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Banaee M, Badr AA, Multisanti CR, Haghi BN, Faggio C. The toxicity effects of the individual and combined exposure of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and tire rubber powder (RP) on Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus). Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 274:109759. [PMID: 37778452 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2023.109759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is soluble in water and can contaminate water sources when it spills during transportation or leaks from underground storage tanks. Incomplete combustion releases MTBE as exhaust fumes that can be deposited on urban surfaces. Meanwhile, car tires erosion emits of large amounts of rubber dust (RP), easily transported to water bodies. Therefore, this study has the objective of assessing the toxicity of varying concentrations of MTBE (0, 2.5, 5.0 μL L-1) and RP (0, 5.0, 10.0 mg L-1 RP), both individually and in combination, over a period of 28 days on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). MTBE and PR decreased fish growth performance. Blood biochemical analytes indicated that MTBE and RP led to increasing Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities. Alterations related to glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, and creatinine, plasma contents, were also observed. Increased antioxidant biomarkers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and malondialdehyde (MDA), was observed. Exposure fish to MTBE and PR changed metabolic profile of muscle tissue. Moreover, results showed that MTBE, its metabolites, and PR could accumulate in the muscle tissue of fish. Results suggest that MTBE and RP can impact fish health, both individually and when combined. The presence of MTBE enhances the toxicity of RP, indicating a synergistic effect. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to understand the impact of toxic compounds on aquatic environments and organisms' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Banaee
- Aquaculture Department, Faculty of Natural Resources and the Environment, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran.
| | - Ahmad Ali Badr
- Biology Department, Faculty of Basic Science, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran
| | - Cristiana Roberta Multisanti
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Behzad Nematdoost Haghi
- Aquaculture Department, Faculty of Natural Resources and the Environment, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran
| | - Caterina Faggio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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2
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Gao Y, Feng J, Zhu J, Zhu L. Predicting copper toxicity in zebrafish larvae under complex water chemistry conditions by using a toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic model. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 400:123205. [PMID: 32585514 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Multiple water chemistry parameters influence metal toxicity in natural waters and accurate quantification of those influences may accelerate the development of site-specific water quality criteria (WQC) and further execute metal risk assessment for better protection of aquatic biota. Here, we investigated the effects of water chemistry parameters on copper (Cu) toxicity of larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) and then incorporated the effects of key parameters in a Toxicokinetic and Toxicodynamic (TK-TD) model. Further, the proposed TK-TD model was used to predict Cu toxicity in laboratory artificial waters as well as natural water samples. The predictive performance of the TK-TD model was evaluated in comparison to the biotic ligand model (BLM). The results showed that increasing Ca, Mg, pH, and fulvic acid (FA) levels significantly mitigated Cu toxicity in larvae, while K and Na levels had no significant effect on Cu toxicity. A predictive TK-TD model based on these data described 91 % of Cu accumulation and 87 % of survival of larvae exposed to Cu under 0, 2.5, 5, 10 mg/L FA. Compared with BLM, TK-TD model predicted better Cu accumulation and toxicity for an independent dataset in low DOC concentration (<10.95 mg L-1) of 9 sites in Haihe river (Tianjin, China) media during 96 h exposure. The BLM under-predicted the acute Cu toxicity to larvae when compared with observed values. In high DOC concentration (13.12-17.78 mg L-1) among three field sites, BLM and TK-TD model both under-predicted the acute Cu toxicity to larvae when compared with observed values. Our research provides a TK-TD approach for predicting Cu toxicity under complex water chemistry conditions and deriving Cu-WQC in different scenarios where there exist limits for using the BLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Process and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jianfeng Feng
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Process and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Jingxue Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Process and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Process and Environmental Criteria of Ministry of Education and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
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3
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Lee WM, Yoon Y, An YJ. Combined toxicities of methyl tert-butyl ether and its metabolite tert-butyl alcohol on earthworms via different exposure routes. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 128:191-198. [PMID: 25706436 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 12/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) are among the major soil contaminants that threaten the health of soil ecosystems. Many MTBE-contaminated sites accumulate TBA, because TBA is the intermediate of MTBE biodegradation. To access the risk of MTBE and TBA in soil, we investigated the combined toxicities of MTBE and TBA using two earthworm species, Perionyx excavatus and Eisenia andrei, as well as the toxic effects via different exposure routes. The combined toxicity showed weak antagonistic effects (LC50mix values were slightly greater than 1.0), and sensitivity toward same pollutants differed in the two earthworm species. Moreover, the toxicity of MTBE and TBA was also affected by the exposure route; both filter paper and artificial soil tests showed that dermal-only exposure to MTBE had an even greater toxic effect than combined dermal and oral exposure. Thus, we suggest that diverse environmental factors including organic materials, the physicochemical properties of the contact media, and the exposure routes of the organism, should be taken into consideration when assessing the effects of pollutants on organisms in diverse environmental systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo-Mi Lee
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngdae Yoon
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Joo An
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea.
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Swick D, Jaques A, Walker JC, Estreicher H. Gasoline toxicology: overview of regulatory and product stewardship programs. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2014; 70:S3-S12. [PMID: 24956589 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2014] [Revised: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Significant efforts have been made to characterize the toxicological properties of gasoline. There have been both mandatory and voluntary toxicology testing programs to generate hazard characterization data for gasoline, the refinery process streams used to blend gasoline, and individual chemical constituents found in gasoline. The Clean Air Act (CAA) (Clean Air Act, 2012: § 7401, et seq.) is the primary tool for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate gasoline and this supplement presents the results of the Section 211(b) Alternative Tier 2 studies required for CAA Fuel and Fuel Additive registration. Gasoline blending streams have also been evaluated by EPA under the voluntary High Production Volume (HPV) Challenge Program through which the petroleum industry provide data on over 80 refinery streams used in gasoline. Product stewardship efforts by companies and associations such as the American Petroleum Institute (API), Conservation of Clean Air and Water Europe (CONCAWE), and the Petroleum Product Stewardship Council (PPSC) have contributed a significant amount of hazard characterization data on gasoline and related substances. The hazard of gasoline and anticipated exposure to gasoline vapor has been well characterized for risk assessment purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Swick
- American Petroleum Institute, 1220 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005, United States.
| | - Andrew Jaques
- RegNet, 1250 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036, United States.
| | - J C Walker
- Keller and Heckman LLP, 1001 G Street, N.W., Suite 500W, Washington, DC 20001, United States.
| | - Herb Estreicher
- Keller and Heckman LLP, 1001 G Street, N.W., Suite 500W, Washington, DC 20001, United States.
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Liu Y, Wu F, Mu Y, Feng C, Fang Y, Chen L, Giesy JP. Setting water quality criteria in China: approaches for developing species sensitivity distributions for metals and metalloids. REVIEWS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2014; 230:35-57. [PMID: 24609517 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-04411-8_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Both nonparametric and parametric approaches were used to construct SSDs for use in ecological risk assessments. Based on toxicity to representative aquatic species and typical water contaminants of metals and metalloids in China, nonparametric methods based on the bootstrap were statistically superior to the parametric curve-fitting approaches. Knowing what the SSDs for each targeted species are might help in selecting efficient indicator species to use for water quality monitoring. The species evaluated herein showed sensitivity variations to different chemical treatments that were used in constructing the SSDs. For example, D. magna was more sensitive than most species to most chemical treatments, whereas D. rerio was sensitive to Hg and Pb but was tolerant to Zn. HC5 values, derived for the pollutants in this study for protecting Chinese species, differed from those published by the USEPA. Such differences may result from differences in geographical conditions and biota between China and the United States. Thus, the degree of protection desired for aquatic organisms should be formulated to fit local conditions. For approach selection, we recommend all approaches be considered and the most suitable approaches chosen. The selection should be based on the practical information needs of the researcher (viz., species composition, species sensitivity, and geological characteristics of aquatic habitats), since risk assessments usually are focused on certain substances, species, or monitoring sites. We used Tai Lake as a typical freshwater lake in China to assess the risk of metals and metalloids to the aquatic species. We calculated hazard quotients for the metals and metalloids that were found in the water of this lake. Results indicated the decreasing ecological risk of these contaminants in the following order: Hg <As<Ni<Zn<Cu<Cd<Pb<Cr. From the methodological perspective, six SSD approaches used delivered different WQC values and affected the risk assessment results of the metals and metalloids to aquatic species. Based on the MEC and HC5 derived from SSDs by nonparametric and parametric approaches together, the risk levels of metals and metalloids were characterized from their hazard quotients as being high risk (Cr, Pb, Cd, and Cu), medium risk (Zn and Ni), or low risk (As and Hg).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuedan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
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Dong-mei L, Yi G, Chun-tao Y, Yu-feng H, Xiao-dong H. Effects of subchronic methyl tert-butyl ether ether exposure on male Sprague-Dawley rats. Toxicol Ind Health 2009; 25:15-23. [DOI: 10.1177/0748233708101594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is an additive used to oxygenate gasoline to improve air quality by reducing tailpipe emissions of carbon monoxide and ozone precursors. Although several toxicity studies in rats have been conducted to examine the acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicities by employing various routes of exposure to MTBE, few data were available on the effects of MTBE exposure on blood. In this study, MTBE was administered to rats at dose levels of 0, 400, 800, and 1600 mg/kg/day, respectively. After 2- or 4-weeks treatment period, rats were euthanized and blood was collected for the assay of hematological indicators and blood biochemistry indicators. Some organs, including brain, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidneys, testes, epididymis, thymus, and prostate, were immediately removed and weighed. Possible subchronic health effects of MTBE exposure by gavage were evaluated on mortality, body weight, relative organ weight, hematology, and blood biochemistry indicators in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The results indicated that MTBE did not disrupt the growth rate of rats. Relative organ weight showed change in heart, liver, kidney, testes, thymus, and prostate. In the 2-week treatment, MTBE exerted toxicity on white blood cell count, including lymphocyte, granulocyte, and eosinophil. This finding was especially strong at 1600 mg/kg/day MTBE. In the 4-week treatment, hemoglobin at high dose MTBE significantly increased. The results of the assay for the biochemistry indicators and relative organ weight indicated that MTBE could impair liver and kidney functions and also have adverse effects on lipid metabolism and immune system. It was conducted that subchronic MTBE exposure induced the adverse effects occurring in the relative organ weight, the hematological indicators, and the biochemistry indicators under high MTBE dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Dong-mei
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - G Yi
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - Y Chun-tao
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
| | - H Yu-feng
- Department of Biochemistry, Jinling Hospital, Clinical School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China
| | - H Xiao-dong
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210093, China
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7
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Beltagi MS. Phytotoxicity of methyl tert-butyl ether to common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants. Pak J Biol Sci 2007; 10:3847-3852. [PMID: 19090240 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2007.3847.3852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The current investigation was conducted to report on the phytotoxicity of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) to common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Nebraska) plants. The two-week-old potted plants were subjected to four weekly soil applications of aqueous MTBE concentrations (0, 1, 10, 25 and 50 ml L(-1)). The root growth, flower and pod development were more sensitive to MTBE treatments; while, stem growth and photosynthetic pigments were more persistent to the toxicity of MTBE. The total number of protein bands/lane in SDS-PAGE protein profile was reduced by MTBE treatments. Two proteins of molecular weight 53.83 and 30.96 kDa were newly synthesized at the highest concentrations (25 and 50 ml L(-1)) of MTBE; while the syntheses of other proteins were completely inhibited with varying sensitivity to MTBE concentrations. The toxicity of MTBE concentrations caused progressive collapsing of epidermal and cortical tissues of the plant roots. MTBE is quite toxic to crop plants in contaminated soils of agricultural systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed S Beltagi
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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9
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Yu XZ, Gu JD. Uptake, metabolism, and toxicity of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in weeping willows. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2006; 137:1417-23. [PMID: 16723185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2006.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2006] [Revised: 04/07/2006] [Accepted: 04/07/2006] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is a high volume production chemical and the most commonly used gasoline oxygenate. Uptake, metabolism and toxicity of MTBE in trees were investigated in this study. Pre-rooted weeping willows (Salix babylonica L.) were exposed to hydroponic solution spiked with MTBE and incubated at 25.0+/-1 degrees C for 168 h. The normalized relative transpiration (NRT) rate of weeping willows was used to determine toxicity. MTBE and possible intermediate tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) in solution, tissues of aerial parts of plants, and air were analyzed. Results from the toxicity test showed that severe signs of toxicity (the reduction of the NRT >or=35%) were only found at the treatment group with high doses of MTBE 400 mg L(-1). Neither chlorosis of leaves nor large reduction in the NRT was observed at MTBE exposure to weeping willows <or=200 mg L(-1). Almost all applied MTBE was removed from the hydroponic solution by plants in all treatment groups. Small amounts of MTBE were detected in the plant tissues, but a large fraction of the applied MTBE was found in the air through plant transpiration. Mass balance studies showed that MTBE was assimilated into the plants from hydroponic solution but was not metabolized during transport in the plant. Phytovolatilization was the only relevant removal process for MTBE. Transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF), an important parameter for design of engineered MTBE phytoremediation systems, was estimated to be 1.12. In conclusion, although this compound is persistent to the attack by plant enzymes, atmospheric MTBE is much more susceptible to photo-oxidation for decomposition. Phytoremediation of MTBE polluted soils and groundwater is an alternative to presently available remediation technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Zhang Yu
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
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Key PB, Wirth EF, Fulton MH. A Review of Grass Shrimp,Palaemonetesspp., as a Bioindicator of Anthropogenic Impacts. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1080/15555270600685115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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11
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An YJ. Assessing soil ecotoxicity of methyl tert-butyl ether using earthworm bioassay; closed soil microcosm test for volatile organic compounds. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2005; 134:181-186. [PMID: 15589644 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2004.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2004] [Accepted: 08/23/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
An earthworm bioassay was conducted to assess ecotoxicity in methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)-amended soils. Ecotoxicity of MTBE to earthworms was evaluated by a paper contact method, natural field soil test, and an OECD artificial soil test. All tests were conducted in closed systems to prevent volatilization of MTBE out of test units. Test earthworm species were Perionyx excavatus and Eisenia andrei. Mortality and abnormal morphology of earthworms exposed to different concentrations of MTBE were examined. MTBE was toxic to both earthworm species and the severity of response increased with increasing MTBE concentrations. Perionyx excavatus was more sensitive to MTBE than Eisenia andrei in filter papers and two different types of soils. MTBE toxicity was more severe in OECD artificial soils than in field soils, possibly due to the burrowing behavior of earthworms into artificial soils. The present study demonstrated that ecotoxicity of volatile organic compounds such as MTBE can be assessed using an earthworm bioassay in closed soil microcosm with short-term exposure duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youn-Joo An
- Department of Environmental Science, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, South Korea.
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Guitart C, Bayona JM, Readman JW. Sources, distribution and behaviour of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in the Tamar Estuary, UK. CHEMOSPHERE 2004; 57:429-437. [PMID: 15350404 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Negligible information is currently available concerning levels of the fuel additive methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) in European estuaries or coastal environments. MTBE was measured at selected potentially contaminated harbours and marinas, and throughout an axial transect of the Tamar Estuary, UK. Headspace solid-phase microextraction was used in combination with GC-MS for its determination. MTBE was detected in water samples from all stations at concentrations ranging from a few ng/l to a maximum of 194 ng/l (in a semi-enclosed harbour). Elevated levels were generally associated with motor vehicle and boating activities. The Tamar road and rail bridges provided a major input to the lower estuary, downstream of which conservative mixing appeared depressed, probably through volatilisation and possibly through salting-out. The selected analytical system (using a Carboxen/PDMS fiber) proved both rapid and highly sensitive (with a detection limit of 6 ng/l). During method development, salinity was shown to have a major influence in controlling the extraction efficiency and it was found necessary to adjust salinity in all samples (to 75% saturation) prior to extraction. From these tests, we (for the first time) estimated the Setschenow ("salting-out") constant of MTBE to be 0.11 l/mol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Guitart
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IIQAB-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-24, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Hernando MD, Ejerhoon M, Fernández-Alba AR, Chisti Y. Combined toxicity effects of MTBE and pesticides measured with Vibrio fischeri and Daphnia magna bioassays. WATER RESEARCH 2003; 37:4091-4098. [PMID: 12946890 DOI: 10.1016/s0043-1354(03)00348-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a fuel oxygenate that is added to gasoline, commonly contaminates aquatic systems, many of which are already contaminated with pesticides. The toxic effects (EC(50) value) of several pure pesticides (Diuron, Linuron, Dichlofluanid, Sea nine, Irgarol and tributyltin (TBT)) were measured and compared with the EC(50) value of the pesticide mixed with MTBE, using the Vibrio fischeri and Daphnia magna acute toxicity assays. The interaction between chemicals was evaluated in terms of the effects of mixing on the EC(50) value (i.e. the concentration (mg/L) of a compound or mixture that is required to produce a 50% change in a toxic response parameter) and the time required to generate the toxic response. Presence of MTBE enhanced the EC(50) value of several pesticides (Diuron, Dichlofluanid, TBT and Linuron) and/or the toxic response manifested more rapidly than with pure pesticides. Toxicity enhancements were quite substantial in many cases. For example, the presence of MTBE increased the toxicity of Diuron by more than 50% when tested with the V. fischeri assay (5, 15 and 30 min exposure). Also, the toxic response manifested itself within 5 min whereas without the MTBE the same response arose in 30 min. Presence of MTBE increased the toxicity of Dichlofluanid by 30% when measured with the D. magna assay. Toxicities of only two pesticides (Sea nine and Irgarol) were not raised by the presence of MTBE.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Hernando
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
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Mezcua M, Agüera A, Hernando MD, Piedra L, Fernández-Alba AR. Determination of methyl tert.-butyl ether and tert.-butyl alcohol in seawater samples using purge-and-trap enrichment coupled to gas chromatography with atomic emission and mass spectrometric detection. J Chromatogr A 2003; 999:81-90. [PMID: 12885054 DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9673(03)00330-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A rapid and simple analytical method has been established for the determination of methyl tert.-butyl ether (MTBE) and tert.-butyl alcohol (TBA), in seawater. The method involves purge-and-trap enrichment followed by gas chromatographic (GC) determination. Two different detection systems have been compared: atomic emission detection (AED) and MS (selected ion monitoring mode). Validation parameters and possible matrix effects have been evaluated. The linearity and analytical precision was good with both methods, but limits of detection reached by AED (10 microg l(-1)) were not low enough to evaluate current environmental concentrations. GC-MS detection presented much better sensitivity [limits of detection (LODs) of 0.04 microg l(-1) for MTBE and 0.09 microg l(-1) for TBA] and selectivity, providing a more reliable determination. The analysis of samples collected from various marinas in the south of Spain (Almería and Málaga) showed, in all cases, detectable concentrations of MTBE that ranged from below LOD to 1842 microg l(-1), depending on the sampling point and time. TBA was also detected in some cases, with concentration levels that ranged from 400 to 600 microg l(-1). These preliminary results should be followed by monitoring programs in coastal waters, in order to establish real levels of presence of MTBE in our coasts and its possible effect on the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milagros Mezcua
- Pesticide Residue Research Group, University of Almería, 04071 Almería, Spain
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