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Liu N, Meng F, Zhang L, Qin Y, Xue H, Liang Z. Toxicity threshold and ecological risk of nitrate in rivers based on endocrine-disrupting effects: A case study in the Luan River basin, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 930:172859. [PMID: 38692316 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172859] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Nitrate, as a crucial nutrient, is consistently targeted for controlling water eutrophication globally. However, there is considerable evidence suggesting that nitrate has endocrine-disrupting potential on aquatic organisms. In this study, the sensitivity of various adverse effects to nitrate nitrogen (nitrate-N) was compared, and a toxicity threshold based on endocrine-disrupting effects was derived. The spatiotemporal variations of nitrate-N concentrations in the Luan River basin were investigated, and the associated aquatic ecological risks were evaluated using a comprehensive approach. The results showed that reproduction and development were the most sensitive endpoints to nitrate, and their distribution exhibited significant differences compared to behavior. The derived threshold based on endocrine-disrupting effects was 0.65 mgL-1, providing adequate protection for the aquatic ecosystem. In the Luan River basin, the mean nitrate-N concentrations during winter (4.4 mgL-1) were significantly higher than those observed in spring (0.7 mgL-1) and summer (1.2 mgL-1). Tributary inputs had an important influence on the spatial characteristics of nitrate-N in the mainstream, primarily due to agricultural and population-related contamination. The risk quotients (RQ) during winter, summer, and spring were evaluated as 6.7, 1.8, and 1.1, respectively, and the frequency of exposure concentrations exceeding the threshold was 100 %, 64.3 %, and 42.5 %, respectively. At the ecosystem level, nitrate posed intermediate risks to aquatic organisms during winter and summer in the Luan River basin and at the national scale in China. We suggest that nitrate pollution control should not solely focus on water eutrophication but also consider the endocrine disruptive effect on aquatic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Fansheng Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
| | - Lingsong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
| | - Yaqiang Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Hao Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Zhuming Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
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2
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McLean B, Rodgers EM. Deteriorating waterways: The effect of nitrate pollution on the development and physiology of the endangered southern bell frog (Litoria raniformis). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 262:106670. [PMID: 37651779 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106670] [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: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen-based fertilizers can increase agricultural yields and crop quality, but this comes at the risk of contaminating nearby waterways. Nitrate is the most stable and abundant form of inorganic nitrogen in the environment and chronic exposure can impair performance and fitness in aquatically respiring species. But it remains unknown if these impairments are linked to disruptions in energy homeostasis. Here, we investigated the energetic cost of living in nitrate contaminated waters during early, energy-limited, larval life stages in the endangered southern bell frog (Litoria raniformis). We hypothesised that chronic nitrate exposure during development would increase energetic costs, evidenced by reductions in growth rates and body sizes, and elevations in routine heart rate (RHR) and routine metabolic rate (RMR). Following hatching, larvae were exposed to one of three nitrate treatments (0, 25 and 50 mg NO3-L-1) for 12 weeks, and survival, growth, RHR, and RMR were measured. Survival rates were similar across all treatments. Nitrate exposure caused a reduction in growth rates, resulting in larvae with significantly smaller body sizes. Compared to controls, nitrate-exposed larvae were 12% and 18% smaller in total length in the 25 and 50 mgNO3-L-1 treatments, respectively. However, RHR and RMR were independent of nitrate exposure, indicating that the 'cost of living' was similar across treatments. Observed growth reductions were therefore independent of RHR and RMR, suggesting other mechanisms were involved. Taken together, these results highlight the vulnerability of L. raniformis to nitrate during early life and suggest that the application of nitrogen-based fertilizers near critical aquatic habitats will be harmful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittney McLean
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
| | - Essie M Rodgers
- School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia; Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
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3
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Gomez Isaza DF, Cramp RL, Franklin CE. Fire and rain: A systematic review of the impacts of wildfire and associated runoff on aquatic fauna. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:2578-2595. [PMID: 35038772 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Climate and land-use changes are expected to increase the future occurrence of wildfires, with potentially devastating consequences for freshwater species and ecosystems. Wildfires that burn in close proximity to freshwater systems can significantly alter the physicochemical properties of water. Following wildfires and heavy rain, freshwater species must contend with complex combinations of wildfire ash components (nutrients, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and metals), altered light and thermal regimes, and periods of low oxygen that together can lead to mass mortality events. However, the responses of aquatic fauna to wildfire disturbances are poorly understood. Here we provide a systematic review of available evidence on how aquatic animals respond to and recover from wildfire disturbance. Two databases (Web of Science and Scopus) were used to identify key literature. A total of 83 studies from across 11 countries were identified to have assessed the risk of wildfires on aquatic animals. We provide a summary of the main ecosystem-level changes associated with wildfires and the main responses of aquatic fauna to such disturbances. We pay special focus to physiological tools and biomarkers used to assess how wildfires impact aquatic animals. We conclude by providing an overview of how physiological biomarkers can further our understanding of wildfire-related impacts on aquatic fauna, and how different physiological tools can be incorporated into management and conservation plans and serve as early warning signs of wildfire disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca L Cramp
- The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Craig E Franklin
- The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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4
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Parker SP, Wilkes AE, Long GR, Goulding NWE, Ghosh RS. Development of Fluoride Protective Values for Aquatic Life Using Empirical Bioavailability Models. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:396-409. [PMID: 34813674 PMCID: PMC9303462 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The derivation of protective values for aquatic life can be enhanced by the development and use of bioavailability models. Recent advances to metals bioavailability modeling are applicable to other analyte groups and should be widely considered. We conducted a meta-analysis of the available aquatic toxicity literature for fluoride to evaluate the utility of hardness, alkalinity, and chloride as toxicity-modifying factors (TMFs) in empirical bioavailability models of freshwater taxa. The resulting optimal multiple linear regression model predicting acute fluoride toxicity to the invertebrate Hyalella azteca included all three TMFs (observed vs. predicted 50% lethal concentrations, R2 = 0.88) and the optimal model predicting toxicity to the fish Oncorhynchus mykiss included alkalinity and hardness (R2 = 0.37). At >20 mg/L chloride, the preliminary final acute values for fluoride were within 1 order of magnitude and ranged from approximately 18.1 to 56.3 mg/L, depending on water chemistry. Sensitivity of H. azteca to low-chloride conditions increased model uncertainty when chloride was <20 mg/L. Because of limited toxicity data, chronic bioavailability models were not developed, and final chronic values were derived using an acute-to-chronic ratio (ACR) approach. Accounting for TMFs, the geometric mean ACR was 5.4 for fish and invertebrate taxa (n = 6). The present assessment highlights the need to expand bioavailability modeling to include inorganic anions, particularly fluoride, and demonstrates that existing promulgated protective values for fluoride are likely overly conservative. More toxicological studies are recommended to further refine multivariate empirical bioavailability models for inorganic anions. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:396-409. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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5
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Nolte TM, Vink JPM, De Cooman W, van Zelm R, Elst R, Ryken E, Hendriks AJ. Ammonia and chromate interaction explains unresolved Hyalella azteca mortality in Flanders' sediment bioassays. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 271:129446. [PMID: 33454661 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129446] [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: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural, industrial and household chemicals are emitted in large rivers along populated areas, transported by water and deposited in sediments, posing (eco)toxicological risks. Sediments have received less attention than surface waters, likely because of the intrinsic complexity of interactions between sediment constituents complicating correct framing of exposures. Sadly, thorough assessment of the in situ behavior of sediment constituents in bioassays is often not practical. Alternatively, we related physicochemical properties of sediments from field testing to results from bioassays. The case study covers Flemish sediment (incl. Scheldt and Meuse) and mortality of Hyalella azteca, a sensitive bio-indicator. Though variable across Flanders' main water bodies, heavy metals and ammoniacal nitrogen dominate the observed toxicity according to toxic unit (TU) assessments. Depending on the water body we explain between 50 and 90% of the variance in the observed H. azteca mortality, substantially more than previous ecotoxicity studies. We attribute the remaining variance to potential incoherently documented biophysicochemical sediment properties and concentrations of non-target biocides, testing conditions/set-ups and/or species variabilities. We discuss the relative influence of heavy metals/metaloxides, nitrogen (e.g. fertilizer), polycyclic aromatics and organochlorides. We highlight both direct and indirect mortality mechanisms. We note potential synergetic mixture effects between ammoniacal nitrogen and chromium. Such synergy may be phenomenological of 'standard' aerobic bioassays, and prove a complementary method alongside the 'acid-volatile sulfide test' to more effectively link concentration to toxicity. Future study ought to include variation in biophysicochemical properties between sampling locations and batch bioassays. Our approach enables water managers to interpret their monitoring data by converting sediment concentrations to H. azteca mortality and prioritize substances that contribute most.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom M Nolte
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, 6500, GL, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Jos P M Vink
- Deltares, Unit Soil and Subsurface Systems, PO-box 85467, 3508, AL, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ward De Cooman
- Flanders Environment Agency (VMM), Dr. De Moorstraat 24-26, B-9300, Aalst, Belgium
| | - Rosalie van Zelm
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, 6500, GL, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Raf Elst
- Flanders Environment Agency (VMM), Dr. De Moorstraat 24-26, B-9300, Aalst, Belgium
| | - Els Ryken
- Flanders Environment Agency (VMM), Dr. De Moorstraat 24-26, B-9300, Aalst, Belgium
| | - A Jan Hendriks
- Radboud University Nijmegen, Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, 6500, GL, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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6
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Goussen B, Rendal C, Sheffield D, Butler E, Price OR, Ashauer R. Bioenergetics modelling to analyse and predict the joint effects of multiple stressors: Meta-analysis and model corroboration. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 749:141509. [PMID: 32827825 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the consequences of the combined effects of multiple stressors-including stress from man-made chemicals-is important for conservation management, the ecological risk assessment of chemicals, and many other ecological applications. Our current ability to predict and analyse the joint effects of multiple stressors is insufficient to make the prospective risk assessment of chemicals more ecologically relevant because we lack a full understanding of how organisms respond to stress factors alone and in combination. Here, we describe a Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) based bioenergetics model that predicts the potential effects of single or multiple natural and chemical stressors on life history traits. We demonstrate the plausibility of the model using a meta-analysis of 128 existing studies on freshwater invertebrates. We then validate our model by comparing its predictions for a combination of three stressors (i.e. chemical, temperature, and food availability) with new, independent experimental data on life history traits in the daphnid Ceriodaphnia dubia. We found that the model predictions are in agreement with observed growth curves and reproductive traits. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the combined effects of three stress factors on life history traits observed in laboratory studies have been predicted successfully in invertebrates. We suggest that a re-analysis of existing studies on multiple stressors within the modelling framework outlined here will provide a robust null model for identifying stressor interactions, and expect that a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms will arise from these new analyses. Bioenergetics modelling could be applied more broadly to support environmental management decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Goussen
- Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK; Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Unilever, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK.
| | - Cecilie Rendal
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Unilever, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK
| | - David Sheffield
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Unilever, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK
| | - Emma Butler
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Unilever, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK
| | - Oliver R Price
- Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Unilever, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK
| | - Roman Ashauer
- Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
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7
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Nolte TM, De Cooman W, Vink JPM, Elst R, Ryken E, Ragas AMJ, Hendriks AJ. Bioconcentration of Organotin Cations during Molting Inhibits Heterocypris incongruens Growth. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:14288-14301. [PMID: 33135409 PMCID: PMC7685533 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The densely populated North Sea region encompasses catchments of rivers such as Scheldt and Meuse. Herein, agricultural, industrial, and household chemicals are emitted, transported by water, and deposited in sediments, posing ecological risks. Though sediment monitoring is often costly and time-intensive, modeling its toxicity to biota has received little attention. Due to high complexity of interacting variables that induce overall toxicity, monitoring data only sporadically validates current models. Via a range of concepts, we related bio-physicochemical constituents of sediment in Flanders to results from toxicity bioassays performed on the ostracod Heterocypris incongruens. Depending on the water body, we explain up to 90% of the variance in H. incongruens growth. Though variable across Flanders' main water bodies, organotin cations and ammonia dominate the observed toxicity according to toxic unit (TU) assessments. Approximately 10% relates to testing conditions/setups, species variabilities, incoherently documented pollutant concentrations, and/or bio-physicochemical sediment properties. We elucidated the influence of organotin cations and ammonia relative to other metal(oxides) and biocides. Surprisingly, the tributylin cation appeared ∼1000 times more toxic to H. incongruens as compared to "single-substance" bioassays for similar species. We inferred indirect mixture effects between organotin, ammonia, and phosphate. Via chemical speciation calculations, we observed strong physicochemical and biological interactions between phosphate and organotin cations. These interactions enhance bioconcentration and explain the elevated toxicity of organotin cations. Our study aids water managers and policy makers to interpret monitoring data on a mechanistic basis. As sampled sediments differ, future modeling requires more emphasis on characterizing and parametrizing the interactions between bioassay constituents. We envision that this will aid in bridging the gap between testing in the laboratory and field observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom M. Nolte
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland
Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ward De Cooman
- Flanders Environment Agency (VMM), Dr. De Moorstraat 24-26, B-9300 Aalst, Belgium
| | - Jos P. M. Vink
- Unit Soil and Subsurface Systems, Deltares, P. O. Box 85467, 3508 AL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Raf Elst
- Flanders Environment Agency (VMM), Dr. De Moorstraat 24-26, B-9300 Aalst, Belgium
| | - Els Ryken
- Flanders Environment Agency (VMM), Dr. De Moorstraat 24-26, B-9300 Aalst, Belgium
| | - Ad M. J. Ragas
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland
Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - A. Jan. Hendriks
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland
Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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8
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Gomez Isaza DF, Cramp RL, Franklin CE. Living in polluted waters: A meta-analysis of the effects of nitrate and interactions with other environmental stressors on freshwater taxa. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 261:114091. [PMID: 32062099 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient effluents from urban and agricultural inputs have resulted in high concentrations of nitrate in freshwater ecosystems. Exposure to nitrate can be particularly threatening to aquatic organisms, but a quantitative synthesis of the overall effects on amphibians, amphipods and fish is currently unavailable. Moreover, in disturbed ecosystems, organisms are unlikely to face a single stressor in isolation, and interactions among environmental stressors can enhance the negative effects of nitrate on organisms. Here, the effects of elevated nitrate on activity level, deformity rates, hatching success, growth and survival of three taxonomic groups of aquatically respiring organisms are documented. Effect sizes were extracted from 68 studies and analysed using meta-analytical techniques. The influence of nitrate on life-stages was also assessed. A factorial meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effect of nitrate and its interaction with other ecological stressors on organismal survival. Overall, the impacts of nitrate are biased towards amphibians (46 studies) and fish (13 studies), and less is known about amphipods (five studies). We found that exposure to nitrate translates to a 79% decrease in activity, a 29% decrease in growth, and reduces survival by 62%. Nitrate exposure also increases developmental deformities but does not affect hatching success. Nitrate exposure was found to influence all life-stages except embryos. Differences in the sensitivity of nitrate among taxonomic groups tended to be negligible. The factorial meta-analysis (14 amphibians and two amphipod studies) showed that nitrate in combination with other stressors affects survival in a non-additive manner. Our results indicate that nitrate can have strong effects on aquatic organisms and can interact with other environmental stressors which compound the negative effects on survival. Overall, the impacts of nitrate and additional stressors are complex requiring a holistic approach to better conserve freshwater biodiversity in the face of ongoing global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Gomez Isaza
- School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Rebecca L Cramp
- School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Craig E Franklin
- School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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9
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Wang N, Dorman RA, Ivey CD, Soucek DJ, Dickinson A, Kunz BK, Steevens JA, Hammer EJ, Bauer CR. Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Sodium Nitrate and Sodium Sulfate to Several Freshwater Organisms in Water-Only Exposures. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2020; 39:1071-1085. [PMID: 32113188 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Elevated nitrate (NO3 ) and sulfate (SO4 ) in surface water are of global concern, and studies are needed to generate toxicity data to develop environmental guideline values for NO3 and SO4 . The present study was designed to fill existing gaps in toxicity databases by determining the acute and/or chronic toxicity of NO3 (tested as NaNO3 ) to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea), a midge (Chironomus dilutus), a fish (rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss), and 2 amphibians (Hyla versicolor and Lithobates sylvaticus), and to determine the acute and/or chronic toxicity of SO4 (tested as Na2 SO4 ) to 2 unionid mussels (L. siliquoidea and Villosa iris), an amphipod (Hyalella azteca), and 2 fish species (fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas and O. mykiss). Among the different test species, acute NO3 median effect concentrations (EC50s) ranged from 189 to >883 mg NO3 -N/L, and chronic NO3 20% effect concentrations (EC20s) based on the most sensitive endpoint ranged from 9.6 to 47 mg NO3 -N/L. The midge was the most sensitive species, and the trout was the least sensitive species in both acute and chronic NO3 exposures. Acute SO4 EC50s for the 2 mussel species (2071 and 2064 mg SO4 /L) were similar to the EC50 for the amphipod (2689 mg SO4 /L), whereas chronic EC20s for the 2 mussels (438 and 384 mg SO4 /L) were >2-fold lower than the EC20 of the amphipod (1111 mg SO4 /L), indicating the high sensitivity of mussels in chronic SO4 exposures. However, the fathead minnow, with an EC20 of 374 mg SO4 /L, was the most sensitive species in chronic SO4 exposures whereas the rainbow trout was the least sensitive species (EC20 > 3240 mg SO4 /L). The high sensitivity of fathead minnow was consistent with the finding in a previous chronic Na2 SO4 study. However, the EC20 values from the present study conducted in test water containing a higher potassium concentration (3 mg K/L) were >2-fold greater than those in the previous study at a lower potassium concentration (1 mg K/L), which confirmed the influence of potassium on chronic Na2 SO4 toxicity to the minnow. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1071-1085. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Wang
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, US Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Rebecca A Dorman
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, US Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Christopher D Ivey
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, US Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - David J Soucek
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Amy Dickinson
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Bethany K Kunz
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Jeffery A Steevens
- Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Edward J Hammer
- Water Quality Branch, US Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Candice R Bauer
- Water Quality Branch, US Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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10
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White KB, Liber K. Chronic Toxicity of Surface Water from a Canadian Oil Sands End Pit Lake to the Freshwater Invertebrates Chironomus dilutus and Ceriodaphnia dubia. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2020; 78:439-450. [PMID: 32077988 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-020-00720-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Permanent reclamation of tailings generated by surface mining in the Canadian oil sands may be achieved through the creation of end pit lakes (EPLs) in which tailings are stored in mined-out pits and capped with water. However, these tailings contain high concentrations of dissolved organics, metals, and salts, and thus surface water quality of EPLs is a significant concern. This is the first study to investigate the chronic toxicity of surface water from Base Mine Lake (BML), the Canadian oil sands first large-scale EPL, to aquatic invertebrates that play a vital role in the early development of aquatic ecosystems (Chironomus dilutus and Ceriodaphnia dubia). After exposure of C. dilutus larvae for 23 days and C. dubia neonates for 8 days, no mortality was observed in any treatment with whole BML surface water. However, the emergence of C. dilutus adults was delayed by nearly 1 week, and their survival was significantly reduced (36%) compared with the controls. Reproduction (fecundity) of C. dubia was reduced by 20% after exposure to 2014 BML surface water; however, the effect was not observed after exposure to BML surface water collected a year later in 2015. Despite some adverse effects, the results of this study indicate that BML surface water quality is improving over time and is able to support certain salt-tolerant aquatic organisms. Because salinity within BML will persist for decades without manual intervention, the ecological development of the lake will likely resemble that of a brackish or estuarine ecosystem with reduced diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin B White
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr., Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Karsten Liber
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Dr., Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B3, Canada.
- School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, 117 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5C8, Canada.
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11
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Wang N, Ivey CD, Brunson EL, Cleveland D, Ingersoll CG, Stubblefield WA, Cardwell AS. Acute and chronic toxicity of aluminum to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) and an amphipod (Hyalella azteca) in water-only exposures. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2018; 37:61-69. [PMID: 28475262 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 03/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is reviewing the protectiveness of the national ambient water quality criteria (WQC) for aluminum (Al) and compiling a toxicity data set to update the WQC. Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of animals in the world, but little is known about their sensitivity to Al. The objective of the present study was to evaluate acute 96-h and chronic 28-d toxicity of Al to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) and a commonly tested amphipod (Hyalella azteca) at a pH of 6 and water hardness of 100 mg/L as CaCO3 . The acute 50% effect concentration (EC50) for survival of both species was >6200 μg total Al/L. The EC50 was greater than all acute values in the USEPA acute Al data set for freshwater species at a pH range of 5.0 to <6.5 and hardness normalized to 100 mg/L, indicating that the mussel and amphipod were insensitive to Al in acute exposures. The chronic 20% effect concentration (EC20) based on dry weight was 163 μg total Al/L for the mussel and 409 μg total Al/L for the amphipod. Addition of the EC20s to the USEPA chronic Al data set for pH 5.0 to <6.5 would rank the mussel (L. siliquoidea) as the fourth most sensitive species and the amphipod (H. azteca) as the fifth most sensitive species, indicating the 2 species were sensitive to Al in chronic exposures. The USEPA-proposed acute and chronic WQC for Al would adequately protect the mussel and amphipod tested; however, inclusion of the chronic data from the present study and recalculation of the chronic criterion would likely lower the proposed chronic criterion. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:61-69. Published 2017 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Wang
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, US Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Chris D Ivey
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, US Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Eric L Brunson
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, US Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Danielle Cleveland
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, US Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Chris G Ingersoll
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, US Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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Baker JA, Gilron G, Chalmers BA, Elphick JR. Evaluation of the effect of water type on the toxicity of nitrate to aquatic organisms. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 168:435-440. [PMID: 27810544 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.10.059] [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: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
A suite of acute and chronic toxicity tests were conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of freshwater organisms to nitrate (as sodium nitrate). Acute exposures with rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) and amphipods (Hyalella azteca), as well as chronic exposures with H. azteca (14-d survival and growth), midges (Chironomus dilutus; 10-d survival and growth), daphnids (Ceriodaphnia dubia; 7-d survival and reproduction), and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas; 7-d survival and growth) were used to determine sublethal and lethal effect concentrations. Modification of nitrate toxicity was investigated across a range of ionic strengths, created through the use of very soft water, and standard preparations of synthetic soft, moderately-hard and hard dilution waters. The most sensitive species tested were C. dubia and H. azteca, in soft water, with reproduction and growth IC25 values of 13.8 and 12.2 mg/L NO3-N, respectively. All of the organisms exposed to nitrate demonstrated significantly reduced effects with increasing ionic strength associated with changes in water type. Possible mechanisms responsible for the modifying effect of increasing major ion concentrations on nitrate toxicity are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh A Baker
- Nautilus Environmental, 8664 Commerce Court, Burnaby, BC, V5A 4N7, Canada.
| | - Guy Gilron
- Borealis Environmental Consulting, 148 East 25th Street, North Vancouver, BC, V7N 1A1, Canada
| | - Ben A Chalmers
- The Mining Association of Canada, 350 Sparks Street, Suite 1105, Ottawa, ON, K1R 7S8, Canada
| | - James R Elphick
- Nautilus Environmental, 8664 Commerce Court, Burnaby, BC, V5A 4N7, Canada
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