wodonga Campus, VIC, Australia
| | - Hélène Planquette
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UMR 6539 CNRS UBO IRD IFREMER -Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, Rue Dumont d'Urville, 29280, Plouzané, France
| | - David González Santana
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UMR 6539 CNRS UBO IRD IFREMER -Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, Rue Dumont d'Urville, 29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Hannah Whitby
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UMR 6539 CNRS UBO IRD IFREMER -Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, Rue Dumont d'Urville, 29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Philippe Soudant
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UMR 6539 CNRS UBO IRD IFREMER -Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, Rue Dumont d'Urville, 29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Géraldine Sarthou
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UMR 6539 CNRS UBO IRD IFREMER -Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, Rue Dumont d'Urville, 29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Hélène Hégaret
- Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UMR 6539 CNRS UBO IRD IFREMER -Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, Rue Dumont d'Urville, 29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Dianne F Jolley
- School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
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Angel BM, Goodwyn K, Jolley DF, Simpson SL. The use of time-averaged concentrations of metals to predict the toxicity of pulsed complex effluent exposures to a freshwater alga. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 238:607-616. [PMID: 29609172 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.03.095] [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: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Intermittent, fluctuating and pulsed contaminant discharges may result in organisms receiving highly variable toxicant exposures. This study investigated the toxicity of continuous and pulsed exposures of a complex, neutralised drainage water (NDW) and dissolved copper-spiked dilute NDW to the green alga, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. The effects of single pulses of between 1 and 48 h duration and continuous exposures (72 h) on algal growth rate inhibition were compared on a time-averaged concentration (TAC) basis. Algal growth rates generally recovered to control levels within 24-48 h of the pulse removal. Continuous exposures to NDW resulted in similar or marginally higher toxicity to the algae when compared to pulsed exposures of equivalent TAC (% NDW). The toxicity of the NDW was attributed mostly to the metals, with the major cations potentially causing effects that are both additive (direct toxicity) and antagonistic (lower bioavailability of trace metals). For dissolved copper in dilute NDW, the pulsed exposures caused slightly higher toxicity than continuous exposures of equivalent dissolved copper TAC, with much of the difference explained by differences in labile copper concentrations between treatments. The results indicate that water quality guideline values for toxicants derived from continuous chronic exposures may be relaxed for pulsed exposures by a factor related to the TAC with the intent to provide an adequately protective but not overly-conservative outcome. The study highlights the influence that natural water quality parameters such as water hardness and DOC can have metal speciation and toxicity, and indicates that these parameters are particularly important for site-specific water quality guideline value derivation where, on a TAC basis, pulsed exposures may be more toxic than continuous exposures typically used in guideline value derivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad M Angel
- Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water Locked Bag 2007, Kirrawee, NSW 2232, Australia.
| | - Kathryn Goodwyn
- Centre for Medical and Molecular Biosciences, School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Dianne F Jolley
- Centre for Medical and Molecular Biosciences, School of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, Australia
| | - Stuart L Simpson
- Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, CSIRO Land and Water Locked Bag 2007, Kirrawee, NSW 2232, Australia
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Bao VWW, Ho KKY, Lai KKY, Mak YKY, Mak EPY, Zhou GJ, Giesy JP, Leung KMY. Water-effect ratio of copper and its application on setting site-specific water quality criteria for protecting marine ecosystems of Hong Kong. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:3170-3182. [PMID: 28656578 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9428-0] [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: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Generic water quality criteria (WQC) of a chemical are usually set based on results generated from toxicity tests which were conducted using standard laboratory water with well-controlled physiochemical properties. However, in natural aquatic environments, physiochemical characteristics, such as salinity, total suspended solid, total organic carbon and the co-existence of chemical contaminants, often vary spatially and temporally. These parameters can, in turn, alter the bioavailability of target chemicals and, thus, influence their toxicity to marine organisms. To account for site specificity, the US Environmental Protection Agency's water-effect ratio (WER = site water-LC50 / laboratory water-LC50) procedure can be applied to derive site-specific WQC. Most past studies, however, were conducted for freshwater systems. Here, for the first time, the WER of copper (Cu) was determined for three marine water control zones (WCZs) in Hong Kong: Victoria Harbour, Deep Bay and Southern WCZs. Samples of water were collected from three locations within each WCZ, while acute toxicities to the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum, intertidal copepod Tigriopus japonicus and larvae of marine medaka Oryzias melastigma were determined in site or laboratory (artificial seawater) waters. Results of this study showed that conservative final WER relative coefficients for Cu ranged from 0.57 to 0.73 for the three WCZs, and water from some locations caused >30% mortality in the fish larvae in the controls (without Cu addition). These results suggested that current generic WQC for Cu are likely under-protective for marine organisms in the three areas, and it should be tightened by multiplying it with site-specific WER to offer better protection to marine biodiversity and integrity of the ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien W W Bao
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kevin K Y Ho
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kenneth K Y Lai
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yanny K Y Mak
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Erica P Y Mak
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Guang-Jie Zhou
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - John P Giesy
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
- The State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences and Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Kenneth M Y Leung
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
- The State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
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Morais SA, Delerue-Matos C, Gabarrell X, Blánquez P. Multimedia fate modeling and comparative impact on freshwater ecosystems of pharmaceuticals from biosolids-amended soils. CHEMOSPHERE 2013; 93:252-62. [PMID: 23746366 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.04.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Revised: 03/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/27/2013] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
This study modeled the impact on freshwater ecosystems of pharmaceuticals detected in biosolids following application on agricultural soils. The detected sulfonamides and hydrochlorothiazide displayed comparatively moderate retention in solid matrices and, therefore, higher transfer fractions from biosolids to the freshwater compartment. However, the residence times of these pharmaceuticals in freshwater were estimated to be short due to abiotic degradation processes. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory mefenamic acid had the highest environmental impact on aquatic ecosystems and warrants further investigation. The estimation of the solid-water partitioning coefficient was generally the most influential parameter of the probabilistic comparative impact assessment. These results and the modeling approach used in this study serve to prioritize pharmaceuticals in the research effort to assess the risks and the environmental impacts on aquatic biota of these emerging pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio Alberto Morais
- SosteniPrA (UAB-IRTA-Inèdit), Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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10
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Campos A, Araújo P, Pinheiro C, Azevedo J, Osório H, Vasconcelos V. Effects on growth, antioxidant enzyme activity and levels of extracellular proteins in the green alga Chlorella vulgaris exposed to crude cyanobacterial extracts and pure microcystin and cylindrospermopsin. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2013; 94:45-53. [PMID: 23726538 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2013.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2012] [Revised: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins have been pointed as important players in the control of phytoplankton diversity and species abundance, causing ecological unbalances and contamination of the environment. In vitro experiments have been undertaken to address the impact of toxic cyanobacteria in green algae. In this regard the aim of this work was to compare the toxicity of two cyanobacteria species, Aphanizomenon ovalisporum and Microcystis aeruginosa, to the green alga Chlorella vulgaris by assessing culture growth when exposed for three and seven days to (I) cyanobacterial cell extracts and (II) pure toxins microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and cylindrospermopsin (CYN). The biochemical response of the green alga to pure toxins was also characterized, through the activity of the antioxidant markers glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the expressed extracellular proteins in seven-day exposed cultures. A. ovalisporum crude extracts were toxic to C. vulgaris. Pure toxins up to 179.0 µg/L, on the other hand, stimulated the green alga growth. Growth results suggest that the toxicity of A. ovalisporum extracts is likely due to a synergistic action of CYN and other metabolites produced by the cyanobacterium. Regarding the green alga antioxidant defense mechanism, CYN at 18.4 and 179.0 µg/L increased the activity of GPx and GST while MC-LR inhibited the enzymes' activity at a concentration of 179.0 µg/L demonstrating a contrasting mode of action. Moreover the identification of F-ATPase subunit, adenylate cyclase, sulfate ABC transporter, putative porin, aspartate aminotransferase, methylene-tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase and chlorophyll a binding proteins in the culture medium of C. vulgaris indicates that biochemical processes involved in the transport of metabolites, photosynthesis and amino acid metabolism are affected by cyanobacterial toxins and may contribute to the regulation of green alga growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Campos
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, CIIMAR/CIMAR, Porto, Portugal.
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11
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Bondarenko O, Juganson K, Ivask A, Kasemets K, Mortimer M, Kahru A. Toxicity of Ag, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles to selected environmentally relevant test organisms and mammalian cells in vitro: a critical review. Arch Toxicol 2013; 87:1181-200. [PMID: 23728526 PMCID: PMC3677982 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-013-1079-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 656] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) of copper oxide (CuO), zinc oxide (ZnO) and especially nanosilver are intentionally used to fight the undesirable growth of bacteria, fungi and algae. Release of these NPs from consumer and household products into waste streams and further into the environment may, however, pose threat to the 'non-target' organisms, such as natural microbes and aquatic organisms. This review summarizes the recent research on (eco)toxicity of silver (Ag), CuO and ZnO NPs. Organism-wise it focuses on key test species used for the analysis of ecotoxicological hazard. For comparison, the toxic effects of studied NPs toward mammalian cells in vitro were addressed. Altogether 317 L(E)C50 or minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values were obtained for algae, crustaceans, fish, bacteria, yeast, nematodes, protozoa and mammalian cell lines. As a rule, crustaceans, algae and fish proved most sensitive to the studied NPs. The median L(E)C50 values of Ag NPs, CuO NPs and ZnO NPs (mg/L) were 0.01, 2.1 and 2.3 for crustaceans; 0.36, 2.8 and 0.08 for algae; and 1.36, 100 and 3.0 for fish, respectively. Surprisingly, the NPs were less toxic to bacteria than to aquatic organisms: the median MIC values for bacteria were 7.1, 200 and 500 mg/L for Ag, CuO and ZnO NPs, respectively. In comparison, the respective median L(E)C50 values for mammalian cells were 11.3, 25 and 43 mg/L. Thus, the toxic range of all the three metal-containing NPs to target- and non-target organisms overlaps, indicating that the leaching of biocidal NPs from consumer products should be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olesja Bondarenko
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Akadeemia tee 23, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Katre Juganson
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Akadeemia tee 23, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
- Department of Chemistry, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Angela Ivask
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Akadeemia tee 23, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Kaja Kasemets
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Akadeemia tee 23, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Monika Mortimer
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Akadeemia tee 23, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
- Aquatic Biogeochemistry and Ecotoxicology, Institute F.-A. Forel, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 10 route de Suisse, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland
| | - Anne Kahru
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Akadeemia tee 23, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia
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12
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Iwasaki Y, Hayashi TI, Kamo M. Estimating population-level HC5 for copper using a species sensitivity distribution approach. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2013; 32:1396-1402. [PMID: 23417717 DOI: 10.1002/etc.2181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Revised: 10/29/2012] [Accepted: 01/12/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Estimation of population-level benchmark concentrations for protecting aquatic organisms from chemicals is important for value-relevant ecological risk assessments. By employing a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) approach, the authors aimed to derive the population-level hazardous concentration for 5% of species (PHC5) for copper. Based on available information on copper toxicity and population models, the authors estimated population threshold concentrations at which the population size is stable (that is, 0 net population growth) for 13 freshwater species (3 algal, 6 invertebrate, and 4 fish species). The PHC5 for copper was then estimated (6.8 µg/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-13.6 µg/L), by fitting a log-normal distribution to the population threshold concentrations obtained. The close overlap between the present study's estimate of the PHC5 and a field-derived threshold concentration suggests that the population-level SSD approach provides a reasonable level of protection for species richness in the natural environment. By contrast, and counterintuitively, the authors' estimate was comparable with the individual-level HC5 reported in the European Union risk assessment. Although the present study cannot determine the underlying reasons for the similar figures, the result provides an indication that the margin between individual-level and population-level benchmarks derived from SSD approaches can be very small. The results therefore suggest that attention is needed to achieve population-level protection using an individual-level SSD approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Iwasaki
- Department of Civil Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
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13
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Morais SA, Delerue-Matos C, Gabarrell X. Accounting for the dissociating properties of organic chemicals in LCIA: an uncertainty analysis applied to micropollutants in the assessment of freshwater ecotoxicity. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2013; 248-249:461-468. [PMID: 23434828 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Revised: 12/28/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
In life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) models, the sorption of the ionic fraction of dissociating organic chemicals is not adequately modeled because conventional non-polar partitioning models are applied. Therefore, high uncertainties are expected when modeling the mobility, as well as the bioavailability for uptake by exposed biota and degradation, of dissociating organic chemicals. Alternative regressions that account for the ionized fraction of a molecule to estimate fate parameters were applied to the USEtox model. The most sensitive model parameters in the estimation of ecotoxicological characterization factors (CFs) of micropollutants were evaluated by Monte Carlo analysis in both the default USEtox model and the alternative approach. Negligible differences of CFs values and 95% confidence limits between the two approaches were estimated for direct emissions to the freshwater compartment; however the default USEtox model overestimates CFs and the 95% confidence limits of basic compounds up to three orders and four orders of magnitude, respectively, relatively to the alternative approach for emissions to the agricultural soil compartment. For three emission scenarios, LCIA results show that the default USEtox model overestimates freshwater ecotoxicity impacts for the emission scenarios to agricultural soil by one order of magnitude, and larger confidence limits were estimated, relatively to the alternative approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio Alberto Morais
- SosteniPrA (UAB-IRTA-Inèdit), Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
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14
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Verschoor AJ, Vink JPM, de Snoo GR, Vijver MG. Spatial and temporal variation of watertype-specific no-effect concentrations and risks of Cu, Ni, and Zn. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2011; 45:6049-6056. [PMID: 21710992 DOI: 10.1021/es2007963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Geographical and temporal variations in metal speciation were calculated and water-type specific sensitivities were derived for a range of aquatic species, using surveillance water chemistry data that cover almost all surface water types in The Netherlands. Biotic ligand models for Cu, Zn, and Ni were used to normalize chronic no-effect concentrations (NOEC) determined in test media toward site-specific NOEC for 372 sites sampled repeatedly over 2007-2010. Site-specific species sensitivity distributions were constructed accounting for chemical speciation. Sensitivity of species as well as predicted risks shifted among species over space and time, due to changes in metal concentrations, speciation, and biotic ligand binding. Sensitivity of individual species (NOEC) and of the ecosystem (HC5) for Cu, Ni, and Zn showed a spatial variation up to 2 orders of magnitude. Seasonality of risks was shown, with an average ratio between lowest and highest risk of 1.3, 2.0, and 3.6 for Cu, Ni, and Zn, respectively. Maximum risks of Cu, Ni, and Zn to ecosystems were predicted in February and minimum risks in September. A risk assessment using space-time specific HC5 of Cu and Zn resulted in a reduction of sites at risk, whereas for Ni the number of sites at risks increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja J Verschoor
- Institute of Environmental Sciences-CML, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.
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15
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Penttinen S, Malk V, Väisänen A, Penttinen OP. Using the critical body residue approach to determine the acute toxicity of cadmium at varying levels of water hardness and dissolved organic carbon concentrations. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2011; 74:1151-1155. [PMID: 21481932 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2011.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2010] [Revised: 03/16/2011] [Accepted: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The linkage between acute adverse effects of cadmium and internal cadmium levels were investigated for the oligochaete worm Lumbriculus variegatus in water at varying degrees of hardness and two different dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations. The LC₅₀s for the effect of cadmium on the survival of the worms greatly differed depending on water hardness and DOC. We found less variability in internal metal toxicity metrics (lethal residue; LR₅₀s) than in external toxicity metrics (lethal concentration; LC₅₀s): LC₅₀s varied from 2.4 to 66.1 μmol/L, while LR₅₀s varied only from 226 to 413 μmol/kg wet weight. The cadmium body burden appeared to be independent of exposure conditions. From our experimental data, a critical cadmium body residue (324 ± 78 μmol/kg wet weight) associated with 50% lethality was derived. The protective role of DOC and water hardness against cadmium toxicity was evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Penttinen
- University of Helsinki, Department of Environmental Sciences, Lahti, Finland
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16
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Gandhi N, Diamond ML, van de Meent D, Huijbregts MAJ, Peijnenburg WJGM, Guinée J. New method for calculating comparative toxicity potential of cationic metals in freshwater: application to copper, nickel, and zinc. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2010; 44:5195-5201. [PMID: 20536257 DOI: 10.1021/es903317a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Current practice in chemical hazard ranking and toxic impact assessments is to estimate fate and toxicity assuming the chemical exists in dissolved and particulate phases and, for metals, that all dissolved species are equally bioavailable. This introduces significant error since metal effects are related to the truly dissolved phase and free metal ion within it, not the total dissolved phase. We introduce a Bioavailability Factor (BF) to the calculation of hazard or Comparative Toxicity Potentials (CTPs) (also known as Characterization Factors; CFs) for use in Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA). The method uses for calculation (1) USEtox for environmental fate, (2) WHAM 6.0 for metal partitioning and speciation in aquatic systems, and (3) Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) for average toxicity. For 12 EU water-types, we calculated medians (range) of CTPs of 1.5 x 10(4) (1.5 x 10(2) to 1.2 x 10(5)), 5.6 x 10(4) (9.4 x 10(3) to 4.1 x 10(5)), and 2.1 x 10(4) (7 x 10(3) to 5.8 x 10(4)) day*m(3)/kg for Cu, Ni, and Zn, respectively, which are up to approximately 1000 times lower than previous values. The greatest contributor to variability in CTPs was the BF, followed by toxicity Effect Factor (EF). The importance of the choice of water-type is shown by changes in the relative ranking of CTPs, which are equally influenced by water chemistry and inherent metal-specific differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilima Gandhi
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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17
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Vignati DAL, Dominik J, Beye ML, Pettine M, Ferrari BJD. Chromium(VI) is more toxic than chromium(III) to freshwater algae: a paradigm to revise? ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2010; 73:743-749. [PMID: 20138363 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2010.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2009] [Revised: 01/14/2010] [Accepted: 01/14/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The behavior and toxicity of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) to the green algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Chlorella kessleri were studied in a standard culture medium (ISO medium) and, for P. subcapitata only, in ultrafiltered natural water enriched with all ISO components (modified ISO medium). In all solutions amended with Cr(III), initial chromium concentrations decreased by 60-90% over 72h (the duration of algal tests) indicating that protocols for testing poorly soluble substances are required to properly evaluate Cr(III) toxicity. After accounting for its behavior in test solutions, chromium(III) was 5-10 times more toxic than Cr(VI) in both media. For P. subcapitata, the average 72h EC50 of Cr(III) in ISO medium was 17.4+/-4.7 microg/L (n=9); lower than corresponding hardness-corrected Continuous Concentration Criteria of the US EPA and well within the range of Cr concentrations found in waters impacted by tannery discharges. These results follow from intrinsic chemical properties of Cr(III) in circumneutral solutions, so that the actual toxicity of Cr(III) to aquatic organisms may be generally underestimated.
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Deleebeeck NME, De Schamphelaere KAC, Janssen CR. Effects of Mg(2+) and H(+) on the toxicity of Ni(2+) to the unicellular green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata: model development and validation with surface waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2009; 407:1901-1914. [PMID: 19150109 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.11.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2008] [Revised: 10/19/2008] [Accepted: 11/20/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
In this study, increasing Mg concentrations and decreasing pH were observed to decrease Ni toxicity to the green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. To investigate to what extent the original biotic ligand model (BLM) concept could explain Ni toxicity as a function of water chemistry, the protective effects of Mg(2+) and H(+) were modeled as BLM-type single-site competition effects. The model parameters representing these effects were log K(MgBL)=3.3 and log K(HBL)=6.5. The BLM was capable of predicting Ni toxicity by an error of less than a factor of 2 in most synthetic and natural waters used in this study. However, since the relationship between 72-h E(r)C50(Ni(2+)) (i.e. the 72-h E(r)C50 expressed as Ni(2+) activity) and H(+) activity was not linear over the entire tested pH range, only the 'linear part' between pH 6.45 and 7.92 was used for derivation of log K(HBL). This nonlinearity indicates that the effect of pH can probably not be attributed to H(+) competition with Ni(2+) for a single site alone. When modeling the effect of pH as a linear relation between 72-h E(r)C50(pNi(2+)) (=-log (72-h E(r)C50(Ni(2+)) corrected for the presence of Mg)) and pH, the applicability of the model was successfully extended to pH levels as low as 6.01. This type of empirical model has also been used in our previous studies on the development of a chronic Ni bioavailability model for Daphnia magna and a long-term Ni bioavailability model for rainbow trout. Finally, we could not detect a statistically significant interactive effect of pH and Mg on the toxicity of Ni(2+) to P. subcapitata and this is in line with the formulation of our empirical model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nele M E Deleebeeck
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Gent University, Jozef Plateaustraat 22, B-9000 Gent, Belgium.
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Markich SJ, King AR, Wilson SP. Non-effect of water hardness on the accumulation and toxicity of copper in a freshwater macrophyte (Ceratophyllum demersum): how useful are hardness-modified copper guidelines for protecting freshwater biota? CHEMOSPHERE 2006; 65:1791-800. [PMID: 16735056 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2006] [Revised: 04/01/2006] [Accepted: 04/05/2006] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Several nations have adopted hardness-modified copper (Cu) guidelines for protecting freshwater biota. However, there is a lack of good quality data and mechanistic understanding on the effects of true water hardness (calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg)) on the bioavailability and toxicity of Cu to freshwater biota, particularly macrophytes. This study determined the effect of true water hardness (35, 90 and 335 mg CaCO(3)/l, added as Ca and Mg chloride in a 1:1 mole ratio) on the cell surface binding affinity (log K), accumulation and toxicity (96 h growth (biomass and stem length) and photosynthetic pigment inhibition) of Cu in the free-floating submerged macrophyte, Ceratophyllum demersum, in a synthetic freshwater with constant alkalinity (16 mg CaCO(3)/l) and pH (7.0). There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the cell surface binding affinity, accumulation or toxicity of Cu in C. demersum with a 10-fold increase in water hardness from 35 to 335 mg CaCO(3)/l. The mean 96 h EC(50) values (and 95% confidence intervals) for biomass, the most sensitive endpoint, were 8.4 (7.6-9.2), 8.9 (8.0-9.8) and 9.9 (9.1-10.7) microg/l Cu for 35, 90 and 335 mg CaCO(3)/l, respectively. Speciation calculations indicated only very small (1-6%) differences in the percentage distribution (i.e. bioavailability) of Cu over the hardness range. These collective results indicate no apparent competition between Cu and Ca/Mg for binding sites on the cell surface. Given that the mechanism of Cu uptake (via Cu-specific and Na-linked transporters) is fundamentally different to that of Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn (via Ca transporters), for which other hardness-dependent algorithms have been developed, it is doubtful whether a hardness-modified Cu guideline value will be sufficiently protective of sensitive freshwater biota, such as C. demersum, particularly in medium-hard fresh surface waters with low levels of dissolved organic carbon. The biotic ligand model offers a more flexible and mechanistic approach for deriving site-specific Cu (metal) guidelines for protecting freshwater biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott J Markich
- Aquatic Solutions International, Level 1, 467 Miller St, Cammeray, NSW 2062, Australia.
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