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Montañés M, García-Gabaldón M, Giner-Sanz J, Mora-Gómez J, Pérez-Herranz V. Effect of the anode material, applied current and reactor configuration on the atenolol toxicity during an electrooxidation process. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27266. [PMID: 38449618 PMCID: PMC10915559 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Atenolol (ATL) is a beta-blocker pharmaceutical product which is excreted mainly unchanged and may represent a long-term risk for organisms present in the sea and in fresh water. Due to its low biodegradation rate, electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) can be used to remove this compound. In this work, ATL ecotoxicity was analyzed in the presence of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), which is widely used as supporting electrolyte in EAOPs. Ecotoxicity values were expressed as the pollutant concentration that leads to a 50% inhibition of the root elongation of Lactuca sativa seeds in relation to the control (EC50(5 days)). The obtained values for ATL showed an EC50(5 days) of 1377 mg L-1 towards Lactuca sativa. When Na2SO4 was added, the toxicity of the sample increased but no synergy was detected between both compounds. With 2 g L-1 Na2SO4, ATL showed an EC50(5 days) of 972 mg L-1; and with 4 g L-1 Na2SO4 and higher concentrations, EC50 value for ATL was 0 mg L-1. Statistical tools were used to obtain the zones of the [ATL]-[Na2SO4] plane which are toxic towards Lactuca sativa. Solutions containing ATL and Na2SO4 were treated by electrooxidation. Two anode materials (a boron-doped diamond electrode and a microporous Sb-doped SnO2 ceramic one); three operation currents (0.4, 0.6 and 1 A); and two reactor configurations (one-compartment reactor and two-compartment reactor separated by a cation exchange membrane) were used. Lactuca sativa seeds and Vibrio fischeri bacterium tests were employed to evaluate the toxicity of the solutions before and after applying the electrooxidation process. In all the tests, the ecotoxicity of the treated sample increased. This fact is owing to the persulfate presence in the solution due to the sulfate electrochemical oxidation. Nevertheless, none of the final samples were toxic towards Vibrio fischeri because ecotoxicity values were lower than 10 TU; and, in the case of the one-compartment reactor, practically all of them were also non-toxic towards Lactuca sativa. The toxicity of the treated samples increased when using the two-compartment reactor in the presence of the BDD anode, and when the operation current was increased. This is attributed to the highest formation of persulfates. Amongst all the tests performed in this work, the lowest toxicity value (i.e., 3 TU) together with the complete mineralization and degradation degrees was achieved with the two-compartment reactor using the BDD anode and operating at 0.6 A.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.T. Montañés
- IEC Group, ISIRYM, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, València, P.O. Box 22012, E-46071, Spain
| | - M. García-Gabaldón
- IEC Group, ISIRYM, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, València, P.O. Box 22012, E-46071, Spain
| | - J.J. Giner-Sanz
- IEC Group, ISIRYM, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, València, P.O. Box 22012, E-46071, Spain
| | - J. Mora-Gómez
- IEC Group, ISIRYM, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, València, P.O. Box 22012, E-46071, Spain
| | - V. Pérez-Herranz
- IEC Group, ISIRYM, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camí de Vera s/n, 46022, València, P.O. Box 22012, E-46071, Spain
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Rantamo K, Arola H, Aroviita J, Hämälainen H, Hannula M, Laaksonen R, Laamanen T, Leppänen MT, Salmelin J, Syrjänen JT, Taskinen A, Turunen J, Ekholm P. Risk Assessment of Gypsum Amendment on Agricultural Fields: Effects of Sulfate on Riverine Biota. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:108-121. [PMID: 34826348 PMCID: PMC9302980 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Gypsum (CaSO4 ∙2H2 O) amendment is a promising way of decreasing the phosphorus loading of arable lands, and thus preventing aquatic eutrophication. However, in freshwaters with low sulfate concentrations, gypsum-released sulfate may pose a threat to the biota. To assess such risks, we performed a series of sulfate toxicity tests in the laboratory and conducted field surveys. These field surveys were associated with a large-scale pilot exercise involving spreading gypsum on agricultural fields covering 18% of the Savijoki River (Finland) catchment area. The gypsum amendment in such fields resulted in approximately a four-fold increase in the mean sulfate concentration for a 2-month period, and a transient, early peak reaching approximately 220 mg/L. The sulfate concentration gradually decreased almost to the pregypsum level after 3 years. Laboratory experiments with Unio crassus mussels and gypsum-spiked river water showed significant effects on foot movement activity, which was more intense with the highest sulfate concentration (1100 mg/L) than with the control. Survival of the glochidia after 24 and 48 h of exposure was not significantly affected by sulfate concentrations up to 1000 mg/L, nor was the length growth of the moss Fontinalis antipyretica affected. The field studies on benthic algal biomass accrual, mussel and fish density, and Salmo trutta embryo survival did not show gypsum amendment effects. Gypsum treatment did not raise the sulfate concentrations even to a level just close to critical for the biota studied. However, because the effects of sulfate are dependent on both the spatial and the temporal contexts, we advocate water quality and biota monitoring with proper temporal and spatial control in rivers within gypsum treatment areas. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:108-121. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Rantamo
- Finnish Environment InstituteJyväskylä/Helsinki/OuluFinland
- Department of Environmental and Biological SciencesUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
| | - Hanna Arola
- Department of Environmental and Biological SciencesUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
| | - Jukka Aroviita
- Finnish Environment InstituteJyväskylä/Helsinki/OuluFinland
| | - Heikki Hämälainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological SciencesUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
| | - Maija Hannula
- Department of Environmental and Biological SciencesUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
| | - Rami Laaksonen
- Regional Centre of Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Southwest FinlandTurkuFinland
| | - Tiina Laamanen
- Finnish Environment InstituteJyväskylä/Helsinki/OuluFinland
| | | | - Johanna Salmelin
- Finnish Environment InstituteJyväskylä/Helsinki/OuluFinland
- Department of Environmental and Biological SciencesUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
| | - Jukka T. Syrjänen
- Department of Environmental and Biological SciencesUniversity of JyväskyläJyväskyläFinland
| | - Antti Taskinen
- Finnish Environment InstituteJyväskylä/Helsinki/OuluFinland
| | - Jarno Turunen
- Finnish Environment InstituteJyväskylä/Helsinki/OuluFinland
| | - Petri Ekholm
- Finnish Environment InstituteJyväskylä/Helsinki/OuluFinland
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Karjalainen J, Mäkinen M, Karjalainen AK. Sulfate toxicity to early life stages of European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) in soft freshwater. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 208:111763. [PMID: 33396083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sulfate occurs naturally in the aquatic environment but its elevated levels can be toxic to aquatic life in freshwater environments. We investigated the toxicity of sulfate in humic, soft freshwater to whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) from fertilization of eggs to hatching i.e. during the critical phases of whitefish early development. Anadromous Kokemäenjoki whitefish eggs and sperm during fertilization, embryos and larvae were exposed in the long-term 175-day incubation to seven different sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) concentrations from 44 to 2 000 mg SO4 L-1. Endpoint variables were the fertilization success, offspring survival and larval growth. Egg fertilization and early embryonic development were the most sensitive developmental stages of whitefish to sulfate, although the fertilization success and survival of embryos decreased only in the highest concentration of 2 000 mg SO4 L-1. The survival during late embryonic period, hatching and the 5-day larval period was high and no difference between the control and sulfate treatments were observed. LC50-values of sulfate for early embryonic period and for the entire embryonic and larval period was 1 413 and 1 161 mg L-1, respectively. The NOEC (No-observed Effect Concentration) of sulfate for the both periods was 1 207 mg L-1. The tolerance of whitefish early stages to sulfate toxicity seems to be on the same level as the tolerance of other salmonids' early stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juha Karjalainen
- University of Jyväskylä, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Survontie 9C, PO Box 35, FI-40014, Finland.
| | - Mikko Mäkinen
- University of Jyväskylä, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Survontie 9C, PO Box 35, FI-40014, Finland
| | - Anna K Karjalainen
- University of Jyväskylä, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Survontie 9C, PO Box 35, FI-40014, Finland
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Canham CA, Cavalieri OY, Setterfield SA, Freestone FL, Hutley LB. Effect of elevated magnesium sulfate on two riparian tree species potentially impacted by mine site contamination. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2880. [PMID: 32075991 PMCID: PMC7031394 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59390-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, mining activities have been responsible for the contamination of soils, surface water and groundwater. Following mine closure, a key issue is the management of leachate from waste rock accumulated during the lifetime of the mine. At Ranger Uranium Mine in northern Australia, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) leaching from waste rock has been identified as a potentially significant surface and groundwater contaminant which may have adverse affects on catchment biota. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of elevated levels of MgSO4 on two riparian trees; Melaleuca viridiflora and Alphitonia excelsa. We found that tolerance to MgSO4 was species-specific. M. viridiflora was tolerant to high concentrations of MgSO4 (15,300 mg l-1), with foliar concentrations of ions suggesting plants regulate uptake. In contrast, A. excelsa was sensitive to elevated concentrations of MgSO4 (960 mg l-1), exhibiting reduced plant vigour and growth. This information improves our understanding of the toxicity of MgSO4 as a mine contaminant and highlights the need for rehabililitation planning to mitigate impacts on some tree species of this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A Canham
- The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | - Ornela Y Cavalieri
- The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Samantha A Setterfield
- The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Fiona L Freestone
- The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Lindsay B Hutley
- Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina, Northern Territory, 0810, Australia
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Bryophyte Communities along a Tropical Urban River Respond to Heavy Metal and Arsenic Pollution. WATER 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/w11040813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aquatic and rheophilous bryophytes can indicate water pollution as they bioaccumulate toxic water elements. We evaluated (1) bioaccumulation of eight heavy metals and arsenic by Marchantia polymorpha L., and (2) changes in bryophyte community structure, as responses to urban pollution in southern Ecuador. To this end, we registered presence/absence and coverage of submerged bryophytes in 120 quadrats across three zones of the Zamora river inside Loja city, and a control zone in a nearby forest. We found that the concentrations of five (Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn) of the eight chemical elements and arsenic were highest in urban M. polymorpha. Moreover, bryophyte species richness decreased in urban zones. Bryophyte community structure also differed between control and city zones, but no differences were found among city zones. The control zone was composed by a more distinct set of bryophyte species, e.g., an indicator species analysis showed that 16 species had high and significant indicator values for control zone, but only 11 species were indicators of at least one of the three urban zones. We concluded that bryophytes, in general, and M. polymorpha, in particular, can be suitable biomonitors of water quality in tropical urban rivers.
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Saber A, Tafazzoli M, Mortazavian S, James DE. Investigation of kinetics and absorption isotherm models for hydroponic phytoremediation of waters contaminated with sulfate. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2018; 207:276-291. [PMID: 29179117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Two common wetland plants, Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) and Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana), were used in hydroponic cultivation systems for the treatment of simulated high-sulfate wastewaters. Plants in initial experiments at pH 7.0 removed sulfate more efficiently compared to the same experimental conditions at pH 6.0. Results at sulfate concentrations of 50, 200, 300, 600, 900, 1200, 1500 and 3000 mg/L during three consecutive 7-day treatment periods with 1-day rest intervals, showed decreasing trends of both removal efficiencies and uptake rates with increasing sulfate concentrations from the first to the second to the third 7-day treatment periods. Removed sulfate masses per unit dry plant mass, calculated after 23 days, showed highest removal capacity at 600 mg/L sulfate for both plants. A Langmuir-type isotherm best described sulfate uptake capacity of both plants. Kinetic studies showed that compared to pseudo first-order kinetics, pseudo-second order kinetic models slightly better described sulfate uptake rates by both plants. The Elovich kinetic model showed faster rates of attaining equilibrium at low sulfate concentrations for both plants. The dimensionless Elovich model showed that about 80% of sulfate uptake occurred during the first four days' contact time. Application of three 4-day contact times with 2-day rest intervals at high sulfate concentrations resulted in slightly higher uptakes compared to three 7-day contact times with 1-day rest intervals, indicating that pilot-plant scale treatment systems could be sized with shorter contact times and longer rest-intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Saber
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| | - Milad Tafazzoli
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Soroosh Mortazavian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| | - David E James
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
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Mera R, Torres E, Abalde J. Effects of sodium sulfate on the freshwater microalga Chlamydomonas moewusii: implications for the optimization of algal culture media. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2016; 52:75-88. [PMID: 26987090 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The study of the microalgal growth kinetics is an indispensable tool in all fields of phycology. Knowing the optimal nutrient concentration is an important issue that will help to develop efficient growth systems for these microorganisms. Although nitrogen and phosphorus are well studied for this purpose, sulfur seems to be less investigated. Sulfate is a primary sulfur source used by microalgae; moreover, the concentration of this compound is increasing in freshwater systems due to pollution. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different sodium sulfate concentrations in the culture medium on growth and growth kinetics of the freshwater microalga Chlamydomonas moewusii. Production of biomass, chl content, kinetic equations, and a mathematical model that describe the microalgal growth in relation with the concentration of sodium sulfate were obtained. The lowest concentration of sodium sulfate allowing optimal growth was 0.1 mM. Concentrations higher than 3 mM generated a toxic effect. This work demonstrates that this toxic effect was not directly due to the excess of sulfate ion but by the elevation of the ionic strength. An inhibition model was successfully used to simulate the relationship between specific growth rate and sodium sulfate in this microalga.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roi Mera
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, Alejandro de La Sota, No. 1, La Coruña, 15008, Spain
| | - Enrique Torres
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, Alejandro de La Sota, No. 1, La Coruña, 15008, Spain
| | - Julio Abalde
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, Alejandro de La Sota, No. 1, La Coruña, 15008, Spain
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Mera R, Torres E, Abalde J. Isobolographic analysis of the interaction between cadmium (II) and sodium sulphate: toxicological consequences. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:2264-2278. [PMID: 26658783 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5909-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Sulphate is an essential nutrient for autotrophic organisms and has been shown to have important implications in certain processes of tolerance to cadmium toxicity. Sodium sulphate is the main salt of sulphate in the natural environments. The concentration of this salt is increasing in the aquatic environments due to environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to investigate, using an analysis of isobolograms, the type and the degree of the interaction between Cd(II) and sodium sulphate in the freshwater microalga Chlamydomonas moewusii. Two blocks of experiments were performed, one at sub-optimal sodium sulphate concentrations (<14.2 mg/L) and the other at supra-optimal concentrations (>14.2 mg/L). Three fixed ratios (2:1, 1:1, and 1:2) of the individual EC50 for cadmium and sodium sulphate were used within each block. The isobolographic analysis of interaction at sub-optimal concentrations showed a stronger antagonistic effect with values of interaction index (γ) between 1.46 and 3.4. However, the isobologram with sodium sulphate at supra-optimal concentrations revealed a slight but significant synergistic effect between both chemicals with an interaction index between 0.54 and 0.64. This synergic effect resulted in the potentiation of the toxic effects of cadmium, synergy that was related to the increase of the ionic strength and of two species of cadmium, CdSO4 (aq), and Cd(SO4)2(2-) , in the medium. Results of the current study suggest that sodium sulphate is able to perform a dual antagonist/synergist effect on cadmium toxicity. This role was concentration dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roi Mera
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, Campus da Zapateira s/n, 15071, La Coruña, Spain
| | - Enrique Torres
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, Campus da Zapateira s/n, 15071, La Coruña, Spain.
| | - Julio Abalde
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, Campus da Zapateira s/n, 15071, La Coruña, Spain
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Kosior G, Samecka-Cymerman A, Kolon K, Brudzińska-Kosior A, Bena W, Kempers AJ. Trace elements in the Fontinalis antipyretica from rivers receiving sewage of lignite and glass sand mining industry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:9829-38. [PMID: 25647494 PMCID: PMC4483242 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4162-y] [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: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Intensive lignite and glass sand mining and industrial processing release waste which may contain elements hazardous to the aquatic ecosystem and constitute a potential risk to human health. Therefore, their levels must be carefully controlled. As a result, we examined the effects of sewage on the aquatic Fontinalis antipyretica moss in the Nysa Łużycka (lignite industry) and the Kwisa Rivers (glass sand industry). The Nysa Łużycka and the Kwisa Rivers appeared to be heavily polluted with As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn, which were reflected in the extremely high concentration of these elements in F. antipyretica along the studied watercourses. In the Nysa Łużycka, trace element composition in the moss species is affected by lignite industry with accumulation in its tissues of the highest concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, while samples from the Kwisa sites influenced by glass sand industry revealed the highest concentrations of As, V and Fe. The principal component and classification analysis classifies the concentration of elements in the aquatic F. antipyretica moss, thus enabling the differentiation of sources of water pollution in areas affected by mining industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Kosior
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, Wrocław University, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Samecka-Cymerman
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, Wrocław University, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kolon
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, Wrocław University, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Brudzińska-Kosior
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, Wrocław University, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Waldemar Bena
- Society of Nature and Landscape Protection, Olszewskiego 7, 59-900 Zgorzelec, Poland
| | - Alexander J. Kempers
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Mera R, Torres E, Abalde J. Sulphate, more than a nutrient, protects the microalga Chlamydomonas moewusii from cadmium toxicity. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2014; 148:92-103. [PMID: 24463493 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2013.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Sulphur is an essential macroelement that plays important roles in living organisms. The thiol rich sulphur compounds, such as cysteine, γ-Glu-Cys, glutathione and phytochelatins participate in the tolerance mechanisms against cadmium toxicity. Plants, algae, yeasts and most prokaryotes cover their demand for reduced sulphur by reduction of inorganic sulphate. The aim of this study was to investigate, using a bifactorial experimental design, the effect of different sulphate concentrations in the nutrient solution on cadmium toxicity in the freshwater microalga Chlamydomonas moewusii. Cell growth, kinetic parameters of sulphate utilization and intracellular concentrations of low-molecular mass thiol compounds were determined. A mathematical model to describe the growth of this microalga based on the effects of sulphate and cadmium was obtained. An ANOVA revealed an interaction between them, 16% of the effect sizes was explained by this interaction. A higher amount of sulphate in the culture medium allowed a higher cadmium tolerance due to an increase in the thiol compound biosynthesis. The amount of low-molecular mass thiol compounds, mainly phytochelatins, synthesized by this microalga was significantly dependent on the sulphate and cadmium concentrations; the higher phytochelatin content was obtained in cultures with 4 mg Cd/L and 1mM sulphate. The maximum EC50 value (based on nominal cadmium concentration) reached for this microalga was 4.46 ± 0.42 mg Cd/L when the sulphate concentration added to the culture medium was also 1mM. An increase in the sulphate concentration, in deficient environments, could alleviate the toxic effect of this metal; however, a relative excess is also negative. The results obtained showed a substrate inhibition for this nutrient. An uncompetitive model for sulphate was chosen to establish the mathematical model that links both factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roi Mera
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, Alejandro de La Sota, No. 1, 15008 La Coruña, Spain
| | - Enrique Torres
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, Alejandro de La Sota, No. 1, 15008 La Coruña, Spain.
| | - Julio Abalde
- Laboratorio de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, Alejandro de La Sota, No. 1, 15008 La Coruña, Spain
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Simmons JA. Toxicity of major cations and anions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-, and SO4(2-)) to a macrophyte and an alga. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2012; 31:1370-1374. [PMID: 22447356 DOI: 10.1002/etc.1819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2011] [Revised: 11/16/2011] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In many freshwater systems around the world, the concentrations of major ions (Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Cl(-), HCO(3)(-), CO(3)(2-), and SO(4)(2-)) are exhibiting increasing trends, approaching the concentrations historically found mainly in estuaries. The objectives of the present study were to determine at what concentrations these salts are toxic to an aquatic plant and a green alga, to investigate two potential mechanisms of toxicity, and to determine the usefulness of conductivity as an indicator of salt toxicity. In a series of laboratory trials, Lemna minor and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata were exposed to a range of concentrations of five different salts. Conductivity levels that caused 10 or 50% reductions in growth-related traits (EC10 and EC50, respectively) were determined, using conductivity of the test solutions as the independent variable. The EC10 values ranged from 0.44 to 2.67 mS/cm for P. subcapitata and from 1.3 to >19 mS/cm for L. minor. The EC50 values ranged from 1.7 to 5.8 mS/cm for P. subcapitata and from 4.2 to >27 mS/cm for L. minor. For both species the EC values varied dramatically among the salts. Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata was most sensitive to KCl and NaCl, whereas L. minor was most sensitive to Na(2)SO(4). The mechanism of toxicity does not appear to be related to production of reactive oxygen species, nor to reduction in chlorophyll concentrations. Because toxicity was strongly influenced by salt composition, regulation and management of specific ions may be preferable to conductivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Simmons
- Science Department, Mount St. Mary's University, Emmitsburg, Maryland, USA.
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Mihaljević Z, Ternjej I, Stanković I, Ivković M, Zelježić D, Mladinić M, Kopjar N. Assessment of genotoxic potency of sulfate-rich surface waters on medicinal leech and human leukocytes using different versions of the Comet assay. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2011; 74:1416-1426. [PMID: 21497904 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2011.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2010] [Revised: 03/16/2011] [Accepted: 04/02/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate how exposure to sulfate-rich surface waters affects the level of primary DNA damage in hemocytes of leech Hirudo medicinalis. Samples of surface water were collected at two sites near a gypsum factory (Knin, Croatia) and two reference sites. In the laboratory, samples were subjected to detailed chemical analysis and used in toxicity testing. For that purpose, previously acclimatized individuals of H. medicinalis were sub-chronically exposed (for 28 days) to tested water samples. Levels of primary DNA damage were evaluated using the alkaline Comet assay in hemocytes collected on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 of exposure and compared with their baseline values. Genotoxic potency of the water sample with the highest sulfate concentration was further evaluated using the alkaline, neutral and hOGG1-modified Comet assay on human peripheral blood leukocytes exposed ex vivo for 30 min. The purpose was to explore which mechanisms are responsible for DNA damage. Chemical analysis revealed that sulfate concentrations in two water samples collected in Mali Kukar Lake (1630 mg/L SO₄) and Kosovčica River (823.3 mg/L SO₄) exceeded the WHO and US EPA defined limits for sulfate in drinking water. Increased levels of metals were found only in the water sample collected in Mali Kukar Lake. However, of the 65 elements analyzed, only nickel and titanium exceed the value legally accepted in Croatia for drinking water. The levels of DNA damage, estimated by the alkaline Comet assay in hemocytes of medicinal leech, increased with the duration of exposure to two sulfate-rich water samples. Since hemocytes responded sensitively to treatment, they could be used for biomonitoring purposes. As observed on treated human peripheral blood leukocytes, all versions of the Comet assay were effective in detecting DNA damage, which was measured in samples with sulfate concentrations equal to or higher than the legally accepted levels for drinking water. Based on the obtained results, it can be assumed that genotoxicity was a consequence both of direct (single- and double-strand DNA breaks) and indirect effects (oxidative damage) caused by the combined effects of all contaminants present in the tested water samples. Our results indicate the need for in situ monitoring and purification of gypsum mine water prior to its release in the natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zlatko Mihaljević
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Elphick JR, Davies M, Gilron G, Canaria EC, Lo B, Bailey HC. An aquatic toxicological evaluation of sulfate: the case for considering hardness as a modifying factor in setting water quality guidelines. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2011; 30:247-253. [PMID: 20872896 DOI: 10.1002/etc.363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Elevated concentrations of sulfate occur commonly in anthropogenically impacted and natural waters. However, water quality guidelines (WQG) have not been developed in many jurisdictions, and chronic toxicity data are scarce for this anion. A variety of test organisms, including species of invertebrate, fish, algae, moss, and an amphibian, were tested for chronic toxicity to develop a robust dataset that could be used to develop WQGs. As an example of how these data might be used to establish guidelines, calculations were performed using two standard procedures: a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) approach, following methods employed in developing Canadian WQGs, and a safety factor approach, according to procedures typically used in the development of provincial WQGs in British Columbia. The interaction of sulfate toxicity and water hardness was evaluated and incorporated into the calculations, resulting in separate values for soft (10-40 mg/L), moderately hard (80-100 mg/L) and hard water (160-250 mg/L). The resulting values were 129, 644, and 725 mg/L sulfate, respectively, following the SSD approach, and 75, 625, and 675 mg/L sulfate, following the safety factor approach.
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Cesa M, Bizzotto A, Ferraro C, Fumagalli F, Nimis PL. S.TR.E.A.M., system for trace element assessment with mosses. An equation to estimate mercury concentration in freshwaters. CHEMOSPHERE 2009; 75:858-865. [PMID: 19249814 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.01.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2008] [Revised: 01/03/2009] [Accepted: 01/23/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Hundred experiments of Hg bioaccumulation with the aquatic moss Rhynchostegium riparioides (Hedw.) C.E.O. Jensen transplanted under laboratory conditions were carried out with the aim of (1) measuring the metal uptake at increasing water concentrations (0.25-128 microg Hg(2+)L(-1)) and increasing exposure time (24-189 h), (2) studying the influence of pH (6.3-8.5) and water concentration of Na (3-114 mg L(-1)), Ca (62-125 mg L(-1)) and Mg (13-54 mg L(-1)) on the metal uptake, (3) achieving a database for mathematical and statistical elaborations, and, (4) producing an equation modelling the uptake. A linear uptake was observed for water concentrations <or=4 microg Hg(2+)L(-1), while a saturation curve was observed at higher concentrations. Uptake followed a 3-stage trend for increasing exposure times: a phase of rapid accumulation (4-5d), followed by an equilibrium plateau (2-3d) and then by a second accumulation phase. The factor influence study revealed that variations in pH or water concentration of alkaline metals, within the range of typical values in freshwaters of NE Italy, did not produce significant differences (p>0.05) in the Hg uptake ratio (0.496x10(5)<or= Bio Accumulation Factor <or= 1.73x10(5)). From a database of 28 Hg concentrations in mosses exposed to 0.25-4 microg Hg(2+)L(-1) for 24-114 h, a mathematical equation was produced, to assess Hg micro-contamination in water. The difference between predicted and real concentration was generally included in the range+/-50%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Cesa
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
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Davies TD, Hall KJ. Importance of calcium in modifying the acute toxicity of sodium sulphate to Hyalella azteca and Daphnia magna. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2007; 26:1243-7. [PMID: 17571691 DOI: 10.1897/06-510r.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Modification of the acute toxicity of sodium sulphate to Hyalella azteca and Daphnia magna was investigated using exposure water with different levels of water hardness (expressed as CaCO3 equivalents) and calcium-magnesium molar (Ca:Mg) ratios. The influence of Ca:Mg ratios on the toxicity of sodium and potassium chloride to D. magna also was investigated. For both species, the mean lethal concentrations that resulted in mortality of 50% of the sample population (LC50s), expressed as mg SO4(2-)/L, were increased significantly in harder water and in water with higher Ca:Mg ratios. The LC50s for H. azteca increased from 569 to 5259 mg/L with a change in water hardness from 25 to 250 mg/L. Furthermore, modifying the Ca:Mg ratio from 0.7 to 7.0 at a constant hardness of 100 mg/L significantly increased LC50s from 2101 to 2725 mg/L. The LC50s for D. magna were also significantly higher in harder water with LC50s increasing from 1194 to 3203 mg/L with a change in water hardness from 25 to 100 mg/L. In addition, modifying the Ca:Mg ratio from 0.7 to 7.0 significantly increased LC50s from 1194 to 1985 at a constant hardness of 25 mg/L, and from 3203 to 4395 mg/L at a constant hardness of 100 mg/L. No significant change in the toxicity of potassium or sodium chloride to D. magna was observed in waters with higher Ca:Mg ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor D Davies
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, 428-2202 Main Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
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