| 1. |
- Alamdar, Ambreen, et al.
(författare)
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Human Arsenic exposure via dust across the different ecological zones of Pakistan
- 2016
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Ingår i: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. - : Elsevier. - 0147-6513 .- 1090-2414. ; 126, s. 219-227
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present study aims to assess the arsenic (As) levels into dust samples and its implications for human health, of four ecological zones of Pakistan, which included northern frozen mountains (FMZ), lower Himalyian wet mountains (WMZ), alluvial riverine plains (ARZ), and low lying agricultural areas (LIZ). Human nail samples (N=180) of general population were also collected from the similar areas and all the samples were analysed by using ICP-MS. In general the higher levels (p < 0.05) in paired dust and human nail samples were observed from ARZ and LIZ than those of other mountainous areas (i.e., WMZ and FMZ), respectively. Current results suggested that elevated As concentrations were associated to both natural, (e.g. geogenic influences) and anthropogenic sources. Linear regression model values indicated that As levels into dust samples were associated with altitude (r(2)=0.23), soil carbonate carbon density (SCC; r(2)=033), and population density (PD; r(2)=0.25). The relationship of paired dust and nail samples was also investigated and associations were found for As-nail and soil organic carbon density (SOC; r(2)=0.49) and SCC (r(2)=0.19) in each studied zone, evidencing the dust exposure as an important source of arsenic contamination in Pakistan. Risk estimation reflected higher hazard index (HI) values of non carcinogenic risk (HI > 1) for children populations in all areas (except FMZ), and for adults in LIZ (0.74) and ARZ (0.55), suggesting that caution should be paid about the dust exposure. Similarly, carcinogenic risk assessment also highlighted potential threats to the residents of LLZ and ARZ, as in few cases (5-10%) the values exceeded the range of US -EPA threshold limits (10'6-10-4).
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| 2. |
- Alijagic, Andi, 1992-, et al.
(författare)
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Probing safety of nanoparticles by outlining sea urchin sensing and signaling cascades
- 2017
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Ingår i: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. - New York : Academic Press. - 0147-6513 .- 1090-2414. ; 144, s. 416-421
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Among currently identified issues presenting risks and benefits to human and ocean health, engineered nanoparticles (ENP) represent a priority. Predictions of their economic and social impact appear extraordinary, but their release in the environment at an uncontrollable rate is in striking contrast with the extremely limited number of studies on environmental impact, especially on the marine environment. The sea urchin has a remarkable sensing environmental system whose function and diversity came into focus during the recent years, after sea urchin genome sequencing. The complex immune system may be the basis wherefore sea urchins can adapt to a dynamic environment and survive even in hazardous conditions both in the adult and in the embryonic life. This review is aimed at discussing the literature in nanotoxicological/ecotoxicological studies with a focus on stress and innate immune signaling in sea urchins. In addition, here we introduce our current development of in vitro-driven probes that could be used to dissect ENP aftermaths, suggesting their future use in immune-nanotoxicology.
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| 3. |
- Almamoun, Radwa, et al.
(författare)
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Altered gut microbiota community structure and correlated immune system changes in dibutyl phthalate exposed mice
- 2023
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Ingår i: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. - 0147-6513 .- 1090-2414. ; 262
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant linked with various adverse health effects, including immune system dysfunction. Gut microbial dysbiosis can contribute to a wide range of pathogenesis, particularly immune disease. Here, we investigated the impact of DBP on the gut microbiome and examined correlations with immune system changes after five weeks oral exposure (10 or 100 mg/kg/day) in adult male mice. The fecal microbiome composition was characterized using 16S rRNA sequencing. DBP-treated mice displayed a significantly distinct microbial community composition, indicated by Bray-Curtis distance. Numerous amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) at the genus level were altered. Compared to the vehicle control group, the 10 mg/kg/day DBP group had 63 more abundant and 65 less abundant ASVs, while 60 ASVs were increased and 76 ASVs were decreased in the 100 mg/kg/day DBP group. Both DBP treatment groups showed higher abundances of ASVs assigned to Desulfovibrio (Proteobacteria phylum) and Enterorhabdus genera, while ASVs belonging to Parabacteroides, Lachnospiraceae UCG-006 and Lachnoclostridium were less common compared to the control group. Interestingly, an ASV belonging to Rumniniclostridium 6, which was less abundant in DBP-treated mice, demonstrated a negative correlation with the increased number of non-classical monocytes observed in the blood of DBP-treated animals. In addition, an ASV from Lachnospiraceae UCG-001, which was more abundant in the DBP-treated animals, showed a positive correlation with the non-classical monocyte increase. This study shows that DBP exposure greatly modifies the gut bacterial microbiome and indicates a potential contribution of microbial dysbiosis to DBP-induced immune system impairment, illustrating the importance of investigating how interactions between exposome components can affect health.
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| 4. |
- Andersson, Marie, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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The environmental neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (l-BMAA) is deposited into birds' eggs
- 2018
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Ingår i: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. - : Elsevier BV. - 0147-6513 .- 1090-2414. ; 147, s. 720-724
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- C-carboxyl-labeled BMAA were compared. The results revealed a pronounced incorporation of radioactivity in the eggs, predominantly in the yolk but also in the albumen. Imaging analysis showed that the concentrations of radioactivity in the liver decreased about seven times between the 24h and the 72h time points, while the concentrations in egg yolk remained largely unchanged. At 72h the egg yolk contained about five times the concentration of radioactivity in the liver. Both BMAA preparations gave rise to similar distribution pattern in the bird tissues and in the eggs, indicating metabolic stability of the labeled groups. The demonstrated deposition into eggs warrants studies of BMAAs effects on bird development. Moreover, birds' eggs may be a source of human BMAA exposure, provided that the laying birds are exposed to BMAA via their diet.
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| 5. |
- Bergek, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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From individuals to populations : Impacts of environmental pollution on natural eelpout populations
- 2012
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Ingår i: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. - : Elsevier BV. - 0147-6513 .- 1090-2414. ; 79, s. 1-12
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Investigating how individuals are affected by environmental pollution is relatively straightforward, for example through conducting field studies or laboratory toxicity tests. Exploring such effects at a population level is considerably more difficult. Nonetheless, the exploration of population-level effects is important as the outcomes may differ from those seen at the individual level. Eelpout (Zoarces viviparus L) have been used for several years as a bioindicator for hazard substances in both the field and laboratory tests, and individual effects on reproduction have been reported. However, the influence of these effects at the population level remained unexplored. In this study, four Leslie matrix models were parameterized using data from non-polluted eelpout populations (Skagerrak, Baltic Proper, Gulf of Bothnia and Gulf of Finland). The four sites represent an environmental gradient in salinity. Furthermore, life-history data revealed differences between the sites with growth rate, fecundity, age at maturity and longevity being the most significant. The effect of pollution on natural eelpout populations was then simulated by combining the outputs from the Leslie matrices with data from laboratory and field studies exploring reproductive impairment in contaminated environments. Our results show that despite differences in life-history characteristics between sites, survival of early life stages (i.e. larvae and zero-year-old fish) was the most important factor affecting population growth and persistence for all sites. The range of change in survival of larvae necessary to change population dynamics (i.e. growth) and persistence is well within the range documented in recipient and experimental studies of chemicals and industrial waste waters. Overall, larval malformation resulting from environmental pollution can have large effects on natural populations, leading to population losses and possibly even extinction. This study hereby contributes valuable knowledge by extending individual-level effects of environmental contaminants to the population level. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 6. |
- Birgersson, Lina, 1989, et al.
(författare)
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Thyroid function and immune status in perch (Perca fluviatilis) from lakes contaminated with PFASs or PCBs
- 2021
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Ingår i: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. - : Elsevier BV. - 0147-6513 .- 1090-2414. ; 222
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The environment contains a multitude of man-made chemicals, some of which can act as endocrine disruptors (EDCs), while others can be immunotoxic. We evaluated thyroid disruption and immunotoxic effects in wild female perch (Perca fluviatilis) collected from two contaminated areas in Sweden; one site contaminated with perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and two sites contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), with one reference site included for each area. The hepatic mRNA expression of thyroid receptors alpha and beta, and the thyroid hormone metabolising iodothyronine deiodinases (dio1, dio2 and dio3) were measured using real-time PCR, while the levels of thyroid hormone T3 in plasma was analysed using a radioimmunoassay. In addition, lymphocytes, granulocytes, and thrombocytes were counted microscopically. Our results showed lower levels of T3 as well as lower amounts of lymphocytes and granulocytes in perch collected from the PFAS-contaminated site compared to reference sites. In addition, expressions of mRNA coding for thyroid hormone metabolising enzymes (dio2 and dio3) and thyroid receptor alpha (thra) were significantly different in these fish compared to their reference site. For perch collected at the two PCB-contaminated sites, there were no significant differences in T3 levels or in expression levels of the thyroid-related genes, compared to the reference fish. Fish from one of the PCB-contaminated sites had higher levels of thrombocytes compared with both the second PCB lake and their reference lake; hence PCBs are unlikely to be the cause of this effect. The current study suggests that lifelong exposure to PFASs could affect both the thyroid hormone status and immune defence of perch in the wild.
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| 7. |
- Blanc, Mélanie, 1993-, et al.
(författare)
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Multi- and transgenerational effects following early-life exposure of zebrafish to permethrin and coumarin 47 : Impact on growth, fertility, behavior and lipid metabolism
- 2020
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Ingår i: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. - : Academic Press. - 0147-6513 .- 1090-2414. ; 205
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transgenerational effects induced by environmental stressors are a threat to ecosystems and human health. However, there is still limited observation and understanding of the potential of chemicals to influence life outcomes over several generations. In the present study, we investigated the effects of two environmental contaminants, coumarin 47 and permethrin, on exposed zebrafish (FO) and their progeny (F1-F3). Coumarin 47 is commonly found in personal care products and dyes, whereas permethrin is used as a domestic and agricultural pyrethroid insecticide/insect repellent. Zebrafish (F0) were exposed during early development until 28 days post-fertilization and their progeny (F1-F3) were bred unexposed. On one hand, the effects induced by coumarin 47 suggest no multigenerational toxicity. On the other hand, we found that behavior of zebrafish larvae was significantly affected by exposure to permethrin in F1 to F3 generations with some differences depending on the concentration. This suggests persistent alteration of the neural or neuromuscular function. In addition, lipidomic analyses showed that permethrin treatment was partially correlated with lysophosphatidylcholine levels in zebrafish, an important lipid for neurodevelopment. Overall, these results stress out one of the most widely used pyrethroids can trigger long-term, multi- and possibly transgenerational changes in the nervous system of zebrafish. These neurobehavioral changes echo the effects observed under direct exposure to high concentrations of permethrin and therefore call for more research on mechanisms underlying effect inheritance.
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| 8. |
- Bonet, Berta, et al.
(författare)
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Antioxidant enzyme activities as biomarkers of Zn pollution in fluvial biofilms
- 2012
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Ingår i: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. - : Elsevier BV. - 0147-6513 .- 1090-2414. ; 80, s. 172-178
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The potential of the antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) as molecular biomarkers of Zn toxicity in freshwater biofilms has been explored in this study jointly with other classical functional and structural endpoints (photosynthetic parameters, algal group composition and bioaccumulation). Biofilms were colonized in an indoor microcosm system for 5 weeks and then exposed to Zn for 5 weeks. To evaluate Zn effects, biofilms were sampled 5 and 3 days before exposure, just before exposure (time 0), and after 6h, 1, 3, 7, 21 and 35 days of metal exposure. Most endpoints measured were affected by Zn exposure (320μgZnL -1) during both periods of exposure. APX was the only functional parameter responding after a few hours of Zn exposure, highlighting its use as an early toxicity biomarker. Structural changes began after 3 days of exposure, starting with a decrease in algal biomass and an increase in the OD 430:665 ratio. Structural changes in biofilm communities were observed after 1 week, leading to a shift from diatoms to cyanobacteria and green algae-dominated communities. CAT activity was thereafter enhanced (after three weeks of exposure) and attributed not only to a direct effect of Zn bioaccumulation but also to an indirect effect of the community composition changes driven by chronic metal exposure. It can be concluded that biofilm antioxidant enzyme activities may provide evidence of early stress caused by metal exposure and also provide information about the mechanism of community adaptation. This information can be of great interest to improve current tools used for risk assessment. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.
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| 9. |
- Breitholtz, Magnus, et al.
(författare)
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An evaluation of free water surface wetlands as tertiary sewage water treatment of micro-pollutants
- 2012
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Ingår i: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. - : Elsevier BV. - 0147-6513 .- 1090-2414. ; 78, s. 63-71
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Increased attention is currently directed towards potential negative effects of pharmaceuticals and other micro-pollutants discharged into the aquatic environment via municipal sewage water. A number of additional treatment technologies, such as ozonation, have therefore been suggested as promising tools for improving the removal efficiency of pharmaceuticals in existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). Constructed wetlands are also capable of removing a variety of micro-pollutants, including some pharmaceuticals, and could hence be a resource efficient complement to more advanced treatment technologies. The purpose of the present study was therefore to increase the knowledge base concerning the potential use of constructed wetlands as a treatment step to reduce emissions of organic micro-pollutants from municipal sewage effluents. Under cold winter conditions, incoming and outgoing waters from four Swedish free water surface wetlands, operated as final treatment steps of sewage effluent from municipal STPs, were sampled and analyzed for levels of a set of 92 pharmaceuticals and 22 inorganic components as well as assessed using subchronic ecotoxicity tests with a macro-alga and a crustacean. Sixty-five pharmaceuticals were detected in the range from 1 ng L-1 to 7.6 mu g L-1 in incoming and outgoing waters from the four investigated wetlands. Although the sampling design used in the present study lacks the robustness of volume proportional to 24 h composite samples, the average estimated removal rates ranged from 42% to 52%, which correlates to previous published values. The effects observed in the ecotoxicity tests with the macro-alga (EC(50)s in the range of 7.5-46%) and the crustacean (LOECs in the range of 11.25-90%) could not be assigned to either pharmaceutical residues or metals, but in general showed that these treatment facilities release water with a relatively low toxic potential, comparable to water that has been treated with advanced tertiary treatments. From the present study it can be concluded that constructed wetlands may provide a complementary sewage treatment option, especially where other treatment is lacking today. To fully remove micro-pollutants from sewage effluent, however, other more advanced treatment technologies are likely needed.
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| 10. |
- Breitholtz, M., et al.
(författare)
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Ten challenges for improved ecotoxicological testing in environmental risk assessment
- 2006
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Ingår i: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. - : Elsevier BV. - 0147-6513 .- 1090-2414. ; 63:2, s. 324-335
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- New regulations, in particular the new European chemicals legislation (REACH), will increase the demands on environmental risk assessment (ERA). The requirements on efficient ecotoxicological testing systems are summarized, and 10 major issues for the improvement of ERA practices are discussed, namely: (1) the choice of representative test species, (2) the development of test systems that are relevant for ecosystems in different parts of the world, (3) the inclusion of sensitive life stages in test systems, (4) the inclusion of endpoints on genetic variation in populations, (5) using mechanistic understanding of toxic effects to develop more informative and efficient test systems, (6) studying disruption in invertebrate endocrine mechanisms, that may differ radically from those we know from vertebrates, (7) developing standardized methodologies for testing of poorly water-soluble substances, (8) taking ethical considerations into account, in particular by reducing the use of vertebrates in ecotoxico logical tests, (9) using a systematic (statistical) approach in combination with mechanistic knowledge to combine tests efficiently into testing systems, and (10) developing ERA so that it provides the information needed for precautionary decision-making.
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