pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Long-term water quality data explain interpopulation variation in responsiveness to stress in sticklebacks at both wastewater effluent-contaminated and uncontaminated sites

The magnitude of the corticosteroid response to a standardised stressor varied in proportion to the concentration of effluent in three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) captured downstream of 10 wastewater treatment works (WWTW). However, at 9 sites with no upstream WWTW input inter-population variation in the reactivity of the stress axis occurred across a similar range to that seen for fish at impacted sites, suggesting that the factor(s) responsible for modulating stress responsiveness in sticklebacks are not unique to sites receiving WWTW effluent. Physicochemical data from a long-term monitoring programme were employed to investigate whether variation in water quality contributed to between-site variation in stress axis reactivity. Between-site variation in fourteen water quality determinands explained between 30% and 60% of the variation in stress reactivity, and fish size, for sticklebacks at both WWTW-contaminated and uncontaminated sites. At uncontaminated sites the mean mass and length of sticklebacks increased with total oxidised N concentration (as an indicator of anthropogenic input) whereas at WWTW-contaminated sites fish size decreased with increasing effluent concentration, suggesting that factors adversely affecting growth were present predominantly at WWTW-contaminated sites. In contrast, at contaminated and uncontaminated sites the magnitude of the corticosteroid response to a standardised stressor increased with anthropogenic input (effluent concentration or total oxidised N respectively), indicating that factor(s) modulating the reactivity of the stress axis may be present at both WWTW-contaminated and uncontaminated sites
Evaluation and comparison of trace metals accumulation in different tissues of potential bioindicator organisms: Macrobenthic filter feeders Styela plicata, sabella spallanzanii and Mytilus galloprovincialis

Trace metal concentrations were measured in different tissues of Sabella spallanzanii, Styela plicata and Mytilus galloprovincialis collected in Termini Imerese harbor, located in Sicily (Italy), in order to evaluate the potential use of these species as bioindicators. The higher bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were calculated in tube of Sabella spallanzanii, except for As which shows the higher BAF in branchial crown of the same specie. Regarding the other species analyzed, higher BAFs were found in the digestive gland of Mytilus galloprovincialis. An exception is represented by Pb that is significantly more concentrated in branchial basket and tunic of Styela plicata. The BAFs here calculated, show that all the species analyzed are able to accumulate a certain amount of metals as a consequence of filter feeding mechanisms, and thus assess the suitability of the species Styela plicata, Sabella spallanzanii and Mytilus galloprovincialis as indicators of water quality. Particularly, the tube of Sabella spallanzanii is an important compartment in metal retention and the more suitable for the evaluation of the contamination caused by trace elements. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Effects of aging and soil properties on zinc oxide nanoparticle availability and its ecotoxicological effects to the earthworm Eisenia andrei

To assess the influence of soil properties and ageing on the availability and toxicity of Zn applied as nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) or as Zn2+ ions (ZnCl2), three natural soils were individually spiked with either ZnO NPs or ZnCl2 and incubated for up to 6 months. Available Zn concentrations in soil were measured by pore water extraction (ZnPW), while exposures of earthworms (Eisenia andrei) were performed to study Zn bioavailability. ZnPW was lower when Zn was applied as nanoparticles than as ionic form, and decreased with increasing soil pH. ZnPW for both Zn forms were affected by ageing, but varied among the tested soils, highlighting the influence of soil properties. Internal Zn concentration in the earthworms (ZnE) was highest for the soil with high organic carbon content (5.4%) and basic pH (7.6) spiked with ZnO NPs, but the same soil spiked with ZnCl2 showed the lowest increase in ZnE compared to the control. Survival, weight change, and reproduction of the earthworms were affected by both Zn forms, but differences in toxicity could not be explained by soil properties or ageing. This shows that ZnO NPs and ZnCl2 behave differently in soils depending on soil properties and ageing processes, but differences in earthworm toxicity remain unexplained
Monitoring of freshwater toxins in European environmental waters by using novel multi-detection methods

Monitoring the quality of freshwater is an important issue for public health. In the context of the European project μAqua, 150 samples were collected from several waters in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Turkey for 2 yr. These samples were analyzed using 2 multitoxin detection methods previously developed: a microsphere-based method coupled to flow-cytometry, and an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. The presence of microcystins, nodularin, domoic acid, cylindrospermopsin, and several analogues of anatoxin-a (ATX-a) was monitored. No traces of cylindrospermopsin or domoic acid were found in any of the environmental samples. Microcystin-LR and microcystin-RR were detected in 2 samples from Turkey and Germany. In the case of ATX-a derivatives, 75% of samples contained mainly H2 -ATX-a and small amounts of H2 -homoanatoxin-a, whereas ATX-a and homoanatoxin-a were found in only 1 sample. These results confirm the presence and wide distribution of dihydro derivatives of ATX-a toxins in European freshwaters. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:645-654. © 2016 SETAC
Parameterizing the binding properties of dissolved organic matter with default values skews the prediction of copper solution speciation and ecotoxicity in soil

Parameterizing speciation models by setting the percentage of dissolved organic matter (DOM) that is reactive (% r-DOM) toward metal cations at a single 65% default value is very common in predictive ecotoxicology. The authors tested this practice by comparing the free copper activity (pCu2+ = –log10[Cu2+]) measured in 55 soil sample solutions with pCu2+ predicted with the Windermere humic aqueous model (WHAM) parameterized by default. Predictions of Cu toxicity to soil organisms based on measured or predicted pCu2+ were also compared. Default WHAM parameterization substantially skewed the prediction of measured pCu2+ by up to 2.7 pCu2+ units (root mean square residual = 0.75–1.3) and subsequently the prediction of Cu toxicity for microbial functions, invertebrates, and plants by up to 36%, 45%, and 59% (root mean square residuals ≤9 %, 11%, and 17%), respectively. Reparametrizing WHAM by optimizing the 2 DOM binding properties (i.e., % r-DOM and the Cu complexation constant) within a physically realistic value range much improved the prediction of measured pCu2+ (root mean square residual = 0.14–0.25). Accordingly, this WHAM parameterization successfully predicted Cu toxicity for microbial functions, invertebrates, and plants (root mean square residual ≤3.4%, 4.4%, and 5.8%, respectively). Thus, it is essential to account for the real heterogeneity in DOM binding properties for relatively accurate prediction of Cu speciation in soil solution and Cu toxic effects on soil organisms. (Résumé d'auteur
Defining and modeling known adverse outcome pathways: Domoic acid and neuronal signaling as a case study

El pdf del artículo es la versión pre-print.-- et al.An adverse outcome pathway (AOP) is a sequence of key events from a molecular-level initiating event and an ensuing cascade of steps to an adverse outcome with population-level significance. To implement a predictive strategy for ecotoxicology, the multiscale nature of an AOP requires computational models to link salient processes (e.g., in chemical uptake, toxicokinetics, toxicodynamics, and population dynamics). A case study with domoic acid was used to demonstrate strategies and enable generic recommendations for developing computational models in an effort to move toward a toxicity testing paradigm focused on toxicity pathway perturbations applicable to ecological risk assessment. Domoic acid, an algal toxin with adverse effects on both wildlife and humans, is a potent agonist for kainate receptors (ionotropic glutamate receptors whose activation leads to the influx of Na+ and Ca2+). Increased Ca2+ concentrations result in neuronal excitotoxicity and cell death, primarily in the hippocampus, which produces seizures, impairs learning and memory, and alters behavior in some species. Altered neuronal Ca2+ is a key process in domoic acid toxicity, which can be evaluated in vitro. Furthermore, results of these assays would be amenable to mechanistic modeling for identifying domoic acid concentrations and Ca2+ perturbations that are normal, adaptive, or clearly toxic. In vitro assays with outputs amenable to measurement in exposed populations can link in vitro to in vivo conditions, and toxicokinetic information will aid in linking in vitro results to the individual organism. Development of an AOP required an iterative process with three important outcomes: a critically reviewed, stressor-specific AOP; identification of key processes suitable for evaluation with in vitro assays; and strategies for model development. © 2010 SETAC.This work was supported by the Society for Environmental Toxicity and Chemistry, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Natural Environment Research Council, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Procter & Gamble.Peer Reviewe
Estrogenic activity of tropical fish food can alter baseline vitellogenin concentrations in male fathead minnow (Pimephales Promelas)

The official published version can be obtained at the link below - copyright @ 2011 John Wiley and SonsVitellogenin (VTG) is a precursor of egg-yolk protein and is therefore present at high concentrations in the plasma of female fish. In male fish, VTG concentrations are usually undetectable or low but can be induced upon exposure to estrogenic substances either via the water or the diet. This work was performed to determine the reason for the apparently elevated VTG concentrations in unexposed stock male fathead minnow maintained in our laboratory. The results showed clearly that some Of the food given to the fish was estrogenic and that replacement of this with nonestrogenic food led to a significant reduction in the basal VTG levels measured in male fish after a six-month period. This reduction in male VTG concentrations drastically increased the sensitivity of the VTG test in further studies carried out with these fish. Moreover, a review of published concentrations of VTG in unexposed male fathead minnow suggests that this problem may exist in other laboratories. The fathead minnow is a standard ecotoxicological fish test species, so these findings will be of interest to any laboratory carrying out fish tests on endocrine-disrupting chemicals
Evidence suggesting that di-n-butyl phthalate has anti-androgenic effects in fish

This article is the pre-print version of the full and final published article.Phthalate ester plasticizers are anti-androgenic in mammals. High doses of certain phthalates consistently interfere with the normal development of male offspring exposed in utero, causing disrupted sperm production, abnormal development of the genitalia, and in some cases infertility. In the environment, phthalates are considered ubiquitous and are commonly measured in aquatic ecosystems at low ng to mu g per litre concentrations. Given the similarity between mammalian and teleost endocrine systems, phthalate esters may be able to cause anti-androgenic endocrine disruption in fish in the wild. In the present study, adult male three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculetaus) (n = 8) were exposed to di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) (0, 15, and 35 mu g DBP/L) for 22 d and analyzed for changes in nesting behavior, plasma androgen concentrations, spiggin concentrations, and steroidogenic gene expression. Plasma testosterone concentrations were significantly higher in males from the 35 mu g DBP/L group compared with the solvent control, whereas plasma 11-ketotestosterone concentrations were not significantly affected. Expression of steroid acute regulatory protein and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase remained unchanged. Spiggin concentrations were significantly lower in the males exposed to 35 mu g DBP/L. Nest building appeared to be slower in some males exposed to DBP, but this was not statistically significant. These results suggest that DBP has anti-androgenic effects in fish. However, further research is required to firmly establish the consequences of chronic DBP exposure in fish
Responses on toad tadpoles to ammonium nitrate fertilizer and predatory stress: differences between populations on a local  scale

Agriculture-related pollution is among the major causes of global amphibian population declines. The multiple stressors to which amphibians are exposed in the ﬁeld, such as predation pressure, can make agrochemicals far more deadly than when they act in isolation. Even within a small area, diffuse agricultural pollution does not affect all aquatic environments equally, which could account for local differences in amphibian sensitivity to agrochemicals. We examined the combined effects of ammonium nitrate fertilizer (0 to 45.2 mg N-NHþ /L) and predator stress on larval Western spadefoot toad (Pelobates cultripes), using adult caged male marbled newts\ud
(Triturus marmoratus) as predators. We compared the interaction between both stressors in tadpoles from two ponds separated by 3 km. No signiﬁcant mortality was observed (survival > 80% in all cases). Local differences were detected when analyzing larval growth, with a signiﬁcant interaction between factors for one of the two populations tested (Fornillos de Fermoselle). Although tadpoles exposed to\ud
45.2 mg N-NHþ /L were 7% smaller than controls, the presence of predators from a foreign community resulted in animals 15% larger than those raised without predators after 15 d of experiment. Interestingly, predators from the same community as the tadpoles did not affect larval growth. The length of the tadpoles from a nearby location (Ma´moles) was unaffected after exposure to ammonium nitrate and predatory stress.Funding was provided by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CGL2005–0372) and Castilla y León Regional (SA071A06). M.E. Ortiz-Santaliestra is supported by a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral position funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.Peer reviewe
Influence of soil properties on the performance of Folsomia candida : implications for its use in soil ecotoxicology testing

Nineteen Mediterranean natural soils with a wide range of properties and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) artificial soil were used to assess the influence of soil properties on the results of avoidance and reproduction tests carried out with the soil collembolan species Folsomia candida. Compared to natural soils, the OECD soil was mostly rejected by individuals when a natural soil was offered in avoidance tests, and the number of offspring produced was generally lower than the one obtained in natural soils. None of the soil properties assessed showed a significant influence on the avoidance behavior. More precisely, only soil moisture was included in the model explaining the avoidance response (avoidance increased with increasing differences in moisture), but its contribution was marginally not significant. The model derived explained only 16% of the variance in avoidance response. On the contrary, several soil properties significantly influenced reproduction (number of offspring increased with increasing moisture content, increasing coarse texture, and decreasing nitrogen content). In this case, the model explained 45% of the variance in reproduction. These results, together with the fact that most of the selected soils fulfilled the validity criteria in both avoidance and reproduction tests, confirm the literature experience showing that this species is relatively insensitive to soil properties and hence highly suitable to be used in ecotoxicological tests with natural soils. In addition, our study highlights the need for accuracy in soil moisture adjustment in soil ecotoxicological tests with this species. Otherwise, results of both avoidance and reproduction tests might be biased
Structure—activity relationships for chloro‐ and nitrophenol toxicity in the pollen tube growth test

—Acute toxicity of 10 chlorophenols and 10 nitrophenols with identical substitution patterns is analyzed with the pollen tubegrowth (PTG) test. Concentration values of 50% growth inhibition (IC50) between 0.1 and 300 mg/L indicate that the absolutesensitivity of this alternative biotest is comparable to conventional aquatic test systems. Analysis of quantitative structure–activityrelationships using lipophilicity (log Kow), acidity (pKa), and quantum chemical parameters to model intrinsic acidity, solvation interactions,and nucleophilicity reveals substantial differences between the intraseries trends of log IC50. With chlorophenols, a narcotictyperelationship is derived, which, however, shows marked differences in slope and intercept when compared to reference regressionequations for polar narcosis. Regression analysis of nitrophenol toxicity suggests interpretation in terms of two modes of action:oxidative uncoupling activity is associated with a pKa window from 3.8 to 8.5, and more acidic congeners with diortho- substitutionshow a transition from uncoupling to a narcotic mode of action with decreasing pKa and log Kow. Model calculations for phenolnucleophilicity suggest that differences in the phenol readiness for glucuronic acid conjugation as a major phase-II detoxication pathway\ud
have no direct influence on acute PTG toxicity of the compounds
Exposure of female juvenile rainbow trout to alkylphenolic compounds results in modifications to growth and ovosomatic index

The alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs) are a major group of non-ionic surfactants. Biodegradation of these compounds is incomplete during sewage treatment, thus they are ubiquitous aquatic pollutants. All the main degradation products of APEOs have recently been demonstrated to have estrogenic properties in vitro, but their effects in vivo remain to be established. In this study, female juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) were exposed to octylphenol (OP), nonylphenol (NP), nonylphenol diethoxylate (NP2EO) and nonylphenol mono-carboxylic acid (NP1EC) at environmentally relevant concentrations (Experiment 1: 1, 10 and 50 ug/L; Experiment 2: 1, 10 and 30 ug/L). Exposure to APEO’s commenced at hatch (day 0) and was terminated on day 22 (Expt. 1) or day 35 (Expt. 2). Body weight and fork length of representative samples of fish from each treatment group were recorded at intervals up to 108 days (Expt. 1) or 466 days (Expt. 2). In Experiment 1, significant differences in size of the exposed fish, related to treatment, were still apparent on day 108, 86 days after withdrawal of the treatments. These observations were confirmed during Experiment 2, in which significant changes in body weight and fork length as a consequence of exposure to the compounds were observed approximately 15 days after exposure was terminated. These differences were sustained for at least 466 days in the case of NP and NP1EC. In addition, the ovosomatic index (OSI) of fish exposed to NP and NP1EC was significantly affected by the treatment. Survival of fish in the natural environment is strongly influenced by body size, and an appropriate OSI is a crucial factor in successful reproduction. Therefore, exposure of natural populations of fish to these chemicals at concentrations currently measurable in the aquatic environment may have an impact on the performance of those populations
The Effects of nitrite on behavior and metamorphosis in cascades frogs ( Rana cascadae)

Amphibian metamorphosis is a period of drastic morphologic  reorganization, during which larvae experience a decrease in locomotor  ability and are more vulnerable  to predation.  Our results indicate that exposure to sublethal concentrations  of nitrite in the water  induces  behavioral  and  morphologic  changes  in the Cascades  frog  (Rana  cascadae).  Tadpoles  exposed  to a nitrite concentration  of N-NO—  at 3.5 mg/L transformed more slowly than control tadpoles exposed to dechlorinated tap water. No difference was found in time at emergence  and snout–vent  length at emergence  between  experimental  and control tadpoles, but development was retarded  in tadpoles  exposed  to nitrite and they emerged  at an earlier developmental  stage. Also, tadpoles  exposed to nitrite occupied  shallow water more frequently  than did control tadpoles.Peer reviewe
Sensitivity to nitrate and nitrite in pond-breeding amphibians from the Pacific northwest, USA

In  static experiments,  we studied  the effects  of nitrate and nitrite solutions  on newly hatched  larvae of five species of amphibians,  namely Rana pretiosa,  Rana aurora,  Bufo boreas,  Hyla regilla,  and Ambystoma  gracile.  When nitrate or nitrite ions were added to the water, some larvae of some species  reduced  feeding  activity,  swam less vigorously,  showed disequilibrium  and paralysis, suffered abnormalities  and edemas, and eventually died. The observed effects increased with both concentration and time, and there were significant differences  in sensitivity  among species. Ambrystoma gracile displayed  the highest acute effect in water with nitrate and nitrite. The three ranid species  had acute effects in water with nitrite. In chronic exposures,  R. pretiosa  was the most  sensitive  species  to nitrates  and nitrites.  All species  showed  15-d LC50s  lower  than 2 mg N-NO2  /L. For both  N ions,  B. boreas  was  the  least  sensitive  amphibian.  All  species  showed  a high  mortality  at the  U.S.  Environmental   Protection  Agency- recommended  limits of nitrite for warm-water  fishes (5 mg N-NO2  /L) and a significant larval mortality at the recommended  limits of nitrite concentration  for drinking  water (1 mg N-NO2                The recommended  levels of nitrate for warm-water  fishes (90 mg N-\ud
 \ud
NO3\ud
 \ud
/L)\ud
 \ud
were highly toxic for R. pretiosa  and A. gracile  larvaePeer reviewe
Class III metallothioneins in response to cadmium toxicity in the marine microalga Tetraselmis suecica (Kylin) Butch

Microalgae are one of the most important organisms in our ecosystems being seriously affected by metal pollution. However, the microalgae Tetraselmis suecica (Kylin) Butch is tolerant to cadmium; the concentration of this metal that reduces the population growth to 50% of the control growth level is 5.8 mg/L after 96 h of exposure. In this study, class III metallothioneins were investigated for their involvement as a possible tolerance mechanism in this microalga when exposed to cadmium. A set of these molecules was purified from these microalgal cells after exposure to the metal. These polypeptides were analyzed by capillary zone electrophoresis, which is a technique that allows the length of the metallothioneins synthesized by this microalga to be known. The T. suecica cells were able to synthesize class III metallothioneins of three to six subunits of (γ-Glu-Cys). The most abundant polypeptide possessed four subunits, and (γ-Glu-Cys)6-Gly was the largest polypeptide synthesized by this microalga and detected by this technique. Tolerance to cadmium as a function of increasing polypeptide length is also discussed