Evaluation of the genotoxicity of municipal sewage effluent using the marine worm Platynereis dumerilii (Polychaeta: Nereidae)

Investigation of occurrence of aromatic amines in municipal wastewaters using passive sampling

Aromatic amines (AAs) are human-made compounds known for their mutagenic properties, entering surface waters from various sources, often originating as transformation products of dyes or pesticides. Despite their low concentrations in surface waters, AAs can exhibit mutagenicity. Our study focused on evaluating three passive samplers (PSs) for enriching these compounds from influent and effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Brno, Czech Republic. The PSs tested included variants containing AttractSPE™ SDB-RPS sorbent disk, one with and one without a diffusive agarose hydrogel layer, and a modified Speedisk (Bakerbond Speedisk® H2O-Philic). PSs were deployed in wastewater (WW) for one to four weeks in various overlapping combinations, and the uptake of AAs to PSs was compared to their concentrations in 24-hour composite water samples. A targeted LC/MS analysis covered 42 amines, detecting 11 and 13 AAs in daily composite influent and effluent samples, respectively. In the influent, AAs ranged from 1.5 ng L-1 for 1-anilinonaphthalene to 1.0 μg L-1 for aniline, and the highest concentration among all measured amines was observed for cyclohexylamine at 2.9 μg L-1. In the effluent, concentrations ranged from 0.5 ng L-1 for 1-anilinonaphthalene to 88 ng L-1 for o-anisidine. PSs demonstrated comparable accumulation of amines, with integrative uptake up to 28 days in both influent and effluent and detection of up to 23 and 27 amines in influent and effluent, respectively; altogether 34 compounds were detected in the study. Sampling rates (Rs) were estimated for compounds present in at least 50 % of the samples and showing <40 % aqueous concentration variability, with robustness evaluated by comparing values for compounds in WWTP influent and effluent. Although all devices performed similarly, hydrogel-based PS exhibited superior performance in several criteria, including time integration and robustness of sampling rates, making it a suitable monitoring tool for AAs in WW.

The Nereid on the rise: Platynereis as a model system

The Nereid Platynereis dumerilii (Audouin and Milne Edwards (Annales des Sciences Naturelles 1:195-269, 1833) is a marine annelid that belongs to the Nereididae, a family of errant polychaete worms. The Nereid shows a pelago-benthic life cycle: as a general characteristic for the superphylum of Lophotrochozoa/Spiralia, it has spirally cleaving embryos developing into swimming trochophore larvae. The larvae then metamorphose into benthic worms living in self-spun tubes on macroalgae. Platynereis is used as a model for genetics, regeneration, reproduction biology, development, evolution, chronobiology, neurobiology, ecology, ecotoxicology, and most recently also for connectomics and single-cell genomics. Research on the Nereid started with studies on eye development and spiralian embryogenesis in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Transitioning into the molecular era, Platynereis research focused on posterior growth and regeneration, neuroendocrinology, circadian and lunar cycles, fertilization, and oocyte maturation. Other work covered segmentation, photoreceptors and other sensory cells, nephridia, and population dynamics. Most recently, the unique advantages of the Nereid young worm for whole-body volume electron microscopy and single-cell sequencing became apparent, enabling the tracing of all neurons in its rope-ladder-like central nervous system, and the construction of multimodal cellular atlases. Here, we provide an overview of current topics and methodologies for P. dumerilii, with the aim of stimulating further interest into our unique model and expanding the active and vibrant Platynereis community.

Identification of Mutagenic Aromatic Amines in River Samples with Industrial Wastewater Impact

Aromatic amines are one of the most important classes of compounds contributing to surface water mutagenicity due to their widespread occurrence as precursors and transformation products of dyes, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and other compound classes. In this study, we implemented a workflow including novel analytical and data evaluation methods aiming to identify aromatic amines in six mutagenic wastewater effluents from a chemical-industrial area in Germany, collected by the passive sampler Blue Rayon. We identified 14 amines including the two potent mutagenic aromatic amines 2,3- and 2,8-phenazinediamine, which were reported for the first time as environmental contaminants. These two isomers accounted between 4.2 and 86% of the mutagenicity of the blue rayon extracts and may be byproducts of dye production at the studied site.

Sewage pollution: genotoxicity assessment and phytoremediation of nutrients excess with Hydrocotyle ranunculoides

The discharge of sewage effluents into low-order streams has negative effects on water quality. Macrophytes can be efficient in the treatment of this wastewater due to the removal of the main pollutants. The genotoxicity of sewage-polluted water discharging into La Choza stream was evaluated by testing with Allium cepa. Also, a phytoremediation assay with continuous recirculation of the residual water was conducted for 12 days. Three treatments were carried out. One treatment (Hr) was performed with a macrophyte (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides), and two treatments were conducted without macrophytes: with lighting (Ai) and without lighting (Ao). The wastewater was toxic according to all the evaluated indexes (mitotic index, frequency of chromosomal aberrations and micronucleus). High concentrations of ammonium, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), total (TP) and soluble reactive phosphorous (SRP) and indicators of faecal contamination were determined in the wastewater. The ammonium, DIN, SRP and TP loads at the end of the assay were significantly lower in the treatments with light (Hr and Ai). So, the nutrient removal was due to their absorption and adsorption by the periphyton and H. ranunculoides. Our results lead us to recommend the maintenance and planting of macrophytes in lowland streams subject to sewage pollution.

Comparative Toxicity of Chlorinated Saline and Freshwater Wastewater Effluents to Marine Organisms

Toilet flushing with seawater results in saline wastewater, which may contain approximately 33-50% seawater. Halogenated disinfection byproducts (DBPs), especially brominated and iodinated DBPs, have recently been found in chlorinated saline wastewater effluents. With the occurrence of brominated and iodinated DBPs, the adverse effects of chlorinated saline wastewater effluents to marine ecology have been uncertain. By evaluating the developmental effects in the marine polychaete Platynereis dumerilii directly exposed to chlorinated saline/freshwater wastewater effluents, we found surprisingly that chlorinated saline wastewater effluents were less toxic than a chlorinated freshwater wastewater effluent. This was also witnessed by the marine alga Tetraselmis marina. The toxicity of a chlorinated wastewater effluent to the marine species was dominated by its relatively low salinity compared to the salinity in seawater. The organic matter content in a chlorinated wastewater effluent might be partially responsible for the toxicity. The adverse effects of halogenated DBPs on the marine species were observed pronouncedly only in the "concentrated" chlorinated wastewater effluents. pH and ammonia content in a wastewater effluent caused no adverse effects on the marine species. The results suggest that using seawater to replace freshwater for toilet flushing might mitigate the "direct" acute detrimental effect of wastewater to the marine organisms.

Genotoxic potential and physicochemical parameters of Sinos River, southern Brazil

The present study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical parameters and the genotoxic potential of water samples collected in the upper, middle, and lower courses of the Sinos River, southern Brazil. The comet assay was performed in the peripheral blood of fish Hyphessobrycon luetkenii exposed under laboratory conditions to water samples collected in summer and winter in three sampling sites of Sinos River. Water quality analysis demonstrated values above those described in Brazilian legislation in Parobé and Sapucaia do Sul sites, located in the middle and in the lower courses of the Sinos River, respectively. The Caraá site, located in the upper river reach, presented all the physicochemical parameters in accordance with the allowed limits in both sampling periods. Comet assay in fish revealed genotoxicity in water samples collected in the middle course site in summer and in the three sites in winter when compared to control group. Thus, the physicochemical parameters indicated that the water quality of the upper course complies with the limits set by the national guidelines, and the ecotoxicological assessment, however, indicated the presence of genotoxic agents. The present study highlights the importance of combining water physicochemical analysis and bioassays to river monitoring.

Expanding the ecotoxicological toolbox: the inclusion of polychaete reproductive endpoints

In the last 15 years the diversity of pollutants and routes of impact have increased. However, the polychaete families, species and endpoints investigated have remained fairly constant. Reproductive outputs are more ecologically relevant than adult physiological or biochemical changes. Nevertheless, there remains a paucity of data on the reproductive responses of the popular species to pollutants which limits our ability to understand the true ecological impacts of such contaminants on natural populations. We highlight the current knowledge gaps in our understanding of the impacts of pollutants on the 'model' species' reproductive biology and therefore the potential ecological impacts of such contaminants on their natural populations, and the potential benefits of a wider use of polychaete reproductive endpoints for ecotoxicological assessments. The following priority areas are suggested for inclusion in the polychaete ecotoxicology toolbox: 1. Include reproductive endpoints as assessments of ecotoxicology for the traditional 'model' species and those that have different reproductive traits to ensure broad ecological relevance. 2. Nereids and Arenicola marina should be used to investigate the interaction of pollutants with the endocrine/environmental control of reproduction. 3. Polychaetes are ideal for addressing the under representation of male eco-toxicity effects. 4. Emerging pollutants should be assessed with reproductive endpoints together with the traditional biomarkers. 5. Effects of pollutants on larval behaviour need to be explored considering the limited but equivocal results so far.

Can Hediste diversicolor (Nereidae, Polychaete) be considered a good candidate in evaluating PAH contamination? A multimarker approach

The aim of this study was to develop a preliminary characterization of the biological responses of Hediste diversicolor to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) under controlled laboratory conditions. In order to test the effects of PAH exposure, a battery of biomarkers was applied to the polychaetes by exposing them to sublethal concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (0.1 and 0.5 mg L(-1)) for 10d under laboratory conditions. The battery of biomarkers tested included oxidative stress biomarkers (glutathione content, enzymatic activities of catalase, glutathione S-transferases, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidases), total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) toward peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals and activity of acyl CoA oxidase (AOX) as a marker of peroxisome proliferation measured in the entire body; lipofuscin and neutral lipid accumulations and levels of Ca(2+)-ATPase activity analyzed in the intestinal epithelium; lysosomal membrane stability and genotoxic effects measured as DNA strand breaks and frequency of micronuclei in coelomocytes. Chemical analyses were also carried out to verify the polychaete's benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) bioaccumulation levels after the exposure period. The results obtained indicate that B[a]P caused significant changes in most of the parameters measured in H. diversicolor. Biological responses to the organic compound were particularly significant for the biomarkers measured in the intestinal epithelium and in coelomocytes, emphasizing that these tissues were more affected during our experimental conditions. Considering the key trophic role of this benthic species in estuarine and coastal ecosystems, this study confirmed that H. diversicolor is an appropriate bioindicator of organic contamination.

Genotoxicity biomonitoring of sewage in two municipal wastewater treatment plants using the Tradescantia pallida var. purpurea bioassay

The genotoxicity of untreated and treated sewage from two municipal wastewater treatment plants (WTP BN and WTP SJN) in the municipality of Porto Alegre, in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, was evaluated over a one-year period using the Tradescantia pallida var. purpurea (Trad-MCN) bioassay. Inflorescences of T. pallida var. purpurea were exposed to sewage samples in February (summer), April (autumn), July (winter) and October (spring) 2009, and the micronuclei (MCN) frequencies were estimated in each period. The high genotoxicity of untreated sewage from WTP BN in February and April was not observed in treated sewage, indicating the efficiency of treatment at this WTP. However, untreated and treated sewage samples from WTP SJN had high MCN frequencies, except in October, when rainfall may have been responsible for reducing these frequencies at both WTPs. Physicochemical analyses of sewage from both WTPs indicated elevated concentrations of organic matter that were higher at WTP SJN than at WTP BN. Chromium was detected in untreated and treated sewage from WTP SJN, but not in treated sewage from WTP BN. Lead was found in all untreated sewage samples from WTP SJN, but only in the summer and autumn at WTP BN. These results indicate that the short-term Trad-MCN genotoxicity assay may be useful for regular monitoring of municipal WTPs.

Detection of micronucleus and abnormal nucleus in erythrocytes from the gill and kidney of Labeo bata cultivated in sewage-fed fish farms

Determination of genotoxic effect in fish, micronucleus test as well as the study of the abnormal shape of nuclei is a suitable measure, in which the presence or absence of genotoxins can be detected in water. In the present study, micronuclei and abnormal nuclei frequencies were scored in the gill and kidney erythrocytes of the fish Labeo bata grown in the sewage-fed fish farms of East Calcutta wetlands. Three experimental sites were chosen, namely, Bantala, Chowbaga and Chingrihata (basically these sites have sewage-fed fishponds), which were compared with fishponds of no sewage influence as the control area. Highly significant differences (P<0.001) were noticed for micronucleus frequencies in the gill and kidney erythrocytes of experimental fishes, where kidney erythrocytes showed an increased value than gill erythrocytes without any statistical differences. The frequencies of nuclear abnormalities such as necrotic cells, apoptotic cells, notch nucleated cells and binucleated cells were also counted separately for gill and kidney erythrocytes, in which significantly (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05) increased values were obtained in comparison to control populations. These genotoxicity results confirmed that the sewage-fed ponds contain genotoxic metals such as Cr, Zn, Cu, Pb, Mn, Fe through wastewater and sludge because of the direct use of sewage water without pretreatment which may lead to health risks among humans through chronic consumption of fish from these experimental fish ponds. Other vertebrates grown in sewage-fed ponds may also suffer a certain amount of genotoxic substances.

Genotoxicological studies in aquatic organisms: an overview

Substantial progress has been made in the lat two decades to evaluate the impact of physical and chemical genotoxins in aquatic organisms. This overview (a) summarises the major high lights in this stimulating area of research, (b) compares the developments in this field with the developments in mammalian genotoxicological studies, where appropriate, (c) introduces 18 different articles presented in this special issue of Mutation Research in the backdrop of main advances and , (d) hypothesises on future directions of research in this exciting field.

Genotoxic, cytotoxic and ontogenetic effects of tri-n-butyltin on the marine worm, Platynereis dumerilii (Polychaeta: Nereidae)

The genotoxic, cytotoxic and ontogenetic (embryo-larval) or developmental effects of tri-n-butyltin (TBT), were investigated in Platynereis dumerilii. Following the determination of maximum tolerated dose with regard to ontogenetic effects and mortality, early life stages of P. dumerilii were exposed to a range of TBT concentrations. Subsequently, the embryo-larvae were analysed for evidence of genotoxicity and cytotoxicity. Genotoxicity was assessed using cytogenetic endpoints that included the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges and chromosomal aberrations from metaphase spreads. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by determining the proliferative rate index of the growing embryo-larval cells using 5-bromodeoxyuridine labelling of the chromosomes or fluorescence plus Giemsa staining technique. TBT-exposed embryo-larvae of P. dumerilii exhibited sensitivity similar to that of other invertebrates, indicating that P. dumerilii is a suitable ecotoxicity test species. The results also suggested dose-dependent effects for genotoxic and cytotoxic end points in relation to TBT exposure. The present study highlights the need to elucidate the relative importance of direct genotoxic and indirect effects through production of genotoxic hormonal derivatives.

Micronuclei monitoring of fishes from Lake Paranoá, under influence of sewage treatment plant discharges

Fish micronuclei tests (MN) were used to evaluate the ability of wastewater from two municipal sewage treatment plants that empty into Lake Paranoá to cause genetic damage. There were no significant differences in the frequencies of micronuclei between the control and hypertrophic areas. In contrast, cyclophosphamide and mitomycin C, used to test the sensitivity of the biological assay, significantly increased the micronuclei counts in Tilapia rendalli, Oreochromis niloticus and Cyprinus carpio, T. rendalli was the most sensitive specie to both clastogens and C. carpio, the most resistant.

Interlaboratory study for the validation of an ecotoxicological procedure to monitor the quality of septic sludge received at a wastewater treatment plant

Septic tank sludge is regularly hauled to the Montreal Urban Community (MUC) wastewater treatment plant. It is then discharged and mixed with the wastewater inflow before entering the primary chemical treatment process. An ecotoxicological procedure integrating chemical and toxicological analyses has been recently developed and applied to screen for the illicit discharge of toxic substances in septic sludge. The toxicity tests used were the Microtox, the bacterial-respiration, and the lettuce (Lactuca sativa) root elongation tests. In order to validate the applicability of the proposed procedure, a two-year interlaboratory study was carried out. In general, the results obtained by two independent laboratories (MUC and the Centre d'expertise en analyse environnementale du Quebec) were comparable and reproducible. Some differences were found using the Microtox test. Organic (e.g., phenol and formaldehyde) and inorganic (e.g., nickel and cyanide) spiked septic sludge were detected with good reliability and high efficiency. The relative efficiency to detect spiked substances was > 70% and confirms the results of previous studies. In addition, the respiration test was the most efficient toxicological tool to detect spiked substances, whereas the Microtox was the least efficient (< 15%). Efficiencies to detect spiked contaminants were also similar for both laboratories. These results support previous data presented earlier and contribute to the validation of the ecotoxicological procedure used by the MUC to screen toxicity in septic sludge.

Detection of genotoxins in the marine environment: adoption and evaluation of an integrated approach using the embryo-larval stages of the marine mussel, Mytilus edulis

In genetic ecotoxicology or eco-genotoxicology, there is lack of well-validated systems which could demonstrate the utility of multiple endpoints in environmental quality assessment. For an evaluation of genotoxic potential of heterogeneous marine sediment samples collected from a small fishing harbour in the UK, an in vivo test system using embryo-larval stages of the common mussel, Mytilus edulis was validated against direct and indirect acting reference mutagens. The system appeared to be sensitive and reproducible for cytogenetic endpoints analysed (sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and chromosomal aberrations (CAbs)). Following validation and chemical characterisation of the environmental samples, multiple endpoints were measured. Determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was carried out as a measure to determine cytotoxic effects as a confounding factor for genotoxicity, based on developmental and cytotoxic (in terms of proliferative rate index or PRI) effects. Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of the samples gave a positive response for all the endpoints tested, linking different levels of biological organisation (i.e., chromosomal, cellular and organismal) for the observed effects. The study also emphasises the need for the assessment of the short and long-term impacts of dredge disposal on marine biota by including laboratory-based bioassays and incorporating an integrated approach which could yield as much useful information as possible in overall hazard and risk assessment for aquatic genotoxicity.

Qualitative assessment of genotoxicity using random amplified polymorphic DNA: Comparison of genomic template stability with key fitness parameters in Daphnia magna exposed to benzo[a]pyrene

A method of DNA profiling using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to assess toxicant-induced DNA effects in laboratory populations of Daphnia magna exposed to varying concentrations of the genotoxic hydrocarbon benzo[a]pyrene. These effects, represented by changes in the RAPD profiles, were compared with a number of key ecological fitness parameters (age-specific survival, age-specific fecundity, net reproductive rate, and intrinsic rate of population increase). Not only was the RAPD profiling method shown to be a rapid and reproducible assay of toxicant-induced DNA effects, but the qualitative measure of genomic template stability compared favorably with the traditional indices of fitness. The RAPD profiles, however, exhibited higher sensitivity in detecting toxic effects. The significance of these findings for future ecotoxicological studies is discussed.

Assessment of developmental effects, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in the marine polychaete (Platynereis dumerilii) exposed to disinfected municipal sewage effluent

While sodium hypochlorite is widely used as a disinfectant for municipal sewage effluents and power station cooling waters discharged into coastal environments, there is limited information on the potential in vivo genotoxicity of such disinfection procedures to marine organisms. Using a recently developed test system based on the marine polychaete Platynereis dumerilii, we have evaluated impacts based on embryo-larval development, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity following exposure to disinfected settled (primary) effluent from a municipal sewage treatment works (STW). Sewage samples were collected from Newton Abbot STW, Devon, UK and then disinfected with sodium hypochlorite based on standard operational procedures. Exposure of polychaetes to dilutions of disinfected sewage in seawater (20 +/- 1 degree C) led to a marked reduction in normal embryo-larval development (7 h EC50 from 0.57-1.88% (v/v), n = 4), with a simultaneous increase in cytotoxicity. Following the calculation of the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD), based on developmental and cytotoxic effects, the organisms were also analysed for the induction of chromosomal aberrations. This investigation demonstrated the absence of genotoxicity in polychaetes exposed in vivo to sewage disinfected with sodium hypochlorite. These observations extend our previously published studies in which polychaetes exposed to non-disinfected sewage, while showing developmental toxicity and cytotoxicity, did not exhibit any evidence of cytogenetic damage.

The ecotoxicological significance of genotoxicity in marine invertebrates

Attention is drawn to the goals of genetic ecotoxicology, in particular, the need to relate genotoxicity in individuals to population and community level consequences. The evidence for pollutant-induced genotoxicity in marine invertebrates is reviewed. Neoplasia is apparently rare in marine invertebrates and only limited evidence is available to suggest that chemical genotoxins act as causative agents. It is unknown why marine invertebrates exhibit low tumour incidences and are much more tolerant of ionising radiation than their vertebrate counterparts. The importance of the genotoxic disease syndrome is highlighted. Disentangling phenotypic manifestations of genotoxic damage and that due to direct metabolic toxicity provides a major challenge for the future. Further work is required to assess the significance of interspecific and interindividual variability in susceptibility to genotoxicity, especially with regard to the evolution of resistant populations and communities of marine organisms at contaminated sites. Only by addressing the issues highlighted above can proper risk assessments of genotoxic agents be performed to minimise threats to human and ecosystem health.