1. |
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2. |
- Jagers, Sverker C., 1967, et al.
(author)
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On the preconditions for large-scale collective action
- 2020
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In: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 49:7, s. 1282-1296
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The phenomenon of collective action and the origin of collective action problems have been extensively and systematically studied in the social sciences. Yet, while we have substantial knowledge about the factors promoting collective action at the local level, we know far less about how these insights travel to large-scale collective action problems. Such problems, however, are at the heart of humanity's most pressing challenges, including climate change, large-scale natural resource depletion, biodiversity loss, nuclear proliferation, antibiotic resistance due to overconsumption of antibiotics, and pollution. In this paper, we suggest an analytical framework that captures the theoretical understanding of preconditions for large-scale collective action. This analytical framework aims at supporting future empirical analyses of how to cope with and overcome larger-scale collective action problems. More specifically, we (i) define and describe the main characteristics of a large-scale collective action problem and (ii) explain why voluntary and, in particular, spontaneous large-scale collective action among individual actors becomes more improbable as the collective action problem becomes larger, thus demanding interventions by an external authority (a third party) for such action to be generated. Based on this, we (iii) outline an analytical framework that illustrates the connection between third-party interventions and large-scale collective action. We conclude by suggesting avenues for future research.
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3. |
- Alpizar, F., et al.
(author)
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A framework for selecting and designing policies to reduce marine plastic pollution in developing countries
- 2020
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In: Environmental Science and Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 1462-9011 .- 1873-6416. ; 109:July 2020, s. 25-35
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- © 2020 The Authors The polluting of marine ecosystems with plastics is both a global and a local problem with potentially severe consequences for wildlife, economic activity, and human health. It is a problem that originates in countries’ inability to adequately manage the growing flow of waste. We use an impact pathway framework to trace the flow of plastics through the socio-ecological system and identify the role of specific policy instruments in achieving behavioral changes to reduce marine plastic waste. We produce a toolbox for finding a policy that is suitable for different countries. We use the impact pathway and toolbox to make country-specific recommendations that reflect the reality in each of the selected countries.
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4. |
- Asker, Noomi, 1968, et al.
(author)
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A gene to organism approach-assessing the impact of environmental pollution in eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) females and larvae
- 2015
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In: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. - : Wiley. - 0730-7268 .- 1552-8618. ; 34:7, s. 1511-1523
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A broad biomarker approach was applied to study the effects of marine pollution along the Swedish west coast using the teleost eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) as the sentinel species. Measurements were performed on different biological levels, from the molecular to the organismal, including measurements of messenger RNA (mRNA), proteins, cellular and tissue changes, and reproductive success. Results revealed that eelpout captured in Stenungsund had significantly higher hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity, high levels of both cytochrome P4501A and diablo homolog mRNA, and high prevalence of dead larvae and nuclear damage in erythrocytes. Eelpout collected in Göteborg harbor displayed extensive macrovesicular steatosis, whereby the majority of hepatocytes were affected throughout the liver, which could indicate an effect on lipid metabolism. Results also indicate that eelpouts collected at polluted sites might have an affected immune system, with lower mRNA expression of genes involved in the innate immune system and a higher number of lymphocytes. Biomarker assessment also was performed on livers dissected from unborn eelpout larvae collected from the ovary of the females. No significant differences were noted, which might indicate that the larvae to some extent are protected from effects of environmental pollutants. In conclusion, usage of the selected set of biological markers, covering responses from gene to organism, has demonstrated site-specific biomarker patterns that provided a broad and comprehensive picture of the impact of environmental stressors.
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5. |
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6. |
- Asmonaité, Giedré, et al.
(author)
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Microplastics as a Vector for Exposure to Hydrophobic Organic Chemicals in Fish: A Comparison of Two Polymers and Silica Particles Spiked With Three Model Compounds
- 2020
-
In: Frontiers in Environmental Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-665X. ; 8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The role of microplastics as chemical vectors delivering environmental contaminants into biota has been proposed, but their environmental relevance remains an issue of a debate. In this paper we compared the propensity and relative importance of synthetic polymer microparticles [glassy polystyrene (PS) and rubbery polyethylene (PE)] and silica glass particles (SG) to act as vectors for hydrophobic organic chemicals (HOCs) into fish after ingestion. Particles were spiked with three HOCs [17 alpha-ethinylestradiol, chlorpyrifos and benzo(alpha)pyrene], which differ in hydrophobicity and induce well-known biomarker responses. Three-spined stickleback were exposed to 8 different diets: control diets (1), diets with non-spiked particles (2-4), diets containing a mixture of particles spiked with 3 model contaminants (5-7) and, finally, diets loaded with only the chemical mixture (8), for 14 days. Chemical sorption onto the particles was quantified and chemical transfer into the fish was investigated via biomarkers (CYP1a, ER alpha, VTG, and AChE) in fish intestine, liver and brain and quantification of HOCs in fish muscle. Results demonstrated particle-mediated chemical transfer of moderately hydrophobic contaminants into fish. While PS and PE particles mediated higher chemical transfer and tissue accumulation of 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol and chlorpyrifos than SG, the overall chemical transfer was found to be very low. The present work suggested that chemical sorption, desorption and subsequent transfer of chemicalsin vivodepends on multiple interconnected factors, including physicochemical properties of particles and contaminants, as well as toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic interactions. The biomarker approach was, however, suboptimal for assessing chemical transfer when addressing particle-associated chemical mixtures.
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7. |
- Ašmonaitė, Giedrė, 1989, et al.
(author)
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Rainbow trout maintain intestinal transport and barrier functions following exposure to polystyrene microplastics.
- 2018
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In: Environmental science & technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1520-5851 .- 0013-936X. ; 52:24, s. 14392-14401
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ingestion has been proposed as a prominent exposure route for plastic debris in aquatic organisms, including fish. While the consequences of ingestion of large plastic litter are mostly understood, the impacts resulting from microplastics (MPs) are largely unknown. We designed a study aimed to assess impacts of MPs on fish intestinal physiology and examined integrity of extrinsic, physical and immunological barriers. Rainbow trout were exposed to polystyrene (PS) MPs (100-400 µm) via feed for a period of 4 weeks. Fish were fed four types of diets: control, diets containing virgin PS particles, or particles exposed to two different environmental matrices (sewage or harbor effluent). Extrinsic barrier disturbance in intestinal tissue was evaluated via histology. The paracellular permeability towards ions and molecules was examined using Ussing chambers and mRNA expression analysis of tight junction proteins. Active transport was monitored as transepithelial potential difference, short-circuits current and uptake rate of amino acid 3H-lysine. Immune status parameters were measured through mRNA expression level of cytokines, lysozyme activity, and hematological analysis of immune cells. We could not show that PS MPs induced inflammatory responses or acted as physical and/or chemical hazards upon ingestion and exerted no measurable effects on intestinal permeability, active transport or electrophysiology.
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8. |
- Ašmonaitė, Giedrė, 1989, et al.
(author)
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Size matters: ingestion of relatively large microplastics contaminated with environmental pollutants posed little risk for fish health and fillet quality.
- 2018
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In: Environmental science & technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1520-5851 .- 0013-936X.
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this study, we investigated biological effects associated with ingestion of polystyrene (PS) microplastic (MPs) in fish. We examined whether ingestion of contaminated PS MPs (100-400 µm) results in chemical stress in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver and we explored whether this exposure can affect the oxidative stability of the fillet during ice storage. Juvenile rainbow trout were fed for 4 weeks with four different experimental diets: control (1) and feeds containing virgin PS MPs (2) or PS MPs exposed to sewage (3) or harbor (4) effluent. A suite of ecotoxicological biomarkers for oxidative stress and xenobiotic-related pathways was investigated in the hepatic tissue, and included gene expression analyses and enzymatic measurements. The potential impact of MPs exposure on fillet quality was investigated in a storage trial where lipid hydroperoxides, loss of redness and development of rancid odor were assessed as indications of lipid peroxidation. Although, chemical analysis of PS MPs revealed that particles sorb environmental contaminants (e.g. PAHs, nonylphenol and alcohol ethoxylates and others), the ingestion of relatively high doses of these PS MPs did not induce adverse hepatic stress in fish liver. Apart from a small effect on redness loss in fillets, PS MPs ingestion did not affect lipid peroxidation or rancid odor development, thus did not affecting fillet's quality.
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9. |
- Athey, S. N., et al.
(author)
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Unraveling Physical and Chemical Effects of Textile Microfibers
- 2022
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In: Water (Switzerland). - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4441. ; 14:23
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Microfibers are the most prevalent microplastics in most terrestrial, freshwater, and marine biota as well as in human tissues and have been collected from environmental compartments across most ecosystems and species sampled worldwide. These materials, made of diverse compound types, range from semi-synthetic and treated natural fibers to synthetic microfibers. Microfibers expose organisms across diverse taxa to an array of chemicals, both from the manufacturing process and from environmental adsorption, with effects on organisms at subcellular to population levels. Untangling the physical versus chemical effects of these compounds on organisms is challenging and requires further investigations that tease apart these mechanisms. Understanding how physical and chemical exposures affect organisms is essential to improving strategies to minimize harm.
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10. |
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11. |
- Bighiu, Maria Alexandra, et al.
(author)
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Metal contamination in harbours impacts life-history traits and metallothionein levels in snails
- 2017
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In: Plos One. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 12:7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Harbours with limited water exchange are hotspots of contaminant accumulation. Antifouling paints (AF) contribute to this accumulation by leaching biocides that may affect non-target species. In several leisure boat harbours and reference areas in the Baltic Sea, chronic exposure effects were evaluated using caging experiments with the snail Theodoxus fluviatilis. We analysed variations in ecologically relevant endpoints (mortality, growth and reproduction) in concert with variation in metallothionein-like proteins (MTLP) levels. The latter is a biomarker of exposure to metals, such as copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), which are used in AF paints as active ingredient and stabilizer, respectively. In addition, environmental samples (water, sediment) were analysed for metal (Cu and Zn) and nutrient (total phosphorous and nitrogen) concentrations. All life-history endpoints were negatively affected by the exposure, with higher mortality, reduced growth and lower fecundity in the harbours compared to the reference sites. Metal concentrations were the key explanatory variables for all observed adverse effects, suggesting that metal-driven toxicity, which is likely to stem from AF paints, is a source of anthropogenic stress for biota in the harbours.
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12. |
- Bighiu, Maria Alexandra, et al.
(author)
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Mortality and histopathological effects in harbour-transplanted snails with different exposure histories
- 2017
-
In: Aquatic Toxicology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0166-445X .- 1879-1514. ; 190, s. 11-20
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Contaminants are important stressors in the aquatic environment and may exert selective pressures on organisms. We hypothesized that snails originating from a metal-contaminated habitat (B) would have increased tolerance to harbour contaminants (e.g. metals from antifouling paints), compared to snails originating from a relatively clean habitat (A). We assessed tolerance to metals in terms of survival and histopathological alterations after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of in situ exposure in three Baltic Sea boat harbours and three reference sites. We also hypothesized that any potential tolerance to contaminants would be associated with differences in genetic diversity between the two snail populations (evaluated as mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, COI). The results show that snails from population A survived to a higher extent compared to population B, possibly indicating either a lack of adaptation to metals in snails B or impaired health condition due to contaminant pre-exposure or a higher resilience of snails A. Moreover, the genetic diversity of COI was low within each population and did not differ between populations. In general, 83% of all the types of histopathological alterations (e.g. lysis and necrosis of gonads and digestive gland or granulocytoma and phagocytosis in the storage tissue, among others) had a higher probability of occurrence among harbour-exposed snails compared to reference exposed snails, regardless of snail population origin. The only significant difference in histological effects between the two populations was in the frequency of parasite infestations and shell fouling, both being larger for population A than B. Interestingly, the rate of parasite infestations was higher for males than females from population A, whereas no sexual dichotomy was observed for population B. Our results show that exposure to harbour contaminants causes both lethal and sublethal toxicity to snails, and the association between many of the toxic responses and metals substantiates that antifouling substances contribute to the observed effects, although there is a large proportion of variation in our data that remains unexplained.
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13. |
- Bour, Agathe, et al.
(author)
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Comprehending the complexity of microplastic organismal exposures and effects, to improve testing frameworks
- 2021
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In: Journal of Hazardous Materials. - : Elsevier BV. - 0304-3894 .- 1873-3336. ; 415
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Microplastics (MPs) have been identified as a threat to global ecosystems. Current projections indicate that the negative impacts of MPs will increase in the environment. Traditional toxicity testing does not account for the diversity of MP particles, the inherent diversity in potential exposure routes, and complex impacts in exposed organisms. Here we present and discuss factors influencing organismal exposure to MPs driven by fate and behavior of MPs in different environmental matrices and organisms behavioral niches. We then provide a structured classification of potential effects of MPs, chemical or particulate, generic or specific to MPs. Using these analyses, we discuss appropriateness and limitations of applying traditional, chemical-based ecotoxicity testing for the study of MPs, and propose practical recommendations and guidelines. Future laboratory based studies can be improved to increase understanding of potential real world effects of MPs by careful selection of appropriate exposure systems and conditions, test organism, MP characteristics, endpoints and required controls. We build upon recommendations provided in previous publications and complement them with a list of parameters and practical information that should be checked and/or reported in MP studies.
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14. |
- Bour, Agathe, et al.
(author)
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Exposure to textile microfibers causes no effect on blood, behavior and tissue morphology in the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus).
- 2022
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In: Marine pollution bulletin. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-3363 .- 0025-326X. ; 180
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We assessed textile microfibers impacts on the three-spined stickleback, using synthetic and natural fibers originating from yarns or washer effluents. After water exposure at 200 fibers/L, we assessed fish survival, behavior, tissue morphology and hemoglobin concentration, and paid special attention to exposure characterization. We report quantitative fiber distribution in the exposure system, fiber size distribution, and contamination. We provide a fiber preparation procedure and exposure method intended to ensure accurate and stable concentrations over time. Following exposure, no effect was observed on the studied endpoints in any of the treatment conditions. We observed fast sinking of the fibers. Fish organs and feces contained 1.3% and 6.8% of recovered fibers, and 12.6% fibers were found adhered to the tank walls. We show that water renewals in semi-static exposures is a critical step for the maintenance of stable concentrations, and discuss the practical and/or methodological challenges associated to the study of microfibers.
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15. |
- Bour, Agathe, et al.
(author)
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Microplastic Vector Effects: Are Fish at Risk When Exposed via the Trophic Chain?
- 2020
-
In: Frontiers in Environmental Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-665X. ; 8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In aquatic organisms, trophic transfer is a relevant exposure route for microplastics (MPs). Despite their relevance, effect studies on fish exposed via trophic chains are currently very scarce. MPs are known to contain many chemicals that could be transferred to organisms and induce deleterious effects. However, there is currently no consensus on whether MPs represent a significant exposure pathway to chemicals in contaminated habitats. Here, we exposed three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) to polyethylene MPs via prey ingestion, in a one-month experiment. MPs were either pristine or spiked with chlorpyrifos (CPF), and a CPF control was included tocompare vector effects of MPs and natural prey. Following exposure, we assessed AChE activity and fish behavior (feeding, locomotion, environment exploration and reaction to the introduction of a novel object). No effect was observed in fish exposed to pristine MPs. CPF accumulation was observed in fish exposed to CPF-spiked MPs (MP-CPF), confirming the vector potential of MPs. However, CPF accumulation was more important in fish exposed to CPF via prey. In fish exposed to MP-CPF, we observed significant AChE inhibition and hyperactivity, which could result in increased vulnerability to predation. CPF organ distribution differed between groups, suggesting that chemical exposure via MPs could alter organ distribution of chemicals. This can result in a change in the organs most at risk, likely increasing intestine exposure.
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16. |
- Bour, Agathe, et al.
(author)
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Synthetic Microfiber and Microbead Exposure and Retention Time in Model Aquatic Species Under Different Exposure Scenarios
- 2020
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In: Frontiers in Environmental Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-665X. ; 8
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Synthetic microfibers have been reported in most aquatic environments and represent a large proportion of environmental microplastics. However, they remain largely under-represented in microplastic ecotoxicity studies. The present study aims to investigate particle interaction with, and retention time in, aquatic organisms comparing microfibers, and microbeads. We used brine shrimp (Artemia sp.) and fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus) as invertebrate and vertebrate models, respectively. Organisms were exposed to a mixture of microbeads (polyethylene, 27-32 mu m) and microfibers (dope dyed polyester; 500 mu m-long) for 2 h, at high concentrations (100,000 part./L) in order to maximize organism-particles interaction.Artemiawere exposed in the presence or absence of food. Fish were exposed either via the trophic route or directly via water, and water exposures were performed either in freshwater or seawater. In the absence of food,Artemiaingested high numbers of microbeads, retained in their digestive tract for up to 96 h. Microfiber ingestion was very limited, and its egestion was fast. In the presence of food, no microfiber was ingested, microbead ingestion was limited, and egestion was fast (48 h). Limited particle ingestion was observed in fish exposed via water, and particle retention time in gut did not exceed 48 h, both for direct and trophic exposure. However, water exposures resulted in a higher number of particles present in gills, and average retention time was higher in gills, compared to gut. This suggests that gills are organs susceptible to microplastic exposure and should be taken into account in fish exposure and effect studies. Our results show that particle ingestion and retention by organisms differ between microbeads and microfibers, suggesting particle selection based on size, shape, and/or color and species-specific selective feeding. We also showed that the presence of food results in limited particle ingestion and retention inArtemiaand that microbeads are more likely to be transferred to organisms from upper trophic levels than microfibers. Finally, fish exposure to particles was not significantly different between freshwater and seawater conditions.
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17. |
- Bråte, Inger Lise, et al.
(author)
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Micro-and macro-plastics in marine species from Nordic waters
- 2017
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This report summarises the knowledge on plastics in Nordic marine species. Nordic biota interacts with plastic pollution, through entanglement and ingestion. Ingestion has been found in many seabirds and also in stranded mammals. Ingestion of plastics has been documented in 14 fish species, which many of them are of ecology and commercially importance. Microplastics have also been found in blue mussels and preliminary studies found synthetic fibres in marine worms. Comparability between and within studies of plastic ingestion by biota from the Nordic environment and other regions are difficult as there are: few studies and different methods are used. It is important that research is directed towards the knowledge gaps highlighted in this report, to get a better understanding on plastic ingestion and impact on biota from the Nordic marine environment.
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18. |
- Carmona, Eric, 1988, et al.
(author)
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A dataset of organic pollutants identified and quantified in recycled polyethylene pellets
- 2023
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In: DATA IN BRIEF. - 2352-3409. ; 51
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Plastics are produced with a staggering array of chemical compounds, with many being known to possess hazardous properties, and others lacking comprehensive hazard data. Furthermore, non-intentionally added substances can contaminate plastics at various stages of their lifecycle, resulting in recycled materials containing an unknown number of chemical compounds at unknown concentrations. While some national and regional regulations exist for permissible concentrations of hazardous chemicals in specific plastic products, less than 1 % of plastics chemicals are subject to international regulation [1] . There are currently no policies mandating transparent reporting of chemicals throughout the plastics value chain or comprehensive monitoring of chemicals in recycled materials.The dataset presented here provides the chemical analysis of 28 samples of recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pellets obtained from various regions of the Global South, along with a reference sample of virgin HDPE. The analysis comprises both Target and Non-Targeted Screening approaches, employing Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and Gas Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (GC-HRMS). In total, 491 organic compounds were detected and quantified, with an additional 170 compounds tentatively annotated. These com-pounds span various classes, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, plastic additives. The results highlight the prevalence of certain chemicals, such as N-ethyl-o-Toluesulfonamide, commonly used in HDPE processing, found in high concentrations. The paper pro-vides a dataset advancing knowledge of the complex chemical composition associated with recycled plastics.
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19. |
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20. |
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21. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Assessing the effects of textile leachates in fish using multiple testing methods: From gene expression to behavior
- 2021
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In: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. - : Elsevier BV. - 0147-6513 .- 1090-2414. ; 207
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The textile industry, while of major importance in the world economy, is a toxic industry utilizing and emitting thousands of chemical substances into the aquatic environment. The aim of this project was to study the potentially harmful effects associated with the leaching of chemical residues from three different types of textiles: sportswear, children’s bath towels, and denim using different fish models (cell lines, fish larvae and juvenile fish). A combination of in vitro and in vivo test systems was used. Numerous biomarkers, ranging from gene expression, cytotoxicity and biochemical analysis to behavior, were measured to detect effects of leached chemicals. Principle findings indicate that leachates from all three types of textiles induced cytotoxicity on fish cell lines (RTgill-W1). Leachates from sportswear and towels induced mortality in zebrafish embryos, and chemical residues from sportswear reduced locomotion responses in developing larval fish. Sportswear leachate increased Cyp1a mRNA expression and EROD activity in liver of exposed brown trout. Leachates from towels induced EROD activity and VTG in rainbow trout, and these effects were mitigated by the temperature of the extraction process. All indicators of toxicity tested showed that exposure to textile leachate can cause adverse reactions in fish. These findings suggested that chemical leaching from textiles from domestic households could pose an ecotoxicological threat to the health of the aquatic environment.
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22. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Circular economy could expose children to hazardous phthalates and chlorinated paraffins via old toys and childcare articles
- 2022
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In: Journal of Hazardous Materials. - : Elsevier BV. - 0304-3894 .- 2772-4166. ; 7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The European waste framework directive encourages reuse, refurbishment and recycling of products and materials in order to reduce plastic waste. However, thousands of chemicals are used in plastic materials. Many of these are potentially toxic, and may cause hormonal and developmental disruption in children. This includes phthalates and short chain chlorinated paraffins, which are used as plasticizers and flame-retardants. European legal frameworks regulate the amounts of these substances in toys in an effort to protect children's health and safety. Currently, limits are set to 0.1% for phthalates and 0.15% for SCCPs. Here, we have investigated levels of these compounds in toys and childcare products that were purchased prior to and after legislation on stricter exposure levels was implemented (total of 157 items, 54 and 103 new and old, respectively). We found that a larger portion of older toys and items (83.5%) contained amounts that exceed legal limits, compared to newer toys and items (29.6%). Concentrations of DEHP, BBP, DIDP, and SCCPs were significantly higher in old items, and both DEHP and DINP were found at concentrations exceeding 400,000 mg/kg in several old balls, which is approximately 40% of the weight of the toy, and 400 times above the legal limit. These findings indicate that old toys have the potential to pose a greater risk to children, and that regulations can be useful tools to protect children from exposure to toxic chemicals. We also stress that the waste framework directive, which urges reuse and repurposing of objects such as second hand items used for dress-up play, can lead to continued exposure via chemicals in older items. We conclude that movement towards circular economy threatens to expose children from legacy compounds already restricted on the market if efforts are not made to remove these items from circulation.
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23. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Early-age changes in oxidative stress in brown trout, Salmo trutta
- 2010
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In: COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY. - 1096-4959. ; 155:4, s. 442-448
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fish are often used as models for studies investigating the ability of xenobiotics to induce oxidative stress, though age or developmental stage of the individuals studied has been given little attention. Oxidative stress in other organisms is associated with aging as well as with periods of rapid growth, which occurs in young brown trout. We measured protein carbonyls, 20S proteosome activity and glutathione (GSH) levels in farmed Salmo trutta in four different age groups from 5 months to 3 years. We found an increase in protein carbonyls and a decrease in 20S proteosome activity in both brain and liver tissues of the fish with increasing size and age. Total GSH levels in liver tissue declined as fish aged and the GSSG:GSH ratio increased. Five month and 1 year old trout were treated with paraquat (PQ) to induce oxidative stress. Five month old fish showed no changes in the measured parameters while 1 year old fish had both an increase in protein carbonylation in liver tissue and a decrease in 20S proteosome activity in brain tissue. These results indicate that oxidative stress biomarkers are affected by age or rapid growth in brown trout, and that individuals of different ages respond differently to oxidative stress induced by PQ.
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24. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Gender differences in health and aging of Atlantic cod subject to size selective fishery
- 2012
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In: Biology Open. - : The Company of Biologists. - 2046-6390. ; 1:9, s. 922-928
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have analyzed health and physiological aging parameters in male and female Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, captured in Kattegat, Skagerrak and in Öresund. Gender differences were clearly evident in a number of variables. Males had longer liver telomeres and higher catalase activities than females, while females had higher superoxide dismutase activity, liver somatic index and condition factor. Effects of age were found for males where levels of the antioxidant glutathione and telomere length declined with age, indicating physiological aging. Liver somatic index increased and percentage oxidized glutathione decreased with age. Between-site comparisons of males show that percentage oxidized glutathione and catalase were lowest in Kattegat, whereas protein carbonyls and condition factor were higher in Skagerrak. Females, on the other hand, showed no differences between sites or indications of somatic aging or age-related effects in egg quality, indicating that older and larger female cod are healthy and show no changes in eggs with age. In contrast, males showed indications of physiological aging and lower condition than females. The results emphasize the importance of conserving old mature fish, in particular high egg-productive females, when managing fisheries.
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25. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Marine Plastic Pollution: Sources, Impacts, and Policy Issues
- 2019
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In: Review of Environmental Economics and Policy. - : University of Chicago Press. - 1750-6816 .- 1750-6824. ; 13:2, s. 317-326
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Plastics have been instrumental in providing access to clean drinking water, medical applications, and improved hygiene and food safety. However, plastics also cause problems. More than 10 million tons of plastic enter the oceans annually. Marine plastic pollution has documented impacts on marine organisms and ecosystem services. The use of chemical additives in plastics also poses a potential threat to human health. While desirable, recycling of plastics is currently constrained by material and chemical complexity, limitations in available technologies, and market demands. This article provides a brief introduction to plastic materials, marine plastic pollution, and its potential effects on marine ecosystems and human health. We also discuss some of the policy and technical issues and suggest priorities for further research.
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26. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974
(author)
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Mikroplaster – vad är problemet?
- 2017
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In: Bi-lagan. - 2000-8139. ; :1, s. 16-17
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Bildäck, konstgräsplaner, syntetiska textilier och hygienartiklar – ibland tandkrämer – är några källor till de mikroplaster vi finner i miljön. Här berättar en forskare om problemet med mikroplaster och vad som kan göras åt det.
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27. |
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28. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Oxidative damage in eelpout (Zoarces viviparus), measured as protein carbonyls and TBARS, as biomarkers
- 2005
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In: Aquatic Toxicology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0166-445X. ; 73:2, s. 171-180
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- During 2002-2003 a dredging campaign was undertaken in Goteborg harbor, Sweden, to widen and deepen shipping lanes. A bunker oil spill occurred in the harbor in July 2003, thereby further exasperating the situation for marine life. Eelpout, Zoarces viviparus, was used as a sentinel species to monitor the impact of these events. Here, we have investigated the effects on two liver parameters, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation, which can serve as biomarkers for oxidative stress. Lipid peroxidation data, measured as TBARS, in eelpout from the field study showed no significant differences between reference and polluted sites, at any of the time points. These results are mirrored in a laboratory exposure to the bunker oil where no differences were seer. between the control and the exposure groups. A trend towards a seasonal cycle in TBARS levels in eelpout liver was observed, with highest amounts measured during the warmer months, 97.08 +/- 14.45 nmol/g liver in the harbor in July compared to 41.20 +/- 2.66 mnol/g liver in November 2001. Protein carbonylation, measured using an ELISA method, did, however, show differences between the reference and polluted sites in the field, as well as differences between time periods (before and during dredging and following the oil spill). The laboratory exposure indicated that the formation and/or accumulation of protein carbonyls is greatly affected by exposure to this PAH rich oil. Levels in the control group were 1.76 +/- 0.13 nmol/mg protein while those fish exposed to the high dose had 6.23 +/- 0.17 nmol/mg protein. We concluded that TBARS is not an appropriate biomarker for pollutant mediated oxidative damage in eelpout while protein carbonyl formation does appear to be affected by xenobiotic exposure. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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29. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974
(author)
-
Oxidative Damage in Fish Used as Biomarkers in Field and Laboratory Studies.
- 2008
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Many toxic xenobiotics entering into the aquatic environment exert their effects through redox cycling. Oxidative stress, incorporating both antioxidant defences as well as oxidative damage, is a common effect in organisms exposed to xenobiotics in their environment. The studies included in this dissertation evaluate the effects of different types of environmental pollution on oxidative stress biomarkers in teleost fishes. Effects of aging, alone or in combination with oxidative stress, on protein carbonylation were also addressed. Antioxidant enzyme activities were measured in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) caged in a river polluted by sewage treatment plant (STP) effluent as well as highly contaminated sediment, and in corkwing wrasse (Symphodus melops) collected at heavy metal contaminated and PAH contaminated sites. Antioxidant enzymes showed very few changes in these fish. Glutathione levels were affected by STP effluent exposure in rainbow trout and by PAH exposure in corkwing wrasse. Protein carbonylation was elevated in plasma of the corkwing wrasse captured at the heavy metal site and in plasma of rainbow trout caged near the STP effluent. Lipid peroxidation was elevated in the livers of these rainbow trout. Oxidative damage biomarkers were also measured in eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) captured in a polluted harbor, before, during and after a dredging campaign, as well as following an oil spill. Protein carbonyl levels in livers of eelpout were affected by exposure to pollution in the harbor, though this was measured both as increases and as decreases, indicating a complicated relationship between prooxidant exposure and protein carbonyl accumulation. Lipid peroxidation in eelpout was unaffected by pollutant exposure. Western blot analyses of protein carbonylation in corkwing wrasse exposed to heavy metals and in rainbow trout exposed to paraquat (PQ) suggest that albumin may be the plasma protein most likely to undergo carbonylation in these fish. Brown trout (Salmo trutta) were used in a laboratory study to investigate the effects of aging on oxidative stress parameters, i.e. protein carbonylation, 20S proteosome activity and glutathione levels. All parameters were affected by aging, as was the response to PQ exposure, where 1 year old fish were more sensitive than 0+ fish. To conclude, the results presented here indicate that antioxidant enzymes may not provide a good biomarker of exposure to xenobiotics in the field. However, oxidative damage products, i.e. protein carbonyls and lipid peroxidation, seem to be useful as biomarkers. Care should be taken to consider age of the exposed individuals. Oxidative stress is a complex phenomenon to measure in the field. Antioxidant enzyme activities may be altered after an acute exposure and then return to normal levels but damage products can persist even after the initial stress has stabilized.
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30. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
-
Oxidative damage in rainbow trout caged in a polluted river.
- 2008
-
In: Marine Environmental Research. ; 66:1, s. 90-91
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sewage treatment works (STWs) are a common source of chemicals entering into the aquatic environment. In order to assess effects of these effluents on oxidative stress parameters in aquatic organisms, we caged rainbow trout at five sites: upstream, near an STW effluent, and three sites downstream in the river Viskan in western Sweden for 14 days during autumn, 2006. We then measured protein carbonyls in plasma as well as 20S proteosome activity and lipid peroxidation products, i.e. MDA and 4-HNE, in liver samples. Levels of both lipid and protein oxidative damage products were elevated in fish caged near the STW effluent while 20S activity showed no differences. This argues that complex mixtures of chemicals entering into the aquatic environment do have deleterious effects on fish. Additionally, oxidative stress parameters can serve as a biomarker in aquatic organisms.
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31. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
-
Oxidative stress and biomarker responses in the Atlantic halibut after long term exposure to elevated CO2 and a range of temperatures
- 2019
-
In: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology B-Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1096-4959. ; 238
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- CO2 emissions from human activities are increasing, resulting in greater rates of change in the oceans, exceeding any other event in geological and historical records over the past 300 million years. Oceans are warming and pH levels are decreasing. Marine organisms will need to respond to multiple stressors and the potential consequences of global change-related effects in fish needs to be investigated. Fish are affected by many biotic and abiotic environmental variables, including temperature and CO2 fluctuations, and it is therefore critical to investigate how these variables may affect physiological and biochemical processes. We investigated the effects of elevated CO2 levels (pH of 8.0, which served as a control, or 7.6, which is predicted for the year 2100) combined with exposure to different temperatures (5, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 degrees C) in the Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) during a three month experiment. Since regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is crucial for physiological processes the focus was on the antioxidant defense system and we assessed the effects on catalytic activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GR, GST, GPx). In addition we also analyzed effects on cholinesterase enzymes (AChE and BChE), and CYP1A enzyme activities (EROD). The treatments resulted in oxidative stress, and damage was evident in the form of protein carbonyls which were consistently higher in the elevated CO2 -treated fish at all temperatures. Analyses of antioxidant enzymes did not show the same results, suggesting that the exposure to elevated CO2 increased ROS formation but not defences. The antioxidant defense system was insufficient, and the resulting oxidative damage could impact physiological function of the halibut on a cellular level.
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32. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
-
Oxidative stress, evident in antioxidant defences and damage products, in rainbow trout caged outside a sewage treatment plant
- 2008
-
In: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. ; 70:3, s. 370-378
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sewage treatment plants (STPs) are common sources of a wide variety of chemicals entering into the aquatic environment. We have investigated the effects of STP effluent on oxidative stress parameters in rainbow trout via measurements of several enzymatic antioxidants as well as the molecular antioxidant glutathione (GSH). In addition, we have measured levels of oxidative damage, i.e. protein carbonyls and lipid peroxides. Our findings indicate that STP effluent does contain prooxidants that affect fish. Oxidative damage was a more consistent indicator of exposure to prooxidants than antioxidant enzymes. Protein carbonyls and lipid peroxides were both elevated (1.3- and 1.8-fold increases, respectively) in fish caged at the STP site compared with reference site as was the amount of oxidized GSH (GSSG), which showed a 3-fold increase. Antioxidant enzymes showed no clear-cut response. Additionally, older pollutants that have been present in down stream sediment for decades had no effects on the parameters measured here.
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33. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
-
Oxidative stress in growth hormone transgenic coho salmon with compressed lifespan - a model for addressing aging
- 2012
-
In: Free Radical Research. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1071-5762 .- 1029-2470. ; 46:10, s. 1183-1189
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Growth hormone (GH) transgenic fish have dramatically enhanced growth rates, increased oxygen demands and reactive oxygen species production. GH-transgenic coho salmon provide an opportunity to address effects of increased metabolism on physiological aging. The objective of this study was to compare oxidative stress in wild-type (WT) and GH-transgenic (T) coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) of different ages (1 and 2 years). Antioxidant enzyme activity, protein carbonyls (PC) and glutathione (GSH, GSSG) were measured. PC correlated to growth rates in individual fish. T fish exhibited lower antioxidant enzyme activities and GSH levels compared to the WT, while levels of PC and GSSG were higher. Age affects were observed in both WT and T fish; enzyme activities and GSH decreased while PC and GSSG increased. Our results support the metabolic rate theory of aging. This study aims to be a platform for continued studies of the theories of aging using fish as model organisms.
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34. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
-
Protein carbonyls and antioxidant defenses in corkwing wrasse (Symphodus melops) from a heavy metal polluted and a PAH polluted site.
- 2008
-
In: Marine environmental research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0141-1136. ; 66:2, s. 271-7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The use of fish in environmental monitoring has become increasingly important in recent years as anthropogenic substances, many of which function as prooxidants, are accumulating in aquatic environments. We have measured a battery of antioxidant defenses as a measure of oxidative status, as well as protein carbonylation as a measure of oxidative damage, in corkwing wrasse (Symphodus melops) captured near a disused copper mine, where water and sediment are contaminated with heavy metals, and an aluminum smelter, a site contaminated with PAHs. Results were compared to two different reference sites. Fish at the heavy metal site had lower glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and elevated protein carbonyls (1.8 times) compared to fish from the reference site. At the PAH site, EROD was increased 2-fold, while total glutathione and methemoglobin reductase concentration, were decreased. No differences were seen in protein carbonyl levels at the PAH site. Measures of both antioxidant defenses and oxidative damage should be used when assessing effects of xenobiotics on oxidative stress in fish species.
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35. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
-
Quantifying shedding of synthetic fibers from textiles; a source of microplastics released into the environment
- 2018
-
In: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0944-1344 .- 1614-7499. ; 25:2, s. 1191-1199
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Microplastics in the environment are a subject of intense research as they pose a potential threat to marine organisms. Plastic fibers from textiles have been indicated as a major source of this type of contaminant, entering the oceans via wastewater and diverse non-point sources. Their presence is also documented in terrestrial samples. In this study, the amount of microfibers shedding from synthetic textiles was measured for three materials (acrylic, nylon, polyester), knit using different gauges and techniques. All textiles were found to shed, but polyester fleece fabrics shed the greatest amounts, averaging 7360 fibers/m(-2)/L-1 in one wash, compared with polyester fabrics which shed 87 fibers/m(-2)/L-1. We found that loose textile constructions shed more, as did worn fabrics, and high twist yarns are to be preferred for shed reduction. Since fiber from clothing is a potentially important source of microplastics, we suggest that smarter textile construction, prewashing and vacuum exhaustion at production sites, and use of more efficient filters in household washing machines could help mitigate this problem.
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36. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
-
Single-use take-away cups of paper are as toxic to aquatic midge larvae as plastic cups
- 2023
-
In: Environmental Pollution. - 0269-7491. ; 330
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Single-use plastics and food packaging are the most common items polluting the environment, commonly identified in surveys and litter monitoring campaigns. There are pushes to ban these products from production and use in different regions, and to replace them with other materials viewed as "safer" or "more sustainable". Here, we address the potential environmental impacts of take-away cups and lids used for hot and cold bever-ages, consisting of plastic or paper. We produced leachates from plastic cups (polypropylene), lids (polystyrene), and paper cups (lined with polylactic acid), under conditions representative of plastic leaching in the environ-ment. The packaging items were placed and left to leach in sediment and freshwater for up to four weeks, and we tested the toxicity of contaminated water and sediment separately. We used the model aquatic invertebrate Chironomus riparius and assessed multiple endpoints both on larval stages and on emergence to the adult phase. We observed a significant growth inhibition with all the materials tested when the larvae were exposed in contaminated sediment. Developmental delays were also observed for all materials, both in contaminated water and sediment. We investigated teratogenic effects via the analysis of mouthpart deformities in chironomid larvae, and observed significant effects on larvae exposed to polystyrene lid leachates (in sediment). Finally, a significant delay in time to emergence was observed for females exposed to paper cups leachates (in sediment). Overall, our results indicate that all the tested food packaging materials can have adverse effects on chironomids. These effects can be observed from one week of material leaching in environmental conditions, and tend to increase with increasing leaching time. Moreover, more effects were observed in contaminated sediment, indicating that benthic organisms might be especially at risk. This study highlights the risk posed by take-away packaging and their associated chemicals, once discarded into the environment.
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37. |
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38. |
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39. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
-
Warmer water temperature results in oxidative damage in an Antarctic fish, the bald notothen
- 2015
-
In: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-0981 .- 1879-1697. ; 468, s. 130-137
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Global climate change is predicted to result in increases in water temperature in the polar regions, but the full consequences of this for marine fish species are not understood, especially with regard to cellular mechanisms underlying oxidative stress. Warmer temperatures could potentially result in increased oxidative stress, and it is not known whether stenothermal fish can cope with this on a cellular and physiological level. In order to address this, we exposed bald notothen (Pagothenta borchgrevinki), a fish species endemic to Antarctica, to an increase in temperature from -1.6 degrees C to 4 degrees C and measured the effects on oxidative stress including antioxidant defenses, oxidative damage in proteins and lipids, and transcriptional regulation of involved genes. We show that the fish responds to an acute (12 h) temperature increase with increased antioxidant defenses. However, these antioxidant defenses were similar to basal levels following long-term (3 weeks) exposure to the higher temperature and moreover, these individuals also had higher levels of oxidative damage. These results indicate that this species has the ability to alter levels of endogenous antioxidants, but that this response is transient and insufficient to protect against oxidative damage. These effects may have serious consequences for these fish in a warmer future since long-term consequences of this accumulation of damaged lipids and proteins are associated with aging and known to include decreased cellular function, disease and eventually cell death. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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40. |
- Carney Almroth, Bethanie, 1974, et al.
(author)
-
Waterborne beclomethasone dipropionate affects the physiology of fish while its metabolite beclomethasone is not taken up
- 2015
-
In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 511, s. 37-46
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Asthma is commonly treated with inhalable glucocorticosteroids, including beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP). This is a synthetic prodrug which is metabolized to the more active monopropionate (BMP) and free beclomethasone in humans. To evaluate potential effects of residual drugs on fish, we conducted a 14 day flow-through exposure experiment with BDP and beclomethasone using rainbow trout, and analyzed effects on plasma glucose, hepatic glutathione and catalase activity together with water and body concentrations of the BDP, BMP and beclomethasone. We also analyzed hepatic gene expression in BDP-exposed fish by microarray and quantitative PCR. Beclomethasone (up to 0.65 μg/L) was not taken up in the fish while BDP (0.65 and 0.07 μg/L) resulted in accumulation of both beclomethasone, BMP and BDP in plasma, reaching levels up to those found in humans during therapy. Accordingly, exposure to 0.65 μg/L of BDP significantly increased blood glucose as well as oxidized glutathione levels and catalase activity in the liver. Exposure to beclomethasone or the low concentration of BDP had no effect on these endpoints. Both exposure concentrations of BDP resulted in significantly higher transcript abundance of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase involved in gluconeogenesis, and of genes involved in immune responses. As only the rapidly metabolized prodrug was potent in fish, the environmental risks associated with the use of BDP are probably small. However, the observed physiological effects in fish of BDP at plasma concentrations known to affect human physiology provides valuable input to the development of read-across approaches in the identification of pharmaceuticals of environmental concern.
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41. |
- Del Piano, Filomena, et al.
(author)
-
Subchronic oral exposure to polystyrene microplastics affects hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative balance in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata )
- 2024
-
In: ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY. - 0147-6513 .- 1090-2414. ; 279
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Microplastics (MPs) pose a clear threat to aquatic organisms affecting their health. Their impact on liver homeostasis, as well as on the potential onset of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is still poorly investigated and remains almost unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of subchronic exposure to polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs; 1-20 mu m; 0, 25, or 250 mg/kg b.w./day) on lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative balance in the liver of gilthead seabreams (Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758) exposed for 21 days via contaminated food. PS-MPs induced an up-regulation of mRNA levels of crucial genes associated with lipid synthesis and storage (i.e., PPARy, Srebp1, Fasn) without modifications of genes involved in lipid catabolism (i.e., PPAR alpha, HL, Pla2) or transport and metabolism (Fabp1) in the liver. The increase of CSF1R and pro-inflammatory cytokines gene expression (i.e., TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta) was also observed in exposed fish in a dose-dependent manner. These findings were confirmed by hepatic histological evaluations reporting evidence of lipid accumulation, inflammation, and necrosis. Moreover, PS-MPs caused the impairment of the hepatic antioxidant defense system through the alteration of its enzymatic (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase) and nonenzymatic (glutathione) components, resulting in the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as biomarkers of oxidative damage. The alteration of detoxifying enzymes was inferred by the decreased Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity and the increased activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) at the highest PS-MP dose. The study suggests that PS-MPs affect the liver health of gilthead seabream. The liver dysfunction and damage caused by exposure to PS-MPs result from a detrimental interplay of inflammation, oxidative damage, and antioxidant and detoxifying enzymatic systems modifications, altering the gut-liver axis homeostasis. This scenario is suggestive of the involvement of MP-induced effects in the onset and progression of hepatic lipid dysfunction in gilthead seabream.
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42. |
- Dey, Tridibesh, et al.
(author)
-
Global plastic treaty should address chemicals.
- 2022
-
In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 378:6622, s. 841-842
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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43. |
- Doyle, Darragh, et al.
(author)
-
Microplastic exposure in aquatic invertebrates can cause significant negative effects compared to natural particles - A meta-analysis.
- 2022
-
In: Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987). - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-6424 .- 0269-7491. ; 315
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Many studies have now reported adverse effects of exposure to microplastics in aquatic organisms. Still, relatively few studies have compared the effects of MPs with those of natural particle controls, which makes it difficult to separate particle effects from chemical effects. In this study, we carry out a meta-analysis of 26 studies to compare the effects of MPs and natural particles on aquatic animals using three different endpoints - growth, reproduction, and mortality. This analysis showed that MPs have the capacity to induce more adverse effects on growth, reproduction, and mortality for some taxonomic groups. However, the effects of exposure to MPs are not consistent across each endpoint or between taxonomic groups. We were not able to clearly discern differing impacts resulting from exposure to specific polymer types or shapes, though more negative effects were associated with polylactic acid and polyethylene, as well as fragments as opposed to beads or fibres. Additionally, meta-regression indicated that larger MP sizes, higher experimental temperatures, and longer exposure periods were all generally associated with more adverse effects. Future studies should continue to make use of negative particle controls to allow for better risk assessment of microplastics and nanoplastics in aquatic ecosystems.
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44. |
- Doyle, Darragh, et al.
(author)
-
Transport and Barrier Functions in Rainbow Trout Trunk Skin Are Regulated by Environmental Salinity
- 2022
-
In: Frontiers in Physiology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-042X. ; 13
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The mechanisms underpinning ionic transport and barrier function have been relatively well characterised in amphibians and fish. In teleost fish, these processes have mostly been characterised in the gill and intestine. In contrast, these processes remain much less clear for the trunk skin of fish. In this study, we measured barrier function and active transport in the trunk skin of the rainbow trout, using the Ussing chamber technique. The effects of epithelial damage, skin region, salinity, and pharmacological inhibition were tested. Skin barrier function decreased significantly after the infliction of a superficial wound through the removal of scales. Wound healing was already underway after 3 h and, after 24 h, there was no significant difference in barrier function towards ions between the wounded and control skin. In relation to salinity, skin permeability decreased drastically following exposure to freshwater, and increased following exposure to seawater. Changes in epithelial permeability were accompanied by salinity-dependent changes in transepithelial potential and short-circuit current. The results of this study support the idea that barrier function in rainbow trout trunk skin is regulated by tight junctions that rapidly respond to changes in salinity. The changes in transepithelial permeability and short circuit current also suggest the presence of an active transport component. Immunostaining and selective inhibition suggest that one active transport component is an apical V-ATPase. However, further research is required to determine the exact role of this transporter in the context of the trunk skin.
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45. |
- Ek, Helene, 1976, et al.
(author)
-
Tentative biomarkers for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in fish (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- 2005
-
In: Aquatic Toxicology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0166-445X .- 1879-1514. ; 72:3, s. 221-230
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is the major explosive in ammunition dumped into lakes and the sea after World War II. To identify useful biomarkers of TNT-exposure for forthcoming fish monitoring studies at ammunition dumping sites, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were intraperitoneal (i.p.) injected with TNT in peanut oil at doses of 0, 100, 200 or 400 mg TNT/kg body weight and sampled 72 h later. The study covered blood parameters, and hepatic antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes. Fish treated with TNT had an increased glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and glutathione reductase (GR) activity, and a decreased percentage of oxidised glutathione (%GSSG) compared to the control group. In addition to increased methemoglobin, the increased glutathione and glutathione dependent enzyme activities indicate that TNT oxidises macromolecules and activates antioxidant defence systems which may be useful as general biomarkers of TNT-exposure. The fish bile was analysed for TNT and its metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the toxicity of the bile was determined with the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia. A dose-dependent increase in TNT, 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2-ADNT) and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4-ADNT) was found in the hydrolysed bile of the TNT-treated fish. These results indicate that the fish are able to detoxify and excrete TNT and suggest that the detection of TNT, 2-ADNT and 4-ADNT in bile may be suitable as a direct marker of exposure to TNT. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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46. |
- Garcia-Cisneros, A., et al.
(author)
-
Long telomeres are associated with clonality in wild populations of the fissiparous starfish Coscinasterias tenuispina
- 2015
-
In: Heredity. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0018-067X .- 1365-2540. ; 115:5, s. 437-443
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Telomeres usually shorten during an organism's lifespan and have thus been used as an aging and health marker. When telomeres become sufficiently short, senescence is induced. The most common method of restoring telomere length is via telomerase reverse transcriptase activity, highly expressed during embryogenesis. However, although asexual reproduction from adult tissues has an important role in the life cycles of certain species, its effect on the aging and fitness of wild populations, as well as its implications for the long-term survival of populations with limited genetic variation, is largely unknown. Here we compare relative telomere length of 58 individuals from four populations of the asexually reproducing starfish Coscinasterias tenuispina. Additionally, 12 individuals were used to compare telomere lengths in regenerating and non-regenerating arms, in two different tissues (tube feet and pyloric cecum). The level of clonality was assessed by genotyping the populations based on 12 specific microsatellite loci and relative telomere length was measured via quantitative PCR. The results revealed significantly longer telomeres in Mediterranean populations than Atlantic ones as demonstrated by the Kruskal-Wallis test (K=24.17, significant value: P-value <0.001), with the former also characterized by higher levels of clonality derived from asexual reproduction. Telomeres were furthermore significantly longer in regenerating arms than in non-regenerating arms within individuals (pyloric cecum tissue: Mann-Whitney test, V=299, P-value <10(-6); and tube feet tissue Student's t=2.28, P-value = 0.029). Our study suggests that one of the mechanisms responsible for the long-term somatic maintenance and persistence of clonal populations is telomere elongation.
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47. |
- Green, D. S., et al.
(author)
-
Time to kick the butt of the most common litter item in the world: Ban cigarette filters
- 2023
-
In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697. ; 865
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cigarette filters offer no public health benefits, are single-use plastics (cellulose acetate) and are routinely littered. Filters account for a significant proportion of plastic litter worldwide, requiring considerable public funds to remove, and are a source of microplastics. Used cigarette filters can leech toxic chemicals and pose an ecological risk to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Bottom-up measures, such as focusing on consumer behaviour, are ineffective and we need to impose top-down solutions (i.e., bans) if we are to reduce the prevalence of this number one litter item. Banning filters offers numerous ecological, socioeconomic, and public health benefits.
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48. |
- Groh, Ksenia J, et al.
(author)
-
Overview of known plastic packaging-associated chemicals and their hazards.
- 2019
-
In: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697. ; 651:Pt 2, s. 3253-3268
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Global plastics production has reached 380 million metric tons in 2015, with around 40% used for packaging. Plastic packaging is diverse and made of multiple polymers and numerous additives, along with other components, such as adhesives or coatings. Further, packaging can contain residues from substances used during manufacturing, such as solvents, along with non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), such as impurities, oligomers, or degradation products. To characterize risks from chemicals potentially released during manufacturing, use, disposal, and/or recycling of packaging, comprehensive information on all chemicals involved is needed. Here, we present a database of Chemicals associated with Plastic Packaging (CPPdb), which includes chemicals used during manufacturing and/or present in final packaging articles. The CPPdb lists 906 chemicals likely associated with plastic packaging and 3377 substances that are possibly associated. Of the 906 chemicals likely associated with plastic packaging, 63 rank highest for human health hazards and 68 for environmental hazards according to the harmonized hazard classifications assigned by the European Chemicals Agency within the Classification, Labeling and Packaging (CLP) regulation implementing the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System (GHS). Further, 7 of the 906 substances are classified in the European Union as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT), or very persistent, very bioaccumulative (vPvB), and 15 as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC). Thirty-four of the 906 chemicals are also recognized as EDC or potential EDC in the recent EDC report by the United Nations Environment Programme. The identified hazardous chemicals are used in plastics as monomers, intermediates, solvents, surfactants, plasticizers, stabilizers, biocides, flame retardants, accelerators, and colorants, among other functions. Our work was challenged by a lack of transparency and incompleteness of publicly available information on both the use and toxicity of numerous substances. The most hazardous chemicals identified here should be assessed in detail as potential candidates for substitution.
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49. |
- Guasch, H., et al.
(author)
-
Interactions between microplastics and benthic biofilms in fluvial ecosystems: Knowledge gaps and future trends
- 2022
-
In: Freshwater Science. - : University of Chicago Press. - 2161-9549 .- 2161-9565. ; 41:3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Plastics, especially microplastics (<5 mm in length), are anthropogenic polymer particles that have been detected in almost all environments. Microplastics are extremely persistent pollutants and act as long-lasting reactive surfaces for additives, organic matter, and toxic substances. Biofilms are microbial assemblages that act as a sink for particulate matter, including microplastics. They are ubiquitous in freshwater ecosystems and provide key services that promote biodiversity and help sustain ecosystem function. Here, we provide a conceptual framework to describe the transient storage of microplastics in fluvial biofilm and develop hypotheses to help explain how microplastics and biofilms interact in fluvial ecosystems. We identify lines of future research that need to be addressed to better manage microplastics and biofilms, including how the sorption and desorption of environmental contaminants in microplastics affect biofilms and how microbial exchange between microplastics and the biofilm matrix affects biofilm characteristics like antibiotic resistance, speciation, biodiversity, species composition, and function. We also address the uptake mechanisms of microplastics by consumers and their propagation through the food web.
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50. |
- Gustavsson, Mikael, et al.
(author)
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Chemical monitoring of Swedish coastal waters indicates common exceedances of environmental thresholds, both for individual substances as well as their mixtures
- 2017
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In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. - : Elsevier BV. - 0025-326X .- 1879-3363. ; 122:1-2, s. 409-419
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chemical pollution was monitored and assessed along the Swedish west coast. 62 of 172 analyzed organic chemicals were detected in the water phase of at least one of five monitored sites. A Concentration Addition based screening-level risk assessment indicates that all sites are put at risk from chemical contamination, with total risk quotients between 2 and 9. Only at one site did none of the individual chemicals exceeded its corresponding environmental threshold (PNEC, EQS). The monitoring data thus demonstrate a widespread blanket of diffuse pollution, with no clear trends among sites. Further issues critical for the environmental chemical risk assessment include the challenges to achieve sufficiently low levels of detection, especially for hormones and cypermethrin (a pyrethroid insecticide), the appropriate consideration of non-detects and the limited availability of reliable PNECs and EQS values.
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