Single and joint effects of petroleum hydrocarbons and cadmium on the polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis Grube

Using the concentration gradient and combined pollutant exposure method, the single and joint effects of petroleum hydrocarbons （PHCs） and cadmium （Cd） on polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis Grube, an ecologically keystone species in estuarine and coastal environment, have been investigated. The results indicate that the toxicity of PHCs to P. aibuhitensis is stronger than that of Cd to the organism. There are positive correlations between the mortality of worms and the exposed concentration of single Cd or PHCs in solution. Similarly, the accumulation of Cd or PHCs in worms increased with increasing Cd- or PHC-exposed concentrations. All the correlation relationships can be described using unitary quadratic equations （Y or Z = aX^2 ＋ bX ＋ c）. It is calculated, on the basis of these expressions, that the median lethal dose （LC50） ofP aibuhitensis exposed to a single Cd or PHCs is 793.4-13567.3 and 28.0-119.9 μg/L, respectively. The exposed time has some stimulative effect on the two pollutants and on the mortality of the worms. Thus, even a low concentration of a single Cd or PHCs may have strong toxic effects on the worms when the exposed time becomes longer. The accumulation of Cd or PHCs in worms differs with an increase in exposure time at the given exposed concentration of a single Cd or PHCs. Noticeably, the accumulation of PHCs in worms decreases with an increase in exposure time at the given high concentration of PHCs in solution. The joint effect of PHCs and Cd on P. aibuhitensis is very complicated and changes with the exposed concentrations of the two pollutants. At the given concentration of PHCs, the joint toxicity of the two pollutants on the worms changes from synergism to antagonism with an increase in Cd concentration. The accumulation of Cd in the worms significantly decreases with the addition of PHCs to exposure solution.     

The effects of exogenous salicylic acid on growth and H2O2-metabolizing enzymes in rice seedlings under lead stress

Salicylic acid （SA） was an essential component of the plant resistance to pathogens and also plays an important role in mediating plant response to some abiotic stress. The possible effects of SA on the growth and H2O2-metabolizing enzymes in rice seedlings under lead stress were studied. When rice seedlings grown in nutrient solution containing Pb^2＋ （0, 0.05, 0.15, 0.25 mmol/L） for 18 d, the plant biomass as well as the chlorophyll content of leaves decreased with increasing Pb concentration. The pre-treatment with SA （treated with 0.1 mmol/L SA for 48 h before Pb stress） partially protected seedlings from Pb toxicity. The chlorophyll contents were significant higher in leaves of Pb-exposed with SA pre-treatment seedlings than in Pb-exposed plants at the same Pb intensity. SA pre-treated alone could significantly increase the length of shoot and root of seedlings but the vigour difference was not marked under long-term exposure to Pb toxicity. SA pre-treated influence the H2O2 level in leaves of seedlings by up-regulating the activity of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, repressing the activity of catalase （CAT） and ascorbate peroxidase （APX） depending on the concentrations of Pb^2＋ in the growth medium. The results supported the conclusion that SA played a positive role in rice seedlings against Pb toxicity.     

Exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate reduced cell viability and insulin release capacity of β cells

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found to have multiple adverse outcomes on human health. Recently, epidemiological and toxicological studies showed that exposure to PFAS had adverse impacts on pancreas and showed association with insulin abnormalities. To explore how PFAS may contribute to diabetes, we studied impacts of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) on cell viability and insulin release capacity of pancreatic β cells by using in vivo and in vitro methods. We found that 28-day administration with PFOS (10 mg/(kg body weight•day)) caused reductions of pancreas weight and islet size in male mice. PFOS administration also led to lower serum insulin level both in fasting state and after glucose infusion among male mice. For cell-based in vitro bioassay, we used mouse β-TC-6 cancer cells and found 48-hr exposure to PFOS decreased the cell viability at 50 μmol/L. By measuring insulin content in supernatant, 48-hr pretreatment of PFOS (100 μmol/L) decreased the insulin release capacity of β-TC-6 cells after glucose stimulation. Although these concentrations were higher than the environmental concentration of PFOS, it might be reasonable for high concentration of PFOS to exert observable toxic effects in mice considering mice had a faster removal efficiency of PFOS than human. PFOS exposure (50 μmol/L) to β-TC-6 cells induced intracellular accumulation of reactive oxidative specie (ROS). Excessive ROS induced the reactive toxicity of cells, which eventually invoke apoptosis and necrosis. Results in this study provide evidence for the possible causal link of exposure to PFOS and diabetes risk.     

Toxicity assessment for chlorpyrifos-contaminated soil with three di erent earthworm test methods

Earthworm toxicity tests are useful tools for terrestrial risk assessment but require a hierarchy of test designs that differ in effect levels （behavior, sublethal, lethal）. In this study, the toxicity of chlorpyrifos contaminated soil on earthworms was assessed. In addition to the acute and chronic tests, an avoidance response test was applied. Earthworms were exposed to sublethal and lethal concentration of chlorpyrifos, and evaluated for acute toxicity, growth, fecundity and avoidance response after a certain exposure period. The test methods covered all important ecological relevant endpoints （acute, chronic, behavioral）. Concentration of 78.91 mg/kg, chlorpyrifos caused significant toxic effects in all test methods, but at lower test concentrations, only significant chronic toxic effects could be observed. In present study, chlorpyrifos had adverse effect on growth and fecundity in earthworm exposed to 5 mg/kg chlorpyrifos after eight weeks. The avoidance response test, however, showed significant repellent effects at concentration of 40 mg/kg chlorpyrifos. For chlorpyrifos, concentration affecting avoidance response was far greater than growth and fecundity, it seemed likely that earthworms were not able to escape from pesticide-contaminated soil into the clean soil in field and hence were exposed continuously to elevated concentrations of pesticides.     

Response of antioxidase in viscera of Pagrosuma major larvae to water soluble fraction of hydrocarbons in No.0 diesel oil

Pagrosomus major larvae were to the water-soluble fraction of hydrocarbon in No.0 diesel oil(corresponding to No.2 fuel oil) at concentration of 0,0.17,1.22 and 8.82mg/L for up to 15 days.Larvae were sampled on days 9 and 15 of the experiment.Supernatants of viscera tissue extractions were assayed for biochemical response in terms of oxidative stress-superoxide dismutase(SOD),activity of selenium-dependant glutathione peroxidase(Se-GPx) and catalase(Ca),and the concentration of reduced glutathione(CSH).On day 9 of exposure ,statistically significant dose-related increases in Se-GPx and SOD activity,and GSH concentration were observed in all cases except for Se-GPx activity under the highest dosage of hydrocarbon.However,on day 15 of exposure, a similar dose-related in all cases except for Se-GPx activity under the highest dosage of hydrocarbon.However,on day 15 of exposure, a similar dose-related response was only observed for Se-GPx activity.GSH concentration decreased and SOD activity showed no statistical difference as compared to controls.However, a significant decrease in compared to day 9 Se-GPx activity and GSH concentration, in contrast to increase SOD activity at day 15 as indicates an accelerated accumulation of H2O2 and potential oxidative damage under long term exposure of larvae to hydrocarbons.No statistical changes were observed in Ca activity throughout the experiment, possibly owing to the high efficiency of Se-GPx.A recovery experiment was performed on indicating that the response of antioxidants measured tending to returm to return to their control levels.These results prove the function of the antioxidant defense system of the larvae to the water-soluble fraction of hydrocarbons in No.0 diesel oil.     

Influences of Cu or Cd on the neurotoxicity induced by petroleum hydrocarbons in ragworm Perinereis aibuhitensis

The ecotoxicological effects of heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons （PHCs） on ragworms are still vague. The relationships between toxicological indices （mortality and acetylcholinesterase （ACHE） activity） and concentrations of toxicants （Cu, Cd, and PHCs） were examined in the estuary keystone species Perinereis aibuhitensis in laboratory conditions. The results of single toxicant indicated that three toxicants had potentially physiological toxicity to P. aibuhitensis. The estimated 4-d and 10-d LC50 for Cu, Cd, and PHCs was derived from the relationships between mortality and toxicants concentrations. Notable changes in the morphological signs and symptoms of P. aibuhitensis exposed to PHCs were observed. The ACHE activity of P. aibuhitensis was more sensitive to the toxicity of PHCs than the others. The results of combined toxicants implied that the combined toxicity of Cu or Cd and PHCs to P. aibuhitensis was related to the concentration combination of toxicants. Compared to single PHCs treatment, the addition of Cu or Cd significantly mitigated the neurotoxicity of PHCs to ACHE activity in P. aibuhitensis, which showed an antagonistic effect.     

Effect of herbicide acetochlor on cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and GST of earthworms Eisenia fetida

To assess the sublethal toxicity of the herbicide acetochlor to earthworms and to find out biomarkers possible inducted under acetochlor exposure, Eiseniafetida was exposed to artificial soils supplemented with different concentrations of acetochlor（5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg soil）. Effects of the acetochlor on cytochrome P450 monooxygenases p-nitroanisole O-demethylase（ODM）, aldrin epoxidase（AE） and glutathione-S-transferases （GSTs） activities were determined. The results revealed cytochrome P450 monooxygenases were elevated with increasing concentrations of acetochlor, and the AE activity increased significantly compared with control at the concentration of 80 mg/kg （P〈0.05）. However, ODM activity from E. fetida was not induced significantly by acetochlor at all treatments（P〉0.05）. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacryamide gel electrophoresis（SDS-PAGE） showed that one protein band was visualized and no evident differences were found in protein profiles between treatments and control. The GST activity increased significantly with longer duration（P〈0.05） and increasing concentrations of acetochlor exposure（P〈0.05）. This study showed that the monooxygenases and GSTs activities in E. fetida could be induced by acetochlor, and thus, the AE and GST could be used in sublethal assays for soil contamination surveys and GST could be used as biomarkers of acetochlor exposure in E. fetida.     

Leaching behavior of Pb and Zn in air pollution control residues and their modeling prediction

Increasing attention has been paid to air pollution control （APC） residues in China recently due to the rising proportion of waste incineration and the hazardous characteristics of the residues, among which heavy metal leaching toxicity plays an important role. Leaching behavior and potential risk of Pb and Zn in the APC residues from a Shanghai municipal solid waste （MSW） incinerator was studied, based on the leaching tests under different conditions and theoretical calculation using a geochemical thermodynamic equilibrium model MINTEQA2. Results showed that, extractant species and liquid to solid （L/S） ratio predominantly controlled the leaching toxicity of Pb and Zn, while ionic strength, vibration method and leaching time had less effect on the metals release. Leachate/final pH determined the metal leaching behavior, which changed the speciation of heavy metals in the extraction system. The equilibrium aqueous speciation, precipitation-dissolution of Pb and Zn was investigated according to the model computation, which was well in agreement with the experimental results.     

Impact of some chlorinated pesticides on the haematology of the fish Cyprinus carpio and Puntius ticto

The effects of pesticides on blood characteristics and histological changes in erythrocytes of the fish species Cyprinus carpio and Puntius ticto were studied. The fishes were exposed to sub lethal concentrations of different chlorinated pesticides namely aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, BHC and chlordane for 10, 20 and 30 d in continuous flow-through test. The LCso values were calculated based on acute toxicity tests and the sublethal doses were arrived at for chronic bioassay studies. Results showed an increase in haemoglobin content of both Cyprinus carpio and Puntius ticto in case of aldrin and dieldrin. Haemoglobin content reduced from an initial 13 g/100 ml to 8.07 and 10.15 g/100 ml in case of Cyprinus at the end of ten days exposure to aldrin and dieldrin respectively, and gradually increased to 8.7 g/100 ml and 10.15 g/100 ml after 20 d of exposure. The haemoglobin content after 30 d exposure to aldrin and dieldrin was 10.15 g/100 ml and 11.6 g/100 ml respectively. In case of Puntius ticto, the haemoglobin content in control fishes recorded was 12.8 g/100 ml while in case of fish exposed to aldrin, the haemoglobin content reduced initially on ten days exposure to 10.15 g/100 ml and increased to 11.6 g/100 ml and 13.0 g/100 ml during twenty days and thirty days exposure respectively. This trend was also observed with dieldrin in both the fishes studied. Red blood cells were also counted in case of all the pesticides and exposure periods with respect to Cyprinus carpio and Puntius ticto. Irrespective of the species and pesticide, the RBC counts uniformly showed decreasing trend with the increase in exposure period, while packed cell volume, PCV(%) showed increasing trend with respect to increase in exposure period in case of aldrin and dieldrin in both the fishes. But DDT, BHC and chlordane showed decreasing trend in PCV(%) values with increasing periods of exposure.     

Effects of elevated CO2 on sensitivity of six species of algae and interspecific competition of three species of algae

Effects of elevated CO, （5000 μl/L） on sensitivity comparison of six species of algae and interspecific competition of three species of algae were investigated. The results showed that, the cell densities of six species of algae grown in elevated CO2 significantly increased compared to those in ambient CO2 （360 μl/L）, and with the time prolonged, the increasing extent increased. Therefore, elevated CO2 can promote the growth of six species of algae. However, there were differences in sensitivity between six species of algae. Based on the effects of elevated CO2 on biomass, the sensitive order （from high to low） was Platymanas sp., Platymanas subcordiformis, Nitzschia closterium, Isochrysis golbana Parke 8701, Dunoliella salina, Chlorella sp., on the condition of solitary cultivation. Compared to ambient CO2, elevated CO2 promoted the growth of three species of algae, Platymanas subcordiformis, Nitzschia closterium and Isochrysis galbana Parke 8701 under the condition of mixed cultivation. The sensitivity of the three species to elevated CO2 in mixed cultivation changed a lot compared to the condition of solitary cultivation. When grown in elevated CO2 under the condition of mixed cultivation, the sensitive order from high to low were Nitzschia clostertium, Platymonas subcordiformis; and Isochrysis galbana Parke 8701. However, under the condition of solitary cultivation, the sensitive order in elevated CO2 was Isochrysis galbana Parke 8701, Nitzschia clostertium, Platymonas subcordiformis, from sensitive to less sensitive. On the day 21, the dominant algae, the sub-dominant algae and inferior algae grown in elevated CO2 did not change. However, the population increasing dynamic and composition proportion of three algal species have significantly changed.     

Single and joint stress of acetochlor and Pb on three agricultural crops in northeast China

In order to evaluate ecological risk of agrochemicals in agricultural environment, single and joint toxic effects of an important herbicide and a typical heavy metal on root elongation of crops were investigated. Seeds of the three crops including wheat （Triticum aestivum）, Chinese cabbage （Brassica pekimensis） and soybean （Glycine max） as the main crops in northeast China were exposed to acetochior as a herbicide and lead （Pb） as a heavy metal using the pot-culture method, and meadow brown soil as one of the main soils distributed in northeast China was applied in the investigation. The results indicated that the interactive effects of the two pollutants on root elongation of the three crops were very complicated although they had markedly significant （P〈0.01） linear interrelationships based on the regression analyses. When the concentration of added Pb^2＋ reached 200 mg/kg, acetochlor and Pb had an antagonistic effect on the inhibition of root elongation of the three crops. However, acetochlor and Pb had significantly （P〈0.05） synergic effects on the inhibition of root elongation when concentration of added Pb^2＋ was up to 1000 mg/kg. At the low concentration of added Pb, joint toxicity of acetochlor and Pb was more dependent on the concentration of Pb. Among the three crops, wheat was the most sensitive to the toxicity of Pb and Chinese cabbage was the most sensitive to the toxicity of acetochlor.     

Effects of co-exposure to lead and manganese on learning and memory deficits

Lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) are common neurotoxins. However, individuals are subject to co-exposures in real life, and it is therefore important to study these metals in combination. Weaning Sprague-Dawley rats were given ad libitum access to drinking water solutions containing Pb (100 mg/L), Mn (2.5 mg/mL) or a mixture, and each treatment had its own minocycline (50 mg/(kg•day)) supplement group. The results showed a significant difference in spatial memory and induction levels of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in all exposure groups when compared with controls. The combined-exposure group exhibited the most pronounced effect when compared with each of the single-metal exposure groups. Microglia displayed activation at day 3 after exposure alone or in combination, while astrocytes showed activation at day 5, accompanied by decreased expression levels of GLAST, GLT-1, and GS. Furthermore, the levels of glutamate in the synaptic cleft increased significantly. When microglial activation was inhibited by minocycline, the activation of astrocytes and the expression of GLAST, GLT-1, and GS were both reversed. In addition, upon minocycline treatment, hippocampal LTP impairment and cognitive injury were significantly alleviated in each of the exposure groups. These results suggest that combined exposure to Pb and Mn can cause greater effects on cognition and synaptic plasticity when compared to single-metal exposure groups. The reason may involve abnormal activation of microglia leading to excessive regulation of astrocytes, resulting in glutamate reuptake dysfunction in astrocytes and leading to perturbed cognition and synaptic plasticity.     

Effects of cerium on growth and physiological mechanism in plants under enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation

Effect of cerium （Ce^3＋） on the growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant enzyme system in rape seedlings （Brassica juncea L.） exposed to two levels of UV-B radiation （T1： 0.15 W/m^2 and T2：0.35 W/m^2） was studied by hydroponics under laboratory conditions. After 5 d of UV-B treatment, the aboveground growth indices were obviously decreased by 13.2%-44. 1%（T1） and 21.4%-49.3% （T2）, compared to CK, and except active absorption area of roots, the belowground indices by 14.1%-35.6%（T1） and 20.3%-42.6% （T2）. For Ce＋UV-B treatments, the aboveground and belowground growth indices were decreased respectively by 4.1%-23.6%, 5.2% -23.3%（Ce＋T1） and 10.8%-28.4%, 7.0%-27.8%（Ce＋T2）, lower than those of UV-B treatments. The decrease of growth indices appeared to be the result of changes of physiological processes. Two levels of UV-B radiation induced the decrease in chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and water use efficiency by 11.2%-25.9%（T1） and 20.9%- 56.9%（T2）, whereas increase in membrane permeability and activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase（SOD）, catalase （CAT） and peroxidase （POD） by 6.9%, 22.8%, 21.5%, 9.5%（T1） and 36.6%, 122.3%, 103.5%, 208.9%（T2）, respectively. The reduction of the photosynthetic parameters in Ce＋UV-B treatments was lessened to 3.2%-13.8%（Ce＋T1） and 4.9%-27.6%（Ce＋T2）, and the increase of membrane permeability and activities of antioxidant enzymes except POD in the same treatments were lessened to 2.4%, 8.4%, 6.6%（Ce＋T1） and 30.1%, 116.7%, 75.4%（Ce＋T2）. These results indicate that the regulative effect of Ce on photosynthesis and antioxidant enzymatic function is the ecophysiological basis of alleviating the suppression of UV-B radiation on growth of seedlings. Furthermore, the protective effect of Ce on seedlings exposed to TI level of UV-B radiation is superior to T2 level.     

The acute lethality and endocrine effect of 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD in juvenile goldfish （ Carassius auratus ） in vivo

1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD was administrated to juvenile goldfish （Carassius auratus） by peritoneal injections to explore the acute lethality and endocrine effects of 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD in vivo. The value of acute median lethal dosage （LD50） of 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD was determined in acute lethality tests. The endocrine effect of 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD, whose exposed concentrations were determined based on the LD50 （1.84 mg/kg）, was studied by measuring the plasma vitellogenin （Vtg） content in juvenile male goldfish with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays （ELISA）. Due to its significant induction of the plasma Vtg after one week＇s exposure in vivo in the 1/2 LD50 and LD30 groups, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD might be one of the important contributors to the estrogenic effect of PCDDs in the environment. The values of 1/2 LD50 and LD30 were within the range of the effective dosages of 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD, indicating that there was a certain relationship between the estrogenic effective dosages and the LD50.     

Acute toxicity formation potential of benzophenone-type UV filters in chlorination disinfection process

Benzophenones （BPs） are a class of widely used UV filters, which have been frequently detected within multiple environmental matrices. Disinfection is a necessary process in water treatment processes. The transformation behaviors and toxicity changes of 14 BP-type UV filters during chlorination disinfection treatment were investigated in this study. A new index, the acute toxicity formation potential, was proposed to evaluate the toxicity changes and potential risks of BP-type UV filters during chlorination treatment. It was found that 13 of 14 BP-type UV filters exhibited toxicity decreases in the chlorination disinfection process, more or less, while one showed a toxicity increase. The toxicity changes were dependent on substitution effects, such that 2,4-di-hydroxylated or 3-hydroxylated BPs exhibited significant toxicity decreases after chlorination treatment due to the ready cleavage of the aromatic ring. Importantly, the acute toxicity changes could be duplicated in an ambient water matrix.     

Effect of silver nanoparticles on an integrated fixed-film activated sludge–sequencing batch reactor: Performance and community structure

The effects of silver nanoparticles(AgNPs) on reactor performance, extracellular polymeric substances composition and microbial community structure and function in integrated fixed-film activated sludge–sequencing batch reactors(IFAS–SBRs) were investigated.Results showed that the addition of AgNPs from 0.1 to 10 mg/L exhibited no significant effects on nutrient removal. The average overall removal of COD, NH4+–N and PO43-–P was96.6%, 99.9% and 98.8%, respectively. The introduction of AgNPs caused an increase in extracellular polymeric substances content for the sludge and biofilm of IFAS–SBRs. The release of Ag+from Ag NPs and lactate dehydrogenase test implied the low toxicity of AgNPs to IFAS–SBRs. High-throughput sequencing revealed that microbial community structure showed significant shifts at phylum and genus levels after long-term exposure to AgNPs,but core functional groups responsible for nutrient removal remained at high abundance.Bacterial function prediction indicated that the metabolic categories showed no significant shifts under AgNPs stress, therefore good process performance could still be achieved.     

Laboratory culture of the freshwater benthic gastropod Bellamya aeruginosa （Reeve） and its utility as a test species for sediment toxicity

This study aimed to develop original laboratory culture and sediment toxicity testing protocols for the freshwater gastropod Bellamya aeruginosa(Reeve),a new potential species for sediment toxicity testing.B.aeruginosa was successfully cultured with an effective culture system under proposed laboratory conditions.Optimal ad libitum feeding levels for larvae,juveniles,and adults were 2.0,6.0,and 16.0 mg fish food/(snail·day),respectively.Mean survival rates of juveniles were higher than 90%.The snails could be sexed at 9 weeks of age,and their generation time is approximately 4 months.Reproduction continued all year around;the mean fecundity was 0.55 newborn/(female·day).The utility of this species for bioassays was evaluated in both 10-day and 28-day case studies with artificial sediments.The 10-day LC50 of Cu for larvae was 480 μg/g dry weight(dw),and the lowest observed effects concentration of Cu for survival and growth of larvae was 195 μg/g dw.Survival and growth are reliable indicators of acute toxicity.Larvae accumulated more Cu than adults.B.aeruginosa exhibited a higher sensitivity to Cu exposure than standard test species(Hyalella azteca and Chironomus tentans).The 28-day test of sediment toxicity with adults showed that fecundity was a robust endpoint indicator of reproductive toxicity,and the biochemical endpoints of superoxide dismutase,catalase,and glutathione could be used as sensitive biomarkers for Cu-induced oxidative damage.B.aeruginosa can be therefore recommended as a candidate for the standardization of the freshwater sediment toxicity test protocol.     

Effects of Cd（Ⅱ） and Cu（Ⅱ） on microbial characteristics in 2-chlorophenol-degradation anaerobic bioreactors

The effects of Cd^2＋ and Cu^2＋ at 300 mg/L on anaerobic microbial communities that degrade 2-cholorophenol （2-CP） were examined. Based on the polymerase chain reaction （PCR） of 16S rDNA, bacterial community diversity and archaeal community structure were analyzed with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE） and cloning, respectively. Degradation capabilities of the anaerobic microbial community were drastically abated and the degradation efficiency of 2-CP was reduced to 60% after shock by Cu^2＋ and Cd^2＋, respectively. The bacterial community structure was disturbed and the biodiversity was reduced after shock by Cu^2＋ and Cd^2＋ for 3 d. Some new metal-resistant microbes which could cope with the new condition appeared. The sequence analysis showed that there existed common Archaea species in control sludge and systems when treated with Cu^2＋ and Cd^2＋, such as Methanothrix soehngenii, Methanosaeta concilii, uncultured euryarchaeote, and so on. Both the abundance and diversity of archaeal species were altered with addition of Cd^2＋ and Cu^2＋ at high concentration. Although the abundance of the predominant archaeal species decreased with Cd^2＋ and Cu^2＋ addition for 3 d, they recovered to some extent after 10 d. The diversity of archaeal species was remarkably reduced after recovery for 10 d and the shift in archaeal composition seemed to be irreversible. The 2-CP-degradation anaerobic system was more sensitive to Cu^2＋ than Cd^2＋.     

Influences of petroleum on accumulation of copper and cadmium in the polychaete Nereis diversicolor

Using the exposure simulation experiment, the action of petroleum affecting the accumulation of the trace metals including copper （Cu） and cadmium （Cd） in littoral polychaete Nereis diversicolor collected from the Shuangtaizi Estuary in Liaoning Province, China was examined. The results showed that there was a markedly non-linear relationship between the accumulation of Cu in worms and the experimental concentration of Cu in exposure solutions when the concentration of petroleum remained at 0, 100, and 220 μl/L, respectively. However, significantly non-linear relationship for worms exposed to Cd was observed only when the concentration of added petroleum was 0 and 220 μl/L. The accumulation of Cu in worms did not differ significantly among the three different levels of petroleum concentrations combined with various concentrations of Cu. So was the accumulation of Cd in worms （p〉0.05）. However, the addition of petroleum in exposure solutions brought about an increase in the accumulation of Cu in Nereis diversicolor, in comparison with single Cu pollution. On the other hand, when the concentration of added petroleum remained at 100 μl/L, the accumulation of Cd in worms was lower than that in worms exposed to various concentrations of only cadmium. However, the worms exposed to Cd and petroleum 220 μl/L did not show obvious and identical increase in the accumulation of Cd, compared with single Cd exposure. The accumulation of both Cu and Cd in worms did not increase significantly with the increases in concentrations of Cu or Cd in exposure solutions combined with petroleum （0, 100, and 220μl/L） under the experimental conditions. Although Nereis diversicolor is exposed to very high Cu and Cd in exposure solutions, accumulation and detoxification mechanisms are sufficient to cope with the extra metal influx in order to survive.     

Ecotoxicological effects of waterborne PFOS exposure on swimming performance and energy expenditure in juvenile goldfish (Carassius auratus)

The potential risks of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are of increasing ecological concern. Swimming performance is linked to the fitness and health of fish. However, the impacts of PFOS on swimming performance remain largely unknown. We investigated the ecotoxicological effects of acute exposure to PFOS on the swimming performance and energy expenditure of juvenile goldfish (Carassius auratus). The fish were exposed to a range of PFOS concentrations (0, 0.5, 2, 8 and 32 mg/L) for 48 hr. The spontaneous swimming activity, fast-start swimming performance, critical swimming speed (Ucrit) and active metabolic rate (AMR) of the goldfish were examined after exposure to PFOS. PFOS exposure resulted in remarkable effects on spontaneous activity. Motion distance was reduced, and the proportion of motionless time increased with increasing concentrations of PFOS. However, no significant alterations in the fast-start performance-related kinematic parameters, such as latency time, maximum linear velocity, maximum linear acceleration or escape distance during the first 120 msec after stimulus, were observed after PFOS exposure. Unexpectedly, although PFOS exposure had marked influences on the swimming oxygen consumption rates and AMR of goldfish, the U crit of the goldfish was not significantly affected by PFOS. This may result in a noteworthy increase in the energetic cost of transport. The overall results indicate that, in contrast to spontaneous activity, underlying swimming capabilities are maintained in goldfish after short-term exposure to PFOS, but energy expenditure during the process of swimming is dramatically aggravated.