1
|
Smalling KL, Romanok KM, Bradley PM, Hladik ML, Gray JL, Kanagy LK, McCleskey RB, Stavreva DA, Alexander-Ozinskas AK, Alonso J, Avila W, Breitmeyer SE, Bustillo R, Gordon SE, Hager GL, Jones RR, Kolpin DW, Newton S, Reynolds P, Sloop J, Ventura A, Von Behren J, Ward MH, Solomon GM. Mixed contaminant exposure in tapwater and the potential implications for human-health in disadvantaged communities in California. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 267:122485. [PMID: 39368187 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/07/2024]
Abstract
Water is an increasingly precious resource in California as years of drought, climate change, pollution, as well as an expanding population have all stressed the state's drinking water supplies. Currently, there are increasing concerns about whether regulated and unregulated contaminants in drinking water are linked to a variety of human-health outcomes particularly in socially disadvantaged communities with a history of health risks. To begin to address this data gap by broadly assessing contaminant mixture exposures, the current study was designed to collect tapwater samples from communities in Gold Country, the San Francisco Bay Area, two regions of the Central Valley (Merced/Fresno and Kern counties), and southeast Los Angeles for 251 organic chemicals and 32 inorganic constituents. Sampling prioritized low-income areas with suspected water quality challenges and elevated breast cancer rates. Results indicated that mixtures of regulated and unregulated contaminants were observed frequently in tapwater throughout the areas studied and the types and concentrations of detected contaminants varied by region, drinking-water source, and size of the public water system. Multiple exceedances of enforceable maximum contaminant level(s) (MCL), non-enforceable MCL goal(s) (MCLG), and other health advisories combined with frequent exceedances of benchmark-based hazard indices were also observed in samples collected in all five of the study regions. Given the current focus on improving water quality in socially disadvantaged communities, our study highlights the importance of assessing mixed-contaminant exposures in drinking water at the point of consumption to adequately address human-health concerns (e.g., breast cancer risk). Data from this pilot study provide a foundation for future studies across a greater number of communities in California to assess potential linkages between breast cancer rates and tapwater contaminants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Diana A Stavreva
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | - Jesus Alonso
- Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Wendy Avila
- Communities for a Better Environment, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Gordon L Hager
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Rena R Jones
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | - Seth Newton
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Peggy Reynolds
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John Sloop
- ORISE, Office of Research & Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Mary H Ward
- National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Gina M Solomon
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zeb R, Yin X, Chen F, Wang KJ. Sex-specific divergent responses of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) towards long-term benzo[a]pyrene exposure revealed stronger resilience and recoverability in female fish. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 364:143077. [PMID: 39134182 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143077] [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: 06/15/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a representative five-membered polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, has been extensively studied as a pollutant for decades. Despite this, sex-specific responses to BaP exposure remain poorly understood. This study employed a life-cycle exposure approach to investigate the effects of prolonged BaP exposure on marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma), highlighting sex-specific responses. After a 90-day exposure period, significant variations in biometric measurements and oxidative stress markers were observed between male and female fish. BaP exposure resulted in weak detoxification defense in males, while females exhibited an opposite response. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 13 significantly enriched pathways in males and 11 in females, with varying numbers of differentially expressed genes between the sexes, highlighting distinct biological responses. Host resistance assay showed higher mortality rates among BaP-exposed males, and suppressed immune gene expressions and lysozyme activity, while females demonstrated enhanced immune genes and lysozyme activity post-challenge, indicating a more resilient defense response. Furthermore, after a one-month depuration period following BaP exposure, male medaka demonstrated slower recoverability compared to females. These findings underscore sex-specific effects of BaP exposure on fish, with females displaying stronger resilience. Understanding these distinctions are crucial for accurately assessing the impact of environmental pollutants on the aquatic population and ecosystem maintenance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Zeb
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| | - Xiaohan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| | - Fangyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China; State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| | - Ke-Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China; State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zeb R, Yin X, Chen F, Wang KJ. Chronic exposure to environmental concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene causes multifaceted toxic effects of developmental compromise, redox imbalance, and modulated transcriptional profiles in the early life stages of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 273:107016. [PMID: 38991362 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.107016] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) accumulate and integrate into aquatic environments, raising concerns about the well-being and safety of aquatic ecosystems. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a persistent PAH commonly detected in the environment, has been extensively studied. However, the broader multifaceted toxicity potential of BaP on the early life stages of marine fish during chronic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations needs further exploration. To fill these knowledge gaps, this study assessed the in vivo biotoxicity of BaP (1, 4, and 8 μg/L) in marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) during early development over a 30-day exposure period. The investigation included morphological, biochemical, and molecular-level analyses to capture the broader potential of BaP toxicity. Morphological analyses showed that exposure to BaP resulted in skeletal curvatures, heart anomalies, growth retardation, elevated mortality, delayed and reduced hatching rates. Biochemical analyses revealed that BaP exposure not only created oxidative stress but also disrupted the activities of antioxidant enzymes. This disturbance in redox balance was further explored by molecular level investigation. The transcriptional profiles revealed impaired oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle pathways, which potentially inhibited the oxidative respiratory chain in fish following exposure to BaP, and reduced the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). Furthermore, this investigation indicated a potential connection to apoptosis, as demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy and histological analyses, and supported by an increase in the expression levels of related genes via real-time quantitative PCR. This study enhances our understanding of the molecular-level impacts of BaP's multifaceted toxicity in the early life stages of marine medaka, and the associated risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Zeb
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China
| | - Xiaohan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China
| | - Fangyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China; State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China; Fujian Innovation Research Institute for Marine Biological Antimicrobial Peptide Industrial Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China
| | - Ke-Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China; State-Province Joint Engineering Laboratory of Marine Bioproducts and Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China; Fujian Innovation Research Institute for Marine Biological Antimicrobial Peptide Industrial Technology, College of Ocean & Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Heß S, Hof D, Oetken M, Sundermann A. Macroinvertebrate communities respond strongly but non-specifically to a toxicity gradient derived by effect-based methods. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 356:124330. [PMID: 38848961 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Chemical pollution is one of the most important threats to freshwater ecosystems. The plethora of potentially occurring chemicals and their effects in complex mixtures challenge standard monitoring methods. Effect-based methods (EBMs) are proposed as complementary tools for the assessment of chemical pollution and toxic effects. To investigate the effects of chemical pollution, the ecological relevance of EBMs and the potential of macroinvertebrates as toxicity-specific bioindicators, ecological and ecotoxicological data were linked. Baseline toxicity, mutagenicity, dioxin-like and estrogenic activity of water and sediment samples from 30 river sites in central Germany were quantified with four in vitro bioassays. The responses of macroinvertebrate communities at these sites were assessed by calculating 16 taxonomic and functional metrics and by investigating changes in the taxonomic and trait composition. Principal component analysis revealed an increase in toxicity along a joint gradient of chemicals with different modes of action. This toxicity gradient was associated with a decrease in biodiversity and ecological quality, as well as significant changes in taxonomic and functional composition. The strength of the effects suggested a strong impact of chemical pollution and underlined the suitability of EBMs in detecting ecological relevant effects. However, the metrics, taxa, and traits associated with vulnerability or tolerance to toxicity were found to also respond to other stressors in previous studies and thus may have only a low potential as toxicity-specific bioindicators. Because macroinvertebrates respond integratively to all present stressors, linking both ecological and environmental monitoring is necessary to investigate the overall effects but also isolate individual stressors. EBMs have a high potential to separate the toxicity of chemical mixtures from other stressors in a multiple stressor scenario, as well as identifying the presence of chemical groups with specific modes of action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Heß
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Clamecystr. 12, 63571, Gelnhausen, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty Biological Sciences, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Delia Hof
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty Biological Sciences, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Matthias Oetken
- Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty Biological Sciences, Department Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Hessen, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andrea Sundermann
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Department of River Ecology and Conservation, Clamecystr. 12, 63571, Gelnhausen, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Faculty Biological Sciences, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Hessen, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yu Y, Trottmann NF, Schärer MR, Fenner K, Robinson SL. Substrate promiscuity of xenobiotic-transforming hydrolases from stream biofilms impacted by treated wastewater. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 256:121593. [PMID: 38631239 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121593] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Organic contaminants enter aquatic ecosystems from various sources, including wastewater treatment plant effluent. Freshwater biofilms play a major role in the removal of organic contaminants from receiving water bodies, but knowledge of the molecular mechanisms driving contaminant biotransformations in complex stream biofilm (periphyton) communities remains limited. Previously, we demonstrated that biofilms in experimental flume systems grown at higher ratios of treated wastewater (WW) to stream water displayed an increased biotransformation potential for a number of organic contaminants. We identified a positive correlation between WW percentage and biofilm biotransformation rates for the widely-used insect repellent, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) and a number of other wastewater-borne contaminants with hydrolyzable moieties. Here, we conducted deep shotgun sequencing of flume biofilms and identified a positive correlation between WW percentage and metagenomic read abundances of DEET hydrolase (DH) homologs. To test the causality of this association, we constructed a targeted metagenomic library of DH homologs from flume biofilms. We screened our complete metagenomic library for activity with four different substrates, including DEET, and a subset thereof with 183 WW-related organic compounds. The majority of active hydrolases in the metagenomic library preferred aliphatic and aromatic ester substrates while, remarkably, only a single reference enzyme was capable of DEET hydrolysis. Of the 626 total enzyme-substrate combinations tested, approximately 5% were active enzyme-substrate pairs. Metagenomic DH family homologs revealed a broad substrate promiscuity spanning 22 different compounds when summed across all enzymes tested. We biochemically characterized the most promiscuous and active enzymes identified based on metagenomic analysis from uncultivated Rhodospirillaceae and Planctomycetaceae. In addition to characterizing new DH family enzymes, we exemplified a framework for linking metagenome-guided hypothesis generation with experimental validation. Overall, this study expands the scope of known enzymatic contaminant biotransformations for metagenomic hydrolases from WW-receiving stream biofilm communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaochun Yu
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Niklas Ferenc Trottmann
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Milo R Schärer
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Kathrin Fenner
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland; Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Serina L Robinson
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pinto-Vidal FA, Novák J, Jílková SR, Rusina T, Vrana B, Melymuk L, Hilscherová K. Endocrine disrupting potential of total and bioaccessible extracts of dust from seven different types of indoor environment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:133778. [PMID: 38460255 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133778] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Information on the indoor environment as a source of exposure with potential adverse health effects is mostly limited to a few pollutant groups and indoor types. This study provides a comprehensive toxicological profile of chemical mixtures associated with dust from various types of indoor environments, namely cars, houses, prefabricated apartments, kindergartens, offices, public spaces, and schools. Organic extracts of two different polarities and bioaccessible extracts mimicking the gastrointestinal conditions were prepared from two different particle size fractions of dust. These extracts were tested on a battery of human cell-based bioassays to assess endocrine disrupting potentials. Furthermore, 155 chemicals from different pollutant groups were measured and their relevance for the bioactivity was determined using concentration addition modelling. The exhaustive and bioaccessible extracts of dust from the different microenvironments interfered with aryl hydrocarbon receptor, estrogen, androgen, glucocorticoid, and thyroid hormone (TH) receptor signalling, and with TH transport. Noteably, bioaccessible extracts from offices and public spaces showed higher estrogenic effects than the organic solvent extracts. 114 of the 155 targeted chemicals were detectable, but the observed bioactivity could be only marginally explained by the detected chemicals. Diverse toxicity patterns across different microenvironments that people inhabit throughout their lifetime indicate potential health and developmental risks, especially for children. Limited data on the endocrine disrupting potency of relevant chemical classes, especially those deployed as replacements for legacy contaminants, requires further study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiří Novák
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Simona Rozárka Jílková
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tatsiana Rusina
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Branislav Vrana
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lisa Melymuk
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Klára Hilscherová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlarska 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kim S, Kang K, Kim H, Seo M. In Vitro Toxicity Screening of Fifty Complex Mixtures in HepG2 Cells. TOXICS 2024; 12:126. [PMID: 38393221 PMCID: PMC10892977 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12020126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
To develop the risk prediction technology for mixture toxicity, a reliable and extensive dataset of experimental results is required. However, most published literature only provides data on combinations containing two or three substances, resulting in a limited dataset for predicting the toxicity of complex mixtures. Complex mixtures may have different mode of actions (MoAs) due to their varied composition, posing difficulty in the prediction using conventional toxicity prediction models, such as the concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) models. The aim of this study was to generate an experimental dataset comprising complex mixtures. To identify the target complex mixtures, we referred to the findings of the HBM4EU project. We identified three groups of seven to ten components that were commonly detected together in human bodies, namely environmental phenols, perfluorinated compounds, and heavy metal compounds, assuming these chemicals to have different MoAs. In addition, a separate mixture was added consisting of seven organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), which may have similar chemical structures. All target substances were tested for cytotoxicity using HepG2 cell lines, and subsequently 50 different complex mixtures were randomly generated with equitoxic mixtures of EC10 levels. To determine the interaction effect, we calculated the model deviation ratio (MDR) by comparing the observed EC10 with the predicted EC10 from the CA model, then categorized three types of interactions: antagonism, additivity, and synergism. Dose-response curves and EC values were calculated for all complex mixtures. Out of 50 mixtures, none demonstrated synergism, while six mixtures exhibited an antagonistic effect. The remaining mixtures exhibited additivity with MDRs ranging from 0.50 to 1.34. Our experimental data have been formatted to and constructed for the database. They will be utilized for further research aimed at developing the combined CA/IA approaches to support mixture risk assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sunmi Kim
- Chemical Analysis Center, Korea Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; (K.K.); (H.K.); (M.S.)
| | - Kyounghee Kang
- Chemical Analysis Center, Korea Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; (K.K.); (H.K.); (M.S.)
| | - Haena Kim
- Chemical Analysis Center, Korea Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; (K.K.); (H.K.); (M.S.)
- Department of Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Myungwon Seo
- Chemical Analysis Center, Korea Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; (K.K.); (H.K.); (M.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Glassmeyer ST, Burns EE, Focazio MJ, Furlong ET, Gribble MO, Jahne MA, Keely SP, Kennicutt AR, Kolpin DW, Medlock Kakaley EK, Pfaller SL. Water, Water Everywhere, but Every Drop Unique: Challenges in the Science to Understand the Role of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Management of Drinking Water Supplies. GEOHEALTH 2023; 7:e2022GH000716. [PMID: 38155731 PMCID: PMC10753268 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The protection and management of water resources continues to be challenged by multiple and ongoing factors such as shifts in demographic, social, economic, and public health requirements. Physical limitations placed on access to potable supplies include natural and human-caused factors such as aquifer depletion, aging infrastructure, saltwater intrusion, floods, and drought. These factors, although varying in magnitude, spatial extent, and timing, can exacerbate the potential for contaminants of concern (CECs) to be present in sources of drinking water, infrastructure, premise plumbing and associated tap water. This monograph examines how current and emerging scientific efforts and technologies increase our understanding of the range of CECs and drinking water issues facing current and future populations. It is not intended to be read in one sitting, but is instead a starting point for scientists wanting to learn more about the issues surrounding CECs. This text discusses the topical evolution CECs over time (Section 1), improvements in measuring chemical and microbial CECs, through both analysis of concentration and toxicity (Section 2) and modeling CEC exposure and fate (Section 3), forms of treatment effective at removing chemical and microbial CECs (Section 4), and potential for human health impacts from exposure to CECs (Section 5). The paper concludes with how changes to water quantity, both scarcity and surpluses, could affect water quality (Section 6). Taken together, these sections document the past 25 years of CEC research and the regulatory response to these contaminants, the current work to identify and monitor CECs and mitigate exposure, and the challenges facing the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan T. Glassmeyer
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| | | | - Michael J. Focazio
- Retired, Environmental Health ProgramEcosystems Mission AreaU.S. Geological SurveyRestonVAUSA
| | - Edward T. Furlong
- Emeritus, Strategic Laboratory Sciences BranchLaboratory & Analytical Services DivisionU.S. Geological SurveyDenverCOUSA
| | - Matthew O. Gribble
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental HealthRollins School of Public HealthEmory UniversityAtlantaGAUSA
| | - Michael A. Jahne
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Scott P. Keely
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Alison R. Kennicutt
- Department of Civil and Mechanical EngineeringYork College of PennsylvaniaYorkPAUSA
| | - Dana W. Kolpin
- U.S. Geological SurveyCentral Midwest Water Science CenterIowa CityIAUSA
| | | | - Stacy L. Pfaller
- U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyOffice of Research and DevelopmentCincinnatiOHUSA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Smalling KL, Romanok KM, Bradley PM, Morriss MC, Gray JL, Kanagy LK, Gordon SE, Williams BM, Breitmeyer SE, Jones DK, DeCicco LA, Eagles-Smith CA, Wagner T. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in United States tapwater: Comparison of underserved private-well and public-supply exposures and associated health implications. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 178:108033. [PMID: 37356308 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Drinking-water quality is a rising concern in the United States (US), emphasizing the need to broadly assess exposures and potential health effects at the point-of-use. Drinking-water exposures to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a national concern, however, there is limited information on PFAS in residential tapwater at the point-of-use, especially from private-wells. We conducted a national reconnaissance to compare human PFAS exposures in unregulated private-well and regulated public-supply tapwater. Tapwater from 716 locations (269 private-wells; 447 public supply) across the US was collected during 2016-2021 including three locations where temporal sampling was conducted. Concentrations of PFAS were assessed by three laboratories and compared with land-use and potential-source metrics to explore drivers of contamination. The number of individual PFAS observed ranged from 1 to 9 (median: 2) with corresponding cumulative concentrations (sum of detected PFAS) ranging from 0.348 to 346 ng/L. Seventeen PFAS were observed at least once with PFBS, PFHxS and PFOA observed most frequently in approximately 15% of the samples. Across the US, PFAS profiles and estimated median cumulative concentrations were similar among private wells and public-supply tapwater. We estimate that at least one PFAS could be detected in about 45% of US drinking-water samples. These detection probabilities varied spatially with limited temporal variation in concentrations/numbers of PFAS detected. Benchmark screening approaches indicated potential human exposure risk was dominated by PFOA and PFOS, when detected. Potential source and land-use information was related to cumulative PFAS concentrations, and the number of PFAS detected; however, corresponding relations with specific PFAS were limited likely due to low detection frequencies and higher detection limits. Information generated supports the need for further assessments of cumulative health risks of PFAS as a class and in combination with other co-occurring contaminants, particularly in unmonitored private-wells where information is limited or not available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Tyler Wagner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rodriguez EE, Bott CB, Wigginton KR, Love NG. In vitro bioassays to monitor complex chemical mixtures at a carbon-based indirect potable reuse plant. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 241:120094. [PMID: 37276655 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Potable water reuse technologies are used to treat wastewater to drinking water quality to help sustain a community's water resources. California has long led the adoption of potable water reuse technologies in the United States and more states are exploring these technologies as water resources decline. Reuse technologies also need to achieve adequate reductions in microbial and chemical contaminant risks to meet public health goals and secure public acceptance. In vitro bioassays are a useful tool for screening if reuse treatment processes adequately reduce toxicity associated with a range of chemical classes that are contaminants of concern. In this study, we used an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and an estrogen receptor luciferase bioassay to detect the presence of dioxin-like and estrogenic compounds across a 3800 m3/d carbon-based indirect potable reuse plant that uses carbon-based treatment (SWIFT-RC). Our results demonstrate significant removal of dioxin-like compounds across the SWIFT-RC treatment train. Estrogenicity declined across the treatment train for some months but was extremely variable and low with many samples falling below the method quantification level; consequently, we were not able to reliably determine estrogenicity trends for SWIFT-RC. Comparing the bioanalytical equivalent concentrations detected in the SWIFT-RC water with established monitoring trigger levels from the state of California suggests that SWIFT-RC produced water that met the bioassay guidelines. The log total organic carbon concentration and AhR assay equivalent concentrations are weakly correlated when data across all SWIFT-RC processes are included. Overall, this research demonstrates the performance of in vitro bioassays at a demonstration-scale carbon-based IPR system and highlights both the potential utility and challenges associated with these methods for assessing system performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrique E Rodriguez
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Charles B Bott
- Hampton Roads Sanitation District, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
| | - Krista R Wigginton
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nancy G Love
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nikolopoulou D, Ntzani E, Kyriakopoulou K, Anagnostopoulos C, Machera K. Priorities and Challenges in Methodology for Human Health Risk Assessment from Combined Exposure to Multiple Chemicals. TOXICS 2023; 11:toxics11050401. [PMID: 37235216 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11050401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
This paper reviews key elements in the assessment of human health effects from combined exposure to multiple chemicals taking into consideration current knowledge and challenges to identify areas where scientific advancement is mostly needed and proposes a decision-making scheme on the basis of existing methods and tools. The assumption of dose addition and estimation of the hazard index (HI) is considered as a starting point in component-based risk assessments. When, based on the generic HI approach, an unacceptable risk is identified, more specific risk assessment options may be implemented sequentially or in parallel depending on problem formulation, characteristics of the chemical group under assessment, exposure levels, data availability and resources. For prospective risk assessments, the reference point index/margin of exposure (RPI/MOET) (Option 1) or modified RPI/normalized MOET (mRPI/nMOET) (Option 2) approaches may be implemented focusing on the specific mixture effect. Relative potency factors (RPFs) may also be used in the RPI approach since a common uncertainty factor for each mixture component is introduced in the assessment. Increased specificity in the risk assessment may also be achieved when exposure of selected population groups is considered (Option 3/exposure). For retrospective risk assessments, human biomonitoring data available for vulnerable population groups (Option 3/susceptibility) may present more focused scenarios for consideration in human health risk management decisions. In data-poor situations, the option of using the mixture assessment factor (MAF) is proposed (Option 4), where an additional uncertainty factor is applied on each mixture component prior to estimating the HI. The magnitude of the MAF may be determined by the number of mixture components, their individual potencies and their proportions in the mixture, as previously reported. It is acknowledged that implementation of currently available methods and tools for human health risk assessment from combined exposure to multiple chemicals by risk assessors will be enhanced by ongoing scientific developments on new approach methodologies (NAMs), integrated approaches to testing and assessment (IATA), uncertainty analysis tools, data sharing platforms, risk assessment software as well as guideline development to meet legislative requirements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Nikolopoulou
- Laboratory of Toxicological Control of Pesticides, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides' Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 St. Delta Street, Kifissia, 14561 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Ntzani
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina, PC 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Katerina Kyriakopoulou
- Laboratory of Environmental Control of Pesticides, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides' Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 St. Delta Street, Kifissia, 14561 Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Anagnostopoulos
- Laboratory of Pesticides Residues, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides' Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 St. Delta Street, Kifissia, 14561 Athens, Greece
| | - Kyriaki Machera
- Laboratory of Toxicological Control of Pesticides, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides' Control and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 St. Delta Street, Kifissia, 14561 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bradley PM, Kolpin DW, Thompson DA, Romanok KM, Smalling KL, Breitmeyer SE, Cardon MC, Cwiertny DM, Evans N, Field RW, Focazio MJ, Beane Freeman LE, Givens CE, Gray JL, Hager GL, Hladik ML, Hofmann JN, Jones RR, Kanagy LK, Lane RF, McCleskey RB, Medgyesi D, Medlock-Kakaley EK, Meppelink SM, Meyer MT, Stavreva DA, Ward MH. Juxtaposition of intensive agriculture, vulnerable aquifers, and mixed chemical/microbial exposures in private-well tapwater in northeast Iowa. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 868:161672. [PMID: 36657670 PMCID: PMC9976626 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In the United States and globally, contaminant exposure in unregulated private-well point-of-use tapwater (TW) is a recognized public-health data gap and an obstacle to both risk-management and homeowner decision making. To help address the lack of data on broad contaminant exposures in private-well TW from hydrologically-vulnerable (alluvial, karst) aquifers in agriculturally-intensive landscapes, samples were collected in 2018-2019 from 47 northeast Iowa farms and analyzed for 35 inorganics, 437 unique organics, 5 in vitro bioassays, and 11 microbial assays. Twenty-six inorganics and 51 organics, dominated by pesticides and related transformation products (35 herbicide-, 5 insecticide-, and 2 fungicide-related), were observed in TW. Heterotrophic bacteria detections were near ubiquitous (94 % of the samples), with detection of total coliform bacteria in 28 % of the samples and growth on at least one putative-pathogen selective media across all TW samples. Health-based hazard index screening levels were exceeded frequently in private-well TW and attributed primarily to inorganics (nitrate, uranium). Results support incorporation of residential treatment systems to protect against contaminant exposure and the need for increased monitoring of rural private-well homes. Continued assessment of unmonitored and unregulated private-supply TW is needed to model contaminant exposures and human-health risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mary C Cardon
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Nicola Evans
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rena R Jones
- National Cancer Institute/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mary H Ward
- National Cancer Institute/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Bodnar IS, Cheban EV. Joint effects of gamma radiation and zinc on duckweed Lemna minor L. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 257:106438. [PMID: 36889126 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
When assessing the consequences of combined chemical and radiation pollution on bodies of water, it is important to take into account the interaction of different factors, especially the possible synergistic increase in the toxic effect on growth, biochemical and physiological processes of living organisms. In this work, we studied the combined effect of γ-radiation and zinc on freshwater duckweed Lemna minor L. Irradiated plants (doses were 18, 42, and 63 Gy) were placed on a medium with an excess of zinc (3.15, 6.3, 12.6 μmol/L) for 7 days. Our results showed that the accumulation of zinc in tissues increased in irradiated plants when compared to non-irradiated plants. The interaction of factors in assessing their effect on the growth rate of plants was most often additive, but there was also a synergistic increase in the toxic effect at a zinc concentration of 12.6 μmol/L and irradiation at doses of 42 and 63 Gy. When comparing the combined and separate effects of gamma radiation and zinc, it was found that a reduction in the area of fronds (leaf-like plates) was caused exclusively due to the effects of radiation. Zinc and γ-radiation contributed to the enhancement of membrane lipid peroxidation. Irradiation stimulated the production of chlorophylls a and b, as well as carotenoids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I S Bodnar
- Institute of Biology of the Komi Science Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 28 Kommunisticheskaya st., Syktyvkar, Komi Republic, Russia.
| | - E V Cheban
- Institute of Biology of the Komi Science Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 28 Kommunisticheskaya st., Syktyvkar, Komi Republic, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Petitjean Q, Laffaille P, Perrault A, Cousseau M, Jean S, Jacquin L. Adaptive plastic responses to metal contamination in a multistress context: a field experiment in fish. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:55678-55698. [PMID: 36894734 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26189-w] [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: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Wild populations often differ in their tolerance to environmental stressors, but intraspecific variability is rarely taken into account in ecotoxicology. In addition, plastic responses to multiple stressors have rarely been investigated in realistic field conditions. In this study, we compared the responses to metal contamination of gudgeon populations (Gobio occitaniae) differing in their past chronic exposure to metal contamination, using a reciprocal transplant experiment and an immune challenge mimicking a parasite attack to test for potential effects of multiple stressors across biological levels. We measured fish survival and traits involved in metal bioaccumulation, oxidative stress, immunity, cell apoptosis, and energy management to decipher underpinning physiological mechanisms across biological levels (i.e., gene expression, cell, organism). Fish from the two replicate High Contamination sites had higher survival when transferred into contaminated sites, suggesting a local adaptation to the contaminated site, possibly explained by higher levels of detoxification and antioxidant capacity but with potential higher apoptosis costs compared to their naïve counterparts. We found no evidence of co- or maladaptation to the immune stressor, suggesting no specific costs to face pathogens. In the emerging field of evolutionary ecotoxicology, this study underlines the need to consider intraspecific variability to better understand the effects of pollution in heterogeneous populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Petitjean
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, UMR5245 LEFE, Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, INP-ENSAT, Auzeville-Tolosane, France.
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR5174 EDB, Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, IRD, Toulouse, France.
- Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research Platform LTSER France, Zone Atelier PYGAR « Pyrénées-Garonne », Auzeville-Tolosane, France.
- Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, UMR1355 INRAE, UMR7254 CNRS, Université Côte d'Azur, Sophia-Antipolis, France.
| | - Pascal Laffaille
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, UMR5245 LEFE, Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, INP-ENSAT, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Annie Perrault
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, UMR5245 LEFE, Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, INP-ENSAT, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Myriam Cousseau
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, UMR5245 LEFE, Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, INP-ENSAT, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Séverine Jean
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, UMR5245 LEFE, Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, INP-ENSAT, Auzeville-Tolosane, France
- Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research Platform LTSER France, Zone Atelier PYGAR « Pyrénées-Garonne », Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Lisa Jacquin
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR5174 EDB, Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, IRD, Toulouse, France
- Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research Platform LTSER France, Zone Atelier PYGAR « Pyrénées-Garonne », Auzeville-Tolosane, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Shen Q, Liu R, Chen J, Li G, Ma S, Yu Y, An T. Co-exposure health risk of benzo[a]pyrene with aromatic VOCs: Monoaromatic hydrocarbons inhibit the glucuronidation of benzo[a]pyrene. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 219:115158. [PMID: 36580988 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115158] [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: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Occupational workers and residents near petrochemical industry facilities are exposed to multiple contaminants on a daily basis. However, little is known about the co-exposure effects of different pollutants based on biotransformation. The study examined benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a representative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon related to the petrochemical industry, to investigate changes in toxicity and co-exposure mechanism associated with different monoaromatic hydrocarbons (MAHs). A central composite design method was used to simulate site co-exposure scenarios to reveal biotransformation of BaP when co-exposed with benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, or nitrobenzene in microsome systems. BaP metabolism depended on MAH concentration, and association of MAH with microsome concentration/incubation time. Particularly, MAH co-exposure negatively affected BaP glucuronidation, an important phase Ⅱ detoxification process. BaP metabolite intensities decreased to 43%-80% for OH-BaP-G, and 32%-71% for diOH-BaP-G in co-exposure system with MAHs, compared with control group. Furthermore, glucuronidation was affected by competitive and time-dependent inhibition. Co-exposure significantly decreased gene expression of UGT 1A10 and BCRP/ABCG2 in HepG2 cells, which are involved in BaP detoxification through metabolism and transmembrane transportation. Therefore, human co-exposure to multiple contaminants may deteriorate toxic effects of these chemicals by disturbing metabolic pathways. This study provides a reference for assessing toxic effects and co-exposure risks of pollutants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qianyong Shen
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ranran Liu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jingyi Chen
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guiying Li
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Shengtao Ma
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yingxin Yu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Taicheng An
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhao H, Huang X, Yang Y, Wang L, Zhao X, Yan F, Yang Y, Gao P, Ji P. The role of available nitrogen in the adsorption of polystyrene nanoplastics on magnetic materials. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 229:119481. [PMID: 36521314 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119481] [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: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have been conducted on nanoplastics (NPs). However, few studies have investigated the complexity of the interactions between NPs and other aqueous pollutants in multi-solute media. In this study, the adsorption of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) on magnetic materials (MS) in the presence of available nitrogen (AN) was studied. The results demonstrated that the adsorbed amount of PSNPs increased in the presence of ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N), whereas no significant difference was detected on the adsorbed amount of PSNPs using nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N) as a cosolute. The increase in the adsorbed amount of PSNPs was attributed to the formation of an MS-PSNPs-NH4+-N complex. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and zeta potential analyses indicated that the PSNPs with NH4+-N as a cosolute can be bound on the MS surfaces. Moreover, the change in the PSNPs amount adsorbed by MS depends on the valence state, electronegativity of the coexisting ions, and the surface properties and functional groups of PSNPs. Additionally, the ionic strength, dissolved organic matter, solution pH, metal cations and the subsequent release of MS-coated PSNPs and NH4+-N changed considerably in different aquatic systems and artificial nitrating fluids. Among different natural aquatic systems, the PSNPs adsorption on MS was excellent in lake water. The results indicate high potential for the attachment of PSNPs to MS in the presence of AN and further deepen the understanding of removing NPs using magnetic materials in aqueous systems with various coexisting contaminants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanghang Zhao
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Xunrong Huang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Yinan Yang
- Meteorological Bureau of Chengcheng County, Weinan, 715200, China
| | - Lu Wang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Fan Yan
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Yue Yang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Pengcheng Gao
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China
| | - Puhui Ji
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China; Shaanxi Ghanshan Cui Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., Room 202-2, Zone A, China-South Korea Industrial Park, Gaoke 3rd Road, Shaanxi Province, 712000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Frat L, Chertemps T, Pesce E, Bozzolan F, Dacher M, Planello R, Herrero O, Llorente L, Moers D, Siaussat D. Impact of single and combined exposure to priority pollutants on gene expression and post-embryonic development in Drosophila melanogaster. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 250:114491. [PMID: 36603486 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Many priority pollutants are concentrated in the environment due to human activity. Most are highly toxic to various organisms, including endocrine disruptors EDCs, aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons PAHs, pesticides. While the effects of single and binary exposure have been widely explored, several pollutants can be simultaneously present at the same time in the environment, in in more or less polluted matrices. Effective pollution control requires the presence and sources of contamination to be identified. Previously we used Drosophila melanogaster to investigate metal pollution. Here, we re-used Drosophila to identify the biomarkers of pollution, and to determine if they can be used for specific types of pollution. Single and combined exposure of Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), bisphenol A, nonylphenol, benzo(a)pyrene, and glyphosate was investigated. The impact of these pollutants on post-embryonic development and the expression pattern of 38 molecular targets were examined using qPCR. During single exposure, different profiles were observed at the molecular level. In complex mixtures, the expression profile resembled that of bisphenol A. In contrast, relatively specific gene expression profiles were obtained for the effects of each pollutant separately. While direct pollutant-gene profiling remains difficult in mixtures, molecular biology analyses enhance pollution monitoring, and should be incorporated in toxicological studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laëtitia Frat
- Syndicat Intercommunal pour l'Assainissement de la Région de Pontoise (SIARP), 95000 Pontoise, France; Sorbonne Université, INRAE, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Institut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES-Paris), F75005 Paris, France
| | - Thomas Chertemps
- Sorbonne Université, INRAE, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Institut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES-Paris), F75005 Paris, France
| | - Elise Pesce
- Sorbonne Université, INRAE, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Institut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES-Paris), F75005 Paris, France
| | - Françoise Bozzolan
- Sorbonne Université, INRAE, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Institut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES-Paris), F75005 Paris, France
| | - Matthieu Dacher
- Sorbonne Université, INRAE, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Institut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES-Paris), F75005 Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, INRAE, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Institut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES-Paris), 78026 Versailles, France
| | - Rosario Planello
- Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Herrero
- Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lola Llorente
- Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Didier Moers
- Syndicat Intercommunal pour l'Assainissement de la Région de Pontoise (SIARP), 95000 Pontoise, France
| | - David Siaussat
- Sorbonne Université, INRAE, CNRS, IRD, UPEC, Institut d'Écologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris (iEES-Paris), F75005 Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Bradley PM, Romanok KM, Smalling KL, Focazio MJ, Evans N, Fitzpatrick SC, Givens CE, Gordon SE, Gray JL, Green EM, Griffin DW, Hladik ML, Kanagy LK, Lisle JT, Loftin KA, Blaine McCleskey R, Medlock-Kakaley EK, Navas-Acien A, Roth DA, South P, Weis CP. Bottled water contaminant exposures and potential human effects. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 171:107701. [PMID: 36542998 PMCID: PMC10123854 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bottled water (BW) consumption in the United States and globally has increased amidst heightened concern about environmental contaminant exposures and health risks in drinking water supplies, despite a paucity of directly comparable, environmentally-relevant contaminant exposure data for BW. This study provides insight into exposures and cumulative risks to human health from inorganic/organic/microbial contaminants in BW. METHODS BW from 30 total domestic US (23) and imported (7) sources, including purified tapwater (7) and spring water (23), were analyzed for 3 field parameters, 53 inorganics, 465 organics, 14 microbial metrics, and in vitro estrogen receptor (ER) bioactivity. Health-benchmark-weighted cumulative hazard indices and ratios of organic-contaminant in vitro exposure-activity cutoffs were assessed for detected regulated and unregulated inorganic and organic contaminants. RESULTS 48 inorganics and 45 organics were detected in sampled BW. No enforceable chemical quality standards were exceeded, but several inorganic and organic contaminants with maximum contaminant level goal(s) (MCLG) of zero (no known safe level of exposure to vulnerable sub-populations) were detected. Among these, arsenic, lead, and uranium were detected in 67 %, 17 %, and 57 % of BW, respectively, almost exclusively in spring-sourced samples not treated by advanced filtration. Organic MCLG exceedances included frequent detections of disinfection byproducts (DBP) in tapwater-sourced BW and sporadic detections of DBP and volatile organic chemicals in BW sourced from tapwater and springs. Precautionary health-based screening levels were exceeded frequently and attributed primarily to DBP in tapwater-sourced BW and co-occurring inorganic and organic contaminants in spring-sourced BW. CONCLUSION The results indicate that simultaneous exposures to multiple drinking-water contaminants of potential human-health concern are common in BW. Improved understandings of human exposures based on more environmentally realistic and directly comparable point-of-use exposure characterizations, like this BW study, are essential to public health because drinking water is a biological necessity and, consequently, a high-vulnerability vector for human contaminant exposures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nicola Evans
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Emily M Green
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | - John T Lisle
- U.S. Geological Survey, Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Paul South
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher P Weis
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Huang P, Wang Y, Liu SS, Wang ZJ, Xu YQ. SAHmap: Synergistic-antagonistic heatmap to evaluate the combined synergistic effect of mixtures of three pesticides on multiple endpoints of Caenorhabditis elegans. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120378. [PMID: 36220575 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The environmental pollution caused by toxic chemicals such as pesticides has become a global problem. The mixture of dichlorvos (DIC), dimethoate (DIM), aldicarb (ALD) poses potential risks to the environment and human health. To fully explore the interaction of complex mixtures on Caenorhabditis elegans behavioral toxicity endpoint. This study created a synergistic-antagonistic heatmap (SAHmap) based on the combination index to systematically describe the toxicological interaction prospect of the mixture system. It was shown that the three pesticides and their binary as well as ternary mixture rays have significant concentration-response relationship on three behavioral endpoints of nematodes, From the perspective of synergistic-antagonistic heatmaps, all the mixture rays in the DIC-DIM mixture system showed strong synergism on the three behavioral and lethal endpoints. In the ternary mixture system, the five mixture rays showed different interaction between the behavioral endpoint and the lethal endpoint, and showed slight synergism to two behavioral endpoints as a whole. The emergence of synergism should arouse our attention to these hazardous chemicals. In addition, the use of SAHmap and the significant linear correlation among three behavioral endpoints further improved the efficiency of the study on the behavioral toxicity of pesticide mixtures to Caenorhabditis elegans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Shu-Shen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, PR China.
| | - Ze-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Ya-Qian Xu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Walsh HL, Gordon SE, Sperry AJ, Kashiwagi M, Mullican J, Blazer VS. A case study: temporal trends of environmental stressors and reproductive health of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from a site in the Potomac River Watershed, Maryland, USA. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 31:1536-1553. [PMID: 36454361 PMCID: PMC9729326 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-022-02605-8] [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] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Decades of poor reproductive success and young-of-the-year survival, combined with adult mortality events, have led to a decline in the smallmouth bass (SMB; Micropterus dolomieu) population in sections of the Potomac River. Previous studies have identified numerous biologic and environmental stressors associated with negative effects on SMB health. To better understand the impact of these stressors, this study was conducted at the confluence of Antietam Creek and the Potomac River from 2013 to 2019 to identify temporal changes associated with SMB reproductive health. Surface water samples were collected and analyzed for over 300 organic contaminants, including pesticides, phytoestrogens, pharmaceuticals, hormones and total estrogenicity (E2Eq). Adult SMB were collected and sampled for multiple endpoints, including gene transcripts associated with reproduction (molecular), histopathology (cellular), and organosomatic indices (tissue). In males, biomarkers of estrogenic endocrine disruption, including testicular oocytes (TO) and plasma vitellogenin (Vtg) were assessed. Numerous agriculture-related contaminants or land use patterns were associated with gene transcript abundance in both male and female SMB. Positive associations between pesticides in the immediate catchment with TO severity and E2Eq with plasma Vtg in males were identified. In males, the prevalence of TO and detectable levels of plasma Vtg, liver vitellogenin transcripts (vtg) and testis vtg were high throughout the study. Peaks of complex mixtures of numerous contaminants occurred during the spring/early summer when spawning and early development occurs and to a lesser extent in fall/winter during recrudescence. Management practices to reduce exposure during these critical and sensitive periods may enhance reproductive health of these economically important sportfishes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Walsh
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Rd., Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA.
| | - Stephanie E Gordon
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Rd., Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
| | - Adam J Sperry
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Rd., Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
| | - Michael Kashiwagi
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fishing and Boating Services, 10932 Putman Rd., Thurmont, MD, 21788, USA
| | - John Mullican
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fishing and Boating Services, 20901 Fish Hatchery Rd., Hagerstown, MD, 21740, USA
| | - Vicki S Blazer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Rd., Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Bradley PM, Romanok KM, Smalling KL, Focazio MJ, Charboneau R, George CM, Navas-Acien A, O’Leary M, Red Cloud R, Zacher T, Breitmeyer SE, Cardon MC, Cuny CK, Ducheneaux G, Enright K, Evans N, Gray JL, Harvey DE, Hladik ML, Kanagy LK, Loftin KA, McCleskey RB, Medlock-Kakaley EK, Meppelink SM, Valder JF, Weis CP. Tapwater Exposures, Effects Potential, and Residential Risk Management in Northern Plains Nations. ACS ES&T WATER 2022; 2:1772-1788. [PMID: 36277121 PMCID: PMC9578051 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
In the United States (US), private-supply tapwater (TW) is rarely monitored. This data gap undermines individual/community risk-management decision-making, leading to an increased probability of unrecognized contaminant exposures in rural and remote locations that rely on private wells. We assessed point-of-use (POU) TW in three northern plains Tribal Nations, where ongoing TW arsenic (As) interventions include expansion of small community water systems and POU adsorptive-media treatment for Strong Heart Water Study participants. Samples from 34 private-well and 22 public-supply sites were analyzed for 476 organics, 34 inorganics, and 3 in vitro bioactivities. 63 organics and 30 inorganics were detected. Arsenic, uranium (U), and lead (Pb) were detected in 54%, 43%, and 20% of samples, respectively. Concentrations equivalent to public-supply maximum contaminant level(s) (MCL) were exceeded only in untreated private-well samples (As 47%, U 3%). Precautionary health-based screening levels were exceeded frequently, due to inorganics in private supplies and chlorine-based disinfection byproducts in public supplies. The results indicate that simultaneous exposures to co-occurring TW contaminants are common, warranting consideration of expanded source, point-of-entry, or POU treatment(s). This study illustrates the importance of increased monitoring of private-well TW, employing a broad, environmentally informative analytical scope, to reduce the risks of unrecognized contaminant exposures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul M. Bradley
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Columbia, South Carolina 29210, United States
| | | | - Kelly L. Smalling
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648, United States
| | | | - Robert Charboneau
- Spirit
Lake Tribe Office of Environmental Health, Fort Totten, North Dakota 58335, United States
| | - Christine Marie George
- Johns
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Columbia
University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York 10032, United States
| | - Marcia O’Leary
- Missouri
Breaks Industries Research Inc., Eagle Butte, South Dakota 57625, United States
| | - Reno Red Cloud
- Oglala
Sioux Tribe Natural Resources Regulatory Agency, Pine Ridge, South Dakota 57770, United States
| | - Tracy Zacher
- Missouri
Breaks Industries Research Inc., Eagle Butte, South Dakota 57625, United States
| | | | - Mary C. Cardon
- U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Christa K. Cuny
- Missouri
Breaks Industries Research Inc., Eagle Butte, South Dakota 57625, United States
| | - Guthrie Ducheneaux
- Missouri
Breaks Industries Research Inc., Eagle Butte, South Dakota 57625, United States
| | - Kendra Enright
- Missouri
Breaks Industries Research Inc., Eagle Butte, South Dakota 57625, United States
| | - Nicola Evans
- U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - James L. Gray
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Lakewood, Colorado 80228-3742, United States
| | - David E. Harvey
- Indian Health Service/HHS, Rockville, Maryland 20857, United States
| | | | - Leslie K. Kanagy
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Lakewood, Colorado 80228-3742, United States
| | - Keith A. Loftin
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Lawrence, Kansas 66049, United States
| | | | | | | | - Joshua F. Valder
- U.S. Geological
Survey, Rapid City, South Dakota 57702, United States
| | - Christopher P. Weis
- National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences/NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, United
States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Michalaki A, McGivern AR, Poschet G, Büttner M, Altenburger R, Grintzalis K. The Effects of Single and Combined Stressors on Daphnids-Enzyme Markers of Physiology and Metabolomics Validate the Impact of Pollution. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10100604. [PMID: 36287884 PMCID: PMC9609890 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10100604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The continuous global increase in population and consumption of resources due to human activities has had a significant impact on the environment. Therefore, assessment of environmental exposure to toxic chemicals as well as their impact on biological systems is of significant importance. Freshwater systems are currently under threat and monitored; however, current methods for pollution assessment can neither provide mechanistic insight nor predict adverse effects from complex pollution. Using daphnids as a bioindicator, we assessed the impact in acute exposures of eight individual chemicals and specifically two metals, four pharmaceuticals, a pesticide and a stimulant, and their composite mixture combining phenotypic, biochemical and metabolic markers of physiology. Toxicity levels were in the same order of magnitude and significantly enhanced in the composite mixture. Results from individual chemicals showed distinct biochemical responses for key enzyme activities such as phosphatases, lipase, peptidase, β-galactosidase and glutathione-S-transferase. Following this, a more realistic mixture scenario was assessed with the aforementioned enzyme markers and a metabolomic approach. A clear dose-dependent effect for the composite mixture was validated with enzyme markers of physiology, and the metabolomic analysis verified the effects observed, thus providing a sensitive metrics in metabolite perturbations. Our study highlights that sensitive enzyme markers can be used in advance on the design of metabolic and holistic assays to guide the selection of chemicals and the trajectory of the study, while providing mechanistic insight. In the future this could prove to become a useful tool for understanding and predicting freshwater pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Michalaki
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, D09 Y5NO Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Gernot Poschet
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Büttner
- Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rolf Altenburger
- Department of Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hu L, Zhao Y, Xu H. Trojan horse in the intestine: A review on the biotoxicity of microplastics combined environmental contaminants. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 439:129652. [PMID: 35901632 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
With the reported ability of microplastics (MPs) to act as "Trojan horses" carrying other environmental contaminants, the focus of researches has shifted from their ubiquitous occurrence to interactive toxicity. In this review, we provided the latest knowledge on the processes and mechanisms of interaction between MPs and co-contaminants (heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, pathogens, nanomaterials and other contaminants) and discussed the influencing factors (environmental conditions and characteristics of polymer and contaminants) that affect the adsorption/desorption process. In addition, the bio-toxicological outcomes of mixtures are elaborated based on the damaging effects on the intestinal barrier. Our review showed that the interaction processes and toxicological outcomes of mixture are complex and variable, and the intestinal barrier should receive more attention as the first line of defensing against MPs and environmental contaminants invasion. Moreover, we pointed out several knowledge gaps in this new research area and suggested directions for future studies in order to understand the multiple factors involved, such as epidemiological assessment, nanoplastics, mechanisms for toxic alteration and the fate of mixtures after desorption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liehai Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Hengyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330047, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Pérez-Carrascosa FM, Barrios-Rodríguez R, Gómez-Peña C, Salcedo-Bellido I, Velasco-García ME, Jiménez-Moleón JJ, García-Ruiz A, Navarro-Espigares JL, Requena P, Muñoz-Sánchez C, Arrebola JP. Public healthcare costs associated with long-term exposure to mixtures of persistent organic pollutants in two areas of Southern Spain: A longitudinal analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 213:113609. [PMID: 35667403 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides are persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that had been banned or restricted in many countries, including Spain. However, their ubiquity still poses environmental and human health threats. OBJECTIVE To longitudinally explore public healthcare costs associated with long-term exposure to a mixture of 8 POPs in a cohort of residents of two areas of Granada Province, Southern Spain. METHODS Longitudinal study in a subsample (n = 385) of GraMo adult cohort. Exposure assessment was performed by analyzing adipose tissue POP concentrations at recruitment. Average primary care (APC) and average hospital care (AHC) expenditures of each participant over 14 years were estimated using the data from their medical records. Data analyses were performed by robust MM regression, weighted quantile sum regression (WQS) and G-computation analysis. RESULTS In the adjusted robust MM models for APC, most POPs showed positive beta coefficients, being Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) significantly associated (β: 1.87; 95% Confidence interval (95%CI): 0.17, 3.57). The magnitude of this association increased (β: 3.72; 95%CI: 0.80, 6.64) when the analyses were restricted to semi-rural residents, where β-HCH was also marginally-significantly associated to APC (β: 3.40; 95%CI: -0.10, 6.90). WQS revealed a positive but non-significant mixture association with APC (β: 0.14; 95%CI: -0.06, 0.34), mainly accounted for by β-HCH (54%) and HCB (43%), that was borderline-significant in the semi-rural residents (β: 0.23; 95%CI: -0.01, 0.48). No significant results were observed in G-Computation analyses. CONCLUSION Long-term exposure to POP mixtures might represent a modifiable factor increasing healthcare costs, thus affecting the efficiency of the healthcare systems. However, and owing the complexity of the potential causal pathways and the limitations of the present study, further research is warranted to fully elucidate ascertain whether interventions to reduce human exposure should be considered in healthcare policies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Miguel Pérez-Carrascosa
- Universidad de Granada, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, Spain; Servicio de Oncología Radioterápica, Hospital Universitario Virgen de Las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Rocío Barrios-Rodríguez
- Universidad de Granada, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Celia Gómez-Peña
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, Spain; Servicio de Farmacia Hospitalaria, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Granada, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Salcedo-Bellido
- Universidad de Granada, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - José Juan Jiménez-Moleón
- Universidad de Granada, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio García-Ruiz
- Departamento de Farmacología y Pediatría, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
| | - José Luis Navarro-Espigares
- Universidad de Granada, Departamento de Economía Internacional y de España, Granada, Spain; Dirección Económica y Servicios Generales, Hospital Universitario Virgen de Las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | - Pilar Requena
- Universidad de Granada, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Muñoz-Sánchez
- Unidad de Tecnologías de La Información y Comunicaciones, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Pedro Arrebola
- Universidad de Granada, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, Spain; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Salambanga FRD, Wingert L, Valois I, Lacombe N, Gouin F, Trépanier J, Debia M, Soszczyńska E, Twarużek M, Kosicki R, Dias M, Viegas S, Caetano L, Viegas C, Marchand G. Microbial contamination and metabolite exposure assessment during waste and recyclable material collection. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113597. [PMID: 35660405 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Waste workers are exposed to bioaerosols when handling, lifting and dumping garbage. Bioaerosol exposure has been linked to health problems such as asthma, airway irritant symptoms, infectious, gastrointestinal and skin diseases, and cancer. Our objective was to characterize the exposure of urban collectors and drivers to inhalable bioaerosols and to measured the cytotoxic effect of air samples in order to evaluate their health risk. Personal and ambient air sampling were conducted during the summer of 2019. Workers from 12 waste trucks collecting recyclables, organic waste or compost were evaluated. Bacteria and fungi were cultured, molecular biology methods were used to detect microbial indicators, cytotoxic assays were performed and endotoxins and mycotoxins were quantified. Domestic waste collectors were exposed to concentrations of bacteria and endotoxins above the recommended limits, and Aspergillus section Fumigati was detected at critical concentrations in their breathing zones. Cytotoxic effects were observed in many samples, demonstrating the potential health risk for these workers. This study establishes evidence that waste workers are exposed to microbial health risks during collection. It also demonstrates the relevance of cytotoxic assays in documenting the general toxic risk found in air samples. Our results also suggest that exposures differ depending on the type of waste, job title and discharge/unloading locations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola R D Salambanga
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Canada; Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et Sécurité Du Travail, Canada
| | - Loïc Wingert
- Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et Sécurité Du Travail, Canada
| | - Isabelle Valois
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Canada
| | - Nancy Lacombe
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Canada
| | - François Gouin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Canada
| | - Julien Trépanier
- Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et Sécurité Du Travail, Canada
| | - Maximilien Debia
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Canada
| | - Ewelina Soszczyńska
- Kazimierz Wielki University, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Chodkiewicza 30, 85-064, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Twarużek
- Kazimierz Wielki University, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Chodkiewicza 30, 85-064, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Robert Kosicki
- Kazimierz Wielki University, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Chodkiewicza 30, 85-064, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Marta Dias
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Canada
| | - Susana Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Canada; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Liliana Caetano
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carla Viegas
- H&TRC- Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Canada; NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Geneviève Marchand
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Canada; Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et Sécurité Du Travail, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Fleurbaix E, Parant M, Maul A, Cossu-Leguille C. Toxicity of lanthanides on various fish cell lines. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 31:1147-1157. [PMID: 35994187 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-022-02574-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] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The growing use of Lanthanides in new technologies has increased their anthropogenic releases into the aquatic environment over the last decades. However, knowledge on their ecotoxicological impacts is still incomplete, especially with regard to biological effects of Lanthanides mixtures and the possible regular variation in toxicity along the Lanthanides series. The present study evaluated the individual toxicity of all Lanthanides and the toxicity of mixtures of three of them, namely Neodymium (Nd3+), Gadolinium (Gd3+), and Ytterbium (Yb3+) on Danio rerio fibroblast-like cells (ZF4). Individual and mixtures toxicity of Neodymium (Nd3+) and Ytterbium (Yb3+) were also assessed on Danio rerio hepatic cells (ZFL) and Oncorhynchus mykiss epithelial cells (RTgill-W1). The measured Lanthanide concentrations were close to the nominal ones in the culture media of ZF4, ZFL, and RTgill-W1 cells (85-99%). A toxic impact was observed on the three fish cell lines exposed to all Lanthanides tested individually. RTgill-W1 appeared as the less sensitive cells, compared to the two others. Four Lanthanides, Erbium (Er3+), Thulium (Tm3+), Ytterbium (Yb3+) and Lutetium (Lu3+) showed a higher toxicity than the others on ZF4 cells but no correlation could be established between the toxicity of Lanthanides and the order of the elements within the Lanthanides series. Exposures to binary mixtures highlighted the presence of synergistic effects on cell viability for all cell lines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Fleurbaix
- LIEC - Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Environnements Continentaux, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, rue du Général Delestraint, F-57000, Metz, France
| | - Marc Parant
- LIEC - Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Environnements Continentaux, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, rue du Général Delestraint, F-57000, Metz, France
| | - Armand Maul
- LIEC - Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Environnements Continentaux, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, rue du Général Delestraint, F-57000, Metz, France
| | - Carole Cossu-Leguille
- LIEC - Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Environnements Continentaux, Université de Lorraine, CNRS, rue du Général Delestraint, F-57000, Metz, France.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Penserini L, Cantoni B, Vries D, Turolla A, Smeets PWMH, Bokkers BGH, Antonelli M. Quantitative chemical risk assessment for mixtures: Application to alkylphenol mixtures and phthalate mixtures in tap and bottled water. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 165:107294. [PMID: 35623187 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence and hazard risks of mixtures of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in drinking water (DW) lead to serious consideration regarding the possible impacts on public health. Consequently, there is ongoing research, development and empowerment of risk assessment procedures to get more toxicological insight. For instance, alkylphenols and phthalates have been frequently reported to be present both in bottled and tap water, affecting different human endpoints. Currently, deterministic chemical risk assessment (CRA) is used to evaluate the compounds' mixture health risk. However, CRA deals just qualitatively with sources of uncertainty, which may lead to erroneous assessment of risks. Here, a new procedure for quantitative chemical risk assessment of CEC mixtures (QCRAMIX) is proposed. Its potential is illustrated by a case study where the risks related to the presence of mixtures of alkylphenols or phthalates in tap versus bottled DW are compared. Uncertainties in both exposure and hazard assessment steps of the procedure are included to calculate a probabilistic mixture Benchmark Quotient (BQMIX). The QCRAMIX procedure highlighted the non-negligible health risks posed by those compounds in both DW sources based on overall water consumption. In fact, DW consumers' behaviour in 13 different countries, in terms of total DW consumption and fraction of bottled and tap water consumed, were considered to evaluate the influence on health risk. For alkylphenols, the total water consumption was found to be the most relevant factor in increasing the health risk, while for phthalates the risk was found to be mainly influenced by the percentage of bottled water consumed. Hence, the proposed QCRAMIX procedure can be a valuable tool for prioritization of CECs to be included in DW regulations which aim to minimize the overall risk, accounting for actual DW consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Penserini
- Politecnico Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA) - Environmental Section, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Beatrice Cantoni
- Politecnico Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA) - Environmental Section, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Dirk Vries
- KWR, Groningenhaven 7, 3433 PE Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Turolla
- Politecnico Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA) - Environmental Section, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Bas G H Bokkers
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Manuela Antonelli
- Politecnico Milano, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DICA) - Environmental Section, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Peixoto PVL, de Andrade ÍBL, Sales BCP, Pereira LC. Rupture of Brumadinho dam (Minas Gerais, Brazil): embryotoxicity in zebrafish induced by metal mixture-contaminated water. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART. B, PESTICIDES, FOOD CONTAMINANTS, AND AGRICULTURAL WASTES 2022; 57:479-488. [PMID: 35475472 DOI: 10.1080/03601234.2022.2064675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Rupture of dam B-1 at the Córrego do Feijão mine in Brumadinho, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil (25/Jan/2019) contaminated the Paraopeba River with mine waste. To identify the adverse effects of this event on public and environmental health, we conducted the Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity (FET) test (OECD No. 236). During the tests, zebrafish embryos were exposed for 144 hours to solutions containing realistic concentrations of dissolved iron and aluminum and total manganese at the following analysis points upstream or downstream of the dam: 10 km, upstream; 19.7 km, downstream, at the point where water for consumption is collected; 24.5 km, downstream, in the city of Mário Franco; and 59 km, downstream, on the border between the towns of Juatuba and Betim. Metal concentrations were taken from September 2019 report No. 53 released by IGAM. Mortality was high at all exposure points and reached 93% at the Juatuba/Betim point. We also detected lethal, sublethal and teratogenic effects, such as non-hatching, non-inflation of the swim bladder, pericardial edema and scoliosis, affecting up to 25% of embryos at the other analysis points. The results highlight the need for continuous monitoring of the water quality of the Paraopeba River.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paloma Vitória Lima Peixoto
- Center for Evaluation of Environmental Impact on Human Health (TOXICAM), Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu/SP, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu/SP, Brazil
| | - Ítalo Bertoni Lopes de Andrade
- Center for Evaluation of Environmental Impact on Human Health (TOXICAM), Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu/SP, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu/SP, Brazil
| | - Bianca Camargo Penteado Sales
- Center for Evaluation of Environmental Impact on Human Health (TOXICAM), Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu/SP, Brazil
- Department of Pathology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu/SP, Brazil
| | - Lilian Cristina Pereira
- Center for Evaluation of Environmental Impact on Human Health (TOXICAM), Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu/SP, Brazil
- Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, Botucatu School of Agriculture, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Botucatu/SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Muñoz-Peñuela M, Moreira RG, Gomes ADO, Tolussi CE, Branco GS, Pinheiro JPS, Zampieri RA, Lo Nostro FL. Neurotoxic, biotransformation, oxidative stress and genotoxic effects in Astyanax altiparanae (Teleostei, Characiformes) males exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of diclofenac and/or caffeine. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 91:103821. [PMID: 35093559 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2022.103821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The present study evaluated neurotoxic, biotransformation, genotoxic and antioxidant responses to relevant environmental concentrations of diclofenac (0.4 μg L-1) and caffeine (27.5 μg L-1), separate and combined, in adult males of the freshwater fish Astyanax altiparanae after a subchronic exposure (14 days). Fish exposed to diclofenac and caffeine, both separate and combined, revealed a neurotoxic effect through the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity in the muscle, while diclofenac alone and in combination caused cyclooxygenase inhibition. Caffeine alone produces genotoxicity on this species but, when combined with diclofenac, it potentiates hepatic lipoperoxidation and the inhibition of oxidative stress enzymes, while diclofenac alone or in combination produces a general inhibition of important enzymes. This study suggests that aquatic contamination produced by these pharmaceuticals has the potential to affect homeostasis and locomotion in A. altiparanae and compromise their immune system and general health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Muñoz-Peñuela
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Fisiologia, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Renata Guimarães Moreira
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Fisiologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Aline Dal Olio Gomes
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Fisiologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Giovana Souza Branco
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Fisiologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Andrade Zampieri
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Fisiologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Laura Lo Nostro
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología Acuática and IBBEA, CONICET-UBA. Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Loffredo E. Recent Advances on Innovative Materials from Biowaste Recycling for the Removal of Environmental Estrogens from Water and Soil. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15051894. [PMID: 35269122 PMCID: PMC8911978 DOI: 10.3390/ma15051894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
New technologies have been developed around the world to tackle current emergencies such as biowaste recycling, renewable energy production and reduction of environmental pollution. The thermochemical and biological conversions of waste biomass for bioenergy production release solid coproducts and byproducts, namely biochar (BC), hydrochar (HC) and digestate (DG), which can have important environmental and agricultural applications. Due to their physicochemical properties, these carbon-rich materials can behave as biosorbents of contaminants and be used for both wastewater treatment and soil remediation, representing a valid alternative to more expensive products and sophisticated strategies. The alkylphenols bisphenol A, octylphenol and nonylphenol possess estrogenic activity comparable to that of the human steroid hormones estrone, 17β-estradiol (and synthetic analog 17α-ethinyl estradiol) and estriol. Their ubiquitous presence in ecosystems poses a serious threat to wildlife and humans. Conventional wastewater treatment plants often fail to remove environmental estrogens (EEs). This review aims to focus attention on the urgent need to limit the presence of EEs in the environment through a modern and sustainable approach based on the use of recycled biowaste. Materials such as BC, HC and DG, the last being examined here for the first time as a biosorbent, appear appropriate for the removal of EEs both for their negligible cost and continuously improving performance and because their production contributes to solving other emergencies, such as virtuous management of organic waste, carbon sequestration, bioenergy production and implementation of the circular economy. Characterization of biosorbents, qualitative and quantitative aspects of the adsorption/desorption process and data modeling are examined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Loffredo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Islam R, Melvin SD, Kit Yu RM, O'Connor WA, Anh Tran TK, Andrew-Priestley M, Leusch FDL, MacFarlane GR. Estrogenic mixtures induce alterations in lipidomic profiles in the gonads of female oysters. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 291:132997. [PMID: 34822861 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to reveal possible alterations to lipidomic profiles in Sydney rock oysters, Saccostrea glomerata, exposed to estrogenic mixtures (i.e., estrone, E1; 17β-estradiol, E2; estriol, E3; 17α-ethinylestradiol, EE2; bisphenol A, BPA; 4-t-octylphenol, 4-t-OP; and 4-nonylphenol, 4-NP) at "low" and "high" concentrations, typical of those detected in Australian and global receiving waters. A seven-day acute exposure window exhibited significantly lower abundances of many non-polar metabolites in digestive gland, gills, and gonads. Overall, there was a strong effect of the carrier solvent ethanol (despite a low exposure of 0.0002%), with all solvent containing treatments exhibiting lower abundances of lipidic metabolites, especially in the gill and digestive gland. No significant changes of the lipidome were exhibited in the male gonad by estrogenic exposure. However, in the female gonad, significant reductions of phospholipids and phosphatidylcholine were associated with exposure to high estrogenic mixtures. We hypothesise that the decreases in these phospholipids in the female gonad may be attributable to 1) lower algal consumption and thus lower uptake of lipidic building blocks; 2) a reduction of available substrates for phospholipid and phosphatidylcholine synthesis; and/or 3) induction of reactive oxygen species via estrogen metabolism, which may cause lipid peroxidation and lower abundance of phospholipids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafiquel Islam
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia, 7003, Bangladesh
| | - Steven D Melvin
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, QLD, 4222, Australia
| | - Richard Man Kit Yu
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Wayne A O'Connor
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Taylors Beach, NSW, 2316, Australia
| | - Thi Kim Anh Tran
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; School of Agriculture and Resources, Vinh University, Viet Nam
| | | | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, QLD, 4222, Australia
| | - Geoff R MacFarlane
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Černá T, Ezechiáš M, Semerád J, Grasserová A, Cajthaml T. Evaluation of estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity in sludge and explanation of individual compound contributions. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 423:127108. [PMID: 34523467 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mixture toxicity, including agonistic and antagonistic effects, is an unrevealed environmental problem. Estrogenic endocrine disruptors are known to cause adverse effects for aquatic biota, but causative chemicals and their contributions to the total activity in sewage sludge remain unknown. Therefore, advanced analytical methods, a yeast bioassay and mixture toxicity models were concurrently applied for the characterization of 8 selected sludges with delectable estrogenic activity (and 3 sludges with no activity as blanks) out of 25 samples from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The first applied full logistic model adequately explained total activity by considering the concentrations of the monitored compounds. The results showed that the activity was primarily caused by natural estrogens in municipal WWTP sludge. Nevertheless, activity in a sample originating from a car-wash facility was dominantly caused by partial agonists - nonylphenols - and only a model enabling prediction of all dose-response curve parameters of the final mixture curve explained these results. Antiestrogenic effects were negligible, and effect-directed analysis identified the causative chemicals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Černá
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic; Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Ezechiáš
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Semerád
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Grasserová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic; Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Cajthaml
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 4, Czech Republic; Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benátská 2, Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wang ZJ, Zheng QF, Liu SS, Huang P, Ding TT, Xu YQ. New methods of top-to-down mixture toxicity prediction: A case study of eliminating of the effects of cosolvent from binary mixtures. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 289:133190. [PMID: 34883133 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133190] [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: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
At present, the toxicity prediction of mixtures mainly focuses on the concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) based on individual toxicants to predict the toxicity of multicomponent mixtures. This process of predicting the toxicity of multicomponent mixtures based on single substances or low component mixtures is called down-to-top method in this study. However, due to the particularity of some toxicants, we have to use the top-to-down idea to obtain or eliminate the toxicity of some components from mixtures. For example, the toxicity of toxicants is obtained from the toxicity of a mixture with, especially toxic, cosolvent added. In the study, two top-to-down methods, the inverse CA (ICA) and inverse IA (IIA) models, were proposed to eliminate the effects of a certain component from multicomponent mixtures. Furthermore, taking the eight binary mixtures consisting of different shapes of cosolvents (isopropyl alcohol (IPA) having hormesis and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)) and toxicants (two ionic liquids and two pesticides) as an example, combined with the interaction evaluated by CA and IA model, the influence of different shapes of components on top-to-down toxicity prediction was explored. The results showed that cosolvent IPA having hormesis may cause unpredictable effects, even at low concentrations, and should be used with caution. For DMSO, most of the toxicant's toxicity obtained by ICA and IIA models were almost in accordance with those observed experimentally, which showed that ICA and IIA could effectively eliminate the effects of cosolvent, even if toxic cosolvent, from the mixture. Ultimately, a frame of cosolvent use and toxicity correction for the hydrophobic toxicant were suggested based on the top-to-down toxicity prediction method. The proposed methods improve the existing framework of mixture toxicity prediction and provide a new idea for mixture toxicity evaluation and risk assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Qiao-Feng Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Shu-Shen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, PR China.
| | - Peng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Ting-Ting Ding
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Ya-Qian Xu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Athanasakoglou A, Fenner K. Toward Characterizing the Genetic Basis of Trace Organic Contaminant Biotransformation in Activated Sludge: The Role of Multicopper Oxidases as a Case Study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:313-324. [PMID: 34932304 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c05803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Activated sludge treatment leverages the ability of microbes to uptake and (co)-metabolize chemicals and has shown promise in eliminating trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) during wastewater treatment. However, targeted interventions to optimize the process are limited as the fundamental drivers of the observed reactions remain elusive. In this work, we present a comprehensive workflow for the identification and characterization of key enzymes involved in TrOCs biotransformation pathways in complex microbial communities. To demonstrate the applicability of the workflow, we investigated the role of the enzymatic group of multicopper oxidases (MCOs) as one putatively relevant driver of TrOCs biotransformation. To this end, we analyzed activated sludge metatranscriptomic data and selected, synthesized, and heterologously expressed three phylogenetically distinct MCO-encoding genes expressed in communities with different TrOCs oxidation potentials. Following the purification of the encoded enzymes, we screened their activities against different substrates. We saw that MCOs exhibit significant activities against selected TrOCs in the presence of the mediator compound 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid and, in some cases, also in the presence of the wastewater contaminant 4'-hydroxy-benzotriazole. In the first case, we identified oxidation products previously reported from activated sludge communities and concluded that in the presence of appropriate mediators, bacterial MCOs could contribute to the biological removal of TrOCs. Similar investigations of other key enzyme systems may significantly advance our understanding of TrOCs biodegradation and assist the rational design of biology-based water treatment strategies in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Athanasakoglou
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Kathrin Fenner
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Ashun E, Toor UA, Kim HS, Kim KR, Park SJ, Hong S, Oh SE. A direct contact bioassay using sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) for toxicity assessment of contaminated field soils. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 286:131599. [PMID: 34315084 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131599] [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: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this study, 11 low/uncontaminated (including Lufa 2.2) and 9 contaminated field soils with varying geophysical and physicochemical characteristics were evaluated for toxicities based on oxygen consumption of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB). Oxygen consumption of the low/uncontaminated soils ranged between 7.9 mL and 9.5 mL, while contaminated soils ranged between 0.4 mL and 5.4 mL. Inherent test variability (CVi), variation due to soil natural properties (CVns) and minimal detectable difference (MDD) values ranged 1.2%-3.9%, 3.5%-16.9%, and 2.1%-4.3%, respectively. The toxicity threshold of 20% was established for soil toxicity based maximal tolerable inhibition (MTI). All the contaminated soils were found to be toxic and showed inhibition between 42% and 100% above the 20% threshold value. Increased proportions of clay and slit enhanced the of inhibitory effect of contaminants on SOB by reducing the oxygen consumption. Current study provides a suitable method for the rapid toxicity assessment of contaminated field soils with the advantages of ease of handling and rapidity without employing elutriates and sophisticated equipments and tools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ebenezer Ashun
- Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, 192-1 Hyoja-dong, Gangwon-do, Chuncheon-si, 200-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Umair Ali Toor
- Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, 192-1 Hyoja-dong, Gangwon-do, Chuncheon-si, 200-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuck Soo Kim
- Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, 192-1 Hyoja-dong, Gangwon-do, Chuncheon-si, 200-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwon-Rae Kim
- Department of Smart Agro-Industry, Gyeongsang National University Jinju, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Jin Park
- Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, 192-1 Hyoja-dong, Gangwon-do, Chuncheon-si, 200-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunhee Hong
- Department of Plant and Environmental Science, Hankyong National University, Anseong, 17579, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Eun Oh
- Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, 192-1 Hyoja-dong, Gangwon-do, Chuncheon-si, 200-701, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Ezechiáš M. The agonistic bioanalytical equivalent concentration: A novel tool for assessing the endocrine activity of environmental mixtures. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 89:103781. [PMID: 34871798 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2021.103781] [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: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Cell-based bioassays are very sensitive and allow integrative effect screening of the whole environmental sample, which is usually composed of a mixture of agonists and antagonists. Measured toxicity is usually expressed as a bioanalytical equivalent concentration. So far, it is not possible to distinguish which part of this value is caused by the agonists and which by the antagonists. In this article, we present a simple method to analyze the dose-response curve of a mixture and to determine an agonistic bioanalytical equivalent concentration: a concentration of a reference chemical that would elicit the same effect as do only agonists in an unknown mixture. The method has been validated using several artificially prepared mixtures of agonists and competitive antagonists measured in a recombinant yeast assay. No difference was observed between the calculated equivalent concentrations and the used concentrations of the agonist in the mixture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Ezechiáš
- The Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 142 20, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Landi C, Liberatori G, Cotugno P, Sturba L, Vannuccini ML, Massari F, Miniero DV, Tursi A, Shaba E, Behnisch PA, Carleo A, Di Giuseppe F, Angelucci S, Bini L, Corsi I. First Attempt to Couple Proteomics with the AhR Reporter Gene Bioassay in Soil Pollution Monitoring and Assessment. TOXICS 2021; 10:toxics10010009. [PMID: 35051051 PMCID: PMC8779689 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A topsoil sample obtained from a highly industrialized area (Taranto, Italy) was tested on the DR-CALUX® cell line and the exposed cells processed with proteomic and bioinformatics analyses. The presence of polyhalogenated compounds in the topsoil extracts was confirmed by GC-MS/MS analysis. Proteomic analysis of the cells exposed to the topsoil extracts identified 43 differential proteins. Enrichment analysis highlighted biological processes, such as the cellular response to a chemical stimulus, stress, and inorganic substances; regulation of translation; regulation of apoptotic process; and the response to organonitrogen compounds in light of particular drugs and compounds, extrapolated by bioinformatics all linked to the identified protein modifications. Our results confirm and reflect the complex epidemiological situation occurring among Taranto inhabitants and underline the need to further investigate the presence and sources of inferred chemicals in soils. The combination of bioassays and proteomics reveals a more complex scenario of chemicals able to affect cellular pathways and leading to toxicities rather than those identified by only bioassays and related chemical analysis. This combined approach turns out to be a promising tool for soil risk assessment and deserves further investigation and developments for soil monitoring and risk assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Landi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.S.)
| | - Giulia Liberatori
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (L.S.); (M.L.V.)
| | - Pietro Cotugno
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.M.); (D.V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Lucrezia Sturba
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (L.S.); (M.L.V.)
| | - Maria Luisa Vannuccini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (L.S.); (M.L.V.)
| | - Federica Massari
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.M.); (D.V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Daniela Valeria Miniero
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.M.); (D.V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Angelo Tursi
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.M.); (D.V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Enxhi Shaba
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.S.)
| | - Peter A. Behnisch
- BioDetection System BV (BDS) Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Alfonso Carleo
- Department of Pulmonology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Fabrizio Di Giuseppe
- Department of Medical, Oral & Biotechnological Sciences, Dentistry and Biotechnology and Proteomics Unit, Centre of Advanced Studies and Technology, “G. D’Annunzio”, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (F.D.G.); (S.A.)
| | - Stefania Angelucci
- Department of Medical, Oral & Biotechnological Sciences, Dentistry and Biotechnology and Proteomics Unit, Centre of Advanced Studies and Technology, “G. D’Annunzio”, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (F.D.G.); (S.A.)
| | - Luca Bini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.S.)
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (I.C.); Tel.: +39-0577-234938 (L.B.); +39-0577-232169 (I.C.)
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (L.S.); (M.L.V.)
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (I.C.); Tel.: +39-0577-234938 (L.B.); +39-0577-232169 (I.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Use of the Solid By-Product of Anaerobic Digestion of Biomass to Remove Anthropogenic Organic Pollutants with Endocrine Disruptive Activity. Processes (Basel) 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/pr9112018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion of biomass has increasing implementation for bioenergy production. The solid by-product of this technology, i.e., the digestate, has relevant potential in agricultural and environmental applications. This study explored the capacity of a digestate from mixed feedstock to remove from water four endocrine-disrupting chemicals, namely the pesticides metribuzin (MET) and boscalid (BOS) and the xenoestrogens bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP). The surface micromorphology and functional groups of the digestate were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, respectively. Results of sorption kinetics showed that all compounds reached the steady state in a few hours according to a pseudo-first-order model in the cases of MET and OP, a pseudo-second-order model for BOS and both models in the case of BPA. Data of adsorption isotherms were fitted to the Henry, Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin equations. The adsorption of MET preferentially followed the non-linear Freundlich model, whereas the adsorption of the other compounds was properly described by both the linear and Freundlich models. The organic carbon partition coefficients, KOC, were 170, 1066, 256 and 2180 L kg−1 for MET, BOS, BPA and OP, respectively. The desorption of BOS, BPA and OP was slow and incomplete, indicating a phenomenon of hysteresis. In conclusion, the digestate showed a remarkable efficiency in the removal of the compounds, especially those with high hydrophobicity, thus behaving as a promising biosorbent for environmental remediation.
Collapse
|
39
|
Yusuf A, O'Flynn D, White B, Holland L, Parle-McDermott A, Lawler J, McCloughlin T, Harold D, Huerta B, Regan F. Monitoring of emerging contaminants of concern in the aquatic environment: a review of studies showing the application of effect-based measures. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2021; 13:5120-5143. [PMID: 34726207 DOI: 10.1039/d1ay01184g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Water scarcity is increasingly a global cause of concern mainly due to widespread changes in climate conditions and increased consumptive water use driven by the exponential increase in population growth. In addition, increased pollution of fresh water sources due to rising production and consumption of pharmaceuticals and organic chemicals will further exacerbate this concern. Although surface water contamination by individual chemicals is often at very low concentration, pharmaceuticals for instance are designed to be efficacious at low concentrations, creating genuine concern for their presence in freshwater sources. Furthermore, the additive impact of multiple compounds may result in toxic or other biological effects that otherwise will not be induced by individual chemicals. Globally, different legislative frameworks have led to pre-emptive efforts which aim to ensure good water ecological status. Reports detailing the use and types of effect-based measures covering specific bioassay batteries that can identify specific mode of actions of chemical pollutants in the aquatic ecosystem to evaluate the real threat of pollutants to aquatic lives and ultimately human lives have recently emerged from monitoring networks such as the NORMAN network. In this review, we critically evaluate some studies within the last decade that have implemented effect-based monitoring of pharmaceuticals and organic chemicals in aquatic fauna, evaluating the occurrence of different chemical pollutants and the impact of these pollutants on aquatic fauna with special focus on pollutants that are contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in urban wastewater. A critical discussion on studies that have used effect-based measures to assess biological impact of pharmaceutical/organic compound in the aquatic ecosystem and the endpoints measurements employed is presented. The application of effect-based monitoring of chemicals other than assessment of water quality status is also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Azeez Yusuf
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Dublin, Ireland.
- Water Institute, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dylan O'Flynn
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Dublin, Ireland
- Water Institute, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Blanaid White
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Dublin, Ireland
- Water Institute, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Linda Holland
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Dublin, Ireland.
- Water Institute, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anne Parle-McDermott
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Dublin, Ireland.
- Water Institute, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jenny Lawler
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Dublin, Ireland.
- Water Institute, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Thomas McCloughlin
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Dublin, Ireland.
- Water Institute, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Denise Harold
- School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Belinda Huerta
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Dublin, Ireland
- Water Institute, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fiona Regan
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Dublin, Ireland
- Water Institute, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Elfawy HA, Anupriya S, Mohanty S, Patel P, Ghosal S, Panda PK, Das B, Verma SK, Patnaik S. Molecular toxicity of Benzo(a)pyrene mediated by elicited oxidative stress infer skeletal deformities and apoptosis in embryonic zebrafish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 789:147989. [PMID: 34323819 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) has become an integral component of disposed of plastic waste, organic pollutants, and remnants of combustible materials in the aquatic environment due to their persistent nature. The accumulation and integration of these polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have raised concern to human health and ecological safety. This study assessed the BaP-induced in vivo molecular toxicity with embryonic zebrafish inferred by oxidative stress and apoptosis. BaP was found to induce morphological and physiological abnormalities like delayed hatching (p < 0.05). Computational analysis demonstrated the high-affinity interaction of BaP with the zebrafish hatching enzyme (ZHE1) with Arg, Cys, Ala, Tyr, and Phe located at the active site revealing the influence of BaP on delayed hatching due to alteration of the enzyme structure. RT-PCR analysis revealed significant down-regulation of the skeletal genes Sox9a, SPP1/OPN, and Col1a1 (p < 0.05) genes. The cellular investigations unraveled that the toxicity of BaP extends to the skeletal regions of zebrafish (head, backbone, and tail) because of the elicited oxidative stress leading to apoptosis. The study extended the horizon of understanding of BaP toxicity at the molecular level which will enhance the indulgent and designing of techniques for better ecological sustainability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hasnaa A Elfawy
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT deemed to be University, Campus XI, Bhubaneswar, 751024, Odisha, India
| | - S Anupriya
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT deemed to be University, Campus XI, Bhubaneswar, 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Swabhiman Mohanty
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT deemed to be University, Campus XI, Bhubaneswar, 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Paritosh Patel
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT deemed to be University, Campus XI, Bhubaneswar, 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Sayam Ghosal
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT deemed to be University, Campus XI, Bhubaneswar, 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Pritam Kumar Panda
- Condensed Matter Theory Group, Materials Theory Division, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Biswadeep Das
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT deemed to be University, Campus XI, Bhubaneswar, 751024, Odisha, India.
| | - Suresh K Verma
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT deemed to be University, Campus XI, Bhubaneswar, 751024, Odisha, India; Condensed Matter Theory Group, Materials Theory Division, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Sweden.
| | - Srinivas Patnaik
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT deemed to be University, Campus XI, Bhubaneswar, 751024, Odisha, India.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Esimbekova EN, Kalyabina VP, Kopylova KV, Torgashina IG, Kratasyuk VA. Design of bioluminescent biosensors for assessing contamination of complex matrices. Talanta 2021; 233:122509. [PMID: 34215124 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The presence of potentially toxic xenobiotics in complex matrices has become rather the rule than the exception. Therefore, there is a need for highly sensitive inexpensive techniques for analyzing environmental and food matrices for toxicants. Enzymes are selectively sensitive to various toxic compounds, and, thus, they can be used as the basis for detection of contaminants in complex matrices. There are, however, a number of difficulties associated with the analysis of complex matrices using enzyme assays, including the necessity to take into account properties and effects of the natural components of the test media for accurate interpretation of results. The present study describes the six-stage procedure for designing new enzyme sensors intended for assessing the quality of complex matrices. This procedure should be followed both to achieve the highest possible sensitivity of the biosensor to potentially toxic substances and to minimize the effect of the uncontaminated components of complex mixtures on the activity of the biosensor. The proposed strategy has been tested in designing a bioluminescent biosensor for integrated rapid assessment of the safety of fruits and vegetables. The biosensor is based on the coupled enzyme system NAD(P)H:FMN-oxidoreductase and luciferase as the biorecognition element. The study describes methods and techniques for attaining the desired result in each stage. The proposed six-stage procedure for designing bioluminescent enzyme biosensors can be used to design the enzymatic biosensors based on other enzymes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena N Esimbekova
- Siberian Federal University, 79 Svobodny Prospect, Krasnoyarsk, 660041, Russia; Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, 50/50 Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk, 660036, Russia.
| | - Valeriya P Kalyabina
- Siberian Federal University, 79 Svobodny Prospect, Krasnoyarsk, 660041, Russia; Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, 50/50 Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk, 660036, Russia
| | - Kseniya V Kopylova
- Siberian Federal University, 79 Svobodny Prospect, Krasnoyarsk, 660041, Russia
| | - Irina G Torgashina
- Siberian Federal University, 79 Svobodny Prospect, Krasnoyarsk, 660041, Russia
| | - Valentina A Kratasyuk
- Siberian Federal University, 79 Svobodny Prospect, Krasnoyarsk, 660041, Russia; Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, 50/50 Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk, 660036, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Bradley PM, Padilla IY, Romanok KM, Smalling KL, Focazio MJ, Breitmeyer SE, Cardon MC, Conley JM, Evans N, Givens CE, Gray JL, Gray LE, Hartig PC, Higgins CP, Hladik ML, Iwanowicz LR, Lane RF, Loftin KA, McCleskey RB, McDonough CA, Medlock-Kakaley E, Meppelink S, Weis CP, Wilson VS. Pilot-scale expanded assessment of inorganic and organic tapwater exposures and predicted effects in Puerto Rico, USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147721. [PMID: 34134358 PMCID: PMC8504685 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
A pilot-scale expanded target assessment of mixtures of inorganic and organic contaminants in point-of-consumption drinking water (tapwater, TW) was conducted in Puerto Rico (PR) to continue to inform TW exposures and corresponding estimations of cumulative human-health risks across the US. In August 2018, a spatial synoptic pilot assessment of than 524 organic and 37 inorganic chemicals was conducted in 14 locations (7 home; 7 commercial) across PR. A follow-up 3-day temporal assessment of TW variability was conducted in December 2018 at two of the synoptic locations (1 home, 1 commercial) and included daily pre- and post-flush samples. Concentrations of regulated and unregulated TW contaminants were used to calculate cumulative in vitro bioactivity ratios and Hazard Indices (HI) based on existing human-health benchmarks. Synoptic results confirmed that human exposures to inorganic and organic contaminant mixtures, which are rarely monitored together in drinking water at the point of consumption, occurred across PR and consisted of elevated concentrations of inorganic contaminants (e.g., lead, copper), disinfection byproducts (DBP), and to a lesser extent per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates. Exceedances of human-health benchmarks in every synoptic TW sample support further investigation of the potential cumulative risk to vulnerable populations in PR and emphasize the importance of continued broad characterization of drinking-water exposures at the tap with analytical capabilities that better represent the complexity of both inorganic and organic contaminant mixtures known to occur in ambient source waters. Such health-based monitoring data are essential to support public engagement in source water sustainability and treatment and to inform consumer point-of-use treatment decision making in PR and throughout the US.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mary C Cardon
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Nicola Evans
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | | | - L Earl Gray
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Christopher P Weis
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Worden JR, Di Paolo C, Whale GF, Eadsforth CV, Michie E, Lindgren A, Smit MGD. Application of screening tools for environmental hazard and risk to support assessment and subsequent prioritization of effluent discharges from the oil and gas industry. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2021; 17:1025-1036. [PMID: 33615680 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4400] [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: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Assessment and management of effluent discharges are key to avoiding environmental deterioration. Often compliance with discharge regulations and permits is based on a limited set of chemical parameters, while information on whole effluent hazardous properties (toxicity, bioaccumulation potential, persistence) and environmental risks is lacking. The need to collect those data and to become more effective in quickly identifying high-risk activities, without extensive laboratory testing, has led to the development of screening tools to complement information on chemical composition. A simple, Tier 1 screening "toolbox" is proposed which is comprised of solid-phase microextraction with gas chromatographic (SPME-GC) analysis, the in-vitro ecotoxicity assay Microtox, and a simple weathering assay. When combined with dilution modeling, screening-level risk assessments can be performed, providing additional lines of evidence to support a weight of evidence type of analysis. Application of the toolbox enables prioritization of discharges that may be deemed to require higher tier assessment. The toolbox was trialed on a number of produced water samples collected from offshore oil and gas facilities and effluents from petroleum processing and manufacturing sites. In contrast to what has been reported for petroleum products, results showed only moderate correlation between bioavailable hydrocarbons (bHCs) and toxicity, which might be related to the possible presence of toxic contaminants from other chemical classes or to methodological issues such as suboptimal conditions during transport. The methods employed were quick, inexpensive, and simple to conduct. They require relatively small volumes of sample, which is especially advantageous when evaluating discharges from remote offshore facilities. The toolbox adds valuable information on whole effluent properties to existing data, for example, on chemical composition, which can improve understanding of which discharges are more likely to pose a risk to the environment and so require further investigation or risk management. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:1025-1036. © 2021 Shell International B.V. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joy R Worden
- Shell Health Risk Science Team, Manchester, United Kingdom
- QP Consulting (Chester) Limited, Chester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Graham F Whale
- Shell Health Risk Science Team, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Whale Environmental Consultancy Limited, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - Charles V Eadsforth
- Shell Health Risk Science Team, Manchester, United Kingdom
- CVE Consultancy Limited, Merseyside, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Michie
- Shell Health Risk Science Team, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Kalibrate, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Avila Lindgren
- Shell Health Risk Science Team, The Hague, the Netherlands
- Present Address: CaribAlgae, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Bradley PM, Kulp MA, Huffman BJ, Romanok KM, Smalling KL, Breitmeyer SE, Clark JM, Journey CA. Reconnaissance of cumulative risk of pesticides and pharmaceuticals in Great Smoky Mountains National Park streams. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 781:146711. [PMID: 33798883 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The United States (US) National Park Service (NPS) manages protected public lands to preserve biodiversity. Exposure to and effects of bioactive organic contaminants in NPS streams are challenges for resource managers. Recent assessment of pesticides and pharmaceuticals in protected-streams within the urbanized NPS Southeast Region (SER) indicated the importance of fluvial inflows from external sources as drivers of aquatic contaminant-mixture exposures. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM), lies within SER, has the highest biodiversity and annual visitation of NPS parks, but, in contrast to the previously studied systems, straddles a high-elevation hydrologic divide; this setting limits fluvial-inflows of contaminants but potentially increases visitation-driven contaminant deliveries. We leveraged the unique characteristics of GRSM to test further the importance of fluvial contaminant inflows as drivers of protected-stream exposures and to inform the relative importance of potential additional contaminant transport mechanisms, by comparing the estimated risks of 328 pesticides and pharmaceuticals in water at 16 GRSM stream locations to those estimated previously in SER streams. Extensive mixtures (31 compounds) were only observed in an atypical reach on the boundary of GRSM downstream of a wastewater discharge, while limited mixtures (2-5 compounds) were observed in one stream with elevated visitation pressure (recreational "tube floating"). The insecticide, imidacloprid, used to eradicate hemlock woolly adelgid, was detected in 8 (50%) streams. Infrequent exceedances of a cumulative ToxCast-based, exposure-activity ratio (ΣEAR) 0.001 screening-level of concern suggested limited risk to non-target, aquatic vertebrates, whereas exceedances of a cumulative benchmark-based, invertebrate toxicity quotient (ΣTQ) 0.1 screening level at 8 locations indicated generally high risk to invertebrates. The results are consistent with the importance of fluvial transport from extra-park sources as a driver of bioactive-contaminant mixture exposures in protected streams and illustrate the potential additional risks from visitation-driven and tactical-use-pesticides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Bradley
- U.S. Geological Survey, South Atlantic Water Science Center, Columbia, SC, USA.
| | - Matt A Kulp
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, National Park Service, Gatlinburg, TN, USA
| | - Bradley J Huffman
- U.S. Geological Survey, South Atlantic Water Science Center, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Kristin M Romanok
- U.S. Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, NJ, USA
| | - Kelly L Smalling
- U.S. Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, NJ, USA
| | - Sara E Breitmeyer
- U.S. Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, NJ, USA
| | - Jimmy M Clark
- U.S. Geological Survey, South Atlantic Water Science Center, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Celeste A Journey
- U.S. Geological Survey, South Atlantic Water Science Center, Columbia, SC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Ho WK, Leung KSY. The crucial role of heavy metals on the interaction of engineered nanoparticles with polystyrene microplastics. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 201:117317. [PMID: 34130085 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite continuous research on microplastics (MPs), studies exploring the complexity of interaction between MPs and other aqueous constituents in multi-solute systems are scarce. In this study, the uptake and release of nanoceria (CeNPs) by various polystyrene MPs (PSMPs) were investigated. Results showed that PSMPs in the presence of heavy metals (HMs) exhibited a substantially higher sorption affinity for isotropic charged CeNPs than PSMPs alone; this enhanced affinity was attributed to the formation of PSMP-HM-CeNP complexes. FE-SEM imaging reaffirmed that CeNP clusters adhered to PSMP surfaces in the presence of HMs. Such attachment varied dependent on valence state, atomic size of coexisting metal cations, surface texture, and functionalities of MPs. The HM-mediated complex formation on PSMP particles was suppressed at higher ionic strength because of competitive sorption and double-layer compression. Subsequent release of MP-adhered CeNPs and HMs varied significantly between aquatic media and various simulated digestive fluids, verifying the crucial role of MPs for transfer of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) from natural environments into biota via ingestion of MPs and trophic transfer. Our results highlight the enhanced potential for MPs to accumulate and to transport ENPs when metallic contaminants are present, which adds to the current understanding of the environmental fate and adverse effects of MPs along with various waterborne contaminants in actual environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wai-Kit Ho
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, HKSAR, P.R.China
| | - Kelvin Sze-Yin Leung
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, HKSAR, P.R.China; HKBU Institute of Research and Continuing Education, Shenzhen Virtual University Park, Shenzhen, P.R.China.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Cheng F, Li H, Brooks BW, You J. Signposts for Aquatic Toxicity Evaluation in China: Text Mining using Event-Driven Taxonomy within and among Regions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:8977-8986. [PMID: 34142809 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Selection of toxicity endpoints affects outcomes of risk assessment. Scientific decisions based on more holistic evidence is preferable for designing bioassay batteries rather than subjective selections, particularly when systems are poorly understood. Here, we propose a novel event-driven taxonomy (EDT)-based text mining tool to prioritize stressors likely to elicit water quality deterioration. The tool integrated automated literature collection, natural language processing using adverse outcome pathway-based toxicological terminologies and machine learning to classify event drivers (EDs). From aquatic toxicity assessments within China over the past decade, we gathered over 14 000 sources of information. With a dictionary that included 1039 toxicological terms, 15 bioassay-related modes of actions were mapped, yet less than half of the bioassays could be elucidated by available adverse outcome pathways. To fill these mechanistic knowledge gaps, we developed a Naïve Bayesian ED-classifier to annotate apical responses. The classifier's 4-fold cross-validation reached 74% accuracy and labeled 85% bioassays as 26 EDs. Narcosis, estrogen receptor-, and aryl hydrogen receptor-mediators were the major EDs in aquatic systems across China, whereas individual regions had distinct ED fingerprints. The EDT-based tool provides a promising diagnostic strategy to inform region-specific bioassay design and selection for water quality assessments in a big data era.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Cheng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Huizhen Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Bryan W Brooks
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute of Biomedical Studies, Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, United States
| | - Jing You
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Bradley PM, LeBlanc DR, Romanok KM, Smalling KL, Focazio MJ, Cardon MC, Clark JM, Conley JM, Evans N, Givens CE, Gray JL, Earl Gray L, Hartig PC, Higgins CP, Hladik ML, Iwanowicz LR, Loftin KA, Blaine McCleskey R, McDonough CA, Medlock-Kakaley EK, Weis CP, Wilson VS. Public and private tapwater: Comparative analysis of contaminant exposure and potential risk, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 152:106487. [PMID: 33752165 PMCID: PMC8268049 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humans are primary drivers of environmental contamination worldwide, including in drinking-water resources. In the United States (US), federal and state agencies regulate and monitor public-supply drinking water while private-supply monitoring is rare; the current lack of directly comparable information on contaminant-mixture exposures and risks between private- and public-supplies undermines tapwater (TW) consumer decision-making. METHODS We compared private- and public-supply residential point-of-use TW at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where both supplies share the same groundwater source. TW from 10 private- and 10 public-supply homes was analyzed for 487 organic, 38 inorganic, 8 microbial indicators, and 3 in vitro bioactivities. Concentrations were compared to existing protective health-based benchmarks, and aggregated Hazard Indices (HI) of regulated and unregulated TW contaminants were calculated along with ratios of in vitro exposure-activity cutoffs. RESULTS Seventy organic and 28 inorganic constituents were detected in TW. Median detections were comparable, but median cumulative concentrations were substantially higher in public supply due to 6 chlorine-disinfected samples characterized by disinfection byproducts and corresponding lower heterotrophic plate counts. Public-supply applicable maximum contaminant (nitrate) and treatment action (lead and copper) levels were exceeded in private-supply TW samples only. Exceedances of health-based HI screening levels of concern were common to both TW supplies. DISCUSSION These Cape Cod results indicate comparable cumulative human-health concerns from contaminant exposures in private- and public-supply TW in a shared source-water setting. Importantly, although this study's analytical coverage exceeds that currently feasible for water purveyors or homeowners, it nevertheless is a substantial underestimation of the full breadth of contaminant mixtures documented in the environment and potentially present in drinking water. CONCLUSION Regardless of the supply, increased public engagement in source-water protection and drinking-water treatment, including consumer point-of-use treatment, is warranted to reduce risks associated with long-term TW contaminant exposures, especially in vulnerable populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Mary C Cardon
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Nicola Evans
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | | | - L Earl Gray
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Christopher P Weis
- U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Bradley PM, Journey CA, Romanok KM, Breitmeyer SE, Button DT, Carlisle DM, Huffman BJ, Mahler BJ, Nowell LH, Qi SL, Smalling KL, Waite IR, Van Metre PC. Multi-region assessment of chemical mixture exposures and predicted cumulative effects in USA wadeable urban/agriculture-gradient streams. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 773:145062. [PMID: 33940714 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Chemical-contaminant mixtures are widely reported in large stream reaches in urban/agriculture-developed watersheds, but mixture compositions and aggregate biological effects are less well understood in corresponding smaller headwaters, which comprise most of stream length, riparian connectivity, and spatial biodiversity. During 2014-2017, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured 389 unique organic analytes (pharmaceutical, pesticide, organic wastewater indicators) in 305 headwater streams within four contiguous United States (US) regions. Potential aquatic biological effects were evaluated for estimated maximum and median exposure conditions using multiple lines of evidence, including occurrence/concentrations of designed-bioactive pesticides and pharmaceuticals and cumulative risk screening based on vertebrate-centric ToxCast™ exposure-response data and on invertebrate and nonvascular plant aquatic life benchmarks. Mixed-contaminant exposures were ubiquitous and varied, with 78% (304) of analytes detected at least once and cumulative maximum concentrations up to more than 156,000 ng/L. Designed bioactives represented 83% of detected analytes. Contaminant summary metrics correlated strong-positive (rho (ρ): 0.569-0.719) to multiple watershed-development metrics, only weak-positive to point-source discharges (ρ: 0.225-353), and moderate- to strong-negative with multiple instream invertebrate metrics (ρ: -0.373 to -0.652). Risk screening indicated common exposures with high probability of vertebrate-centric molecular effects and of acute toxicity to invertebrates, respectively. The results confirm exposures to broad and diverse contaminant mixtures and provide convincing multiple lines of evidence that chemical contaminants contribute substantially to adverse multi-stressor effects in headwater-stream communities.
Collapse
|
49
|
Afsa S, Sallem OF, Abdeljelil NB, Feriani A, Najjar MF, Mansour HB. In vivo toxicities of the hospital effluent in Mahdia Tunisia. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2021; 19:499-511. [PMID: 34152302 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2021.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hospital effluent (HE) is one of the most important sources of pharmaceuticals released into the environment. This kind of pollution is a recognized problem for both human health and aquatic life. Consequently, in the present study, we assessed the effects of untreated hospital effluent on mice via biochemical and histopathological determinations. Female mice were given free access to water bottles containing untreated HE at different dilutions for 21 days. Then clinical biochemistry and histopathology evaluation were conducted. Serum biochemistry analysis showed the presence of significant increase in cholesterol, triglycerides, glycaemia and total bilirubin. However, phosphatase alkaline and urea activities have been significantly decreased compared to the control group. No significant variation was observed for the rest of the studied parameters (high-density lipoproteins; low-density lipoproteins and uric acid). Additionally, multiple alterations, including cellular necrosis, leucocyte infiltration and congestion, were observed in different tissues of mice exposed to the tested HE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrine Afsa
- Research Unit of Analysis and Process Applied to the Environment (APAE UR17ES32), Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Mahdia, University of Monastir, Mahdia 5100, Tunisia E-mail:
| | - Ons Fekih Sallem
- Research Unit of Analysis and Process Applied to the Environment (APAE UR17ES32), Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Mahdia, University of Monastir, Mahdia 5100, Tunisia E-mail:
| | - Nouha Ben Abdeljelil
- Department of Pathology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Anouar Feriani
- Research Unit of Analysis and Process Applied to the Environment (APAE UR17ES32), Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Mahdia, University of Monastir, Mahdia 5100, Tunisia E-mail:
| | - Mohamed Fadhel Najjar
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Toxicology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Hedi Ben Mansour
- Research Unit of Analysis and Process Applied to the Environment (APAE UR17ES32), Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Mahdia, University of Monastir, Mahdia 5100, Tunisia E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Mechanistic insights into the synergistic activation of the RXR-PXR heterodimer by endocrine disruptor mixtures. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2020551118. [PMID: 33361153 PMCID: PMC7817120 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020551118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Many environmental pollutants act as endocrine disruptors that interfere with normal endocrine regulation and promote adverse effects in humans. As a major target of xenobiotics, the pregnane X receptor (PXR) is known to play opposite roles by both facilitating their clearance and mediating their toxic effects. Here, we use structural and functional approaches to describe two converging mechanisms leading to a robust synergistic stimulation of the PXR pathway by mixtures of three chemicals exhibiting very low efficacy when administered separately. This “cocktail effect” relies on two cooperative binding processes that enhance both ligand binding affinity and recruitment of transcriptional coactivators. Our findings show how chemical mixtures may alter physiology and homeostasis at concentrations where individual components are considered safe. Humans are chronically exposed to mixtures of xenobiotics referred to as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). A vast body of literature links exposure to these chemicals with increased incidences of reproductive, metabolic, or neurological disorders. Moreover, recent data demonstrate that, when used in combination, chemicals have outcomes that cannot be predicted from their individual behavior. In its heterodimeric form with the retinoid X receptor (RXR), the pregnane X receptor (PXR) plays an essential role in controlling the mammalian xenobiotic response and mediates both beneficial and detrimental effects. Our previous work shed light on a mechanism by which a binary mixture of xenobiotics activates PXR in a synergistic fashion. Structural analysis revealed that mutual stabilization of the compounds within the ligand-binding pocket of PXR accounts for the enhancement of their binding affinity. In order to identify and characterize additional active mixtures, we combined a set of cell-based, biophysical, structural, and in vivo approaches. Our study reveals features that confirm the binding promiscuity of this receptor and its ability to accommodate bipartite ligands. We reveal previously unidentified binding mechanisms involving dynamic structural transitions and covalent coupling and report four binary mixtures eliciting graded synergistic activities. Last, we demonstrate that the robust activity obtained with two synergizing PXR ligands can be enhanced further in the presence of RXR environmental ligands. Our study reveals insights as to how low-dose EDC mixtures may alter physiology through interaction with RXR–PXR and potentially several other nuclear receptor heterodimers.
Collapse
|