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Liao Z, Cui X, Luo X, Ma Q, Wei Y, Liang M, Xu H. Exposure of farmed fish to petroleum hydrocarbon pollution and the recovery process: A simulation experiment with tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169743. [PMID: 38163595 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Petroleum hydrocarbon (PH) pollution threatens both wild and farmed marine fish. How this pollution affects the nutrient metabolism in fish and whether this effect can be recovered have not been well-known. The present study aimed to evaluate these effects with a feeding trial on tiger puffer, an important farmed species in Asia. In a 6-week feeding trial conducted in indoor flow-through water, fish were fed a control diet (C) or diets supplemented with diesel oil (0.02 % and 0.2 % of dry matter, named LD and HD, respectively). Following this feeding trial was a 4-week recovery period, during which all fish were fed a same normal commercial feed. At the end of the 6-week feeding trial, dietary PH significantly decreased the fish growth and lipid content. The PH significantly accumulated in fish tissues, in particular the liver, and caused damages in all tissues examined in terms of histology, anti-oxidation status, and serum biochemical changes. Dietary PH also changed the volatile flavor compound profile in the muscle. The hepatic transcriptome assay showed that the HD diet tended to inhibit the DNA replication, cell cycle and lipid synthesis, but to stimulate the transcription of genes related to liver protection/repair and lipid catabolism. The 4-week recovery period to some extent mitigated the damage caused by PH. After the recovery period, the inter-group differences in some parameters disappeared. However, the differences in lipid content, anti-oxidase activity, liver PH concentration, and histological structure still existed. In addition, differences in cellular chemical homeostasis and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction at the transcriptional level can still be observed, indicated by the hepatic transcriptome assay. In conclusion, 6 weeks of dietary PH exposure significantly impaired the growth performance and health status of farmed tiger puffer, and a short-term recovery period (4 weeks) was not sufficient to completely mitigate this impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhangbin Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xishuai Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xing Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Qiang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yuliang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Functional Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Laoshang Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Mengqing Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Functional Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Laoshang Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Houguo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Functional Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Laoshang Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China.
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Parkerton T, Boufadel M, Nordtug T, Mitchelmore C, Colvin K, Wetzel D, Barron MG, Bragin GE, de Jourdan B, Loughery J. Recommendations for advancing media preparation methods used to assess aquatic hazards of oils and spill response agents. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 259:106518. [PMID: 37030101 PMCID: PMC10519191 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Laboratory preparation of aqueous test media is a critical step in developing toxicity information needed for oil spill response decision-making. Multiple methods have been used to prepare physically and chemically dispersed oils which influence test outcome, interpretation, and utility for hazard assessment and modeling. This paper aims to review media preparation strategies, highlight advantages and limitations, provide recommendations for improvement, and promote the standardization of methods to better inform assessment and modeling. A benefit of media preparation methods for oil that rely on low to moderate mixing energy coupled with a variable dilution design is that the dissolved oil composition of the water accommodation fraction (WAF) stock is consistent across diluted treatments. Further, analyses that support exposure confirmation maybe reduced and reflect dissolved oil exposures that are bioavailable and amenable to toxicity modeling. Variable loading tests provide a range of dissolved oil compositions that require analytical verification at each oil loading. Regardless of test design, a preliminary study is recommended to optimize WAF mixing and settling times to achieve equilibrium between oil and test media. Variable dilution tests involving chemical dispersants (CEWAF) or high energy mixing (HEWAF) can increase dissolved oil exposures in treatment dilutions due to droplet dissolution when compared to WAFs. In contrast, HEWAF/CEWAFs generated using variable oil loadings are expected to provide dissolved oil exposures more comparable to WAFs. Preparation methods that provide droplet oil exposures should be environmentally relevant and informed by oil droplet concentrations, compositions, sizes, and exposure durations characteristic of field spill scenarios. Oil droplet generators and passive dosing techniques offer advantages for delivering controlled constant or dynamic dissolved exposures and larger volumes of test media for toxicity testing. Adoption of proposed guidance for improving media preparation methods will provide greater comparability and utility of toxicity testing in oil spill response and assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Parkerton
- EnviSci Consulting, LLC, 5900 Balcones Dr, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731, United States.
| | - Michel Boufadel
- Center for Natural Resources, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 323 MLK Blvd., Newark, NJ, United States.
| | - Trond Nordtug
- SINTEF Ocean AS, P.O. box 4762, Torgarden, Trondheim NO-7465, Norway.
| | - Carys Mitchelmore
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, 146 Williams Street, Solomons, MD, United States.
| | - Kat Colvin
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
| | - Dana Wetzel
- Environmental Laboratory of Forensics, Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL, United States.
| | - Mace G Barron
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, United States.
| | - Gail E Bragin
- ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, Inc., 1545 US Highway 22 East, Annandale, NJ 08801, United States.
| | - Benjamin de Jourdan
- Huntsman Marine Science Centre, 1 Lower Campus Rd, St. Andrews, St. Andrews, New Brunswick E5B 2L7, Canada.
| | - Jennifer Loughery
- Huntsman Marine Science Centre, 1 Lower Campus Rd, St. Andrews, St. Andrews, New Brunswick E5B 2L7, Canada.
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Folkerts EJ, Alessi DS, Goss GG. Latent impacts on juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) cardio-respiratory function and swimming performance following embryonic exposures to hydraulic fracturing flowback and produced water. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 254:106372. [PMID: 36512985 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Technologies associated with hydraulic fracturing continue to be prevalent in many regions worldwide. As a result, the production of flowback and produced water (FPW) - a wastewater generated once pressure is released from subterranean wellbores - continues to rise in regions experiencing fracturing activities, while waste management strategies attempt to mitigate compounding burdens of increased FPW production. The heightened production of FPW increases the potential for release to the environment. However, relatively few studies have directly investigated how ecosystems and organisms may be latently affected long after exposures occur. The current study examines rainbow trout exposed in ovo at select critical cardiac developmental time points to differing dilutions and lengths of time (acute versus chronic) to determine how FPW-mediated exposure in ovo may alter later cardiac function and development. After exposure, we allowed fish to grow for ∼ 8 months post-fertilization and measured fish swimming performance, aerobic scope, and cardiac structure of juvenile trout. Acute 48 h embryonic 5% FPW exposure at either 3 days post-fertilization (dpf) or 10 dpf significantly reduced later swimming performance and aerobic scope in juvenile trout. In ovo exposure to 2.5% FPW at 3 dpf yielded significant decreases in these metrics as well, while exposing trout to 2.5% FPW at 10 dpf did not induce as significant effects. Morphometric analyses of heart muscle tissue in all treatments decreased compact myocardium thickness. Chronic 1% FPW in ovo exposure for 28 days induced similar reductions in swimming performance, aerobic scope, and decreased compact myocardium thickness as acute exposures. Overall, our results demonstrate that FPW exposure during egg development ultimately results in persistently impaired heart morphology and resulting physiological (swimming) performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik J Folkerts
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada.
| | - Daniel S Alessi
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - Greg G Goss
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9, Canada; NRC- University of Alberta Nanotechnology Initiative, Edmonton, AB T6G 2M9, Canada
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Perugini G, Edgar M, Lin F, Kennedy CJ, Farrell AP, Gillis TE, Alderman SL. Age matters: Comparing life-stage responses to diluted bitumen exposure in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 253:106350. [PMID: 36370651 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Millions of liters of diluted bitumen (dilbit), a crude oil product from Canada's oil sands region, is transported through critical Pacific salmon habitat each day. While the toxicity of the water-soluble fraction of dilbit (WSFd) to early life-stages of salmon is known, quantitative data on life-stage differences in sensitivity to WSFd is missing. To fill this knowledge gap, we exposed two juvenile life-stages of coho salmon (O. kisutch) in parallel to very low (parts per billion), environmentally-relevant concentrations of WSFd for acute (48 h) and sub-chronic (4 wk) durations. The relative sensitivities of the two life-stages (fry and parr) were assessed by comparing the timing and magnitude of biological responses using common organismal and molecular endpoints of crude oil exposure. A significant reduction in body condition occurred in both fry and parr after 4 wk exposure to WSFd. Both life-stages also experienced a concentration-dependent decrease in time-to-loss-of-equilibrium during a hypoxia challenge test at both 48 h and 4 wk of exposure. Although organismal responses were similar, molecular responses were distinct between life-stages. In general, unexposed fry had higher baseline values of hepatic phase I biotransformation indicators than unexposed parr, but induction of EROD activity and cyp1a mRNA expression in response to WSFd exposure was greater in parr than in fry. Neither gst nor hsp70 mRNA expression, markers of phase II biotransformation and cell stress, respectively, were reliably altered by WSFd exposure in either life-stage. Taken together, results of this study do not support differential sensitivities of coho fry and parr to WSFd. All the same, the potential for ontogenic differences in the expression and induction of phase I biotransformation need to be considered because age does matter for these endpoints if they are used as bioindicators of exposure in post-spill impact assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Perugini
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Mackenzie Edgar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher J Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anthony P Farrell
- Department of Zoology and Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Todd E Gillis
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Sarah L Alderman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
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5
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Timlick L, Dearnley J, Blais JM, Rodríguez-Gil JL, Hanson M, Hollebone BP, Orihel DM, Peters LE, Stoyanovich SS, Palace VP. Responses of Wild Finescale Dace (Phoxinus neogaeus) to Experimental Spills of Cold Lake Blend Diluted Bitumen at the International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Northwestern Ontario. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:2745-2757. [PMID: 35975418 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Pipelines carrying diluted bitumen (dilbit) traverse North America and may result in dilbit release into sensitive freshwater ecosystems. To better understand the potential effects of a freshwater oil release, the Boreal-lake Oil Release Experiment by Additions to Limnocorrals project at the International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area (Ontario, Canada) modeled seven dilbit spills contained within a 10-m diameter of littoral limnocorrals in a boreal lake. Wild finescale dace (Phoxinus neogaeus) were released in the limnocorrals 21 days after oil addition and remained there for 70 days. Dilbit volumes covered a large range representing a regression of real spill sizes and total polycyclic aromatic compounds (TPAC) between 167 ng L-1 day-1 and 1989 ng L-1 day-1 . We report the effects of chronic exposure on reproductive potential as well as physiological responses in the gallbladder and liver. In exposures >1000 ng L-1 day-1 , there was a significant decrease in fish retrieval, culminating in zero recapture from the three highest treatments. Among the fish from the limnocorrals with lower levels of TPAC (<500 ng L-1 day-1 ), effects were inconsistent. Gallbladder bile fluorescence for a naphthalene metabolite was significantly different in fish from the oil-exposed limnocorrals when compared to the lake and reference corral, indicating that fish in these lower exposures were interacting with dilbit-derived polycyclic aromatic compounds. There were no significant differences in condition factor, somatic indices, or hepatocyte volume indices. There were also no significant changes in the development of testes or ovaries of exposed dace. The results from the present study may serve to orient policymakers and emergency responders to the range of TPAC exposures that may not significantly affect wild fish. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2745-2757. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Timlick
- International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jamie Dearnley
- Center for Oil and Gas Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jules M Blais
- Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - José L Rodríguez-Gil
- International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Mark Hanson
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Diane M Orihel
- Department of Biology, School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa E Peters
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Center for Oil and Gas Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Vince P Palace
- International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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6
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Otten JG, Williams L, Refsnider JM. Survival outcomes of rehabilitated riverine turtles following a freshwater diluted bitumen oil spill. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119968. [PMID: 35977636 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Rehabilitation is often used to mitigate adverse effects of oil spills on wildlife. With an increase in production of alternatives to conventional crude oil such as diluted bitumen (dilbit), emergency spill responders and wildlife rehabilitators need information regarding the health and survival of free-ranging vertebrates exposed to dilbit under natural conditions. In 2010, one of the largest freshwater oil spills in the United States occurred in the Kalamazoo River in Michigan, when over 3.2 million liters of spilled dilbit impacted 56 km of riverine habitat. During 2010 and 2011 cleanup efforts, thousands of northern map turtles (Graptemys geographica) were captured from oiled stretches of the river, cleaned, rehabilitated, and released. We conducted extensive mark-recapture surveys in 2010, 2011, and 2018-2021, and used this dataset to evaluate the monthly survival probability of turtles 1-14 months post-spill and 8-11 years post-spill based on whether turtles were temporarily rehabilitated and released, overwintered in captivity and then released, or were released without rehabilitation. We found that rehabilitated or overwintered turtles had a higher probability of survival 1-14 months post-spill than non-rehabilitated turtles; however, 8-11 years post-spill the among-group differences in monthly survival probability had become negligible. Additionally, following the oil spill in 2010, nearly 6% of northern map turtles were recovered dead, died during rehabilitation, or suffered injuries that precluded release back into the wild. Our results demonstrate that exposure to dilbit in free ranging turtles causes direct mortality, while effort spent on the capture and rehabilitation of oiled freshwater turtles is important as it increases monthly survival 1-14 months post-spill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua G Otten
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, Wolfe Hall Suite 1235, 2801 W Bancroft St., Toledo, OH, 43606-3390, USA.
| | - Lisa Williams
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Field Office, 2651 Coolidge Road, Suite 101, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
| | - Jeanine M Refsnider
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, Wolfe Hall Suite 1235, 2801 W Bancroft St., Toledo, OH, 43606-3390, USA
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Lin F, Alderman SL, Gillis TE, Kennedy CJ. Diluted Bitumen Affects Multiple Physiological Systems in Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) Embryo to Juvenile Life Stages. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:1937-1949. [PMID: 35596707 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
An understanding of the risks associated with diluted bitumen (dilbit) transport through Pacific salmon habitat necessitates the identification and quantification of hazards posed to early life stages. Sockeye from the embryo to juvenile stage (8 months old) were exposed to four concentrations of the water-soluble fraction of Cold Lake dilbit (summer blend; concentrations of 0, 13.7, 34.7, and 124.5 μg/L total polycyclic aromatic compounds). Significant mortality (up to 18% over controls) only occurred in the embryo to swim-up fry stage. Impaired growth was seen in the alevin, swim-up, and juvenile stages (maximum reduction 15% in mass but not fork length). Reductions in both critical (maximum 24% reductions) and burst (maximum 47% reductions) swimming speed in swim-up fry and juveniles were seen. Alterations in energy substrate reserves (reductions in soluble protein and glycogen content, elevations in whole-body lipid and triglyceride levels) at all stages may underlie the effects seen in swimming and growth. Dilbit exposure induced a preexercise physiological stress response that affected the recovery of postexercise biochemistry (cortisol, glycogen, lactate, triglyceride concentrations). The transcript abundance of the cytochrome P450 1A gene (cyp1a) was quantified in alevin head regions (containing the heart) and in the hearts of swim-up fry and juveniles and showed a concentration-dependent increase in the expression of cyp1a at all life stages. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1937-1949. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah L Alderman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Todd E Gillis
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher J Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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8
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Indiketi N, Grenon MC, Groleau PÉ, Veilleux É, Triffault-Bouchet G, Couture P. The effects of dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons on benthic organisms: Chironomids and amphipods. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 237:113554. [PMID: 35487174 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The oil sands industry in Canada, produces heavy unconventional oils, diluted for transport and called diluted bitumen. However, despite advances in our knowledge of the ecotoxicological risk that these products represent, their effects on benthic organisms following a spill are still largely unknown. In order to fill these gaps, this study aims to determine the lethal and sublethal effects of two diluted bitumens (Bluesky and Cold Lake) and one conventional oil (Lloydminster) for two freshwater benthic invertebrates: Chironomus riparius and Hyalella azteca. The objective of this study is to assess the toxicity of dissolved hydrocarbons, resulting from the physical dispersion of oil, immediately after a spill on the benthic invertebrates. To this end, organisms were exposed for 7 days for chironomids and 14 days for amphipods to a fraction containing soluble hydrocarbons (WAF: water accommodated fraction; 10 g/L, 18 h of agitation, followed by 6 h of sedimentation) with natural or artificial sediment. After exposure, the effects of hydrocarbons were determined using size, mortality, and antioxidant capacities. Dissolved hydrocarbons induced mortality for both species, but these hydrocarbons disappeared very quickly from the water column, regardless of the oil type. The amphipods were sensitive to both types of oil while the chironomids were only sensitive to diluted bitumens. The presence of a natural sediment seems to provide a protective role against dissolved hydrocarbons. The antioxidant enzymes measured (CAT, SOD and GPx) do not appear to be relevant biomarkers for the exposure of these organisms to diluted bitumen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishodi Indiketi
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec City, QC G1K 9A9, Canada; Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC), Québec City, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Marie-Claire Grenon
- Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC), Québec City, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Paule Émilie Groleau
- Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC), Québec City, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Éloïse Veilleux
- Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC), Québec City, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Gaëlle Triffault-Bouchet
- Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC), Québec City, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Patrice Couture
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec City, QC G1K 9A9, Canada.
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Lin F, Ni L, Kennedy CJ. Diluted bitumen-induced alterations in aerobic capacity, swimming performance, and post-exercise recovery in juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 247:106150. [PMID: 35397383 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The transportation of heavy crudes such as diluted bitumen (dilbit) sourced from Canadian oil sands through freshwater habitat requires the generation of information that will contribute to risk assessments, spill modelling, management, and remediation for the protection of aquatic organisms. Juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) were exposed acutely (96 h) or subchronically (28 d) to the water-soluble fraction (WSFd) of Cold Lake Blend dilbit at initial total polycyclic aromatic compound (TPAC) concentrations of 0, 13.7, 34.7, and 124.5 µg/L. A significant induction (>3-fold) of hepatic liver ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity was induced by 96 h in fish exposed to [TPAC] ≥ 34.7 µg/L and at ≥13.7 µg/L for a 28 d exposure. Exposure resulted in a typical physiological stress response and disturbance of ion homeostasis; this included elevations in plasma [cortisol], [lactate], [Na+], and [Cl-], and significant reductions in muscle [glycogen]. Critical swimming speed (Ucrit) was significantly reduced (28.4%) in the acute exposure at [TPAC] 124.5 µg/L; reductions of 14.2% and 35.4% were seen in fish subchronically exposed at the two highest concentrations. Reductions in Ucrit were related to significant reductions in aerobic scope (24.3-46.6%) at [TPAC]s of 34.7 and 124.5 µg/L, respectively. Exposure did not impair the ability to mount a secondary stress response following burst exercise, however, the time required for biochemical parameters to return to baseline values was prolonged. Alterations in critical systems supporting swimming, exercise recovery and the physiological stress response could result in decreased salmonid fitness and contribute to population declines if a dilbit spill occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Li Ni
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher J Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
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10
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Stoyanovich S, Yang Z, Hanson M, Hollebone BP, Orihel DM, Palace V, Rodriguez-Gil JR, Mirnaghi F, Shah K, Blais JM. Fate of polycyclic aromatic compounds from diluted bitumen spilled into freshwater limnocorrals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 819:151993. [PMID: 34848264 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Diluted bitumens (dilbits) are produced by mixing highly viscous bitumen with lighter petroleum products to facilitate transport. The unique physical and chemical properties of dilbit may affect the environmental fate and effects of dilbit-derived chemical compounds when spilled. To further explore this, we monitored experimental spills of Cold Lake Winter Blend (CLWB) dilbit for 70 days in limnocorrals installed in a freshwater boreal lake. A regression design with 2 controls and 7 treatments was used to assess the fate and behaviour of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) as they partitioned from the dilbit into the air, water column and sediments. Treatments ranged from 1.5 to 180 L of CLWB, resulting in oil:water ratios ranging between 1:71000 to 1:500 (v:v). We began to detect elevated concentrations of PACs as early as 6 h post-addition in the air, 12 h post-addition in the water column, and 15-28 d post-addition in the sediments. By the end of the experiment, concentrations of PACs had largely declined in the water column but remained elevated in the sediments. Our results demonstrate that under conditions typical of temperate boreal lakes, only a small proportion of PACs from dilbit enters the aquatic system, but even so, may produce concentrations of ecotoxicological concern, especially in the sediments, which is the ultimate sink for dilbit-derived PACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Stoyanovich
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Z Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - M Hanson
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - B P Hollebone
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - D M Orihel
- Department of Biology and School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - V Palace
- International Institute for Sustainable Development, Experimental Lakes Area, 111 Lombard Avenue, Suite 325, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 0T4, Canada
| | - J R Rodriguez-Gil
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada; International Institute for Sustainable Development, Experimental Lakes Area, 111 Lombard Avenue, Suite 325, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 0T4, Canada
| | - F Mirnaghi
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - K Shah
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - J M Blais
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
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11
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Patterson SA, Denton DTJ, Hasler CT, Blais JM, Hanson ML, Hollebone BP, Rodriguez-Gil JL, Langlois VS, Patey G, Yang Z, Orihel DM. Resilience of larval wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) to hydrocarbons and other compounds released from naturally weathered diluted bitumen in a boreal lake. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 245:106128. [PMID: 35255276 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The risks to aquatic wildlife from spills of diluted bitumen (dilbit) into inland waters are poorly understood. In this paper, we describe the response of larval wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) to hydrocarbons and other compounds released from experimental spills of dilbit in a temperate boreal lake. To simulate a wide range of environmentally relevant oil spill scenarios, different volumes of Cold Lake Winter Blend dilbit (0, 1.5, 2.9, 5.5, 18, 42, 82, and 180 L) were added to 10 m diameter in-lake limnocorrals. Larvae (n = 360) were reared (from Gosner Stage (GS) 25 to ∼42) in land-based aquatic microcosms, where they were first exposed to clean water during a 2-week baseline phase, and then (at GS ∼30), to contaminated water withdrawn from the limnocorrals for 3 weeks. We observed no statistically significant trends in survival, growth, or development of larvae as a consequence of exposure to the chemical compounds released from naturally weathered dilbit. Likewise, neither cytochrome P450 1A biomarkers nor levels of thyroid hormones in wood frogs near metamorphic climax were significantly related to volume of the oil spills. However, there was a modest statistically significant decrease in larval activity (up to 8.7% relative to the control), but no change in other behavioral metrics (i.e., sociality or space use). Our work adds to the limited body of literature on the effects of unconventional oils on aquatic wildlife and helps to inform risk assessments regarding pipeline projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A Patterson
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, 116 Barrie Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Daniel T J Denton
- Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Caleb T Hasler
- Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada.
| | - Jules M Blais
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Mark L Hanson
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Bruce P Hollebone
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A OH3, Canada
| | - Jose Luis Rodriguez-Gil
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0T4, Canada
| | - Valérie S Langlois
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Géraldine Patey
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Zeyu Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A OH3, Canada
| | - Diane M Orihel
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, 116 Barrie Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada; Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada.
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12
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Ruberg EJ, King MD, Elliott JE, Tomy GT, Idowu I, Vermette ML, Williams TD. Effects of diluted bitumen exposure on the survival, physiology, and behaviour of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 229:113071. [PMID: 34915220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Diluted bitumen (dilbit) is an unconventional crude petroleum increasingly being extracted and transported to market by pipeline and tanker. Despite the transport of dilbit through terrestrial, aquatic, and coastal habitat important to diverse bird fauna, toxicity data are currently only available for fish and invertebrates. We used the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) as a tractable, avian model system to investigate exposure effects of lightly weathered Cold Lake blend dilbit on survival, tissue residue, and a range of physiological and behavioural endpoints. Birds were exposed via oral gavage over 14-days with dosages of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 mL dilbit/kg bw/day. We identified an LD50 of 9.4 mL/kg/d dilbit, with complete mortality at 12 mL/kg/d. Mortality was associated with mass loss, external oiling, decreased pectoral and heart mass, and increased liver mass. Hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity (EROD) was elevated in all dilbit-dosed birds compared with controls but there was limited evidence of sublethal effects of dilbit on physiological endpoints at doses < 10 mL/kg/d (hematocrit, hemoglobin, total antioxidants, and reactive oxygen metabolites). Dilbit exposure affected behavior, with more dilbit-treated birds foraging away from the feeder, more birds sleeping or idle at low dilbit doses, and fewer birds huddling together at high dilbit doses. Naphthalene, dibenzothiophene, and their alkylated congeners in particular (e.g. C2-napthalene and C2-dibenzothiophene) accumulated in the liver at greater concentrations in dilbit-treated birds compared to controls. Although directly comparable studies in the zebra finch are limited, our mortality data suggest that dilbit is more toxic than the well-studied MC252 conventional light crude oil with this exposure regime. A lack of overt sublethal effects at lower doses, but effects on body mass and composition, behaviour, high mortality, and elevated PAC residue at doses ≥ 10 mL/kg/d suggest a threshold effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Ruberg
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Mason D King
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - John E Elliott
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Division, 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, BC V4K 3N2, Canada
| | - Gregg T Tomy
- University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Ifeoluwa Idowu
- University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Melissa L Vermette
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Tony D Williams
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
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13
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Rodriguez-Gil JL, Stoyanovich S, Hanson ML, Hollebone B, Orihel DM, Palace V, Faragher R, Mirnaghi FS, Shah K, Yang Z, Black TA, Cederwall J, Mason J, Patterson S, Timlick L, Séguin JY, Blais JM. Simulating diluted bitumen spills in boreal lake limnocorrals - Part 1: Experimental design and responses of hydrocarbons, metals, and water quality parameters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 790:148537. [PMID: 34215441 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Large-scale, in-lake enclosures (limnocorrals) were used to simulate spills of diluted bitumen (dilbit) in a boreal lake. In this study we use these simulated spills, which covered a range of sizes (oil:water ratio) representative of the upper 25% of onshore crude oil spills in North America (2008-2019), to assess the fate of dilbit-derived hydrocarbons and metals as well as the impacts of the spills on standard water quality parameters. The systems were monitored over 70 days following the application of dilbit amounts ranging between 1.5 and 179.8 L into 10-m diameter, ~100 m3 limnocorrals. The concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in the water column increased rapidly over the first two weeks reaching a plateau that ranged between 200 μg/L and 2200 μg/L for the lowest and highest treatment respectively. The concentration of total polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) also increased over the first two weeks, prior to a slow decrease until day 70. The maximum measured concentrations in the highest treatment were 2858 ng/L for the sum of all 46 quantified PACs, 2716 ng/L for alkylated PACs and 154 ng/L for the 16 EPA priority PAHs. The concentrations of PACs in the sediment increased continuously over the study in the three highest treatments with maximum observed concentrations of 189 ng/g for ΣPAC46, 169 ng/g for ΣPACalk. No significant treatment-related changes in the 16 EPA priority PAHs were observed in the sediment. Of the 25 metals quantified in the water column, only manganese, molybdenum, and vanadium displayed a significant treatment effect with increases of 280, 76 and 25% respectively in the total fraction. These results can help us understand and predict the fate of oil-derived contaminants following a spill and characterize the exposure of freshwater organisms living within them. These results should help inform the risk assessment of future dilbit transportation projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Luis Rodriguez-Gil
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; International Institute for Sustainable Development - Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0T4, Canada
| | | | - Mark L Hanson
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Bruce Hollebone
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1V 1H2, Canada
| | - Diane M Orihel
- Department of Biology and School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Vince Palace
- International Institute for Sustainable Development - Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0T4, Canada
| | - Robert Faragher
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1V 1H2, Canada
| | - Fatemeh S Mirnaghi
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1V 1H2, Canada
| | - Keval Shah
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1V 1H2, Canada
| | - Zeyu Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1V 1H2, Canada
| | - Tyler A Black
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Cederwall
- Department of Biology and School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Johanna Mason
- Department of Biology and School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Samuel Patterson
- Department of Biology and School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Lauren Timlick
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Jonathan Y Séguin
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Jules M Blais
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
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14
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Mitogen-activated protein kinases contribute to temperature-induced cardiac remodelling in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). J Comp Physiol B 2021; 192:61-76. [PMID: 34586481 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-021-01406-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) live in environments where water temperatures range between 4 °C and 20 °C. Laboratory studies demonstrate that cold and warm acclimations of male trout can have oppositional effects on cardiac hypertrophy and the collagen content of the heart. The cellular mechanisms behind temperature-induced cardiac remodelling are unclear, as is why this response differs between male and female fish. Studies with cultured trout cardiac fibroblasts suggests that collagen deposition is regulated, at least in part, by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cell signalling pathways. We, therefore, hypothesized that temperature-dependent cardiac remodelling is regulated by these signalling pathways. To test this, male and female trout were acclimated to 18 °C (warm) in the summer and to 4 °C (cold) in the winter and the activation of MAPK pathways in the hearts were characterized and compared to that of control fish maintained at 12 °C. In addition, cardiac collagen content, cardiac morphology and the expression of gene transcripts for matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -9, MMP-2, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases and collagen 1α were characterized. p38 MAPK phosphorylation increased in the hearts of female fish with cold acclimation and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase increased in the hearts of male fish with warm acclimation. However, there was no effect of thermal acclimation on cardiac morphology or collagen content in either male or female fish. These results indicate that thermal acclimation has transient and sex-specific effects on the phosphorylation of MAPKs but also how variable the response of the trout heart is to thermal acclimation.
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15
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Bérubé R, Gauthier C, Bourdin T, Bouffard M, Triffault-Bouchet G, Langlois VS, Couture P. Lethal and sublethal effects of diluted bitumen and conventional oil on fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) larvae exposed during their early development. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 237:105884. [PMID: 34134059 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The increasing extraction of bitumen from the oil sands region in Canada is creating a need for transport. Spills from current and projected pipelines represent a significant environmental risk, especially for freshwater ecosystems. The toxicity of diluted bitumen (dilbit) on freshwater fish is largely unknown. This study assessed the toxicity of two dilbits (Clearwater McMurray and Bluesky) and compared their toxicity to a conventional oil (Lloydminster Heavy) on fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) larvae. Larvae were exposed to various concentrations of the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of the oils during 7 days from hatching. In the WAF treatments, the concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX), hydrocarbons containing 6 to 10 carbon atoms (C6-10), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their alkylated forms were measured. Both dilbits contained higher concentrations of light components, while the conventional oil contained the highest concentrations of PAHs and alkylated PAHs. The Clearwater McMurray dilbit induced a higher mortality, with a maximum of 65.3%, while the other oils induced a similar mortality up to 16.5% and 18.6% for Lloydminster and for Bluesky, respectively. All three oils induced an increase in gene expression of the phase I detoxification enzyme (cyp1a) with increasing total hydrocarbon concentrations. All three exposures induced a similar increase in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, but no change in gst gene expression. For the Bluesky and Lloydminster exposures, an increase in malondialdehyde concentration was also observed, suggesting a rate limiting capacity of GST and phase II enzymes to perform the biotransformation of the PAH metabolites. Overall, this study brings new insights on the toxicity of dilbits in comparison to conventional oils on early life stages of North American freshwater fish and demonstrated that dilbits can be more toxic than conventional oils, depending on their composition and diluent proportions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne Bérubé
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Charles Gauthier
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Thibault Bourdin
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Marilou Bouffard
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Gaëlle Triffault-Bouchet
- Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec (CEAEQ), Ministère de l'Environnement et Lutte contre les changements climatiques, 2700 rue Einstein, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Patrice Couture
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada.
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16
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Schmutz A, Tremblay R, Audet C, Gagné JP, Pelletier É, St-Louis R. Under ice spills of conventional crude oil and diluted bitumen: Physiological resilience of the blue mussel and transgenerational effects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 779:146316. [PMID: 34030258 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Spillages at sea of diluted bitumen (dilbit) from oil sands have received little attention until now. To our best knowledge, there are no reports on the impact of a severe exposure to dilbit on the Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis). In this study, adult Blue mussels were exposed to one conventional crude oil (Heidrun) and two dilbits (Cold Lake Blend and Access Western Blend) for a period of 7 days in an ice-covered environment and then maintained for three months until the spawning season. The exposed mussels were monitored for aromatic hydrocarbon bioaccumulation, physiological energetic budget, cellular stress, byssus production and gametogenesis. In spring, spawning was induced to characterize breeding success. Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was detected after three days of exposure, with higher concentrations of PAHs associated to the conventional oil (5.49 ± 0.12 μg·g-1 d.w.) compared to both dilbits (0.91 ± 0.02 μg·g-1; 0.51 ± 0.03 μg·g-1 d.w.). Despite a fast depuration rate and a good resilience of the exposed mussels, significant negative effects were observed at the cellular, physiological and fitness levels, especially in offspring. Our results suggest a higher toxicity of the diluted bitumen compared to the conventional crude despite the lower bioaccumulation of total PAHs. Dilbit treatments caused evident negative transgenerational effects on unexposed F1 generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Schmutz
- Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski (ISMER), Université du Québec à Rimouski, 310 allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1, Canada; Département de biologie, chimie et géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 310 allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1, Canada.
| | - Réjean Tremblay
- Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski (ISMER), Université du Québec à Rimouski, 310 allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Céline Audet
- Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski (ISMER), Université du Québec à Rimouski, 310 allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Gagné
- Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski (ISMER), Université du Québec à Rimouski, 310 allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Émilien Pelletier
- Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski (ISMER), Université du Québec à Rimouski, 310 allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Richard St-Louis
- Département de biologie, chimie et géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, 310 allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1, Canada
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17
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Lin F, Baillon L, Langlois VS, Kennedy CJ. Environmental modulators of diluted bitumen effects in juvenile pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 169:105392. [PMID: 34174542 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Recent and potential expansions in the transportation of diluted bitumen (dilbit) through marine terminals in coastal regions of British Columbia require the examination of potential risks to estuarine species such as Pacific salmon. The estuarine habitat of out-migrated pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) exhibits dynamic temperature and salinity regimes, possibly modifying dilbit exposure, bioavailability and/or its effects. To examine dilbit toxicity and its modification by environmental stressors, juvenile pinks were subchronically exposed for 3 months to the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of Cold Lake Blend dilbit (winter) in seawater at three salinities (7, 14, and 28‰ [temperature 12.5 °C]) and three temperatures (8.5, 12.5, and 16.5 °C [salinity of 28‰]). Temperature and salinity alone did not affect any measured endpoints in control fish. Dilbit exposure induced higher mortality at high (16.5 °C) and low temperatures (8.5 °C) as well as at higher salinity (28‰) in fish exposed to the highest dilution of WAF [total polycyclic aromatic compounds (TPAC) = 128.9 μg/L]. A concentration-dependent reduction of growth was evident in fish exposed to the medium (TPAC = 97.3 μg/L) and high dilution of WAF at higher temperatures (12.5 and 16.5 °C) and high salinity (28‰). At 28‰, swimming performance (Uburst) was decreased in fish exposed to the highest concentration of dilbit at all 3 temperatures. Gill Na+-K+-ATPase activity, white muscle lactate, glycogen, and triglyceride concentrations were altered by dilbit exposure and modified by temperature and salinity. In addition, gene expression associated with phase I biotransformation, energy metabolism, mitochondrial activity, and inflammation showed significant upregulation with exposure and temperature stress. Dilbit exposure at PAC concentrations in the ppb range, affected pink salmon at the molecular, biochemical, and whole organism level; effects that were exacerbated by environmental temperature and salinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lucie Baillon
- Royal Military College of Canada, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- Royal Military College of Canada, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Institut National de la recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Christopher J Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
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18
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Li X, Xiong D, Ju Z, Xiong Y, Ding G, Liao G. Phenotypic and transcriptomic consequences in zebrafish early-life stages following exposure to crude oil and chemical dispersant at sublethal concentrations. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 763:143053. [PMID: 33129528 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
To further understand the underlying mechanisms involved in the developmental toxicity of crude oil and chemically dispersed crude oil on fish early-life stages (ELS), zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to GM-2 chemical dispersant (DISP), low-energy water-accommodated fractions (LEWAF), and chemically enhanced WAF (CEWAF) of Merey crude oil at sublethal concentrations for 120 h. We employed the General Morphology Score (GMS) and General Teratogenic Score (GTS) systems in conjunction with high-throughput RNA-Seq analysis to evaluate the phenotypic and transcriptomic responses in zebrafish ELS. Results showed that ΣPAHs concentrations in LEWAF and CEWAF solutions were 507.63 ± 80.95 ng·L-1 and 4039.51 ± 241.26 ng·L-1, respectively. The GMS and GTS values indicated that CEWAF exposure caused more severe developmental delay and higher frequencies of teratogenic effects than LEWAF exposure. Moreover, no significant change in heart rate was observed in LEWAF treatment, while CEWAF exposure caused a significant reduction in heart rate. LEWAF and CEWAF exposure exhibited an overt change in eye area, with a reduction of 4.0% and 25.3% (relative to the control), respectively. Additionally, no obvious impact on phenotypic development was observed in zebrafish embryo-larvae following DISP exposure. Significant changes in gene expression were detected in LEWAF and CEWAF treatments, with a total of 957 and 2062 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively, while DISP exposure altered only 91 DEGs. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that LEWAF and CEWAF exposure caused significant perturbations in the pathways associated with phototransduction, retinol metabolism, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, and immune response-related pathways. Our results provide more valid evidence to corroborate the previous suggestion that ocular impairment is an equal or possibly more sensitive biomarker than cardiotoxicity in fish ELS exposed to oil-derived PAHs. All these findings could gain further mechanistic insights into the effects of crude oil and chemical dispersant on fish ELS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xishan Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China
| | - Deqi Xiong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China.
| | - Zhonglei Ju
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China
| | - Yijun Xiong
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA 50112, USA
| | - Guanghui Ding
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China
| | - Guoxiang Liao
- National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, China
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Everitt S, Fujita KK, MacPherson S, Brinkmann M, Pyle GG, Wiseman S. Toxicity of Weathered Sediment-Bound Dilbit to Early Life Stages of Zebrafish ( Danio rerio). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:1721-1729. [PMID: 33449613 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Due to high viscosity, bitumen extracted from the Alberta oil sands is diluted with natural gas condensates to form diluted bitumen (dilbit) to facilitate transport through pipelines. Dilbit that is spilled into or near a waterbody is subject to environmental weathering processes such as evaporation and interaction with sediments. This is the first study that assessed the toxicity of weathered sediment-bound dilbit (WSD) to fish early life stages. Exposure of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos to water-soluble fractions (WSFs) or water-accommodated fractions (WAFs) of WSD from 30 min to 120 h postfertilization resulted in pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, and incidences of uninflated swim bladder. The presence of oil-mineral aggregates (OMAs) in the WAFs greatly increased toxicity, despite all fractions having similar concentrations of dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). There were greater cyp1a mRNA abundances in larvae exposed to WAFs, suggesting that there were differences in bioavailability of PAHs between fractions. However, there was little evidence that embryotoxicity was caused by oxidative stress. Results suggest that evaporation and sediment interaction do not completely attenuate toxicity of dilbit to zebrafish early life stages, and OMAs in exposures exacerbate toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Everitt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Kaden K Fujita
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Stephanie MacPherson
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C8, Canada
| | - Markus Brinkmann
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C8, Canada
- School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C8, Canada
- Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C8, Canada
| | - Gregory G Pyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
- Water Institute for Sustainable Environment, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Steve Wiseman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
- Water Institute for Sustainable Environment, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
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Adams JE, Brown RS, Hodson PV. The bioavailability of oil droplets trapped in river gravel by hyporheic flows. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 269:116110. [PMID: 33310493 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the fate of oil spills in rivers. Hyporheic flows of water through river sediments exchange surface and groundwater and create upwelling and downwelling zones that are important for fish spawning and embryo development. Risk assessments of oil spills to rivers do not consider the potential for hyporheic flows to carry oil droplets into sediments and the potential for prolonged exposure of fish to trapped oil. This project assessed whether oil droplets in water flowing through gravel will be trapped and whether hydrocarbons partitioning from trapped oil droplets are bioavailable to fish. Columns packed with gravel were injected with oil-in-water dispersions prepared with light crude, medium crude, diluted bitumens, and heavy fuel oil to generate a series of oil droplet loadings. The concentrations of oil trapped in the gravel increased with oil loading and viscosity. When the columns were perfused with clean water, oil concentrations in column effluents decreased to the detection limit within the first week of water flow, with sporadically higher concentrations associated with oil droplet release. Despite the low concentrations of hydrocarbons measured in column effluent, hydrocarbons were bioavailable to juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) for more than three weeks of water flow, as indicated by strong induction of liver ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase activity. These findings indicate that ecological risk assessments and spill response should identify and protect areas in rivers sensitive to contaminant trapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie E Adams
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON, K7L3N6, Canada.
| | - R Stephen Brown
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON, K7L3N6, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, 90 Bader Ln, Kingston, ON, K7L3N6, Canada.
| | - Peter V Hodson
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON, K7L3N6, Canada; Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON, K7L3N6, Canada.
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21
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Wallace SJ, de Solla SR, Head JA, Hodson PV, Parrott JL, Thomas PJ, Berthiaume A, Langlois VS. Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in the Canadian environment: Exposure and effects on wildlife. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114863. [PMID: 32599329 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are ubiquitous in the environment. Wildlife (including fish) are chronically exposed to PACs through air, water, sediment, soil, and/or dietary routes. Exposures are highest near industrial or urban sites, such as aluminum smelters and oil sands mines, or near natural sources such as forest fires. This review assesses the exposure and toxicity of PACs to wildlife, with a focus on the Canadian environment. Most published field studies measured PAC concentrations in tissues of invertebrates, fish, and birds, with fewer studies of amphibians and mammals. In general, PAC concentrations measured in Canadian wildlife tissues were under the benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) guideline for human consumption. Health effects of PAC exposure include embryotoxicity, deformities, cardiotoxicity, DNA damage, changes to DNA methylation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and impaired reproduction. Much of the toxicity of PACs can be attributed to their bioavailability, and the extent to which certain PACs are transformed into more toxic metabolites by cytochrome P450 enzymes. As most mechanistic studies are limited to individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particularly BaP, research on other PACs and PAC-containing complex mixtures is required to understand the environmental significance of PAC exposure and toxicity. Additional work on responses to PACs in amphibians, reptiles, and semi-aquatic mammals, and development of molecular markers for early detection of biological responses to PACs would provide a stronger biological and ecological justification for regulating PAC emissions to protect Canadian wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Wallace
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - S R de Solla
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - J A Head
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - P V Hodson
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - J L Parrott
- Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - P J Thomas
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - A Berthiaume
- Science and Risk Assessment Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Gatineau, QC, Canada
| | - V S Langlois
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec, QC, Canada.
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Transcriptional responses in newly-hatched Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) associated with developmental malformations following diluted bitumen exposure. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2020; 35:100685. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2020.100685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Adams JE, Madison BN, Charbonneau K, Sereneo M, Baillon L, Langlois VS, Brown RS, Hodson PV. Effects on Trout Alevins of Chronic Exposures to Chemically Dispersed Access Western Blend and Cold Lake Blend Diluted Bitumens. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2020; 39:1620-1633. [PMID: 32388892 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The present study assessed the chronic toxicity of 2 chemically enhanced water accommodated fractions (CEWAFs) of diluted bitumens (dilbits), Access Western Blend (AWB) and Cold Lake Blend (CLB), to rainbow trout alevins. Chemical dispersion was used to overcome the resistance to dispersion of dilbits and to generate test solutions that contained more and smaller oil droplets for increased partitioning of petroleum hydrocarbons into water. Test solutions were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy, a rapid and inexpensive analytical tool to compare toxicity endpoints measured by fluorescence (total petroleum hydrocarbons measured by fluorescence [TPH-F]). Cumulative mortality and the prevalence and severity of malformations increased following exposure of alevins to dispersed dilbits. Toxicity curves overlapped for AWB and CLB when expressed as TPH-F and 22- to 24-d median lethal and effect concentrations ranged from 0.36 to 1.5 mg/L. Gene expression in alevins was also altered following exposure to dispersed dilbit, with relative cytochrome P450-1A mRNA levels increasing up to 170-fold for AWB and up to 240-fold for CLB. Access Western Blend and CLB caused similar toxicity to rainbow trout alevins as light to medium conventional crude oils, and rainbow trout alevins were more sensitive than yellow perch, Japanese medaka, and fathead minnow embryos exposed to dispersed AWB and CLB. The present study is the first to assess the embryotoxicity of dilbits to a Canadian freshwater salmonid species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1620-1633. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie E Adams
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Barry N Madison
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kelli Charbonneau
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marie Sereneo
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lucie Baillon
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - R Stephen Brown
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter V Hodson
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Avey SR, Kennedy CJ, Farrell AP, Gillis TE, Alderman SL. Effects of diluted bitumen exposure on Atlantic salmon smolts: Molecular and metabolic responses in relation to swimming performance. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 221:105423. [PMID: 32006756 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Canada's oil sands industry continues to expand and the volume of diluted bitumen (dilbit) transported across North America is increasing, adding to spill risk and environmental contamination. Dilbit exposure is known to cause adverse effects in fish, but linking molecular and cellular changes with ecologically-relevant individual performance metrics is needed to better understand the potential consequences of a dilbit spill into the aquatic environment. Therefore, this study examined the effects of dilbit exposure on subcellular responses in cardiac and skeletal muscle in relation to swimming performance in a migratory fish species at risk of exposure, Atlantic salmon. Smolts were exposed subchronically to environmentally relevant concentrations of the water-soluble fraction of dilbit (WSFd) for 24 d, and then a subset of exposed fish underwent a depuration period of 7 or 14 d, for a total of 3 experimental time points. At each time point, repeat swimming performance was assessed using sequential critical swimming speed tests (Ucrit) separated by a 24 h rest period, and then several tissues were collected to determine biotransformation enzyme activation, energetic responses, and gene expression changes. Ucrit was unaffected in fish exposed to 67.9 μg/L total initial polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC), but fish showed a decreased reliance on lipid metabolism for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the heart that was maintained through 7 d depuration. In contrast, Ucrit increased in fish exposed to 9.65 μg/L PAC, corresponding to an increased reliance on anaerobic metabolic pathways in cardiac and red skeletal muscle, with partial recovery after 7 d depuration. As expected, at both concentrations WSFd hepatic cyp 1A-mediated biotransformation reactions increased, as measured by EROD activity, which remained elevated for 7 d but not after 14 d depuration. Transcript abundance of cyp1a was also increased in muscle tissue and recovered by 14 d depuration. The expression of other stress-related genes increased in white muscle of dilbit-exposed fish, but were largely unchanged in cardiac and red muscle. The transcriptional profile of cardiac tissue was compared to that of sockeye salmon similarly exposed to WSFd in a previous experiment, and is provided in supplemental text. Combined, these results demonstrate that dilbit exposure alters gene expression and enzyme activities related to xenobiotic exposure, cellular stress, and muscle energetics in juvenile Atlantic salmon without impairing swimming performance, and that most of these changes are recoverable within 14 d depuration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean R Avey
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher J Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anthony P Farrell
- Department of Zoology and Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Todd E Gillis
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah L Alderman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
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25
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Alderman SL, Dilkumar CM, Avey SR, Farrell AP, Kennedy CJ, Gillis TE. Effects of diluted bitumen exposure and recovery on the seawater acclimation response of Atlantic salmon smolts. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 221:105419. [PMID: 32014643 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Petrogenic chemicals are common and widespread contaminants in the aquatic environment. In Canada, increased extraction of bitumen from the oil sands and transport of the major crude oil export product, diluted bitumen (dilbit), amplifies the risk of a spill and contamination of Canadian waterways. Fish exposed to sublethal concentrations of crude oil can experience a variety of adverse physiological effects including osmoregulatory dysfunction. As regulation of water and ion balance is crucial during the seawater transition of anadromous fish, the hypothesis that dilbit impairs seawater acclimation in Atlantic salmon smolts (a fish at risk of exposure in Canada) was tested. Smolts were exposed for 24 d to the water-soluble fraction of dilbit in freshwater, and then transferred directly to seawater or allowed a 1 wk depuration period in uncontaminated freshwater prior to seawater transfer. The seawater acclimation response was quantified at 1 and 7 d post-transfer using established hematological, tissue, and molecular endpoints including gill Na+/K+-ATPase gene expression (nka). All smolts, irrespective of dilbit exposure, increased serum Na+ concentrations and osmolality within 1 d of seawater transfer. The recovery of these parameters to freshwater values by 7 d post-transfer was likely driven by the increased expression and activity of Na+/K+-ATPase in the gill. Histopathological changes in the gill were not observed; however, CYP1A-like immunoreactivity was detected in the pillar cells of gill lamellae of fish exposed to 67.9 μg/L PAC. Concentration-specific changes in kidney expression of a transmembrane water channel, aquaporin 3, occurred during seawater acclimation, but were resolved with 1 wk of depuration and were not associated with histopathological changes. In conclusion, apart from a robust CYP response in the gill, dilbit exposure did not greatly impact common measures of seawater acclimation, suggesting that significant osmoregulatory dysfunction is unlikely to occur if Atlantic salmon smolts are exposed sub-chronically to dilbit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Alderman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | - Sean R Avey
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anthony P Farrell
- Department of Zoology and Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher J Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Todd E Gillis
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Lin F, Osachoff HL, Kennedy CJ. Physiological disturbances in juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) exposed to the water-soluble fraction of diluted bitumen. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 220:105383. [PMID: 31924587 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.105383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Current and proposed transcontinental pipelines for the transport of diluted bitumen (dilbit) from the Canadian oil sands traverse the coastal watersheds of British Columbia, habitat essential to Pacific salmonids. To determine the potential risks posed to these keystone species, juvenile sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka; 1+ parr) were acutely (24-96 h) or subchronically (21-42 d) exposed to 4 concentrations of the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of unweathered Cold Lake Blend dilbit (initial total PAC concentrations: 0, 13.7, 34.7 and 124.5 μg/L) in a flow-through system. Dilbit effects on iono-osmoregulation, the physiological stress response, and the immune system were assessed by both biochemical and functional assays. Hydrocarbon bioavailability was evidenced by a significant induction of liver ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in exposed fish. Acute and subchronic exposure significantly reduced gill Na+-K+-ATPase activity and resulted in lower plasma osmolality, Cl-, and Na+ concentrations. Acute exposure to dilbit resulted in a classic physiological stress response, however at 21 d of exposure, plasma cortisol remained elevated while other measured parameters had returned to baseline values. A compromised immune system was demonstrated by a 29.5 % higher mortality in fish challenged with Vibrio (Listonella) anguillarum following dilbit exposure compared to unexposed controls. Exposure of juvenile salmonids to the WSF of dilbit (at TPAC concentrations at the ppb level) resulted in sublethal effects that included a classic physiological stress response, and alterations in iono-osmoregulatory homeostasis and immunological performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Heather L Osachoff
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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Johannessen SC, Greer CW, Hannah CG, King TL, Lee K, Pawlowicz R, Wright CA. Fate of diluted bitumen spilled in the coastal waters of British Columbia, Canada. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 150:110691. [PMID: 31744609 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
There is public concern about the behaviour of spilled diluted bitumen (dilbit) in marine and estuarine waters. We provide a preliminary assessment of the results of laboratory experiments and models, in the context of environmental conditions in the coastal waters of British Columbia. Most dilbit spilled within this region would likely float at the surface and be transported to shore by winds and currents. Fresh dilbit is too light to sink in coastal waters. Highly weathered dilbit could sink where salinity is less than 14, typically only near river mouths and in the top 1-3 m of fjords after heavy rainfall. Subsurface plumes of weathered dilbit could re-emerge at the surface. Sinking oil-particle aggregates are unlikely to form in coastal waters. However, dilbit could be entrained below the surface by wave mixing during storms and to depths of 150 m by coherent mixing in the Haro Strait tidal convergence zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia C Johannessen
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences 9860 W. Saanich Rd., P.O. Box 6000, Sidney, B.C., V8L 4B2, Canada.
| | - Charles W Greer
- National Research Council Canada, Energy, Mining and Environment Research Centre, 6100 Royalmount Ave., Montreal, Quebec, H4P 2R2, Canada.
| | - Charles G Hannah
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences 9860 W. Saanich Rd., P.O. Box 6000, Sidney, B.C., V8L 4B2, Canada.
| | - Thomas L King
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Centre for Offshore Oil, Gas and Energy Research, PO Box 1006, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 4A2, Canada.
| | - Kenneth Lee
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ecosystem Science, 200 Kent Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0E6, Canada.
| | - Rich Pawlowicz
- University of British Columbia, Dept. of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, 2020-2207 Main Mall, Vancouver, B.C., V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Cynthia A Wright
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences 9860 W. Saanich Rd., P.O. Box 6000, Sidney, B.C., V8L 4B2, Canada.
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Bautista NM, Burggren WW. Parental stressor exposure simultaneously conveys both adaptive and maladaptive larval phenotypes through epigenetic inheritance in the zebrafish ( Danio rerio). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.208918. [PMID: 31416900 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.208918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Genomic modifications occur slowly across generations, whereas short-term epigenetic inheritance of adaptive phenotypes may be immediately beneficial to large numbers of individuals, acting as a bridge for survival when adverse environments occur. In the present study, crude oil was used as an example of an environmental stressor. Adult zebrafish (P0) were dietarily exposed for 3 weeks to no, low, medium or high concentrations of crude oil. The F1 offspring obtained from the P0 groups were then assessed for transgenerational epigenetic transfer of oil-induced phenotypes. The exposure did not alter body length, body and organ mass or condition factor in the P0 groups. However, the P0 fecundity of both sexes decreased in proportion to the amount of oil fed. The F1 larvae from each P0 were then exposed from 3 hpf to 5 dpf to oil in their ambient water. Remarkably, F1 larvae derived from oil-exposed parents, when reared in oiled water, showed a 30% enhanced survival compared with controls (P<0.001). Unexpectedly, from day 3 to 5 of exposure, F1 larvae from oil-exposed parents showed poorer survival in clean water (up to 55% decreased survival). Additionally, parental oil exposure induced bradycardia (presumably maladaptive) in F1 larvae in both clean and oiled water. We conclude that epigenetic transgenerational inheritance can lead to an immediate and simultaneous inheritance of both beneficial and maladaptive traits in a large proportion of the F1 larvae. The adaptive responses may help fish populations survive when facing transient environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naim M Bautista
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305220, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA
| | - Warren W Burggren
- Developmental Integrative Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #305220, Denton, TX 76203-5017, USA
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Heuer RM, Galli GLJ, Shiels HA, Fieber LA, Cox GK, Mager EM, Stieglitz JD, Benetti DD, Grosell M, Crossley Ii DA. Impacts of Deepwater Horizon Crude Oil on Mahi-Mahi ( Coryphaena hippurus) Heart Cell Function. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:9895-9904. [PMID: 31343865 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Deepwater Horizon crude oil is comprised of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that cause a number of cardiotoxic effects in marine fishes across all levels of biological organization and at different life stages. Although cardiotoxic impacts have been widely reported, the mechanisms underlying these impairments in adult fish remain understudied. In this study, we examined the impacts of crude oil on cardiomyocyte contractility and electrophysiological parameters in freshly isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes from adult mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus). Cardiomyocytes directly exposed to oil exhibited reduced contractility over a range of environmentally relevant concentrations (2.8-12.9 μg l-1∑PAH). This reduction in contractility was most pronounced at higher stimulation frequencies, corresponding to the upper limits of previously measured in situ mahi heart rates. To better understand the mechanisms underlying impaired contractile function, electrophysiological studies were performed, which revealed oil exposure prolonged cardiomyocyte action potentials and disrupted potassium cycling (9.9-30.4 μg l-1∑PAH). This study is the first to measure cellular contractility in oil-exposed cardiomyocytes from a pelagic fish. Results from this study contribute to previously observed impairments to heart function and whole-animal exercise performance in mahi, underscoring the advantages of using an integrative approach in examining mechanisms of oil-induced cardiotoxicity in marine fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael M Heuer
- Department of Biological Sciences , University of North Texas , 1511 W. Sycamore Street , Denton Texas 76203 , United States
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology , University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science , 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway , Miami , Florida 33149 , United States
| | - Gina L J Galli
- University of Manchester, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Sciences , The University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility , Grafton Street , Manchester M13 9PL , U.K
| | - Holly A Shiels
- University of Manchester, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Sciences , The University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility , Grafton Street , Manchester M13 9PL , U.K
| | - Lynne A Fieber
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology , University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science , 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway , Miami , Florida 33149 , United States
| | - Georgina K Cox
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology , University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science , 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway , Miami , Florida 33149 , United States
- Department of Integrative Biology , University of Guelph , 50 Stone Road East , Guelph , Ontario Canada , N1G 2W1
| | - Edward M Mager
- Department of Biological Sciences , University of North Texas , 1511 W. Sycamore Street , Denton Texas 76203 , United States
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology , University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science , 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway , Miami , Florida 33149 , United States
| | - John D Stieglitz
- Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society , University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science , 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway , Miami , Florida 33149 , United States
| | - Daniel D Benetti
- Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society , University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science , 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway , Miami , Florida 33149 , United States
| | - Martin Grosell
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology , University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science , 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway , Miami , Florida 33149 , United States
| | - Dane A Crossley Ii
- Department of Biological Sciences , University of North Texas , 1511 W. Sycamore Street , Denton Texas 76203 , United States
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McDonnell D, Madison BN, Baillon L, Wallace SJ, Brown SR, Hodson PV, Langlois VS. Comparative toxicity of two diluted bitumens to developing yellow perch (Perca flavescens). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 655:977-985. [PMID: 30577145 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Increasing demand for diluted bitumen (dilbit) has led to the development of the oil sands industry and the expansion of transcontinental pipelines. Dilbit is an unresolved complex mixture with variable diluent and bitumen composition. Thus, it is important to understand the effects of the two most transported dilbits in Canada, Access Western Blend (AWB) and Cold Lake Blend (CLB) on a North America native and freshwater fish species, the yellow perch (Perca flavescens). Fertilized embryos were exposed to both dilbits for 16 days, from <24 h post-fertilization until hatch. The treatment regime was a static daily renewal of water accommodated fractions (WAF) and chemically-enhanced water accommodated fractions (CEWAF) at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 21.3 μg/L of total polycyclic aromatic compounds (TPACs). Hatched embryos were assessed for malformations and changes in the expression of genes associated with phase I and II detoxification and oxidative stress. The prevalence of developmental malformations increased significantly at the highest concentrations of all treatments, with WAF treatments yielding a higher prevalence than CEWAF. The EC50s for AWB and CLB WAF and CEWAF solutions ranged from 9.8 to 24 μg/L TPACs, with the CEWAF of AWB being the least toxic. Relative mRNA levels of cyp1a showed induction by up to 18-fold in WAF and 50-fold in CEWAF treatments at similar concentrations of measured dilbit in solution. Complementary DNA methylation analysis was assessed and fish embryos exposed to AWB CEWAF and CLB WAF showed decreased DNA methylation profiles with increasing exposure to dilbit, suggesting that global gene expression is increasing in these treatments. With recent approvals of pipelines in North America, these data will support site-specific risk assessments and monitoring of Canadian ecosystems should a pipeline spill occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denby McDonnell
- School of Environmental Studies and Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Barry N Madison
- School of Environmental Studies and Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Lucie Baillon
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada; Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Sarah J Wallace
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada; Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Stephen R Brown
- School of Environmental Studies and Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Peter V Hodson
- School of Environmental Studies and Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- School of Environmental Studies and Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada; Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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Lara-Jacobo LR, Willard B, Wallace SJ, Langlois VS. Cytochrome P450 1A transcript is a suitable biomarker of both exposure and response to diluted bitumen in developing frog embryos. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 246:501-508. [PMID: 30583158 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In order for Alberta's thick bitumen to be transported through pipelines, condensates are added creating a diluted bitumen (dilbit) mixture. Recent pipeline expansion projects have generated concern about potential dilbit spills on aquatic wildlife health. Studies have suggested that polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are toxic to aquatic vertebrates and could potentially also interfere with their endocrine system. The research objectives of this study were to investigate the toxicity of dilbit to developing frog embryos and to identify the molecular mechanisms of action involved. Fertilized embryos of Western clawed frog (Silurana tropicalis) were exposed for 72 h to water accommodated fractions (WAF; 0.7-8.9 μg/L TPACs) and chemically-enhanced WAFs (CEWAF; 0.09-56.7 μg/L TPACs) of Access Western Blend (AWB) and Cold Lake Blend (CLB) dilbits. Both dilbit's CEWAFs significantly increased embryonic mortality and malformation incidence in the highest treatments tested, while WAF treatments led to no visible toxic effects. Increases of the cytochrome P450 1A (cyp1a) mRNA levels were observed for all WAF and CEWAF dilbit treatments suggesting that phase I detoxification is activated in the dilbit-exposed larvae. When exposed to PAC concentrations ranging from 0.09 to 8.9 μg/L, the frogs displayed no observable malformations, but expressed significant increases of cyp1a mRNA levels (2- to 25-fold; indicating a suitable biomarker of exposure); however, when concentrations were of 46.6 μg/L or higher, both malformed frog phenotype and induction of cyp1a mRNA level (>250-fold) were measured (indicating a suitable biomarker of response). The expression of several genes related to cellular detoxification and endocrine disruption were also measured, but were not significantly altered by the treatments. In sum, cyp1a mRNA level is a highly sensitive endpoint to measure subtle molecular changes induced by PAC exposure in the frog embryos and larvae, and data suggest that PAC concentration higher than 46 μg/L would be toxic to the developing S. tropicalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda R Lara-Jacobo
- Centre Eau Terre Environnment, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Brianna Willard
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah J Wallace
- Centre Eau Terre Environnment, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- Centre Eau Terre Environnment, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada; Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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32
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Mauduit F, Farrell AP, Domenici P, Lacroix C, Le Floch S, Lemaire P, Nicolas-Kopec A, Whittington M, Le Bayon N, Zambonino-Infante JL, Claireaux G. Assessing the long-term effect of exposure to dispersant-treated oil on fish health using hypoxia tolerance and temperature susceptibility as ecologically relevant biomarkers. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2019; 38:210-221. [PMID: 30206986 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The ecological and economic importance of fish act as a brake on the development of chemical dispersants as operational instruments following oil spills. Although a valuable and consistent body of knowledge exists, its use in spill response is limited. The objective of the present study was to increase current knowledge base to facilitate the translation of published data into information of operational value. Thus we investigated the dose-response relationship between dispersant-treated oil exposure and ecologically relevant consequences by combining laboratory and field experiments. Effects were examined over almost a year using juveniles of the slowly growing, commercially important European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). A reliable interpretation of biomarker responses requires a complete knowledge of the factors likely to affect them. Interpopulational variability is of particular importance in environmental impact assessment because biomarker responses from a population collected in an impacted area are classically compared with those collected in a clean site. Our study revealed no effect of the exposure to dispersant-treated oil on fish hypoxia tolerance and temperature susceptibility at 1 and 11 mo post exposure. Similarly, no effect of the exposure was observed on the ability of the fish to cope with environmental contingencies in the field, regardless of the dose tested. Thus we feel confident to suggest that a 48-h exposure to chemically treated oil does not affect the ability of sea bass to cope with mild environmental contingencies. Finally, investigation of interpopulation variability revealed large differences in both hypoxia tolerance and temperature susceptibility among the 2 populations tested, suggesting that this variability may blur the interpretation of population comparisons as classically practiced in impact assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:210-221. © 2018 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Mauduit
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale, LEMAR (UMR 6539), Centre Ifremer de Bretagne, Plouzané, France
| | - Anthony P Farrell
- Department of Zoology and Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paolo Domenici
- Istituto per lo studio degli Impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in ambiente marino, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Località Sa Mardini, Oristano, Italy
| | - Camille Lacroix
- Departement de Recherche, Centre de Documentation, de Recherche, et d'Expérimentations sur les Pollutions Accidentelles des Eaux, Brest, France
| | - Stéphane Le Floch
- Departement de Recherche, Centre de Documentation, de Recherche, et d'Expérimentations sur les Pollutions Accidentelles des Eaux, Brest, France
| | | | | | | | - Nicolas Le Bayon
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer, LEMAR (UMR 6539), Centre Ifremer de Bretagne, Plouzané, France
| | - José-Luis Zambonino-Infante
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer, LEMAR (UMR 6539), Centre Ifremer de Bretagne, Plouzané, France
| | - Guy Claireaux
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale, LEMAR (UMR 6539), Centre Ifremer de Bretagne, Plouzané, France
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Robidoux PY, Virginie B, Judith L, Marc D. Assessment of acute and chronic toxicity of unweathered and weathered diluted bitumen to freshwater fish and invertebrates. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 164:331-343. [PMID: 30130732 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the results of two different studies investigating the acute and chronic toxicity of two blends of diluted bitumens ("dilbit") and weathered dilbit on freshwater fish and invertebrates after exposure to different concentrations of physically-dispersed (water accommodated fraction; WAF) and chemically-dispersed (chemically-enhanced WAF; CEWAF). The first study evaluated the acute and chronic toxicity of weathered, unweathered and dispersed Access Western Blend (AWB) dilbit on Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). In the second study, acute and chronic toxicity of weathered and unweathered Cold Lake Blend (CLB) dilbit was assessed on Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and two invertebrate species, Daphnia (Daphnia magna) and Ceriodaphnia (Ceriodaphnia dubia). For Fathead minnow, unweathered AWB WAF demonstrated a significantly higher acute toxicity (LC50-96 h = 0.628 g/L) compared to the weathered AWB WAF (LC50-96 h = 2.06 g/L). Chronic toxicity tests showed that Fathead minnow lethality was also higher for unweathered AWB (LC50-7 d = 0.593 g/L) compared to the weathered AWB (LC50-7 d = 1.31 g/L) whereas larval growth toxicity was lower for unweathered AWB (IC25-7 d=0.312 g/L) compared to the weathered dilbit (IC25-7 d = 0.096 g/L). Rainbow trout exposed to unweathered CLB demonstrated a significantly higher toxicity (LC50-96 h = 5.66 g/L) compared to the weathered CLB (LC50 > 18 g/L). Lethality (LC50 = 6.43 g/L) was observed in Ceriodaphnia exposed to the CLB WAF while no mortality was observed with the weathered CLB. The reproductive effects on Ceriodaphnia were greater with the CLB (IC25 <1.0) than with the weathered CLB (IC25 = 3.99 g/L). Volatile organic compounds (VOC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) increased as the dilbit CLB and AWB WAF concentrations increased. The total VOC and the total PAHs (including the alkylated PAHs) presented similar concentrations in the weathered and unweathered AWB WAF. These compounds seem therefore not be affected by the AWB WAF weathering process. However, VOC and PAH concentrations decreased significantly in the Rainbow trout and Ceriodaphnia toxicity tests using the weathered CLB WAF. VOC and PAH concentrations were also lower in the weathered AWB CEWAF used for Fathead minnow chronic study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bérubé Virginie
- AGAT Laboratories, 9770 Route Transcanadienne, St. Laurent, QC H4S 1V9, Canada
| | - Leblanc Judith
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Maurice-Lamontagne Institute, 850 Route de la Mer, Mont-Joli, QC G5H 3Z4, Canada
| | - Desrosiers Marc
- Public Services and Procurement Canada, 1550, d'Estimauville, Québec, QC G1J 0C7, Canada
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Bianchini K, Morrissey CA. Assessment of Shorebird Migratory Fueling Physiology and Departure Timing in Relation to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination in the Gulf of Mexico. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:13562-13573. [PMID: 30362719 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Shorebirds depend on staging sites in the Gulf of Mexico that are frequently subject to pollution by oil and its toxic constituents, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It was hypothesized that PAH contamination lowers staging site quality for migratory shorebirds, with consequences for fueling and departure timing. Sediment total PAH concentrations were measured at six staging sites along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. Sites in Louisiana were expected to have higher total PAH concentrations as they were more heavily impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. From 2015 to 2017, 165 Sanderling ( Calidris alba) and 55 Red knots ( C. canutus) were captured at these same sites during their northward migration (late April to mid May). Mass, body morphometrics, and plasma metabolite measurements were taken to determine fuel loads and fueling rates, and a subset of birds (120 Sanderling and 39 Red knots) received a coded radio tag to determine departure dates using the Motus telemetry array. Compared to Texas sites, sediment in Louisiana had higher total PAH concentrations, dominated by heavier 6 ring indeno[1,2,3- cd]pyrene (48%). Plasma metabolite profiles suggested that fueling rates for Sanderling, but not Red knots, tended to be lower in Louisiana, and both species departed later than the study average from Louisiana. However, multiple factors, including migration patterns, food supply, and other contaminants, also likely influenced fueling and departures. PAH contamination in the Gulf of Mexico remains an ongoing issue that may be impacting the staging site quality and migration timing of long-distance migratory birds.
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Alsaadi FM, Madison BN, Brown RS, Hodson PV, Langlois VS. Morphological and molecular effects of two diluted bitumens on developing fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 204:107-116. [PMID: 30243048 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Canada has experienced a significant increase in the transport of diluted bitumen (dilbit), a predominant oil sands product that combines bitumen with diluents derived from oil-gas condensates and other proprietary compounds. The toxicity of dilbit to fish embryos, which are immobile and thus at a high risk of exposure to oil in the event of a spill, remains largely unknown for most species. This study assessed the toxicity of water accommodated fractions (WAF) and chemically enhanced water accommodated fractions (CEWAF) of two winter dilbit blends, Access Western Blend (AWB) and Cold Lake Blend (CLB), to fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) embryos. The TPH-F EC50s for malformations were 834 and 1058 μg/L for AWB WAF and CEWAF, respectively, and 500 and 715 μg/L for CLB WAF and CEWAF, respectively. Levels of cyp1a mRNA increased up to 46- and 69-fold, respectively, reflecting increasing exposure to polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in AWB and CLB. Similarly, levels of gst mRNA were elevated up to 3.8-fold and 2.7-fold with increasing total concentrations of PACs in AWB and CLB, respectively. However, there were no significant changes in mRNA levels of p53, sod, cat, and gsr. These results suggest that the expression of cyp1a and gst may serve as biomarkers for dilbit exposure in fathead minnow, furthering our understanding of dilbit-responsive indicators of toxicity in fish species native to North America. This study is important as it utilizes the same exposure methodology to examine the toxicity of two commonly used Canadian dilbits, facilitating comparison of dilbit toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Alsaadi
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - B N Madison
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Royal Military College of Canada, Canada; School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - R S Brown
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - P V Hodson
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - V S Langlois
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Royal Military College of Canada, Canada; School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) - Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Québec City, QC, Canada.
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Bianchini K, Morrissey CA. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure impairs pre-migratory fuelling in captively-dosed Sanderling (Calidris alba). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 161:383-391. [PMID: 29902618 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Efficient fuelling is essential for migratory birds because fuel loads and fuelling rates affect individual fitness and survival during migration. Many migrant shorebirds are exposed to oil pollution and its toxic constituents, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), at migratory staging sites, which has the potential to interfere with avian refuelling physiology. In this study, we orally dosed shorebirds with environmentally-relevant PAH mixtures to simulate dietary exposure during staging. Forty-nine wild-caught Sanderling (Calidris alba) were exposed to 0 (control), 12.6 (low), 126 (medium), or 1260 (high) μg total PAH/kg body weight/day. Birds were dosed during a 21-day period of autumn pre-migratory fuelling to mimic the typical staging duration of Sanderling. We measured daily changes in mass and fat loads, as well as ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity, serum biochemical profiles, and liver mass and lipid content following dosing. All dose groups gained fat and increased in mass (size-corrected) during the study period, with females having a higher average body mass than males. However, mass gain was 3.9, 5.4, and 3.8 times lower in the low, medium, and high dose groups, respectively, relative to controls, and body mass in the medium and high dose groups significantly declined near the end of the experiment. EROD activity showed a dose-dependent increase and was significantly elevated in the high dose group relative to controls. Higher individual EROD activity was associated with reduced serum bile acid and elevated serum creatine kinase concentrations in both sexes, and with elevated serum lipase concentrations in females. These results suggest that PAH exposure in Sanderling can interfere with mechanisms of lipid transport and metabolism, can cause muscle damage, and can lead to reduced overall fat loads that are critical to staging duration, departure decisions, migratory speed, and flight range. Given that many shorebirds migrate thousands of kilometers between the breeding and wintering grounds and frequently aggregate at key staging sites that are subject to contamination, PAH exposure likely represents a significant threat to shorebird migratory success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Bianchini
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5B3.
| | - Christy A Morrissey
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5E2; School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5C8.
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Westerhoff BM, Fairbairn DJ, Ferrey ML, Matilla A, Kunkel J, Elliott SM, Kiesling RL, Woodruff D, Schoenfuss HL. Effects of urban stormwater and iron-enhanced sand filtration on Daphnia magna and Pimephales promelas. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2018; 37:2645-2659. [PMID: 29978500 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Urban stormwater is an important but incompletely characterized contributor to surface-water toxicity. The present study used 5 bioassays of 2 model organisms (Daphnia magna and fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas) to investigate stormwater toxicity and mitigation by full-scale iron-enhanced sand filters (IESFs). Stormwater samples were collected from major stormwater conveyances and full-scale IESFs during 4 seasonal events (winter snowmelt and spring, early summer, and late summer rainfalls) and analyzed for a diverse range of contaminants of emerging concern including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial chemicals, and pesticides. Concurrently, stormwater samples were collected for toxicity testing. Seasonality appeared more influential and consistent than site type for most bioassays. Typically, biological consequences were least in early summer and greatest in late summer and winter. In contrast with the unimproved and occasionally reduced biological outcomes in IESF-treated and late summer samples, water chemistry indicated that numbers and total concentrations of detected organic chemicals, metals, and nutrients were reduced in late summer and in IESF-treated stormwater samples. Some potent toxicants showed more specific seasonality (e.g., high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and industrial compounds in winter, pesticides in early summer and spring, flame retardants in late summer), which may have influenced outcomes. Potential explanations for insignificant or unexpected stormwater treatment outcomes include confounding effects of complex stormwater matrices, IESF nutrient removal, and, less likely, unmonitored toxicants. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2645-2659. © 2018 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M Westerhoff
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Saint Cloud State University, Saint Cloud, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Mark L Ferrey
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Adriana Matilla
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Saint Cloud State University, Saint Cloud, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jordan Kunkel
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Saint Cloud State University, Saint Cloud, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | - Dustin Woodruff
- Mid-continent Ecology Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Duluth, Minnesota
| | - Heiko L Schoenfuss
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Saint Cloud State University, Saint Cloud, Minnesota, USA
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Alderman SL, Lin F, Gillis TE, Farrell AP, Kennedy CJ. Developmental and latent effects of diluted bitumen exposure on early life stages of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 202:6-15. [PMID: 29966910 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The early life stages of Pacific salmon are at risk of environmental exposure to diluted bitumen (dilbit) as Canada's oil sands industry continues to expand. The toxicity and latent effects of dilbit exposure were assessed in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) exposed to water-soluble fractions of dilbit (WSFd) from fertilization to the swim-up stage, and then reared in clean water for 8 months. Mortality was significantly higher in WSFd-exposed embryos, with cumulative mortality up to 4.6-fold higher in exposed relative to unexposed embryos. The sublethal effects of WSFd exposure included transcriptional up-regulation of cyp1a, a concentration-dependent delay in the onset and progression of hatching, as well as increased prevalence of developmental deformities at total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (TPAH) concentrations ≥35 μg L-1. Growth and body composition were negatively affected by WSFd exposure, including a concentration-specific decrease in soluble protein concentration and increases in total body lipid and triglyceride concentrations. Mortality continued during the first 2 months after transferring fish to clean water, reaching 53% in fish exposed to 100 μg L-1 TPAH; but there was no latent impact on swimming performance, heart mass, or heart morphology in surviving fish after 8 months. A latent effect of WSFd exposure on brain morphology was observed, with fish exposed to 4 μg L-1 TPAH having significantly larger brains compared to other treatment groups after 8 months in clean water. This study provides comprehensive data on the acute, sub-chronic, and latent impacts of dilbit exposure in early life stage sockeye, information that is critical for a proper risk analysis of the impact of a dilbit spill on this socioeconomically important fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Alderman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Todd E Gillis
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anthony P Farrell
- Department of Zoology and Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher J Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
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Barron MG, Conmy RN, Holder EL, Meyer P, Wilson GJ, Principe VE, Willming MM. Toxicity of Cold Lake Blend and Western Canadian Select dilbits to standard aquatic test species. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 191:1-6. [PMID: 29020608 PMCID: PMC6016379 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Dilbits are blends of bitumen and natural gas condensates or crude oils with only limited toxicity data. Two dilbits, Cold Lake Blend and Western Canadian Select, were tested as either unweathered or weathered oils for acute and chronic toxicity to standard freshwater and estuarine organisms. Water accommodated fractions of the dilbits were characterized for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and monoaromatics (BTEX). Acute toxicity of unweathered and weathered dilbits ranged from 4 to 16 mg/L TPH, 8 to 40 μg/L total PAHs, and 0.7 to 16 mg/L BTEX in Ceriodaphnia dubia, Pimephales promelas, Americamysis bahia, and Menidia beryllina. Concentrations of weathered dilbits causing impaired growth (A. bahia) and reproduction (C. dubia) ranged from 0.8 to 3.5 mg/L TPH and 6 to 16 μg/L PAHs. The two dilbits had generally similar acute and short term chronic toxicity expressed as TPH or total PAHs as other crude oils and other petroleum products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mace G Barron
- Gulf Ecology Division, U.S. EPA, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA.
| | - Robyn N Conmy
- Land Remediation and Pollution Control Division, U.S. EPA, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | | | - Peter Meyer
- Hydrosphere Research, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
| | - Gregory J Wilson
- Office of Emergency Management, U.S. EPA, Washington, DC 20460, USA
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Alsaadi F, Hodson PV, Langlois VS. An Embryonic Field of Study: The Aquatic Fate and Toxicity of Diluted Bitumen. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2018; 100:8-13. [PMID: 29243210 PMCID: PMC5775368 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-017-2239-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Canada has experienced a significant increase in the transport of diluted bitumen (dilbit), a predominant oil sands product that combines bitumen with diluents derived from oil-gas condensates and other proprietary compounds. The proportion of diluent and the chemical composition of dilbit vary to meet seasonal transport requirements. While the toxic effects of a variety of crude and refined oils are well-studied, the toxicity of dilbit to aquatic species is less well known. This focused review summarizes dilbit production, chemistry, and the few data on toxicity to aquatic species. These data suggest that un-weathered dilbit would cause effects on fish equivalent to those of conventional oils, but its toxicity may be lower, depending on interactions among test conditions, the behavior of dilbit added to water and the species tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ftoon Alsaadi
- Biology Department, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Peter V Hodson
- Biology Department, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- Biology Department, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada.
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique - Centre Eau Terre Environnement (INRS-ETE), 490 de la Couronne, Quebec City, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada.
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41
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Zhang Y, Mauduit F, Farrell AP, Chabot D, Ollivier H, Rio-Cabello A, Le Floch S, Claireaux G. Exposure of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) to chemically dispersed oil has a chronic residual effect on hypoxia tolerance but not aerobic scope. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2017; 191:95-104. [PMID: 28806602 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that the chronic residual effects of an acute exposure of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) to chemically dispersed crude oil is manifest in indices of hypoxic performance rather than aerobic performance. Sea bass were pre-screened with a hypoxia challenge test to establish their incipient lethal oxygen saturation (ILOS), but on discovering a wide breadth for individual ILOS values (2.6-11.0% O2 saturation), fish were subsequently subdivided into either hypoxia sensitive (HS) or hypoxia tolerant (HT) phenotypes, traits that were shown to be experimentally repeatable. The HT phenotype had a lower ILOS and critical oxygen saturation (O2crit) compared with the HS phenotype and switched to glycolytic metabolism at a lower dissolved oxygen, even though both phenotypes accumulated lactate and glucose to the same plasma concentrations at ILOS. As initially hypothesized, and regardless of the phenotype considered, we found no residual effect of oil on any of the indices of aerobic performance. Contrary to our hypothesis, however, oil exposure had no residual effect on any of the indices of hypoxic performance in the HS phenotype. In the HT phenotype, on the other hand, oil exposure had residual effects as illustrated by the impaired repeatability of hypoxia tolerance and also by the 24% increase in O2crit, the 40% increase in scope for oxygen deficit, the 17% increase in factorial scope for oxygen deficit and the 57% increase in accumulated oxygen deficit. Thus, sea bass with a HT phenotype remained chronically impaired for a minimum of 167days following an acute 24-h oil exposure while the HS phenotypes did not. We reasoned that impaired oxygen extraction at gill due to oil exposure activates glycolytic metabolism at a higher dissolved oxygen, conferring on the HT phenotype an inferior hypoxia resistance that might eventually compromise their ability to survive hypoxic episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangfan Zhang
- Department of Zoology & Faculty of Land and Food System, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Florian Mauduit
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (UMR-6539), Unité PFOM-ARN, Ifremer Centre de Bretagne, Plouzané, France
| | - Anthony P Farrell
- Department of Zoology & Faculty of Land and Food System, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Denis Chabot
- Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Mont-Joli, QC, G5H 3Z4, Canada
| | - Hélène Ollivier
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (UMR-6539), Unité PFOM-ARN, Ifremer Centre de Bretagne, Plouzané, France
| | - Adrien Rio-Cabello
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (UMR-6539), Unité PFOM-ARN, Ifremer Centre de Bretagne, Plouzané, France
| | - Stéphane Le Floch
- Centre de documentation, de recherche et d'expérimentations sur les pollutions accidentelles des eaux, Brest, France
| | - Guy Claireaux
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (UMR-6539), Unité PFOM-ARN, Ifremer Centre de Bretagne, Plouzané, France
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42
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Madison BN, Hodson PV, Langlois VS. Cold Lake Blend diluted bitumen toxicity to the early development of Japanese medaka. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 225:579-586. [PMID: 28336089 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Diluted bitumen (dilbit) from Alberta oil sands (Canada) is transported across major continental watersheds, yet little is known about its toxicity to fish if spilled into aquatic environments. The toxicity of Cold Lake (CLB) dilbit was assessed for medaka embryos (Oryzias latipes) exposed to water accommodated fractions (WAF) and chemically-enhanced WAF (CEWAF) using Corexit®EC9500A as dispersant. The effects of CLB toxicity were similar to conventional crude oils and Access Western Blend (AWB) dilbit. The prevalence of malformations and cyp1a mRNA synthesis in hatched fish increased monotonically with concentration during WAF and CEWAF treatments and provided a novel indicator of dilbit PAH toxicity. Apart from nfe2 (an antioxidant transcription factor), there were no statistically significant monotonic exposure-responses of ahr, arnt2, cat, sod, gpx, gst, gsr, g6pdh, p53, and hsp70 transcripts at total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (TPAH) concentrations bracketing EC50s for embryotoxicity (WAF ≅ 3 μg/L; CEWAF ≅ 0.1 μg/L TPAH). Based on measured TPAH concentrations in exposure test solutions, CLB dilbit was 6-10 fold more toxic to medaka than AWB during chronic exposures. Lack of direct monotonic gene transcription responses to increasing oil concentrations during exposures that were embryotoxic suggests that the capacity of the oxidative stress response is limited in earlier lifestages or that differences exist among species in mechanisms of toxicity. This study provides a comparative framework for identifying suitable biomarkers and toxicity methods for those fish species in sensitive lifestages at highest risk of Canadian oil sands dilbit exposure following a spill in the freshwater environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry N Madison
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Canada; School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Peter V Hodson
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Canada; School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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43
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Alderman SL, Dindia LA, Kennedy CJ, Farrell AP, Gillis TE. Proteomic analysis of sockeye salmon serum as a tool for biomarker discovery and new insight into the sublethal toxicity of diluted bitumen. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2017; 22:157-166. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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44
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Birceanu O. Salmon versus dilbit: it's a matter of the heart. J Exp Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.130351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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