Effects of chronic 2,4,6,-trinitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, and 2,6-dinitrotoluene exposure on developing bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles

Synthesis of Novel Nitro-Halogenated Aryl-Himachalene Sesquiterpenes from Atlas Cedar Oil Components: Characterization, DFT Studies, and Molecular Docking Analysis against Various Isolated Smooth Muscles

We report the synthesis of two novel halogenated nitro-arylhimachalene derivatives: 2-bromo-3,5,5,9-tetramethyl-1-nitro-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulene (bromo-nitro-arylhimachalene) and 2-chloro-3,5,5,9-tetramethyl-1,4-dinitro-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-benzo[7]annulene (chloro-dinitro-arylhimachalene). These compounds were derived from arylhimachalene, an important sesquiterpene component of Atlas cedar essential oil, via a two-step halogenation and nitration process. Characterization was performed using 1H and 13C NMR spectrometry, complemented by X-ray structural analysis. Quantum chemical calculations employing density functional theory (DFT) with the Becke3-Lee-Yang-parr (B3LYP) functional and a 6-31++G(d,p) basis set were conducted. The optimized geometries of the synthesized compounds were consistent with X-ray structure data. Frontier molecular orbitals and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) profiles were identified and discussed. DFT reactivity indices provided insights into the compounds' behaviors. Moreover, Hirshfeld surface and 2D fingerprint analyses revealed significant intermolecular interactions within the crystal structures, predominantly H-H and H-O contacts. Molecular docking studies demonstrate strong binding affinities of the synthesized compounds to the active site of protein 7B2W, suggesting potential therapeutic applications against various isolated smooth muscles and neurotransmitters.

2,4-Dinitrotoluene (DNT) Perturbs Yolk Absorption, Liver Development and Lipid Metabolism/Oxygen Transport Gene Expression in Zebrafish Embryos and Larvae

2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) is a common environmental pollutant, and was classified as a group 2B human carcinogenic compound by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This study determined the toxic effects of 2,4-DNT exposure on zebrafish at the embryo-larvae stage, in terms of organ morphogenesis and the expression pattern of selected target genes related to lipid metabolism and oxygen transportation. The results showed that the 120-h post-fertilization LC50 of 2,4-DNT was 9.59 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 8.89-10.44 mg/L. The larvae treated with 2,4-DNT showed toxic symptoms including smaller body, less skin pigment production, yolk malabsorption, and disordered liver development. Further studies on the expression of genes related to lipid transport and metabolism, and respiration indicated that they were significantly affected by 2,4-DNT. It is concluded that 2,4-DNT exposure perturbed liver development and yolk absorption in early-life zebrafish, and disturbed the lipid metabolism /oxygen transport gene expression.

Biotransformation of trinitrotoluene by Citrobacter sp. YC4 and evaluation of its cyto-toxicological effects

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is an explosive chemical generally used for military, civil and industrial purposes. Therefore, TNT residue can be found in soil and ground water as an environmental pollutant. The environmental control of TNT pollution has become a critical issue because of its potential toxicity and carcinogenicity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cyto-toxicological effects of TNT after bioremediation. Citrobacter sp. YC4 is able to utilize TNT as a sole nitrogen source. Citrobacter sp. YC4 cells grown in medium with TNT as the sole nitrogen source (TNT-N) were able to rapidly degrade TNT, in contrast to cells grown in Luria Bertani medium as determined by resting cell suspension. The concentration of TNT decreased from 100 to 0 ppm within 10 h in the solution containing TNT mixed with TNT-N-grown YC4. The cytotoxicity of TNT and its degradation products generated by TNT-N-grown YC4 were assessed by WST-1-based cell cytotoxicity assays. Our results showed that the cytotoxic potential of solutions containing TNT decreased almost to the level of the control after a 1-h incubation with TNT-N-grown YC4 cells. The rapid conversion of TNT into possibly less toxic products by Citrobacter sp. YC4 proposes a bioremediation prospection.

Effects of 3-Nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one on Survival, Growth and Metamorphosis in the Northern Leopard Frog, Lithobates pipiens

New explosive formulations are being developed to be less sensitive to impact and inadvertent explosion, increasing safety for the warfighter. Since testing and training make environmental releases imminent, the toxicity of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), a component of Insensitive Munitions eXplosive (IMX) formulations, was assessed in a one-generation study to the northern leopard frog (Lithobates ( = Rana) pipiens). Because NTO in water creates acidic conditions, acute studies were conducted with non-pH-adjusted NTO, while a long-term (70-d) study was conducted with neutralized NTO. In the acute study, 48-h and 7-d LC₅₀s were ~250 mg NTO/L. In the long-term study, tadpoles were dead by day 2 in 11,350 mg/L NTO, and by day 63 in 8382 mg/L. The 70-d LC₅₀ was 3670 mg (neutralized) NTO/L. The number of organisms reaching complete metamorphosis was reduced by NTO; the lowest IC₂₅ was 1999 mg NTO/L for the Number Completing Metamorphosis. The NOECs for Time to Front Limb Eruption or Time to Metamorphosis were the same at 1346 mg/L. Histopathology did not significantly distinguish between NTO-exposed and unexposed animals, although possible effects on the density of spermatogonia in NTO-exposed males was suggested. The test data indicate that acute toxicity to ambient NTO can be attributed primarily to its acidic nature; relatively low chronic toxicity of neutralized NTO is due to delays in metamorphosis. The consequence from this latter observation may be ecologically significant as delays of even a few days could increase mortality through predation and/or loss of the aquatic medium in temporary water bodies.

Ontogenetic changes in sensitivity to nutrient limitation of tadpole growth

According to ecological stoichiometry (ES), the growth of a consumer with abundant resources should increase as body and resource stoichiometry become more similar. However, for organisms with complex life cycles involving distinct changes in biology, nutrient demands might change in response to ontogenetic changes in body stoichiometry. Tadpole growth and development has been found to be largely nitrogen (N) limited, as predicted for organisms developing N-rich tissues like muscle. However, tadpole metamorphosis includes periods of rapid development of phosphorus (P)-rich bones in preparation for a terrestrial lifestyle. We hypothesized that tadpole growth and development will exhibit variable nutrient demands during different stages of ontogeny, due to predictable changes in body tissue stoichiometry. To test this, we raised tadpoles on four diets with varying N:P ratios and assessed growth and developmental rates. Specifically, we predicted that tadpoles would be sensitive to N limitation throughout ontogeny (consistent with previous studies), but also sensitive to P limitation during the process of long-bone ossification. Consistent with our prediction, tadpole growth rates and development were sensitive to N limitation throughout ontogeny. Increased dietary N led to a shorter time to metamorphosis and a larger mass at metamorphosis. Also as predicted, growth rates were sensitive to both N and P during the period of peak bone ossification, indicative of co-limitation. These results indicate that P limitation changes through tadpole ontogeny consistent with, and can be predicted by, shifts in body tissue stoichiometry. Future studies should investigate whether ontogenetic shifts in tadpole P limitation lead to seasonal shifts in wetland nutrient cycling.

Reductive transformation of p-nitrotoluene by a new iron-fly ash packing

A new iron-fly ash packing was studied for reductive transformation of p-nitrotoluene. The packing was made of iron, fly ash and kaolin with the mass ratio of 36:7:2. A reactor was designed to investigate the long-term performance of the packing. The results showed that the reduction of p-nitrotoluene increased with decreasing pH, because the reduction potential of reaction increased with the concentration of H(+). The pH was one of the key factors impacting the reductive transformation of p-nitrotoluene. Comparing iron-activated carbon packing with the new iron-fly ash packing, the reduction efficiencies were respectively 76.61% and 75.36% after 20days. The reduction efficiency for both was around 50% at 40days. It was evident that these two kinds of packing had no significant difference in their capability for p-nitrotoluene reductive transformation. Compared with iron-activated carbon, the new iron-fly ash packing had obvious advantages in terms of manufacturing costs and environmental pollution degradation. This study showed that the new iron-fly ash packing had good performance in reductive transformation of nitrotoluene compounds.

Bioaccumulation kinetics of the conventional energetics TNT and RDX relative to insensitive munitions constituents DNAN and NTO in Rana pipiens tadpoles

The manufacturing of explosives and their loading, assembling, and packing into munitions for use in testing on training sites or battlefields has resulted in contamination of terrestrial and aquatic sites that may pose risk to populations of sensitive species. The bioaccumulative potential of the conventional explosives 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and of the insensitive munitions (i.e., less shock sensitive) compound 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) were assessed using the Northern leopard frog, Rana pipiens. Trinitrotoluene entering the organism was readily biotransformed to aminodinitrotoluenes, whereas no transformation products were measured for RDX or DNAN. Uptake clearance rates were relatively slow and similar among compounds (1.32-2.19 L kg(-1) h(-1) ). Upon transfer to uncontaminated water, elimination rate was very fast, resulting in the prediction of fast time to approach steady state (5 h or less) and short elimination half-lives (1.2 h or less). A preliminary bioconcentration factor of 0.25 L kg(-1) was determined for the insensitive munitions compound 3-nitro-1,2,4-trizole-5-one (NTO) indicating negligible bioaccumulative potential. Because of the rapid elimination rate for explosives, tadpoles inhabiting contaminated areas are expected to experience harmful effects only if under constant exposure conditions given that body burdens can rapidly depurate preventing tissue concentrations from persisting at levels that may cause detrimental biological effects.

Toxicity of the conventional energetics TNT and RDX relative to new insensitive munitions constituents DNAN and NTO in Rana pipiens tadpoles

An initiative within the US military is targeting the replacement of traditional munitions constituents with insensitive munitions to reduce risk of accidental detonation. The purpose of the present study was to comparatively assess toxicity of the traditional munitions constituents 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) with the new insensitive munitions constituents 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) and 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO). The following exposure durations were performed with Rana pipiens (leopard frog) tadpoles: TNT and DNAN, 96 h and 28 d; RDX, 10 d and 28 d; NTO, 28 d. The 96-h 50% lethal concentration (LC50) values and 95% confidence intervals for TNT and DNAN were 4.4 mg/L (4.2 mg/L, 4. 7 mg/L) and 24.3 mg/L (21.3 mg/L, 27.6 mg/L), respectively. No significant impacts on survival were observed in the 10-d exposure to RDX up to 25.3 mg/L. Effects on tadpole swimming distance were observed with a lowest-observed-effect concentration (LOEC) of 5.9 mg/L RDX. In the 28-d exposures, the LOECs for survival for TNT, DNAN, and NTO were 0.003 mg/L, 2.4 mg/L, and 5.0 mg/L, respectively. No significant mortality was observed in the RDX chronic 28-d exposure up to the highest treatment level tested of 28.0 mg/L. Neither tadpole developmental stage nor growth was significantly affected in any of the 28-d exposures. Rana pipiens were very sensitive to chronic TNT exposure, with an LOEC 3 orders of magnitude lower than those for insensitive munitions constituents DNAN and NTO.

Biodegradation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene by different plant species

Over the past century, rapid growth of population, mining and industrialization significantly contributed to extensive soil, air and water contamination. The 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), used mostly as explosive, belongs to the hazardous xenobiotics. Soils and waters contaminated with 2,4-DNT may be cleaned by phytoremediation using suitable plant species. The ability of crop plants (hemp, flax, sunflower and mustard) to germinate and grow on soils contaminated with 2,4-DNT was compared. Stimulation of their growth was found at 0.252 mg/g 2,4-DNT. The lethal concentration for the growth for these species was around 1 mg/g. In hydropony, the above mentioned species were able to survive 200 mg/l 2,4-DNT, the concentration close to maximal solubility of 2,4-DNT in water. Metabolism of 2,4-DNT was tested using suspension culture of soapwort and reed. The degradation products 2-aminonitrotoluene and 4-aminonitrotoluene were found both in the medium and in the acetone extract of plant cells. The test showed that the toxicity of these metabolites was higher than the toxicity of the parent compound, but 2,4-diaminotoluene, the product of next reduction step, was less toxic in the concentration range tested (0-200 mg/l).

Effects of 2,4-dinitrotoluene exposure on enzyme activity, energy reserves and condition factors in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

In this study relative condition factor (RCF) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) as well as the available energy reserves of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) by 2,4-DNT semi-static bioassay were determined and linked to effects of enzymes in liver tissues. Fish were exposed at sublethal concentrations of 2,4-DNT (0.13 μg/L, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0mg/L) for 7 and 15 d. Based on the results, there was no significant change in all parameters measured in fish exposed to 2,4-DNT at environmental related concentration, but 2,4-DNT stress in fish exposed to higher concentrations reflected the significant changes of physiological and biochemical responses. 2,4-DNT stress resulted in EROD activity induction in the liver, and the levels of EROD activity ranged from 0.39- to 1.83-fold higher than control. For GK, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, and GST, these enzyme activity continued to decline after exposure to 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0mg/L 2,4-DNT, whereas the trend on GK and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase was more obvious than GST. Through principal component analysis, effects by 2,4-DNT-stress in each test group were distinguished. Additionally, indications of a trade-off between metabolic cost of toxicant exposure and processes vital to the survival of the organism were seen at the enzyme activity level as well as on higher levels of biological organization.