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Tornabene BJ, Smalling KL, Hossack BR. Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms on Amphibians and Reptiles are Under-Reported and Under-Represented. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:1936-1949. [PMID: 38967263 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5941] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a persistent and increasing problem globally, yet we still have limited knowledge about how they affect wildlife. Although semi-aquatic and aquatic amphibians and reptiles have experienced large declines and occupy environments where HABs are increasingly problematic, their vulnerability to HABs remains unclear. To inform monitoring, management, and future research, we conducted a literature review, synthesized the studies, and report on the mortality events describing effects of cyanotoxins from HABs on freshwater herpetofauna. Our review identified 37 unique studies and 71 endpoints (no-observed-effect and lowest-observed-effect concentrations) involving 11 amphibian and 3 reptile species worldwide. Responses varied widely among studies, species, and exposure concentrations used in experiments. Concentrations causing lethal and sublethal effects in laboratory experiments were generally 1 to 100 µg/L, which contains the mean value of reported HAB events but is 70 times less than the maximum cyanotoxin concentrations reported in the environment. However, one species of amphibian was tolerant to concentrations of 10,000 µg/L, demonstrating potentially immense differences in sensitivities. Most studies focused on microcystin-LR (MC-LR), which can increase systemic inflammation and harm the digestive system, reproductive organs, liver, kidneys, and development. The few studies on other cyanotoxins illustrated that effects resembled those of MC-LR at similar concentrations, but more research is needed to describe effects of other cyanotoxins and mixtures of cyanotoxins that commonly occur in the environment. All experimental studies were on larval and adult amphibians; there were no such studies on reptiles. Experimental work with reptiles and adult amphibians is needed to clarify thresholds of tolerance. Only nine mortality events were reported, mostly for reptiles. Given that amphibians likely decay faster than reptiles, which have tissues that resist decomposition, mass amphibian mortality events from HABs have likely been under-reported. We propose that future efforts should be focused on seven major areas, to enhance our understanding of effects and monitoring of HABs on herpetofauna that fill important roles in freshwater and terrestrial environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1936-1949. Published 2024. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, US Geological Survey, Missoula, Montana
| | - Kelly L Smalling
- New Jersey Water Science Center, US Geological Survey, Lawrenceville, New Jersey
| | - Blake R Hossack
- Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, US Geological Survey, Missoula, Montana
- Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
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Jobson J, Tsegay PS, Beltran MT, Taher EA, Rein SR, Liu Y, Rein KS. Brevetoxin induces a shift in the redox state of the proteome and unfolded protein response in human lymphoblast cells that can be alleviated with the acrolein scavenger MESNA. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 100:104137. [PMID: 37127110 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Human lymphoblast cells were treated with the marine algal toxin, brevetoxin-2 (PbTx-2), and its effects on the proteome were assessed by redox proteomics using cysteine reactive tandem mass tags (TMT). Additionally, cells were simultaneously treated with PbTx-2 and the antioxidant and acrolein scavenger sodium 2-mercaptoethylsulfonate (MESNA) to determine if MESNA could prevent the proteomic effects of brevetoxin-2. A massive shift in the redox state of the proteome of brevetoxin-2 treated cells was observed. The main pathway affected was genetic information processing. Significantly oxidized proteins included Trx-1, peroxyredoxins (Prxs), ribosomal proteins, and the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 β subunit (eIF2β). Proteins that were overexpressed in brevetoxin-treated cells included four folding chaperones. These effects were diminished in the presence of MESNA indicating that MESNA may act through its antioxidant properties or as a brevetoxin scavenger. These studies provide novel insights into new prophylactics for brevetoxicosis in humans and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Jobson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Pawlos S Tsegay
- Biochemistry Ph.D. Program, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Mayra Tabares Beltran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Eman A Taher
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Samuel R Rein
- The School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; Biochemistry Ph.D. Program, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Kathleen S Rein
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA; Current address: The Water School, Department of Marine and Earth Science and Department of Chemistry and Physics, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33965.
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Rattner BA, Wazniak CE, Lankton JS, McGowan PC, Drovetski SV, Egerton TA. Review of harmful algal bloom effects on birds with implications for avian wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay region. HARMFUL ALGAE 2022; 120:102319. [PMID: 36470599 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2022.102319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The Chesapeake Bay, along the mid-Atlantic coast of North America, is the largest estuary in the United States and provides critical habitat for wildlife. In contrast to point and non-point source release of pesticides, metals, and industrial, personal care and household use chemicals on biota in this watershed, there has only been scant attention to potential exposure and effects of algal toxins on wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay region. As background, we first review the scientific literature on algal toxins and harmful algal bloom (HAB) events in various regions of the world that principally affected birds, and to a lesser degree other wildlife. To examine the situation for the Chesapeake, we compiled information from government reports and databases summarizing wildlife mortality events for 2000 through 2020 that were associated with potentially toxic algae and HAB events. Summary findings indicate that there have been few wildlife mortality incidents definitively linked to HABs, other mortality events that were suspected to be related to HABs, and more instances in which HABs may have indirectly contributed to or occurred coincident with wildlife mortality. The dominant toxins found in the Chesapeake Bay drainage that could potentially affect wildlife are microcystins, with concentrations in water approaching or exceeding human-based thresholds for ceasing recreational use and drinking water at a number of locations. As an increasing trend in HAB events in the U.S. and in the Chesapeake Bay have been reported, additional information on HAB toxin exposure routes, comparative sensitivity among species, consequences of sublethal exposure, and better diagnostic and risk criteria would greatly assist in predicting algal toxin hazard and risks to wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnett A Rattner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
| | - Catherine E Wazniak
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Resource Assessment Service, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA
| | - Julia S Lankton
- U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Peter C McGowan
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chesapeake Bay Field Office, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA
| | - Serguei V Drovetski
- U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Todd A Egerton
- Virginia Department of Health, Division of Shellfish Safety and Waterborne Hazards, Norfolk, VA 23510, USA
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Anderson DM, Fensin E, Gobler CJ, Hoeglund AE, Hubbard KA, Kulis DM, Landsberg JH, Lefebvre KA, Provoost P, Richlen ML, Smith JL, Solow AR, Trainer VL. Marine harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the United States: History, current status and future trends. HARMFUL ALGAE 2021; 102:101975. [PMID: 33875183 PMCID: PMC8058451 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2021.101975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are diverse phenomena involving multiple. species and classes of algae that occupy a broad range of habitats from lakes to oceans and produce a multiplicity of toxins or bioactive compounds that impact many different resources. Here, a review of the status of this complex array of marine HAB problems in the U.S. is presented, providing historical information and trends as well as future perspectives. The study relies on thirty years (1990-2019) of data in HAEDAT - the IOC-ICES-PICES Harmful Algal Event database, but also includes many other reports. At a qualitative level, the U.S. national HAB problem is far more extensive than was the case decades ago, with more toxic species and toxins to monitor, as well as a larger range of impacted resources and areas affected. Quantitatively, no significant trend is seen for paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) events over the study interval, though there is clear evidence of the expansion of the problem into new regions and the emergence of a species that produces PSTs in Florida - Pyrodinium bahamense. Amnesic shellfish toxin (AST) events have significantly increased in the U.S., with an overall pattern of frequent outbreaks on the West Coast, emerging, recurring outbreaks on the East Coast, and sporadic incidents in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite the long historical record of neurotoxic shellfish toxin (NST) events, no significant trend is observed over the past 30 years. The recent emergence of diarrhetic shellfish toxins (DSTs) in the U.S. began along the Gulf Coast in 2008 and expanded to the West and East Coasts, though no significant trend through time is seen since then. Ciguatoxin (CTX) events caused by Gambierdiscus dinoflagellates have long impacted tropical and subtropical locations in the U.S., but due to a lack of monitoring programs as well as under-reporting of illnesses, data on these events are not available for time series analysis. Geographic expansion of Gambierdiscus into temperate and non-endemic areas (e.g., northern Gulf of Mexico) is apparent, and fostered by ocean warming. HAB-related marine wildlife morbidity and mortality events appear to be increasing, with statistically significant increasing trends observed in marine mammal poisonings caused by ASTs along the coast of California and NSTs in Florida. Since their first occurrence in 1985 in New York, brown tides resulting from high-density blooms of Aureococcus have spread south to Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, while those caused by Aureoumbra have spread from the Gulf Coast to the east coast of Florida. Blooms of Margalefidinium polykrikoides occurred in four locations in the U.S. from 1921-2001 but have appeared in more than 15 U.S. estuaries since then, with ocean warming implicated as a causative factor. Numerous blooms of toxic cyanobacteria have been documented in all 50 U.S. states and the transport of cyanotoxins from freshwater systems into marine coastal waters is a recently identified and potentially significant threat to public and ecosystem health. Taken together, there is a significant increasing trend in all HAB events in HAEDAT over the 30-year study interval. Part of this observed HAB expansion simply reflects a better realization of the true or historic scale of the problem, long obscured by inadequate monitoring. Other contributing factors include the dispersion of species to new areas, the discovery of new HAB poisoning syndromes or impacts, and the stimulatory effects of human activities like nutrient pollution, aquaculture expansion, and ocean warming, among others. One result of this multifaceted expansion is that many regions of the U.S. now face a daunting diversity of species and toxins, representing a significant and growing challenge to resource managers and public health officials in terms of toxins, regions, and time intervals to monitor, and necessitating new approaches to monitoring and management. Mobilization of funding and resources for research, monitoring and management of HABs requires accurate information on the scale and nature of the national problem. HAEDAT and other databases can be of great value in this regard but efforts are needed to expand and sustain the collection of data regionally and nationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald M Anderson
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States.
| | - Elizabeth Fensin
- NC Division of Water Resources, 4401 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh, NC, 27607, United States
| | - Christopher J Gobler
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Southampton, NY, 11968, United States
| | - Alicia E Hoeglund
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701, United States
| | - Katherine A Hubbard
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701, United States
| | - David M Kulis
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
| | - Jan H Landsberg
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701, United States
| | - Kathi A Lefebvre
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Seattle, WA, 98112, United States
| | - Pieter Provoost
- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, IOC Project Office for IODE, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
| | - Mindy L Richlen
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
| | - Juliette L Smith
- Department of Aquatic Health Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, United States
| | - Andrew R Solow
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, United States
| | - Vera L Trainer
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Seattle, WA, 98112, United States
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Christensen VG, Khan E. Freshwater neurotoxins and concerns for human, animal, and ecosystem health: A review of anatoxin-a and saxitoxin. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 736:139515. [PMID: 32485372 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Toxic cyanobacteria are a concern worldwide because they can adversely affect humans, animals, and ecosystems. However, neurotoxins produced by freshwater cyanobacteria are understudied relative to microcystin. Thus, the objective of this critical review was to provide a comprehensive examination of the modes of action, production, fate, and occurrence of the freshwater neurotoxins anatoxin-a and saxitoxin as they relate to human, animal, and ecosystem health. Literature on freshwater anatoxin-a and saxitoxin was obtained and reviewed for both laboratory and field studies. Current (2020) research identifies as many as 41 anatoxin-a producing species and 15 saxitoxin-producing species of freshwater cyanobacteria. Field studies indicate that anatoxin-a and saxitoxin have widespread distribution, and examples are given from every continent except Antarctica. Human and animal health concerns can range from acute to chronic. However, few researchers studied chronic or sublethal effects of freshwater exposures to anatoxin-a or saxitoxin. Ecosystem health also is a concern, as the effects of toxicity may be far reaching and include consequences throughout the food web. Several gaps in knowledge were identified for anatoxin-a and saxitoxin, including triggers of production and release, environmental fate and degradation, primary and secondary exposure routes, diel variation, food web effects, effects of cyanotoxin mixtures, and sublethal health effects on individual organisms and populations. Despite the gaps, this critical review facilitates our current understanding of freshwater neurotoxins and thus can serve to `` guide future research on anatoxin-a, saxitoxin, and other cyanotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria G Christensen
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Mounds View, MN, USA; North Dakota State University, Environmental and Conservation Sciences Program, Fargo, ND, USA.
| | - Eakalak Khan
- Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Department, University of Nevada - Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
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