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Quail H, Viadanna PHO, Vann JA, Hsu HM, Pohly A, Smith W, Hansen S, Nietlisbach N, Godard D, Waltzek TB, Subramaniam K. Phylogenomic Characterization of Ranavirus Isolated from Wild Smallmouth Bass ( Micropterus dolomieu). Viruses 2024; 16:715. [PMID: 38793597 PMCID: PMC11126109 DOI: 10.3390/v16050715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In September 2021, 14 smallmouth bass (SMB; Micropterus dolomieu) with skin lesions were collected from Green Bay waters of Lake Michigan and submitted for diagnostic evaluation. All the skin samples tested positive for largemouth bass virus (LMBV) by conventional PCR. The complete genome of the LMBV (99,328 bp) isolated from a homogenized skin sample was determined using an Illumina MiSeq sequencer. A maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis based on the 21 core iridovirus genes supported the LMBV isolated from SMB (LMBV-WVL21117) as a member of the species Santee-Cooper ranavirus. Pairwise nucleotide comparison of the major capsid protein (MCP) gene showed that LMBV-WVL21117 is identical to other LMBV reported from the United States and nearly identical to doctor fish virus and guppy virus 6 (99.2%) from Southeast Asia, as well as LMBV isolates from China and Thailand (99.1%). In addition, ML phylogenetic analysis based on the MCP gene suggests three genotypes of LMBV separated by region: genotype one from the United States, genotype two from Southeast Asia, and genotype three from China and Thailand. Additional research is needed to understand the prevalence and genetic diversity of LMBV strains circulating in wild and managed fish populations from different regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Quail
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (H.Q.); (P.H.O.V.); (J.A.V.); (T.B.W.)
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Pedro H. O. Viadanna
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (H.Q.); (P.H.O.V.); (J.A.V.); (T.B.W.)
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Jordan A. Vann
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (H.Q.); (P.H.O.V.); (J.A.V.); (T.B.W.)
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Hui-Min Hsu
- Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (H.-M.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Andrea Pohly
- Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (H.-M.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Willow Smith
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries Management, 2801 Progress Road, Madison, WI 53716, USA; (W.S.); (S.H.); (N.N.); (D.G.)
| | - Scott Hansen
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries Management, 2801 Progress Road, Madison, WI 53716, USA; (W.S.); (S.H.); (N.N.); (D.G.)
| | - Nicole Nietlisbach
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries Management, 2801 Progress Road, Madison, WI 53716, USA; (W.S.); (S.H.); (N.N.); (D.G.)
| | - Danielle Godard
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries Management, 2801 Progress Road, Madison, WI 53716, USA; (W.S.); (S.H.); (N.N.); (D.G.)
| | - Thomas B. Waltzek
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (H.Q.); (P.H.O.V.); (J.A.V.); (T.B.W.)
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Kuttichantran Subramaniam
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; (H.Q.); (P.H.O.V.); (J.A.V.); (T.B.W.)
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Wagner T, McLaughlin P, Faunce KE, Austin S, Smalling K. The Effects of Wastewater Reuse on Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) Relative Abundance in the Shenandoah River Watershed, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024. [PMID: 38517104 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Municipal and industrial wastewater effluent is an important source of water for lotic systems, especially during periods of low flow. The accumulated wastewater effluent flows-expressed as a percentage of total streamflow (ACCWW%)-contain chemical mixtures that pose a risk to aquatic life; fish may be particularly vulnerable when chronically exposed. Although there has been considerable focus on individual-level effects of exposure to chemical mixtures found in wastewater effluent, scaling up to population-level effects remains a challenging component needed to better understand the potential consequences of exposure in wild populations. This may be particularly important under a changing climate in which wastewater reuse could be essential to maintain river flows. We evaluated the effects of chronic exposure to wastewater effluent, as measured by ACCWW%, on the relative abundance of young-of-year (YOY), juvenile, and adult smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) populations in the Shenandoah River Watershed (USA). We found that increases in ACCWW% in the previous year and during the prespawn period were negatively correlated with the relative abundance of YOY, resulting in an average 41% predicted decrease in abundance (range = 0.5%-94% predicted decrease in abundance). This lagged effect suggests that adult fish reproductive performance may be compromised by chemical exposure during periods of high ACCWW%. No relationships between ACCWW% and juvenile or adult relative abundance were found, suggesting that negative effects of ACCWW% on YOY abundance may be offset due to compensatory mechanisms following higher ACCWW% exposure. Understanding the effects of wastewater effluent exposure at multiple levels of biological organization will help in the development of management strategies aimed at protecting aquatic life. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-11. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Wagner
- US Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paul McLaughlin
- Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kaycee E Faunce
- Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center, US Geological Survey, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Samuel Austin
- Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center, US Geological Survey, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Kelly Smalling
- New Jersey Water Science Center, US Geological Survey, Lawrenceville, New Jersey
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3
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Gross MS, Blazer VS, Hladik ML. Pesticides in small volume plasma samples: Method development and application to smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from the Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 352:141347. [PMID: 38307336 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Nontarget organisms are exposed to pesticides following applications in agricultural and urban settings, potentially resulting in deleterious effects. Direct measurements of pesticides in biological tissues may aid in characterizing exposure, accumulation, and potential toxicity versus analyses in environmental media alone (e.g., water, soil, and air). Plasma represents a nonlethal sampling medium that can be used to assess recent exposures to contaminants. Herein, a method was developed to test the extraction of 210 pesticides and their transformation products in small volume plasma samples (100 μL). Plasma samples were protein precipitated with 0.5 % formic acid in acetonitrile added to the sample (ratio of 3.5:1). Pass-through solid phase extraction was used for sample matrix and lipid removal and samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography and gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Recoveries of 70.0-129.8 % were achieved for 182 pesticides and degradates across the low (25 ng mL-1), medium (100 ng mL-1), and high (250 ng mL-1) spike levels. Method detection levels ranged 0.4-13.0 ng mL-1. Following development, the method was applied to smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) plasma samples (n = 10) collected from adults in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Individual plasma samples resulted in four to seven analytes detected with summed concentrations ranging 16.4-95.0 ng mL-1. Biological multiresidue pesticide methods help elucidate recent exposures of bioactive compounds to nontarget organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Gross
- U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA
| | - Vicki S Blazer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
| | - Michelle L Hladik
- U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA.
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4
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Bertolatus DW, Barber LB, Martyniuk CJ, Zhen H, Collette TW, Ekman DR, Jastrow A, Rapp JL, Vajda AM. Multi-omic responses of fish exposed to complex chemical mixtures in the Shenandoah River watershed. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:165975. [PMID: 37536598 PMCID: PMC10592118 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165975] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate relationships between different anthropogenic impacts, contaminant occurrence, and fish health, we conducted in situ fish exposures across the Shenandoah River watershed at five sites with different land use. Exposure water was analyzed for over 500 chemical constituents, and organismal, metabolomic, and transcriptomic endpoints were measured in fathead minnows. Adverse reproductive outcomes were observed in fish exposed in the upper watershed at both wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent- and agriculture-impacted sites, including decreased gonadosomatic index and altered secondary sex characteristics. This was accompanied with increased mortality at the site most impacted by agricultural activities. Molecular biomarkers of estrogen exposure were unchanged and consistent with low or non-detectable concentrations of common estrogens, indicating that alternative mechanisms were involved in organismal adverse outcomes. Hepatic metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles were altered in a site-specific manner, consistent with variation in land use and contaminant profiles. Integrated biomarker response data were useful for evaluating mechanistic linkages between contaminants and adverse outcomes, suggesting that reproductive endocrine disruption, altered lipid processes, and immunosuppression may have been involved in these organismal impacts. This study demonstrated linkages between human-impact, contaminant occurrence, and exposure effects in the Shenandoah River watershed and showed increased risk of adverse outcomes in fathead minnows exposed to complex mixtures at sites impacted by municipal wastewater discharges and agricultural practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Bertolatus
- Adams State University, School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, 208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA.
| | - Larry B Barber
- U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine Street, Boulder, CO 80303, USA.
| | - Christopher J Martyniuk
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida Genetics Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
| | - Huajun Zhen
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Athens, GA 30605, USA
| | - Timothy W Collette
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Athens, GA 30605, USA.
| | - Drew R Ekman
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Athens, GA 30605, USA.
| | - Aaron Jastrow
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 Laboratory Services and Applied Science Division, Chicago, IL, 60605 USA.
| | - Jennifer L Rapp
- U.S. Geological Survey, Integrated Information Dissemination Division, Decision Support Branch, 1730 East Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228, USA.
| | - Alan M Vajda
- University of Colorado Denver, Department of Integrative Biology, CB 171, Denver, CO 80217, USA.
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5
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Blazer VS, Walsh HL, Sperry AJ, Raines B, Willacker JJ, Eagles-Smith CA. A multi-level assessment of biological effects associated with mercury concentrations in smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 329:121688. [PMID: 37088253 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Total mercury (THg) was measured in muscle (fillet) and liver tissue of adult smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu collected at multiple sites in the Potomac and Susquehanna River drainages within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Smallmouth bass in these drainages have experienced episodic mortality events, a high prevalence of skin lesions and reproductive endocrine disruption (intersex or testicular oocytes and plasma vitellogenin in males). A multi-level assessment of general and reproductive health including indicators at the organismal, organ, cellular and molecular levels was conducted on adult smallmouth bass during the spring (prespawn) season. Concentrations of THg were correlated with increased visible abnormalities, increased macrophage aggregates and tissue parasite burdens. In male bass positive correlations of THg were observed with plasma vitellogenin and hepatic transcript abundance of estrogen receptor β1 and androgen receptor α, while there was a negative association with estrogen receptors α and β2 and androgen receptors β. In female bass there was a negative correlation between THg and plasma vitellogenin as well as hepatic transcript abundance of vitellogenin, choriogenin, estrogen receptor β2 and 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Associations of THg concentrations with various biological indicators suggest mercury may be an important environmental stressor contributing to the observed adverse effects in smallmouth bass populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki S Blazer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA.
| | - Heather L Walsh
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
| | - Adam J Sperry
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
| | - Brenna Raines
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
| | - James J Willacker
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
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6
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Walsh HL, Gordon SE, Sperry AJ, Kashiwagi M, Mullican J, Blazer VS. A case study: temporal trends of environmental stressors and reproductive health of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from a site in the Potomac River Watershed, Maryland, USA. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 31:1536-1553. [PMID: 36454361 PMCID: PMC9729326 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-022-02605-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Decades of poor reproductive success and young-of-the-year survival, combined with adult mortality events, have led to a decline in the smallmouth bass (SMB; Micropterus dolomieu) population in sections of the Potomac River. Previous studies have identified numerous biologic and environmental stressors associated with negative effects on SMB health. To better understand the impact of these stressors, this study was conducted at the confluence of Antietam Creek and the Potomac River from 2013 to 2019 to identify temporal changes associated with SMB reproductive health. Surface water samples were collected and analyzed for over 300 organic contaminants, including pesticides, phytoestrogens, pharmaceuticals, hormones and total estrogenicity (E2Eq). Adult SMB were collected and sampled for multiple endpoints, including gene transcripts associated with reproduction (molecular), histopathology (cellular), and organosomatic indices (tissue). In males, biomarkers of estrogenic endocrine disruption, including testicular oocytes (TO) and plasma vitellogenin (Vtg) were assessed. Numerous agriculture-related contaminants or land use patterns were associated with gene transcript abundance in both male and female SMB. Positive associations between pesticides in the immediate catchment with TO severity and E2Eq with plasma Vtg in males were identified. In males, the prevalence of TO and detectable levels of plasma Vtg, liver vitellogenin transcripts (vtg) and testis vtg were high throughout the study. Peaks of complex mixtures of numerous contaminants occurred during the spring/early summer when spawning and early development occurs and to a lesser extent in fall/winter during recrudescence. Management practices to reduce exposure during these critical and sensitive periods may enhance reproductive health of these economically important sportfishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L Walsh
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Rd., Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA.
| | - Stephanie E Gordon
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Rd., Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
| | - Adam J Sperry
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Rd., Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
| | - Michael Kashiwagi
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fishing and Boating Services, 10932 Putman Rd., Thurmont, MD, 21788, USA
| | - John Mullican
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fishing and Boating Services, 20901 Fish Hatchery Rd., Hagerstown, MD, 21740, USA
| | - Vicki S Blazer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Rd., Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
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7
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Yang S, Mkingule I, Liu L, Chen W, Yuan X, Ma Z, Liang L, Qian S, Huang M, Fei H. Protective efficacy evaluation of immunogenic protein AHA_3793 of Aeromonas hydrophila as vaccine candidate for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. JOURNAL OF OCEANOLOGY AND LIMNOLOGY 2022; 41:392-400. [PMID: 36287822 PMCID: PMC9584254 DOI: 10.1007/s00343-022-1326-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Aeromonas hydrophila is a Gram-negative pathogen that can infect various fish, including largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), which have caused huge economic losses. In present study, largemouth bass anti-A. hydrophila antibodies were produced, then a highly immunogenic outer membrane proteins, AHA_3793, was identified by combined western blotting and mass spectrometry analysis. Moreover, AHA_3793 was expressed, and its immunogenicity was further verified by western blotting. Subsequently, the protective efficacy of AHA_3793 were evaluated in largemouth bass. The results showed that rAHA_3793 could produce a relative percentage survival (RPS) of 61.76% for largemouth bass against A. hydrophila challenge. ELISA analysis showed the specific serum antibodies of largemouth bass against rAHA_3793 and A. hydrophila in vaccinated group in weeks 4 and 5 after immunization were significantly higher than those in control group, which suggested that rAHA_3793 induced production of specific serum antibodies against rAHA_3793 and A. hydrophila. The qRT-PCR analysis showed that expressions of CD4-2 and MHC IIα were also significantly up-regulated after immunization. These results collectively demonstrated that rAHA_3793 could induce a strong humoral immune response of largemouth bass, and then produce high immune protection effects against A. hydrophila infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Yang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018 China
| | - Idefonce Mkingule
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018 China
| | - Long Liu
- Zhejiang Development & Planning Institute, Hangzhou, 310012 China
| | - Wenqi Chen
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018 China
| | - Xiangyu Yuan
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018 China
| | - Zixuan Ma
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018 China
| | - Liang Liang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018 China
| | - Shichao Qian
- Huzhou Baijiayu Biotech Co., Ltd., Huzhou, 313000 China
| | - Mengmeng Huang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018 China
| | - Hui Fei
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018 China
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8
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Leet JK, Greer JB, Richter CA, Iwanowicz LR, Spinard E, McDonald J, Conway C, Gale RW, Tillitt DE, Hansen JD. Exposure to 17α-Ethinylestradiol Results in Differential Susceptibility of Largemouth Bass ( Micropterus salmoides) to Bacterial Infection. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:14375-14386. [PMID: 36197672 PMCID: PMC9583602 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c02250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Disease outbreaks, skin lesions, mortality events, and reproductive abnormalities have been observed in wild populations of centrarchids. The presence of estrogenic endocrine disrupting compounds (EEDCs) has been implicated as a potential causal factor for these effects. The effects of prior EEDC exposure on immune response were examined in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) exposed to a potent synthetic estrogen (17α-ethinylestradiol, EE2) at a low (EE2Low, 0.87 ng/L) or high (EE2High, 9.08 ng/L) dose for 4 weeks, followed by transfer to clean water and injection with an LD40 dose of the Gram-negative bacteria Edwardsiella piscicida. Unexpectedly, this prior exposure to EE2High significantly increased survivorship at 10 d post-infection compared to solvent control or EE2Low-exposed, infected fish. Both prior exposure and infection with E. piscicida led to significantly reduced hepatic glycogen levels, indicating a stress response resulting in depletion of energy stores. Additionally, pathway analysis for liver and spleen indicated differentially expressed genes associated with immunometabolic processes in the mock-injected EE2High treatment that could underlie the observed protective effect and metabolic shift in EE2High-infected fish. Our results demonstrate that exposure to a model EEDC alters metabolism and immune function in a fish species that is ecologically and economically important in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica K. Leet
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental
Research Center, 4200
New Haven Road, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United
States
| | - Justin B. Greer
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research
Center, 6505 NE 65th Street, Seattle, Washington 98115, United States
| | - Catherine A. Richter
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental
Research Center, 4200
New Haven Road, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United
States
| | - Luke R. Iwanowicz
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science
Center, 11649 Leetown
Road, Kearneysville, West
Virginia 25430, United
States
| | - Edward Spinard
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research
Center, 6505 NE 65th Street, Seattle, Washington 98115, United States
| | - Jacquelyn McDonald
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research
Center, 6505 NE 65th Street, Seattle, Washington 98115, United States
| | - Carla Conway
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research
Center, 6505 NE 65th Street, Seattle, Washington 98115, United States
| | - Robert W. Gale
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental
Research Center, 4200
New Haven Road, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United
States
| | - Donald E. Tillitt
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental
Research Center, 4200
New Haven Road, Columbia, Missouri 65201, United
States
| | - John D. Hansen
- U.S.
Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research
Center, 6505 NE 65th Street, Seattle, Washington 98115, United States
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9
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Barber LB, Faunce KE, Bertolatus DW, Hladik ML, Jasmann JR, Keefe SH, Kolpin DW, Meyer MT, Rapp JL, Roth DA, Vajda AM. Watershed-Scale Risk to Aquatic Organisms from Complex Chemical Mixtures in the Shenandoah River. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:845-861. [PMID: 34978800 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
River waters contain complex chemical mixtures derived from natural and anthropogenic sources. Aquatic organisms are exposed to the entire chemical composition of the water, resulting in potential effects at the organismal through ecosystem level. This study applied a holistic approach to assess landscape, hydrological, chemical, and biological variables. On-site mobile laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate biological effects of exposure to chemical mixtures in the Shenandoah River Watershed. A suite of 534 inorganic and organic constituents were analyzed, of which 273 were detected. A watershed-scale accumulated wastewater model was developed to predict environmental concentrations of chemicals derived from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to assess potential aquatic organism exposure for all stream reaches in the watershed. Measured and modeled concentrations generally were within a factor of 2. Ecotoxicological effects from exposure to individual components of the chemical mixture were evaluated using risk quotients (RQs) based on measured or predicted environmental concentrations and no effect concentrations or chronic toxicity threshold values. Seventy-two percent of the compounds had RQ values <0.1, indicating limited risk from individual chemicals. However, when individual RQs were aggregated into a risk index, most stream reaches receiving WWTP effluent posed potential risk to aquatic organisms from exposure to complex chemical mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry B Barber
- U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine Street, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Kaycee E Faunce
- U.S. Geological Survey, 1730 East Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia 23228, United States
| | - David W Bertolatus
- University of Colorado Denver, 1151 Arapahoe Street, SI 2071, Denver, Colorado 80204, United States
| | - Michelle L Hladik
- U.S. Geological Survey, 6000 J Street, Placer Hall, Sacramento, California 95819, United States
| | - Jeramy R Jasmann
- U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine Street, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Steffanie H Keefe
- U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine Street, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Dana W Kolpin
- U.S. Geological Survey, 400 South Clinton Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52240, United States
| | - Michael T Meyer
- U.S. Geological Survey, 4821 Quail Crest Place, Lawrence, Kansas 66049, United States
| | - Jennifer L Rapp
- U.S. Geological Survey, 1730 East Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia 23228, United States
| | - David A Roth
- U.S. Geological Survey, 3215 Marine Street, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Alan M Vajda
- University of Colorado Denver, 1151 Arapahoe Street, SI 2071, Denver, Colorado 80204, United States
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10
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Warren LD, Guyader ME, Kiesling RL, Higgins CP, Schoenfuss HL. Linking Trace Organic Contaminants in On-Site Wastewater-Treatment Discharge with Biological Effects. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:3193-3204. [PMID: 34499771 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Around the globe, on-site wastewater-treatment systems (OWTSs) are critical for rural communities without access to a municipal sewer system. However, their treatment efficiency does not match that of modern wastewater-treatment plants. The impact of OWTS discharge on nearby aquatic ecosystems and their resident fish species is poorly understood. In the present study, larval and adult fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) and adult sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) were exposed for 21 days to two trace organic contaminant (TOrC) mixtures replicating water chemistry derived from a previous environmental study. Larval fathead minnows were assessed for survival, growth, predator avoidance, and feeding efficiency. Adult fathead minnows and sunfish were assessed for a suite of physiological endpoints (condition indices, vitellogenin, glucose), histological changes, and fecundity. The only observed effect of TOrC mixture exposure on larval fathead minnows was a decrease in feeding efficiency. Effects were mixed in exposed adult fishes, except for male sunfish which realized a significant induction of vitellogenin (p < 0.05). The consequences of TOrC mixture exposure in the present controlled laboratory study match effects observed in wild-caught sunfish in a corresponding field study. The present study begins to bridge the gap by connecting nonpoint OWTS pollution with biological effects observed in resident lake fish species. Given the effects observed despite the brevity of the laboratory mixture exposure, longer-term studies are warranted to understand the full impacts of OWTS discharge to nearby aquatic ecosystems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3193-3204. © 2021 SETAC. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Les D Warren
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA
| | - Meaghan E Guyader
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Christopher P Higgins
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, USA
| | - Heiko L Schoenfuss
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA
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11
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Smalling KL, Devereux OH, Gordon SE, Phillips PJ, Blazer VS, Hladik ML, Kolpin DW, Meyer MT, Sperry AJ, Wagner T. Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of contaminants in agricultural watersheds with implications for land management. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 774:145687. [PMID: 33609846 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
If not managed properly, modern agricultural practices can alter surface and groundwater quality and drinking water resources resulting in potential negative effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Exposure to agriculturally derived contaminant mixtures has the potential to alter habitat quality and negatively affect fish and other aquatic organisms. Implementation of conservation practices focused on improving water quality continues to increase particularly in agricultural landscapes throughout the United States. The goal of this study was to determine the consequences of land management actions on the primary drivers of contaminant mixtures in five agricultural watersheds in the Chesapeake Bay, the largest watershed of the Atlantic Seaboard in North America where fish health issues have been documented for two decades. Surface water was collected and analyzed for 301 organic contaminants to determine the benefits of implemented best management practices (BMPs) designed to reduce nutrients and sediment to streams in also reducing contaminants in surface waters. Of the contaminants measured, herbicides (atrazine, metolachlor), phytoestrogens (formononetin, genistein, equol), cholesterol and total estrogenicity (indicator of estrogenic response) were detected frequently enough to statistically compare to seasonal flow effects, landscape variables and BMP intensity. Contaminant concentrations were often positively correlated with seasonal stream flow, although the magnitude of this effect varied by contaminant across seasons and sites. Land-use and other less utilized landscape variables including biosolids, manure and pesticide application and percent phytoestrogen producing crops were inversely related with site-average contaminant concentrations. Increased BMP intensity was negatively related to contaminant concentrations indicating potential co-benefits of BMPs for contaminant reduction in the studied watersheds. The information gained from this study will help prioritize ecologically relevant contaminant mixtures for monitoring and contributes to understanding the benefits of BMPs on improving surface water quality to better manage living resources in agricultural landscapes inside and outside the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly L Smalling
- U.S. Geological Survey New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA.
| | | | - Stephanie E Gordon
- U.S. Geological Survey Leetown Science Center, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA.
| | - Patrick J Phillips
- U.S. Geological Survey New York Water Science Center, Troy, NY 12180, USA.
| | - Vicki S Blazer
- U.S. Geological Survey Leetown Science Center, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
| | - Michelle L Hladik
- U.S. Geological Survey California Water Science Center Sacramento, CA 95819, USA.
| | - Dana W Kolpin
- U.S. Geological Survey Central Midwest Water Science Center Iowa City, IA 52240, USA.
| | - Michael T Meyer
- U.S. Geological Survey Kansas Water Science Center, Lawrence, KS 66046, USA.
| | - Adam J Sperry
- U.S. Geological Survey Leetown Science Center, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
| | - Tyler Wagner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Pennsylvania State University, 402 Forest Resources Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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12
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Ottinger CA, Smith CR, Blazer VS, Iwanowicz LR, Vogelbein MA, Kaattari S. Production and characterization of a mouse monoclonal antibody against smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) IgM. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 113:20-23. [PMID: 33741522 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2021.03.006] [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: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A murine monoclonal antibody (mAb, IgG2a) was produced for the detection of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) immunoglobulin (IgM). The antibody is specific for IgM heavy chain and was shown to also recognize the Ig heavy chain of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) using Western Blot analysis of plasma from 9 teleost taxa. When applied to the analysis of smallmouth bass total plasma IgM using ELISA, the mAb was found to be effective when used in an inhibition kinetic assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Ottinger
- U.S. Geological Survey, Leetown Science Center, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Rd., Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA.
| | - Cheyenne R Smith
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, 333 Evansdale Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Vicki S Blazer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Leetown Science Center, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Rd., Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
| | - Luke R Iwanowicz
- U.S. Geological Survey, Leetown Science Center, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Rd., Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
| | - Mary Ann Vogelbein
- Department of Aquatic Health Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, 23062, USA
| | - Stephen Kaattari
- Department of Aquatic Health Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, 23062, USA
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13
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Blazer VS, Gordon SE, Walsh HL, Smith CR. Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Plasma of Smallmouth Bass from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18115881. [PMID: 34070836 PMCID: PMC8198932 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu is an economically important sportfish and within the Chesapeake Bay watershed has experienced a high prevalence of external lesions, infectious disease, mortality events, reproductive endocrine disruption and population declines. To date, no clear or consistent associations with contaminants measured in fish tissue or surface water have been found. Therefore, plasma samples from two sites in the Potomac River and two in the Susquehanna River drainage basins, differing in land-use characteristics, were utilized to determine if perfluoroalkyl substances were present. Four compounds, perfluorooctane sulphonic acid (PFOS), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), were detected in every fish. Two additional compounds, perfluorooctane sulphonamide (PFOSA) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), were less commonly detected at lower concentrations, depending on the site. Concentrations of PFOS (up to 574 ng/mL) were the highest detected and varied significantly among sites. No seasonal differences (spring versus fall) in plasma concentrations were observed. Concentrations of PFOS were not significantly different between the sexes. However, PFUnA and PFDoA concentrations were higher in males than females. Both agricultural and developed land-use appeared to be associated with exposure. Further research is needed to determine if these compounds could be affecting the health of smallmouth bass and identify sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki S. Blazer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center-Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA; (S.E.G.); (H.L.W.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Stephanie E. Gordon
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center-Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA; (S.E.G.); (H.L.W.)
| | - Heather L. Walsh
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center-Leetown Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA; (S.E.G.); (H.L.W.)
| | - Cheyenne R. Smith
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA;
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14
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Thompson TJ, Briggs MA, Phillips PJ, Blazer VS, Smalling KL, Kolpin DW, Wagner T. Groundwater discharges as a source of phytoestrogens and other agriculturally derived contaminants to streams. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:142873. [PMID: 33348482 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater discharge zones in streams are important habitats for aquatic organisms. The use of discharge zones for thermal refuge and spawning by fish and other biota renders them susceptible to potential focused discharge of groundwater contamination. Currently, there is a paucity of information about discharge zones as a potential exposure pathway of chemicals to stream ecosystems. Using thermal mapping technologies to locate groundwater discharges, shallow groundwater and surface water from three rivers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, USA were analyzed for phytoestrogens, pesticides and their degradates, steroid hormones, sterols and bisphenol A. A Bayesian censored regression model was used to compare groundwater and surface water chemical concentrations. The most frequently detected chemicals in both ground and surface water were the phytoestrogens genistein (79%) and formononetin (55%), the herbicides metolachlor (50%) and atrazine (74%), and the sterol cholesterol (88%). There was evidence suggesting groundwater discharge zones could be a unique exposure pathway of chemicals to surface water systems, in our case, metolachlor sulfonic acid (posterior mean concentration = 150 ng/L in groundwater and 4.6 ng/L in surface water). Our study also demonstrated heterogeneity of chemical concentration in groundwater discharge zones within a stream for the phytoestrogen formononetin, the herbicides metolachlor and atrazine, and cholesterol. Results support the hypothesis that discharge zones are an important source of exposure of phytoestrogens and herbicides to aquatic organisms. To manage critical resources within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, more work is needed to characterize exposure in discharge zones more broadly across time and space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J Thompson
- Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, United States
| | - Martin A Briggs
- U.S. Geological Survey, Earth System Processes Division, University of Connecticut Storrs Mansfield, CT 06269, United States
| | - Patrick J Phillips
- US Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center, Troy, NY 12180, United States
| | - Vicki S Blazer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fish Health Branch, Leetown Science Center, Kearneysville, WV 25430, United States
| | - Kelly L Smalling
- U.S. Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, United States
| | - Dana W Kolpin
- U.S. Geological Survey, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States
| | - Tyler Wagner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.
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15
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Gordon S, Jones DK, Blazer VS, Iwanowicz L, Williams B, Smalling K. Modeling estrogenic activity in streams throughout the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:105. [PMID: 33527185 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-08899-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), specifically estrogenic endocrine-disrupting compounds, vary in concentration and composition in surface waters under the influence of different landscape sources and landcover gradients. Estrogenic activity in surface waters may lead to adverse effects in aquatic species at both individual and population levels, often observed through the presence of intersex and vitellogenin induction in male fish. In the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, located on the mid-Atlantic coast of the USA, intersex has been observed in several sub-watersheds where previous studies have identified specific landscape sources of EDCs in tandem with observed fish health effects. Previous work in the Potomac River Watershed (PRW), the largest basin within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, was leveraged to build random forest regression models to predict estrogenic activity at unsampled reaches in both the Potomac River and larger Chesapeake Bay Watersheds (CBW). Model outputs including important variables, partial dependence plots, and predicted values of estrogenic activity at unsampled reaches provide insight into drivers of estrogenic activity at different seasons and scales. Using the US Environmental Protection Agency effects-based threshold of 1.0 ng/L 17 β-estradiol equivalents, catchments predicted to exceed this value were categorized as at risk for adverse effects from exposure to estrogenic compounds and evaluated relative to healthy watersheds and recreation access locations throughout the PRW. Results show immediate catchment scale models are more reliable than upstream models, and the best predictive variables differ by season and scale. A small percentage of healthy watersheds (< 13%) and public access sites were classified as at risk using the "Total" (annual) model in the CBW. This study is the first Potomac River Watershed assessment of estrogenic activity, providing a new foundation for future risk assessment and management design efforts, with additional context provided for the entire Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Gordon
- U.S. Geological Survey Leetown Science Center Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Kearneysville, WV, USA.
| | - Daniel K Jones
- U.S. Geological Survey Utah Water Science Center, West Valley City, UT, USA
| | - Vicki S Blazer
- U.S. Geological Survey Leetown Science Center Fish Health Laboratory, Kearneysville, WV, USA
| | - Luke Iwanowicz
- U.S. Geological Survey Leetown Science Center Fish Health Laboratory, Kearneysville, WV, USA
| | - Brianna Williams
- U.S. Geological Survey New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, NJ, USA
| | - Kelly Smalling
- U.S. Geological Survey New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, NJ, USA
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16
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Leet JK, Richter CA, Cornman RS, Berninger JP, Bhandari RK, Nicks DK, Zajicek JL, Blazer VS, Tillitt DE. Effects of early life stage exposure of largemouth bass to atrazine or a model estrogen (17α-ethinylestradiol). PeerJ 2020; 8:e9614. [PMID: 33072434 PMCID: PMC7537618 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting contaminants are of continuing concern for potentially contributing to reproductive dysfunction in largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (CBW) and elsewhere. Exposures to atrazine (ATR) have been hypothesized to have estrogenic effects on vertebrate endocrine systems. The incidence of intersex in male smallmouth bass from some regions of CBW has been correlated with ATR concentrations in water. Fish early life stages may be particularly vulnerable to ATR exposure in agricultural areas, as a spring influx of pesticides coincides with spawning and early development. Our objectives were to investigate the effects of early life stage exposure to ATR or the model estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) on sexual differentiation and gene expression in gonad tissue. We exposed newly hatched largemouth bass (LMB, Micropterus salmoides) from 7 to 80 days post-spawn to nominal concentrations of 1, 10, or 100 µg ATR/L or 1 or 10 ng EE2/L and monitored histological development and transcriptomic changes in gonad tissue. We observed a nearly 100% female sex ratio in LMB exposed to EE2 at 10 ng/L, presumably due to sex reversal of males. Many gonad genes were differentially expressed between sexes. Multidimensional scaling revealed clustering by gene expression of the 1 ng EE2/L and 100 µg ATR/L-treated male fish. Some pathways responsive to EE2 exposure were not sex-specific. We observed differential expression in male gonad in LMB exposed to EE2 at 1 ng/L of several genes involved in reproductive development and function, including star, cyp11a2, ddx4 (previously vasa), wnt5b, cyp1a and samhd1. Expression of star, cyp11a2 and cyp1a in males was also responsive to ATR exposure. Overall, our results confirm that early development is a sensitive window for estrogenic endocrine disruption in LMB and are consistent with the hypothesis that ATR exposure induces some estrogenic responses in the developing gonad. However, ATR-specific and EE2-specific responses were also observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica K Leet
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, United States Geological Survey, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Catherine A Richter
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, United States Geological Survey, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Robert S Cornman
- Fort Collins Science Center, United States Geological Survey, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jason P Berninger
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, United States Geological Survey, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Ramji K Bhandari
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Diane K Nicks
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, United States Geological Survey, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - James L Zajicek
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, United States Geological Survey, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Vicki S Blazer
- Leetown Science Center, United States Geological Survey, Kearneysville, WV, USA
| | - Donald E Tillitt
- Columbia Environmental Research Center, United States Geological Survey, Columbia, MO, USA
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17
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Teehan P, Schall MK, Blazer VS, Gruber B, Dorman FL. Modified QuEChERS extraction for the analysis of young-of-year smallmouth bass using GC × GC-TOFMS. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2020; 12:3697-3704. [PMID: 32691775 DOI: 10.1039/d0ay00880j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Signs of disease, such as external lesions, have been prevalent in smallmouth bass throughout the Susquehanna River Basin, USA. Previous targeted chemical studies in this system have identified known persistent organic pollutants, but a common explanatory link across multiple affected sites remains undetermined. A fast and robust extraction method that can be applied to young-of-year fish is needed to effectively screen for target and non-target compounds that may be impacting organism health. The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction methodology was optimized to perform both targeted and non-targeted chemical analyses from a single extraction of whole young-of-year fish. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS) was used for extract analysis. Sample extraction was performed using the solvent ethyl acetate, followed by a two-step cleanup in which samples were frozen for lipid removal and subjected to dispersive solid phase extraction using Florisil. A sample of 21 young-of-year smallmouth bass collected from areas with disease and exhibiting different types of external lesions were evaluated for 233 target compounds. A total of 34 organic contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls, brominated diphenyl ethers, organochlorinated pesticides, and personal care products, were detected. Data from this sample set was then analyzed for non-targets. Using the Fisher ratio method and multivariate analysis, an additional 10 significant features were identified specific to either fish with visible lesions or with no visible disease characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige Teehan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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18
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McClure CM, Smalling KL, Blazer VS, Sperry AJ, Schall MK, Kolpin DW, Phillips PJ, Hladik ML, Wagner T. Spatiotemporal variation in occurrence and co-occurrence of pesticides, hormones, and other organic contaminants in rivers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, United States. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 728:138765. [PMID: 32344224 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Investigating the spatiotemporal dynamics of contaminants in surface water is crucial to better understand how introduced chemicals are interacting with and potentially influencing aquatic organisms and environments. Within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, United States, there are concerns about the potential role of contaminant exposure on fish health. Evidence suggests that exposure to contaminants in surface water is causing immunosuppression and intersex in freshwater fish species. Despite these concerns, there is a paucity of information regarding the complex dynamics of contaminant occurrence and co-occurrence in surface water across both space and time. To address these concerns, we applied a Bayesian hierarchical joint-contaminant model to describe the occurrence and co-occurrence patterns of 28 contaminants and total estrogenicity across six river sites and over three years. We found that seasonal occurrence patterns varied by contaminant, with the highest occurrence probabilities during the spring and summer months. Additionally, we found that the proportion of agricultural landcover in the immediate catchment, as well as stream discharge, did not have a significant effect on the occurrence probabilities of most compounds. Four pesticides (atrazine, metolachlor, fipronil and simazine) co-occurred across sites after accounting for environmental covariates. These results provide baseline information on the contaminant occurrence patterns of several classes of compounds within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of contaminants in surface water is the first step in investigating the effects of contaminant exposure on fisheries and aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M McClure
- Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, 413 Forest Resource Building, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - Kelly L Smalling
- U.S. Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, 3450 Princeton Pike, Suite 110, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, USA.
| | - Vicki S Blazer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fish Health Branch, Leetown Science Center, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA.
| | - Adam J Sperry
- U.S. Geological Survey, Fish Health Branch, Leetown Science Center, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA.
| | - Megan K Schall
- The Pennsylvania State University, Biological Services, 76 University Drive, Hazleton, PA 18202, USA.
| | - Dana W Kolpin
- U.S. Geological Survey, Central Midwest Water Science Center, 400 S Clinton St Room 269, Iowa City, IA 52240, USA.
| | - Patrick J Phillips
- U.S. Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center, 425 Jordan Road, Troy, NY 12180, USA.
| | - Michelle L Hladik
- U.S. Geological Survey, California Water Science Center, 6000 J Street, Placer Hall, Sacramento, CA 95819, USA.
| | - Tyler Wagner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Pennsylvania State University, 402 Forest Resources Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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19
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Blazer VS, Young KT, Smith GD, Sperry AJ, Iwanowicz LR. Hyperpigmented melanistic skin lesions of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu from the Chesapeake Bay watershed. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2020; 139:199-212. [PMID: 32495746 DOI: 10.3354/dao03480] [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] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Hyperpigmented melanistic skin lesions (HPMLs) of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu are observed in the Potomac and Susquehanna rivers, Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA. Routine, nonlethal population surveys were conducted at 8 sites on the mainstem Susquehanna River and 9 on the Juniata River, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, between 2012 and 2018, and the prevalence of HPMLs was documented. A total of 4078 smallmouth bass were collected from the mainstem Susquehanna River and 6478 from the Juniata River. Lesions were primarily seen in bass greater than 200 mm, and prevalence in the Susquehanna River (8%) was higher (p < 0.001) than in the Juniata River (2%). As part of ongoing fish health monitoring projects, smallmouth bass were collected at additional sites, primarily tributaries of the Susquehanna (n = 758) and Potomac (n = 545) rivers between 2013 and 2018. Prevalence in the Susquehanna River (13%) was higher (p < 0.001) than the Potomac (3%). Microscopically, HPMLs were characterized by an increased number of melanocytes in the epidermis or within the dermis and epidermis. RNAseq analyses of normal and melanistic skin identified 3 unique sequences in HPMLs. Two were unidentified and the third was a viral helicase (E1). Transcript abundance in 16 normal skin samples and 16 HPMLs showed upregulation of genes associated with melanogenesis and cell proliferation in HPMLs. The E1 transcript was detected in 12 of the 16 melanistic areas but in no samples from normal skin. Further research will be necessary to identify the putative new virus and determine its role in melanocyte proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki S Blazer
- US Geological Survey, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Leetown Science Center, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
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20
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Willacker JJ, Eagles-Smith CA, Blazer VS. Mercury bioaccumulation in freshwater fishes of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2020; 29:459-484. [PMID: 32239332 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-020-02193-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Chemical contaminants are a threat to the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with mercury (Hg) among the most prevalent causes of impairment. Despite this, large-scale patterns of Hg concentrations, and the potential risks to fish, wildlife, and humans across the watershed, are poorly understood. We compiled fish Hg data from state monitoring programs and recent research efforts to address this knowledge gap and provide a comprehensive assessment of fish Hg concentrations in the watershed's freshwater habitats. The resulting dataset consisted of nearly 8000 total Hg (THg) concentrations from 600 locations. Across the watershed, fish THg concentrations spanned a 44-fold range, with mean concentrations varying by 2.6- and 8.8-fold among major sub-watersheds and individual 8-digit hydrological units, respectively. Although, mean THg concentrations tended to be moderate, fish frequently exceeded benchmarks for potential adverse health effects, with 45, 48, and 36% of all samples exceeding benchmarks for human, avian piscivore, and fish risk, respectively. Importantly, the percentage of fish exceeding these benchmarks was not uniform among species or locations. The variation in fish THg concentrations among species and sites highlights the roles of waterbody, landscape, and ecological processes in shaping broad patterns in Hg risk across the watershed. We outline an integrated Hg monitoring program that could identify key factors influencing Hg concentrations across the watershed and facilitate the implementation of management strategies to mitigate the risks posed by Hg.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Willacker
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
| | - Vicki S Blazer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Leetown Science Center, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
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Draft Genome Sequence of an Adomavirus Associated with Raised Mucoid Skin Lesions on Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu). Microbiol Resour Announc 2020; 9:9/14/e01479-19. [PMID: 32241864 PMCID: PMC7118190 DOI: 10.1128/mra.01479-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Raised mucoid skin lesions have been observed on smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) for years. Here, we report the draft genome of a novel adomavirus (Micropterus dolomieu adomavirus 2) associated with this disease. The circular genome is 17,561 bp and most similar to that of alpha-adomaviruses. Raised mucoid skin lesions have been observed on smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) for years. Here, we report the draft genome of a novel adomavirus (Micropterus dolomieu adomavirus 2) associated with this disease. The circular genome is 17,561 bp and most similar to that of alpha-adomaviruses.
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Hitt NP, Rogers KM, Kelly ZA, Henesy J, Mullican JE. Fish life history trends indicate increasing flow stochasticity in an unregulated river. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel P. Hitt
- U.S. Geological Survey Leetown Science Center 11649 Leetown Road Kearneysville West Virginia 25430 USA
| | - Karli M. Rogers
- U.S. Geological Survey Leetown Science Center 11649 Leetown Road Kearneysville West Virginia 25430 USA
| | - Zachary A. Kelly
- U.S. Geological Survey Leetown Science Center 11649 Leetown Road Kearneysville West Virginia 25430 USA
| | - Josh Henesy
- Freshwater Fisheries Program Maryland Department of Natural Resources 20901 Fish Hatchery Road Hagerstown Maryland 21740 USA
| | - John E. Mullican
- Freshwater Fisheries Program Maryland Department of Natural Resources 20901 Fish Hatchery Road Hagerstown Maryland 21740 USA
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23
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Ottinger CA, Smith CR, Blazer VS. In vitro immune function in laboratory-reared age-0 smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) relative to diet. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 95:1-10. [PMID: 31585242 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2019.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) are used as an indicator species in environmental monitoring and assessment studies. However, laboratory-based studies for methods development and effector assessment are limited for this species. Nutrition, a known modulator of teleost physiological responses including immune function, is a critical knowledge-gap sometimes overlooked in the design of laboratory studies. We report the results from a study evaluating a commercially available artificial pelleted diet for bass and live feed (fathead minnows). Following a six-month diet-acclimation period, age-0 smallmouth bass were assessed using morphometric measures, histologic and immune-function end points using conventional methods, miniaturized cell isolation and assay methods as well as imaging flow cytometry. Fish on the two diets did not significantly differ in length, weight, or condition factor, indicating that growth was similar in the two groups. Histologic examination revealed relatively higher levels of macrophage aggregates and accumulation of ceroid/lipofuscin in the spleen as well as hepatocyte changes in the pellet-fed group. Leukocytes from the pellet-fed group exhibited significantly elevated bactericidal activity and significantly depressed mitogen response compared to fish fed live feed. Following exposure to a known inducer of inflammatory responses, bacterial lipopolysaccharide, responses including the transition of leukocytes to an apoptotic/necrotic condition differed significantly based on diet. Histologic findings were consistent with the occurrence of diet-related oxidative stress in the pellet-fed fish. Oxidative stress can be induced by multiple factors including environmental pollutants. For a diet to be useful in laboratory-based studies, it cannot elicit response that could also be induced by experimental treatments. To do so greatly complicates the detection of experimental effects. Until an artificial diet is developed for smallmouth bass that does not produce potentially confounding conditions for laboratory-based studies, use of a live feed appears to be the best option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Ottinger
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Leetown Science Center, 11649 Leetown Rd., Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA.
| | - Cheyenne R Smith
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, 333 Evansdale Drive, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA
| | - Vicki S Blazer
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Leetown Science Center, 11649 Leetown Rd., Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
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Phelps NBD, Bueno I, Poo-Muñoz DA, Knowles SJ, Massarani S, Rettkowski R, Shen L, Rantala H, Phelps PLF, Escobar LE. Retrospective and Predictive Investigation of Fish Kill Events. JOURNAL OF AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH 2019; 31:61-70. [PMID: 30735267 DOI: 10.1002/aah.10054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Fish kill investigations are critical to understanding threats to aquatic ecosystems and can serve as a measure of environmental disruption as well as an early indicator of emerging disease. The goal of this study was to analyze historical data related to such events among wild fish populations in Minnesota in order to assess the quality and completeness of the data and potential trends in fish kills. After excluding events with incomplete data (e.g., in which the location was not reported), we analyzed 225 unique fish kills from 2003 to 2013 that were recorded in two Minnesota Department of Natural Resources databases. The most reported fish kills occurred during 2007 (n = 41) and during the month of June (n = 81) across all years. Centrarchid species were present in the most fish kills (138), followed by cyprinid and ictalurid species, which were present in 53 and 40 events, respectively. Environmental factors were the most common cause of death reported. Models of environmental factors revealed that the maximum nighttime land surface temperature was the most critical factor in fish mortality, followed by changes in primary productivity and human disturbances. During the course of this study, data gaps were identified, including underreporting, inconsistent investigation, and the lack of definitive diagnoses, making interpretation of our results challenging. Even so, understanding these historical trends and data gaps can be useful in generating hypotheses and advancing data collection systems for investigating future fish kills. Our study is a primer investigation of fish kills providing information on the plausible areas, seasons, and fish groups at risk that can guide active environmental monitoring and epidemiological surveillance of fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas B D Phelps
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1365 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA
| | - Irene Bueno
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1365 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA
| | - Daniela A Poo-Muñoz
- Grupo de Ecología y Diversidad Biológica, Facultad de Recursos Naturales y Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Sede Temuco, Manuel Rodríguez 060, Temuco, Chile
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Mayor, Chile
| | - Sarah J Knowles
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1365 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA
| | - Sarah Massarani
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1365 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA
| | - Rebecca Rettkowski
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1365 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA
| | - Ling Shen
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55155, USA
| | - Heidi Rantala
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55155, USA
| | - Paula L F Phelps
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55155, USA
| | - Luis E Escobar
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108, USA
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, USA
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Blazer VS, Walsh HL, Shaw CH, Iwanowicz LR, Braham RP, Mazik PM. Indicators of exposure to estrogenic compounds at Great Lakes Areas of Concern: species and site comparisons. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2018; 190:577. [PMID: 30191322 PMCID: PMC6133019 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-018-6943-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Adverse effects resulting from potential exposure of wild fishes to estrogenic endocrine disruptors were assessed at seven United States Great Lakes Areas of Concern using biomarkers ranging from organismal (gonadosomatic indices) to tissue/plasma (histology, plasma vitellogenin) and molecular (hepatic gene transcripts) levels. Biomonitoring was conducted on pelagic, top predator species, largemouth Micropterus salmoides and smallmouth M. dolomieu bass and benthic, omnivorous white sucker Catostomus commersonii. Seasonal (spring and fall) comparisons were conducted at select sites. Intersex (testicular oocytes), plasma vitellogenin, and hepatic vitellogenin transcripts were commonly observed in bass species. Testicular oocyte severity was positively, although weakly, correlated with plasma vitellogenin, hepatic transcripts of vitellogenin, estrogen receptor α, and estrogen receptor β2, while negatively correlated with androgen receptor β and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. No testicular oocytes were observed in white sucker; however, plasma vitellogenin and hepatic vitellogenin transcripts were commonly detected in the males. The results demonstrate the importance of utilizing multiple endpoints to assess exposure to estrogenic compounds as well as the importance of choosing sensitive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki S. Blazer
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Leetown Science Center, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV USA
| | - Heather L. Walsh
- College of Agriculture and Forestry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
| | - Cassidy H. Shaw
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Leetown Science Center, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV USA
| | - Luke R. Iwanowicz
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Leetown Science Center, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV USA
| | - Ryan P. Braham
- College of Agriculture and Forestry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
| | - Patricia M. Mazik
- U.S. Geological Survey, Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
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Li Y, Blazer VS, Wagner T. Quantifying population-level effects of water temperature, flow velocity and chemical-induced reproduction depression: A simulation study with smallmouth bass. Ecol Modell 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2018.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Laboratory investigation into the role of largemouth bass virus (Ranavirus, Iridoviridae) in smallmouth bass mortality events in Pennsylvania rivers. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:62. [PMID: 29499725 PMCID: PMC5834888 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1371-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mortality episodes have affected young-of-year smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in several river systems in Pennsylvania since 2005. A series of laboratory experiments were performed to determine the potential role of largemouth bass virus (Ranavirus, Iridoviridae) in causing these events. RESULTS Juvenile smallmouth bass experimentally infected with the largemouth bass virus exhibited internal and external clinical signs and mortality consistent with those observed during die-offs. Microscopically, infected fish developed multifocal necrosis in the mesenteric fat, liver, spleen and kidneys. Fish challenged by immersion also developed severe ulcerative dermatitis and necrotizing myositis and rarely panuveitis and keratitis. Largemouth bass virus-challenged smallmouth bass experienced greater mortality at 28 °C than at 23 or 11 °C. Co-infection with Flavobacterium columnare at 28 °C resulted in significant increase in mortality of smallmouth bass previously infected with largemouth bass virus. Aeromonas salmonicida seems to be very pathogenic to fish at water temperatures < 23 °C. While co-infection of smallmouth bass by both A. salmonicida and largemouth bass virus can be devastating to juvenile smallmouth bass, the optimal temperatures of each pathogen are 7-10 °C apart, making their synergistic effects highly unlikely under field conditions. CONCLUSIONS The sum of our data generated in this study suggests that largemouth bass virus can be the causative agent of young-of-year smallmouth bass mortality episodes observed at relatively high water temperature.
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Lee Pow CSD, Tilahun K, Creech K, Law JM, Cope WG, Kwak TJ, Rice JA, Aday DD, Kullman SW. Windows of Susceptibility and Consequences of Early Life Exposures to 17β-estradiol on Medaka (Oryzias latipes) Reproductive Success. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:5296-5305. [PMID: 28379677 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Estrogens and estrogen mimics are commonly found in surface waters and are associated with deleterious effects in fish populations. Impaired fertility and fecundity in fish following chronic exposures to estrogens and estrogen mimics during critical windows in development are well documented. However, information regarding differential reproductive effects of exposure within defined developmental stages remains sparse. In this study, reproductive capacity was assessed in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) after exposure to two concentrations of 17β-estradiol (E2β; 2 ng/L and 50 ng/L) during four distinct stages of development: gonad development, gonad differentiation, development of secondary sex characteristics (SSC) and gametogenesis. Exposure to E2β did not adversely impact survival, hatch success, growth, or genotypic ratios. In contrast, exposure to 50 ng/L E2β during SSC development altered phenotypic ratios and SSC. Exposure to both E2β treatments reduced reproductive capacity (fertility, fecundity) by 7.3-57.4% in adult medaka breeding pairs, with hindrance of SSC development resulting in the largest disruption in breeding capacity (51.6-57.4% decrease) in the high concentration. This study documents differential effects among four critical stages of development and provides insight into factors (window of exposure, exposure concentration and duration of exposure period) contributing to reproductive disruption in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal S D Lee Pow
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University , 850 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Kedamawit Tilahun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University , 850 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - Kari Creech
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University , 850 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
| | - J Mac Law
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University , 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, United States
| | - W Gregory Cope
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University , 127 David Clark Laboratories, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Thomas J Kwak
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University , 127 David Clark Laboratories, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
- United States Geological Survey, North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - James A Rice
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University , 127 David Clark Laboratories, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - D Derek Aday
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University , 127 David Clark Laboratories, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Seth W Kullman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University , 850 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, United States
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Lee Pow CSD, Law JM, Kwak TJ, Cope WG, Rice JA, Kullman SW, Aday DD. Endocrine active contaminants in aquatic systems and intersex in common sport fishes. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2017; 36:959-968. [PMID: 27583571 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Male fish are susceptible to developing intersex, a condition characterized by the presence of testicular oocytes. In the present study, the relationship between intersex and exposure to estrogenic endocrine active contaminants (EACs) was assessed for 2 genera of sport fish, Micropterus and Lepomis, at 20 riverine sites. Seasonal trends and relationships between EACs and intersex (prevalence and severity) were examined at varying putative sources of EACs throughout North Carolina, identified as point sources, nonpoint sources, and reference sites. Intersex was identified in both genera, which was documented for the first time in wild-caught Lepomis. Intersex was more prevalent (59.8%) and more severe (1.6 mean rank) in Micropterus, which was highly correlation to EACs in sediment. In contrast, intersex was less common (9.9%) and less severe (0.2 mean rank) in Lepomis and was highly correlated to EACs in the water column. The authors found that concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, industrial EACs, and estrogens were highest at point source sites; however, no source type variation was identified in the prevalence or severity of intersex, nor were there seasonal trends in intersex or EAC concentrations. The authors' results associate genus-specific prevalence of intersex with specific EAC classes in common sport fishes having biological, ecological, and conservation implications. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:959-968. © 2016 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal S D Lee Pow
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - J Mac Law
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Thomas J Kwak
- US Geological Survey, North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - W Gregory Cope
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - James A Rice
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Seth W Kullman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - D Derek Aday
- Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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Pow CSL, Yost EE, Aday DD, Kullman SW. Sharing the Roles: An Assessment of Japanese Medaka Estrogen Receptors in Vitellogenin Induction. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:8886-95. [PMID: 27391190 PMCID: PMC5443407 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b01968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Teleost fish express at least three estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes. To date, however, the individual role of these ER subtypes in regulating expression of estrogen responsive genes remains ambiguous. Here, we investigate putative roles of three ER subtypes in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), using vitellogenin (VTG) I and II as model genes. We identify specific ligand/receptor/promoter dynamics, using transient transactivation assays that incorporate luciferase reporters comprising 3kb promoter/enhancer regions of medaka VTGI and VTGII genes. Four steroidal estrogens (17β-estradiol, estrone, estriol, and 17α-estradiol) were tested in these assays. Results indicate that all three medaka ERs (mERs) are capable of initiating transactivation of both VTG I and II, with ERβ2 exhibiting greatest activity. Promoter deletion analysis suggests that ligand-specific receptor transactivation and utilization of regional-specific estrogen response elements may be associated with differential activities of each medaka ER. Further, cluster analysis of in vivo gene expression and in vitro transactivation suggests that all three ER subtypes putatively play a role in up-regulation of VTG. Results illustrate that preferential ligand/receptor/promoter interactions may have direct implications for VTG gene expression and other ER-mediated regulatory functions that are relevant to the risk assessment of estrogenic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal S.D. Lee Pow
- North Carolina State University, Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program, 850 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606, United States
| | - Erin E. Yost
- North Carolina State University, Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program, 850 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606, United States
| | - D. Derek Aday
- North Carolina State University, Department of Applied Ecology, 127 David Clark Labs, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States
| | - Seth W. Kullman
- North Carolina State University, Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Program, 850 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606, United States
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Jordanova M, Rebok K, Dragun Z, Ramani S, Ivanova L, Kostov V, Valić D, Krasnići N, Filipović Marijić V, Kapetanović D. Histopathology investigation on the Vardar chub (Squalius vardarensis) populations captured from the rivers impacted by mining activities. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2016; 129:35-42. [PMID: 26986024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2016.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Many natural freshwater ecosystems, especially in the north eastern Macedonia, are polluted with heavy metals, which are released by active mines. Long-term exposure to high levels of dissolved metals might result in increased metal bioaccumulation in organs of aquatic organisms, and consequently might cause various sub-toxic and toxic effects. The aim of this study was to assess the health of Vardar chub (Squalius vardarensis) inhabiting mining impacted rivers Zletovska and Kriva, in comparison with chub from the reference Bregalnica River. It was done by use of indicators of tissue damage (histopathology of liver and gonads) and general indicators of exposure to environmental stressors (condition factor, organo-somatic indices and external/internal macroscopic lesions). Histological assessment of gonads revealed good reproductive health in all three rivers, indicating high tolerance of gonads to contaminant exposure. Contrary, several external/internal lesions were more pronounced in chub from severely metal contaminated Zletovska River. Prevalence of hepatic lesions was also higher in mining impacted rivers (in Kriva, 70%; in Zletovska, 59%) compared to Bregalnica River (38%). The spectrum of histological lesions observed in chub liver varied from non-specific minor degenerative conditions, such as lymphocyte infiltration, fibrosis, parasites, granulomas and lipidosis, to extensive and/or more severe changes such as bile duct proliferation, necrosis, megalocytosis, light-dark hepatocytes and hepatocytes regeneration. The results of histopathological investigation for all three rivers showed clear signs of water contamination, especially prominent in mining influenced rivers. More research efforts should be devoted to study of environmental conditions and metal contamination in the mining impacted rivers worldwide, especially of their effects on health of local ichthyofauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Jordanova
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss Cyril and Methodius University, Arhimedova 3, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia.
| | - Katerina Rebok
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss Cyril and Methodius University, Arhimedova 3, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia.
| | - Zrinka Dragun
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Divison for Marine and Environmental Research, Laboratory for Biological Effects of Metals, Bijenička 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Sheriban Ramani
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, Hydrometeorological Administration, Division for Water, Air and Soil Quality Monitoring and Laboratory Analyses; Hydrobiology and Ecology Department, Skupi 28, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia.
| | - Lozenka Ivanova
- Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss Cyril and Methodius University, Arhimedova 3, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia
| | - Vasil Kostov
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Ile Ilievski 92a, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia.
| | - Damir Valić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Divison for Marine and Environmental Research, Laboratory for Aquaculture and Pathology of Aquatic Organisms, Bijenička 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Nesrete Krasnići
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Divison for Marine and Environmental Research, Laboratory for Biological Effects of Metals, Bijenička 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Vlatka Filipović Marijić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Divison for Marine and Environmental Research, Laboratory for Biological Effects of Metals, Bijenička 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Damir Kapetanović
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Divison for Marine and Environmental Research, Laboratory for Aquaculture and Pathology of Aquatic Organisms, Bijenička 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Baker BH, Martinovic-Weigelt D, Ferrey M, Barber LB, Writer JH, Rosenberry DO, Kiesling RL, Lundy JR, Schoenfuss HL. Identifying non-point sources of endocrine active compounds and their biological impacts in freshwater lakes. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2014; 67:374-388. [PMID: 24974177 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-014-0052-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Contaminants of emerging concern, particularly endocrine active compounds (EACs), have been identified as a threat to aquatic wildlife. However, little is known about the impact of EACs on lakes through groundwater from onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). This study aims to identify specific contributions of OWTS to Sullivan Lake, Minnesota, USA. Lake hydrology, water chemistry, caged bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus), and larval fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) exposures were used to assess whether EACs entered the lake through OWTS inflow and the resultant biological impact on fish. Study areas included two OWTS-influenced near-shore sites with native bluegill spawning habitats and two in-lake control sites without nearby EAC sources. Caged bluegill sunfish were analyzed for plasma vitellogenin concentrations, organosomatic indices, and histological pathologies. Surface and porewater was collected from each site and analyzed for EACs. Porewater was also collected for laboratory exposure of larval fathead minnow, before analysis of predator escape performance and gene expression profiles. Chemical analysis showed EACs present at low concentrations at each study site, whereas discrete variations were reported between sites and between summer and fall samplings. Body condition index and liver vacuolization of sunfish were found to differ among study sites as did gene expression in exposed larval fathead minnows. Interestingly, biological exposure data and water chemistry did not match. Therefore, although results highlight the potential impacts of seepage from OWTS, further investigation of mixture effects and life history factor as well as chemical fate is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth H Baker
- St. Cloud State University, WSB-273, 720 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN, 56301, USA,
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Blazer VS, Iwanowicz DD, Walsh HL, Sperry AJ, Iwanowicz LR, Alvarez DA, Brightbill RA, Smith G, Foreman WT, Manning R. Reproductive health indicators of fishes from Pennsylvania watersheds: association with chemicals of emerging concern. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2014; 186:6471-91. [PMID: 24934131 PMCID: PMC4149881 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-3868-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Fishes were collected at 16 sites within the three major river drainages (Delaware, Susquehanna, and Ohio) of Pennsylvania. Three species were evaluated for biomarkers of estrogenic/antiandrogenic exposure, including plasma vitellogenin and testicular oocytes in male fishes. Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu, white sucker Catostomus commersonii, and redhorse sucker Moxostoma species were collected in the summer, a period of low flow and low reproductive activity. Smallmouth bass were the only species in which testicular oocytes were observed; however, measurable concentrations of plasma vitellogenin were found in male bass and white sucker. The percentage of male bass with testicular oocytes ranged from 10 to 100%, with the highest prevalence and severity in bass collected in the Susquehanna drainage. The percentage of males with plasma vitellogenin ranged from 0 to 100% in both bass and sucker. Biological findings were compared with chemical analyses of discrete water samples collected at the time of fish collections. Estrone concentrations correlated with testicular oocytes prevalence and severity and with the percentage of male bass with vitellogenin. No correlations were noted with the percentage of male sucker with vitellogenin and water chemical concentrations. The prevalence and severity of testicular oocytes in bass also correlated with the percent of agricultural land use in the watershed above a site. Two sites within the Susquehanna drainage and one in the Delaware were immediately downstream of wastewater treatment plants to compare results with upstream fish. The percentage of male bass with testicular oocytes was not consistently higher downstream; however, severity did tend to increase downstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- V S Blazer
- Fish Health Branch, Leetown Science Center, US Geological Survey, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA,
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Young J, Iwanowicz L, Sperry A, Blazer V. A landscape-based reconnaissance survey of estrogenic activity in streams of the upper Potomac, upper James, and Shenandoah Rivers, USA. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2014; 186:5531-45. [PMID: 24816593 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-3801-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are becoming of increasing concern in waterways of the USA and worldwide. What remains poorly understood, however, is how prevalent these emerging contaminants are in the environment and what methods are best able to determine landscape sources of EDCs. We describe the development of a spatially structured sampling design and a reconnaissance survey of estrogenic activity along gradients of land use within sub-watersheds. We present this example as a useful approach for state and federal agencies with an interest in identifying locations potentially impacted by EDCs that warrant more intensive, focused research. Our study confirms the importance of agricultural activities on levels of a measured estrogenic equivalent (E2Eq) and also highlights the importance of other potential sources of E2Eq in areas where intensive agriculture is not the dominant land use. Through application of readily available geographic information system (GIS) data, coupled with spatial statistical analysis, we demonstrate the correlation of specific land use types to levels of estrogenic activity across a large area in a consistent and unbiased manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Young
- Aquatic Ecology Branch, USGS Leetown Science Center, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA,
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Gorelick DA, Iwanowicz LR, Hung AL, Blazer VS, Halpern ME. Transgenic zebrafish reveal tissue-specific differences in estrogen signaling in response to environmental water samples. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2014; 122:356-62. [PMID: 24425189 PMCID: PMC3984228 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1307329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) are exogenous chemicals that mimic endogenous hormones such as estrogens. Previous studies using a zebrafish transgenic reporter demonstrated that the EEDs bisphenol A and genistein preferentially activate estrogen receptors (ERs) in the larval heart compared with the liver. However, it was not known whether the transgenic zebrafish reporter was sensitive enough to detect estrogens from environmental samples, whether environmental estrogens would exhibit tissue-specific effects similar to those of BPA and genistein, or why some compounds preferentially target receptors in the heart. METHODS We tested surface water samples using a transgenic zebrafish reporter with tandem estrogen response elements driving green fluorescent protein expression (5xERE:GFP). Reporter activation was colocalized with tissue-specific expression of ER genes by RNA in situ hybridization. RESULTS We observed selective patterns of ER activation in transgenic fish exposed to river water samples from the Mid-Atlantic United States, with several samples preferentially activating receptors in embryonic and larval heart valves. We discovered that tissue specificity in ER activation was due to differences in the expression of ER subtypes. ERα was expressed in developing heart valves but not in the liver, whereas ERβ2 had the opposite profile. Accordingly, subtype-specific ER agonists activated the reporter in either the heart valves or the liver. CONCLUSION The use of 5xERE:GFP transgenic zebrafish revealed an unexpected tissue-specific difference in the response to environmentally relevant estrogenic compounds. Exposure to estrogenic EEDs in utero was associated with adverse health effects, with the potentially unanticipated consequence of targeting developing heart valves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Gorelick
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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An investigation of the bactericidal activity of selected essential oils to Aeromonas spp. J Adv Res 2014; 6:89-97. [PMID: 25685547 PMCID: PMC4293667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2013.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases of fishes caused by Aeromonas spp. are common, have broad host ranges and may cause high mortality. Treatments of captive-reared populations using antimicrobials are limited with concerns for bacterial resistance development and environmental dissemination. This study was done to determine whether selected plant-derived essential oils were bactericidal to Aeromonas spp. Initially, twelve essential oils were evaluated using a disk diffusion assay to an isolate of A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida, cause of fish furunculosis. The greatest zones of inhibition were obtained with oils of cinnamon Cinnamomum cassia, oregano Origanum vulgare, lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus and thyme Thymus vulgaris. Minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC’s) were determined for these four oils, Allimed® (garlic extract, Allium sativum) and colloidal silver to sixty-nine isolates representing nine Aeromonas spp. The lowest mean MBCs (0.02–0.04%) were obtained with three different sources of cinnamon oil. MBCs for three sources of oregano and lemongrass oils ranged from 0.14% to 0.30% and 0.10% to 0.65%, respectively, and for two thyme oils were 2.11% and 2.22%. The highest concentration (5%) of Allimed® tested resulted in MBCs to twelve isolates. A concentration of silver greater than 15 mg/L would be required to determine MBCs for all but one isolate.
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Kent ML, Benda S, St-Hilaire S, Schreck CB. Sensitivity and specificity of histology for diagnoses of four common pathogens and detection of nontarget pathogens in adult Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in fresh water. J Vet Diagn Invest 2013; 25:341-51. [DOI: 10.1177/1040638713482124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Histology is often underutilized in aquatic animal disease screening and diagnostics. The agreement between histological classifications of infection and results using diagnostic testing from the American Fisheries Society’s Blue Book was conducted with 4 common salmon pathogens: Aeromonas salmonicida, Renibacterium salmoninarum, Ceratomyxa shasta, and Nanophyetus salmincola. Adult Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in Oregon were evaluated, and agreement between tests was calculated. Live and dead (both pre- and postspawning) salmon were collected from the Willamette River, Oregon, its tributaries, the Willamette Hatchery, and after holding in cool, pathogen-free water during maturation at Oregon State University. Sensitivity and specificity of histology compared to Blue Book methods for all fish, live fish only, and dead (pre- and postspawned combined) fish only were, respectively, as follows: A. salmonicida ( n = 105): specificity 87.5%, 87.5%, 87.5% and sensitivity 38.6%, 14.8%, 60.0%; R. salmoninarum ( n = 111): specificity 91.9%, 85.7%, 97.7% and sensitivity 16.0%, 7.1%, 27.2%; C. shasta ( n = 136): specificity 56.0%, 63.3%, 28.6% and sensitivity 83.3%, 86.2%, 71.4%; N. salmincola ( n = 228): specificity 68.2%, 66.7%, not possible to calculate for dead fish and sensitivity 83.5%, 80.5%, 87.3%. The specificity was good for bacterial pathogens. This was not the case for C. shasta, likely due to detection of presporogenic forms only by histology. Sensitivity of histology for bacterial pathogens was low with the exception of dead fish with A. salmonicida. Kappa analysis for agreement between Blue Book and histology methods was poor to moderate. However, histological observations revealed the presence of other pathogens that would not be detected by other methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L. Kent
- Department of Microbiology (Kent), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (Benda, Schreck), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
- Department of Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, U.S. Geological Survey Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (Schreck), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
- Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (St-Hilaire)
| | - Susan Benda
- Department of Microbiology (Kent), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (Benda, Schreck), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
- Department of Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, U.S. Geological Survey Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (Schreck), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
- Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (St-Hilaire)
| | - Sophie St-Hilaire
- Department of Microbiology (Kent), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (Benda, Schreck), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
- Department of Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, U.S. Geological Survey Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (Schreck), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
- Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (St-Hilaire)
| | - Carl B. Schreck
- Department of Microbiology (Kent), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (Benda, Schreck), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
- Department of Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, U.S. Geological Survey Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (Schreck), Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
- Atlantic College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada (St-Hilaire)
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Kolpin DW, Blazer VS, Gray JL, Focazio MJ, Young JA, Alvarez DA, Iwanowicz LR, Foreman WT, Furlong ET, Speiran GK, Zaugg SD, Hubbard LE, Meyer MT, Sandstrom MW, Barber LB. Chemical contaminants in water and sediment near fish nesting sites in the Potomac River basin: determining potential exposures to smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 443:700-16. [PMID: 23228716 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.09.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2012] [Revised: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The Potomac River basin is an area where a high prevalence of abnormalities such as testicular oocytes (TO), skin lesions, and mortality has been observed in smallmouth bass (SMB, Micropterus dolomieu). Previous research documented a variety of chemicals in regional streams, implicating chemical exposure as one plausible explanation for these biological effects. Six stream sites in the Potomac basin (and one out-of-basin reference site) were sampled to provide an assessment of chemicals in these streams. Potential early life-stage exposure to chemicals detected was assessed by collecting samples in and around SMB nesting areas. Target chemicals included those known to be associated with important agricultural and municipal wastewater sources in the Potomac basin. The prevalence and severity of TO in SMB were also measured to determine potential relations between chemistry and biological effects. A total of 39 chemicals were detected at least once in the discrete-water samples, with atrazine, caffeine, deethylatrazine, simazine, and iso-chlorotetracycline being most frequently detected. Of the most frequently detected chemicals, only caffeine was detected in water from the reference site. No biogenic hormones/sterols were detected in the discrete-water samples. In contrast, 100 chemicals (including six biogenic hormones/sterols) were found in a least one passive-water sample, with 25 being detected at all such samples. In addition, 46 chemicals (including seven biogenic hormones/sterols) were found in the bed-sediment samples, with caffeine, cholesterol, indole, para-cresol, and sitosterol detected in all such samples. The number of herbicides detected in discrete-water samples per site had a significant positive relation to TO(rank) (a nonparametric indicator of TO), with significant positive relations between TO(rank) and atrazine concentrations in discrete-water samples and to total hormone/sterol concentration in bed-sediment samples. Such significant correlations do not necessarily imply causation, as these chemical compositions and concentrations likely do not adequately reflect total SMB exposure history, particularly during critical life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana W Kolpin
- U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa Water Science Center, 400 S. Clinton Street, Iowa City, IA 52244, USA.
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Stavreva DA, George AA, Klausmeyer P, Varticovski L, Sack D, Voss TC, Schiltz RL, Blazer VS, Iwanowicz LR, Hager GL. Prevalent glucocorticoid and androgen activity in US water sources. Sci Rep 2012; 2:937. [PMID: 23226835 PMCID: PMC3515810 DOI: 10.1038/srep00937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Contamination of the environment with endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is a major health concern. The presence of estrogenic compounds in water and their deleterious effect are well documented. However, detection and monitoring of other classes of EDCs is limited. Here we utilize a high-throughput live cell assay based on sub-cellular relocalization of GFP-tagged glucocorticoid and androgen receptors (GFP-GR and GFP-AR), in combination with gene transcription analysis, to screen for glucocorticoid and androgen activity in water samples. We report previously unrecognized glucocorticoid activity in 27%, and androgen activity in 35% of tested water sources from 14 states in the US. Steroids of both classes impact body development, metabolism, and interfere with reproductive, endocrine, and immune systems. This prevalent contamination could negatively affect wildlife and human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana A. Stavreva
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression Building 41, B602 41 Library Dr. National Cancer Institute, NIH Bethesda, MD 20892-5055
| | - Anuja A. George
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression Building 41, B602 41 Library Dr. National Cancer Institute, NIH Bethesda, MD 20892-5055
- Current address: Department of Pharmacology UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854
| | - Paul Klausmeyer
- Natural Products Support Group SAIC-Frederick, Inc Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Lyuba Varticovski
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression Building 41, B602 41 Library Dr. National Cancer Institute, NIH Bethesda, MD 20892-5055
| | - Daniel Sack
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression Building 41, B602 41 Library Dr. National Cancer Institute, NIH Bethesda, MD 20892-5055
| | - Ty C. Voss
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression Building 41, B602 41 Library Dr. National Cancer Institute, NIH Bethesda, MD 20892-5055
| | - R. Louis Schiltz
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression Building 41, B602 41 Library Dr. National Cancer Institute, NIH Bethesda, MD 20892-5055
| | - Vicki S. Blazer
- USGS-BRD Leetown Science Center 11649 Leetown Road Kearneysville, WV 25430
| | - Luke R. Iwanowicz
- USGS-BRD Leetown Science Center 11649 Leetown Road Kearneysville, WV 25430
| | - Gordon L. Hager
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression Building 41, B602 41 Library Dr. National Cancer Institute, NIH Bethesda, MD 20892-5055
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Blazer VS, Iwanowicz LR, Henderson H, Mazik PM, Jenkins JA, Alvarez DA, Young JA. Reproductive endocrine disruption in smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in the Potomac River basin: spatial and temporal comparisons of biological effects. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2012; 184:4309-34. [PMID: 21814719 PMCID: PMC3374114 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2266-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2011] [Accepted: 07/15/2011] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A high prevalence of intersex or testicular oocytes (TO) in male smallmouth bass within the Potomac River drainage has raised concerns as to the health of the river. Studies were conducted to document biomarker responses both temporally and spatially to better understand the influence of normal physiological cycles, as well as water quality and land-use influences. Smallmouth bass were collected over a 2-year period from three tributaries of the Potomac River: the Shenandoah River, the South Branch Potomac and Conococheague Creek, and an out-of-basin reference site on the Gauley River. The prevalence of TO varied seasonally with the lowest prevalence observed in July, post-spawn. Reproductive maturity and/or lack of spawning the previous spring, as well as land-use practices such as application of manure and pesticides, may influence the seasonal observations. Annual, seasonal, and site differences were also observed in the percentage of males with measurable concentrations of plasma vitellogenin, mean concentration of plasma vitellogenin in females, and plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol and testosterone in both sexes. Bass collected in the South Branch Potomac (moderate to high prevalence of TO) had less sperm per testes mass with a lower percentage of those sperm being motile when compared to those from the Gauley River (low prevalence of TO). An inverse relationship was noted between TO severity and sperm motility. An association between TO severity and wastewater treatment plant flow, percent of agriculture, total number of animal feeding operations, the number of poultry houses, and animal density within the catchment was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki S Blazer
- National Fish Health Research Laboratory, U.S. Geological Survey, Leetown Science Center, 11649 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA.
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Miller LM, Bartell SE, Schoenfuss HL. Assessing the effects of historical exposure to endocrine-active compounds on reproductive health and genetic diversity in walleye, a native apex predator, in a large riverine system. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2012; 62:657-671. [PMID: 22105469 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-011-9731-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2011] [Accepted: 11/08/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In this combined field and laboratory study, we assessed whether populations of native walleye in the Upper Mississippi River experienced altered genetic diversity correlated with exposure to estrogenic endocrine-active compounds (EACs). We collected fin-clips for genetic analysis from almost 600 walleye (13 sites) and subsampled 377 of these fish (6 sites) for blood and reproductive organs. Finally, we caged male fathead minnows at 5 sampling sites to confirm the presence of estrogenic EACs. Our findings indicate that male walleye in four river segments produced measurable concentrations of plasma vitellogenin (an egg-yolk protein and, when expressed in male fish, a biomarker of acute estrogenic exposure), a finding consistent with the presence of estrogenic EACs and consistent with published historical data for at least three of these study sites (Grand Rapids, St. Paul, and Lake City on Lake Pepin). Patterns of vitellogenin induction were consistent for native walleye and caged fathead minnows. No widespread occurrence of histopathological changes, such as intersex was found compared with published reports of intersex at the furthest downstream study site. To assess possible effects of estrogenic exposure on the genetic diversity of walleye populations at the study sites, we DNA-fingerprinted individual fish using 10 microsatellite loci. Genetic differences were observed between populations; however, these differences were consistent with geographic distance between populations, with the largest observed difference in genetic diversity found between fish upstream and downstream of St. Anthony Falls (and/or Lock and Dam 1 of the Mississippi River), traditionally a historical barrier to upstream fish movement. Although the persistent occurrence of endocrine disruption in wild fish populations is troubling, we did not detect degradation of reproductive organs in individual walleye or alteration in genetic diversity of walleye populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren M Miller
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
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Ciparis S, Iwanowicz LR, Voshell JR. Effects of watershed densities of animal feeding operations on nutrient concentrations and estrogenic activity in agricultural streams. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 414:268-76. [PMID: 22088420 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2011] [Revised: 10/10/2011] [Accepted: 10/11/2011] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Application of manures from animal feeding operations (AFOs) as fertilizer on agricultural land can introduce nutrients and hormones (e.g. estrogens) to streams. A landscape-scale study was conducted in the Shenandoah River watershed (Virginia, USA) in order to assess the relationship between densities of AFOs in watersheds of agricultural streams and in-stream nutrient concentrations and estrogenic activity. The effect of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) on nutrients and estrogenic activity was also evaluated. During periods of high and low flow, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and orthophosphate (PO(4)-P) concentrations were analyzed and estrogens/estrogenic compounds were extracted and quantified as17β-estradiol equivalents (E2Eq) using a bioluminescent yeast estrogen screen. Estrogenic activity was measurable in the majority of collected samples, and 20% had E2Eq concentrations >1 ng/L. Relatively high concentrations of DIN (>1000 μg/L) were also frequently detected. During all sampling periods, there were strong relationships between watershed densities of AFOs and in-stream concentrations of DIN (R(2) = 0.56-0.81) and E2Eq (R(2) = 0.39-0.75). Relationships between watershed densities of AFOs and PO(4)-P were weaker, but were also significant (R(2) = 0.27-0.57). When combined with the effect of watershed AFO density, streams receiving WWTP effluent had higher concentrations of PO(4)-P than streams without WWTP discharges, and PO(4)-P was the only analyte with a consistent relationship to WWTPs. The results of this study suggest that as the watershed density of AFOs increases, there is a proportional increase in the potential for nonpoint source pollution of agricultural streams and their receiving waters by nutrients, particularly DIN, and compounds that can cause endocrine disruption in aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Ciparis
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 216A Price Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States.
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