1
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Kalvani Z, Kamunde C, Stevens D, van den Heuvel MR. A model naphthenic acid decouples oxidative phosphorylation through selective inhibition of mitochondrial complex activity. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 107:104386. [PMID: 38340910 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104386] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The naphthenic acid fraction compound (NAFC), 3,5-dimethyladamantane-1-acetic acid, was tested for its ability to uncouple mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondria isolated from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver were exposed to 3,5-dimethyladamantane-1-acetic acid in state 3 and 4 respiration, and mitochondrial membrane potential were quantified. Electron transport chain (ETC) protein complexes were isolated using pharmacological agents and inhibitors, and their activities measured. The NAFC compound completely inhibited states 3 and 4 respiration with an IC50 of 0.77 and 1.01 mM, respectively. The NAFC compound partially uncoupled mitochondrial membrane potential in state 3 and 4 respiration with an IC50 of 2.19 and 1.73 mM, respectively. The NAFC impaired the activities of ETC protein complexes with a 9.5-fold range in sensitivity. The relative inhibitory effect of the ETC protein complexes to NAFC was CIV≥CI>CIII>CII. The impairment of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation by adamantane 3,5-dimethyladamantane-1-acetic acid is mediated via its inhibition of ETC protein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Kalvani
- Atlantic Veterinary College, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada.
| | - Collins Kamunde
- Atlantic Veterinary College, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada
| | - Don Stevens
- Atlantic Veterinary College, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada
| | - Michael R van den Heuvel
- Atlantic Veterinary College, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada; Canadian Rivers Institute, Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island,Charlottetown,Canada
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2
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Hussain NAS, Stafford JL. Abiotic and biotic constituents of oil sands process-affected waters. J Environ Sci (China) 2023; 127:169-186. [PMID: 36522051 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The oil sands in Northern Alberta are the largest oil sands in the world, providing an important economic resource for the Canadian energy industry. The extraction of petroleum in the oil sands begins with the addition of hot water to the bituminous sediment, generating oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), which is acutely toxic to organisms. Trillions of litres of OSPW are stored on oil sands mining leased sites in man-made reservoirs called tailings ponds. As the volume of OSPW increases, concerns arise regarding the reclamation and eventual release of this water back into the environment. OSPW is composed of a complex and heterogeneous mix of components that vary based on factors such as company extraction techniques, age of the water, location, and bitumen ore quality. Therefore, the effective remediation of OSPW requires the consideration of abiotic and biotic constituents within it to understand short and long term effects of treatments used. This review summarizes selected chemicals and organisms in these waters and their interactions to provide a holistic perspective on the physiochemical and microbial dynamics underpinning OSPW .
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora A S Hussain
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2N8, Canada
| | - James L Stafford
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2N8, Canada.
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3
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Gutierrez-Villagomez JM, Vázquez-Martínez J, Ramírez-Chávez E, Molina-Torres J, Trudeau VL. Profiling low molecular weight organic compounds from naphthenic acids, acid extractable organic mixtures, and oil sands process-affected water by SPME-GC-EIMS. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 390:122186. [PMID: 32006852 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) are complex mixtures of carboxylic acids from petroleum that have industrial applications and that may be released to the environment after oil spills. There is significant research on the chemical composition and toxicity of water-soluble NAs derived from oil sands mining in Alberta, Canada. Yet, little is known about low molecular weight organic compounds (LMWOC) from these sources. Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-electron impact mass spectrometry was used for LMWOC profiling of commercial NA blends, and an acid-extractable organics (AEOs) mixture from a tailings pond. From Sigma 1, Sigma 2, Merichem NAs and the AEO extract, 54, 56, 40 and 4 compounds were identified, respectively. These include aliphatic and cyclic hydrocarbons, carboxylic acids, alkylbenzenes, phenols, naphthalene and alkyl-naphthalene, and decalin compounds. A sample of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) and aqueous solutions of the NA blends were evaluated for matrix effects on LMWOC profiles. Principal component and clustering analyses revealed that LMWOC profiles of commercial extracts were closely related but distinct from the AEO and OSPW samples. Some of the identified LMWOC are reported to be genotoxic or carcinogenic, and therefore the NA mixtures and AEOs should be considered hazardous materials and further evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Vázquez-Martínez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Irapuato (ITESI), Tecnológico Nacional de México (TecNM), Carretera Irapuato - Silao km 12.5 Colonia El Copal, Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico; Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioquímica, CINVESTAV Unidad Irapuato, Guanajuato, 36824, Mexico
| | - Enrique Ramírez-Chávez
- Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioquímica, CINVESTAV Unidad Irapuato, Guanajuato, 36824, Mexico
| | - Jorge Molina-Torres
- Departamento de Biotecnología y Bioquímica, CINVESTAV Unidad Irapuato, Guanajuato, 36824, Mexico
| | - Vance L Trudeau
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada.
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4
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Tanna RN, Redman AD, Frank RA, Arciszewski TJ, Zubot WA, Wrona FJ, Brogly JA, Munkittrick KR. Overview of Existing Science to Inform Oil Sands Process Water Release: A Technical Workshop Summary. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2019; 15:519-527. [PMID: 30908840 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The extraction of oil sands from mining operations in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region uses an alkaline hot water extraction process. The oil sands process water (OSPW) is recycled to facilitate material transport (e.g., ore and tailings), process cooling, and is also reused in the extraction process. The industry has expanded since commercial mining began in 1967 and companies have been accumulating increasing inventories of OSPW. Short- and long-term sustainable water management practices require the ability to return treated water to the environment. The safe release of OSPW needs to be based on sound science and engineering practices to ensure downstream protection of ecological and human health. A significant body of research has contributed to the understanding of the chemistry and toxicity of OSPW. A multistakeholder science workshop was held in September 2017 to summarize the state of science on the toxicity and chemistry of OSPW. The goal of the workshop was to review completed research in the areas of toxicology, chemical analysis, and monitoring to support the release of treated oil sands water. A key outcome from the workshop was identifying research needs to inform future water management practices required to support OSPW return. Another key outcome of the workshop was the recognition that methods are sufficiently developed to characterize chemical and toxicological characteristics of OSPW to address and close knowledge gaps. Industry, government, and local indigenous stakeholders have proceeded to utilize these insights in reviewing policy and regulations. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:519-527. © 2019 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aaron D Redman
- ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, Annandale, New Jersey, USA
| | - Richard A Frank
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario
| | - Tim J Arciszewski
- Alberta Environment and Parks, Environmental Monitoring and Science Division, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Warren A Zubot
- Syncrude Canada Ltd, Edmonton Research Centre, Edmonton, Alberta
| | - Frederick J Wrona
- Environmental Monitoring and Science Division, Alberta Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - John A Brogly
- Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance, Calgary, Alberta
| | - Kelly R Munkittrick
- Cold Regions and Water Initiatives, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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5
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Bartlett AJ, Frank RA, Gillis PL, Parrott JL, Marentette JR, Brown LR, Hooey T, Vanderveen R, McInnis R, Brunswick P, Shang D, Headley JV, Peru KM, Hewitt LM. Toxicity of naphthenic acids to invertebrates: Extracts from oil sands process-affected water versus commercial mixtures. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 227:271-279. [PMID: 28477551 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.04.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The toxicity of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) has been primarily attributed to polar organic constituents, including naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs). Our objective was to assess the toxicity of NAFCs derived from fresh and aged OSPW, as well as commercial naphthenic acid (NA) mixtures. Exposures were conducted with three aquatic species: Hyalella azteca (freshwater amphipod), Vibrio fischeri (marine bacterium, Microtox® assay), and Lampsilis cardium (freshwater mussel larvae (glochidia)). Commercial NAs were more toxic than NAFCs, with differences of up to 30-, 4-, and 120-fold for H. azteca, V. fischeri, and L. cardium, respectively, demonstrating that commercial NAs are not reliable surrogates for assessing the toxicity of NAFCs. Differences in toxicity between species were striking for both commercial NAs and NAFCs. Overall, V. fischeri was the least sensitive and H. azteca was the most sensitive organism. Responses of V. fischeri and H. azteca to NAFC exposures were consistent (< 2-fold difference) regardless of source and age of OSPW; however, effects on L. cardium ranged 17-fold between NAFCs. NAFCs derived from fresh OSPW sources were similarly or less toxic to those from aged OSPW. Our results support the need to better characterize the complex mixtures associated with bitumen-influenced waters, both chemically and toxicologically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne J Bartlett
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Richard A Frank
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Patricia L Gillis
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Joanne L Parrott
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Julie R Marentette
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Lisa R Brown
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Tina Hooey
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Ruth Vanderveen
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Rodney McInnis
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pamela Brunswick
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Vancouver V7H 1V2, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Dayue Shang
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Vancouver V7H 1V2, British Columbia, Canada
| | - John V Headley
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon S7N 3H5, Saskatchewan, Canada.
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon S7N 3H5, Saskatchewan, Canada.
| | - L Mark Hewitt
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington L7S 1A1, Ontario, Canada.
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6
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Johnston CU, Clothier LN, Quesnel DM, Gieg LM, Chua G, Hermann PM, Wildering WC. Embryonic exposure to model naphthenic acids delays growth and hatching in the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 168:1578-1588. [PMID: 27932040 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.11.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs), a class of structurally diverse carboxylic acids with often complex ring structures and large aliphatic tail groups, are important by-products of many petrochemical processes including the oil sands mining activity of Northern Alberta. While it is evident that NAs have both acute and chronic harmful effects on many organisms, many aspects of their toxicity remain to be clarified. Particularly, while substantive data sets have been collected on NA toxicity in aquatic prokaryote and vertebrate model systems, to date, nothing is known about the toxic effects of these compounds on the embryonic development of aquatic invertebrate taxa, including freshwater mollusks. This study examines under laboratory conditions the toxicity of NAs extracted from oil sands process water (OSPW) and the low-molecular weight model NAs cyclohexylsuccinic acid (CHSA), cyclohexanebutyric acid (CHBA), and 4-tert-butylcyclohexane carboxylic acid (4-TBCA) on embryonic development of the snail Lymnaea stagnalis, a common freshwater gastropod with a broad Palearctic distribution. Evidence is provided for concentration-dependent teratogenic effects of both OSPW-derived and model NAs with remarkably similar nominal threshold concentrations between 15 and 20 mg/L and 28d EC50 of 31 mg/L. In addition, the data provide evidence for substantial toxicokinetic differences between CHSA, CHBA and 4-TBCA. Together, our study introduces Lymnaea stagnalis embryonic development as an effective model to assay NA-toxicity and identifies molecular architecture as a potentially important toxicokinetic parameter in the toxicity of low-molecular weight NA in embryonic development of aquatic gastropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina U Johnston
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Lindsay N Clothier
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Dean M Quesnel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Lisa M Gieg
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Gordon Chua
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Petra M Hermann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Willem C Wildering
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
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7
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Wang J, Cao X, Chai L, Liao J, Huang Y, Tang X. Oxidative damage of naphthenic acids on the Eisenia fetida earthworm. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2016; 31:1337-1343. [PMID: 25809073 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) have been gaining recognition in recent years as potentially harmful environmental contaminants. Few studies have focused on the potential ecotoxicity of NAs to terrestrial environment. In this study, the responses of antioxidant system and lipid peroxidation and DNA damage were investigated after exposing Eisenia fetida to soil contaminated with NAs. The results indicated that NAs induced a significant increase (p < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities. The glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities were significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) in the medium and high dose treatments. An increase in malondialidehyde indicated that NAs could cause cellular lipid peroxidation in the tested earthworms. The percentage of DNA in the tail of comet assay of coelomocytes as an indication of DNA damage increased after treatment with different doses of NAs, and a dose-dependent DNA damage of coelomocytes was found. In conclusion, oxidative stress caused by NAs exposure induces physiological responses and genotoxicity on earthworms. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1337-1343, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xiaofeng Cao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Liwei Chai
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jingqiu Liao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yi Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Tang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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8
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Wang J, Cao X, Sun J, Huang Y, Tang X. Disruption of endocrine function in H295R cell in vitro and in zebrafish in vivo by naphthenic acids. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2015; 299:1-9. [PMID: 26073515 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) have been reported to exhibit endocrine disrupting effects on aquatic organisms. Although the responsible compounds are unknown, naphthenic acids (NAs) have been considered to be implicated. The current study was designed to investigate the endocrine disruption of OSPW extracted NAs (OS-NAs) and commercial NAs (C-NAs) using a combination of in vitro and in vivo assays. The effects of OS-NAs and C-NAs on steroidogenesis were assessed both at hormone levels and expression levels of hormone-related genes in the H295R cells. The transcriptions of biomarker genes involved in endocrine systems in zebrafish larvae were investigated to detect the effects of OS-NAs and C-NAs on endocrine function in vivo. Exposure to OS-NAs and C-NAs significantly increased production of 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4), and decreased production of testosterone (T). Both OS-NAs and C-NAs significantly induced the expression of several genes involved in steroidogenesis. The abundances of transcripts of biomarker gene CYP19b, ERα, and VTG were significantly up-regulated in zebrafish larvae exposed to OS-NAs and C-NAs, which indicated that NAs had negative effects on estrogen-responsive gene transcription in vivo. These results indicated that NAs should be partly responsible for the endocrine disrupting effects of OSPW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaofeng Cao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jinhua Sun
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Yi Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Tang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
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9
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Marentette JR, Frank RA, Bartlett AJ, Gillis PL, Hewitt LM, Peru KM, Headley JV, Brunswick P, Shang D, Parrott JL. Toxicity of naphthenic acid fraction components extracted from fresh and aged oil sands process-affected waters, and commercial naphthenic acid mixtures, to fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) embryos. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2015; 164:108-117. [PMID: 25957715 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2015.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) are constituents of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). These compounds can be both toxic and persistent and thus are a primary concern for the ultimate remediation of tailings ponds in northern Alberta's oil sands regions. Recent research has focused on the toxicity of NAs to the highly vulnerable early life-stages of fish. Here we examined fathead minnow embryonic survival, growth and deformities after exposure to extracted NA fraction components (NAFCs), from fresh and aged oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), as well as commercially available NA mixtures. Commercial NA mixtures were dominated by acyclic O2 species, while NAFCs from OSPW were dominated by bi- and tricyclic O2 species. Fathead minnow embryos less than 24h old were reared in tissue culture plates terminating at hatch. Both NAFC and commercial NA mixtures reduced hatch success, although NAFCs from OSPW were less toxic (EC50=5-12mg/L, nominal concentrations) than commercial NAs (2mg/L, nominal concentrations). The toxicities of NAFCs from aged and fresh OSPW were similar. Embryonic heart rates at 2 days post-fertilization (dpf) declined with increasing NAFC exposure, paralleling patterns of hatch success and rates of cardiovascular abnormalities (e.g., pericardial edemas) at hatch. Finfold deformities increased in exposures to commercial NA mixtures, not NAFCs. Thus, commercial NA mixtures are not appropriate surrogates for NAFC toxicity. Further work clarifying the mechanisms of action of NAFCs in OSPW, as well as comparisons with additional aged sources of OSPW, is merited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie R Marentette
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Richard A Frank
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Adrienne J Bartlett
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Patricia L Gillis
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - L Mark Hewitt
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - Kerry M Peru
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - John V Headley
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Pamela Brunswick
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dayue Shang
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Joanne L Parrott
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada.
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10
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Wang J, Cao X, Huang Y, Tang X. Developmental toxicity and endocrine disruption of naphthenic acids on the early life stage of zebrafish (Danio rerio). J Appl Toxicol 2015; 35:1493-501. [PMID: 25995127 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) has been reported to exhibit adverse effects on the environment and wildlife. Although the compounds responsible are unknown, naphthenic acids (NAs) have been considered to be implicated. The current study was designed to investigate whether NAs might cause developmental toxicity and endocrine disruption on the early life stage of zebrafish (Danio rerio). The success of embryo hatch was inhibited by 2.5 mg l(-1) oil sands NAs (OS-NAs) exposure, and both OSPW NAs and commercial NAs (C-NAs) exposure resulted in a variety of developmental lesions in the fish larvae, such as yolk sac edema, pericardial edema and spinal malformation. The transcription of genes involved cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19a and CYP19b), estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ1 and ERβ2), and vitellogenin (VTG) was analyzed to evaluate the endocrine disrupting effects of NAs. Significant up-regulated gene expressions of CYP19b, ERα and VTG were observed in both OS-NAs and C-NAs groups, which indicated the deleteriously estrogenic potential of NAs. These results confirmed that NAs derived from crude petroleum could negatively impact the development and endocrine function of zebrafish, and be primarily responsible for the toxicity of OSPW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xiaofeng Cao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yi Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Xiaoyan Tang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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11
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Leclair LA, Pohler L, Wiseman SB, He Y, Arens CJ, Giesy JP, Scully S, Wagner BD, van den Heuvel MR, Hogan NS. In vitro assessment of endocrine disrupting potential of naphthenic Acid fractions derived from oil sands-influenced water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:5743-5752. [PMID: 25835061 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Oil sands-influenced process waters have been observed to cause reproductive effects and to induced CYP1A activity in fishes; however, little progress has been made in determining causative agents. Naphthenic acids (NAs) are the predominant organic compounds in process-affected waters, but due to the complexity of the mixture, it has been difficult to examine causal linkages in fishes. The aim of this study was to use in vitro assays specific to reproductive and CYP1A mechanisms to determine if specific acid extractable fractions of NAs obtained from oil sands-influenced water are active toward reproductive processes or interact with the Ah receptor responsible for CYP1A activity. NAs were extracted from aged oil sands-influenced waters by use of acid precipitation, and the mixture was fractionated into three acidic and one neutral fraction. The four fractions were examined for Ah receptor-mediated potency by use of the H4IIE-luc bioassay, effects on production of steroid hormones by use of the H295R steroidogenesis assay, and sex steroid receptor binding activity using the yeast estrogen screen and yeast androgen screen. The mixtures were characterized by high resolution mass spectrometry, (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance, and attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy. The neutral fraction elicited Ah-receptor mediated activity after 24 h but not after 48 or 72 h. None of the fractions contained measurable levels of estrogen or androgen receptor agonists nor did they cause reductions in steroidogenesis. A number of fractions showed antiestrogenic or antiandrogenicity potency, with the neutral and main acidic fractions being the most potent. Neutral aromatic compounds are likely responsible for the CYP1A activity observed. Direct estrogenic, androgenic, or steroidogenic mechanisms are unlikely for NAs based on these results, but NAs act as potent antiandrogen or antiestrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liane A Leclair
- †Canadian Rivers Institute, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Lani Pohler
- ‡Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Steve B Wiseman
- ‡Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Yuhe He
- ‡Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Collin J Arens
- †Canadian Rivers Institute, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - John P Giesy
- ‡Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
- §Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - Stephen Scully
- ⊥Department of Chemistry, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Brian D Wagner
- ⊥Department of Chemistry, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Michael R van den Heuvel
- †Canadian Rivers Institute, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Natacha S Hogan
- ‡Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B3, Canada
- ∥Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A8, Canada
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Wang B, Wan Y, Gao Y, Zheng G, Yang M, Wu S, Hu J. Occurrences and behaviors of naphthenic acids in a petroleum refinery wastewater treatment plant. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:5796-804. [PMID: 25850668 DOI: 10.1021/es505809g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) are one class of compounds in wastewaters from petroleum industries that are known to cause toxic effects, and their removal from oilfield wastewater is an important challenge for remediation of large volumes of petrochemical effluents. The present study investigated occurrences and behaviors of total NAs and aromatic NAs in a refinery wastewater treatment plant, located in north China, which combined physicochemical and biological processes. Concentrations of total NAs were semiquantified to be 113-392 μg/L in wastewater from all the treatment units, and the percentages of aromatic NAs in total NAs was estimated to be 2.1-8.8%. The mass reduction for total NAs and aromatic NAs was 15±16% and 7.5±24% after the physicochemical treatment, respectively. Great mass reduction (total NAs: 65±11%, aromatic NAs: 86±5%) was observed in the biological treatment units, and antiestrogenic activities observed in wastewater from physicochemical treatment units disappeared in the effluent of the activated sludge system. The distributions of mass fractions of NAs demonstrated that biodegradation via activated sludge was the major mechanism for removing alicyclic NAs, aromatic NAs, and related toxicities in the plant, and the polycyclic NA congener classes were relatively recalcitrant to biodegradation, which is a complete contrast to the preferential adsorption of NAs with higher cyclicity (low Z value). Removal efficiencies of total NAs were 73±17% in summer, which were higher than those in winter (53±15%), and the seasonal variation was possibly due to the relatively high microbial biotransformation activities in the activated sludge system in summer (indexed by O3-NAs/NAs). The results of the investigations indicated that biotransformation of NA mixtures by the activated sludge system were largely affected by temperature, and employing an efficient adsorbent together with biodegradation processes would help cost-effectively remove NAs in petroleum effluents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beili Wang
- †Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Wan
- †Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingxin Gao
- ‡Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Ecoenvironmental Science Research Center, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
| | - Guomao Zheng
- †Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Yang
- ‡Chinese Academy of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Ecoenvironmental Science Research Center, Beijing 100085, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Wu
- §Petrochina Ji Dong Oilfield Company, Tangshan, 063200 Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianying Hu
- †Laboratory for Earth Surface Processes, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People's Republic of China
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13
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Swigert JP, Lee C, Wong DCL, White R, Scarlett AG, West CE, Rowland SJ. Aquatic hazard assessment of a commercial sample of naphthenic acids. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 124:1-9. [PMID: 25434270 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.10.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/26/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents chemical composition and aquatic toxicity characteristics of a commercial sample of naphthenic acids (NAs). Naphthenic acids are derived from the refining of petroleum middle distillates and can contribute to refinery effluent toxicity. NAs are also present in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), but differences in the NAs compositions from these sources precludes using a common aquatic toxicity dataset to represent the aquatic hazards of NAs from both origins. Our chemical characterization of a commercial sample of NAs showed it to contain in order of abundance, 1-ring>2-ring>acyclic>3-ring acids (∼84%). Also present were monoaromatic acids (7%) and non-acids (9%, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and sulfur heterocyclic compounds). While the acyclic acids were only the third most abundant group, the five most abundant individual compounds were identified as C(10-14) n-acids (n-decanoic acid to n-tetradecanoic acid). Aquatic toxicity testing of fish (Pimephales promelas), invertebrate (Daphnia magna), algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), and bacteria (Vibrio fischeri) showed P. promelas to be the most sensitive species with 96-h LL50=9.0 mg L(-1) (LC50=5.6 mg L(-1)). Acute EL50 values for the other species ranged 24-46 mg L(-1) (EC50 values ranged 20-30 mg L(-1)). Biomimetic extraction via solid-phase-microextraction (BE-SPME) suggested a nonpolar narcosis mode of toxic action for D. magna, P. subcapitata, and V. fischeri. The BE analysis under-predicted fish toxicity, which indicates that a specific mode of action, besides narcosis, may be a factor for fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Swigert
- EcoTox Assessments, 506 Tenant Circle, Saint Michaels, MD 21663, USA.
| | - Carol Lee
- ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, 1545 Route 22 East, Annandale, NJ 08801, USA
| | - Diana C L Wong
- Shell Health Americas, One Shell Plaza, 910 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002, USA
| | - Russell White
- American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA
| | - Alan G Scarlett
- Biogeochemistry Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Charles E West
- Biogeochemistry Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Steven J Rowland
- Biogeochemistry Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
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Noestheden MR, Headley JV, Peru KM, Barrow MP, Burton LL, Sakuma T, Winkler P, Campbell JL. Rapid characterization of naphthenic acids using differential mobility spectrometry and mass spectrometry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:10264-10272. [PMID: 25032949 DOI: 10.1021/es501821h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
To analyze the naphthenic acid content of environmental waters quickly and efficiently, we have developed a method that employs differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS). This technique combines the benefits of infusion-based MS experiments (parallel, on-demand access to individual components) with DMS's ability to provide liquid chromatography-like separations of isobaric and isomeric compounds in a fraction of the time. In this study, we have applied a DMS-MS workflow to the rapid gas-phase separation of naphthenic acids (NAs) within a technical standard and a real-world oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) extract. Among the findings provided by this workflow are the rapid characterization of isomeric NAs (i.e., same molecular formulas) in a complex OSPW sample, the ability to use DMS to isolate individual NA components (including isomeric NAs) for in-depth structural analyses, and a method by which NA analytes, background ions, and dimer species can be characterized by their distinct behaviors in DMS. Overall, the profiles of the NA content of the technical and OSPW samples were consistent with published values for similar samples, such that the benefits of DMS technology do not detract from the workflow's accuracy or quality.
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15
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Lacaze E, Devaux A, Bruneau A, Bony S, Sherry J, Gagné F. Genotoxic potential of several naphthenic acids and a synthetic oil sands process-affected water in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2014; 152:291-299. [PMID: 24799193 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2014.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Revised: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The exploitation of oil sands has raised major environmental concerns, particularly regarding the presence of high concentration in contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and naphthenic acids (NAs) in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). The purpose of this study was, first to evaluate the genotoxic impact of OSPW-related compounds such as NAs and PAHs in a salmonid species and secondly to assess if OSPW exposure leads to genotoxicity. For this purpose, rainbow trout hepatocytes were exposed in vitro to environmentally relevant concentrations of synthetic NAs, naphtalene, benzo(a)pyrene, and extracts of synthetic OSPW (generated by a laboratory bitumen extraction) and of oil sands leaching water (OSLW, mimicking leaching of oil sands in river water). Primary DNA damage was assessed by the formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycolyase (Fpg)-modified comet assay. Genotoxicity was observed in hepatocytes exposed to several NAs, mixture of them, OSPW and OSLW extracts. The chemical structure of NAs influences the genotoxicity potential: among the NAs tested, the most cyclic NA was the most genotoxic. It also appears that genotoxicity was more marked for OSPW than for OSLW. Because exposure to OSPW led to oxidative DNA damage, while after exposure to several NAs, these types of DNA damage were limited, the NAs tested in this study could not be qualified as the only major contaminants responsible for OSPW genotoxicity. Notwithstanding, it should be noteworthy that exposure to NAs resulted in genotoxic impact at concentrations lower than those documented by literature for fresh OSPW. Further research is needed to explore the relationships between the chemical structure of NAs and their genotoxicity in the light of the distribution of NAs in fresh OSPW samples as well as in surface waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Lacaze
- Emerging Methods Section, Environment Canada, 105 McGill St., Montreal, H2Y2E7 Quebec, Canada; INRA, USC IGH, LEHNA UMR 5023, Université de Lyon-ENTPE, F-69518, Vaulx en Velin, France.
| | - A Devaux
- INRA, USC IGH, LEHNA UMR 5023, Université de Lyon-ENTPE, F-69518, Vaulx en Velin, France
| | - A Bruneau
- Emerging Methods Section, Environment Canada, 105 McGill St., Montreal, H2Y2E7 Quebec, Canada
| | - S Bony
- INRA, USC IGH, LEHNA UMR 5023, Université de Lyon-ENTPE, F-69518, Vaulx en Velin, France
| | - J Sherry
- Emerging Methods Section, Environment Canada, 105 McGill St., Montreal, H2Y2E7 Quebec, Canada
| | - F Gagné
- Emerging Methods Section, Environment Canada, 105 McGill St., Montreal, H2Y2E7 Quebec, Canada
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16
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Knag AC, Sebire M, Mayer I, Meier S, Renner P, Katsiadaki I. In vivo endocrine effects of naphthenic acids in fish. CHEMOSPHERE 2013; 93:2356-2364. [PMID: 24034895 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2013] [Revised: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 08/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Oil pollution from various sources, including exploration, production and transportation, is a growing global concern. The highest toxicity of hydrocarbon pollutants is associated with the water-soluble phase compounds, including naphthenic acids, a known component found in all hydrocarbon deposits. Recently, naphthenic acids (NAs) have shown estrogenic and anti-androgenic effects in vitro. For this reason we investigated the potential effects of two commercial mixtures of naphthenic acids on fish in vivo, using the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) as a model species. Anti-androgenic and estrogenic properties of tested compounds were evaluated using the androgenized female stickleback screen (AFSS) and a variant of the 21-d fish screen (TG230) respectively. One-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that the complex commercial NAs mixtures were dominated by acyclic carboxylic acids. In one experiment (freshwater) we found a clear effect of NA exposure on spiggin levels; this was contrary to our hypothesis since NAs enhanced the androgenic potency of DHT (when co-administered) without inducing spiggin when tested in the absence of DHT. Exposure to NAs did not have a statistically significant effect on vitellogenin (Vtg) production in male stickleback, although the Vtg responses were increasing with increasing exposure concentrations. This study shows that in contrast to previous in vitro data, NAs did not exhibit either estrogenic or anti-androgenic properties in vivo, at the concentrations tested. On the contrary, at least in freshwater, NAs appear to have an overall androgenic effect that is not mediated via the androgen receptor involved in spiggin synthesis. Possible reasons for this discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo results as well as between our studies are discussed.
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17
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Jones D, Scarlett AG, West CE, Frank RA, Gieleciak R, Hager D, Pureveen J, Tegelaar E, Rowland SJ. Elemental and spectroscopic characterization of fractions of an acidic extract of oil sands process water. CHEMOSPHERE 2013; 93:1655-1664. [PMID: 23856466 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
'Naphthenic acids' (NAs) in petroleum produced water and oil sands process water (OSPW), have been implicated in toxicological effects. However, many are not well characterized. A method for fractionation of NAs of an OSPW was used herein and a multi-method characterization of the fractions conducted. The unfractionated OSPW acidic extract was characterized by elemental analysis, electrospray ionization-Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and an esterified extract by Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV) absorption spectroscopy and by comprehensive multidimensional gas chromatography-MS (GCxGC-MS). Methyl esters were fractionated by argentation solid phase extraction (Ag(+) SPE) and fractions eluting with: hexane; diethyl ether: hexane and diethyl ether, examined. Each was weighed, examined by elemental analysis, FTIR, UV, GC-MS and GCxGC-MS (both nominal and high resolution MS). The ether fraction, containing sulfur, was also examined by GCxGC-sulfur chemiluminescence detection (GCxGC-SCD). The major ions detected by ESI-MS in the OSPW extract were assigned to alicyclic and aromatic 'O2' acids; sulfur was also present. Components recovered by Ag(+) SPE were also methyl esters of alicyclic and aromatic acids; these contained little sulfur or nitrogen. FTIR spectra showed that hydroxy acids and sulfoxides were absent or minor. UV spectra, along with the C/H ratio, further confirmed the aromaticity of the hexane:ether eluate. The more minor ether eluate contained further aromatics and 1.5% sulfur. FTIR spectra indicated free carboxylic acids, in addition to esters. Four major sulfur compounds were detected by GCxGC-SCD. GCxGC-high resolution MS indicated these were methyl esters of C18 S-containing, diaromatics with ≥C3 carboxylic acid side chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Jones
- Biogeochemistry Research Centre, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
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18
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Leclair LA, MacDonald GZ, Phalen LJ, Köllner B, Hogan NS, van den Heuvel MR. The immunological effects of oil sands surface waters and naphthenic acids on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2013; 142-143:185-194. [PMID: 24036435 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2013.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2013] [Revised: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 08/17/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
There is concern surrounding the immunotoxic potential of naphthenic acids (NAs), a major organic constituent in waters influenced by oil sands contamination. To assess the immunological response to NAs, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) waterborne exposures were conducted with oil sands-influenced waters, NAs extracted and purified from oil sands tailings waters, and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) as a positive control. After a 7d exposure, blood, spleen, head kidney, and gill samples were removed from a subset of fish in order to evaluate the distribution of thrombocytes, B-lymphocytes, myeloid cells, and T-lymphocytes using fluorescent antibodies specific for those cell types coupled with flow cytometry. The remaining trout in each experimental tank were injected with inactivated Aeromonas salmonicida and held in laboratory water for 21 d and subjected to similar lymphatic cell evaluation in addition to evaluation of antibody production. Fluorescent metabolites in bile as well as liver CYP1A induction were also determined after the 7 and 21 d exposure. Oil sands waters and extracted NAs exposures resulted in an increase in bile fluorescence at phenanthrene wavelengths, though liver CYP1A was not induced in those treatments as it was with the BaP positive control. Trout in the oil sands-influenced water exposure showed a decrease in B- and T-lymphocytes in blood as well as B-lymphocytes and myeloid cells in spleen and an increase in B-lymphocytes in head kidney. The extracted NAs exposure showed a decrease in thrombocytes in spleen at 8 mg/L and an increase in T-lymphocytes at 1mg/L in head kidney after 7d. There was a significant decrease in antibody production against A. salmonicida in both oil sands-influenced water exposures. Because oil sands-influenced waters affected multiple immune parameters, while extracted NAs impacts were limited, the NAs tested here are likely not the cause of immunotoxicity found in the oil sands-influenced water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liane A Leclair
- Canadian Rivers Institute, Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada.
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Woudneh MB, Coreen Hamilton M, Benskin JP, Wang G, McEachern P, Cosgrove JR. A novel derivatization-based liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for quantitative characterization of naphthenic acid isomer profiles in environmental waters. J Chromatogr A 2013; 1293:36-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2013.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 03/11/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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20
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Knag AC, Verhaegen S, Ropstad E, Mayer I, Meier S. Effects of polar oil related hydrocarbons on steroidogenesis in vitro in H295R cells. CHEMOSPHERE 2013; 92:106-115. [PMID: 23561572 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.02.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2012] [Revised: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 02/17/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Oil pollution from various sources, including exploration, production and transportation, is a growing global concern. Of particular concern is the environmental impact of produced water (PW), the main waste discharge from oil and gas platforms. In this study, we have investigated the potential of polar hydrocarbon pollutants to disrupt or modulate steroidogenesis in vitro, using a human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line, the H295R assay. Effects of two of the major groups of compounds found in the polar fraction of crude oil and PW; alkylphenols (C(2)- and C(3)-AP) and naphthenic acids (NAs), as well as the polar fraction of PW as a whole has been assessed. Endpoints include hormone (cortisol, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone) production at the functional level and key genes for steroidogenesis (17β-HSD1, 17β-HSD4, 3β-HSD2, ACTHR, CYP11A1, CYP11B1, CYP11B2, CYP17, CYP19, CYP21, DAX1, EPHX, HMGR, SF1, STAR) and metabolism (CYP1A) at the molecular level. All compounds induced the production of both estradiol and progesterone in exposed H295R cells, while the C(3)-AP and NAs decreased the production of testosterone. Exposure to C(2)-AP caused an up-regulation of DAX1 and EPHX, while exposure to NAs caused an up-regulation of ACTHR. All compounds caused an up-regulation of CYP1A1. The results indicated that these hydrocarbon pollutants, including PW, have the potential to disrupt the vitally important process of steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Christine Knag
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway.
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Hindle R, Noestheden M, Peru K, Headley J. Quantitative analysis of naphthenic acids in water by liquid chromatography–accurate mass time-of-flight mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2013; 1286:166-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2013.02.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Revised: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Lu W, Ewanchuk A, Perez-Estrada L, Sego D, Ulrich A. Limitation of fluorescence spectrophotometry in the measurement of naphthenic acids in oil sands process water. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2013; 48:429-436. [PMID: 23379948 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2013.729802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence spectrophotometry has been proposed as a quick screening technique for the measurement of naphthenic acids (NAs). To evaluate the feasibility of this application, the fluorescence emission spectra of NAs extracted from three oil sands process water sources were compared with that of commercial NAs. The NAs resulting from the bitumen extraction process cannot be differentiated because of the similarity of the fluorescence spectra. Separation of the fluorescent species in NAs using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector proved unsuccessful. The acidic fraction of NAs is fluorescent but the basic fraction of NAs is not fluorescent, implying that aromatic acids in NAs give rise to the fluorescent signals. The concentrations of NAs in oil sands process water were measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), fluorescence spectrophotometry and ultra high performance liquid chromatography-time of flight/mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF/MS). Commercial Merichem and Kodak NAs are the best standards to use when measuring NAs concentration with FTIR and fluorescence spectrophotometry. In addition, the NAs concentrations measured by fluorescence spectrophotometry are about 30 times higher than those measured by FTIR and UPLC-TOF/MS. The findings in this study underscore the limitation of fluorescence spectrophotometry in the measurement of NAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weibing Lu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Isolation and estimation of the ‘aromatic’ naphthenic acid content of an oil sands process-affected water extract. J Chromatogr A 2012; 1247:171-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2012.05.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Revised: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Scarlett AG, West CE, Jones D, Galloway TS, Rowland SJ. Predicted toxicity of naphthenic acids present in oil sands process-affected waters to a range of environmental and human endpoints. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 425:119-127. [PMID: 22464029 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.02.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2011] [Revised: 02/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/26/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) are considered to be a major toxic component of oil sands process-affected waters (OSPW) and are also widely used for industrial processes. The effects of previously identified NAs (54 in total), together with six alkylphenols, were modelled for a range of environmental and human toxicity related endpoints using ADMET predictor™ software. In addition to the models, experimental CALUX® assays were performed on seven tricyclic diamondoid acids. Most of the NAs modelled were predicted to have lethal median concentrations (LC(50)) >100 μM for the three aquatic species modelled. Polycyclic acids containing a single aromatic ring were predicted to be the most toxic to fathead minnows with LC(50)s typically ca 1 μM. Some of these compounds were also predicted to be the most carcinogenic (based on rat and mouse models), possess human estrogenic and androgenic activity and potentially disrupt reproductive processes. Some aliphatic pentacyclic acids also were predicted to exhibit androgenic activity and, uniquely amongst the compounds tested, act as substrates for the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP3A4. Consistent with the models' predictions for the tricyclic acids, no estrogenic or androgenic activity was detected by ER/AR CALUX®. Further experimental validation of the predictions should now be performed for the compounds highlighted by the models (e.g. priority should perhaps be focused on the polycyclic monoaromatic acids and the aliphatic pentacyclic acids). If shown to be accurate, these compounds can then be targeted for toxicity reduction remediation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan G Scarlett
- Petroleum & Environmental Geochemistry Group, Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, Devon, UK.
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Tollefsen KE, Petersen K, Rowland SJ. Toxicity of synthetic naphthenic acids and mixtures of these to fish liver cells. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:5143-5150. [PMID: 22462822 DOI: 10.1021/es204124w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Environmental concerns have been raised over the toxicity of crude naphthenic acids (NA) originating from oil exploration activities offshore, oil sands exploitation onshore, and use of refined NA as wood preservatives, tire additives, and in various other applications. The NA exist in highly complex mixtures, so the toxic effects of the individual acids are rarely known. The present study investigated the relationships between the chemical structures of a range of synthetic alicyclic and aromatic acids and their acute toxicities both as single chemicals and as complex mixtures in a primary culture of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatocytes. The combined toxicity of multicomponent mixtures of these NA was assessed using the concept of concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) prediction. All of the acids tested were moderately toxic, with EC(50) values in the range 108-405 μM (24-89 mg L(-1)) and 188-656 μM (43-148 mg L(-1)) when assessed by effects on metabolic inhibition or loss of membrane integrity, respectively. Binary and 6-compound mixture of NA caused combined toxicity according to the concept of additivity, although slight deviations from additivity were observed at a few mixture concentrations. Single NA and mixtures of NA with similar structures to those tested herein probably contribute to the toxicity of complex natural mixtures of NA. Toxicity tests on three commercial NA mixtures showed that these exhibited highly variable toxicities themselves probably reflecting their chemical heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut Erik Tollefsen
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA). Gaustadallèen 21, N-0349 Oslo, Norway.
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Jones D, Scarlett AG, West CE, Rowland SJ. Toxicity of individual naphthenic acids to Vibrio fischeri. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2011; 45:9776-9782. [PMID: 21942822 DOI: 10.1021/es201948j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have suggested that the toxicity of organic compounds containing at least one carboxylic acid group and broadly classified as "naphthenic acids", is of environmental concern. For example, the acute toxicity of the more than 1 billion m(3) of oil sands process-affected water and the hormonal activity of some offshore produced waters has been attributed to the acids. However, experimental evidence for the toxicity of the individual acids causing these effects has not been very forthcoming. Instead, most data have been gathered from assays of incompletely characterized extracts of the water, which may contain other toxic constituents. An alternative approach is to assay the individual identified toxicants. Since numerous petroleum-derived naphthenic acids and some in oil sands process water, have recently been identified, we were able to measure the toxicity of some individual acids to the bioluminescent bacterium, Vibrio fischeri. Thirty-five pure individual acids were either synthesized or purchased for this purpose. We also used the US EPA ECOSAR computer model to predict the toxicity of each acid to the water flea, Daphnia magna. Both are well-accepted toxicological screening end points. The results show how toxic some of the naphthenic acids really are (e.g., V. fischeri Effective Concentrations for 50% response (EC(50)) 0.004 to 0.7 mM) and reveal the influence of hydrophobicity and aqueous solubility on the toxicities. Comparison with measured toxicities of other known, but more minor, constituents of oil sands process water, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and alkylphenols, helps place these toxicities into a wider context. Given the reported toxicological effects of naphthenic acids to other organisms (e.g., fish, plants), the toxicities of the acids to further end points should now be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Jones
- Petroleum and Environmental Geochemistry Group, Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, United Kingdom
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Rowland SJ, West CE, Jones D, Scarlett AG, Frank RA, Hewitt LM. Steroidal aromatic 'naphthenic acids' in oil sands process-affected water: structural comparisons with environmental estrogens. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2011; 45:9806-9815. [PMID: 22014158 DOI: 10.1021/es202606d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The large volumes, acute toxicity, estrogenicity, and antiandrogenicity of process-affected waters accruing in tailings ponds from the operations of the Alberta oil sands industries pose a significant task for environmental reclamation. Synchronous fluorescence spectra (SFS) suggest that oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) may contain aromatic carboxylic acids, which are among the potentially environmentally important toxicants, but no such acids have yet been identified, limiting interpretations of the results of estrogenicity and other assays. Here we show that multidimensional comprehensive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCxGC-MS) of methyl esters of acids in an OSPW sample produces mass spectra consistent with their assignment as C(19) and C(20) C-ring monoaromatic hydroxy steroid acids, D-ring opened hydroxy and nonhydroxy polyhydrophenanthroic acids with one aromatic and two alicyclic rings and A-ring opened steroidal keto acids. High resolution MS data support the assignment of several of the so-called 'O3' species. When fractions of distilled, esterified, OSPW acid-extractable organics were examined, the putative aromatics were mainly present in a high boiling fraction; when examined by argentation thin layer chromatography, some were present in a fraction with a retardation factor between that of the methyl esters of synthetic monoalicyclic and monoaromatic acids. Ultraviolet absorption spectra of these fractions indicated the presence of benzenoid moieties. SFS of model octahydro- and tetrahydrophenanthroic acids produced emissions at the characteristic excitation wavelengths observed in some OSPW extracts, consistent with the postulations from ultraviolet spectroscopy and mass spectrometry data. We suggest the acids originate from extensive biodegradation of C-ring monoaromatic steroid hydrocarbons and offer a means of differentiating residues at different biodegradation stages in tailings ponds. Structural similarities with estrone and estradiol imply that such compounds may account for some of the environmental estrogenic activity reported in OSPW acid-extractable organics and naphthenic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Rowland
- Petroleum and Environmental Geochemistry Group, Biogeochemistry Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK.
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