Growth inhibition in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) fish exposed to tetrachloroethylene

A recent study in our laboratory has demonstrated that tetrachloroethylene (TCE) is acutely toxic to Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) larvae with a 96 hr-LC50 of 18 (17-19) mg/mL (Spencer et al., 2002). In the present study we hypothesize that TCE exposure induces a developmental effect in Japanese medaka. Growth and age specific sensitivity of Japanese medaka larvae were studied with four age groups (7, 14, 21 and 28 days old) to determine tetrachloroethylene effects on these parameters. The medaka larvae were exposed for 96 hours in a single concentration (10 mg/mL) of TCE. The toxic endpoints evaluated were larvae weight, length, water content and protein concentration. The study revealed that exposure of medaka larvae to this sub-acute concentration of TCE significantly reduced length and weight in the treated group. The difference in growth between control and treated groups was more obvious in age versus length, than in age versus weight. The dry weight-fresh weight ratio (dw/fw) was shown to be higher in the control group. Water content in TCE-treated medaka was higher than in the control group, and younger fry had more water content than older ones. A higher protein concentration was also observed in TCE-treated medaka compared to the control group. These results indicate that TCE has a profound effect on the growth and development of Japanese medaka larvae.     

The toxicity of heavy metals to embryos of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica

The acute toxicity of 11 heavy metals to embryos of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica was studied and the concentrations at which 50% of the embryos did not develop were determined. The most toxic metals and their LC₅₀ values were mercury (0.0056 ppm), silver (0.0058 ppm), copper (0.103 ppm) and zinc (0.31 ppm). Those metals that were not as toxic and their LC₅₀ values were nickel (1.18 ppm), lead (2.45 ppm) and cadmium (3.80 ppm). Those metals that were relatively non-toxic and their LC₅₀ values were arsenic (7.5 ppm), chromium (10.3 ppm) and manganese (16.0 ppm). Aluminum was non-toxic at 7.5 ppm, the highest concentration tested.     

染织排水对日本青鳉幼鱼和胚胎的毒性效应

采用日本青鳉幼鱼及胚胎暴露评估染织排水的毒性效应.4个测试水样采自染织工厂排水口.96 h急性毒性试验表明:1和2号水样对幼鱼急性毒性效应不明显,3和4号水样对幼鱼具有急性毒性效应,毒性单位分别为0.47、0.53、9.93和1.68TUa,1和2号水样为微毒,3号水样为中毒,4号水样为低毒.14 d胚胎幼鱼慢性毒性试...     

Effects of the juvenile hormone mimic ZR-512 (Altozar®) on larval development of the mud-crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii at various cyclic temperatures

Effects of the juvenile hormone (JH) mimic hydroprene (Altozar^®: ZR-512), which exhibits high activity against Lepidoptera, were studied on the larval development of the mud-crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould) (Brachyura: Xanthidae). Larvae reared in 20 S at 3 cycles of temperature of 20° to 25°C, 25° to 30°C and 30° to 35°C, were exposed to 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 ppm hydroprene from hatching to the first crab stage. Larvae were also exposed to 0.1 and 0.5 ppm hydroprene only from the megalopa stage to the first crab stage. When larvae were treated with hydroprene throughout larval life, survival was significantly reduced with increasing concentrations of the compound at all temperature cycles. Synergistic effect between hydroprene and temperature on survival of zoeal larvae was not observed. On the average there was 11% less survival in the zoeal stages at the 0.01 ppm concentration. of hydroprene than in the control, an additional reduction of 13% occurred at 0.1 ppm, and finally there was a further decrease of 46% at 0.5 ppm hydroprene. Significant decrease in survival in the megalopa stage occurred only in the 0.5 ppm concentration of hydroprene at the lowest temperature cycle when larvae were exposed to the compound from hatching. When larvae were treated with hydroprene only within the megalopa stage, a significant reduction in survival was not observed. First-stage zoeae were the most sensitive of the larval stages to hydroprene. Duration of zoeal development was significantly delayed at 0.5 ppm hydroprene at the two lower temperature cycles, whereas in the megalopa stage the delay began at the 0.1 ppm level at all 3 temperature cycles when larvae were exposed to hydroprene from hatching. A significant delay was also observed at 0.1 ppm hydroprene at the two lower cycles when larvae were exposed to hydroprene only in the megalopa stage; at 30° to 35°C a significant delay was observed only at the 0.5 ppm level. The results show that metamorphosis to the first crab stage was not inhibited at the 0.5 ppm level of hydroprene or lower. Reduction in survival and increase in duration of larval development were presumably related to stress conditions caused by hydroprene. The results also suggest an interaction between temperature and hydroprene on survival of megalopa larvae and duration of larval development.     

Interactive effects of salinity,temperature and chronic exposure to oil on the survival and developmental rate of embryos of the estuarine killifishFundulus heteroclitus

The combined effect of salinity, temperature and chronic exposure to water-soluble fractions (WSF) of a No. 2 fuel oil on the survival and development rate of embryos ofFundulus heteroclitus Walbaum are described. The embryos were exposed at 3 salinities (10, 20, 30 S) and 3 temperatures (20°, 25°, 30°C) to 3 different oil concentrations (15, 20, 25% WSF, equivalent to approx 0.28, 0.38 and 0.47 ppm total naphthalenes) and to one control without oil. The results were analyzed by responsesurface methodology. The lowest oil concentration was only mildly toxic to embryos under optimal salinity/temperature conditions, while the highest was extremely toxic in all factor combinations. Under optimal conditions, only the highest oil concentration resulted in more than 50% mortality. Under suboptimal conditions, especially high and low temperatures, all 3 oil concentrations caused greater than 50% mortality. The interactive effect of salinity and temperature on survival was greatest at the lowest oil concentration. Temperature had a marked effect and salinity only a slight effect on the developmental rate of the embryos. Exposure to the low oil concentration tended to increase the temperature sensitivity of developmental duration slightly. Generally, exposure to oil decreased the time interval between fertilization and hatching.     

Acclimation and tolerance of Artemia salina to copper salts

The brine shrimp Artemia salina L. was acclimated in sea water with cupric chloride, acetate, carbonate, and sulphate, each at concentrations of 0.1, 0.05 and 0.025 ppm Cu⁺⁺, together with sea water controls. Growth inhibition was observed in all four compounds, generally in direct relationship to the concentration. It was least in sulphate, and increased progressively in chloride, acetate and carbonate in that order. No inhibition however was observed in carbonate at 0.025 ppm Cu⁺⁺. In toxicity tests, 2-week old larvae from each solution were exposed to concentrations of 10, 7.5, 5, 2.5 and 1 ppm Cu⁺⁺ of the same compounds, together with unacclimated larvae of the same age. Similar tests were held with 6-week old adults acclimated (a) in 0.1 ppm Cu⁺⁺ (chloride, acetate and sulphate) using the same concentrations and (b) in 0.5 ppm Cu⁺⁺ (carbonate), using 150, 125, 100, 75, and 50 ppm Cu⁺⁺. Toxicity to unacclimated larvae and adults differed with the compounds, carbonate being the least toxic, followed by sulphate, chloride and acetate in increasing order. Larvae acclimated in chloride (0.025 ppm Cu⁺⁺) and sulphate (0.1 and 0.5 ppm Cu⁺⁺) showed an increased tolerance to 1 and 2.5 ppm Cu⁺⁺ compared to untreated controls. Tolerance was not enhanced from 5 ppm Cu⁺⁺ upwards. In both compounds, adults acclimated in 0.1 ppm Cu⁺⁺ showed an increased tolerance to concentrations between 1 and 7.5 ppm Cu⁺⁺ compared to controls. Larval mortality in carbonate was below 50% in all test solutions. Adults acclimated at 0.5 ppm Cu⁺⁺ showed an increased tolerance to 50 ppm Cu⁺⁺ compared to controls. Considerable precipitation occurred with the high levels of this compound, thus effecting the final concentrations. No acclimation effect was observed in acetate for either larvae or adults. It is suggested that in A. salina, copper toxicity depends on the particular form of the metal, and that this difference is also evident in growth inhibition and in the potential acquisition of increased tolerance through exposure to low concentrations.     

Short-term and long-term survival studies in Rana tigrina tadpoles with reference to methyl parathion toxicity

Toxicity of methyl parathion was studied on survival of Rana tigrina tadpoles. The LC50 values for short-term (upto 96 h) and long term studies (hatching to froglet) were determined. The LC50 values for 96 h and the total larval period were 4.36 and 1.30 ppm respectively. The toxicity of methyl parathion enchanced in relation to increase in concentration and duration. Teratological defects such as scoliosis and failure in emergence of fore limb were noticed. Safe levels were calculated for short-term (0.1 ppm) and long-term (0.03 ppm) studies. The present work stresses the neccessity of long term study especially for the developing amphibians.     

Effects of chronic bisphenol A exposure on hepatic antioxidant parameters in medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Bisphenol A (BPA), the plastic monomer and plasticizer with well-known endocrine-disrupting chemical properties, is widely present in the aquatic environment, but little is known regarding hepatic toxicity in fish. This study assessed the effects of chronic exposure to BPA on the antioxidant defense system of Japanese medaka liver. Fish were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of BPA (0.1, 1, 10, 100, or 1000?µg?L^?1) for 60 days. Antioxidant parameters were determined and compared with controls. The results showed that the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and the content of reduced glutathione were all induced at 10?µg?L^?1 BPA after 60 days. Further, hepatic CAT was sensitive to BPA at 1?µg?L^?1 concentration. In conclusion, CAT may serve as a potential early biomarker of BPA exposure in aquatic environment.     

纳米银和银离子对斑马鱼胚胎早期生长发育的影响及作用机制

为探究纳米银对水生生物的毒性作用,选取斑马鱼胚胎为受试生物,考察了纳米银对斑马鱼胚胎早期生长发育的影响,同时比较了纳米银与银离子对斑马鱼胚胎的毒性作用和机理。实验将受精后4小时(4 hpf)的斑马鱼胚胎分别暴露于不同浓度的纳米银和银离子溶液中至96 hpf,观察并记录了胚胎的死亡、孵化和畸形等指标。应用吖啶橙(AO)染色实验研究了胚胎暴露之后的细胞凋亡情况,并且应用荧光定量PCR技术分析了相关基因的表达水平。研究结果表明,随着暴露浓度的增加,纳米银和银离子均能导致斑马鱼胚胎的死亡率增加和孵化率降低,并且引起孵化延迟。纳米银和银离子的96 h半数致死浓度(96 h-LC50)分别为11.75 mg·L-1和0.054 mg·L-1。银离子毒性远大于纳米银毒性。暴露的斑马鱼胚胎均表现出体长变短和卵黄囊肿大的畸形。AO染色结果表明,纳米银和银离子处理组胚胎的躯干和卵黄囊部位存在细胞凋亡信号。基因表达分析结果显示,1.93 mg·L-1纳米银显著提高了斑马鱼胚胎caspase9的表达(P0.05),而0.006 mg·L-1的银离子就能显著上调COX-2a(P0.01)和COX-17(P0.05)基因的表达,同时0.036 mg·L-1银离子增加了斑马鱼体内p53基因的表达(P0.05)。以上研究结果说明,纳米银可能通过caspase通路诱导细胞凋亡进而影响斑马鱼胚胎的生长发育;而银离子不但影响氧化系统基因通路,还能通过p53诱导凋亡进而阻滞斑马鱼胚胎的生长发育。     

Changes in oxygen consumption and heart rate of the blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1766) following exposure to sublethal concentrations of copper

Weight specific oxygen consumption and heart rates were investigated in blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus to indicate the stress in response to increasing salinities (50, 75, 100 and 125%SW) and increasing copper concentration (0, 0.75, 1.5, 3 and 6 ppm copper) at temperature 25 degrees C. Oxygen consumption (micromol.g(-1).h(-1) was measured using closed system respirometer (Strathkelvin Instruments oxygen meter model 781). Heart rates (beat.min(-1)) were recorded using impedance techniques. It has been found that oxygen consumption and heart rate increased with decreasing salinities and increasing copper concentration. The statistic showed weight specific oxygen consumption of P. pelagicus after 96 hr exposure to 6 ppm copper in all salinities were significantly different (P < 0.05) from 0 ppm copper. Mean heart rate of P. pelagicus in 50%SW after 96 hr exposure to 6 ppm copper were significantly different (P < 0.05) from 0 ppm copper.     

Extractable atrazine and its metabolites in agricultural soils from the temperate humid zone

Extractable atrazine and its metabolites (hydroxyatrazine, deethylatrazine and deisopropylatrazine) were evaluated in agricultural soils from the temperate humid zone (Galicia, NW Spain) under laboratory conditions. The experiment was performed with five soils with different properties (organic C, soil texture and atrazine application history), both unamended and treated with atrazine at field application rate. Measurements of the atrazine compounds were made at different time intervals (1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks) during a 3-month incubation period. Results showed that only hydroxyatrazine was detected in the extractable fraction of the unamended soils, with values remaining relatively constant throughout the incubation period. Atrazine addition notably increased the concentration of the parent compound and its degradation products; deisopropylatrazine and hydroxyatrazine were the main metabolites detected in the extractable fraction of the treated soils, whereas deethylatrazine was not detected. After 7 days incubation, values of total extractable residues, expressed as percentage of initially added atrazine, ranged from 75 to 86% (25–68% of atrazine, 7–11% of hydroxyatrazine and 9–57% of deisopropylatrazine). The values decreased rapidly during the first 3 weeks of incubation, showing values of 2–8% in soils with higher atrazine application and from 28 to 30% in soils with lower application history. At the end of the incubation, 2–8% of total extractable residues were still detected (0–4% of atrazine, 2–3% of hydroxyatrazine and 0–2% of deisopropylatrazine), indicating a residual effect of atrazine addition. These variations in the extractable fraction indicated that most added atrazine was rapidly degraded, especially in soils with higher application history.     

2种除草剂联合胁迫下日本青鳉的逐级行为响应(The Stepwise Behavioral Responses of the Japanese Medaka under the Joint Stress of Two Herbicides)

探讨了日本青鳉在两种除草剂阿特拉津和百草枯联合暴露下的逐级行为响应,采用水质安全在线生物预警系统(BEWs)记录行为强度数据,分析不同暴露浓度、不同暴露时间日本青鳉的行为响应.10、5、1和0.1TU的暴露浓度下行为反应时间分别为:0.74、7.7、29.4和42.2h,而每个浓度不同配比之间行为反应时间差异明显.结果表明:在两种除草剂的暴露下,日本青鳉的逐级行为响应既受化合物浓度高低的影响,又受暴露时间的影响,而且每个浓度两种药物不同配比暴露下的青鳉鱼的逐级行为响应基本一致,每个浓度不同配比之间行为反应时间差异明显,即两种作用机制不同的除草剂对日本青鳉的行为毒性是协同作用.     

Studies on the uptake of cadmium by the crab Carcinus maenas in the laboratory. I. Accumulation from seawater and a food source

The crab Carcinus maenas (L.) was exposed to radioactively labelled cadmium dissolved in seawater at concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 ppm, the latter concentration being toxic to the crabs (50% mortality after 12.3 days). Net accumulation of cadmium from solution was proportional to the level and time period of cadmium exposure. Total absorbed cadmium levels reached 0.0043 and 0.0412 mg Cd g^-1 dry weight after 40 days exposure to 0.1 and 1 ppm Cd, respectively, and 0.1115 mg Cd g^-1 dry weight after 12.3 days average exposure to 10 ppm Cd. The highest tissue concentration was found in the midgut gland, reaching 0.786 mg Cd g^-1 dry weight after 12.3 days average exposure to 10 ppm Cd. The midgut gland only contained about 10% of the total cadmium absorbed from solution, while the exoskeleton contained the bulk of obsorbed cadmium (59 to 80%) probably passively adsorbed onto the surface. When cadmium was absorbed by the crabs from a food source, the midgut gland contained 16.9% of the total absorbed cadmium whereas the exoskeleton now contained only 22.2%. Ten percent of the cadmium available in the food source (Artemia salina) was accumulated by the crabs. When placed in cadmium-free seawater, crabs that had accumulated cadmium from solution lost 69% of the absorbed cadmium in 10 days, mostly from the exoskeleton which lost 78% of its original absorbed cadmium concentration.     

Post natal antioxidant enzyme activity of rat brain regions during developmental lead exposure

This study reports the effects of low level developmental Pb exposure on specific brain regions like hippocampus, cerebellum and cerebral hemispheres of antioxidant enzyme activities. Wistar dams were exposed to 50 ppm, 100 ppm and 500 ppm of Pb acetate in drinking water during pregnancy and lactation (gestation day 6 through PND 21 (post natal day) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GR) were determined in the hippocampus, cerebellum and cerebral hemispheres of pups during treatment period (PND 7, 14, and 21 days) and also during withdrawl period (PND 35, 45, 60 and 90 days). During treatment period, SOD activity significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in all regions of all the treated groups with maximum decrease in 500 ppm treated group of 21 days, while GSH-Px and GR activities increased with maximum increase in 21 days aged 500 ppm group. During withdrawl period, the activities of all enzymes were significantly (p < 0.05) reversed. Thus the perinatal exposure of dams to variable dosages of low level lead results in characteristic neurochemical alterations in rat brain regions due to impaired antioxidants function.     

Effect of caffeine, norfloxacin and nimesulide on heartbeat and VEGF expression of zebrafish larvae

The use of pharmaceuticals during pregnancy may causes abnormalities to the embryo. Sometime the drug also effect to the new born if the drug transferred through lactation. We have used zebrafish model to see the effect of some pharmaceuticals on embryos and larvae. Three drugs, caffeine, norfloxacin and nimesulide, were used for this study to see the effect mainly the hatching rate of eggs, heart beat rate and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression of the larvae. VEGF is an important signaling protein that involved generating the new blood vessels during embryonic development. We have used 10, 20, 50, 100 microg ml(-1) concentrations of all the drugs to see the effect. No significant mortality or malformations were observed in zebrafish embryos. Hatching was stared from 60 hr. In control group, 91% hatching rate was observed. Lowest hatching rate was observed using highest concentration of norfloxacin (100 microg ml(-1)) and nimesulide (100 microg ml(-1)) i.e. 55 and 56% respectively. In control group, 110 to 115 heart beat rate was counted per minute. Significantly higher heart beat was observed in caffeine treated group which is 125 to 140 min(-1) Lower heart beat was noted in nimesulide treated group which is 100 min(-1). We have tried to observe the possible effect of VEGF of the larvae by these three drugs. Expression of VEGF was very low in caffeine treated group. Almost no VGF expression was observe in 100 microg ml(-1) caffeine treated group. These studies suggest that there is a possibility that high dosage of caffeine can harm the unborn baby or new born babies, if the mothers use caffeine.     

Environmental influences on larval duration,growth and magnitude of settlement of a coral reef fish

The influence of environmental variables on the planktonic growth, pelagic larval duration and settlement magnitude was examined for the coral reef surgeonfish Acanthurus chirurgus. Newly settled fish were collected daily from patch reefs in the San Blas Archipelago, Caribbean Panama for 3.5 years. Environmental influences on growth were examined at three different life history stages: from 0 to 6 days, 7 to 25 days and from 26 to 50 days after hatching. Larval growth was correlated, using multiple regression techniques, with a combination of factors including solar radiation, rainfall, and along-shore winds. Depending on the life history stage, these accounted for 13–38% of the variation in growth rates when all the months were included in the analyses. Correlations between environmental variables and growth also varied among seasons and were stronger in the dry than in the wet season. During the dry season solar radiation, rainfall and along-shore winds described 57%, 86% and 74% of the variability in growth between 0 and 6 days, 7 and 25 days and 26 and 50 days, respectively. During the wet season rainfall, along-shore winds and temperature only described 38% of the variability in early growth and 27% of growth just before settlement. No significant model was found to describe growth 7–25 days after hatching during the wet season. Rainfall, solar radiation and along-shore winds were negatively correlated with growth up to 25 days after hatching but positively correlated as larvae approached settlement at a mean age of 52 days. Over 65% of the variability in pelagic larval duration was accounted for by a regression model that included solar radiation and along-shore winds. When data sets from wet and dry seasons were analysed separately, along-shore winds accounted for 67% of the change in larval duration in the dry season, and solar radiation accounted for 23% of the variation in larval duration in the wet season. Only 22% of the variability in settlement intensity could be described by solar radiation and temperature, when all months of the year were included in the analysis. Solar radiation and rainfall were included in a regression model that accounted for 40% of the variation in numbers of fish settling during the dry season. This study suggests that the levels of solar radiation, along-shore winds and rainfall during the early larval life can have important effects on the growth, larval duration and consequently, the settlement magnitude of marine fishes. Results also highlight the need to account for seasonality and ontogeny in studies of environmental influences.Communicated by G.F. Humphrey, Sydney     

Effects of the juvenile hormone mimic ZR-515 (Altosid®) on larval development of the mud-crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii in various salinities and cyclic temperatures

Effects of 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 ppm methoprene (Altosid^®: ZR-515), a juvenile hormone (JH) mimic which shows high activity against some economically important insect pests, especially Diptera, were tested on larvae of the mud-crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould) (Brachyura: Xanthidae) from hatching to the first crab stage under optimum and stress conditions of a number of salinities and cyclic temperatures. There was a significant reduction in survival of zoeal larvae with increasing concentrations of methoprene in nearly all combinations of salinity and temperature. On the average there was 9% less survival in the 0.01 ppm concentration of methoprene than in the control, and in the 0.1 ppm concentration the survival was further reduced by another 16%. At 1.0 ppm methoprene no larvae survived beyond the first zoeal stage under optimum conditions or under stressful combinations of salinity and temperature. Except at 0.2 ppm in 27.5% S, survival of the megalopa was not significantly reduced in 0.01 or 0.1 ppm methoprene in any salinity or temperature, although the percentage of abnormal megalopa increased under stress conditions. The first zoeal stage was the most sensitive of the larval stages to methoprene as well as to salinity and temperature stress. The duration of zoeal development was significantly lengthened with an increase in concentration of methoprene under nearly all conditions of salinity and temperature. The JH mimic had, however, no significant effect on the duration of megalopa development. A significant synergism between methoprene, salinity and temperature was not observed. It can be concluded from the results that methoprene does not inhibit metamophosis of R. harrisii larvae at the 0.1 ppm level or lower. Reduction in survival of zoeal stages and increased duration of zoeal development with increasing concentrations of methoprene are presumably related to stress.     

Einfluß von 2,4-dinitrophenol auf die atmung und die Konzentration einiger metabolite bei embryonen des herings Clupea harengus

In rearing experiments with herring eggs (temperature=14.0°±0.1°C; salinity=15‰), oxygen consumption under normal conditions and after addition of 2,4-DNP (concentration=0.1 mM/l; pH=8.1) was measured over the period of embryonic development by means of the Wabburg-technique. Additionally, the concentration of low molecular sugars, polysaccharides, free amino-acids, and adenosintriphosphate (ATP) was determined. The oxygen consumption increases during embryonic development; this increase is not linear. Periods of high intensity of oxygen consumption are followed by others with only slight increase. Immediately before hatching, the respiration curve distincly declines (Fig. 1). Under the influence of 2,4-DNP (dinitrophenol), the embryos increase their respiration intensity after a short period of incubation. The maximum rise in percentage over the normal values reaches up to 400% at the beginning of gastrulation, falls to 50% even before the locking of the blastopore, and decreases slightly to about 30% until hatching. The immense decline in the percentage increase in respiration following the addition of 2,4-DNP at the end of the first day of development is caused by the rapid increase in normal respiration. After poisoning with DNP at different stages of development, the uncoupled respiration curves are normally almost equal. This holds both for the temporal position of the respiration maxima (about 12 to 24 h after poisoning), and for the absolute amounts of the increased respiration over the normal values (5 to 7 μl/h/100 embryos). Excluded from these regularly repeated findings are two stages of development: (1) the stage of epiboly after exceeding the yolk equator until shortly before locking of the blastopore (26 to 32 h after fertilization at 14°C); (2) the period at the end of the 4th day of development when the eyes become pigmented (100 to 120 h after fertilization). These two stages are characterized by the fact that, at the moment of poisoning, the normal respiration shows retarded activity. On the other hand, these two stages are well able to undergo periods of development in which long-living embryonic deformations can occur after uncoupling of respiration with 2,4-DNP. The content in low molecular sugars and polysaccharides decreases slightly in the course of embryonic development and, following the addition of 2,4-DNP, decreases considerably during the first 24 h. After 48 h, accelerated decomposition of carbohydrates continues. Under the influence of 2,4-DNP, the embryos metabolize more carbohydrates in 1 day than during the whole normal development period. The changeover of the metabolism to increased decomposition of carbohydrates can be explained as a dislocation of the energetic sources from the respiration chain to glycolytic phosphorylation. In accordance with these facts, the concentration of free amino-acids, almost equal during normal embryonic development, remains unchanged under the influence of 2,4-DNP.     

Biochemical responses and accumulation of cadmium in Spirodela polyrhiza

The present study focused on biochemical responses of Spirodela polyrhiza to cadmium stresses and its accumulation. The laboratory experiments were conducted for the assessment of biochemical responses and accumulation of cadmium in plants at its various concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1.5 and 2.0 ppm) at the regular interval for twelve days exposure. Spirodela showed visible symptoms like withering of roots and chlorosis at higher concentration (2.0 ppm), however the plant showed normal growth at lower concentration (0.1 ppm). The estimation of biochemical parameters (total chlorophyll, protein and carbohydrate) of test plants showed a significant increase at lower concentration (0.1 ppm) of cadmium. The biochemical changes decrease with increase in exposure concentration and duration. The toxic effect of cadmium is directly proportional to its concentration and duration. The accumulation of cadmium by Spirodela polyrhiza was maximum at four days exposure duration and gradually decreases.     

广州市白云山雀形目鸟体内汞、砷与硒残留分析

测定了广州市白云山白头鹎(Pycnonotus sinensis)、暗绿绣眼鸟(Zosterops japonicus)、大山雀(Parus major)和白眉鵐(Emberiza tristrami )飞羽、胸肌和肝脏中的汞、砷和硒残留量。汞和砷在鸟体内残留量的分布模式都是,羽毛>肝脏>肌肉;而硒在鸟体内残留量的分布模式是肝脏>肌肉>羽毛,与汞和砷的分布模式不同。鸟组织中的汞质量分数存在种间差异,但不同组织间差异程度不同,白眉鵐肝脏、肌肉中的汞质量分数极显著(或显著)高于暗绿绣眼鸟肝脏、肌肉中的汞质量分数,而2种鸟羽毛中的汞质量分数没有显著差异。鸟组织中砷和硒质量分数的种间差异不明显。羽毛对汞有高的富集作用,用羽毛监测环境中的汞污染比用肝脏和肌肉监测环境中的汞污染更灵敏。在鸟组织中,汞质量分数、砷质量分数和硒质量分数间的相关性较差,只有白眉鵐羽毛中的汞质量分数与硒质量分数存在显著相关性,其回归方程为Y汞=0.657X硒-0.237(p=0.025)。几个地区鸟组织中汞、砷和硒的质量分数的比较表明,广州市白云山受重金属和硒污染程度较低。