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Ding GH, Wang ZY, Chen JY, Wu QQ, Zhou YN. Comprehensive assessment of the ecological risk of exposure to triphenyl phosphate in a bioindicator tadpole. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 308:136242. [PMID: 36055589 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136242] [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: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The toxicity of triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) to aquatic organisms in surface waters has been demonstrated; However, an understanding of toxicity profiles of TPhP in amphibians is limited. Therefore, the adverse effects and threshold concentrations of TPhP on metamorphosis, growth, locomotion, and hepatic antioxidants of Gosner stage 25 Polypedates megacephalus tadpoles under long-term (35 d) exposure to six TPhP concentrations until complete metamorphosis were assessed. Additionally, the overall effect of using integrated multiple biomarkers were determined to demonstrate the potential ecological risks of waterborne TPhP at environmentally relevant concentrations in amphibian tadpoles. With increasing TPhP concentrations, physical parameters (snout-vent length, body mass, condition factor, and hepatic somatic index), jumping distance, hepatic catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities decreased, whereas metamorphosis time and malondialdehyde content increased. The threshold concentration of TPhP that affected the tadpole biomarker, except for metamorphosis rate and jumping distance, was 50-400 μg/L. Furthermore, the standardized scores of the examined integrated biomarkers in the six TPhP concentrations were visualized using radar plots and calculated as the integrated biomarker responses (IBRs). The varying TPhP concentrations had different scores in the radar plots, and the threshold for affecting the IBR value was 10 μg/L, which was close to the TPhP concentration in surface waters. Additionally, IBR values were strongly positively correlated with the TPhP concentrations. These findings indicate that environmentally relevant exposure to waterborne TPhP can pose an ecological risk to amphibian tadpoles. This study can serve as a reference and assist in the formulation of relevant policies and strategies to control TPhP pollution in water bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Hua Ding
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Zi-Ying Wang
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing-Yi Chen
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qian-Qian Wu
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi-Nan Zhou
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, Zhejiang, China
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Pontes JRS, Lopes I, Ribeiro R, Araújo CVM. Humane acute testing with tadpoles for risk assessment of chemicals: Avoidance instead of lethality. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 303:135197. [PMID: 35691390 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135197] [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: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In spite of the sensitivity of amphibians to contamination, data from fish have been commonly used to predict the effects of chemicals on aquatic life stages. However, recent studies have highlighted that toxicity data derived from fish species may not protect all the aquatic life stages of amphibians. For pesticide toxicity assessment (PTA), EFSA has highlighted that more information on lethal toxicity for the aquatic life stages of amphibians is still needed to reduce uncertainties. The current review aims to propose a test with amphibians based on spatial avoidance, as a more humane alternative method to the lethality tests for chemicals. A review of lethal toxicity tests carried out with amphibians in the period between 2018 and 2021 is presented, then we discuss the suitability of using fish toxicity data as a surrogate to predict the effects on more sensitive amphibian groups. The possible differences in sensitivity to chemicals may justify the need to develop further tests with amphibian embryos and larvae in order to reduce uncertainties. A new test is proposed focused on the avoidance behaviour of organisms fleeing from contamination to replace lethal tests. As avoidance indicates the threshold at which organisms will flee from contamination, a reduction in the population density, or its disappearance, at the local scale due to emigration is expected, with ecological consequences analogous to mortality. Avoidance tests provide an ethical advantage over lethal tests as they respect the concepts of the 3 Rs (mainly Refinement), reducing the suffering of the organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Rodolfo S Pontes
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Lopes
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Santiago University Campus, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rui Ribeiro
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cristiano V M Araújo
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia (ICMAN-CSIC), 11510, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
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Wang YX, Liu MJ, Geng XH, Zhang Y, Jia RQ, Zhang YN, Wang XX, Jiang Y. The combined effects of microplastics and the heavy metal cadmium on the marine periphytic ciliate Euplotes vannus. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 308:119663. [PMID: 35738516 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics could be grazed by marine organisms and possibly transferred to higher trophic levels along the microbial loop. Due to their size and capacity to concentrate heavy metals that trigger joint toxic effects, microplastics (MPs) have already become a severe threat to marine organisms. The detrimental effects of MPs on large marine organisms have been studied, but the combined toxicity of MPs and cadmium (Cd) on protozoan ciliates remains unclear. In the present study, we selected different diameters and concentrations of polystyrene microspheres (PS-MPs) and Cd2+ as model MPs and heavy metals to evaluate their single and combined effects on the periphytic marine ciliate Euplotes vannus in relation to carbon biomass and oxidative stress. The MPs were indeed ingested by Euplotes vannus and significantly reduced the abundance and carbon biomass of ciliate populations. Combined exposure to MPs and Cd2+ not only increased the bioaccumulation of Cd2+ in ciliates but also exacerbated the decrease in ciliate biomass by increasing oxidative stress and membrane damage. In comparison, the effects of nano-sized plastics (0.22 μm) were more harmful than those of micro-sized plastics (1.07 μm, 2.14 μm and 5.00 μm). A smaller size represents a higher potential for penetrating biological members and a stronger adsorption capacity for cadmium. These results provide new insight into the combined toxicity of microplastics and heavy metals on ciliated protozoa and lay a foundation for higher trophic levels and ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Xin Wang
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Ming-Jian Liu
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Xian-Hui Geng
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Rui-Qi Jia
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Yi-Ning Zhang
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Wang
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Yong Jiang
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
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Chen JY, Hu HL, Feng L, Ding GH. Ecotoxicity assessment of triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) exposure in Hoplobatrachus rugulosus tadpoles. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 292:133480. [PMID: 34974044 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Triphenyl phosphate (TPhP), a widely used aromatic organophosphate flame retardant, is known to accumulate in organisms through water, air, and soil, consequently, causing toxicity. This study is the first to evaluate the acute and sub-chronic toxicities of TPhP to amphibians. In the acute toxicity analysis, the 96-h median lethal concentration (LC50) for GS35 Hoplobatrachus rugulosus tadpoles was 2.893 mg/L, and the 10% effect concentration (EC10) was 289 μg/L. After two weeks of exposure to low TPhP concentrations, the survival and metamorphosis rates of H. rugulosus tadpoles decreased, and the metamorphosis time was prolonged as the TPhP concentration increased. The threshold concentration that affected tadpole survival and metamorphosis time was 50 μg/L and 100 μg/L, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the condition factor and hepatic somatic index of the tadpole after metamorphosis; however, tadpole body mass and TPhP concentration were negatively correlated. Further, TPhP inhibited the expressions of Cu-Zn sod and cat, thereby reducing the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the tadpole liver. The threshold for affecting gene expression and enzymatic activity was 100 μg/L. These findings provide significant insights on the stress ecology of aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Yi Chen
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hua-Li Hu
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Feng
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guo-Hua Ding
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang, China.
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Gao Y, Hong J, Guo Y, Chen M, Chang AK, Xie L, Ying X. Assessment spermatogenic cell apoptosis and the transcript levels of metallothionein and p53 in Meretrix meretrix induced by cadmium. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 217:112230. [PMID: 33864984 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) has been widely used in industry and can accumulate in the water, soil, and food. Meretrix meretrix is one of the marine shellfishes cultivated for economic purpose in China. The increasing Cd levels in coastal marine water could adversely affect the economic benefits of shellfish cultivation. In the present study, M. meretrix were exposed to different Cd2+ concentrations (0, 1.5, 3, 6, and 12 mg L-1) for 5 d to evaluate the effects of Cd on spermatogenic cell. The Cd accumulation, survival rate and the indices of oxidative stress and apoptosis were determined in the spermatogenic cells of M. meretrix. The expression levels of p53 and metallothionein (MT) mRNA were also measured in the spermatogenic cells. Cd accumulation and the mortality rate of spermatogenic cells were found to increase in a dose-response manner with Cd2+ concentrations. Histopathology changes, especially the damage of membranous structure, were more severe as the Cd2+ levels in the testis became higher. The indexes of oxidative stress, including reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl derivates and DNA-protein crosslinks all increased after exposure to Cd2+. However, the total antioxidant capacity gradually decreased with the increasing Cd2+ concentration. In addition, exposure to Cd2+ increased the apoptotic rate and caspase-3 and 9 activities but decreased the level of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome C oxidase in the spermatogenic cells. MT mRNA expression increased in lower Cd2+ concentration treated groups whereas decreased in higher groups, while the p53 mRNA expression increased in a dose-response manner with Cd2+ and was positively correlated with the oxidative damage indices. These results indicated that Cd2+ caused oxidative stress and p53 induced apoptosis in the spermatogenic cells, and thus decreased the survival rate of sperm cells. This finding highlights that Cd can reduce the reproductive capacity of M. meretrix, thus threatening to wild shellfish populations and reducing the efficiency of shellfish farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilu Gao
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, 325035 Wenzhou, China
| | - Jiameng Hong
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, 325035 Wenzhou, China
| | - Yuke Guo
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, 325035 Wenzhou, China
| | - Mengxu Chen
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, 325035 Wenzhou, China
| | - Alan K Chang
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, 325035 Wenzhou, China
| | - Lei Xie
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, 325035 Wenzhou, China.
| | - Xueping Ying
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, 325035 Wenzhou, China.
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Lu H, Hu Y, Kang C, Meng Q, Lin Z. Cadmium-induced toxicity to amphibian tadpoles might be exacerbated by alkaline not acidic pH level. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 218:112288. [PMID: 33940440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution in natural water bodies generally interacting with other environmental stressors produces toxic effects on aquatic organisms. However, toxicological studies exploring interactive effects of these stressors are still limited. Here, tadpoles of the Zhenhai brown frog (Rana zhenhaiensis) were exposed to a 3 × 3 factorial combination, with three cadmium (Cd) concentrations (0, 10 and 100 μg/L) and three pH levels (5.0, 7.23 and 9.0) throughout the developmental period to assess combined toxic effects of Cd × pH on tadpole growth, development and physiology. Nearly all measured traits [including survival, metamorphosis and abnormality rate, metamorphosis time, post-metamorphic size, hepatic metal content, locomotor performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, and erythrocytic nuclear abnormality (ENA) frequency] were affected by Cd exposure, indicating notable Cd-induced toxicity to R. zhenhaiensis tadpoles. The pH level and its interaction with Cd also had significant impacts on most measured traits, such as survival rate, metamorphosis time, froglet jumping distance, hepatic Cd content, ENA frequency. Acidic (or alkaline) environment itself was toxic to tadpoles. However, high pH (but not low pH) level appeared to exacerbate Cd-induced toxicity to tadpoles. Excess free hydrogen ions under acidic environments might inhibit Cd2+ ions binding to cell surface, which reduced Cd accumulation in tissues. Under alkaline environments, other forms of Cd complexes in the aqueous phase probably contributed to promoting Cd accumulation. Our results indicated that Cd exposure could interact with different pH levels, producing diverse combined toxicities to amphibian larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongliang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yingchao Hu
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chunquan Kang
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qinyuan Meng
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhihua Lin
- College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui 323000, Zhejiang, China
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Tang Y, Chen ZQ, Lin YF, Chen JY, Ding GH, Ji X. The combined effects of temperature and aromatase inhibitor on metamorphosis, growth, locomotion, and sex ratio of tiger frog ( Hoplobatrachus rugulosus) tadpoles. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8834. [PMID: 32219039 PMCID: PMC7087491 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The tiger frog (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus) is widely raised by many farms in southern region of China as an economically edible frog. The growth, development, and sexual differentiation of amphibians are influenced by temperature and steroid hormone level. However, the problem of hormone residues is caused by the addition of exogenous hormones in frog breeding, it is worth considering whether non-sterol aromatase inhibitors can be used instead of hormones. Methods In our study, H. rugulosus tadpoles were subjected to two water temperatures (29 °C and 34 °C) and three letrozole concentrations in the feed (0, 0.1 and 1 mg/g) to examine the effects of temperature, aromatase inhibitor and their interaction on metamorphosis, locomotion, and sex ratios. A G-test and contingency table were used to analyze the metamorphosis rate of tadpoles and the survival rate of froglets after feeding for 90 days. A G-test was also used to analyze sex ratios in different treatment groups. Results Metamorphosis time and body size (snout-vent length, body mass and condition factor) were significantly different between the two temperature treatments. Metamorphosis time was longer and body size was increased at 29 °C compared to those at 34 °C. Letrozole concentration and the temperature × letrozole interaction did not affect these variables. The jumping distance of froglets following metamorphosis was positively associated with the condition factor; when controlling for condition factor, jumping distance was not affected by temperature, letrozole concentration and their interaction. Temperature and letrozole concentration also did not affect metamorphosis and survival rate. Sex ratio of the control group (0 mg/g letrozole) was 1:1 at 29 °C, but there were more males at 34 °C. The sex ratios of H. rugulosus treated with letrozole at 29 °C and 34 °C were significantly biased toward males, and male ratio increased as letrozole concentration increased. Furthermore, more males were produced at 34 °C than at 29 °C at each letrozole concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Tang
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, Zhejiang, P.R. China.,College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Chen
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, Zhejiang, P.R. China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhejiang A & F University, Lin'an, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - You-Fu Lin
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, Zhejiang, P.R. China.,College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Jing-Yi Chen
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Guo-Hua Ding
- Laboratory of Amphibian Diversity Investigation, College of Ecology, Lishui University, Lishui, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Ji
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China
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