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Perugini G, Edgar M, Lin F, Kennedy CJ, Farrell AP, Gillis TE, Alderman SL. Age matters: Comparing life-stage responses to diluted bitumen exposure in coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 253:106350. [PMID: 36370651 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106350] [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: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Millions of liters of diluted bitumen (dilbit), a crude oil product from Canada's oil sands region, is transported through critical Pacific salmon habitat each day. While the toxicity of the water-soluble fraction of dilbit (WSFd) to early life-stages of salmon is known, quantitative data on life-stage differences in sensitivity to WSFd is missing. To fill this knowledge gap, we exposed two juvenile life-stages of coho salmon (O. kisutch) in parallel to very low (parts per billion), environmentally-relevant concentrations of WSFd for acute (48 h) and sub-chronic (4 wk) durations. The relative sensitivities of the two life-stages (fry and parr) were assessed by comparing the timing and magnitude of biological responses using common organismal and molecular endpoints of crude oil exposure. A significant reduction in body condition occurred in both fry and parr after 4 wk exposure to WSFd. Both life-stages also experienced a concentration-dependent decrease in time-to-loss-of-equilibrium during a hypoxia challenge test at both 48 h and 4 wk of exposure. Although organismal responses were similar, molecular responses were distinct between life-stages. In general, unexposed fry had higher baseline values of hepatic phase I biotransformation indicators than unexposed parr, but induction of EROD activity and cyp1a mRNA expression in response to WSFd exposure was greater in parr than in fry. Neither gst nor hsp70 mRNA expression, markers of phase II biotransformation and cell stress, respectively, were reliably altered by WSFd exposure in either life-stage. Taken together, results of this study do not support differential sensitivities of coho fry and parr to WSFd. All the same, the potential for ontogenic differences in the expression and induction of phase I biotransformation need to be considered because age does matter for these endpoints if they are used as bioindicators of exposure in post-spill impact assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Perugini
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Mackenzie Edgar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher J Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anthony P Farrell
- Department of Zoology and Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Todd E Gillis
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Sarah L Alderman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada.
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2
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Timlick L, Dearnley J, Blais JM, Rodríguez-Gil JL, Hanson M, Hollebone BP, Orihel DM, Peters LE, Stoyanovich SS, Palace VP. Responses of Wild Finescale Dace (Phoxinus neogaeus) to Experimental Spills of Cold Lake Blend Diluted Bitumen at the International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Northwestern Ontario. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:2745-2757. [PMID: 35975418 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5457] [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: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Pipelines carrying diluted bitumen (dilbit) traverse North America and may result in dilbit release into sensitive freshwater ecosystems. To better understand the potential effects of a freshwater oil release, the Boreal-lake Oil Release Experiment by Additions to Limnocorrals project at the International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area (Ontario, Canada) modeled seven dilbit spills contained within a 10-m diameter of littoral limnocorrals in a boreal lake. Wild finescale dace (Phoxinus neogaeus) were released in the limnocorrals 21 days after oil addition and remained there for 70 days. Dilbit volumes covered a large range representing a regression of real spill sizes and total polycyclic aromatic compounds (TPAC) between 167 ng L-1 day-1 and 1989 ng L-1 day-1 . We report the effects of chronic exposure on reproductive potential as well as physiological responses in the gallbladder and liver. In exposures >1000 ng L-1 day-1 , there was a significant decrease in fish retrieval, culminating in zero recapture from the three highest treatments. Among the fish from the limnocorrals with lower levels of TPAC (<500 ng L-1 day-1 ), effects were inconsistent. Gallbladder bile fluorescence for a naphthalene metabolite was significantly different in fish from the oil-exposed limnocorrals when compared to the lake and reference corral, indicating that fish in these lower exposures were interacting with dilbit-derived polycyclic aromatic compounds. There were no significant differences in condition factor, somatic indices, or hepatocyte volume indices. There were also no significant changes in the development of testes or ovaries of exposed dace. The results from the present study may serve to orient policymakers and emergency responders to the range of TPAC exposures that may not significantly affect wild fish. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2745-2757. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Timlick
- International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jamie Dearnley
- Center for Oil and Gas Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Jules M Blais
- Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - José L Rodríguez-Gil
- International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Mark Hanson
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Diane M Orihel
- Department of Biology, School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa E Peters
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Center for Oil and Gas Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Vince P Palace
- International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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3
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Otten JG, Williams L, Refsnider JM. Survival outcomes of rehabilitated riverine turtles following a freshwater diluted bitumen oil spill. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119968. [PMID: 35977636 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119968] [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: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Rehabilitation is often used to mitigate adverse effects of oil spills on wildlife. With an increase in production of alternatives to conventional crude oil such as diluted bitumen (dilbit), emergency spill responders and wildlife rehabilitators need information regarding the health and survival of free-ranging vertebrates exposed to dilbit under natural conditions. In 2010, one of the largest freshwater oil spills in the United States occurred in the Kalamazoo River in Michigan, when over 3.2 million liters of spilled dilbit impacted 56 km of riverine habitat. During 2010 and 2011 cleanup efforts, thousands of northern map turtles (Graptemys geographica) were captured from oiled stretches of the river, cleaned, rehabilitated, and released. We conducted extensive mark-recapture surveys in 2010, 2011, and 2018-2021, and used this dataset to evaluate the monthly survival probability of turtles 1-14 months post-spill and 8-11 years post-spill based on whether turtles were temporarily rehabilitated and released, overwintered in captivity and then released, or were released without rehabilitation. We found that rehabilitated or overwintered turtles had a higher probability of survival 1-14 months post-spill than non-rehabilitated turtles; however, 8-11 years post-spill the among-group differences in monthly survival probability had become negligible. Additionally, following the oil spill in 2010, nearly 6% of northern map turtles were recovered dead, died during rehabilitation, or suffered injuries that precluded release back into the wild. Our results demonstrate that exposure to dilbit in free ranging turtles causes direct mortality, while effort spent on the capture and rehabilitation of oiled freshwater turtles is important as it increases monthly survival 1-14 months post-spill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua G Otten
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, Wolfe Hall Suite 1235, 2801 W Bancroft St., Toledo, OH, 43606-3390, USA.
| | - Lisa Williams
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Field Office, 2651 Coolidge Road, Suite 101, East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
| | - Jeanine M Refsnider
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Toledo, Wolfe Hall Suite 1235, 2801 W Bancroft St., Toledo, OH, 43606-3390, USA
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4
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Lin F, Alderman SL, Gillis TE, Kennedy CJ. Diluted Bitumen Affects Multiple Physiological Systems in Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) Embryo to Juvenile Life Stages. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:1937-1949. [PMID: 35596707 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5362] [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: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
An understanding of the risks associated with diluted bitumen (dilbit) transport through Pacific salmon habitat necessitates the identification and quantification of hazards posed to early life stages. Sockeye from the embryo to juvenile stage (8 months old) were exposed to four concentrations of the water-soluble fraction of Cold Lake dilbit (summer blend; concentrations of 0, 13.7, 34.7, and 124.5 μg/L total polycyclic aromatic compounds). Significant mortality (up to 18% over controls) only occurred in the embryo to swim-up fry stage. Impaired growth was seen in the alevin, swim-up, and juvenile stages (maximum reduction 15% in mass but not fork length). Reductions in both critical (maximum 24% reductions) and burst (maximum 47% reductions) swimming speed in swim-up fry and juveniles were seen. Alterations in energy substrate reserves (reductions in soluble protein and glycogen content, elevations in whole-body lipid and triglyceride levels) at all stages may underlie the effects seen in swimming and growth. Dilbit exposure induced a preexercise physiological stress response that affected the recovery of postexercise biochemistry (cortisol, glycogen, lactate, triglyceride concentrations). The transcript abundance of the cytochrome P450 1A gene (cyp1a) was quantified in alevin head regions (containing the heart) and in the hearts of swim-up fry and juveniles and showed a concentration-dependent increase in the expression of cyp1a at all life stages. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1937-1949. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah L Alderman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Todd E Gillis
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher J Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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5
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Indiketi N, Grenon MC, Groleau PÉ, Veilleux É, Triffault-Bouchet G, Couture P. The effects of dissolved petroleum hydrocarbons on benthic organisms: Chironomids and amphipods. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 237:113554. [PMID: 35487174 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The oil sands industry in Canada, produces heavy unconventional oils, diluted for transport and called diluted bitumen. However, despite advances in our knowledge of the ecotoxicological risk that these products represent, their effects on benthic organisms following a spill are still largely unknown. In order to fill these gaps, this study aims to determine the lethal and sublethal effects of two diluted bitumens (Bluesky and Cold Lake) and one conventional oil (Lloydminster) for two freshwater benthic invertebrates: Chironomus riparius and Hyalella azteca. The objective of this study is to assess the toxicity of dissolved hydrocarbons, resulting from the physical dispersion of oil, immediately after a spill on the benthic invertebrates. To this end, organisms were exposed for 7 days for chironomids and 14 days for amphipods to a fraction containing soluble hydrocarbons (WAF: water accommodated fraction; 10 g/L, 18 h of agitation, followed by 6 h of sedimentation) with natural or artificial sediment. After exposure, the effects of hydrocarbons were determined using size, mortality, and antioxidant capacities. Dissolved hydrocarbons induced mortality for both species, but these hydrocarbons disappeared very quickly from the water column, regardless of the oil type. The amphipods were sensitive to both types of oil while the chironomids were only sensitive to diluted bitumens. The presence of a natural sediment seems to provide a protective role against dissolved hydrocarbons. The antioxidant enzymes measured (CAT, SOD and GPx) do not appear to be relevant biomarkers for the exposure of these organisms to diluted bitumen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishodi Indiketi
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec City, QC G1K 9A9, Canada; Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC), Québec City, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Marie-Claire Grenon
- Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC), Québec City, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Paule Émilie Groleau
- Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC), Québec City, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Éloïse Veilleux
- Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC), Québec City, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Gaëlle Triffault-Bouchet
- Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec, Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC), Québec City, QC G1P 3W8, Canada
| | - Patrice Couture
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec City, QC G1K 9A9, Canada.
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6
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Stoyanovich S, Yang Z, Hanson M, Hollebone BP, Orihel DM, Palace V, Rodriguez-Gil JR, Mirnaghi F, Shah K, Blais JM. Fate of polycyclic aromatic compounds from diluted bitumen spilled into freshwater limnocorrals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 819:151993. [PMID: 34848264 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151993] [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: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Diluted bitumens (dilbits) are produced by mixing highly viscous bitumen with lighter petroleum products to facilitate transport. The unique physical and chemical properties of dilbit may affect the environmental fate and effects of dilbit-derived chemical compounds when spilled. To further explore this, we monitored experimental spills of Cold Lake Winter Blend (CLWB) dilbit for 70 days in limnocorrals installed in a freshwater boreal lake. A regression design with 2 controls and 7 treatments was used to assess the fate and behaviour of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) as they partitioned from the dilbit into the air, water column and sediments. Treatments ranged from 1.5 to 180 L of CLWB, resulting in oil:water ratios ranging between 1:71000 to 1:500 (v:v). We began to detect elevated concentrations of PACs as early as 6 h post-addition in the air, 12 h post-addition in the water column, and 15-28 d post-addition in the sediments. By the end of the experiment, concentrations of PACs had largely declined in the water column but remained elevated in the sediments. Our results demonstrate that under conditions typical of temperate boreal lakes, only a small proportion of PACs from dilbit enters the aquatic system, but even so, may produce concentrations of ecotoxicological concern, especially in the sediments, which is the ultimate sink for dilbit-derived PACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Stoyanovich
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Z Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - M Hanson
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - B P Hollebone
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - D M Orihel
- Department of Biology and School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - V Palace
- International Institute for Sustainable Development, Experimental Lakes Area, 111 Lombard Avenue, Suite 325, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 0T4, Canada
| | - J R Rodriguez-Gil
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada; International Institute for Sustainable Development, Experimental Lakes Area, 111 Lombard Avenue, Suite 325, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3N 0T4, Canada
| | - F Mirnaghi
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - K Shah
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - J M Blais
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
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7
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Ruberg EJ, King MD, Elliott JE, Tomy GT, Idowu I, Vermette ML, Williams TD. Effects of diluted bitumen exposure on the survival, physiology, and behaviour of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 229:113071. [PMID: 34915220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113071] [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: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Diluted bitumen (dilbit) is an unconventional crude petroleum increasingly being extracted and transported to market by pipeline and tanker. Despite the transport of dilbit through terrestrial, aquatic, and coastal habitat important to diverse bird fauna, toxicity data are currently only available for fish and invertebrates. We used the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) as a tractable, avian model system to investigate exposure effects of lightly weathered Cold Lake blend dilbit on survival, tissue residue, and a range of physiological and behavioural endpoints. Birds were exposed via oral gavage over 14-days with dosages of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 mL dilbit/kg bw/day. We identified an LD50 of 9.4 mL/kg/d dilbit, with complete mortality at 12 mL/kg/d. Mortality was associated with mass loss, external oiling, decreased pectoral and heart mass, and increased liver mass. Hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity (EROD) was elevated in all dilbit-dosed birds compared with controls but there was limited evidence of sublethal effects of dilbit on physiological endpoints at doses < 10 mL/kg/d (hematocrit, hemoglobin, total antioxidants, and reactive oxygen metabolites). Dilbit exposure affected behavior, with more dilbit-treated birds foraging away from the feeder, more birds sleeping or idle at low dilbit doses, and fewer birds huddling together at high dilbit doses. Naphthalene, dibenzothiophene, and their alkylated congeners in particular (e.g. C2-napthalene and C2-dibenzothiophene) accumulated in the liver at greater concentrations in dilbit-treated birds compared to controls. Although directly comparable studies in the zebra finch are limited, our mortality data suggest that dilbit is more toxic than the well-studied MC252 conventional light crude oil with this exposure regime. A lack of overt sublethal effects at lower doses, but effects on body mass and composition, behaviour, high mortality, and elevated PAC residue at doses ≥ 10 mL/kg/d suggest a threshold effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Ruberg
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Mason D King
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - John E Elliott
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Division, 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, BC V4K 3N2, Canada
| | - Gregg T Tomy
- University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Ifeoluwa Idowu
- University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Melissa L Vermette
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Tony D Williams
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
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8
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Rodriguez-Gil JL, Stoyanovich S, Hanson ML, Hollebone B, Orihel DM, Palace V, Faragher R, Mirnaghi FS, Shah K, Yang Z, Black TA, Cederwall J, Mason J, Patterson S, Timlick L, Séguin JY, Blais JM. Simulating diluted bitumen spills in boreal lake limnocorrals - Part 1: Experimental design and responses of hydrocarbons, metals, and water quality parameters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 790:148537. [PMID: 34215441 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Large-scale, in-lake enclosures (limnocorrals) were used to simulate spills of diluted bitumen (dilbit) in a boreal lake. In this study we use these simulated spills, which covered a range of sizes (oil:water ratio) representative of the upper 25% of onshore crude oil spills in North America (2008-2019), to assess the fate of dilbit-derived hydrocarbons and metals as well as the impacts of the spills on standard water quality parameters. The systems were monitored over 70 days following the application of dilbit amounts ranging between 1.5 and 179.8 L into 10-m diameter, ~100 m3 limnocorrals. The concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in the water column increased rapidly over the first two weeks reaching a plateau that ranged between 200 μg/L and 2200 μg/L for the lowest and highest treatment respectively. The concentration of total polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) also increased over the first two weeks, prior to a slow decrease until day 70. The maximum measured concentrations in the highest treatment were 2858 ng/L for the sum of all 46 quantified PACs, 2716 ng/L for alkylated PACs and 154 ng/L for the 16 EPA priority PAHs. The concentrations of PACs in the sediment increased continuously over the study in the three highest treatments with maximum observed concentrations of 189 ng/g for ΣPAC46, 169 ng/g for ΣPACalk. No significant treatment-related changes in the 16 EPA priority PAHs were observed in the sediment. Of the 25 metals quantified in the water column, only manganese, molybdenum, and vanadium displayed a significant treatment effect with increases of 280, 76 and 25% respectively in the total fraction. These results can help us understand and predict the fate of oil-derived contaminants following a spill and characterize the exposure of freshwater organisms living within them. These results should help inform the risk assessment of future dilbit transportation projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Luis Rodriguez-Gil
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; International Institute for Sustainable Development - Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0T4, Canada
| | | | - Mark L Hanson
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Bruce Hollebone
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1V 1H2, Canada
| | - Diane M Orihel
- Department of Biology and School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Vince Palace
- International Institute for Sustainable Development - Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0T4, Canada
| | - Robert Faragher
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1V 1H2, Canada
| | - Fatemeh S Mirnaghi
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1V 1H2, Canada
| | - Keval Shah
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1V 1H2, Canada
| | - Zeyu Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON K1V 1H2, Canada
| | - Tyler A Black
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Cederwall
- Department of Biology and School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Johanna Mason
- Department of Biology and School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Samuel Patterson
- Department of Biology and School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Lauren Timlick
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Jonathan Y Séguin
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Jules M Blais
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
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9
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Bérubé R, Gauthier C, Bourdin T, Bouffard M, Triffault-Bouchet G, Langlois VS, Couture P. Lethal and sublethal effects of diluted bitumen and conventional oil on fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) larvae exposed during their early development. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 237:105884. [PMID: 34134059 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105884] [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: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The increasing extraction of bitumen from the oil sands region in Canada is creating a need for transport. Spills from current and projected pipelines represent a significant environmental risk, especially for freshwater ecosystems. The toxicity of diluted bitumen (dilbit) on freshwater fish is largely unknown. This study assessed the toxicity of two dilbits (Clearwater McMurray and Bluesky) and compared their toxicity to a conventional oil (Lloydminster Heavy) on fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) larvae. Larvae were exposed to various concentrations of the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of the oils during 7 days from hatching. In the WAF treatments, the concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX), hydrocarbons containing 6 to 10 carbon atoms (C6-10), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their alkylated forms were measured. Both dilbits contained higher concentrations of light components, while the conventional oil contained the highest concentrations of PAHs and alkylated PAHs. The Clearwater McMurray dilbit induced a higher mortality, with a maximum of 65.3%, while the other oils induced a similar mortality up to 16.5% and 18.6% for Lloydminster and for Bluesky, respectively. All three oils induced an increase in gene expression of the phase I detoxification enzyme (cyp1a) with increasing total hydrocarbon concentrations. All three exposures induced a similar increase in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, but no change in gst gene expression. For the Bluesky and Lloydminster exposures, an increase in malondialdehyde concentration was also observed, suggesting a rate limiting capacity of GST and phase II enzymes to perform the biotransformation of the PAH metabolites. Overall, this study brings new insights on the toxicity of dilbits in comparison to conventional oils on early life stages of North American freshwater fish and demonstrated that dilbits can be more toxic than conventional oils, depending on their composition and diluent proportions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne Bérubé
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Charles Gauthier
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Thibault Bourdin
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Marilou Bouffard
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Gaëlle Triffault-Bouchet
- Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Québec (CEAEQ), Ministère de l'Environnement et Lutte contre les changements climatiques, 2700 rue Einstein, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Patrice Couture
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada.
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10
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Lin F, Baillon L, Langlois VS, Kennedy CJ. Environmental modulators of diluted bitumen effects in juvenile pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 169:105392. [PMID: 34174542 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105392] [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: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Recent and potential expansions in the transportation of diluted bitumen (dilbit) through marine terminals in coastal regions of British Columbia require the examination of potential risks to estuarine species such as Pacific salmon. The estuarine habitat of out-migrated pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) exhibits dynamic temperature and salinity regimes, possibly modifying dilbit exposure, bioavailability and/or its effects. To examine dilbit toxicity and its modification by environmental stressors, juvenile pinks were subchronically exposed for 3 months to the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of Cold Lake Blend dilbit (winter) in seawater at three salinities (7, 14, and 28‰ [temperature 12.5 °C]) and three temperatures (8.5, 12.5, and 16.5 °C [salinity of 28‰]). Temperature and salinity alone did not affect any measured endpoints in control fish. Dilbit exposure induced higher mortality at high (16.5 °C) and low temperatures (8.5 °C) as well as at higher salinity (28‰) in fish exposed to the highest dilution of WAF [total polycyclic aromatic compounds (TPAC) = 128.9 μg/L]. A concentration-dependent reduction of growth was evident in fish exposed to the medium (TPAC = 97.3 μg/L) and high dilution of WAF at higher temperatures (12.5 and 16.5 °C) and high salinity (28‰). At 28‰, swimming performance (Uburst) was decreased in fish exposed to the highest concentration of dilbit at all 3 temperatures. Gill Na+-K+-ATPase activity, white muscle lactate, glycogen, and triglyceride concentrations were altered by dilbit exposure and modified by temperature and salinity. In addition, gene expression associated with phase I biotransformation, energy metabolism, mitochondrial activity, and inflammation showed significant upregulation with exposure and temperature stress. Dilbit exposure at PAC concentrations in the ppb range, affected pink salmon at the molecular, biochemical, and whole organism level; effects that were exacerbated by environmental temperature and salinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lucie Baillon
- Royal Military College of Canada, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- Royal Military College of Canada, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Institut National de la recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Christopher J Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
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11
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Incardona JP, Linbo TL, French BL, Cameron J, Peck KA, Laetz CA, Hicks MB, Hutchinson G, Allan SE, Boyd DT, Ylitalo GM, Scholz NL. Low-level embryonic crude oil exposure disrupts ventricular ballooning and subsequent trabeculation in Pacific herring. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 235:105810. [PMID: 33823483 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing awareness that transient, sublethal embryonic exposure to crude oils cause subtle but important forms of delayed toxicity in fish. While the precise mechanisms for this loss of individual fitness are not well understood, they involve the disruption of early cardiogenesis and a subsequent pathological remodeling of the heart much later in juveniles. This developmental cardiotoxicity is attributable, in turn, to the inhibitory actions of crude oil-derived mixtures of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) on specific ion channels and other proteins that collectively drive the rhythmic contractions of heart muscle cells via excitation-contraction coupling. Here we exposed Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) embryos to oiled gravel effluent yielding ΣPAC concentrations as low as ~ 1 μg/L (64 ng/g in tissues). Upon hatching in clean seawater, and following the depuration of tissue PACs (as evidenced by basal levels of cyp1a gene expression), the ventricles of larval herring hearts showed a concentration-dependent reduction in posterior growth (ballooning). This was followed weeks later in feeding larvae by abnormal trabeculation, or formation of the finger-like projections of interior spongy myocardium, and months later with hypertrophy (overgrowth) of the spongy myocardium in early juveniles. Given that heart muscle cell differentiation and migration are driven by Ca2+-dependent intracellular signaling, the observed disruption of ventricular morphogenesis was likely a secondary (downstream) consequence of reduced calcium cycling and contractility in embryonic cardiomyocytes. We propose defective trabeculation as a promising phenotypic anchor for novel morphometric indicators of latent cardiac injury in oil-exposed herring, including an abnormal persistence of cardiac jelly in the ventricle wall and cardiomyocyte hyperproliferation. At a corresponding molecular level, quantitative expression assays in the present study also support biomarker roles for genes known to be involved in muscle contractility (atp2a2, myl7, myh7), cardiomyocyte precursor fate (nkx2.5) and ventricular trabeculation (nrg2, and hbegfa). Overall, our findings reinforce both proximal and indirect roles for dysregulated intracellular calcium cycling in the canonical fish early life stage crude oil toxicity syndrome. More work on Ca2+-mediated cellular dynamics and transcription in developing cardiomyocytes is needed. Nevertheless, the highly specific actions of ΣPAC mixtures on the heart at low, parts-per-billion tissue concentrations directly contravene classical assumptions of baseline (i.e., non-specific) crude oil toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Incardona
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Tiffany L Linbo
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Barbara L French
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - James Cameron
- Earth Resources Technology, under contract to Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Karen A Peck
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cathy A Laetz
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mary Beth Hicks
- Oregon State University, Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Studies, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR, USA
| | - Greg Hutchinson
- Oregon State University, Cooperative Institute for Marine Resources Studies, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR, USA
| | - Sarah E Allan
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Response and Restoration, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Daryle T Boyd
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gina M Ylitalo
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nathaniel L Scholz
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
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12
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Lefebvre-Raine M, Paquet N, Triffault-Bouchet G, Langlois VS. Embryotoxicity of Five Cytostatics in Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) Larvae. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2021; 106:747-752. [PMID: 33713142 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-021-03146-2] [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: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cytostatics are compounds used in chemotherapy, known to be genotoxic, mutagenic, and teratogenic at low concentrations. The amount of cytostatic drugs prescribed increases every year as does their release into the aquatic ecosystems, which possibly is a major concern for the health of aquatic organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the putative toxicity of five cytostatics to fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) larvae: tamoxifen, capecitabine, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and ifosfamide. Eggs collected post-fertilization were exposed for 6 days to a range of concentrations, including one above environmental level. At all environmental concentrations, no significant difference in mortality, hatching time, length, heart rate, and presence of malformations were found. Altogether, these cytostatics do not seem embryotoxic to fish. Although, an increased proportion of complete swim bladder were found after ifosfamide's exposure, suggesting an interaction with the thyroid axis, involved in swim bladder development. Complementary work should address other endpoints, such as behavioral changes, reproductive success, and transgenerational effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lefebvre-Raine
- Institut National de La Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement (ETE), Québec, QC, Canada
| | - N Paquet
- Ministère de L'Environnement et de La Lutte Contre Les Changements Climatiques (MELCC), Centre D'expertise en Analyse Environnementale du Québec (CEAEQ), Québec, QC, Canada
| | - G Triffault-Bouchet
- Ministère de L'Environnement et de La Lutte Contre Les Changements Climatiques (MELCC), Centre D'expertise en Analyse Environnementale du Québec (CEAEQ), Québec, QC, Canada
| | - V S Langlois
- Institut National de La Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement (ETE), Québec, QC, Canada.
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13
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Everitt S, Fujita KK, MacPherson S, Brinkmann M, Pyle GG, Wiseman S. Toxicity of Weathered Sediment-Bound Dilbit to Early Life Stages of Zebrafish ( Danio rerio). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:1721-1729. [PMID: 33449613 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Due to high viscosity, bitumen extracted from the Alberta oil sands is diluted with natural gas condensates to form diluted bitumen (dilbit) to facilitate transport through pipelines. Dilbit that is spilled into or near a waterbody is subject to environmental weathering processes such as evaporation and interaction with sediments. This is the first study that assessed the toxicity of weathered sediment-bound dilbit (WSD) to fish early life stages. Exposure of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos to water-soluble fractions (WSFs) or water-accommodated fractions (WAFs) of WSD from 30 min to 120 h postfertilization resulted in pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, and incidences of uninflated swim bladder. The presence of oil-mineral aggregates (OMAs) in the WAFs greatly increased toxicity, despite all fractions having similar concentrations of dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). There were greater cyp1a mRNA abundances in larvae exposed to WAFs, suggesting that there were differences in bioavailability of PAHs between fractions. However, there was little evidence that embryotoxicity was caused by oxidative stress. Results suggest that evaporation and sediment interaction do not completely attenuate toxicity of dilbit to zebrafish early life stages, and OMAs in exposures exacerbate toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Everitt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Kaden K Fujita
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Stephanie MacPherson
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C8, Canada
| | - Markus Brinkmann
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C8, Canada
- School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C8, Canada
- Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5C8, Canada
| | - Gregory G Pyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
- Water Institute for Sustainable Environment, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Steve Wiseman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
- Water Institute for Sustainable Environment, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4, Canada
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14
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Fujita KK, Xia Z, Tomy G, Montina T, Wiseman S. 1H NMR based metabolomic profiling of early life stage zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to a water-soluble fraction of weathered sediment-bound diluted bitumen. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 232:105766. [PMID: 33578324 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Spills of diluted bitumen (dilbit) from pipelines pose a risk to the health of aquatic organisms, including fish, and with expected increases in production and transportation of dilbit, these risks could increase. To date, the majority of studies have investigated effects of fresh dilbit on aquatic organisms, but little is known about effects of weathered sediment-bound dilbit, including mechanisms of toxicity. The goal of this study was to use 1H NMR based metabolomics to identify altered metabolites and pathways in early life-stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to a sediment derived water-soluble fraction of dilbit (SDWSF) to better understand mechanisms of adverse effects. Zebrafish embryos exposed to the SDWSF until 120 h post-fertilization exhibited increased prevalence of pericardial edema, yolk sac edema, and swim bladder malformations that are typical of exposure to fresh dilbit. Concentrations of nine metabolites (alanine, glutamine, lysine, threonine, tyrosine, betaine, taurine, inosine, and glycerol) were significantly altered in embryos exposed to SDWSF. Pathway topology analysis revealed four potentially impacted pathways: 1) phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, 2) taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, 3) alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, and 4) glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism. Altered metabolites were linked to several biological process, that when perturbed could be key events in mechanisms of developmental effects observed in embryos. Future studies should further investigate the role of perturbations to these metabolites and pathways to determine the specific role they might play in adverse effects of exposure to dilbit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaden K Fujita
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Zhe Xia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Gregg Tomy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Tony Montina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada; Southern Alberta Genome Sciences Centre, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada.
| | - Steve Wiseman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada; Water Institute for Sustainable Environments, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada.
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15
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Adams JE, Brown RS, Hodson PV. The bioavailability of oil droplets trapped in river gravel by hyporheic flows. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 269:116110. [PMID: 33310493 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116110] [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: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the fate of oil spills in rivers. Hyporheic flows of water through river sediments exchange surface and groundwater and create upwelling and downwelling zones that are important for fish spawning and embryo development. Risk assessments of oil spills to rivers do not consider the potential for hyporheic flows to carry oil droplets into sediments and the potential for prolonged exposure of fish to trapped oil. This project assessed whether oil droplets in water flowing through gravel will be trapped and whether hydrocarbons partitioning from trapped oil droplets are bioavailable to fish. Columns packed with gravel were injected with oil-in-water dispersions prepared with light crude, medium crude, diluted bitumens, and heavy fuel oil to generate a series of oil droplet loadings. The concentrations of oil trapped in the gravel increased with oil loading and viscosity. When the columns were perfused with clean water, oil concentrations in column effluents decreased to the detection limit within the first week of water flow, with sporadically higher concentrations associated with oil droplet release. Despite the low concentrations of hydrocarbons measured in column effluent, hydrocarbons were bioavailable to juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) for more than three weeks of water flow, as indicated by strong induction of liver ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase activity. These findings indicate that ecological risk assessments and spill response should identify and protect areas in rivers sensitive to contaminant trapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie E Adams
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON, K7L3N6, Canada.
| | - R Stephen Brown
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON, K7L3N6, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, 90 Bader Ln, Kingston, ON, K7L3N6, Canada.
| | - Peter V Hodson
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON, K7L3N6, Canada; Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie St, Kingston, ON, K7L3N6, Canada.
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16
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Price ER, Mager EM. The effects of exposure to crude oil or PAHs on fish swim bladder development and function. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 238:108853. [PMID: 32777466 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2020.108853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The failure of the swim bladder to inflate during fish development is a common and sensitive response to exposure to petrochemicals. Here, we review potential mechanisms by which petrochemicals or their toxic components (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; PAHs) may affect swim bladder inflation, particularly during early life stages. Surface films formed by oil can cause a physical barrier to primary inflation by air gulping, and are likely important during oil spills. The act of swimming to the surface for primary inflation can be arduous for some species, and may prevent inflation if this behavior is limited by toxic effects on vision or musculature. Some studies have noted altered gene expression in the swim bladder in response to PAHs, and Cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) can be induced in swim bladder or rete mirabile tissue, suggesting that PAHs can have direct effects on swim bladder development. Swim bladder inflation failure can also occur secondarily to the failure of other systems; cardiovascular impairment is the best elucidated of these mechanisms, but other mechanisms might include non-inflation as a sequela of disruption to thyroid signaling or cholesterol metabolism. Failed swim bladder inflation has the potential to lead to chronic sublethal effects that are as yet unstudied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin R Price
- Department of Biological Sciences and Advanced Environmental Research Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, United States of America.
| | - Edward M Mager
- Department of Biological Sciences and Advanced Environmental Research Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, United States of America
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17
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Timlick L, Peters LE, Wallace SJ, Dettman H, Brown RS, Mason J, Langlois VS, Palace V. Effects of Environmentally Relevant Residual Levels of Diluted Bitumen on Wild Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas). BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2020; 105:699-704. [PMID: 33006036 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-020-03008-3] [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: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Transportation of crude oil across North America's boreal ecozone creates the potential for spills in freshwater where less is known about the sensitivity of resident fish than for marine systems. The sensitivity of wild fathead minnows (FHM) to residual concentrations (ppb range) of the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of diluted bitumen (dilbit) was assessed by exposing them for 21 days followed by a 14 days depuration. Target concentrations were well below detection limits for GC-MS, but were estimated by dilution factor (1:100,000 and 1:1,000,000 WAF:water) to contain less than 0.0003 μg/L of polycyclic aromatic compounds. Confinement and handling stress caused by transfer of wild fish into tanks much smaller than their natural range resulted in mortality and lower body condition among all groups, but interactive effects of oil exposures still resulted in females with smaller cortical alveolar oocytes, and males with larger testicular lobe lumen sizes. Additional studies examining the compounded effects of stress and environmentally relevant oil exposures in wild fishes are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Timlick
- University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- International Institute for Sustainable Development - Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA), 325-111 Lombard Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0T4, Canada
| | | | - Sarah J Wallace
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Valerie S Langlois
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Vince Palace
- International Institute for Sustainable Development - Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA), 325-111 Lombard Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0T4, Canada.
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18
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Dey S, Ballav P, Mandal A, Samanta P, Patra A, Das S, Mondal AK, Ghosh AR. Blood Biochemical and Erythrocytic Morpho-pathological Consequences of Naphthalene Intoxication in Indian Teleost, Anabas testudineus (Bloch). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 80:103490. [PMID: 32911098 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Anabas testudineus (Bloch) was exposed to 0.71 mg/L and 1.42 mg/L (25 and 50% of LC50 value respectively) naphthalene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), for 21 days. Blood biochemical parameters and erythrocytic morphological alterations were assessed to describe the naphthalene toxicity. Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in glutamic pyruvic transaminase, GPT (576.7 ± 11.79 and 608.9 ± 12.08 U/L, respectively) and alkaline phosphatase, ALP (12.9 ± 0.69 and 13.4 ± 0.64 U/L, respectively) activities under two doses compared with control. Protein and albumin (ALB) content in blood decreased significantly, in comparison with control value in the tune of 22.67 ± 1.04 and 23.97 ± 1.24 g/dl, respectively and 10.7 ± 0.79 and 11.1 ± 0.67 g/dl, respectively. Erythrocytes showed varied symptomatic morphological changes under naphthalene exposure, which included severe denaturation, swelling in cells, appearance of sickle and tear drop cells, and cellular vacuolation. In particularly, the changes were more prominent under higher naphthalene exposure. Following the results, it has been able to establish that GPT, ALP, protein and ALB, and the morphological manifestations of erythrocytes would be good tools of biomarker in monitoring toxicological paradigm, especially to naphthalene exposure in aquatic bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukhendu Dey
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan 713104, West Bengal, India.
| | - Puspita Ballav
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan 713104, West Bengal, India.
| | - Arghya Mandal
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan 713104, West Bengal, India.
| | - Palas Samanta
- Department of Environmental Science, Sukanta Mahavidyalaya, University of North Bengal, Dhupguri, West Bengal, India.
| | - Atanu Patra
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan 713104, West Bengal, India.
| | - Subhas Das
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan 713104, West Bengal, India.
| | - Arnab Kumar Mondal
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan 713104, West Bengal, India.
| | - Apurba Ratan Ghosh
- Department of Environmental Science, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan 713104, West Bengal, India.
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19
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Wallace SJ, de Solla SR, Head JA, Hodson PV, Parrott JL, Thomas PJ, Berthiaume A, Langlois VS. Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in the Canadian environment: Exposure and effects on wildlife. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114863. [PMID: 32599329 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are ubiquitous in the environment. Wildlife (including fish) are chronically exposed to PACs through air, water, sediment, soil, and/or dietary routes. Exposures are highest near industrial or urban sites, such as aluminum smelters and oil sands mines, or near natural sources such as forest fires. This review assesses the exposure and toxicity of PACs to wildlife, with a focus on the Canadian environment. Most published field studies measured PAC concentrations in tissues of invertebrates, fish, and birds, with fewer studies of amphibians and mammals. In general, PAC concentrations measured in Canadian wildlife tissues were under the benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) guideline for human consumption. Health effects of PAC exposure include embryotoxicity, deformities, cardiotoxicity, DNA damage, changes to DNA methylation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and impaired reproduction. Much of the toxicity of PACs can be attributed to their bioavailability, and the extent to which certain PACs are transformed into more toxic metabolites by cytochrome P450 enzymes. As most mechanistic studies are limited to individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particularly BaP, research on other PACs and PAC-containing complex mixtures is required to understand the environmental significance of PAC exposure and toxicity. Additional work on responses to PACs in amphibians, reptiles, and semi-aquatic mammals, and development of molecular markers for early detection of biological responses to PACs would provide a stronger biological and ecological justification for regulating PAC emissions to protect Canadian wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Wallace
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - S R de Solla
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - J A Head
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
| | - P V Hodson
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - J L Parrott
- Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - P J Thomas
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - A Berthiaume
- Science and Risk Assessment Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Gatineau, QC, Canada
| | - V S Langlois
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec, QC, Canada.
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Transcriptional responses in newly-hatched Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) associated with developmental malformations following diluted bitumen exposure. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2020; 35:100685. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2020.100685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Adams JE, Madison BN, Charbonneau K, Sereneo M, Baillon L, Langlois VS, Brown RS, Hodson PV. Effects on Trout Alevins of Chronic Exposures to Chemically Dispersed Access Western Blend and Cold Lake Blend Diluted Bitumens. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2020; 39:1620-1633. [PMID: 32388892 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4747] [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: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The present study assessed the chronic toxicity of 2 chemically enhanced water accommodated fractions (CEWAFs) of diluted bitumens (dilbits), Access Western Blend (AWB) and Cold Lake Blend (CLB), to rainbow trout alevins. Chemical dispersion was used to overcome the resistance to dispersion of dilbits and to generate test solutions that contained more and smaller oil droplets for increased partitioning of petroleum hydrocarbons into water. Test solutions were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy, a rapid and inexpensive analytical tool to compare toxicity endpoints measured by fluorescence (total petroleum hydrocarbons measured by fluorescence [TPH-F]). Cumulative mortality and the prevalence and severity of malformations increased following exposure of alevins to dispersed dilbits. Toxicity curves overlapped for AWB and CLB when expressed as TPH-F and 22- to 24-d median lethal and effect concentrations ranged from 0.36 to 1.5 mg/L. Gene expression in alevins was also altered following exposure to dispersed dilbit, with relative cytochrome P450-1A mRNA levels increasing up to 170-fold for AWB and up to 240-fold for CLB. Access Western Blend and CLB caused similar toxicity to rainbow trout alevins as light to medium conventional crude oils, and rainbow trout alevins were more sensitive than yellow perch, Japanese medaka, and fathead minnow embryos exposed to dispersed AWB and CLB. The present study is the first to assess the embryotoxicity of dilbits to a Canadian freshwater salmonid species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1620-1633. © 2020 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie E Adams
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Barry N Madison
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kelli Charbonneau
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marie Sereneo
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lucie Baillon
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - R Stephen Brown
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter V Hodson
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Avey SR, Kennedy CJ, Farrell AP, Gillis TE, Alderman SL. Effects of diluted bitumen exposure on Atlantic salmon smolts: Molecular and metabolic responses in relation to swimming performance. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 221:105423. [PMID: 32006756 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Canada's oil sands industry continues to expand and the volume of diluted bitumen (dilbit) transported across North America is increasing, adding to spill risk and environmental contamination. Dilbit exposure is known to cause adverse effects in fish, but linking molecular and cellular changes with ecologically-relevant individual performance metrics is needed to better understand the potential consequences of a dilbit spill into the aquatic environment. Therefore, this study examined the effects of dilbit exposure on subcellular responses in cardiac and skeletal muscle in relation to swimming performance in a migratory fish species at risk of exposure, Atlantic salmon. Smolts were exposed subchronically to environmentally relevant concentrations of the water-soluble fraction of dilbit (WSFd) for 24 d, and then a subset of exposed fish underwent a depuration period of 7 or 14 d, for a total of 3 experimental time points. At each time point, repeat swimming performance was assessed using sequential critical swimming speed tests (Ucrit) separated by a 24 h rest period, and then several tissues were collected to determine biotransformation enzyme activation, energetic responses, and gene expression changes. Ucrit was unaffected in fish exposed to 67.9 μg/L total initial polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC), but fish showed a decreased reliance on lipid metabolism for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the heart that was maintained through 7 d depuration. In contrast, Ucrit increased in fish exposed to 9.65 μg/L PAC, corresponding to an increased reliance on anaerobic metabolic pathways in cardiac and red skeletal muscle, with partial recovery after 7 d depuration. As expected, at both concentrations WSFd hepatic cyp 1A-mediated biotransformation reactions increased, as measured by EROD activity, which remained elevated for 7 d but not after 14 d depuration. Transcript abundance of cyp1a was also increased in muscle tissue and recovered by 14 d depuration. The expression of other stress-related genes increased in white muscle of dilbit-exposed fish, but were largely unchanged in cardiac and red muscle. The transcriptional profile of cardiac tissue was compared to that of sockeye salmon similarly exposed to WSFd in a previous experiment, and is provided in supplemental text. Combined, these results demonstrate that dilbit exposure alters gene expression and enzyme activities related to xenobiotic exposure, cellular stress, and muscle energetics in juvenile Atlantic salmon without impairing swimming performance, and that most of these changes are recoverable within 14 d depuration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean R Avey
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher J Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anthony P Farrell
- Department of Zoology and Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Todd E Gillis
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah L Alderman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
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23
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Alderman SL, Dilkumar CM, Avey SR, Farrell AP, Kennedy CJ, Gillis TE. Effects of diluted bitumen exposure and recovery on the seawater acclimation response of Atlantic salmon smolts. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 221:105419. [PMID: 32014643 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Petrogenic chemicals are common and widespread contaminants in the aquatic environment. In Canada, increased extraction of bitumen from the oil sands and transport of the major crude oil export product, diluted bitumen (dilbit), amplifies the risk of a spill and contamination of Canadian waterways. Fish exposed to sublethal concentrations of crude oil can experience a variety of adverse physiological effects including osmoregulatory dysfunction. As regulation of water and ion balance is crucial during the seawater transition of anadromous fish, the hypothesis that dilbit impairs seawater acclimation in Atlantic salmon smolts (a fish at risk of exposure in Canada) was tested. Smolts were exposed for 24 d to the water-soluble fraction of dilbit in freshwater, and then transferred directly to seawater or allowed a 1 wk depuration period in uncontaminated freshwater prior to seawater transfer. The seawater acclimation response was quantified at 1 and 7 d post-transfer using established hematological, tissue, and molecular endpoints including gill Na+/K+-ATPase gene expression (nka). All smolts, irrespective of dilbit exposure, increased serum Na+ concentrations and osmolality within 1 d of seawater transfer. The recovery of these parameters to freshwater values by 7 d post-transfer was likely driven by the increased expression and activity of Na+/K+-ATPase in the gill. Histopathological changes in the gill were not observed; however, CYP1A-like immunoreactivity was detected in the pillar cells of gill lamellae of fish exposed to 67.9 μg/L PAC. Concentration-specific changes in kidney expression of a transmembrane water channel, aquaporin 3, occurred during seawater acclimation, but were resolved with 1 wk of depuration and were not associated with histopathological changes. In conclusion, apart from a robust CYP response in the gill, dilbit exposure did not greatly impact common measures of seawater acclimation, suggesting that significant osmoregulatory dysfunction is unlikely to occur if Atlantic salmon smolts are exposed sub-chronically to dilbit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Alderman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | - Sean R Avey
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anthony P Farrell
- Department of Zoology and Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christopher J Kennedy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Todd E Gillis
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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24
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Lin F, Osachoff HL, Kennedy CJ. Physiological disturbances in juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) exposed to the water-soluble fraction of diluted bitumen. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 220:105383. [PMID: 31924587 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.105383] [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: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Current and proposed transcontinental pipelines for the transport of diluted bitumen (dilbit) from the Canadian oil sands traverse the coastal watersheds of British Columbia, habitat essential to Pacific salmonids. To determine the potential risks posed to these keystone species, juvenile sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka; 1+ parr) were acutely (24-96 h) or subchronically (21-42 d) exposed to 4 concentrations of the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of unweathered Cold Lake Blend dilbit (initial total PAC concentrations: 0, 13.7, 34.7 and 124.5 μg/L) in a flow-through system. Dilbit effects on iono-osmoregulation, the physiological stress response, and the immune system were assessed by both biochemical and functional assays. Hydrocarbon bioavailability was evidenced by a significant induction of liver ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in exposed fish. Acute and subchronic exposure significantly reduced gill Na+-K+-ATPase activity and resulted in lower plasma osmolality, Cl-, and Na+ concentrations. Acute exposure to dilbit resulted in a classic physiological stress response, however at 21 d of exposure, plasma cortisol remained elevated while other measured parameters had returned to baseline values. A compromised immune system was demonstrated by a 29.5 % higher mortality in fish challenged with Vibrio (Listonella) anguillarum following dilbit exposure compared to unexposed controls. Exposure of juvenile salmonids to the WSF of dilbit (at TPAC concentrations at the ppb level) resulted in sublethal effects that included a classic physiological stress response, and alterations in iono-osmoregulatory homeostasis and immunological performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Lin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Heather L Osachoff
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
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25
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Madison BN, Reynolds J, Halliwell L, Leshuk T, Gu F, Peru KM, Headley JV, Orihel DM. Can the toxicity of naphthenic acids in oil sands process-affected water be mitigated by a green photocatalytic method? Facets (Ott) 2020. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2019-0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Our study evaluates the efficacy of a “green” (i.e., sustainable, recyclable, and reusable) technology to treat waste waters produced by Canada’s oil sands industry. We examined the ability of a novel advanced oxidative method—ultra-violet photocatalysis over titanium dioxide (TiO2)-coated microparticles—to reduce the toxicity of naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFC) to early life stages of the fathead minnow ( Pimephales promelas). Lengthening the duration of photocatalysis resulted in greater removal of NAFC from bioassay exposure waters; low- and high-intensity treatments reduced NAFC concentrations to about 20 and 3 mg/L (by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, FTIR), respectively. Treatments reduced the acute lethality of NAFC to fathead minnows by over half after low-intensity treatment and three-fold after high-intensity treatment. However, incomplete degradation in low-intensity treatments increased the incidence of chronic toxicity relative to untreated NAFC solutions and cardiovascular abnormalities were common even with >80% of NAFC degraded. Our findings demonstrate that photocatalysis over TiO2 microparticles is a promising method for mitigating the toxicity of oil sands process-affected water-derived NAFC to fish native to the oil sands region, but the intensity of the photocatalytic treatment needs to be considered carefully to ensure adequate mineralization of toxic constituents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry N. Madison
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Jessie Reynolds
- Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Lauren Halliwell
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Tim Leshuk
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Frank Gu
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Kerry M. Peru
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - John V. Headley
- Water Science and Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Diane M. Orihel
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
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26
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Stoyanovich SS, Yang Z, Hanson M, Hollebone BP, Orihel DM, Palace V, Rodriguez-Gil JL, Faragher R, Mirnaghi FS, Shah K, Blais JM. Simulating a Spill of Diluted Bitumen: Environmental Weathering and Submergence in a Model Freshwater System. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2019; 38:2621-2628. [PMID: 31553481 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The main petroleum product transported through pipelines in Canada is diluted bitumen (dilbit), a semiliquid form of heavy crude oil mixed with natural gas condensates to facilitate transport. The weathering, fate, behavior, and environmental effects of dilbit are crucial to consider when responding to a spill; however, few environmental studies on dilbit have been completed. We report on 11-d-long experimental spills of dilbit (Cold Lake Winter Blend) in outdoor microcosms meant to simulate a low-energy aquatic system containing natural lake water and sediments treated with low (1:8000 oil:water) and high (1:800 oil:water) volumes of dilbit. In the first 24 h of the experiment, volatile hydrocarbons quickly evaporated from the dilbit, resulting in increased dilbit density and viscosity. These changes in dilbit's physical and chemical properties ultimately led to its submergence after 8 d. We also detected rapid accumulation of polycyclic aromatic compounds in the water column of the treated microcosms following the spills. The present study provides new information on the environmental fate and behavior of dilbit in a freshwater environment that will be critical to environmental risk assessments of proposed pipeline projects. In particular, the study demonstrates the propensity for dilbit to sink under ambient environmental conditions in freshwaters typical of many boreal lakes. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2621-2628. © 2019 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zeyu Yang
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark Hanson
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Bruce P Hollebone
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Diane M Orihel
- Department of Biology and School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vince Palace
- International Institute for Sustainable Development Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Robert Faragher
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fatemah S Mirnaghi
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Keval Shah
- Emergencies Science and Technology Section, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jules M Blais
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Li X, Xiong D, Ding G, Fan Y, Ma X, Wang C, Xiong Y, Jiang X. Exposure to water-accommodated fractions of two different crude oils alters morphology, cardiac function and swim bladder development in early-life stages of zebrafish. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 235:423-433. [PMID: 31272002 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated the developmental toxicity of water-accommodated fractions (WAFs) of Oman crude oil (OCO) and Merey crude oil (MCO) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) in early-life stages (ELS). Based on total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), LC50 values manifested that OCO WAF was 1.2-fold more lethal to zebrafish embryos than MCO WAF. As for hatching rate, EC50 value for OCO WAF was 5.7-fold lower than that for MCO WAF. To evaluate the sublethal morphological effects, semi-quantitative extended general morphological score (GMS) and general teratogenic score (GTS) systems were adopted. The GMS and GTS scores indicated that the WAFs caused remarkable developmental delay and high frequencies of malformation in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, OCO and MCO WAFs exposure exhibited severe bradycardia (reduced heart rate) and overt reduction of stroke volume, with a concomitant decrease in the cardiac output. Meanwhile, the WAFs also induced dose-dependent down-regulated expressions of several key functional genes of excitation-contraction coupling in cardiomyocytes, including ryr2, atp2a2a, atp2a2b, ncx1h, and kcnh2. For key gene markers of swim bladder development, results showed that high dose of TPH induced significant down-regulation of hb9 and anxa5 with no obvious change of acta2, suggesting that the WAFs could affect the specification and development of epithelium and outer mesothelium of swim bladder in zebrafish ELS. A strong negative relationship between the failure of swim bladder inflation and cardiac dysfunction via cardiac output was found. All these findings provide novel insights into the complicated mechanisms of the developmental toxicity of crude oil on fish in ELS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xishan Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, 116026, China
| | - Deqi Xiong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, 116026, China.
| | - Guanghui Ding
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, 116026, China
| | - Youmei Fan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, 116026, China
| | - Xinrui Ma
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, 116026, China
| | - Chengyan Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian, 116026, China
| | - Yijun Xiong
- Biological Chemistry & Statistics, Grinnell College, IA, 50112, USA
| | - Xi Jiang
- China Railway No.9 Group Fourth Engineering Co., Ltd, Shenyang, 110013, China
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28
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Beirão J, Baillon L, Litt MA, Langlois VS, Purchase CF. Impact of crude oil and the dispersant Corexit™ EC9500A on capelin (Mallotus villosus) embryo development. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 147:90-100. [PMID: 31023559 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Marine food webs are particularly vulnerable to oil spills if keystone species are impacted. To quantify lethal and sublethal toxicity in a key Holarctic forage fish, capelin embryos were exposed to Hibernia crude oil water accommodated fraction (WAF) produced at an oil-to-water ratio of 1:9 (v:v) and chemically-enhanced WAF (CEWAF) produced with the dispersant Corexit™ EC9500A at a dispersant-to-oil ratio of 1:10 (CEWAF H) or 1:50 (CEWAF L). Corexit alone yielded similar embryotoxicity to CEWAF. 10% CEWAF H, with total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of 99.2 μg/L, decreased embryo survival following 10 h of exposure, while continual exposed to 1% CEWAF L decreased hatching and heart rates. Concentrations down to 0.1% CEWAF L increased in a dose-dependent manner the transcript level of cytochrome P4501a1 (cyp1a1) in hatched larvae. These data indicate that embryo-larval survival of capelin is likely at risk if an oil spill coincides in space and time with spawning.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Beirão
- Fish Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Biology Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X9, Canada; Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, NO - 8049, Bodø, Norway.
| | - Lucie Baillon
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec City, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Margaret A Litt
- Fish Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Biology Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Valérie S Langlois
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec City, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Craig F Purchase
- Fish Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Biology Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1B 3X9, Canada
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29
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McDonnell D, Madison BN, Baillon L, Wallace SJ, Brown SR, Hodson PV, Langlois VS. Comparative toxicity of two diluted bitumens to developing yellow perch (Perca flavescens). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 655:977-985. [PMID: 30577145 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Increasing demand for diluted bitumen (dilbit) has led to the development of the oil sands industry and the expansion of transcontinental pipelines. Dilbit is an unresolved complex mixture with variable diluent and bitumen composition. Thus, it is important to understand the effects of the two most transported dilbits in Canada, Access Western Blend (AWB) and Cold Lake Blend (CLB) on a North America native and freshwater fish species, the yellow perch (Perca flavescens). Fertilized embryos were exposed to both dilbits for 16 days, from <24 h post-fertilization until hatch. The treatment regime was a static daily renewal of water accommodated fractions (WAF) and chemically-enhanced water accommodated fractions (CEWAF) at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 21.3 μg/L of total polycyclic aromatic compounds (TPACs). Hatched embryos were assessed for malformations and changes in the expression of genes associated with phase I and II detoxification and oxidative stress. The prevalence of developmental malformations increased significantly at the highest concentrations of all treatments, with WAF treatments yielding a higher prevalence than CEWAF. The EC50s for AWB and CLB WAF and CEWAF solutions ranged from 9.8 to 24 μg/L TPACs, with the CEWAF of AWB being the least toxic. Relative mRNA levels of cyp1a showed induction by up to 18-fold in WAF and 50-fold in CEWAF treatments at similar concentrations of measured dilbit in solution. Complementary DNA methylation analysis was assessed and fish embryos exposed to AWB CEWAF and CLB WAF showed decreased DNA methylation profiles with increasing exposure to dilbit, suggesting that global gene expression is increasing in these treatments. With recent approvals of pipelines in North America, these data will support site-specific risk assessments and monitoring of Canadian ecosystems should a pipeline spill occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denby McDonnell
- School of Environmental Studies and Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Barry N Madison
- School of Environmental Studies and Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Lucie Baillon
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada; Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Sarah J Wallace
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada; Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Stephen R Brown
- School of Environmental Studies and Department of Chemistry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Peter V Hodson
- School of Environmental Studies and Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- School of Environmental Studies and Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada; Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Quebec City, QC, Canada.
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30
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Lara-Jacobo LR, Willard B, Wallace SJ, Langlois VS. Cytochrome P450 1A transcript is a suitable biomarker of both exposure and response to diluted bitumen in developing frog embryos. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 246:501-508. [PMID: 30583158 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In order for Alberta's thick bitumen to be transported through pipelines, condensates are added creating a diluted bitumen (dilbit) mixture. Recent pipeline expansion projects have generated concern about potential dilbit spills on aquatic wildlife health. Studies have suggested that polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) are toxic to aquatic vertebrates and could potentially also interfere with their endocrine system. The research objectives of this study were to investigate the toxicity of dilbit to developing frog embryos and to identify the molecular mechanisms of action involved. Fertilized embryos of Western clawed frog (Silurana tropicalis) were exposed for 72 h to water accommodated fractions (WAF; 0.7-8.9 μg/L TPACs) and chemically-enhanced WAFs (CEWAF; 0.09-56.7 μg/L TPACs) of Access Western Blend (AWB) and Cold Lake Blend (CLB) dilbits. Both dilbit's CEWAFs significantly increased embryonic mortality and malformation incidence in the highest treatments tested, while WAF treatments led to no visible toxic effects. Increases of the cytochrome P450 1A (cyp1a) mRNA levels were observed for all WAF and CEWAF dilbit treatments suggesting that phase I detoxification is activated in the dilbit-exposed larvae. When exposed to PAC concentrations ranging from 0.09 to 8.9 μg/L, the frogs displayed no observable malformations, but expressed significant increases of cyp1a mRNA levels (2- to 25-fold; indicating a suitable biomarker of exposure); however, when concentrations were of 46.6 μg/L or higher, both malformed frog phenotype and induction of cyp1a mRNA level (>250-fold) were measured (indicating a suitable biomarker of response). The expression of several genes related to cellular detoxification and endocrine disruption were also measured, but were not significantly altered by the treatments. In sum, cyp1a mRNA level is a highly sensitive endpoint to measure subtle molecular changes induced by PAC exposure in the frog embryos and larvae, and data suggest that PAC concentration higher than 46 μg/L would be toxic to the developing S. tropicalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda R Lara-Jacobo
- Centre Eau Terre Environnment, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Brianna Willard
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah J Wallace
- Centre Eau Terre Environnment, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- Centre Eau Terre Environnment, Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Quebec City, QC, Canada; Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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31
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Imbery JJ, Buday C, Miliano RC, Shang D, Round JM, Kwok H, Van Aggelen G, Helbing CC. Evaluation of Gene Bioindicators in the Liver and Caudal Fin of Juvenile Pacific Coho Salmon in Response to Low Sulfur Marine Diesel Seawater-Accommodated Fraction Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:1627-1638. [PMID: 30614687 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b05429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Low sulfur marine diesel (LSMD) is frequently involved in coastal spills and monitoring ecosystem damage, and the effectiveness of cleanup methods remains a challenge. The present study investigates the concentration and composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) dispersed in LSMD seawater accommodated fractions (WAFs) and assesses the effects of exposure on juvenile coho salmon ( Onchorhynchus kisutch). Three WAFs were prepared with 333, 1067, and 3333 mg/L LSMD. The sum of 50 common PAHs and alkylated PAHs (tPAH50) measured by gas chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry showed saturation at ∼90 mg/L for all WAFs. These WAFs were diluted 30% for 96 h fish exposures. qPCR was performed on liver and caudal fin from the same genotypically sexed individuals to evaluate PAH exposure, general and oxidative stress, estrogenic activity, and defense against metals. Excluding metal response, our analyses reveal significant changes in gene expression following WAF exposure on juvenile salmon with differential sensitivity between males and females. The 3-methylcholanthrene responsive cytochrome P450-1a ( cyp1a) transcript exhibited the greatest increase in transcript abundance in the caudal fin (10-18-fold) and liver (6-10-fold). This demonstrates that cyp1a is a robust, sex-independent bioindicator of oil exposure in caudal fin, a tissue that is amenable to nonlethal sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob J Imbery
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , University of Victoria , Victoria , British Columbia V8P 5C2 , Canada
| | - Craig Buday
- Pacific & Yukon Laboratory for Environmental Testing, Pacific Environmental Science Centre , Environment and Climate Change Canada , North Vancouver , British Columbia V7H 1B1 , Canada
| | - Rachel C Miliano
- Pacific & Yukon Laboratory for Environmental Testing, Pacific Environmental Science Centre , Environment and Climate Change Canada , North Vancouver , British Columbia V7H 1B1 , Canada
| | - Dayue Shang
- Pacific & Yukon Laboratory for Environmental Testing, Pacific Environmental Science Centre , Environment and Climate Change Canada , North Vancouver , British Columbia V7H 1B1 , Canada
| | - Jessica M Round
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , University of Victoria , Victoria , British Columbia V8P 5C2 , Canada
| | - Honoria Kwok
- Pacific & Yukon Laboratory for Environmental Testing, Pacific Environmental Science Centre , Environment and Climate Change Canada , North Vancouver , British Columbia V7H 1B1 , Canada
| | - Graham Van Aggelen
- Pacific & Yukon Laboratory for Environmental Testing, Pacific Environmental Science Centre , Environment and Climate Change Canada , North Vancouver , British Columbia V7H 1B1 , Canada
| | - Caren C Helbing
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology , University of Victoria , Victoria , British Columbia V8P 5C2 , Canada
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Hodson PV, Adams J, Brown RS. Oil toxicity test methods must be improved. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2019; 38:302-311. [PMID: 30365179 PMCID: PMC7379545 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A review of the literature on oil toxicity tests showed a high diversity of reported test methods that may affect the composition, stability, and toxicity of oil solutions. Concentrations of oil in test solutions are dynamic because hydrocarbons evaporate, partition to test containers, bioaccumulate, biodegrade, and photo-oxidize. As a result, the composition and toxicity of test solutions may vary widely and create significant obstacles to comparing toxicity among studies and to applying existing data to new risk assessments. Some differences in toxicity can be resolved if benchmarks are based on measured concentrations of hydrocarbons in test solutions, highlighting the key role of chemical analyses. However, analyses have often been too infrequent to characterize rapid and profound changes in oil concentrations and composition during tests. The lack of practical methods to discriminate particulate from dissolved oil may also contribute to underestimating toxicity. Overall, current test protocols create uncertainty in toxicity benchmarks, with a high risk of errors in measured toxicity. Standard oil toxicity tests conducted in parallel with tests under site-specific conditions would provide an understanding of how test methods and conditions affect measured oil toxicity. Development of standard test methods could be achieved by collaborations among university, industry, and government scientists to define methods acceptable to all 3 sectors. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:302-311. © 2018 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter V. Hodson
- School of Environmental StudiesQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
- Department of BiologyQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
| | - Julie Adams
- School of Environmental StudiesQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
| | - R. Stephen Brown
- School of Environmental StudiesQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
- Department of ChemistryQueen's UniversityKingstonOntarioCanada
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Robidoux PY, Virginie B, Judith L, Marc D. Assessment of acute and chronic toxicity of unweathered and weathered diluted bitumen to freshwater fish and invertebrates. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 164:331-343. [PMID: 30130732 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the results of two different studies investigating the acute and chronic toxicity of two blends of diluted bitumens ("dilbit") and weathered dilbit on freshwater fish and invertebrates after exposure to different concentrations of physically-dispersed (water accommodated fraction; WAF) and chemically-dispersed (chemically-enhanced WAF; CEWAF). The first study evaluated the acute and chronic toxicity of weathered, unweathered and dispersed Access Western Blend (AWB) dilbit on Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). In the second study, acute and chronic toxicity of weathered and unweathered Cold Lake Blend (CLB) dilbit was assessed on Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and two invertebrate species, Daphnia (Daphnia magna) and Ceriodaphnia (Ceriodaphnia dubia). For Fathead minnow, unweathered AWB WAF demonstrated a significantly higher acute toxicity (LC50-96 h = 0.628 g/L) compared to the weathered AWB WAF (LC50-96 h = 2.06 g/L). Chronic toxicity tests showed that Fathead minnow lethality was also higher for unweathered AWB (LC50-7 d = 0.593 g/L) compared to the weathered AWB (LC50-7 d = 1.31 g/L) whereas larval growth toxicity was lower for unweathered AWB (IC25-7 d=0.312 g/L) compared to the weathered dilbit (IC25-7 d = 0.096 g/L). Rainbow trout exposed to unweathered CLB demonstrated a significantly higher toxicity (LC50-96 h = 5.66 g/L) compared to the weathered CLB (LC50 > 18 g/L). Lethality (LC50 = 6.43 g/L) was observed in Ceriodaphnia exposed to the CLB WAF while no mortality was observed with the weathered CLB. The reproductive effects on Ceriodaphnia were greater with the CLB (IC25 <1.0) than with the weathered CLB (IC25 = 3.99 g/L). Volatile organic compounds (VOC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) increased as the dilbit CLB and AWB WAF concentrations increased. The total VOC and the total PAHs (including the alkylated PAHs) presented similar concentrations in the weathered and unweathered AWB WAF. These compounds seem therefore not be affected by the AWB WAF weathering process. However, VOC and PAH concentrations decreased significantly in the Rainbow trout and Ceriodaphnia toxicity tests using the weathered CLB WAF. VOC and PAH concentrations were also lower in the weathered AWB CEWAF used for Fathead minnow chronic study.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bérubé Virginie
- AGAT Laboratories, 9770 Route Transcanadienne, St. Laurent, QC H4S 1V9, Canada
| | - Leblanc Judith
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Maurice-Lamontagne Institute, 850 Route de la Mer, Mont-Joli, QC G5H 3Z4, Canada
| | - Desrosiers Marc
- Public Services and Procurement Canada, 1550, d'Estimauville, Québec, QC G1J 0C7, Canada
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Alsaadi FM, Madison BN, Brown RS, Hodson PV, Langlois VS. Morphological and molecular effects of two diluted bitumens on developing fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 204:107-116. [PMID: 30243048 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Canada has experienced a significant increase in the transport of diluted bitumen (dilbit), a predominant oil sands product that combines bitumen with diluents derived from oil-gas condensates and other proprietary compounds. The toxicity of dilbit to fish embryos, which are immobile and thus at a high risk of exposure to oil in the event of a spill, remains largely unknown for most species. This study assessed the toxicity of water accommodated fractions (WAF) and chemically enhanced water accommodated fractions (CEWAF) of two winter dilbit blends, Access Western Blend (AWB) and Cold Lake Blend (CLB), to fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) embryos. The TPH-F EC50s for malformations were 834 and 1058 μg/L for AWB WAF and CEWAF, respectively, and 500 and 715 μg/L for CLB WAF and CEWAF, respectively. Levels of cyp1a mRNA increased up to 46- and 69-fold, respectively, reflecting increasing exposure to polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in AWB and CLB. Similarly, levels of gst mRNA were elevated up to 3.8-fold and 2.7-fold with increasing total concentrations of PACs in AWB and CLB, respectively. However, there were no significant changes in mRNA levels of p53, sod, cat, and gsr. These results suggest that the expression of cyp1a and gst may serve as biomarkers for dilbit exposure in fathead minnow, furthering our understanding of dilbit-responsive indicators of toxicity in fish species native to North America. This study is important as it utilizes the same exposure methodology to examine the toxicity of two commonly used Canadian dilbits, facilitating comparison of dilbit toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Alsaadi
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - B N Madison
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Royal Military College of Canada, Canada; School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - R S Brown
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - P V Hodson
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - V S Langlois
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Royal Military College of Canada, Canada; School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) - Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Québec City, QC, Canada.
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Lyons DD, Philibert DA, Zablocki T, Qin R, Huang R, Gamal El-Din M, Tierney KB. Assessment of raw and ozonated oil sands process-affected water exposure in developing zebrafish: Associating morphological changes with gene expression. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 241:959-968. [PMID: 30029330 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
With the ever-increasing amounts of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) accumulating from Canada's oil sands operations, its eventual release must be considered. As OSPW has been found to be both acutely and chronically toxic to aquatic organisms, remediation processes must be developed to lower its toxicity. Ozone treatment is currently being studied as a tool to facilitate the removal of organic constituents associated with toxicity. Biomarkers (e.g. gene expression) are commonly used when studying the effects of environmental contaminants, however, they are not always indicative of adverse effects at the whole organism level. In this study, we assessed the effects of OSPW exposure on developing zebrafish by linking gene expression to relevant cellular and whole organism level endpoints. We also investigated whether or not ozone treatment decreased biomarkers and any associated toxicity observed from OSPW exposure. The concentrations of classical naphthenic acids in the raw and ozonated OSPW used in this study were 16.9 mg/L and 0.6 mg/L, respectively. Ozone treatment reduced the total amount of naphthenic acids (NAs) in the OSPW sample by 92%. We found that exposure to both raw and ozonated OSPW had no effect on the survival of zebrafish embryos. The expression levels of biotransformation genes CYP1A and CYP1B were induced by raw OSPW exposure, with CYP1B being more highly expressed than CYP1A. In contrast, ozonated OSPW exposure did not increase the expression of CYP1A and only slightly induced CYP1B. A decrease in cardiac development and function genes (NKX2.5 and APT2a2a) was not associates with large changes in heart rate, arrhythmia or heart size. We did not find any indications of craniofacial abnormalities or of increased occurrence of apoptotic cells. Overall, our study found that OSPW was not overtly toxic to zebrafish embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle D Lyons
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada.
| | - Danielle A Philibert
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Taylor Zablocki
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Rui Qin
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Rongfu Huang
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Mohamed Gamal El-Din
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Keith B Tierney
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada; School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada
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Li X, Ding G, Xiong Y, Ma X, Fan Y, Xiong D. Toxicity of Water-Accommodated Fractions (WAF), Chemically Enhanced WAF (CEWAF) of Oman Crude Oil and Dispersant to Early-Life Stages of Zebrafish (Danio rerio). BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2018; 101:314-319. [PMID: 30105540 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-018-2413-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study focused on comparing the lethal and sublethal toxicity of water-accommodated fractions (WAF) and chemically enhanced WAF (CEWAF) of crude oil to zebrafish (Danio rerio) on early life stages (ELS). Results showed that the addition of GM-2 dispersant caused an increase in the levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and total priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ΣPAHs). Based on ΣPAHs, the LC20 estimates for WAF and CEWAF were 4.88 µg L-1 and 1.19 µg L-1, respectively, indicating that CEWAF was approximately four times more toxic. CEWAF exposure caused markedly lower hatching rates and higher malformation frequencies than WAF. Meanwhile, the general morphology score (GMS) values in CEWAF were about fourfold lower than that in WAF, indicating that CEWAF exposure induced more significant developmental delay. The results suggested that chemical dispersant enhanced the toxicity of crude oil to zebrafish on ELS and its application could increase the exposure of fishes to crude oil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xishan Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1, Dalian, 116026, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghui Ding
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1, Dalian, 116026, People's Republic of China
| | - Yijun Xiong
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Grinnell College, 1115 8th Avenue, Grinnell, IA, 50112, USA
| | - Xinrui Ma
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1, Dalian, 116026, People's Republic of China
| | - Youmei Fan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1, Dalian, 116026, People's Republic of China
| | - Deqi Xiong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, Linghai Road 1, Dalian, 116026, People's Republic of China.
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Barron MG, Conmy RN, Holder EL, Meyer P, Wilson GJ, Principe VE, Willming MM. Toxicity of Cold Lake Blend and Western Canadian Select dilbits to standard aquatic test species. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 191:1-6. [PMID: 29020608 PMCID: PMC6016379 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Dilbits are blends of bitumen and natural gas condensates or crude oils with only limited toxicity data. Two dilbits, Cold Lake Blend and Western Canadian Select, were tested as either unweathered or weathered oils for acute and chronic toxicity to standard freshwater and estuarine organisms. Water accommodated fractions of the dilbits were characterized for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and monoaromatics (BTEX). Acute toxicity of unweathered and weathered dilbits ranged from 4 to 16 mg/L TPH, 8 to 40 μg/L total PAHs, and 0.7 to 16 mg/L BTEX in Ceriodaphnia dubia, Pimephales promelas, Americamysis bahia, and Menidia beryllina. Concentrations of weathered dilbits causing impaired growth (A. bahia) and reproduction (C. dubia) ranged from 0.8 to 3.5 mg/L TPH and 6 to 16 μg/L PAHs. The two dilbits had generally similar acute and short term chronic toxicity expressed as TPH or total PAHs as other crude oils and other petroleum products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mace G Barron
- Gulf Ecology Division, U.S. EPA, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, USA.
| | - Robyn N Conmy
- Land Remediation and Pollution Control Division, U.S. EPA, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | | | - Peter Meyer
- Hydrosphere Research, Alachua, FL 32615, USA
| | - Gregory J Wilson
- Office of Emergency Management, U.S. EPA, Washington, DC 20460, USA
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Alsaadi F, Hodson PV, Langlois VS. An Embryonic Field of Study: The Aquatic Fate and Toxicity of Diluted Bitumen. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2018; 100:8-13. [PMID: 29243210 PMCID: PMC5775368 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-017-2239-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Canada has experienced a significant increase in the transport of diluted bitumen (dilbit), a predominant oil sands product that combines bitumen with diluents derived from oil-gas condensates and other proprietary compounds. The proportion of diluent and the chemical composition of dilbit vary to meet seasonal transport requirements. While the toxic effects of a variety of crude and refined oils are well-studied, the toxicity of dilbit to aquatic species is less well known. This focused review summarizes dilbit production, chemistry, and the few data on toxicity to aquatic species. These data suggest that un-weathered dilbit would cause effects on fish equivalent to those of conventional oils, but its toxicity may be lower, depending on interactions among test conditions, the behavior of dilbit added to water and the species tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ftoon Alsaadi
- Biology Department, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Peter V Hodson
- Biology Department, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Valerie S Langlois
- Biology Department, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada.
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique - Centre Eau Terre Environnement (INRS-ETE), 490 de la Couronne, Quebec City, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada.
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