Predicting acute copper toxicity to valve closure behavior in the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea supports the biotic ligand model

A modelling framework to assess multiple metals impacts on marine food webs: Relevance for assessing the ecological implications of deep-sea mining based on a systematic review

Industrial deep-sea mining will release plumes containing metals that may disperse over long distances; however, there is no general understanding of metal effects on marine ecosystems. Thus, we conducted a systematic review in search of models of metal effects on aquatic biota with the future perspective to support Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) of deep-sea mining. According to results, the use of models to study metal effects is strongly biased towards freshwater species (83% freshwater versus 14% marine); Cu, Hg, Al, Ni, Pb, Cd and Zn are the best-studied metals, and most studies target few species rather than entire food webs. We argue that these limitations restrain ERA on marine ecosystems. To overcome this gap of knowledge, we suggest future research directions and propose a modelling framework to predict the effects of metals on marine food webs, which in our view is relevant for ERA of deep-sea mining.

Biological toxicity response of Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) to pollutants in surface water and sediment

As a typical test species, Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) is widely used in the identification and evaluation of freshwater toxicity. This study provides a summary of the research published from 1979 to 2018. The focus was on the bioaccumulation, morphological and behavioral changes, and biochemical index alterations of Corbicula fluminea to target pollutants (i.e., ammonia, metal(loid)s, and organic chemicals) in surface water and sediment. The applications on the evaluation of actual aquatic pollution, determination of toxicological mechanisms, prediction of toxicity, and bioremediation are also specifically discussed. The primary purpose is to facilitate the comprehensive understanding and accurate application of Corbicula fluminea in freshwater ecotoxicological studies.

Internal versus External Dose for Describing Ternary Metal Mixture (Ni, Cu, Cd) Chronic Toxicity to Lemna minor

Simultaneous determinations of internal dose ([M]_tiss) and external doses ([M]_tot, {M²⁺} in solution) were conducted to study ternary mixture (Ni, Cu, Cd) chronic toxicity to Lemna minor in alkaline solution (pH 8.3). Also, concentration addition (CA) based on internal dose was evaluated as a tool for risk assessment of metal mixture. Multiple regression analysis of dose versus root growth inhibition, as well as saturation binding kinetics, provided insight into interactions. Multiple regressions were simpler for [M]_tiss than [M]_tot and {M²⁺}, and along with saturation kinetics to the internal biotic ligand(s) in the cytoplasm, they indicated that Ni-Cu-Cd competed for uptake into plant, but once inside, only Cu-Cd shared a binding site. Copper inorganic complexes (hydroxides, carbonates) played a role in metal bioavailability in single metal exposure but not in mixtures. Regardless of interactions, the current regulatory approach of using CA based on [M]_tot can sufficiently predict mixture toxicity (∑TU close to 1), but CA based on [M]_tiss was closest to unity across a range of doses. Internal dose integrates all metal-metal interactions in solution and during uptake into the organism, thereby providing a more direct metric describing toxicity.

Sensory determinants of valve rhythm dynamics provide in situ biodetection of copper in aquatic environments

This study successfully applied an improved valvometry technique to measure waterborne copper (Cu), based on valve activity dynamics of the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea. The improved valvometry technique allows the use of free-range bivalves and avoids causing stresses from experimental artifacts. The proposed daily valve rhythm models and a toxicodynamics-based Hill model were linked to predict valve dynamic responses under different Cu exposures with a circadian valve rhythm endpoint. Cu-specific detection threshold was 5.6 (95 % CI 2.1-9.3) and 19.5 (14.6-24.3) μg L(-1) for C. fluminea, based on response times of 300 and 30 min, respectively. Upon exposure to Cu concentrations in excess of 50 μg L(-1), the alteration of valve rhythm behavior was correlated with Cu concentration within 30 min, indicating notable sensing ability. This study outlines the feasibility of an in situ early warning dynamic biomonitoring system for detection of waterborne Cu based on circadian valve activities of C. fluminea.

Copper toxicity to Lemna minor modelled using humic acid as a surrogate for the plant root

Humic acids are chemically analogous to plant root cell walls in that their surface sites are principally comprised of carboxylic and phenolic acids which bind both metals and protons. Based on this analogy, we developed a biotic-ligand type of model to predict Cu toxicity to Lemna minor, using particulate humic acid (HA(part)) of the Windermere Humic Aqueous Model (WHAM), and 7d static-renewal exposures with five surface waters and one nutrient media which varied in DOC (1-10 mg L(-1)), pH (6.9-8.7), and water hardness (35-236 mg equivalent CaCO(3)L(-1)). Although the range of waters tested resulted in a 36-fold variation in 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values, the calculated concentration of Cu bound to HA(part) using this framework was highly correlated with pooled percent net root elongation (%NRE) (R(2)=0.95). Ten and fifty percent IC values based on [Cu-HA(part)] were additionally within a factor of ±1.5 and ±1.4, respectively, inclusive of 95% confidence limits. This model construct, which defines the free metal ion and the first hydrolysis product (but not metal carbonate complexes) as being bioavailable, provides an alternative means of defining the binding surface in bioavailability models, whereby a heterogeneous mixture of ligands collectively influence root-metal sorption and toxicity.

Predicting bioavailability and bioaccumulation of arsenic by freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea using valve daily activity

There are many bioindicators. However, it remains largely unknown which metal-bioindicator systems will give the reasonable detection ranges of bioavailable metals in the aquatic ecosystem. Various experimental data make the demonstration of biomonitoring processes challenging. Ingested inorganic arsenic is strongly associated with a wide spectrum of adverse health outcomes. Freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea, one of the most commonly used freshwater biomomitoring organisms, presents daily activity in valve movement and demonstrates biotic uptake potential to accumulate arsenic. Here, a systematical way was provided to dynamically link valve daily activity in C. fluminea and arsenic bioavailability and toxicokinetics to predict affinity at arsenic-binding site in gills and arsenic body burden. Using computational ecotoxicology methods, a valve daily rhythm model can be tuned mathematically to the responsive ranges of valve daily activity system in response to varied bioavailable arsenic concentration. The patterned response then can be used to predict the site-specific bioavailable arsenic concentration at the specific measuring time window. This approach can yield predictive data of results from toxicity studies of specific bioindicators that can assist in prediction of risk for aquatic animals and humans.

Online detection of waterborne bioavailable copper by valve daily rhythms in freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea

Freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea, a surrogate species in metal toxicity testing, is a promising bioindicator of impairment in aquatic ecosystems. Little is known, however, about the relationship between clam valve daily rhythmic response and metal bioavailability related to a metal biological early warning system (BEWS) design. The purpose of this study was to link biotic ligand model (BLM)-based bioavailability and valve daily rhythm in C. fluminea to design a biomonitoring system for online in situ detection of waterborne copper (Cu). We integrated the Hill-based dose-time-response function and the fitted daily rhythm function of valve closure into a constructed programmatic mechanism. The functional presentation of the present dynamic system was completely demonstrated by employing a LabVIEW graphic control program in a personal computer. We used site-specific effect concentration causing 10% of total valve closure response (EC10) as the detection threshold to implement the proposed C. fluminea-based Cu BEWS. Here our results show that the proposed C. fluminea-based BEWS could be deliberately synthesized to online in situ transmit rapidly the information on waterborne bioavailable Cu levels under various aquatic environmental conditions through monitoring the valve daily rhythmic changes. We suggested that the developed C. fluminea-based dynamic biomonitoring system could assist in developing technically defensible site-specific water quality criteria to promote more efficient uses in water resources for protection of species health in aquatic environments.

Bioavailability links mode of action can improve the long-term field risk assessment for tilapia exposed to arsenic

The objective of this paper was to develop a mechanistic-based framework to explicitly incorporate the factors controlling the bioavailability, toxicodynamics and mode of action to enhance predictive ability of arsenic (As) toxicity to protect the health of farmed tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus. We linked the biotic ligand model and damage assessment model to develop a toxicokinetic model for elucidating the site-specific temporal changes of As bioavailability and to characterize how the fish regulate the metal toxicity. We built a bioavailability-mode of action-based growth toxicity model by linking a bioenergetic growth model and damage assessment model to predict how the As affects on the tilapia growth in the entire life span in site-specific field ecosystems. Here we show that the proposed model well describes the water-chemistry-dependent toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics variations of As to tilapia. We selected two local tilapia farms with different water chemistries located at southwestern Taiwan coast region to implement the proposed algorithm to predict the risk of As exposure. Results indicate that the growth toxicity of O. mossambicus in Taihsi is more sensitive than that in Peimen. We found that the effect of ion competition on the As bioavailability and their ecotoxicological effects on tilapia are more obvious in Taihsi comparing with that in Peimen. We suggested that the proposed bioavailability- and mode of action-based framework can be used to capture the biological response and regulation of tilapia to As exposures. It is applicable for a site-specific and long-term ecotoxicological risk assessment.

A biotic ligand model-based toxicodynamic approach to predict arsenic toxicity to tilapia gills in cultural ponds

Farming of tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus is an important aquacultural activity in Taiwan. Due to the elevated arsenic (As) concentration in pond water, it is important to assess the bioavailability and toxicity of As to tilapia for protection of aquatic life and human health. In the present study, we developed a biotic ligand model (BLM)-based toxicodynamic approach to dynamically predict both acute and chronic effective concentrations of As to tilapia in two tilapia farms located at Pudai and Chiangchun counties in southwestern Taiwan. Parameters revealed in the mechanistic model were obtained by fitting this model to the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic data from our previous laboratory experiments. Based on our extended BLM concepts, the site-specific water effect ratios and ambient water quality criteria can be determined with known water chemistry. The proposed methodology was capable of bridging the gap between laboratory toxicity bioassays and field investigations. With respect to risk assessments, our research may also provide an useful means of generating and adjusting the site-specific ambient water quality criteria.

Impact of hypoxia on hemolymph contamination by uranium in an aquatic animal, the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea

Multi-stress situations are a major question and low-oxygenated waters (hypoxia) are a growing problem. Importantly, hypoxia stimulates the ventilatory flow rate in aquatic animals and this increases gill exposure to contaminants. Surprisingly, in the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea, this is associated with increased bioaccumulation of uranium in gills but not in deep tissues. We searched for an explanation by analyzing hemolymph U-transport in Corbicula exposed to 0.36 microM dissolved uranium at various O2-levels for 10 days. In hypoxia, one observed an increased U concentration in the arterial hemolymph flowing from gills to tissues but this was not associated with an increased U concentration in the venous hemolymph nor in the other tissues. We conclude that the cardiac flow rate must have decreased to explain this absence of over-accumulation. In addition to its already known deleterious effects, uranium can thus deeply impair cardiac flow rate in exposed aquatic animals during multi-stress exposures.

The influence of small-scale circum-neutral pH change on Cu-bioavailability and toxicity to an estuarine bivalve (Austriella cf plicifera) in whole-sediment toxicity tests

In whole-sediment toxicity tests employing metal-spiked sediment, pH is a crucial determinant of sediment geochemistry, sediment-porewater metal partitioning and metal bioavailability to benthic organisms. Small pH changes in metal-spiked sediment may therefore have important implications for toxicity to organisms. The present study evaluated the effect of small-scale pH changes (pH 6.6, 7.2, 7.6) in Cu-spiked sediment on metal bioavailability and subsequent organism response. Variation of pH produced distinct changes in sediment geochemistry. Increasing pH from 6.6 to 7.6 resulted in lower redox potential, greater acid volatile sulfide (AVS) formation, and lower partitioning of Cu, Fe and Mn to the porewater. The minor pH changes and associated variation in sediment geochemistry modified reburial rates and copper accumulation by the bivalve, Austriella cf plicifera. Bivalve reburial was slowest for the 1400 microg g(-1) Cu-spiked pH 6.6 sediment, in which porewater copper concentrations exceeded 50 microg L(-1). Bivalve reburial was higher for pH 7.2 Cu-spiked sediments at all concentrations of copper investigated than in pH 6.6 and 7.6 sediments, where reburial rates were similar. Higher levels of bivalve activity suggest that A. cf plicifera may have an optimal pH range in the vicinity of pH 7.2. Tissue Cu concentrations varied with pH and appear dependent on spiked Cu concentration and organism activity. Strong linear correlations of tissue Cu concentration with all three Cu phases (overlying water, porewater and particulate phases), however, limited the ability to accurately determine the source of Cu uptake.

Sodium Gill Potential as a Tool to Monitor Valve Closure Behavior in Freshwater Clam Corbicula fluminea in Response to Copper

Valve closure behavior in freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea is a biologically sensitive endpoint. The purpose of this paper was to derive an electrophysiological response model of C. fluminea to assess copper (Cu)–sodium (Na) interactions in gill membrane, whereby valve closure behavior and Cu toxicity could be monitored. The proposed model was based on the integration of Cu bioavailability, Na and Cu internalizations, and electrochemically-based gill potentials. Based on Na active transport under non-equilibrium conditions, predicted gill potential of −8.2 mV agreed reasonably well with published the measured transepithelial potential of −7 mV in C. fluminea. Our proposed framework captured the general features observed in model applications including: (i) 50% inhibitory Cu²⁺ activities for Na membrane potential (E_Na) and uptake rate (J_Na) were estimated to be 0.072 and 0.043 μM, respectively, with a stoichiometry of 3Cu²⁺: 1E_Na and 1J_Na; (ii) the external Cu²⁺–dependent internal Na concentration could be parsimoniously estimated, and (iii) the site-specific clam gill potentials could be monitored. Here we provided a new approach to monitor waterborne metal toxicity to reduce the nationwide economic losses due to bans on harvesting of contaminated clam and the potential risks to the health of clams.

Biomonitoring: an appealing tool for assessment of metal pollution in the aquatic ecosystem

Wide occurrence of aquatic metal pollution has caused much attention. Biomonitoring offers an appealing tool for the assessment of metal pollution in aquatic ecosystem. The bioindicators including algae, macrophyte, zooplankton, insect, bivalve mollusks, gastropod, fish, amphibian and others are enumerated and compared for their advantages and disadvantages in practical biomonitoring of aquatic metal pollution. The common biomonitoring techniques classified as bioaccumulation, biochemical alterations, morphological and behavior observation, population- and community-level approaches and modeling are discussed. The potential applications of biomonitoring are proposed to mainly include evaluation of actual aquatic metal pollution, bioremediation, toxicology prediction and researches on toxicological mechanism. Further perspectives are made for the biomonitoring of metal pollution in aquatic ecosystem.