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Blewett TA, Ackerly KL, Schlenker LS, Martin S, Nielsen KM. Implications of biotic factors for toxicity testing in laboratory studies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168220. [PMID: 37924878 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168220] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
There is an emerging call from scientists globally to advance the environmental relevance of laboratory studies, particularly within the field of ecotoxicology. To answer this call, we must carefully examine and elucidate the shortcomings of standardized toxicity testing methods that are used in the derivation of toxicity values and regulatory criteria. As a consequence of rapidly accelerating climate change, the inclusion of abiotic co-stressors are increasingly being incorporated into toxicity studies, with the goal of improving the representativeness of laboratory-derived toxicity values used in ecological risk assessments. However, much less attention has been paid to the influence of biotic factors that may just as meaningfully impact our capacity to evaluate and predict risks within impacted ecosystems. Therefore, the overarching goal is to highlight key biotic factors that should be taken into consideration during the experimental design and model selection phase. SYNOPSIS: Scientists are increasingly finding that lab reared results in toxicology might not be reflective of the external wild environment, we highlight in this review some key considerations when working between the lab and field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamzin A Blewett
- University of Alberta, Department of Biological Sciences, Canada.
| | - Kerri Lynn Ackerly
- The University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute, United States of America
| | - Lela S Schlenker
- East Carolina University, Department of Biology, United States of America
| | - Sidney Martin
- University of Alberta, Department of Biological Sciences, Canada
| | - Kristin M Nielsen
- The University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute, United States of America
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2
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Bi H, An C, Owens E, Lee K, Chen Z, Mulligan C, Taylor E, Boufadel M. A framework for the evaluation and selection of shoreline surface washing agents in oil spill response. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 287:112346. [PMID: 33756213 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The shorelines frequently suffer adverse impacts from oil spill accidents. As one important technique of shoreline cleanup, the application of surface washing agents (SWAs) can help achieve high oil removal from shoreline substrates with less damage to affected zone. In this study, a framework for evaluation and selection of SWAs in oil spill incidents was constructed to better understand and apply this technique. A decision tree was firstly developed to illustrate all possible scenarios which are appropriate to use SWAs in consideration of oil collectability, shoreline character, types and amount of stranded oil, and cleanup requirement. Based on literature review, theoretical modeling, and experts' suggestions, an integrated multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method was then come up to select the most preferred SWA from five aspects of toxicity, effectiveness, minimal dispersion, demonstrated field test, and cost. Its suitability and rationality were proved by a hypothetical case. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed by changing the weight of each criterion independently to check the priority rank of alternatives, and it also verified the robustness and stability of this model. The presented framework has significant implications for future research and application of SWAs in the shoreline cleanup.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huifang Bi
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Chunjiang An
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, H3G 1M8, Canada.
| | - Edward Owens
- Owens Coastal Consultants, Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110, United States
| | - Kenneth Lee
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ecosystem Science, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0E6, Canada
| | - Zhi Chen
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Catherine Mulligan
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Elliott Taylor
- Polaris Applied Sciences Inc., Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110, United States
| | - Michel Boufadel
- Center for Natural Resources Development and Protection, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 07102, United States
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3
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Deis DR, Fleeger JW, Johnson DS, Mendelssohn IA, Lin Q, Graham SA, Zengel S, Hou A. Recovery of the salt marsh periwinkle (Littoraria irrorata) 9 years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill: Size matters. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 160:111581. [PMID: 32890962 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Prior studies indicated salt marsh periwinkles (Littoraria irrorata) were strongly impacted in heavily oiled marshes for at least 5 years following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Here, we detail longer-term effects and recovery over nine years. Our analysis found that neither density nor population size structure recovered at heavily oiled sites where snails were smaller and variability in size structure and density was increased. Total aboveground live plant biomass and stem density remained lower over time in heavily oiled marshes, and we speculate that the resulting more open canopy stimulated benthic microalgal production contributing to high spring periwinkle densities or that the lower stem density reduced the ability of subadults and small adults to escape predation. Our data indicate that periwinkle population recovery may take one to two decades after the oil spill at moderately oiled and heavily oiled sites, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John W Fleeger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - David S Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, USA
| | - Irving A Mendelssohn
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Qianxin Lin
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Sean A Graham
- Gulf South Research Corporation, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA
| | - Scott Zengel
- Research Planning, Inc., Tallahassee, FL 32303, USA
| | - Aixin Hou
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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Martin CW, Lewis KA, McDonald AM, Spearman TP, Alford SB, Christian RC, Valentine JF. Disturbance-driven changes to northern Gulf of Mexico nekton communities following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 155:111098. [PMID: 32469757 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DwH) oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico discharged ~3.19 million barrels of oil into Gulf waters, making it one of the largest marine disasters in history in terms of volume. We report on the results of a study to assess oil impacts to coastal fishes and invertebrates. Using two-decades of fisheries-independent data in coastal Alabama and Mississippi, we document variability following both natural and anthropogenic disturbances from two periods pre-DwH (1997-2001 and 2007-2009), one intra-spill period for acute DwH effects (2010-2012) and one period post-spill for chronic, longer-term impacts (2014-2017). Results indicated significant changes to community structure, relative abundance, and diversity in the intra-spill period. Causation for changes is confounded by variables such as behavioral emigration, altered freshwater inflow, death of consumers, and the mandated fishery closure. Results highlight the need for long-term, comprehensive monitoring/observing systems to provide adequate background for assessing future disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W Martin
- Nature Coast Biological Station, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 552 1st Street, Cedar Key, FL 32625, United States of America.
| | - Kristy A Lewis
- Department of Biology and The National Center for Integrated Coastal Research, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, United States of America
| | - Ashley M McDonald
- Nature Coast Biological Station, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 552 1st Street, Cedar Key, FL 32625, United States of America
| | - Trey P Spearman
- Department of Marine Science, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, United States of America
| | - Scott B Alford
- Nature Coast Biological Station, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 552 1st Street, Cedar Key, FL 32625, United States of America; Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, United States of America
| | - Robert C Christian
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, United States of America
| | - John F Valentine
- Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, United States of America
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Fleeger JW, Johnson DS, Zengel S, Mendelssohn IA, Deis DR, Graham SA, Lin Q, Christman MC, Riggio MR, Pant M. Macroinfauna responses and recovery trajectories after an oil spill differ from those following saltmarsh restoration. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 155:104881. [PMID: 32072985 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Given the severity of injuries to biota in coastal wetlands from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DWH) and the resulting availability of funding for restoration, information on impacted salt marshes and biotic development of restored marshes may both help inform marsh restoration planning in the near term and for future spills. Accordingly, we performed a meta-analysis to model a restoration trajectory of total macroinfauna density in constructed marshes (studied for ~30 y), and with a previously published restoration trajectory for amphipods, we compared these to recovery curves for total macroinfauna and amphipods from DWH impacted marshes (over 8.5 y). Total macroinfauna and amphipod densities in constructed marshes did not consistently reach equivalency with reference sites before 20 y, yet in heavily oiled marshes recovery occurred by 4.5 y post spill (although it is unlikely that macroinfaunal community composition fully recovered). These differences were probably due to initial conditions (e.g., higher initial levels of belowground organic matter in oiled marshes) that were more conducive to recovery as compared to constructed marshes. Furthermore, we found that amphipod trajectories were distinctly different in constructed and oiled marshes as densities at oiled sites exceeded that of reference sites by as much as 20x during much of the recovery period. Amphipods may have responded to the rapid increase and high biomass of benthic microalgae following the spill. These results indicate that biotic responses after an oil spill may be quantitatively different than those following restoration, even for heavily oiled marshes that were initially denuded of vegetation. Our dual trajectories for oil spill recovery and restoration development for macroinfauna should help guide restoration planning and assessment following the DWH as well as for restoration scaling for future spills.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Fleeger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.
| | - D S Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, 23062, USA
| | - S Zengel
- Research Planning, Inc. (RPI), 247 E. 7th Ave, Tallahassee, FL, 32303, USA
| | - I A Mendelssohn
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, 70803, USA
| | - D R Deis
- Atkins, Jacksonville, FL, 32256, USA
| | - S A Graham
- Gulf South Research Corporation, 8081 Innovation Park Dr, Baton Rouge, LA, 70820, USA
| | - Q Lin
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, 70803, USA
| | - M C Christman
- MCC Statistical Consulting, LLC, 2219 NW 23rd Terrace, Gainesville, FL, 32605, USA
| | - M R Riggio
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - M Pant
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, 23062, USA
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Martin CW, Swenson EM. Herbivory of oil-exposed submerged aquatic vegetation Ruppia maritima. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208463. [PMID: 30517177 PMCID: PMC6281300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Oil spills, such as the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico, have the potential to dramatically alter coastal food webs through a variety of mechanisms. While oil can have direct impacts on primary producers through toxicity and shading, it is also possible that more subtle, indirect changes to the interactions among organisms could alter energy flow through the ecosystem. Here, we present the results of a series of manipulative experiments to determine the impacts of oil exposure on herbivory of Ruppia maritima, one of the most common species of submerged vegetation found in the region impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In previous experiments, R. maritima was grown in a range of manipulated sediment oil concentrations. Using plant tissue from this experiment, we analyzed the effects of oil on plant chemical composition and found that plant carbon:nitrogen ratio (C:N) was reduced by as much as 21% in plants exposed to higher concentrations of oil. Given that nitrogen plays a key role in herbivore preference patterns, we performed herbivory assays and found oil-contaminated plants were preferred by herbivores in choice trials, although subsequent no-choice experiments indicated herbivores consumed less oil-contaminated tissue. We hypothesize the reason for this is that more tissue of higher C:N content is needed to meet similar metabolic demands while avoiding the potentially negative impacts of feeding on contaminated tissues. These results indicate that substantial food web alterations may occur via enhanced consumption of oil-exposed plants and provides vital information necessary to assess the large-scale impact of oil on submerged macrophytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W. Martin
- University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Nature Coast Biological Station, Cedar Key, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Erick M. Swenson
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
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Grote M, van Bernem C, Böhme B, Callies U, Calvez I, Christie B, Colcomb K, Damian HP, Farke H, Gräbsch C, Hunt A, Höfer T, Knaack J, Kraus U, Le Floch S, Le Lann G, Leuchs H, Nagel A, Nies H, Nordhausen W, Rauterberg J, Reichenbach D, Scheiffarth G, Schwichtenberg F, Theobald N, Voß J, Wahrendorf DS. The potential for dispersant use as a maritime oil spill response measure in German waters. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 129:623-632. [PMID: 29102071 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In case of an oil spill, dispersant application represents a response option, which enhances the natural dispersion of oil and thus reduces coating of seabirds and coastal areas. However, as oil is transferred to the water phase, a trade-off of potential harmful effects shifted to other compartments must be performed. This paper summarizes the results of a workshop on the current knowledge on risks and benefits of the use of dispersants with respect to specific conditions encountered at the German sea areas. The German North Sea coast is a sensitive ecosystem characterised by tidal flats, barrier islands and salt marshes. Many prerequisites for a potential integration of dispersants as spill response option are available in Germany, including sensitivity maps and tools for drift modelling of dispersed and undispersed oil. However, open scientific questions remain concerning the persistence of dispersed oil trapped in the sediments and potential health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Grote
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Carlo van Bernem
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG), Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Birgit Böhme
- Central Command for Maritime Emergencies (Havariekommando), Am Alten Hafen 2, 27472 Cuxhaven, Germany
| | - Ulrich Callies
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht (HZG), Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Ivan Calvez
- Centre de documentation, de recherche et d'expérimentations sur les pollutions accidentelles des eaux (Cedre), 715 rue Alain Colas, CS 41836, 29218 Brest Cedex 2, France
| | - Bernard Christie
- Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7YH, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Colcomb
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1EG, United Kingdom
| | - Hans-Peter Damian
- Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Fachgebiet II 2.3 Meeresschutz, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau, Germany
| | - Hubert Farke
- National Park Authority for the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea, Virchowstr. 1, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Carolin Gräbsch
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alex Hunt
- The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF), 1 Oliver's Yard, 55 City Road, London EC1Y 1HQ, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Höfer
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Knaack
- Niedersächsischer Landesbetrieb für Wasserwirtschaft, Küsten- und Naturschutz (NLWKN), Am Sportplatz 23, 26506 Norden, Germany
| | - Uta Kraus
- Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 78, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephane Le Floch
- Centre de documentation, de recherche et d'expérimentations sur les pollutions accidentelles des eaux (Cedre), 715 rue Alain Colas, CS 41836, 29218 Brest Cedex 2, France
| | - Gilbert Le Lann
- Centre de documentation, de recherche et d'expérimentations sur les pollutions accidentelles des eaux (Cedre), 715 rue Alain Colas, CS 41836, 29218 Brest Cedex 2, France
| | - Heiko Leuchs
- Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Almut Nagel
- Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), Robert-Schuman-Platz 3, 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - Hartmut Nies
- Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 78, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Walter Nordhausen
- Pollution Response Services, European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), Praça Europa 4, 1249-206 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jens Rauterberg
- Central Command for Maritime Emergencies (Havariekommando), Am Alten Hafen 2, 27472 Cuxhaven, Germany
| | - Dirk Reichenbach
- Central Command for Maritime Emergencies (Havariekommando), Am Alten Hafen 2, 27472 Cuxhaven, Germany
| | - Gregor Scheiffarth
- National Park Authority for the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea, Virchowstr. 1, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | | | - Norbert Theobald
- Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 78, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joachim Voß
- State Agency for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Areas Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburger Chaussee 25, 24220 Flintbek, Germany
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