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Villa-Villaseñor IM, Herrera-Vargas MA, Yáñez-Rivera B, Uribe MC, Rueda-Jasso RA, Phillips-Farfán BV, Mar-Silva V, Meléndez-Herrera E, Domínguez-Domínguez O. Realistic nitrate concentrations diminish reproductive indicators in Skiffia lermae, an endemic species in critical endangered status. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17876. [PMID: 39267944 PMCID: PMC11391940 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Goodeinae is a subfamily of critically endangered fish native to central Mexico. Populations of Skiffia lermae, a species belonging to this subfamily, have significantly decreased in the past two decades. A previous study showed that S. lermae is sensitive to acute nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) exposure, leading to noticeable changes in both behavioral and histopathological bioindicators. The aim herein was to determine the vulnerability of S. lermae to NO3-N exposure at realistic concentrations registered in freshwater ecosystems in central Mexico where the species was historically reported. Offspring of S. lermae were chronically exposed during 60 days to concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 mg NO3-N/L, with 2 mg NO3-N/L used as the reference value (control). Survival rate, feeding behavior, aquatic surface respiration, body growth, scaled mass index, immature red blood cells, as well as histopathological changes in branchial, hepatic and gonadal tissues were evaluated. Additionally, this study analyzed water quality in freshwater ecosystems where S. lermae presently persists. The results showed decreased survival as NO3-N concentration increased, as well as increased feeding latency, aquatic surface respiration and histological damage in the gills and liver. These organs showed differential sex-dependent responses to NO3-N exposure; females were more sensitive than males. In the ovaries, a decreased density of stage III oocytes was associated with increased NO3-N concentrations. No changes were observed in body growth and number of immature red blood cells. Concentrations recorded in the three freshwater ecosystems that S. lermae inhabit were below 2 mg NO3-N/L. Together, the results could explain why the species has disappeared from more contaminated freshwater ecosystems where NO3-N levels exceed 5 mg/L. Moreover, the study warns about the risks of increasing NO3-N concentrations in the current sites where the species lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivette Marai Villa-Villaseñor
- Programa Institucional de Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Ma Antonia Herrera-Vargas
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología Animal, Instituto de Investigaciones sobre Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Beatriz Yáñez-Rivera
- Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Mari Carmen Uribe
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción Animal, Departamento de Biología Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Rebeca Aneli Rueda-Jasso
- Laboratorio de Biología Acuática, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Bryan V Phillips-Farfán
- Laboratorio de Nutrición Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Valentin Mar-Silva
- Estancia Posdoctoral por México-CONACyT, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Esperanza Meléndez-Herrera
- Laboratorio de Ecofisiología Animal, Instituto de Investigaciones sobre Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
| | - Omar Domínguez-Domínguez
- Laboratorio de Biología Acuática, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
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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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Zaffar R, Nazir R, Rather MA, Dar R. Biofilm formation and EPS production enhances the bioremediation potential of Pseudomonas species: a novel study from eutrophic waters of Dal lake, Kashmir, India. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:89. [PMID: 38308703 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03817-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
The present study was conducted with the aim of isolation and identification of the biofilm-forming denitrifying Pseudomonas bacterial strains from eutrophic waters of Dal lake, India, followed by the study of inter-relation of biofilm formation and denitrification potential of Pseudomonas strains. The bacterial strains were characterized by morphological observations and identified using 16S rDNA sequencing followed by the quantification of biofilm formation of these st by crystal violet (CV) assay using 96-well microtiter plate and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) extraction. Lastly, the nitrate-reducing potential of all Pseudomonas species was studied. Our evaluation revealed that four different Pseudomonas species were observed to have the biofilm-forming potential and nitrate-reducing properties and the species which showed maximum biofilm-forming potential and maximum EPS production exhibited higher nitrate-removing capacity. Moreover, P. otitis was observed to have the highest denitrification capacity (89%) > P. cedrina (83%) > P. azotoform (79%) and the lowest for P. peli (70%). These results clearly signify a positive correlation of biofilm-forming capacity and nitrate-removing ability of Pseudomonas species. This study has for the first time successfully revealed the bioremediation potential of P. otitis, P. cedrina, P. azotoform, and P. peli species, thus contributing to the growing list of known nitrate-reducing Pseudomonas species. Based upon the results, these strains can be extrapolated to nitrate-polluted water systems for combating water pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riasa Zaffar
- Microbiology Research Laboratory, Centre of Research for Development (CORD)/Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Ruqeya Nazir
- Microbiology Research Laboratory, Centre of Research for Development (CORD)/Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, India.
| | - Mushtaq Ahmad Rather
- Energy Engineering Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Rubiya Dar
- Microbiology Research Laboratory, Centre of Research for Development (CORD)/Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, India
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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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Villa-Villaseñor IM, Yáñez-Rivera B, Rueda-Jasso RA, Herrera-Vargas MA, Hernández-Morales R, Meléndez-Herrera E, Domínguez-Domínguez O. Differential sensitivity of offspring from four species of goodeine freshwater fish to acute exposure to nitrates. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.1014814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) pollution related to anthropogenic activities is increasing in freshwater ecosystems. Knowledge about NO3-N sensitivity in freshwater wild fish is needed to understand the differential tolerance between species. Goodeinae is a subfamily of 41 endemic fishes that inhabit central Mexico, with 33 species in the IUCN red list and three extinct. Distributional patterns suggest tolerant and sensitive goodeines related to the conservation gradient of freshwater ecosystems. Four species with a differential distribution and tolerance were selected to evaluate their physiological responses to NO3-N. Fish were exposed to different NO3-N concentrations for 96 h and the median lethal concentration (LC50) was determined. Swimming disorders plus gill and liver histopathological indexes were estimated and incorporated into an Integrated Biomarker Response (IBR) for each species. Skiffia lermae (LC50 = 474.332 mg/L) and Xenotoca variata (LC50 = 520.273 mg/L) were more sensitive than Goodea atripinnis (LC50 = 953.049 mg/L) and Alloophorus robustus (LC50 = 1537.13 mg/L). The typical histological damage produced by NaNO3-N exposure was fusion of secondary lamellae in gills. This was present in all species and cellular degeneration was observed at the highest concentrations. Secondary lamellae aneurysms were only observed in G. atripinnis. Liver alterations included vascular dilation in hepatic sinusoids, hyperemia and nuclear hypertrophy; higher concentrations produced hepatocyte cytoplasmic vacuolation and reduced frequency of cell nuclei. Behavioral and histopathological alterations could explain the differential species sensitivity. The results suggest that species which preserve gill function and transfer the task of detoxification to the liver might have the best chance of surviving in polluted environments. Moreover, species previously considered as tolerant may be highly susceptible to NaNO3-N exposure. Therefore, it is necessary to closely monitor NaNO3-N concentrations in freshwater ecosystems and, if possible, reduce their levels to avoid the loss of wild populations.
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Ruthsatz K, Bartels F, Stützer D, Eterovick PC. Timing of parental breeding shapes sensitivity to nitrate pollution in the common frog Rana temporaria. J Therm Biol 2022; 108:103296. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2022.103296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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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: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [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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Opinion AGR, Çakir R, De Boeck G. Better together: Cross-tolerance induced by warm acclimation and nitrate exposure improved the aerobic capacity and stress tolerance of common carp Cyprinus carpio. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 225:112777. [PMID: 34534834 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Climate warming is a threat of imminent concern that may exacerbate the impact of nitrate pollution on fish fitness. These stressors can individually affect the aerobic capacity and stress tolerance of fish. In combination, they may interact in unexpected ways where exposure to one stressor may heighten or reduce the resilience to another stressor and their interactive effects may not be uniform across species. Here, we examined how nitrate pollution under a warming scenario affects the aerobic scope (AS), and the hypoxia and heat stress susceptibility of a generally tolerant fish species, common carp Cyprinus carpio. We used a 3 × 2 factorial design, where fish were exposed to one of three ecologically relevant levels of nitrate (0, 50, or 200 mg NO3- L-1) and one of two temperatures (18 °C or 26 °C) for 5 weeks. Warm acclimation increased the AS by 11% due to the maintained standard metabolic rate and increased maximum metabolic rate at higher temperature, and the AS improvement seemed greater at higher nitrate concentration. Warm-acclimated fish exposed to 200 mg NO3- L-1 were less susceptible to acute hypoxia, and fish acclimated at higher temperature exhibited improved heat tolerance (critical thermal maxima, CTMax) by 5 °C. This cross-tolerance can be attributed to the hematological results including maintained haemoglobin and increased haematocrit levels that may have compensated for the initial surge in methaemoglobin at higher nitrate exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- April Grace R Opinion
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Rümeysa Çakir
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gudrun De Boeck
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
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Rodgers EM. Adding climate change to the mix: responses of aquatic ectotherms to the combined effects of eutrophication and warming. Biol Lett 2021; 17:20210442. [PMID: 34699738 PMCID: PMC8548078 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2021.0442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The threat of excessive nutrient enrichment, or eutrophication, is intensifying across the globe as climate change progresses, presenting a major management challenge. Alterations in precipitation patterns and increases in temperature are increasing nutrient loadings in aquatic habitats and creating conditions that promote the proliferation of cyanobacterial blooms. The exacerbating effects of climate warming on eutrophication are well established, but we lack an in-depth understanding of how aquatic ectotherms respond to eutrophication and warming in tandem. Here, I provide a brief overview and critique of studies exploring the cumulative impacts of eutrophication and warming on aquatic ectotherms, and provide forward direction using mechanistically focused, multi-threat experiments to disentangle complex interactions. Evidence to date suggests that rapid warming will exacerbate the negative effects of eutrophication on aquatic ectotherms, but gradual warming will induce physiological remodelling that provides protection against nutrients and hypoxia. Moving forward, research will benefit from a greater focus on unveiling cause and effect mechanisms behind interactions and designing treatments that better mimic threat dynamics in nature. This approach will enable robust predictions of species responses to ongoing eutrophication and climate warming and enable the integration of climate warming into eutrophication management policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essie M. Rodgers
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
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Rodgers EM, Opinion AGR, Gomez Isaza DF, Rašković B, Poleksić V, De Boeck G. Double whammy: Nitrate pollution heightens susceptibility to both hypoxia and heat in a freshwater salmonid. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 765:142777. [PMID: 33077222 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Species persistence in a changing world will depend on how they cope with co-occurring stressors. Stressors can interact in unanticipated ways, where exposure to one stressor may heighten or reduce resilience to another stressor. We examined how a leading threat to aquatic species, nitrate pollution, affects susceptibility to hypoxia and heat stress in a salmonid, the European grayling (Thymallus thymallus). Fish were exposed to nitrate pollution (0, 50 or 200 mg NO3- L-1) at two acclimation temperatures (18 °C or 22 °C) for eight weeks. Hypoxia- and heat-tolerance were subsequently assessed, and the gills of a subset of fish were sampled for histological analyses. Nitrate-exposed fish were significantly more susceptible to acute hypoxia at both acclimation temperatures. Similarly, in 18 °C- acclimated fish, exposure to 200 mg NO3- L- 1 caused a 1 °C decrease in heat tolerance (critical thermal maxima, CTMax). However, the opposite effect was observed in 22 °C-acclimated fish, where nitrate exposure increased heat tolerance by ~1 °C. Further, nitrate exposure induced some histopathological changes to the gills, which limit oxygen uptake. Our findings show that nitrate pollution can heighten the susceptibility of fish to additional threats in their habitat, but interactions are temperature dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essie M Rodgers
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2020, Belgium.
| | - April Grace R Opinion
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2020, Belgium
| | - Daniel F Gomez Isaza
- School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Božidar Rašković
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vesna Poleksić
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Gudrun De Boeck
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp 2020, Belgium
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Gomez Isaza DF, Cramp RL, Franklin CE. Exposure to Nitrate Increases Susceptibility to Hypoxia in Fish. Physiol Biochem Zool 2021; 94:124-142. [DOI: 10.1086/713252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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12
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Gomez Isaza DF, Cramp RL, Franklin CE. Thermal plasticity of the cardiorespiratory system provides cross-tolerance protection to fish exposed to elevated nitrate. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 240:108920. [PMID: 33141082 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2020.108920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to nitrate is toxic to aquatic animals due to the formation of methaemoglobin and a subsequent loss of blood-oxygen carrying capacity. Yet, nitrate toxicity can be modulated by other stressors in the environment, such as elevated temperatures. Acclimation to elevated temperatures has been shown to offset the negative effects of nitrate on whole animal performance in fish, but the mechanisms underlying this cross-tolerance interaction remain unclear. In this study, juvenile silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) were exposed to a factorial combination of temperature (28 °C or 32 °C) and nitrate concentrations (0, 50 or 100 mg NO3- L-1) treatments to test the hypothesis that thermal acclimation offsets the effects of nitrate via compensatory changes to the cardiorespiratory system (gills, ventricle and blood oxygen carrying capacity). Following 21 weeks of thermal acclimation, we found that fish acclimated to 32 °C experienced an expansion of gill surface area and an increase in ventricular thickness regardless of nitrate exposure concentration. Exposure to nitrate (both 50 and 100 mg NO3- L-1) reduced the blood oxygen carrying capacity of silver perch due to increases in methaemoglobin concentration and a right shift in oxygen-haemoglobin binding curves in fish from both thermal acclimation treatments. These results indicate that plasticity of the gills and ventricle of warm acclimated fish are potential mechanisms which may provide cross-tolerance protection to elevated nitrate concentrations despite nitrate induced reductions to oxygen transport.
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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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Opinion AGR, De Boeck G, Rodgers EM. Synergism between elevated temperature and nitrate: Impact on aerobic capacity of European grayling, Thymallus thymallus in warm, eutrophic waters. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 226:105563. [PMID: 32673887 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Climate warming and nitrate pollution are pervasive aquatic stressors that endanger the persistence of fishes prevailing in anthropogenically disturbed habitats. Individually, elevated nitrate and temperature can influence fish energy homeostasis by increasing maintenance costs and impairing oxygen transport capacity. However, it remains unknown how fish respond to simultaneous exposure to elevated temperature and nitrate pollution. Hence, we examined the combined effects of nitrate and elevated temperatures on aerobic scope (AS, maximum-standard metabolic rates) and cardiorespiratory attributes (haemoglobin HB, haematocrit HCT, relative ventricle mass RVM, and somatic spleen index SSI) in a freshwater salmonid, Thymallus thymallus. A 3 × 2 factorial design was used, where fish were exposed to one of three ecologically relevant levels of nitrate (0, 50, or 200 mg NO3- l-1) and one of two temperatures (18 °C or 22 °C) for 6 weeks. Elevated temperature increased AS by 36 % and the improvement was stronger when coupled with nitrate exposure, indicating a positive synergistic interaction. HB was reduced by nitrate exposure, while HCT was independent of nitrate pollution and temperature. Stressor exposure induced remodeling of key elements of the cardiorespiratory system. RVM was 39 % higher in fish exposed to 22 °C compared to 18 °C but was independent of nitrate exposure. SSI was independent of temperature but was 85 % and 57 % higher in fish exposed to 50 and 200 mg NO3- l-1, respectively. Taken together, these results highlight that simultaneous exposure to elevated temperatures and nitrate pollution offers cross-tolerance benefits, which may be underscored by cardiorespiratory remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- April Grace R Opinion
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Gudrun De Boeck
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Essie M Rodgers
- University of Antwerp, Department of Biology, Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium; School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Gomez Isaza DF, Cramp RL, Franklin CE. Thermal acclimation offsets the negative effects of nitrate on aerobic scope and performance. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb224444. [PMID: 32647016 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.224444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Rising temperatures are set to imperil freshwater fishes as climate change ensues unless compensatory strategies are employed. However, the presence of additional stressors, such as elevated nitrate concentrations, may affect the efficacy of compensatory responses. Here, juvenile silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) were exposed to current-day summer temperatures (28°C) or a future climate-warming scenario (32°C) and simultaneously exposed to one of three ecologically relevant nitrate concentrations (0, 50 or 100 mg l-1). We measured indicators of fish performance (growth, swimming), aerobic scope (AS) and upper thermal tolerance (CTmax) to test the hypothesis that nitrate exposure would increase susceptibility to elevated temperatures and limit thermal compensatory responses. After 8 weeks of acclimation, the thermal sensitivity and plasticity of AS and swimming performance were tested at three test temperatures (28, 32, 36°C). The AS of 28°C-acclimated fish declined with increasing temperature, and the effect was more pronounced in nitrate-exposed individuals. In these fish, declines in AS corresponded with poorer swimming performance and a 0.8°C decrease in CTmax compared with unexposed fish. In contrast, acclimation to 32°C masked the effects of nitrate; fish acclimated to 32°C displayed a thermally insensitive phenotype whereby locomotor performance remained unchanged, AS was maintained and CTmax was increased by ∼1°C irrespective of nitrate treatment compared with fish acclimated to 28°C. However, growth was markedly reduced in 32°C-acclimated compared with 28°C-acclimated fish. Our results indicate that nitrate exposure increases the susceptibility of fish to acute high temperatures, but thermal compensation can override some of these potentially detrimental effects.
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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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15
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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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16
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Gomez Isaza DF, Cramp RL, Franklin CE. Simultaneous exposure to nitrate and low pH reduces the blood oxygen-carrying capacity and functional performance of a freshwater fish. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 8:coz092. [PMID: 31988749 PMCID: PMC6977012 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coz092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Human activities present aquatic species with numerous of environmental challenges, including excessive nutrient pollution (nitrate) and altered pH regimes (freshwater acidification). In isolation, elevated nitrate and acidic pH can lower the blood oxygen-carrying capacity of aquatic species and cause corresponding declines in key functional performance traits such as growth and locomotor capacity. These factors may pose considerable physiological challenges to organisms but little is known about their combined effects. To characterise the energetic and physiological consequences of simultaneous exposure to nitrate and low pH, we exposed spangled perch (Leiopotherapon unicolor) to a combination of nitrate (0, 50 or 100 mg L-1) and pH (pH 7.0 or 4.0) treatments in a factorial experimental design. Blood oxygen-carrying capacity (haemoglobin concentration, methaemoglobin concentrations and oxygen equilibrium curves), aerobic scope and functional performance traits (growth, swimming performance and post-exercise recovery) were assessed after 28 days of exposure. The oxygen-carrying capacity of fish exposed to elevated nitrate (50 and 100 mg L-1) was compromised due to reductions in haematocrit, functional haemoglobin levels and a 3-fold increase in methaemoglobin concentrations. Oxygen uptake was also impeded due to a right shift in oxygen-haemoglobin binding curves of fish exposed to nitrate and pH 4.0 simultaneously. A reduced blood oxygen-carrying capacity translated to a lowered aerobic scope, and the functional performance of fish (growth and swimming performance and increased post-exercise recovery times) was compromised by the combined effects of nitrate and low pH. These results highlight the impacts on aquatic organisms living in environments threatened by excessive nitrate and acidic pH conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Gomez Isaza
- School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Rebecca L Cramp
- School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Craig E Franklin
- School of Biological Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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17
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Valencia-Castañeda G, Frías-Espericueta MG, Vanegas-Pérez RC, Chávez-Sánchez MC, Páez-Osuna F. Toxicity of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles in low-salinity water in single and ternary exposure experiments and their environmental implications. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2019; 70:103193. [PMID: 31103491 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Information on toxicity of nitrogen compounds for Litopenaeus vannamei in coastal ecosystems and culture under low salinity is scarce. Acute toxicity trials were conducted in L. vannamei to determine the single and combined effects of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate at a salinity of 3 g/L. The 96 h-LC50 was 29.0 mg/L for total ammonia nitrogen (TAN); 10.6 mg/L for nitrogen as nitrite (NO2--N); and 900 mg/L for nitrogen as nitrate (NO3--N). The joint effects of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate exposure were antagonistic at 24-72 h; and additive from 72 to 96 h. The proposed safety levels of single exposure to TAN, NO2--N and NO3--N for L. vannamei are 1.45, 0.53 and 45.0 mg/L, respectively. When in mixture, the proposed level of TAN/NO2--N/NO3--N is 0.05 TU (Toxicity Unit) corresponding to 0.48, 0.08 and 14.6 mg/L of TAN, NO2--N and NO3--N, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gladys Valencia-Castañeda
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, ICML-UNAM, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Joel Montes Camarena s/n, Mazatlán, 82040, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Martín G Frías-Espericueta
- Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Paseo Claussen s/n, Mazatlán, 82000, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Ruth C Vanegas-Pérez
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, D.F. 04510, Mexico
| | - María C Chávez-Sánchez
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Av. Sábalo Cerritos s/n, Mazatlán, 82112, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Federico Páez-Osuna
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Joel Montes Camarena s/n, Mazatlán, 82040, Sinaloa, Mexico; Miembro de El Colegio de Sinaloa, Centro, Culiacán, 80000, Sinaloa, Mexico.
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