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Shahid N, Siddique A, Liess M. Predicting the Combined Effects of Multiple Stressors and Stress Adaptation in Gammarus pulex. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:12899-12908. [PMID: 38984974 PMCID: PMC11270985 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02014] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Global change confronts organisms with multiple stressors causing nonadditive effects. Persistent stress, however, leads to adaptation and related trade-offs. The question arises: How can the resulting effects of these contradictory processes be predicted? Here we show that Gammarus pulex from agricultural streams were more tolerant to clothianidin (mean EC50 148 μg/L) than populations from reference streams (mean EC50 67 μg/L). We assume that this increased tolerance results from a combination of physiological acclimation, epigenetic effects, and genetic evolution, termed as adaptation. Further, joint exposure to pesticide mixture and temperature stress led to synergistic interactions of all three stressors. However, these combined effects were significantly stronger in adapted populations as shown by the model deviation ratio (MDR) of 4, compared to reference populations (MDR = 2.7). The pesticide adaptation reduced the General-Stress capacity of adapted individuals, and the related trade-off process increased vulnerability to combined stress. Overall, synergistic interactions were stronger with increasing total stress and could be well predicted by the stress addition model (SAM). In contrast, traditional models such as concentration addition (CA) and effect addition (EA) substantially underestimated the combined effects. We conclude that several, even very disparate stress factors, including population adaptations to stress, can act synergistically. The strong synergistic potential underscores the critical importance of correctly predicting multiple stresses for risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naeem Shahid
- System-Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research −
UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Department
of Evolutionary Ecology and Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60629 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ayesha Siddique
- System-Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research −
UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute
for Environmental Research (Biology V), RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Matthias Liess
- System-Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research −
UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute
for Environmental Research (Biology V), RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
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2
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Graça D, Arias-Real R, Fernandes I, Cássio F, Pascoal C. Fungal identity mediates the impacts of multiple stressors on freshwater ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 937:173466. [PMID: 38788941 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Predicting how multiple anthropogenic stressors affect natural ecosystems is a major challenge in ecology. Freshwater ecosystems are threatened worldwide by multiple co-occurring stressors, which can affect aquatic biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and human wellbeing. In stream ecosystems, aquatic fungi play a crucial role in global biogeochemical cycles and food web dynamics, therefore, assessing the functional consequences of fungal biodiversity loss under multiple stressors is crucial. Here, a microcosm approach was used to investigate the effects of multiple stressors (increased temperature and nutrients, drying, and biodiversity loss) on three ecosystem processes: organic matter decomposition, fungal reproduction, and fungal biomass accrual. Net effects of stressors were antagonistic for organic matter decomposition, but additive for fungal reproduction and biomass accrual. Net effects of biodiversity were mainly positive for all processes, even under stress, demonstrating that diversity assures the maintenance of ecosystem processes. Fungal species displayed distinct contributions to each ecosystem process. Furthermore, species with negligible contributions under control conditions changed their role under stress, either enhancing or impairing the communities' performance, emphasizing the importance of fungal species identity. Our study highlights that distinct fungal species have different sensitivities to environmental variability and have different influence on the overall performance of the community. Therefore, preserving high fungal diversity is crucial to maintain fungal species with key ecosystem functions within aquatic communities in face of environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Graça
- CBMA, Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; IB-S, Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Rebeca Arias-Real
- CBMA, Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; IB-S, Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Isabel Fernandes
- CBMA, Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; IB-S, Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Fernanda Cássio
- CBMA, Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; IB-S, Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Cláudia Pascoal
- CBMA, Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; IB-S, Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
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3
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Schäfer RB, Jackson M, Juvigny-Khenafou N, Osakpolor SE, Posthuma L, Schneeweiss A, Spaak J, Vinebrooke R. Chemical Mixtures and Multiple Stressors: Same but Different? ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:1915-1936. [PMID: 37036219 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5629] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystems are strongly influenced by multiple anthropogenic stressors, including a wide range of chemicals and their mixtures. Studies on the effects of multiple stressors have largely focussed on nonchemical stressors, whereas studies on chemical mixtures have largely ignored other stressors. However, both research areas face similar challenges and require similar tools and methods to predict the joint effects of chemicals or nonchemical stressors, and frameworks to integrate multiple chemical and nonchemical stressors are missing. We provide an overview of the research paradigms, tools, and methods commonly used in multiple stressor and chemical mixture research and discuss potential domains of cross-fertilization and joint challenges. First, we compare the general paradigms of ecotoxicology and (applied) ecology to explain the historical divide. Subsequently, we compare methods and approaches for the identification of interactions, stressor characterization, and designing experiments. We suggest that both multiple stressor and chemical mixture research are too focused on interactions and would benefit from integration regarding null model selection. Stressor characterization is typically more costly for chemical mixtures. While for chemical mixtures comprehensive classification systems at suborganismal level have been developed, recent classification systems for multiple stressors account for environmental context. Both research areas suffer from rather simplified experimental designs that focus on only a limited number of stressors, chemicals, and treatments. We discuss concepts that can guide more realistic designs capturing spatiotemporal stressor dynamics. We suggest that process-based and data-driven models are particularly promising to tackle the challenge of prediction of effects of chemical mixtures and nonchemical stressors on (meta-)communities and (meta-)food webs. We propose a framework to integrate the assessment of effects for multiple stressors and chemical mixtures. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:1915-1936. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf B Schäfer
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | | | - Noel Juvigny-Khenafou
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Stephen E Osakpolor
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Leo Posthuma
- Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anke Schneeweiss
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Jürg Spaak
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Univerität Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Rolf Vinebrooke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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4
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Ács A, Komáromy A, Kovács AW, Fodor I, Somogyvári D, Győri J, Farkas A. Temperature related toxicity features of acute acetamiprid and thiacloprid exposure in Daphnia magna and implications on reproductive performance. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 268:109601. [PMID: 36906245 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2023.109601] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the potential for elevated temperature to alter the toxicity of acetamiprid (ACE) and thiacloprid (Thia) in the ecotoxicity model Daphnia magna. The modulation of CYP450 monooxygenases (ECOD), ABC transporter activity (MXR) and incident cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction was screened in premature daphnids following acute (48 h) exposure to sublethal concentrations of ACE and Thia (0.1-, 1.0 μM) at standard 21 °C and elevated 26 °C temperatures. Delayed outcomes of acute exposures were further evaluated based on the reproduction performance of daphnids monitored over 14 days of recovery. Exposures to ACE and Thia at 21o C elicited moderate induction of ECOD activity, pronounced inhibition of MXR activity and severe ROS overproduction in daphnids. In the high thermal regime, treatments resulted in significantly lower induction of ECOD activity and inhibition of MXR activity, suggesting a suppressed metabolism of neonicotinoids and less impaired membrane transport activity in daphnids. Elevated temperature on its own, caused a three-fold rise in ROS levels in control daphnids, while ROS overproduction upon neonicotinoid exposure was less accentuated. Acute exposures to ACE and Thia caused significant decreases also in the reproduction of daphnids, indicating delayed outcomes even at environmentally relevant concentrations. Both the cellular alterations in exposed daphnids and decreases in their reproductive output post exposures evidenced closely similar toxicity patterns and potentials for the two neonicotinoids. While elevated temperature elicited only a shift in baseline cellular alterations evoked by neonicotinoids, it significantly worsened the reproductive performance of daphnids following neonicotinoid exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- András Ács
- Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Klebelsberg Kuno u. 3., H-8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - András Komáromy
- Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Klebelsberg Kuno u. 3., H-8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - Attila W Kovács
- Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Klebelsberg Kuno u. 3., H-8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - István Fodor
- Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Klebelsberg Kuno u. 3., H-8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - Dávid Somogyvári
- Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Klebelsberg Kuno u. 3., H-8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - János Győri
- Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Klebelsberg Kuno u. 3., H-8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - Anna Farkas
- Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Klebelsberg Kuno u. 3., H-8237 Tihany, Hungary.
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5
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Baettig CG, Zirngibl M, Smith KF, Lear G, Tremblay LA. Comparison between droplet digital PCR and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR methods to measure ecotoxicology biomarkers. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 190:114829. [PMID: 36958116 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114829] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is currently the gold-standard technique for detecting and quantifying messenger RNA. However, without proper validation, the method may produce artefactual and non-reproducible cycle threshold values generating poor-quality data. The newer droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) method allows for the absolute quantification of targeted nucleic acids providing more sensitive and accurate measurements without requiring external standards. This study compared these two PCR-based methods to measure the expression of well-documented genes used in ecotoxicology studies. We exposed Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) to copper and analyzed gene expression in gills and digestive glands using RT-qPCR and ddPCR assays. A step-by-step methodology to optimize and compare the two technologies is described. After ten-fold serial complementary DNA dilution, both RT-qPCR and ddPCR exhibited comparable linearity and efficiency and produced statistically similar results. We conclude that ddPCR is a suitable method to assess gene expression in an ecotoxicological context. However, RT-qPCR has a shorter processing time and remains more cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille G Baettig
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand.
| | | | - Kirsty F Smith
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand
| | - Gavin Lear
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Louis A Tremblay
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand
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6
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Yan S, Ding N, Yao X, Song J, He W, Rehman F, Guo J. Effects of erythromycin and roxithromycin on river periphyton: Structure, functions and metabolic pathways. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 316:137793. [PMID: 36640977 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Macrolides have been frequently detected in the surface waters worldwide, posing a threat to the aquatic microbes. Several studies have evaluated the ecotoxicological effects of macrolides on single algal and bacterial strains. However, without considering the species interaction in the aquatic microbial community, these results cannot be extrapolated to the field. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of two macrolides (erythromycin and roxithromycin) on the structure, photosynthetic process, carbon utilization capacity, and the antibiotic metabolic pathways in river periphyton. The colonized periphyton was exposed to the graded concentration (0 μg/L (control), 0.5 μg/L (low), 5 μg/L (medium), 50 μg/L (high)) of ERY and ROX, respectively, for 7 days. Herein, high levels of ERY and ROX altered the community composition by reducing the relative abundance of Chlorophyta in the eukaryotic community. Also, the Shannon and Simpson diversity indexes of prokaryotes were reduced, although similar effects were seldomly detected in the low and medium groups. In contrast to the unchanged carbon utilization capacity, the PSII reaction center involved in the periphytic photosynthesis was significantly inhibited by macrolides at high levels. In addition, both antibiotics had been degraded by periphyton, with the removal rate of 51.63-66.87% and 41.85-48.27% for ERY and ROX, respectively, wherein the side chain and ring cleavage were the main degradation pathways. Overall, this study provides an insight into the structural and functional toxicity and degradation processes of macrolides in river periphyton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwei Yan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710127, China
| | - Ning Ding
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710127, China
| | - Xiunan Yao
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710127, China
| | - Jinxi Song
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710127, China
| | - Wei He
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology of Shaanxi Province, College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Fozia Rehman
- Interdisciplinary Research Center in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM), COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Pakistan
| | - Jiahua Guo
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710127, China.
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7
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Tyack PL, Thomas L, Costa DP, Hall AJ, Harris CM, Harwood J, Kraus SD, Miller PJO, Moore M, Photopoulou T, Pirotta E, Rolland RM, Schwacke LH, Simmons SE, Southall BL. Managing the effects of multiple stressors on wildlife populations in their ecosystems: developing a cumulative risk approach. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20222058. [PMID: 36448280 PMCID: PMC9709579 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessing cumulative effects of human activities on ecosystems is required by many jurisdictions, but current science cannot meet regulatory demands. Regulations define them as effect(s) of one human action combined with other actions. Here we argue for an approach that evaluates the cumulative risk of multiple stressors for protected wildlife populations within their ecosystems. Monitoring effects of each stressor is necessary but not sufficient to estimate how multiple stressors interact to affect wildlife populations. Examining the mechanistic pathways, from cellular to ecological, by which stressors affect individuals can help prioritize stressors and interpret how they interact. Our approach uses health indicators to accumulate the effects of stressors on individuals and to estimate changes in vital rates, driving population status. We advocate using methods well-established in human health and integrating them into ecosystem-based management to protect the health of commercially and culturally important wildlife populations and to protect against risk of extinction for threatened species. Our approach will improve abilities to conserve and manage ecosystems but will also demand significant increases in research and monitoring effort. We advocate for increased investment proportional to the economic scale of human activities in the Anthropocene and their pervasive effects on ecology and biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter L Tyack
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, School of Biology, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Len Thomas
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.,Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, School of Biology, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Catriona M Harris
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - John Harwood
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Scott D Kraus
- Anderson-Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick J O Miller
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, School of Biology, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Michael Moore
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Theoni Photopoulou
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Rosalind M Rolland
- Anderson-Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Samantha E Simmons
- SMRU Consulting, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - Brandon L Southall
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.,Southall Environmental Associates, Inc., Aptos, CA, USA
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Borgå K, McKinney MA, Routti H, Fernie KJ, Giebichenstein J, Hallanger I, Muir DCG. The influence of global climate change on accumulation and toxicity of persistent organic pollutants and chemicals of emerging concern in Arctic food webs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:1544-1576. [PMID: 35179539 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00469g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes current understanding of how climate change-driven physical and ecological processes influence the levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and contaminants of emerging Arctic concern (CEACs) in Arctic biota and food webs. The review also highlights how climate change may interact with other stressors to impact contaminant toxicity, and the utility of modeling and newer research tools in closing knowledge gaps on climate change-contaminant interactions. Permafrost thaw is influencing the concentrations of POPs in freshwater ecosystems. Physical climate parameters, including climate oscillation indices, precipitation, water salinity, sea ice age, and sea ice quality show statistical associations with POPs concentrations in multiple Arctic biota. Northward range-shifting species can act as biovectors for POPs and CEACs into Arctic marine food webs. Shifts in trophic position can alter POPs concentrations in populations of Arctic species. Reductions in body condition are associated with increases in levels of POPs in some biota. Although collectively understudied, multiple stressors, including contaminants and climate change, may act to cumulatively impact some populations of Arctic biota. Models are useful for predicting the net result of various contrasting climate-driven processes on POP and CEAC exposures; however, for some parameters, especially food web changes, insufficient data exists with which to populate such models. In addition to the impact of global regulations on POP levels in Arctic biota, this review demonstrates that there are various direct and indirect mechanisms by which climate change can influence contaminant exposure, accumulation, and effects; therefore, it is important to attribute POP variations to the actual contributing factors to inform future regulations and policies. To do so, a broad range of habitats, species, and processes must be considered for a thorough understanding and interpretation of the consequences to the distribution, accumulation, and effects of environmental contaminants. Given the complex interactions between climate change, contaminants, and ecosystems, it is important to plan for long-term, integrated pan-Arctic monitoring of key biota and ecosystems, and to collect ancillary data, including information on climate-related parameters, local meteorology, ecology, and physiology, and when possible, behavior, when carrying out research on POPs and CEACs in biota and food webs of the Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine Borgå
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Melissa A McKinney
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3 V9, Canada.
| | - Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kim J Fernie
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1, Canada
| | | | | | - Derek C G Muir
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON, L7S 1A1, Canada
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9
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Kotta J, Lenz M, Barboza FR, Jänes H, Grande PAD, Beck A, Van Colen C, Hamm T, Javidpour J, Kaasik A, Pantó G, Szava-Kovats R, Orav-Kotta H, Lees L, Loite S, Canning-Clode J, Gueroun SKM, Kõivupuu A. Blueprint for the ideal microplastic effect study: Critical issues of current experimental approaches and envisioning a path forward. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156610. [PMID: 35690216 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156610] [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: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This article presents a novel conceptual blueprint for an 'ideal', i.e., ecologically relevant, microplastic effect study. The blueprint considers how microplastics should be characterized and applied in laboratory experiments, and how biological responses should be measured to assure unbiased data that reliably reflect the effects of microplastics on aquatic biota. This 'ideal' experiment, although practically unachievable, serves as a backdrop to improve specific aspects of experimental research on microplastic effects. In addition, a systematic and quantitative literature review identified and quantified departures of published experiments from the proposed 'ideal' design. These departures are related mainly to the experimental design of microplastic effect studies failing to mimic natural environments, and experiments with limited potential to be scaled-up to ecosystem level. To produce a valid and generalizable assessment of the effect of microplastics on biota, a quantitative meta-analysis was performed that incorporated the departure of studies from the 'ideal' experiment (a measure of experimental quality) and inverse variance (a measure of the study precision) as weighting coefficients. Greater weights were assigned to experiments with higher quality and/or with lower variance in the response variables. This double-weighting captures jointly the technical quality, ecological relevance and precision of estimates provided in each study. The blueprint and associated meta-analysis provide an improved baseline for the design of ecologically relevant and technically sound experiments to understand the effects of microplastics on single species, populations and, ultimately, entire ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonne Kotta
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Mäealuse 14, EE-12618 Tallinn, Estonia.
| | - Mark Lenz
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Marine Ecology Department, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Francisco R Barboza
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Mäealuse 14, EE-12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Holger Jänes
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Mäealuse 14, EE-12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | | | - Aaron Beck
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Marine Ecology Department, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Carl Van Colen
- Ghent University, Marine Biology Research Group, Krijgslaan 281/S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thea Hamm
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Marine Ecology Department, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Jamileh Javidpour
- University of Southern Denmark, Department of Biology, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Ants Kaasik
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Mäealuse 14, EE-12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Gabriella Pantó
- Ghent University, Marine Biology Research Group, Krijgslaan 281/S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Robert Szava-Kovats
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Mäealuse 14, EE-12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Helen Orav-Kotta
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Mäealuse 14, EE-12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Liisi Lees
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Mäealuse 14, EE-12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Sander Loite
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Mäealuse 14, EE-12618 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - João Canning-Clode
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e Inovação (ARDITI), 9020-105, Madeira, Portugal; Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD 21037, USA
| | - Sonia K M Gueroun
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e Inovação (ARDITI), 9020-105, Madeira, Portugal
| | - Anneliis Kõivupuu
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Mäealuse 14, EE-12618 Tallinn, Estonia
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10
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Pirotta E, Thomas L, Costa DP, Hall AJ, Harris CM, Harwood J, Kraus SD, Miller PJO, Moore MJ, Photopoulou T, Rolland RM, Schwacke L, Simmons SE, Southall BL, Tyack PL. Understanding the combined effects of multiple stressors: A new perspective on a longstanding challenge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 821:153322. [PMID: 35074373 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife populations and their habitats are exposed to an expanding diversity and intensity of stressors caused by human activities, within the broader context of natural processes and increasing pressure from climate change. Estimating how these multiple stressors affect individuals, populations, and ecosystems is thus of growing importance. However, their combined effects often cannot be predicted reliably from the individual effects of each stressor, and we lack the mechanistic understanding and analytical tools to predict their joint outcomes. We review the science of multiple stressors and present a conceptual framework that captures and reconciles the variety of existing approaches for assessing combined effects. Specifically, we show that all approaches lie along a spectrum, reflecting increasing assumptions about the mechanisms that regulate the action of single stressors and their combined effects. An emphasis on mechanisms improves analytical precision and predictive power but could introduce bias if the underlying assumptions are incorrect. A purely empirical approach has less risk of bias but requires adequate data on the effects of the full range of anticipated combinations of stressor types and magnitudes. We illustrate how this spectrum can be formalised into specific analytical methods, using an example of North Atlantic right whales feeding on limited prey resources while simultaneously being affected by entanglement in fishing gear. In practice, case-specific management needs and data availability will guide the exploration of the stressor combinations of interest and the selection of a suitable trade-off between precision and bias. We argue that the primary goal for adaptive management should be to identify the most practical and effective ways to remove or reduce specific combinations of stressors, bringing the risk of adverse impacts on populations and ecosystems below acceptable thresholds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Len Thomas
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Catriona M Harris
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - John Harwood
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Scott D Kraus
- Anderson-Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Patrick J O Miller
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Michael J Moore
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
| | - Theoni Photopoulou
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Rosalind M Rolland
- Anderson-Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Lori Schwacke
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, Johns Island, SC, USA.
| | | | - Brandon L Southall
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; Southall Environmental Associates, Inc., Aptos, CA, USA.
| | - Peter L Tyack
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
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11
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Fraker ME, Sinclair JS, Frank KT, Hood JM, Ludsin SA. Temporal scope influences ecosystem driver-response relationships: A case study of Lake Erie with implications for ecosystem-based management. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 813:152473. [PMID: 34973328 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Understanding environmental driver-response relationships is critical to the implementation of effective ecosystem-based management. Ecosystems are often influenced by multiple drivers that operate on different timescales and may be nonstationary. In turn, contrasting views of ecosystem state and structure could arise depending on the temporal perspective of analysis. Further, assessment of multiple ecosystem components (e.g., biological indicators) may serve to identify different key drivers and connections. To explore how the timescale of analysis and data richness can influence the identification of driver-response relationships within a large, dynamic ecosystem, this study analyzed long-term (1969-2018) data from Lake Erie (USA-Canada). Data were compiled on multiple biological, physical, chemical, and socioeconomic components of the ecosystem to quantify trends and identify potential key drivers during multiple time intervals (20 to 50 years duration), using zooplankton, bird, and fish community metrics as indicators of ecosystem change. Concurrent temporal shifts of many variables occurred during the 1980s, but asynchronous dynamics were evident among indicator taxa. The strengths and rank orders of predictive drivers shifted among intervals and were sometimes taxon-specific. Drivers related to nutrient loading and lake trophic status were consistently strong predictors of temporal patterns for all indicators; however, within the longer intervals, measures of agricultural land use were the strongest predictors, whereas within shorter intervals, the stronger predictors were measures of tributary or in-lake nutrient concentrations. Physical drivers also tended to increase in predictive ability within shorter intervals. The results highlight how the time interval examined can filter influences of lower-frequency, slower drivers and higher-frequency, faster drivers. Understanding ecosystem change in support of ecosystem-based management requires consideration of both the temporal perspective of analysis and the chosen indicators, as both can influence which drivers are identified as most predictive of ecosystem trends at that timescale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Fraker
- Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research and Michigan Sea Grant, School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, 4840 S. State, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA.
| | - James S Sinclair
- Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212, USA
| | - Kenneth T Frank
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - James M Hood
- Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212, USA; Translational Data Analytics Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Stuart A Ludsin
- Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43212, USA
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12
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Martinez AS, Underwood T, Christofoletti RA, Pardal A, Fortuna MA, Marcelo-Silva J, Morais GC, Lana PC. Reviewing the effects of contamination on the biota of Brazilian coastal ecosystems: Scientific challenges for a developing country in a changing world. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 803:150097. [PMID: 34500263 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pollution is a major worldwide problem that is increasing with urban growth, mainly along coastal areas. Pollution is often worse, governance is poorer and managerial strategies to improve environmental quality are less advanced in developing than developed countries. Here, we present an overview of the current scientific knowledge of the impacts of contamination on the biota of coastal ecosystems of Brazil and evaluate the scientific challenges to provide baseline information for local managerial purposes. We compiled data from 323 peer-reviewed published papers from the extensive Brazilian coast. We critically evaluated the produced knowledge (target contaminants, sources, ecosystems, taxa, response variables) and the science behind it (rigour and setting) within its socioenvironmental context (land occupation, use of the coast, sanitation status, contamination history). Research was driven largely by environmental outcomes of industrial development with a focus on the single effects of metals on the biota. The current knowledge derives mainly from laboratory manipulative experiments or from correlative field studies of changes in the biota with varying levels of contamination. Of these, 70% had problems in their experimental design. Environmental impacts have mainly been assessed using standard indicators of populations, mostly in ecotoxicological studies. Benthic assemblages have mostly been studied using structural indicators in field studies. Future assessments of impacts should expand research to more taxonomic groups and ecosystem compartments, adding combined functional and structural responses. Furthermore, further investigations need to consider the interactive effects of contaminants and other environmental stressors. By doing so, researchers would deliver more robust and effective results to solve problems of pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline S Martinez
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP 11070-100, Brazil.
| | - Tony Underwood
- Marine Ecology Laboratories A11, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ronaldo A Christofoletti
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP 11070-100, Brazil
| | - André Pardal
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP 11070-100, Brazil; Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Federal University of ABC (CCNH/UFABC), Rua Santa Adélia, 166, Santo André, SP 09210-170, Brazil
| | - Monique A Fortuna
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP 11070-100, Brazil
| | - João Marcelo-Silva
- Institute of Marine Science, Federal University of São Paulo (IMar/UNIFESP), Rua Dr Carvalho de Mendonça 144, Santos, SP 11070-100, Brazil
| | - Gisele C Morais
- Laboratório de Bentos, Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Av. Beira-mar, s/n, Pontal do Paraná, PR 83255-976, Brazil
| | - Paulo C Lana
- Laboratório de Bentos, Centro de Estudos do Mar, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Av. Beira-mar, s/n, Pontal do Paraná, PR 83255-976, Brazil
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13
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Zare-Shahraki M, Ebrahimi-Dorche E, Keivany Y, Blocksom K, Bruder A, Flotemersch J. A fish-based multi-metric assessment index in the Karun River basin, Iran. RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 38:573-594. [PMID: 35431664 PMCID: PMC9012111 DOI: 10.1002/rra.3920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Large river systems are one of the most important water resources for human societies. However, the ecological integrity of large rivers has been altered greatly by human activities. To monitor and manage these ecosystems, multimetric indices (MMI) are considered as efficient tools. This study aimed to develop and validate a fish-based multimetric index for the Karun River basin, Iran (Karun fish-based multi-metric index [KFMMI]). Eighteen rivers and 54 sites in the basin were sampled in July-August 2019, and physico-chemical and habitat characteristics were used to identify reference sites based on principal components analysis (PCA). Of the 54 sites, 14, 26, and 14 sites were classified as least, moderate, and most disturbed sites, respectively. Fifty-four candidate metrics were evaluated for range, responsiveness, and redundancy with other metrics. This resulted in the identification of eight metrics (relative abundance of native and endemic taxa, relative richness of migratory taxa, relative richness of Leuciscidae taxa, relative richness of herbivorous taxa, relative abundance of cyprinid taxa, relative richness of vegetative inhabitant taxa, relative abundance of slow water flow, and relative richness of edge inhabitant taxa) that informed on species richness and composition, migratory status, functional feeding groups, and habitat preferences. The KFMMI showed excellent performance in separating least, moderate, and most disturbed sites in our study area. Regarding water quality, the KFMMI was classified 16, 5, and 29 sites as good, moderate, and bad, respectively. The discrimination efficiency of KFMMI was 81.6%, which makes it an effective management tool for directing restoration actions at most disturbed sites and intensifying protection of least disturbed sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan Zare-Shahraki
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Eisa Ebrahimi-Dorche
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Yazdan Keivany
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Karen Blocksom
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Andreas Bruder
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Mendrisio, Ticino, Switzerland
| | - Joseph Flotemersch
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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14
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Mor JR, Muñoz I, Sabater S, Zamora L, Ruhi A. Energy limitation or sensitive predators? Trophic and non-trophic impacts of wastewater pollution on stream food webs. Ecology 2021; 103:e03587. [PMID: 34792187 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Impacts of environmental stressors on food webs are often difficult to predict because trophic levels can respond in divergent ways, and biotic interactions may dampen or amplify responses. Here we studied food-web level impacts of urban wastewater pollution, a widespread source of degradation that can alter stream food webs via top-down and bottom-up processes. Wastewater may (i) subsidize primary producers by decreasing nutrient limitation, inducing a wide-bottomed trophic pyramid. However, (ii) wastewater may also reduce the quality and diversity of resources, which could decrease energy transfer efficiency by reducing consumer fitness, leading to predator starvation. Additionally, (iii) if higher trophic levels are particularly sensitive to pollution, primary consumers could be released from predation pressure. We tested these hypotheses in 10 pairs of stream sites located upstream and downstream of urban wastewater effluents with different pollutant levels. We found that wastewater pollution reduced predator richness by ~34%. Community Size Spectra (CSS) slopes were steeper downstream than upstream of wastewater effluents-in all except one impact site where predators became locally extinct. Further, variation in downstream CSS slopes were correlated with pollution loads: the more polluted the stream, the steeper the CSS. We estimate that wastewater pollution decreased energy transfer efficiencies to primary consumers by ~70%, limiting energy supply to predators. Additionally, traits increasing vulnerability to chemical pollution were overrepresented among predators, which presented compressed trophic niches (δ15 N- δ13 C) downstream of effluents. Our results show that wastewater pollution can impact stream food webs via a combination of energy limitation to consumers and extirpation of pollution-sensitive top predators. Understanding the indirect (biotically-mediated) vs. direct (abiotic) mechanisms controlling responses to stress may help anticipating impacts of altered water quantity and quality-key signatures of global change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi-René Mor
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain.,Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Muñoz
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain.,Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Lluís Zamora
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Albert Ruhi
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA, USA
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15
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Loustau E, Leflaive J, Boscus C, Amalric Q, Ferriol J, Oleinikova O, Pokrovsky OS, Girbal-Neuhauser E, Rols JL. The Response of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Production by Phototrophic Biofilms to a Sequential Disturbance Strongly Depends on Environmental Conditions. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:742027. [PMID: 34707592 PMCID: PMC8542934 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.742027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Phototrophic biofilms are exposed to multiple stressors that can affect them both directly and indirectly. By modifying either the composition of the community or the physiology of the microorganisms, press stressors may indirectly impact the ability of the biofilms to cope with disturbances. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by the biofilm are known to play an important role in its resilience to various stresses. The aim of this study was to decipher to what extent slight modifications of environmental conditions could alter the resilience of phototrophic biofilm EPS to a realistic sequential disturbance (4-day copper exposure followed by a 14-day dry period). By using very simplified biofilms with a single algal strain, we focused solely on physiological effects. The biofilms, composed by the non-axenic strains of a green alga (Uronema confervicolum) or a diatom (Nitzschia palea) were grown in artificial channels in six different conditions of light intensity, temperature and phosphorous concentration. EPS quantity (total organic carbon) and quality (ratio protein/polysaccharide, PN/PS) were measured before and at the end of the disturbance, and after a 14-day rewetting period. The diatom biofilm accumulated more biomass at the highest temperature, with lower EPS content and lower PN/PS ratio while green alga biofilm accumulated more biomass at the highest light condition with lower EPS content and lower PN/PS ratio. Temperature, light intensity, and P concentration significantly modified the resistance and/or recovery of EPS quality and quantity, differently for the two biofilms. An increase in light intensity, which had effect neither on the diatom biofilm growth nor on EPS production before disturbance, increased the resistance of EPS quantity and the resilience of EPS quality. These results emphasize the importance of considering the modulation of community resilience ability by environmental conditions, which remains scarce in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Loustau
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France.,LBAE, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Auch, France
| | - Joséphine Leflaive
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Claire Boscus
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Quentin Amalric
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Jessica Ferriol
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Olga Oleinikova
- GET, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Oleg S Pokrovsky
- GET, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France.,BIO-GEO-CLIM Laboratory, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | | | - Jean-Luc Rols
- Laboratoire Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Université Toulouse 3 - Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
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16
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Segner H, Bailey C, Tafalla C, Bo J. Immunotoxicity of Xenobiotics in Fish: A Role for the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR)? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179460. [PMID: 34502366 PMCID: PMC8430475 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of anthropogenic contaminants on the immune system of fishes is an issue of growing concern. An important xenobiotic receptor that mediates effects of chemicals, such as halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Fish toxicological research has focused on the role of this receptor in xenobiotic biotransformation as well as in causing developmental, cardiac, and reproductive toxicity. However, biomedical research has unraveled an important physiological role of the AhR in the immune system, what suggests that this receptor could be involved in immunotoxic effects of environmental contaminants. The aims of the present review are to critically discuss the available knowledge on (i) the expression and possible function of the AhR in the immune systems of teleost fishes; and (ii) the impact of AhR-activating xenobiotics on the immune systems of fish at the levels of immune gene expression, immune cell proliferation and immune cell function, immune pathology, and resistance to infectious disease. The existing information indicates that the AhR is expressed in the fish immune system, but currently, we have little understanding of its physiological role. Exposure to AhR-activating contaminants results in the modulation of numerous immune structural and functional parameters of fish. Despite the diversity of fish species studied and the experimental conditions investigated, the published findings rather uniformly point to immunosuppressive actions of xenobiotic AhR ligands in fish. These effects are often associated with increased disease susceptibility. The fact that fish populations from HAH- and PAH-contaminated environments suffer immune disturbances and elevated disease susceptibility highlights that the immunotoxic effects of AhR-activating xenobiotics bear environmental relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut Segner
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Department of Pathobiology and Infectious Diseases, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Jun Bo
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Xiamen 361005, China
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17
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Kataoka C, Kashiwada S. Ecological Risks Due to Immunotoxicological Effects on Aquatic Organisms. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8305. [PMID: 34361068 PMCID: PMC8347160 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunotoxic effects of some anthropogenic pollutants on aquatic organisms are among the causes of concern over the presence of these pollutants in the marine environment. The immune system is part of an organism's biological defense necessarily for homeostasis. Thus, the immunotoxicological impacts on aquatic organisms are important to understand the effects of pollutant chemicals in the aquatic ecosystem. When aquatic organisms are exposed to pollutant chemicals with immunotoxicity, it results in poor health. In addition, aquatic organisms are exposed to pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Exposure to pollutant chemicals has reportedly caused aquatic organisms to show various immunotoxic symptoms such as histological changes of lymphoid tissue, changes of immune functionality and the distribution of immune cells, and changes in the resistance of organisms to infection by pathogens. Alterations of immune systems by contaminants can therefore lead to the deaths of individual organisms, increase the general risk of infections by pathogens, and probably decrease the populations of some species. This review introduced the immunotoxicological impact of pollutant chemicals in aquatic organisms, including invertebrates, fish, amphibians, and marine mammals; described typical biomarkers used in aquatic immunotoxicological studies; and then, discussed the current issues on ecological risk assessment and how to address ecological risk assessment through immunotoxicology. Moreover, the usefulness of the population growth rate to estimate the immunotoxicological impact of pollution chemicals was proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chisato Kataoka
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Toyo University, 1-1-1 Izumino, Itakura, Gunma 374-0193, Japan
| | - Shosaku Kashiwada
- Department of Life Sciences, Toyo University, 1-1-1 Izumino, Itakura, Gunma 374-0193, Japan;
- Research Centre for Life and Environmental Sciences, Toyo University, 1-1-1 Izumino, Itakura, Gunma 374-0193, Japan
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18
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Perujo N, Van den Brink PJ, Segner H, Mantyka-Pringle C, Sabater S, Birk S, Bruder A, Romero F, Acuña V. A guideline to frame stressor effects in freshwater ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 777:146112. [PMID: 33689887 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental policies fall short in protecting freshwater ecosystems, which are heavily threatened by human pressures and their associated stressors. One reason is that stressor effects depend on the context in which they occur and it is difficult to extrapolate patterns to predict the effect of stressors without these being contextualized in a general frame. This study aims at improving existing decision-making frameworks such as the DPSIR approach (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response) or ERA (Environmental Risk Assessment) in the context of stressors. Here, we delve into stressor-impact relationships in freshwater ecosystems and develop a guideline which includes key characteristics such as stressor type, stressor duration, location, the natural levels of environmental variables to which each ecosystem is used to, among others. This guideline is intended to be useful in a wide range of ecosystem conditions and stressors. Incorporating these guidelines may favor the comparability of scientific results and may lead to a substantial advancement in the efficacy of diagnosis and predictive approaches of impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Perujo
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004 Girona, Spain.
| | - P J Van den Brink
- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, the Netherlands; Wageningen Environmental Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA, the Netherlands
| | - H Segner
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, P.O. Box, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
| | - C Mantyka-Pringle
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, Whitehorse, YT, Canada; School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - S Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Institut d'Ecologia Aquàtica (IEA), University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - S Birk
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany; Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - A Bruder
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - F Romero
- Plant-Soil Interactions, Research Division Agroecology and Environment, Agroscope, Reckenholzstrasse 191, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - V Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004 Girona, Spain
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19
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Tornés E, Colls M, Acuña V, Sabater S. Duration of water flow interruption drives the structure and functional diversity of stream benthic diatoms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 770:144675. [PMID: 33736405 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Flow cessation affects river ecosystems submitted to low precipitation and increased water demand, and creates unfavourable conditions to aquatic biological communities. Diatoms are amongst the most sensitive biological groups to hydric stress, making them good indicators of preceding hydrological conditions. We here analyse the response of diatom assemblages to the duration and frequency of non-flow periods in 23 Mediterranean temporary streams. All of them experienced a strong decrease in water flow during summer, leading to a period of flow cessation. In addition, other ten permanent streams (zero dry days during the study period) were included in the study for comparative purposes. Temporary and permanent streams showed similar diatom species richness, evenness, and alpha diversity. However, beta diversity was higher in temporary than permanent streams, regardless rare taxa (<1% occurrence) had similar numbers in the two types of streams. Alpha diversity, richness, and evenness of diatom assemblages in the temporary streams changed with the duration of the non-flow period. Durations of 50-100 days were associated to higher alpha diversity, richness, and evenness, but longer non-flow periods caused their decrease. Diatoms thriving under the most extreme conditions were mostly aerophilic, pioneer, and motile taxa. The proportion of aerophilic diatom taxa increased beyond 100 dry days, particularly in those sites receiving more intense solar radiation. Overall, the taxonomical and functional composition of diatom assemblages mostly responded to the duration of the non-flow period, irrespectively of these being consecutive or not. This study shows that diatom assemblages from temporary streams contain taxa adapted to non-flow conditions, but remain vulnerable to further reductions of water flow associated to climate or global change. 'Unimpacted' watercourses in the Mediterranean region, independently of their flow regime, should be urgently protected and used as taxonomical and functional early indicators of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabet Tornés
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17003, Girona, Spain; Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain.
| | - Miriam Colls
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, Spain
| | - Vicenç Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain; University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17003, Girona, Spain; Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain
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Rahman MS, Rahman MS. Effects of elevated temperature on prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis and redox status in the American oyster: Signaling pathways of cellular apoptosis during heat stress. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 196:110428. [PMID: 33186574 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110428] [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: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Increasing seawater temperature affects growth, reproduction, development, and various other physiological processes in aquatic organisms, such as marine invertebrates, which are especially susceptible to high temperatures. In this study, we examined the effects of short-term heat stress (16, 22, 26, and 30 °C for 1-week exposure) on prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis and redox status in the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica, an edible and commercially cultivated bivalve mollusk) under controlled laboratory conditions. Immunohistochemical and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses were performed to examine the expression of heat shock protein-70 (HSP70, a biomarker of heat stress), catalase (CAT, an antioxidant), superoxide dismutase (SOD, an antioxidant), dinitrophenyl protein (DNP, a biomarker of reactive oxygen species, ROS), and 3-nitrotyrosine protein (NTP, an indicator of reactive nitrogen species, RNS), in the gills and digestive glands of oysters. In situ TUNEL assay was performed to detect cellular apoptosis in tissues. Histological analysis showed an increase in mucus secretion in the gills and digestive glands of oysters exposed to higher temperatures (22, 26, and 30 °C) compared to control (16 °C). Immunohistochemical and qRT-PCR analyses showed significant increases in HSP70, DNP and NTP protein, and mRNA expressions in tissues at higher temperatures. Cellular apoptosis was also significantly increased at higher temperatures. Thus, heat-induced oxidative and nitrative stress likely occur due to overproduction of ROS and RNS. Interestingly, expression of CAT and SOD increased in oysters exposed to 22 and 26 °C, but was at or below control levels in the highest temperature exposure (30 °C). Collectively, these results suggest that elevated seawater temperatures cause oxidative/nitrative stress and induce cellular apoptosis through excessive ROS and RNS production, leading to inhibition of the antioxidant defense system in marine mollusks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Sadequr Rahman
- School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
| | - Md Saydur Rahman
- School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA; Department of Biology, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, TX, USA.
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21
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Sokolova I. Bioenergetics in environmental adaptation and stress tolerance of aquatic ectotherms: linking physiology and ecology in a multi-stressor landscape. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:224/Suppl_1/jeb236802. [PMID: 33627464 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.236802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Energy metabolism (encompassing energy assimilation, conversion and utilization) plays a central role in all life processes and serves as a link between the organismal physiology, behavior and ecology. Metabolic rates define the physiological and life-history performance of an organism, have direct implications for Darwinian fitness, and affect ecologically relevant traits such as the trophic relationships, productivity and ecosystem engineering functions. Natural environmental variability and anthropogenic changes expose aquatic ectotherms to multiple stressors that can strongly affect their energy metabolism and thereby modify the energy fluxes within an organism and in the ecosystem. This Review focuses on the role of bioenergetic disturbances and metabolic adjustments in responses to multiple stressors (especially the general cellular stress response), provides examples of the effects of multiple stressors on energy intake, assimilation, conversion and expenditure, and discusses the conceptual and quantitative approaches to identify and mechanistically explain the energy trade-offs in multiple stressor scenarios, and link the cellular and organismal bioenergetics with fitness, productivity and/or ecological functions of aquatic ectotherms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inna Sokolova
- Marine Biology Department, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany .,Department of Maritime Systems, Interdisciplinary Faculty, University of Rostock, 18059 Rostock, Germany
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Cheloni G, Slaveykova VI. Morphological plasticity in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and acclimation to micropollutant stress. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 231:105711. [PMID: 33338702 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Phytoplankton are characterized by a great phenotypic plasticity and amazing morphological variability, both playing a primary role in the acclimation to changing environments. However, there is a knowledge gap concerning the role of algal morphological plasticity in stress responses and acclimation to micropollutants. The present study aims at examining palmelloid colony formation of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii upon micropollutants exposure. Cells were exposed to four micropollutants (MPs, copper, cadmium, PFOS and paraquat) with different modes of action for a duration of 72 h. Effects of MPs on palmelloid formation, growth and physiological traits (chlorophyll fluorescence, membrane integrity and oxidative stress) were monitored by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Palmelloid formation was observed upon treatment with the four micropollutants. Number of palmelloid colonies and their size were dependent on MP concentration and exposure duration. Cells reverted to their unicellular lifestyle when colonies were harvested and inoculated in fresh medium indicating that palmelloid formation is a plastic response to micropollutants. No physiological effects of these compounds were observed in cells forming palmelloids. Palmelloid colonies accumulated lower Cd concentration than unicellular C. reinhardtii suggesting that colony formation protects the cells from MPs stress. The results show that colony formation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a stress response strategy activated to face sub-lethal micropollutant concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cheloni
- Environmental Biogeochemistry and Ecotoxicology, Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Vera I Slaveykova
- Environmental Biogeochemistry and Ecotoxicology, Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland
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Sabater S, Elosegi A, Ludwig R. Framing biophysical and societal implications of multiple stressor effects on river networks. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 753:141973. [PMID: 32906045 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization, agriculture, and the manipulation of the hydrological cycle are the main drivers of multiple stressors affecting river ecosystems across the world. Physical, chemical, and biological stressors follow characteristic patterns of occurrence, intensity, and frequency, linked to human pressure and socio-economic settings. The societal perception of stressor effects changes when moving from broad geographic regions to narrower basin or waterbody scales, as political and ecologically based perspectives change across scales. Current approaches relating the stressor effects on river networks and human societies fail to incorporate complexities associated to their co-occurrence, such as: i) the evidence that drivers can be associated to different stressors; ii) their intensity and frequency may differ across spatial and temporal scales; iii) their differential effects on biophysical receptors may be related to their order of occurrence; iv) current and legacy stressors may produce unexpected outcomes; v) the potentially different response of different biological variables to stressor combinations; vi) the conflicting effects of multiple stressors on ecosystem services; and, vii) management of stressor effects should consider multiple occurrence scales. We discuss how to incorporate these aspects to present frameworks considering biophysical and societal consequences of multiple stressors, to better understand and manage the effects being caused on river networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Universitat de Girona (UdG), Girona, Spain.
| | - Arturo Elosegi
- University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ralf Ludwig
- Ludwig Maximilians Universitaet Muenchen (LMU), Munich, Germany
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Wu NC, Seebacher F. Bisphenols alter thermal responses and performance in zebrafish ( Danio rerio). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coaa138. [PMID: 33505703 PMCID: PMC7816798 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollutants are novel environmental stressors that are now persistent components of natural ecosystems. Endocrine disrupting chemicals such as bisphenols that leach out of plastics can modify physiological responses of animals by interfering with hormone signalling. Here, we tested whether three commonly produced bisphenols, bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS), impair thermal acclimation of swimming performance and metabolic enzyme [citrate synthase (CS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] activities in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). We found that exposure to 30-μg l-1 BPF and BPS, but not BPA, reduced swimming performance, and no interactions between bisphenol exposure and acclimation (3 weeks to 18°C and 28°C) or acute test (18°C and 28°C) temperatures were found. BPA interacted with acclimation and acute test temperatures to determine CS activity, an indicator of mitochondrial density and aerobic metabolic capacity. BPS reduced CS activity and an interaction (at a one-tailed significance) between acclimation temperature and BPF exposure determined CS activity. LDH activity reflects anaerobic ATP production capacity, and BPA and BPF altered the effects of thermal acclimation and acute test temperatures on LDH activity. Our data show that all bisphenols we tested at ecologically relevant concentrations can disrupt the thermal responses of fish. BPS and BPF are used as environmentally safer alternatives to BPA, but our data show that these bisphenols are also of concern, particularly in thermally variable environments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank Seebacher
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences A08, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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Llorens E, Ginebreda A, la Farré M, Insa S, González-Trujillo JD, Munné A, Solà C, Flò M, Villagrasa M, Barceló D, Sabater S. Occurrence of regulated pollutants in populated Mediterranean basins: Ecotoxicological risk and effects on biological quality. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 747:141224. [PMID: 32771786 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141224] [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: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Chemical stressors co-occur in mixtures into watercourses and this complicates predicting their effects on their ecological status. Our knowledge of river basin specific pollutants (RBSPs) is still limited, but it remains necessary to ensure the good chemical and ecological status. We performed an exercise on Mediterranean river sites exposed to urban and industrial pressures in order to, i) prioritize the occurring chemicals, ii) assessing the site's specific chemical risk (RQsite), and iii) relating the chemical risk to the biological quality, using as evidences invertebrates and diatom indices. Mediterranean rivers suffer from strong pressures which lead to a poor dilution ability, which makes the inhabiting biota highly vulnerable. The most frequent pollutants in the 89 sites surveyed included pharmaceutical products such as the antibiotics azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin, and the anti-inflammatory diclofenac, and products of industrial origin such as perfluorinated PFOS, nickel, and nonylphenol. Both the diatom index IPS and the macroinvertebrate index IBMWP hold strong negative correlations to RQsite, indicating a significant contribution of chemicals to biological impairment. Chemical contaminants (but not nutrients or dissolved organic carbon) were associated with significant changes to the taxonomic composition of invertebrate communities, but not to that of diatom communities. Our analyses indeed reveal that the impact of co-occurring chemicals translates onto negative effects in the biological quality. Our approach may be of use to evidence impacts on water resources and water quality in rivers under strong human pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Llorens
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Antoni Ginebreda
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marinel la Farré
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Insa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Juan David González-Trujillo
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Antoni Munné
- Catalan Water Agency, Provença 260, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina Solà
- Catalan Water Agency, Provença 260, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mònica Flò
- Catalan Water Agency, Provença 260, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Villagrasa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
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26
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Petitjean Q, Jean S, Côte J, Larcher T, Angelier F, Ribout C, Perrault A, Laffaille P, Jacquin L. Direct and indirect effects of multiple environmental stressors on fish health in human-altered rivers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 742:140657. [PMID: 32721751 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater fish face multiple challenges in human-altered rivers such as trace metal contamination, temperature increase and parasitism. These multiple stressors could have unexpected interactive effects on fish health due to shared physiological pathways, but few studies investigated this question in wild fish populations. In this study, we compared 16 populations of gudgeon (Gobio occitaniae) distributed along perturbation gradients in human-altered rivers in the South of France. We tested the effects of single and combined stressors (i.e., metal contamination, temperature, parasitism) on key traits linked to fish health across different biological levels using a Structural Equation Modelling approach. Parasitism and temperature alone had limited deleterious effects on fish health. In contrast, fish living in metal-contaminated sites had higher metal bioaccumulation and higher levels of cellular damage in the liver through the induction of an inflammatory response. In addition, temperature and contamination had interactive negative effects on growth. These results suggest that trace metal contamination has deleterious effects on fish health at environmentally realistic concentrations and that temperature can modulate the effects of trace metals on fish growth. With this study, we hope to encourage integrative approaches in realistic field conditions to better predict the effects of natural and anthropogenic stressors on aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Petitjean
- EcoLab, Laboratoire écologie fonctionnelle et environnement, UMR5245, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France; EDB, UMR5174 EDB, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse, France; LTSER France, Zone Atelier PYGAR "Pyrénées-Garonne", Auzeville-Tolosane, France.
| | - Séverine Jean
- EcoLab, Laboratoire écologie fonctionnelle et environnement, UMR5245, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France; LTSER France, Zone Atelier PYGAR "Pyrénées-Garonne", Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Jessica Côte
- EDB, UMR5174 EDB, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse, France; LTSER France, Zone Atelier PYGAR "Pyrénées-Garonne", Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Thibaut Larcher
- INRA-Oniris, PAnTher APEX, La Chantrerie, 44307 Nantes, France
| | - Fréderic Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, Université de la Rochelle, CNRS, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Cécile Ribout
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, Université de la Rochelle, CNRS, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Annie Perrault
- EcoLab, Laboratoire écologie fonctionnelle et environnement, UMR5245, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France; LTSER France, Zone Atelier PYGAR "Pyrénées-Garonne", Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Pascal Laffaille
- EcoLab, Laboratoire écologie fonctionnelle et environnement, UMR5245, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France; LTSER France, Zone Atelier PYGAR "Pyrénées-Garonne", Auzeville-Tolosane, France
| | - Lisa Jacquin
- EDB, UMR5174 EDB, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, IRD, UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse, France; LTSER France, Zone Atelier PYGAR "Pyrénées-Garonne", Auzeville-Tolosane, France
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Rehberger K, Wernicke von Siebenthal E, Bailey C, Bregy P, Fasel M, Herzog EL, Neumann S, Schmidt-Posthaus H, Segner H. Long-term exposure to low 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) concentrations disrupts both the reproductive and the immune system of juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 142:105836. [PMID: 32563011 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds (EEDCs), such as ethinylestradiol (EE2), are well studied for their impact on the reproductive system of fish. EEDCs may also impact the immune system and, as a consequence, the disease susceptibility of fish. It is currently not yet known whether the low concentrations of EEDCs that are able to disrupt the reproductive system of trout are effective in disrupting the immune system and the fish host resistance towards pathogens, too, or whether such immunodisruptive effects would occur only at higher EEDC concentrations. Therefore, in the present study we compare the effect thresholds of low 17α-ethinylestradiol concentrations (1.5 and 5.5 EE2 ng/L) on the reproductive system, the immune system, the energy expenditures and the resistance of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) against the parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae - the etiological agent of proliferative kidney disease (PKD) of salmonids. The parasite infection was conducted without injection and under low pathogen exposure concentrations. The disease development was followed over 130 days post infection - in the presence or absence of EE2 exposure. The results show that the long-term EE2 exposure affected, at both concentrations, reproductive parameters like the mRNA levels of hepatic vitellogenin and estrogen receptors. At the same concentrations, EE2 exposure modulated the immune parameters: mRNA levels of several immune genes were altered and the parasite intensity as well as the disease severity (histopathology) were significantly reduced in EE2-exposed fish compared to infected control fish. The combination of EE2 exposure and parasite infection was energetically costly, as indicated by the decreased values of the swim tunnel respirometry. Although further substantiation is needed, our findings suggest that EE2 exerts endocrine disruptive and immunomodulating activities at comparable effect thresholds, since reproductive and immune parameters were affected by the same, low EE2 concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Rehberger
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | | | - Christyn Bailey
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Bregy
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Fasel
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Elio L Herzog
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Neumann
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Heike Schmidt-Posthaus
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Helmut Segner
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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28
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Impacts of multiple stressors on freshwater biota across spatial scales and ecosystems. Nat Ecol Evol 2020; 4:1060-1068. [DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-1216-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Tran TT, Dinh Van K, Janssens L, Stoks R. The effect of warming on pesticide toxicity is reversed between developmental stages in the mosquito Culex pipiens. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 717:134811. [PMID: 31836210 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A better understanding of interactions between pesticides and warming is important to improve ecological risk assessment in a warming world. Current insights are almost exclusively based on studies that exposed animals simultaneously to both warming and a pesticide and focused on effects during the pesticide exposure period and within a single developmental stage. We studied two ignored aspects of the interplay between warming and pesticide exposure: (i) the role of delayed effects after the pesticide exposure period, and (ii) the dependence on the developmental stage. We carried out a longitudinal experiment from the egg stage to the adult stage in the mosquito Culex pipiens where we crossed a warming treatment (20 °C vs 24 °C) with 48 h exposures to the pesticide chlorpyrifos in three developmental stages (early L1 larvae, late L4 larvae and adults). Chlorpyrifos induced mild to moderate mortality in all developmental stages (10-30%). A key finding was that warming shaped the chlorpyrifos-induced mortality but in opposite directions between stages. Chlorpyrifos was 7% less toxic under warming in L1 larvae, yet more toxic under warming in L4 larvae (22%) and in adult males (33%), while toxicity did not change under warming in adult females. We hypothesize that the general, stage-specific differences in the effects of warming on body size (increased size in early larvae, decreased size in later stages) caused the reversal of the effects of warming on toxicity between stages. Previous larval exposure to chlorpyrifos caused delayed effects that strongly reduced survival to the adult stage (̰25% at 24 °C). Notably, warming also modulated these delayed mortality effects in opposite ways between developmental stages, matching the patterns of mortality during the pesticide exposure periods. Integrating the general stage-specific patterns of how warming shapes body size is important to advance our mechanistic understanding of the interactions between pesticides and warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tam T Tran
- Evolutionary Stress Ecology and Ecotoxicology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Aquatic Animal Health, Institute of Aquaculture, Nha Trang University, Nha Trang, Viet nam.
| | - Khuong Dinh Van
- Department of Fisheries Biology, Institute of Aquaculture, Nha Trang University, Nha Trang, Viet nam; School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States.
| | - Lizanne Janssens
- Evolutionary Stress Ecology and Ecotoxicology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Robby Stoks
- Evolutionary Stress Ecology and Ecotoxicology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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30
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Effects of Mixtures of Engineered Nanoparticles and Metallic Pollutants on Aquatic Organisms. ENVIRONMENTS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/environments7040027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In aquatic environment, engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) are present as complex mixtures with other pollutants, such as trace metals, which could result in synergism, additivity or antagonism of their combined effects. Despite the fact that the toxicity and environmental risk of the ENPs have received extensive attention in the recent years, the interactions of ENPs with other pollutants and the consequent effects on aquatic organisms represent an important challenge in (nano)ecotoxicology. The present review provides an overview of the state-of-the-art and critically discusses the existing knowledge on combined effects of mixtures of ENPs and metallic pollutants on aquatic organisms. The specific emphasis is on the adsorption of metallic pollutants on metal-containing ENPs, transformation and bioavailability of ENPs and metallic pollutants in mixtures. Antagonistic, additive and synergistic effects observed in aquatic organisms co-exposed to ENPs and metallic pollutants are discussed in the case of “particle-proof” and “particle-ingestive” organisms. This knowledge is important in developing efficient strategies for sound environmental impact assessment of mixture exposure in complex environments.
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Pereda O, Solagaistua L, Atristain M, de Guzmán I, Larrañaga A, von Schiller D, Elosegi A. Impact of wastewater effluent pollution on stream functioning: A whole-ecosystem manipulation experiment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 258:113719. [PMID: 31838390 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The ecological effects of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents on stream ecosystems cause growing concern. However, it is difficult to assess these effects as most streams receiving WWTP effluents are also affected by other stressors. We performed a whole-ecosystem manipulation experiment following a BACI design (Before-After/Control-Impact) in order to exclude the influence of other potentially confounding factors. We diverted part of the effluent of a large tertiary urban WWTP into a small, unpolluted stream, and studied its effects on ecosystem structure and functioning over two years (i.e., one year before and one year after the effluent diversion). Although highly diluted (final concentration in the receiving stream averaged 3%), the effluent promoted biofilm chlorophyll-a and biomass (2.3 and 2.1 times, respectively), exo-enzymatic activities (phosphatase 2.2 and glucosidase 4.2 times) and invertebrate-mediated organic matter decomposition (1.4 times), but reduced phosphorus uptake capacity of the epilithic biofilm down to 0.5 of the initial values. Biofilm metabolism, reach-scale nutrient uptake and microbially-mediated organic matter decomposition were not affected. Our results indicate that even well treated and highly diluted WWTP effluents can also affect the structure of the biofilm community and stream ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olatz Pereda
- Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Libe Solagaistua
- Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Miren Atristain
- Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ioar de Guzmán
- Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Aitor Larrañaga
- Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Daniel von Schiller
- Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Arturo Elosegi
- Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain
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Marques da Cunha L, Maitre D, Wedekind C. Low adaptive potential for tolerance to ethynylestradiol, but also low toxicity, in a grayling population (Thymallus thymallus). BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:227. [PMID: 31842751 PMCID: PMC6916445 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-019-1558-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The presence of a novel pollutant can induce rapid evolution if there is additive genetic variance for the tolerance to the stressor. Continuous selection over some generations can then reduce the toxicity of the pollutant but also deplete the additive genetic variance for the tolerance and thereby slow down adaptation. One common pollutant that has been ecologically relevant for some time is 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2), a synthetic compound of oral contraceptives since their market launch in the 1960s. EE2 is typically found in higher concentrations in rivers than in lakes. Recent experimental work revealed significant genetic variance for the tolerance to EE2 in two lake-spawning salmonid species but no such variance in river-spawning brown trout. We used another river-spawning salmonid, the European grayling Thymallus thymallus, to study the toxicity of an ecologically relevant concentration of EE2. We also used a full-factorial in vitro breeding design and singly rearing of 1555 embryos and larvae of 40 sib groups to test whether there is additive genetic variance for the tolerance to this pollutant. RESULTS We found that exposure to EE2 reduced larval growth after hatching, but contrary to what has been found in the other salmonids, there were no significant effects of EE2 on embryo growth and survival. We found additive genetic variance for embryo viability, i.e. heritability for fitness. However, there was no significant additive variance for the tolerance to EE2. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the hypothesis that continuous selection has reduced the toxicity of EE2 and depleted genetic variance for tolerance to this synthetic stressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Marques da Cunha
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Diane Maitre
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Claus Wedekind
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, Biophore, University of Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Petitjean Q, Jean S, Gandar A, Côte J, Laffaille P, Jacquin L. Stress responses in fish: From molecular to evolutionary processes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 684:371-380. [PMID: 31154210 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In the context of global changes, fish are increasingly exposed to multiple stressors that have cascading effects from molecules to the whole individual, thereby affecting wild fish populations through selective processes. In this review, we synthetize recent advances in molecular biology and evolutionary biology to outline some potentially important effects of stressors on fish across biological levels. Given the burgeoning literature, we highlight four promising avenues of research. First, (1) the exposure to multiple stressors can lead to unexpected synergistic or antagonistic effects, which should be better taken into account to improve our predictions of the effects of actual and future human activities on aquatic organisms. Second, (2) we argue that such interactive effects might be due to switches in energy metabolism leading to threshold effects. Under multiple stress exposure, fish could switch from a "compensation" strategy, i.e. a reallocation of energy to defenses and repair to a "conservation" strategy, i.e. blocking of stress responses leading to strong deleterious effects and high mortality. Third, (3) this could have cascading effects on fish survival and population persistence but multiscale studies are still rare. We propose emerging tools merging different levels of biological organization to better predict population resilience under multiple stressors. Fourth (4), there are strong variations in sensitivity among populations, which might arise from transgenerational effects of stressors through plastic, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms. This can lead to local adaptation or maladaptation, with strong impacts on the evolutionary trajectories of wild fish populations. With this review, we hope to encourage future research to bridge the gap between molecular ecology, ecotoxicology and evolutionary biology to better understand the evolution of responses of fishes to current and future multiple stressors in the context of global changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Petitjean
- Laboratoire EDB Évolution & Diversité Biologique UMR 5174, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, UPS, CNRS, IRD, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France; Laboratoire ECOLAB UMR 5245, CNRS, INPT-ENSAT, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier; avenue de l'Agrobiopole, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Séverine Jean
- Laboratoire ECOLAB UMR 5245, CNRS, INPT-ENSAT, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier; avenue de l'Agrobiopole, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Allison Gandar
- Laboratoire ECOLAB UMR 5245, CNRS, INPT-ENSAT, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier; avenue de l'Agrobiopole, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Jessica Côte
- Laboratoire EDB Évolution & Diversité Biologique UMR 5174, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, UPS, CNRS, IRD, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Pascal Laffaille
- Laboratoire ECOLAB UMR 5245, CNRS, INPT-ENSAT, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier; avenue de l'Agrobiopole, 31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Lisa Jacquin
- Laboratoire EDB Évolution & Diversité Biologique UMR 5174, Université de Toulouse, Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier, UPS, CNRS, IRD, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France.
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Sabater-Liesa L, Montemurro N, Font C, Ginebreda A, González-Trujillo JD, Mingorance N, Pérez S, Barceló D. The response patterns of stream biofilms to urban sewage change with exposure time and dilution. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 674:401-411. [PMID: 31005842 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Urban wastewater inputs are a relevant pollution source to rivers, contributing a complex mixture of nutrients, organic matter and organic microcontaminants to these systems. Depending on their composition, WWTP effluents might perform either as enhancers (subsidizers) or inhibitors (stressors) of biological activities. In this study, we evaluated in which manner biofilms were affected by treated urban WWTP effluent, and how much they recovered after exposure was terminated. We used indoor artificial streams in a replicated regression design, which were operated for a total period of 56 days. During the first 33 days, artificial streams were fed with increasing concentration of treated effluents starting with non-contaminated water and ending with undiluted effluent. During the recovery phase, the artificial streams were fed with unpolluted water. Sewage effluents contained high concentrations of personal care products, pharmaceuticals, nutrients, and dissolved organic matter. Changes in community structure, biomass, and biofilm function were most pronounced in those biofilms exposed to 58% to 100% of WWTP effluent, moving from linear to quadratic or cubic response patterns. The return to initial conditions did not allow for complete biofilm recovery, but biofilms from the former medium diluted treatments were the most benefited (enhanced response), while those from the undiluted treatments showed higher stress (inhibited response). Our results indicated that the effects caused by WWTP effluent discharge on biofilm structure and function respond to the chemical pressure only in part, and that the biofilm dynamics (changes in community composition, increase in thickness) imprint particular response pathways over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Sabater-Liesa
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nicola Montemurro
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Font
- ICRA, Carrer Emili Grahit 101, Girona 17003, Spain
| | - Antoni Ginebreda
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | | | - Sandra Pérez
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Damià Barceló
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; ICRA, Carrer Emili Grahit 101, Girona 17003, Spain
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Arambourou H, Planelló R, Llorente L, Fuertes I, Barata C, Delorme N, Noury P, Herrero Ó, Villeneuve A, Bonnineau C. Chironomus riparius exposure to field-collected contaminated sediments: From subcellular effect to whole-organism response. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 671:874-882. [PMID: 30947058 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The toxicity of three field-collected sediments differentially contaminated with pesticides, heavy metals, phtalates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), was assessed in Chironomus riparius. For this purpose, C. riparius larvae were exposed throughout their entire life cycle to sediments collected in three sites along the Saulx river in France, and the toxic effects were measured at different levels of biological organization: from the molecular (lipidomic analysis and transcriptional variations) to the whole organism response (respiration rate, shape markers and emergence rate). In the sediment characterized by an intermediate level of contamination with PAHs and phtalates, we detected an increase of the cell stress response and delayed emergence of males. In the group exposed to the most contaminated sediment with PAHs, phtalates and pesticides, genes related to endocrine pathways, cell stress response and biotransformation processes were overexpressed, while female wing shape was affected. Field-collected sediment exposure did not induce significant effects on mentum shape markers or on the lipid profile. The present study provides new insights into the multilevel effects of differentially contaminated sediments in insects. This integrative approach will certainly contribute to improved assessment of the risk that complex mixtures of pollutants pose to the aquatic ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosario Planelló
- Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Lola Llorente
- Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Fuertes
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Barata
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Patrice Noury
- Irstea Lyon, Riverly Research Unit, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Óscar Herrero
- Grupo de Biología y Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
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Marques da Cunha L, Uppal A, Seddon E, Nusbaumer D, Vermeirssen EL, Wedekind C. No additive genetic variance for tolerance to ethynylestradiol exposure in natural populations of brown trout ( Salmo trutta). Evol Appl 2019; 12:940-950. [PMID: 31080506 PMCID: PMC6503824 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most common and potent pollutants of freshwater habitats is 17-alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE2), a synthetic component of oral contraceptives that is not completely eliminated during sewage treatment and that threatens natural populations of fish. Previous studies found additive genetic variance for the tolerance against EE2 in different salmonid fishes and concluded that rapid evolution to this type of pollution seems possible. However, these previous studies were done with fishes that are lake-dwelling and hence typically less exposed to EE2 than river-dwelling species. Here, we test whether there is additive genetic variance for the tolerance against EE2 also in river-dwelling salmonid populations that have been exposed to various concentrations of EE2 over the last decades. We sampled 287 adult brown trout (Salmo trutta) from seven populations that show much genetic diversity within populations, are genetically differentiated, and that vary in their exposure to sewage-treated effluent. In order to estimate their potential to evolve tolerance to EE2, we collected their gametes to produce 730 experimental families in blockwise full-factorial in vitro fertilizations. We then raised 7,302 embryos singly in 2-ml containers each and either exposed them to 1 ng/L EE2 (an ecologically relevant concentration, i.e., 2 pg per embryo added in a single spike to the water) or sham-treated them. Exposure to EE2 increased embryo mortality, delayed hatching time, and decreased hatchling length. We found no population differences and no additive genetic variance for tolerance to EE2. We conclude that EE2 has detrimental effects that may adversely affect population even at a very low concentration, but that our study populations lack the potential for rapid genetic adaptation to this type of pollution. One possible explanation for the latter is that continuous selection over the last decades has depleted genetic variance for tolerance to this synthetic stressor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anshu Uppal
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, BiophoreUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Emily Seddon
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, BiophoreUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - David Nusbaumer
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, BiophoreUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | | | - Claus Wedekind
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, BiophoreUniversity of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
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de Souza Machado AA, Wood CM, Kloas W. Novel Concepts for Novel Entities: Updating Ecotoxicology for a Sustainable Anthropocene. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:4680-4682. [PMID: 31002233 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b02031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Chris M Wood
- Department of Zoology , University of British Columbia . Vancouver , Canada
| | - Werner Kloas
- Leibniz- Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries . Berlin , Germany
- Faculty of Life Sciences , Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin . Berlin , Germany
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Vera-Vera VC, Guerrero F, Blasco J, Araújo CVM. Habitat selection response of the freshwater shrimp Atyaephyra desmarestii experimentally exposed to heterogeneous copper contamination scenarios. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 662:816-823. [PMID: 30708297 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In contaminated aquatic ecosystems, it is expected that organisms suffer some effects caused by the contaminants. However, for mobile organisms inhabiting heterogeneously contaminated ecosystems, the continuous exposure to contaminants can be avoided by moving to less contaminated habitats. The present study evaluated the habitat selection of the freshwater shrimp Atyaephyra desmarestii experimentally exposed to different copper concentrations to verify whether the heterogeneous contamination distribution and the connectivity between habitats with different copper levels could generate a random population distribution similar to metapopulation. The experiments were performed in the HeMHAS (Heterogeneous Multi-Habitat Assay System), a non-forced multi-compartmented exposure system, in which it is possible to simulate the distribution of contaminants in a linear gradient or as patches of contamination. Copper was used to simulate a linear contamination gradient (26 to 105 μg/L Cu) and two patchy scenarios with three contamination levels [reference zone (R: 26 ± 7 μg/L Cu), mixing zone (M: 61 ± 2 μg/L Cu) and disturbed zone (D: 101 ± 12 μg/L Cu)], with two mixing zones or one central mixing zone in a heterogeneous scenario. In the copper gradient scenario, a clear trend of shrimps (59.6 ± 8.0% of the population) moving to the reference zones and an avoidance of 66.7 ± 11.1% of the most contaminated zone were observed. For the patchy scenarios, a random distribution of organisms (34, 36 and 30% for R, M and D zones, respectively) was observed in the scenario with one mixing zone; on the other hand, a slight preference for the reference zones (44.9 ± 4.8%) was evidenced in the scenario with two mixing zones. As shrimps are able to select less contaminated areas, it is highly important to preserve clean zones in heterogeneously contaminated environments, such as the arrangement in meta-ecosystems, as the less- or uncontaminated zones might represent less stressful areas to protect populations against continuous contamination exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria C Vera-Vera
- Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Francisco Guerrero
- Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; Center of Advanced Studies in Earth Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Julián Blasco
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia, CSIC, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Cristiano V M Araújo
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Institute of Marine Sciences of Andalusia, CSIC, 11510 Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain.
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Heuschele J, Lode T, Andersen T, Borgå K, Titelman J. An affordable and automated imaging approach to acquire highly resolved individual data-an example of copepod growth in response to multiple stressors. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6776. [PMID: 31041153 PMCID: PMC6476288 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Individual trait variation is essential for populations to cope with multiple stressors and continuously changing environments. The immense number of possible stressor combinations and the influence of phenotypic variation makes experimental testing for effects on organisms challenging. The acquisition of such data requires many replicates and is notoriously laborious. It is further complicated when responses occur over short time periods. To overcome such challenges, we developed an automated imaging platform to acquire temporally highly resolved individual data. We tested this platform by exposing copepods to a combination of a biotic stressor (predator cues) and a toxicant (copper) and measured the growth response of individual copepods. We tested the automatically acquired data against published manually acquired data with much lower temporal resolution. We find the same general potentiating effects of predator cues on the adverse effects of copper, and the influence of an individual’s clutch identity on its ability to resist stress, between the data obtained from low and high temporal resolution. However, when using the high temporal resolution, we also uncovered effects of clutch ID on the timing and duration of stage transitions, which highlights the importance of considering phenotypic variation in ecotoxicological testing. Phenotypic variation is usually not acknowledged in ecotoxicological testing. Our approach is scalable, affordable, and adjustable to accommodate both aquatic and terrestrial organisms, and a wide range of visually detectable endpoints. We discuss future extensions that would further widen its applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Heuschele
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Torben Lode
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tom Andersen
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Katrine Borgå
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Snell MA, Barker PA, Surridge BWJ, Benskin CMH, Barber N, Reaney SM, Tych W, Mindham D, Large ARG, Burke S, Haygarth PM. Strong and recurring seasonality revealed within stream diatom assemblages. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3313. [PMID: 30824739 PMCID: PMC6397146 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37831-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Improving stream water quality in agricultural landscapes is an ecological priority and a legislative duty for many governments. Ecosystem health can be effectively characterised by organisms sensitive to water quality changes such as diatoms, single-celled algae that are a ubiquitous component of stream benthos. Diatoms respond within daily timescales to variables including light, temperature, nutrient availability and flow conditions that result from weather and land use characteristics. However, little consideration has been given to the ecological dynamics of diatoms through repeated seasonal cycles when assessing trajectories of stream function, even in catchments actively managed to reduce human pressures. Here, six years of monthly diatom samples from three independent streams, each receiving differing levels of diffuse agricultural pollution, reveal robust and repeated seasonal variation. Predicted seasonal changes in climate-related variables and anticipated ecological impacts must be fully captured in future ecological and water quality assessments, if the apparent resistance of stream ecosystems to pollution mitigation measures is to be better understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Snell
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK. .,Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PQ, UK.
| | - P A Barker
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - B W J Surridge
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - C McW H Benskin
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - N Barber
- Department of Geography, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - S M Reaney
- Department of Geography, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - W Tych
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - D Mindham
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - A R G Large
- School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - S Burke
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK
| | - P M Haygarth
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
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Pereda O, Acuña V, von Schiller D, Sabater S, Elosegi A. Immediate and legacy effects of urban pollution on river ecosystem functioning: A mesocosm experiment. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 169:960-970. [PMID: 30597797 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.11.103] [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: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Effluents from urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) consist of complex mixtures of substances that can affect processes in the receiving ecosystems. Some of these substances (toxic contaminants) stress biological activity at all concentrations, while others (e.g., nutrients) subsidize it at low concentrations and stress it above a threshold, causing subsidy-stress responses. Thus, the overall effects of WWTP effluents depend mostly on their composition and the dilution capacity of the receiving water bodies. We assessed the immediate and legacy effects of WWTP effluents in artificial streams, where we measured the uptake of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) by the biofilm, biomass accrual, benthic metabolism and organic matter decomposition (OMD). In a first phase (32 d), the channels were subjected to a gradient of effluent contribution, from pure stream water to pure effluent. WWTP effluent affected the ecosystem processes we measured, although we found no clear subsidy-stress patterns except for biofilm biomass accrual. Instead, most of the processes were subsidized, although they showed complex and process-specific patterns. Benthic metabolism and OMD were subsidized without saturation, as they peaked at medium and high levels of pollution, respectively, but they never fell below control levels. SRP uptake was the only process that decreased with increasing effluent concentration. In a second phase of the experiment (23 d), all channels were kept on pure stream water to analyse the legacy effects of the effluent. For most of the processes, there were clear legacy effects, which followed either subsidy, stress, or subsidy-stress patterns. SRP uptake capacity was stressed with increasing pollution legacy, whereas algal accrual and benthic metabolism continued being subsidized. Conversely, biofilm biomass accrual and OMD showed no legacy effects. Overall, the WWTP effluent caused complex and process-specific responses in our experiment, mainly driven by the mixed contribution of subsidizers and stressors. These results help improving our understanding of the effects of urban pollution on stream ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olatz Pereda
- Faculty of Science and Technology, the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Vicenç Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Daniel von Schiller
- Faculty of Science and Technology, the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain
| | - Arturo Elosegi
- Faculty of Science and Technology, the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
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Lima AC, Wrona FJ. Multiple threats and stressors to the Athabasca River Basin: What do we know so far? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 649:640-651. [PMID: 30176475 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Over the last five decades, the Athabasca River Basin in Alberta, Canada, has been subjected to a wide range of environmental stressors from diverse human developments. This has resulted in an escalation of government, academic, industry and community-based monitoring and research efforts. However, despite all the attention received, a comprehensive synthesis of what has been studied is lacking, in particular, in relation to the efforts examining single versus multiple stressors. Based on a systematic literature review, we found 386 publications from 1969 to 2018 on the Athabasca River focusing on single stressors (68.4%) compared to multiple stressors (31.6%). There was a significant shift in the focus of studies between the 1990s and present from assessing threats of pulp and paper developments to those related to oil sands activities, with studies most predominantly addressing chemical stressors. Despite these efforts, there remain significant knowledge gaps regarding the cumulative effects of multiple stressors, particularly on biological and ecological endpoints. Correspondingly, a wide range of contradictory conclusions were reported regarding the ecological, regulatory and societal significance of the reported environmental impacts, highlighting both the complexity and often lack of standardization of approaches used. This emphasizes the need for improved integration of monitoring and research activities that are hypothesis driven, have clear objectives, and are better aligned with environmental management processes and decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Lima
- University of Calgary, Department of Biological Sciences, Aquatic Ecology Lab, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
| | - Frederick John Wrona
- University of Calgary, Department of Biological Sciences, Aquatic Ecology Lab, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; Alberta Environment and Parks and Environmental Monitoring and Science Division (EMSD), Main Floor, Forestry Building, 9920 108 Street, Edmonton, AB T5K 2M4, Canada.
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Nilsen E, Smalling KL, Ahrens L, Gros M, Miglioranza KSB, Picó Y, Schoenfuss HL. Critical review: Grand challenges in assessing the adverse effects of contaminants of emerging concern on aquatic food webs. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2019; 38:46-60. [PMID: 30294805 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Much progress has been made in the past few decades in understanding the sources, transport, fate, and biological effects of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in aquatic ecosystems. Despite these advancements, significant obstacles still prevent comprehensive assessments of the environmental risks associated with the presence of CECs. Many of these obstacles center around the extrapolation of effects of single chemicals observed in the laboratory or effects found in individual organisms or species in the field to impacts of multiple stressors on aquatic food webs. In the present review, we identify 5 challenges that must be addressed to promote studies of CECs from singular exposure events to multispecies aquatic food web interactions. There needs to be: 1) more detailed information on the complexity of mixtures of CECs in the aquatic environment, 2) a greater understanding of the sublethal effects of CECs on a wide range of aquatic organisms, 3) an ascertaining of the biological consequences of variable duration CEC exposures within and across generations in aquatic species, 4) a linkage of multiple stressors with CEC exposure in aquatic systems, and 5) a documenting of the trophic consequences of CEC exposure across aquatic food webs. We examine the current literature to show how these challenges can be addressed to fill knowledge gaps. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:46-60. © 2018 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Nilsen
- US Geological Survey, Oregon Water Science Center, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Kelly L Smalling
- US Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA
| | - Lutz Ahrens
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Meritxell Gros
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Catalan Institute for Water Research, Girona, Spain
| | - Karina S B Miglioranza
- Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Pollution, Mar del Plata University, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Yolanda Picó
- Environmental and Food Safety Research Group, Center of Research on Desertification (CIDe), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Heiko L Schoenfuss
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA
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Trade-Offs Underwater: Physiological Plasticity of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Confronted by Multiple Stressors. FISHES 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/fishes3040049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Organisms have evolved mechanisms to partition the available resources between fitness-relevant physiological functions. Organisms possess phenotypic plasticity to acclimate to changing environmental conditions. However, this comes at a cost that can cause negative correlations or “trade-offs”, whereby increasing investments in one function lead to decreased investments in another function. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prioritization of resource allocation between growth, pathogen defense, and contaminant response in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to changes of resource income or expenditure. We performed a multifactorial experiment with three resource-impacting stressors—limited food availability, a parasitic infection, exposure to a vitellogenesis-inducing contaminant—and combinations thereof. Treatment with the individual stressors evoked the expected responses in the respective physiological target systems—body growth, immune system, and hepatic vitellogenin transcription—but we found little evidence for significant negative relations (trade-offs) between the three systems. This also applied to fish exposed to combinations of the stressors. This high phenotypic flexibility of trout in their resource allocation suggests that linear resource allocations as mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity may be too simplistic, but it also may point to a greater capacity of ectothermic than endothermic vertebrates to maintain key physiological processes under competing resource needs due to lower maintenance costs.
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45
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Thompson PL, MacLennan MM, Vinebrooke RD. Species interactions cause non‐additive effects of multiple environmental stressors on communities. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick L. Thompson
- Department of Zoology University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - Megan M. MacLennan
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
| | - Rolf D. Vinebrooke
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton Alberta Canada
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46
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Bailey C, Rubin A, Strepparava N, Segner H, Rubin JF, Wahli T. Do fish get wasted? Assessing the influence of effluents on parasitic infection of wild fish. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5956. [PMID: 30479904 PMCID: PMC6238765 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many ecosystems are influenced simultaneously by multiple stressors. One important environmental stressor is aquatic pollution via wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. WWTP effluents may contribute to eutrophication or contain anthropogenic contaminants that directly and/or indirectly influence aquatic wildlife. Both eutrophication and exposure to anthropogenic contaminants may affect the dynamics of fish-parasite systems. With this in mind, we studied the impact of WWTP effluents on infection of brown trout by the parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, the causative agent of proliferative kidney disease (PKD). PKD is associated with the long-term decline of wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations in Switzerland. We investigated PKD infection of brown trout at two adjacent sites (≈400 m apart) of a Swiss river. The sites are similar in terms of ecology except that one site receives WWTP effluents. We evaluated the hypothesis that fish inhabiting the effluent site will show greater susceptibility to PKD in terms of prevalence and disease outcome. We assessed susceptibility by (i) infection prevalence, (ii) parasite intensity, (iii) host health in terms of pathology, and (iv) estimated apparent survival rate. At different time points during the study, significant differences between sites concerning all measured parameters were found, thus providing evidence of the influence of effluents on parasitic infection of fish in our study system. However, from these findings we cannot determine if the effluent has a direct influence on the fish host via altering its ability to manage the parasite, or indirectly on the parasite or the invertebrate host via increasing bryozoa (the invertebrate host) reproduction. On a final note, the WWTP adhered to all national guidelines and the effluent only resulted in a minor water quality reduction assessed via standardized methods in this study. Thus, we provide evidence that even a subtle decrease in water quality, resulting in small-scale pollution can have consequences for wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christyn Bailey
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Rubin
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,University of Applied Sciences, Hepia, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Strepparava
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Helmut Segner
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jean-François Rubin
- University of Applied Sciences, Hepia, Geneva, Switzerland.,Maison de la Rivière, Tolochenaz, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Wahli
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Rossi F, Pesce S, Mallet C, Margoum C, Chaumot A, Masson M, Artigas J. Interactive Effects of Pesticides and Nutrients on Microbial Communities Responsible of Litter Decomposition in Streams. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2437. [PMID: 30386312 PMCID: PMC6199466 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Global contamination of streams by a large variety of compounds, such as nutrients and pesticides, may exert a high pressure on aquatic organisms, including microbial communities and their activity of organic matter decomposition. In this study, we assessed the potential interaction between nutrients and a fungicide and herbicide [tebuconazole (TBZ) and S-metolachlor (S-Met), respectively] at realistic environmental concentrations on the structure (biomass, diversity) and decomposition activity of fungal and bacterial communities (leaf decay rates, extracellular enzymatic activities) associated with Alnus glutinosa (Alnus) leaves. A 40-day microcosm experiment was used to combine two nutrient conditions (mesotrophic and eutrophic) with four pesticide treatments at a nominal concentrations of 15 μg L-1 (control, TBZ and S-Met, alone or mixed) following a 2 × 4 full factorial design. We also investigated resulting indirect effects on Gammarus fossarum feeding rates using leaves previously exposed to each of the treatments described above. Results showed interactive effects between nutrients and pesticides, only when nutrient (i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus) concentrations were the highest (eutrophic condition). Specifically, slight decreases in Alnus leaf decomposition rates were observed in channels exposed to TBZ (0.01119 days-1) and S-Met (0.01139 days-1) than in control ones (0.01334 days-1) that can partially be explained by changes in the structure of leaf-associated microbial communities. However, exposition to both TBZ and S-Met in mixture (MIX) led to comparable decay rates to those exposed to the pesticides alone (0.01048 days-1), suggesting no interaction between these two compounds on microbial decomposition. Moreover, stimulation in ligninolytic activities (laccase and phenol oxidase) was observed in presence of the fungicide, possibly highlighting detoxification mechanisms employed by microbes. Such stimulation was not observed for laccase activity exposed to the MIX, suggesting antagonistic interaction of these two compounds on the ability of microbial communities to cope with stress by xenobiotics. Besides, no effects of the treatments were observed on leaf palatability for macroinvertebrates. Overall, the present study highlights that complex interactions between nutrients and xenobiotics in streams and resulting from global change can negatively affect microbial communities associated with leaf litter, although effects on higher trophic-level organisms remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florent Rossi
- Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Stéphane Pesce
- Irstea, UR RiverLy, Centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Clarisse Mallet
- Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Arnaud Chaumot
- Irstea, UR RiverLy, Centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Matthieu Masson
- Irstea, UR RiverLy, Centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Joan Artigas
- Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement, CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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48
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Khan FR. Ecotoxicology in the Anthropocene: Are We Listening to Nature's Scream? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:10227-10229. [PMID: 30188695 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Farhan R Khan
- Department of Science and Environment , Roskilde University , Universitetsvej 1 , PO Box 260, 4000 Roskilde , Denmark
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49
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Van den Brink PJ, Boxall AB, Maltby L, Brooks BW, Rudd MA, Backhaus T, Spurgeon D, Verougstraete V, Ajao C, Ankley GT, Apitz SE, Arnold K, Brodin T, Cañedo-Argüelles M, Chapman J, Corrales J, Coutellec MA, Fernandes TF, Fick J, Ford AT, Papiol GG, Groh KJ, Hutchinson TH, Kruger H, Kukkonen JV, Loutseti S, Marshall S, Muir D, Ortiz-Santaliestra ME, Paul KB, Rico A, Rodea-Palomares I, Römbke J, Rydberg T, Segner H, Smit M, van Gestel CA, Vighi M, Werner I, Zimmer EI, van Wensem J. Toward sustainable environmental quality: Priority research questions for Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2018; 37:2281-2295. [PMID: 30027629 PMCID: PMC6214210 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals have been established to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. Delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals will require a healthy and productive environment. An understanding of the impacts of chemicals which can negatively impact environmental health is therefore essential to the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, current research on and regulation of chemicals in the environment tend to take a simplistic view and do not account for the complexity of the real world, which inhibits the way we manage chemicals. There is therefore an urgent need for a step change in the way we study and communicate the impacts and control of chemicals in the natural environment. To do this requires the major research questions to be identified so that resources are focused on questions that really matter. We present the findings of a horizon-scanning exercise to identify research priorities of the European environmental science community around chemicals in the environment. Using the key questions approach, we identified 22 questions of priority. These questions covered overarching questions about which chemicals we should be most concerned about and where, impacts of global megatrends, protection goals, and sustainability of chemicals; the development and parameterization of assessment and management frameworks; and mechanisms to maximize the impact of the research. The research questions identified provide a first-step in the path forward for the research, regulatory, and business communities to better assess and manage chemicals in the natural environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2281-2295. © 2018 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. Van den Brink
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Wageningen Environmental Research (Alterra), P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alistair B.A. Boxall
- Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5NG, UK
- Corresponding author:
| | - Lorraine Maltby
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Bryan W. Brooks
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | | | - Thomas Backhaus
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Carl Skottsbergs Gata 22 B, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - David Spurgeon
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8BB, UK
| | | | - Charmaine Ajao
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Annankatu 18, 00120 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gerald T. Ankley
- US Environmental Protection Agency, 6201 Congdon Blvd, Duluth, MN, 55804, USA
| | - Sabine E. Apitz
- SEA Environmental Decisions, Ltd., 1 South Cottages, The Ford; Little Hadham, Hertfordshire SG11 2AT, UK
| | - Kathryn Arnold
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Tomas Brodin
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- Freshwater Ecology and Management (FEM) Research Group, Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Institut de Recerca de l’Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Aquatic Ecology Group, BETA Tecnio Centre, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jennifer Chapman
- Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5NG, UK
| | - Jone Corrales
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, USA
| | | | - Teresa F. Fernandes
- Institute of Life and Earth Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UK
| | - Jerker Fick
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Alex T. Ford
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Ferry Road, Portsmouth, England, PO4 9LY, UK
| | - Gemma Giménez Papiol
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Chemical Engineering Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans 26, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Ksenia J. Groh
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf Switzerland
| | - Thomas H. Hutchinson
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, United Kingdom
| | - Hank Kruger
- Wildlife International Ltd., Easton, Maryland, USA
| | - Jussi V.K. Kukkonen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, P.O. Box 35, FI-40014 University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Stefania Loutseti
- DuPont De Nemours, Agriculture & Nutrition Crop Protection, Hellas S.A. Halandri Ydras 2& Kifisias Avenue 280r. 15232 Athens, Greece
| | - Stuart Marshall
- Unilever, Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, MK441LQ, UK. (Retired)
| | - Derek Muir
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Water Science Technology Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario L7S 1A1 Canada
| | - Manuel E. Ortiz-Santaliestra
- Spanish Institute of Game and Wildlife Resources (IREC) CSIC-UCLM-JCCM. Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Kai B. Paul
- Blue Frog Scientific Limited, Quantum House, 91 George St., EH2 3ES, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andreu Rico
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ismael Rodea-Palomares
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Jörg Römbke
- ECT Oekotoxikologie GmbH, Böttgerstrasse 2-14, D-65439 Flörsheim, Germany
| | - Tomas Rydberg
- IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, PO Box 5302, 40014 Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Helmut Segner
- Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mathijs Smit
- Shell Global Solutions, Carel van Bylandtlaan 30, 2596 HR The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis A.M. van Gestel
- Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco Vighi
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Inge Werner
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | | | - Joke van Wensem
- Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, P.O. Box 20901, 2500 EX The Hague, The Netherlands
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50
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Herrero A, Gutiérrez-Cánovas C, Vigiak O, Lutz S, Kumar R, Gampe D, Huber-García V, Ludwig R, Batalla R, Sabater S. Multiple stressor effects on biological quality elements in the Ebro River: Present diagnosis and predicted responses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 630:1608-1618. [PMID: 29554777 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Multiple abiotic stressors affect the ecological status of water bodies. The status of waterbodies in the Ebro catchment (NE Spain) is evaluated using the biological quality elements (BQEs) of diatoms, invertebrates and macrophytes. The multi-stressor influence on the three BQEs was evaluated using the monitoring dataset available from the catchment water authority. Nutrient concentrations, especially total phosphorus (TP), affected most of the analyzed BQEs, while changes in mean discharge, water temperature, or river morphology did not show significant influences. Linear statistical models were used to evaluate the change of water bodies' ecological status under different combinations of future socioeconomic and climate scenarios. Changes in land use, rainfall, water temperature, mean discharge, TP and nitrate concentrations were modeled according to the future scenarios. These revealed an evolution of the abiotic stressors that could lead to a general decrease in the ecosystem quality of water bodies within the Ebro catchment. This deterioration was especially evidenced on the diatoms and invertebrate biological indices, mainly because of the foreseen increase in TP concentrations. Water bodies located in the headwaters were seen as the most sensitive to future changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Herrero
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H(2)O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Fluvial Dynamics Research Group (RIUS), University of Lleida, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Cayetano Gutiérrez-Cánovas
- Freshwater Ecology and Management group, Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Diagonal, 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Vigiak
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Directorate D - Sustainable Resources, Ispra, Italy; Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen, Department of Geography, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Lutz
- UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department Catchment Hydrology, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Rohini Kumar
- UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Computational Hydrosystems, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - David Gampe
- Department of Geography, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Ludwig
- Department of Geography, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Ramon Batalla
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H(2)O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Fluvial Dynamics Research Group (RIUS), University of Lleida, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain; Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), H(2)O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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