Residual levels, tissue distribution and risk assessment of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in edible fishes from Taihu Lake, China

Enrichment, bioaccumulation and human health assessment of organochlorine pesticides in sediments and edible fish of a plateau lake

The organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are with features of persistence, high toxicity, bioaccumulation and adverse impact on ecosystems and human beings. Although OCPs pollutions have been observed in the plateau lakes, comprehensive understandings in the distribution characteristics and human health risks of OCPs in these valuable but fragile ecosystems are limited. We here investigated the distribution, bioaccumulation process and health risks of OCPs in the Jianhu lake, a representative plateau lake in China. The endrin ketone, endrin aldehyde and heptachlor were the most dominant species in surface and columnar sediments. Their total contents ranged between 0 ~ 1.92 × 103 ng·g-1. The distribution of OCPs in sediment cores combined with chronology information indicated that the fast accumulation of OCPs happened during the last decades. Combining the distribution features of OCPs in different sources with mixing model results of carbon isotope (δ13C), farming area was identified as the main source (46%), and the OCPs were transported to lake by inflow-rivers (37%). The enrichment of OCPs in sediments caused considerable bioaccumulation of OCPs in local fish (∑OCPs 0-3199.93 ng·g-1, dw) with the bio-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) ranging from ND to 9.41. Moreover, growing time was another key factor governing the accumulation in specific species (Carassius auratus and Cyprinus carpio). Eventually, the carcinogenic risk index (CRI) and exposure risk index (ERI) of the endrin category and aldrin exceeded the reference value, indicating relatively high health risks through consumption of fish. Overall, this study systematically illustrated the bioaccumulation process and health risks of OCPs in the typical plateau lake, providing theoretical support for the better protection of this kind of lakes.

A large geographic-scale characterization of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in surface sediments and multiple aquatic foods of inland freshwater aquaculture ponds in China: Co-occurrence, source and risk assessment

Inland freshwater aquaculture ponds (IFAPs) represent the key component of the global lentic freshwater environment and are increasingly important for global aquaculture production, yet the occurrence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in these pond systems remains largely unknown. Here, we characterized the residual concentrations of 19 individual OCPs in sediments and in cultured fish and crustacean species (crabs, shrimp, crayfish and lobster), which were on-spot sampled from the IFAPs at a large region-scale in China. The total OCP levels in sediments varied dramatically between regions. Crabs presented the greatest OCP contamination among the studied species. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) was the dominating contaminant in sediments and crabs and its stable degradation products 4,4'-DDE and 4,4'-DDD were co-occurrent between these two compartments. The diagnostic ratio analysis indicated fresh inputs of DDTs, lindane and aldrin in multiple regions, which may be resulted from agricultural soil erosion, surface runoff and local anthropogenic activities. Ecological impacts of these pesticides could be expected at some sites due to their levels in sediments above the risk level. Risk assessment based on the OCP levels corrected by the cooking loss revealed that daily consumption of the IFAPs-derived aquatic foods may pose carcinogenic risks in humans.

Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane in Biota from Qilianyu Island, South China Sea

Six biota species were collected from Qilianyu Island, South China Sea to determine the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs). Concentrations of ΣPCBs and ΣDDTs in biota from Qilianyu Island ranged from 6.88 to 519.1 ng/g lipid weight (lw) and 7.0 to 19,413 ng/g lw, respectively. Significant differences for PCBs and DDTs concentrations were found among the six biota species from Qilianyu Island. The levels of PCBs and DDTs in intermediate egret were significantly higher than the other five biota species, which can be attributed to their different feeding and living habits. Significantly negative relationships between concentrations of PCBs and DDTs and δ13C values in the six biota species confirmed that dietary source is an important factor to determine the levels of PCBs and DDTs in biota species. ΣPCBs, ΣDDTs, PCB 28/31, PCB 52, and p,p'-DDE were biomagnified in the biota species from Qilianyu Island, and native species are suitable for studying the biomagnification of the contaminants. The toxic equivalent concentrations in birds from Qilianyu Island were significantly and positively correlated with PCBs concentrations, indicating that high concentrations of non- and mono-ortho-PCB congeners may induce adverse effects on bird species.

Elimination of Pendimethalin in Integrated Rice and Procambarus clarkii Breeding Models and Dietary Risk Assessments

This study investigated elimination of the herbicide pendimethalin using an integrated rice and Procambarus clarkii breeding model of indoor and outdoor (pond culture) exposure tests. The pendimethalin levels in 484 samples from the primary rice and P. clarkii integrated breeding areas in Hubei province were monitored, and dietary risk assessments of pendimethalin were calculated. Pendimethalin was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and detection levels were linear in the range of 1.0 to 10.0 μg/L, and peak areas were positively correlated with concentration, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9996. Recoveries ranged from 86.9 to 103.5%, and the limit of quantitation was 2.5 × 10⁻⁴ μg/L in water, and 1 × 10⁻² μg/kg in tissues, sediments, and waterweeds. The dissipation rate of pendimethalin in tissues and water followed first-order kinetics, with half-lives of 0.51–5.64 d. In 484 samples taken from aquaculture farms, pendimethalin was detected in 8.67% of the samples at levels in the range of 1.95 to 8.26 μg/kg in Hubei province from 2018 to 2020. The maximum residue limit of pendimethalin in P. clarkii has not been established in China, but our dietary risk assessments indicated that consumption of P. clarkii from integrated rice farms was acceptable.

Concentrations and Human Health Risk of Organochlorines in Farmed Freshwater Products: Fish Ponds around Changsha, China

ABSTRACT

The present study was conducted to reveal the concentrations and patterns of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in seven species of freshwater food products (Procambarus clarkii, Ctenopharyngodon idellus, Parabramis pekinensis, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cyprinus carpio, Aristichthys nobilis, and Carassius auratus) collected from aquaculture farms around Changsha, People's Republic of China. The OCPs and PCBs in the muscle tissue of these species were analyzed to assess the health risk associated with dietary intake. The mean concentrations of OCPs and PCBs were 6.38 to 15.90 and 3.18 to 5.12 ng g-1 wet weight, respectively. Heptachlor and δ-HCH were the main OCP contaminants in the tested samples, accounting for >74% of the total OCPs. PCB52 was the main PCB, accounting for >88% of the total PCBs. The bioaccumulation of OCPs and PCBs in these aquatic products depends upon the species. C. idellus had the highest concentrations of OCPs, and H. molitrix had the highest concentrations of PCBs. The mean lipid concentration in these freshwater species was 6.08 to 19.8% (dry weight) and was significantly correlated with the concentrations of OCPs and PCBs. The health risk from consumption of these freshwater species was assessed based on the hazard ratios and hazard quotient, and consumption of these products was determined to pose a carcinogenic risk.

HIGHLIGHTS

First report of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in coral tissues and the surrounding air-seawater system from the South China Sea: Distribution, source, and environmental fate

The levels, fate, and potential sources of 22 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in coral tissues and the surrounding air-seawater system from the South China Sea (SCS) were elucidated for the first time. ∑₂₂OCPs (total concentration of 22 OCPs) (16.1-223 pg L^-1) was relatively higher in coastal seawater than in offshore seawater, which may be the widespread influence of coastal pollution inputs under the western boundary current. The atmospheric ∑₂₂OCPs were predominantly distributed in the gas phase (48.0-2264 pg m^-3) and were mainly influenced by continental air mass origins. The air-seawater exchange of selected OCPs showed that OCPs tended to migrate from the atmosphere to seawater. The distribution of ∑₂₂OCPs in coral tissues (0.02-52.2 ng g^-1 dw) was significantly correlated with that in air samples, suggesting that OCPs may have a migration pattern of atmosphere-ocean corals in the SCS. Corals exhibited higher bioaccumulation ability (Log BAFs: 2.42-7.41) for OCPs. Source analysis showed that the new application of technical Chlordanes (CHLs) was primarily responsible for the current levels of CHLs in the surrounding environment over the SCS, while historical residues were the primary sources of other OCPs.

Immunotoxicological effects of insecticides in exposed fishes

Biologically active compounds used in agriculture that develop near aquatic environments easily spill into rivers or lakes. As a result, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides are observed worldwide in aquatic environments and accumulated in aquatic organism. Many insecticides, including organochlorine and organophosphate, have long been banned long ago because of their high persistence and non-target toxicity. However, previous studies have shown that persistent pesticides remain in aquatic organisms. The immune system is the first defense mechanism against exposure to persistent organic pollutants or pesticides that have been released into the aquatic environment. Many insecticides have been reported to cause immunotoxicity, which is represented by alteration of phagocytic and lysozyme activity. Recent studies show that immunotoxicity by insecticides exerts a more complex mechanism in fish. Insecticides induce immunotoxic effects, such as the release of inflammatory cytokines from head kidney macrophages and inhibition of immune cell proliferation in fish, which can lead to death in severe cases. Even currently used pesticides, such as pyrethroid, with low bioaccumulation have been shown to induce immunotoxicological effects in fish when exposed continuously. Therefore, this review describes the types and bioaccumulation of insecticides that cause immunotoxicity and detailed immunotoxicological mechanisms in fish tissues.

Ecotoxicity profile of heavily contaminated surface water of two rivers in Tunisia

Persistent organic and inorganic contaminants generated by industrial effluent wastes poses a threat to the maintenance of aquatic ecosystems and public health. The Khniss and Hamdoun rivers, located in the central-east of Tunisia, receive regularly domestic and textile wastewater load. The present study aimed to survey the water quality of these rivers using physicochemical, analytical and toxicological approaches. In the physicochemical analysis, the recorded levels of COD and TSS in both samples exceed the Tunisian standards. Using the analytical approach, several metals and some textile dyes were detected. Indeed, 17 metals were detected in both samples in varying concentrations, which do not exceed the Tunisian standards. The sources of metals pollution can be of natural and anthropogenic origin. Three textile disperse dyes were detected with high levels compared to other studies: the disperse orange 37 was detected in the Khniss river with a concentration of 6.438 μg/L and the disperse red 1 and the disperse yellow 3 were detected in the Hamdoun river with concentrations of 3.873 μg/L and 1895 μg/L, respectively. Textile activities were the major sources of disperse dyes. For both samples, acute and chronic ecotoxicity was observed in all the studied organisms, however, no genotoxic activity was detected. The presence of metals and textile disperse dyes could be associated with the ecotoxicological effects observed in the river waters, in particular due to the industrial activity, a fact that could deteriorate the ecosystem and therefore threaten the human health of the population living in the study areas. Combining chemical and biological approaches, allowed the detection of water ecotoxicity in testing organisms and the identification of possible contributors to the toxicity observed in these multi-stressed water reservoirs.

Tissue distribution and bioaccumulation of legacy and emerging per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in edible fishes from Taihu Lake, China

Tissue distribution of legacy and emerging per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in several kinds of edible fishes collected from Meiliang bay of Taihu Lake, China were investigated and the related human health risks were assessed. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA) and 6:2 fluorotelomer phosphate diester (6:2 diPAP) were the most abundant legacy perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA), PFOS related precursor (PreFOS), and the emerging PFASs in all fish tissues, respectively. Similar to the legacy PFAAs, 6:2 diPAP and 6:6 perfluorophosphinate (6:6 PFPiA) had the highest levels in the fish liver, whereas the highest level of PFOSA was in kidney, which might be due to its intensive transformation in fish liver. The concentrations of PFASs were generally positively correlated with the trophic levels. The profiles of PFASs were significantly different among bitterling, crucian and other fish, which might be related to their different metabolic capacities. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of PreFOSs, 6:2 diPAP, and 6:6 PFPiA were lower than those of PFAAs with the same number of perfluorinated carbons. The calculated hazard ratios (HR) of PFOS (Range: 0.0100-0.655) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (<0.00200) in all fish muscles were less than 1.0. However, the HR of the ∑PFASs in crucian muscle was 1.04, which implied that frequent consumption of crucian collected from Meiliang Bay might pose potential risks to human health.

PCBs and OCPs in fish along coastal fisheries in China: Distribution and health risk assessment

PCBs and OCPs were analyzed in fish (bass) taken along Chinese coastal fisheries. In the bass muscle, PCB, DDT and HCH concentrations were in the range of 1.02-2.2ng/g, 0.44-1.74 and 2.84-106.11ng/gww, respectively. Spatial distribution showed that the concentrations of target contaminants in bass from south fisheries were in general much lower than those from north fisheries in China. The ratios of OCP congeners suggested that technical DDT was not the main input and a recent usage of lindane or old technical HCH residuals could be the source of HCHs. The OCC concentrations in liver (127-442.43ng/gww) from selected samples were 8-12 and 10-14 times higher than those in gills and muscles, respectively. Based on the maximum allowable fish assumption rate (CRlim and CRmm), it could cause human health risk, by consuming bass samples taken from highly contaminated fisheries including QD and ST.

Tissue distribution of organochlorine pesticides in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from laboratory exposure and a contaminated lake

Tissue concentrations of persistent organochlorine pesticides in laboratory-exposed largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and in bass collected from Lake Apopka, FL were determined by both total mass and lipid normalized mass to better understand the bioaccumulation pathways of contaminants. In the laboratory study, male bass were orally administered a single dose of a mixture of two pesticides (p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) and dieldrin) and then fed uncontaminated food for 28 days. Gastrointestinal tract, liver, brain, gonad, kidney, spleen, and muscle were collected for chemical analysis. Different profiles were observed by total contaminant mass in tissues compared to lipid normalized mass. On a lipid normalized basis, p,p'-DDE was highest in the gastrointestinal tract followed by the liver, gonad, spleen, muscle, kidney and then brain. Dieldrin, on the other hand, was highest in the gastrointestinal tract and spleen and then followed by the gonad, muscle, liver, kidney, and brain. Distribution of the chemicals among the organs differed by their log KOW values and generally followed the blood flow path after the gastrointestinal tract. The low contaminant levels found in kidney and brain suggest insufficient time for equilibration into these tissues, especially into the brain where the blood-brain barrier may be slow to traverse. In Lake Apopka fish, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDXs, sum of p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDT), Drins (sum of aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin), and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) were found. For DDXs, the lipid normalized concentrations in each tissue were about the same, as predicted from theory. For Drins and HCHs, the lipid normalized concentrations were similar for kidney, spleen, brain, gonad and muscle, but much lower in the gastrointestinal tract and liver, probably because of metabolism occurring in those tissues.

Uptake, tissue distribution and depuration of triclosan in the guppy Poecilia vivipara acclimated to freshwater

The agent triclosan has been extensively used in different personal care products as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial and preservative agent. Due to its continuous release into the environment, including discharge via wastewater treatment plants, triclosan has been widely detected in aquatic environments. There is growing interest in improving the knowledge about the environmental fate of triclosan due to its possible bioaccumulation and the toxicity it may pose to organisms, such as fish and other non-target species. To investigate the distribution and bioconcentration of triclosan in fish, Poecilia vivipara was exposed to 0.2mgL(-1). Contents of triclosan in whole fish, brain, gonads, liver, muscle and gills were quantified by LC-MS/MS. When lipid normalised concentration was used, the liver exhibited the highest concentration followed by the gills, gonads, brain and muscle tissues. Bioconcentration was increased with time reaching a steady-state around 7-14days for most all tissues. After 24h depuration, triclosan concentrations declined >80% in all tissues except liver, in which triclosan takes longer to be depurated. These results not only clearly indicate that triclosan accumulated in P. vivipara, with tissue-specific bioconcentration factors (BCF) that ranged from 40.2 to 1025.4, but also show that the elimination of triclosan after transferring the fish to triclosan-free freshwater is rapid in all tissues.

The toxicity of sediments from Taihu Lake evaluated by several in vitro bioassays

In vitro bioassays are useful techniques for the determination of biological effects in sediment samples containing complex mixtures of contaminants. In this study, 28 surface sediment samples from Taihu Lake, East China, were collected for toxicity assessment using a battery of in vitro bioassays. The battery included a two-hybrid yeast bioassay for estrogenic and thyroidal effects, the H4IIE rat hepatoma cell bioassay for aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor (Ah-agonists)-mediated effects as measured by ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity, and the SOS/umu bioassay for genotoxic effects. Toxicities were expressed as 17β-estradiol equivalents (EEQs), T3 (3,5,3'-triiodothyronine) equivalents (T3-EQs), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs), and induction ratios (IRs) of β-galactosidase activity. The results showed that total estrogenic effects in sediment samples ranged from 0.0011 to 12.4 pg EEQ/g sediment [dry weight (d.w.)], the thyroidal effects ranged from 0.35 to 24.8 pg T3-EQ/g sediment (d.w.), the Ah-agonist effects varied from 2.70 to 37.8 pg TEQ/g sediment (d.w.), and the weight of soil required for the extracts to lead to a positive result (IR 2.0) in the SOS/umu bioassay was between 1.98 and 15.3 mg (d.w.) per well. Significantly positive correlations were only found between lgT3-EQs and lgEEQs, which indicated similar spatial distributions of estrogenic and thyroidal effects in Taihu Lake. These results suggested that the applied battery of in vitro bioassays represented an efficient (fast and cost-effective) screening system for the identification of emerging contaminants in Taihu Lake and provided meaningful information for further analysis and risk evaluation.

Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) residues in several tissues of edible fishes from the largest freshwater lake in China, Poyang Lake, and associated human health risk assessment

The residual levels, tissue distribution and human health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in edible fishes, bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), from the largest freshwater lake in China, Poyang Lake, were studied. PAH concentrations ranged from 105 to 513ng g(-1)ww and from 53.9 to 401ng g(-1)ww in different tissues of bighead carp and silver carp, respectively. Low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs were the predominant compounds, suggesting the gill-water transfer might be the major exposure route for PAHs in the studied fish species. Tissue distribution indicated that the hepatobiliary system accumulated higher concentrations of PAHs than the extrahepatic tissues with bile being the most predominant tissue for both species. Composition analysis demonstrated that PAHs were from the combined petrogenic and pyrogenic origin, and the gasoline combustion might be the main source. A preliminary evaluation of human health risk using benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) potency equivalent concentration (PEC) as well as the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) indicated that PAHs in fish would induce potential carcinogenic effects.

Bioaccumulation and tissue distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in freshwater fishes: a case study performed in Poyang Lake, China's largest lake

Concentrations and tissue distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in different tissues of freshwater fish, silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), collected from Poyang Lake, China's largest shallow lake, and were studied. OCPs were detected with the observed concentrations ranging from 280.67 to 1,006.58 ng/g wet weight (ww) for bighead carp and from 67.28 to 930.06 ng/g ww for silver carp. Composition analysis demonstrated OCPs in both fish were from the same polluted environment, and then, the species-specific bioaccumulation might be mainly due to the different fish age as well as the different feeding habits elucidating from the stable carbon (δ(13)C) and nitrogen (δ(15)N) isotope analysis. Tissue distribution indicated that dietary intake was the major exposure route of OCPs for both fish and higher accumulation potency of OCPs by the hepatobiliary-related tissues (such as liver, kidney, bile, and heart). The higher metabolic activities of these tissues elucidating from the higher values of δ(15)N might be the potential-determined factor responsible for the tissue-specific accumulation.