Gonadal histology and reproductive steroidogenesis in Lithobates pipiens exposed to atrazine

Abstract

Atrazine, an endocrine-disrupting compound and environmental pollutant, can have adverse effects on amphibian reproductive development and function. To determine the effects of atrazine on anuran gonadal development, Lithobates pipiens larvae were exposed from Gosner stage 25 through 1-month post metamorphosis to 0, 2, 20, or 200?μg/L atrazine or estradiol. Exposure to atrazine did not markedly alter tadpole growth, development, gonadal histology, or reproductive steroidogenesis. Testicular ovarian follicles appeared in L. pipiens metamorphs following all treatments, including controls, whereas ovotestes occurred only in positive controls. Testicular ovarian follicles may be a natural ontogenetic occurrence in this species while ovotestes indicate disruption in development. Establishing the normal pattern of reproductive development for anuran species and conducting comparisons in fully sexually differentiated animals is necessary to clarify the influence of endocrine disrupting compounds.     

Geochemical occurrences of arsenic and fluoride in bedrock groundwater: a case study in Geumsan County,Korea

Bedrock groundwaters in Geumsan County, Korea, were surveyed to investigate the distribution and geochemical behaviors of arsenic and fluoride, mobilized through geogenic processes. The concentrations were enriched up to 113 μg/L for arsenic and 7.54 mg/L for fluoride, and 16% of 150 samples exceeded World Health Organization drinking water guidelines for each element. Simple Ca-HCO₃ groundwater types and positive correlations with pH, Ca, SO₄, and HCO₃ were characteristics of high (>10 μg/L) As groundwaters. The oxidation reaction of sulfide minerals in metasedimentary rocks and locally mineralized zones seems to be ultimately responsible for the existence of arsenic in groundwater. Desorption process under high pH conditions may also control the arsenic mobility in the study area. High (>1.5 mg/L) F groundwaters were found in the Na-HCO₃ type and with greater depth. Fluoride seemed to be enriched by deep groundwater interaction with granitic rocks, and continuous supply to shallow Ca-HCO₃-type groundwater kept the concentration high. In the study area, drinking water management should include periodic As and F monitoring in groundwater.

     

Modeling pesticide fate in a small tidal estuary

The exposure analysis modeling system (EXAMS), a pesticide fate model developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, was modified to model the fate of the herbicides atrazine and metolachlor in a small tidally dominated estuary (Bath Creek) in North Carolina, USA where freshwater inflow accounts for only 3% of the total flow. The modifications simulated the changes that occur during the tidal cycle in the estuary, scenarios that are not possible with the original EXAMS model. Two models were created within EXAMS, a steady-state model and a time-variant tidally driven model. The steady-state model accounted for tidal flushing by simply altering freshwater input to yield an estuary residence time equal to that measured in Bath Creek. The tidal EXAMS model explicitly incorporated tidal flushing by modifying the EXAMS code to allow for temporal changes in estuary physical attributes (e.g., volume). The models were validated with empirical measurements of atrazine and metolachlor concentrations in the estuary shortly after herbicide application in nearby fields and immediately following a rain event. Both models provided excellent agreement with measured concentrations. The steady-state EXAMS model accurately predicted atrazine concentrations in the middle of the estuary over the first 3 days and under-predicted metolachlor by a factor of 2–3. The time-variant, tidally driven EXAMS model accurately predicted the rise and plateau of both herbicides over the 6-day measurement period. We have demonstrated the ability of these modified EXAMS models to be useful in predicting pesticide fate and exposure in small tidal estuaries. This is a significant improvement and expansion of the application of EXAMS, and given the wide use of EXAMS for surface water quality modeling by both researchers and regulators and the ability of EXAMS to interface with terrestrial models (e.g., pesticide root zone model) and bioaccumulation models, we now have an easily-accessible and widely accepted means of modeling chemical fate in estuaries.     

Removal,adsorption and desorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP) by filamentous fungi: Rhizopusarrhizus and Cunninghamella elegans in batch system

PCP was, and in some countries still is, one of the most frequently used fungicides and pesticides, specially in wood preservation. The extensive use is correlated with contamination of water and soil and it is detected in several compartments of the food chain.

Some Micromycetes are able to adsorb and degrade PCP, with two mechanisms involved: biosorption (including both adsorption and absorption) and biodegradation.

Our work is focused on the biosorption alone and biodegradation‐biosorption of PCP by respectively denatured and living R.arrhizus and C.elegans fungi.

Living fungi are cultivated in batch system and denaturation is obtained by drying (70°C) and grinding the fungi to a calibrated powder (200–400 μm). Kinetic studies are performed with 10 mg/1 PCP initial concentration. Adsorption capacity is measured at equilibrium concentration as high as about 400 mg/1 PCP.

The results show that: PCP adsorption, for the two fungi, follows a two steps process. R. arrhizus dead and living biomasses are able to bind respectively, 75 and 55% of a 10 mg/1 PCP initial concentration in 1 hour contact time and then 75 and 100% in 96 hours. For C.elegans, 70 and 28% in 1 hour and in 96 hours 70 and 90%, respectively.

The PCP binding by living fungi is higher than non living ones, but with a slower rate.

The maximum PCP adsorption capacity is about 24 mg/g of R.arrhizus dried biomasses and 16 mg/g for C.elegans ones, in 48 hours contact time. Isotherm curves follow the Langmuir model.

Desorption studies with methanol (to reuse biomasses) shows that it is a rapid phenomenon (about 100% in 24 hours for the two fungi).

An industrial and economical process to depollute contaminated water by PCP is possible by using cheap fungal by‐products from fermentation industries.     

Concentrations of uranium in drinking water and cumulative,age-dependent radiation doses in four districts of Uttar Pradesh,India

The present work deals with the determination of uranium concentrations in drinking and ground water samples by laser fluorimetry and calculation of cumulative, age-dependent radiation doses to humans. The concentrations were found to be between 0.20 ± 0.03 and 64.0 ± 3.6 μg L^?1, with an average of 11.1 ± 1.5 μg L^?1, well within the drinking water limit of regulatory bodies. The concentrations of uranium increase with depth of water samples collection. The estimated annual ingestion dose due to the intake of uranium through drinking water for all age groups varied between 0.2 and 137 μSv a^?1, with an average of 17.3 μSv a^?1. The mean annual ingestion dose is 5% of the global average ingestion dose, for infants, marginally higher than for other age group. Most effective dose values were less than 20 μSv a^?1.     

蛋白组学分析揭示出阿特拉津对非洲爪蟾的生殖毒性源于其诱导生殖细胞凋亡并干扰紧密连接蛋白和代谢相关信号通路

阿特拉津可对雄性脊椎动物生殖系统造成不良影响,但其中分子机制尚不明了。本文作者将非洲爪蟾(Xenopus laevis)暴露于100 ppb的阿特拉津120 d,利用同位素标记相对和绝对定量(iTRAQ)技术检测了非洲爪蟾睾丸和卵巢中蛋白图谱的变化,结果显示100 ppb阿特拉津可影响爪蟾发育,延迟和阻碍雄性细精管的形成。组学分析显示,睾丸中143种以及卵巢中121种蛋白均表达异常,这些蛋白与细胞凋亡、细胞间紧密连接以及代谢途径相关。
精选自Xiuping Chen, Jiamei Wang, Haojun Zhu, Jiatong Ding and Yufa Peng. Proteomics analysis of Xenopus laevis gonad tissue following chronic exposure to atrazine. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 34, Issue 8, pages 1744–1750, August 2015. DOI: 10.1002/etc.2980
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.2980/full     

蛋白组学分析揭示出阿特拉津对非洲爪蟾的生殖毒性源于其诱导生殖细胞凋亡并干扰紧密连接蛋白和代谢相关信号通路

阿特拉津可对雄性脊椎动物生殖系统造成不良影响,但其中分子机制尚不明了。本文作者将非洲爪蟾(Xenopus laevis)暴露于100 ppb的阿特拉津120 d,利用同位素标记相对和绝对定量(iTRAQ)技术检测了非洲爪蟾睾丸和卵巢中蛋白图谱的变化,结果显示100 ppb阿特拉津可影响爪蟾发育,延迟和阻碍雄性细精管的形成。组学分析显示,睾丸中143种以及卵巢中121种蛋白均表达异常,这些蛋白与细胞凋亡、细胞间紧密连接以及代谢途径相关。
精选自Xiuping Chen, Jiamei Wang, Haojun Zhu, Jiatong Ding and Yufa Peng. Proteomics analysis of Xenopus laevis gonad tissue following chronic exposure to atrazine. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 34, Issue 8, pages 1744–1750, August 2015. DOI: 10.1002/etc.2980
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.2980/full     

蛋白组学分析揭示出阿特拉津对非洲爪蟾的生殖毒性源于其诱导生殖细胞凋亡并干扰紧密连接蛋白和代谢相关信号通路

阿特拉津可对雄性脊椎动物生殖系统造成不良影响，但其中分子机制尚不明了。本文作者将非洲爪蟾(Xenopus laevis)暴露于100 ppb的阿特拉津120 d，利用同位素标记相对和绝对定量(iTRAQ)技术检测了非洲爪蟾睾丸和卵巢中蛋白图谱的变化，结果显示100 ppb阿特拉津可影响爪蟾发育，延迟和阻碍雄性细精管的形成。组学分析显示，睾丸中143种以及卵巢中121种蛋白均表达异常，这些蛋白与细胞凋亡、细胞间紧密连接以及代谢途径相关。
精选自Xiuping Chen, Jiamei Wang, Haojun Zhu, Jiatong Ding and Yufa Peng. Proteomics analysis of Xenopus laevis gonad tissue following chronic exposure to atrazine. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: Volume 34, Issue 8, pages 1744–1750, August 2015. DOI: 10.1002/etc.2980
详情请见http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.2980/full     

Ozone‐induced xeromorphism of beech leaves (Fagus sylvatica L.)

The influence of different concentrations of ozone under different light intensities on young trees of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is studied. Young beeches were exposed continuously for 5 months in fumigation chambers, located outdoors, with 131±30/μg/m³O₃, and for 2 months in fumigation chambers, located in air‐conditioned greenhoouses, with 100±10, 200±20 and 300±30/μg/m³O₃, respectively. The observed symptoms point towards an increased xeromorphism in beech leaves, positively influenced by high light intensities. Ozone‐induced water stress may be the cause of xeromorphic tissue changes. On the ultrastructural level chloroplasts have become senescent.     

Long-distance transport of Hg, Sb, and As from a mined area, conversion of Hg to methyl-Hg, and uptake of Hg by fish on the Tiber River basin, west-central Italy

Stream sediment, stream water, and fish were collected from a broad region to evaluate downstream transport and dispersion of mercury (Hg) from inactive mines in the Monte Amiata Hg District (MAMD), Tuscany, Italy. Stream sediment samples ranged in Hg concentration from 20 to 1,900 ng/g, and only 5 of the 17 collected samples exceeded the probable effect concentration for Hg of 1,060 ng/g, above which harmful effects are likely to be observed in sediment-dwelling organisms. Concentrations of methyl-Hg in Tiber River sediment varied from 0.12 to 0.52 ng/g, and although there is no established guideline for sediment methyl-Hg, these concentrations exceeded methyl-Hg in a regional baseline site (<0.02 ng/g). Concentrations of Hg in stream water varied from 1.2 to 320 ng/L, all of which were below the 1,000 ng/L Italian drinking water Hg guideline and the 770 ng/L U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guideline recommended to protect against chronic effects to aquatic wildlife. Methyl-Hg concentrations in stream water varied from <0.02 to 0.53 ng/L and were generally elevated compared to the baseline site (<0.02 ng/L). All stream water samples contained concentrations of As (<1.0–6.2 μg/L) and Sb (<0.20–0.37 μg/L) below international drinking water guidelines to protect human health (10 μg/L for As and 20 μg/L for Sb) and for protection against chronic effects to aquatic wildlife (150 μg/L for As and 5.6 μg/L for Sb). Concentrations of Hg in freshwater fish muscle ranged from 0.052–0.56 μg/g (wet weight), mean of 0.17 μg/g, but only 17 % (9 of 54) exceeded the 0.30 μg/g (wet weight) USEPA fish muscle guideline recommended to protect human health. Concentrations of Hg in freshwater fish in this region generally decreased with increasing distance from the MAMD, where fish with the highest Hg concentrations were collected more proximal to the MAMD, whereas all fish collected most distal from Hg mines contained Hg below the 0.30 μg/g fish muscle guideline. Data in this study indicate some conversion of inorganic Hg to methyl-Hg and uptake of Hg in fish on the Paglia River, but less methylation of Hg and Hg uptake by freshwater fish in the larger Tiber River.     

Rapid release of heavy metals and anions from polyethylene laminated paper cups into hot water

Polyethylene laminated disposable paper cups are commonly used as a container for hot drinks, yet there is limited knowledge on the transfer of contaminants from the cup to the drink. Here we poured 95^?C hot water in 14 cups, to simulate the preparation of hot beverage for daily use. We studied the water composition after 15 min by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and ion chromatography. Results show the presence of metals such as vanadium, chromium, copper, cobalt and arsenic at concentration ranging from 0.04 to 1.80 µg/L. Nitrate, nitrite, chloride, bromate, fluoride and sulfate ions were also detected at concentration from 0.003 to 49.21 mg/L. All concentrations are below the WHO maximum permissible limits in drinking water. However, the levels of vanadium at 1.24 µg/L and fluoride ions at 1.03 mg/L are likely to induce a health risk by bioaccumulation after long-term water ingestion. Therefore paper cups composition should be modified to avoid the release of contaminants in hot drinks.

     

Atrazine contamination in agricultural soils from the Yangtze River Delta of China and associated health risks

Atrazine is one of the most widely applied and persistent herbicides in the world. In view of limited information on the regional contamination of atrazine in soils in China, this study investigated the spatial distribution and environmental impacts of atrazine in agricultural soils collected from the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) as an illustrative analysis of rapidly developing regions in the country. The results showed that the concentrations of atrazine in the YRD agricultural soils ranged from <1.0 to 113 ng/g dry weight, with a mean of 5.7 ng/g, and a detection rate of 57.7 % in soils. Pesticide factory might be a major source for the elevated levels of atrazine in Zhejiang Province. The contamination of atrazine was closely associated with land use types. The concentrations and detection rates of atrazine were higher in corn fields and mulberry fields than in rice paddy fields. There was no significant difference in compositions of soil microbial phospholipids fatty acids among the areas with different atrazine levels. Positive relationship (R = 0.417, p < 0.05, n = 30) was observed between atrazine and total microbial biomass. However, other factors, such as soil type and land management practice, might have stronger influences on soil microbial communities. Human health risks via exposure to atrazine in soils were estimated according to the methods recommended by the US EPA. Atrazine by itself in all the soil samples imposed very low carcinogenic risks (<10^?6) and minimal non-cancer risks (hazard index <1) to adults and children.     

Rehydration of desiccated intertidal brown algae: Release of dissolved organic carbon and water uptake

The release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jol. and Fucus vesiculusus L. during rehydration was investigated after desiccation under experimental conditions. During 30 min of rehydration of plants which had lost up to 70% of their water, A. nodosum released about 2 to 10 mg C/100 g dry weight, while F. vesiculosus released 10 to 50 times more. When dried to water losses exceeding 70%, plants of both species yielded similar amounts of DOC, approximating 2 g C/100 g dry weight. Considerable variance in the amounts of DOC released by individual plant of both species was observed over the whole range of water losses tested. Among the DOC released, the portion of carbohydrate-C was O to 5% with A. nodosum but 2 to 47% with F. vesiculosus. This difference was most pronounced when less than 100 mg C/100 g dry weight were released. A. nodosum regained a smaller percentage of its original weight than F. vesiculosus after 30 min of rehydration when more than 30% of fresh weight were lost during desiccation. Curves were obtained which enable the estimation of water losses in naturally desiccated specimens within 30 min.     

Arsenic and other trace elements in groundwater and human urine in Ha Nam province,the Northern Vietnam: contamination characteristics and risk assessment

The contamination characteristics of arsenic and other trace elements in groundwater and the potential risks of arsenic from the groundwater were investigated. Elevated contamination of arsenic, barium and manganese was observed in tube-well water of two villages (Chuyen Ngoai and Chau Giang) in Ha Nam province in the Northern Vietnam. Concentrations of As in the groundwater ranged from 12.8 to 884 µg/L with mean values in Chuyen Ngoai and Chau Giang were 614.7 and 160.1 µg/L, respectively. About 83 % of these samples contained As concentrations exceeding WHO drinking water guideline of 10 μg/L. The mean values of Mn and Ba in groundwater from Chuyen Ngoai and Chau Giang were 300 and 657 μg/L and 650 and 468 μg/L, respectively. The mean value of Ba concentration in groundwater in both Chuyen Ngoai and Chau Giang was about 22 % of the samples exceeded the WHO guideline (700 µg/L). Arsenic concentrations in human urine of residents from Chuyen Ngoai and Chau Giang were the range from 8.6 to 458 µg/L. The mean values of Mn and Ba in human urine of local people from Chuyen Ngoai were 46.9 and 62.8 μg/L, respectively, while those in people from Chau Giang were 25.9 and 45.9 μg/L, respectively. The average daily dose from ingesting arsenic for consuming both untreated and treated groundwater is from 0.02 to 11.5 and 0.003 to 1.6 μg/kg day, respectively. Approximately, 57 % of the families using treated groundwater and 64 % of the families using untreated groundwater could be affected by elevated arsenic exposure.     

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.     

Geological factors controlling occurrence and distribution of arsenic in groundwaters from the southern margin of the Duero Basin,Spain

Groundwater from springs and boreholes on the southern edge of the Cenozoic Duero Basin (DB) of Spain has concentrations of arsenic (As) which are commonly above the EC drinking-water limit of 10 μg/L and reach observed values up to 241 μg/L. Groundwater compositions within the sedimentary aquifer vary from Ca–HCO₃ type, variably affected by evaporation and agricultural pollution at shallow levels, to Na–HCO₃ compositions in deeper boreholes of the basin. Groundwater conditions are mainly oxidising, but reducing groundwaters exist in sub-basins within the aquifer, localised flow paths likely being influenced by basement structure. Arsenic concentrations are spatially variable, reaching up to 38 μg/L in springs of the Spanish Central System (SCS) basement aquifer and up to 62 μg/L in springs from the DB. Highest As concentrations are associated with the Na–HCO₃ compositions in deep boreholes (200–450 m depth) within the DB. These have high pH values (up to 9.6) which can give rise to associated elevated concentrations of V and U (up to 64 and 30 μg/L, respectively). In the deep borehole waters of the DB, oxidising flows derived from the mineralised igneous–metamorphic basement and discharging via major faults, and are considered the origin of the higher concentrations. Compositions are consistent with desorption of As and other anionic species from metal oxyhydroxides in an oxic environment. Under locally reducing conditions prevalent in some low-flow parts of the DB, an absence of detectable dissolved As is coincident with low or undetectable SO₄ concentrations, and consistent with loss via formation of authigenic sulphide minerals. Mitigation measures are needed urgently in this semi-arid region where provision of alternative sources of safe drinking water is logistically difficult and expensive.     

Temporal dynamics of arsenic uptake and distribution: food and water risks in the Bengal basin

Abstract

Contaminated food chain is a serious contender for arsenic (As) uptake around the globe. In Nadia, West Bengal, we trace possible means of transfer of As from multiple sources reaching different trophic levels, and associated seasonal variability leading to chronic As uptake. This work considers possible sources-pathways of As transfer through food chain in rural community. Arsenic concentration in groundwater, soil, rice, and vegetable-samples collected detected in different harvest seasons of 2014 and 2016. Arsenic level in shallow groundwater samples ranged from 0.1 to 354?µg/L, with 75% of the sites above the prescribed limit by WHO (10?µg/L) during the boro harvest season. High soil As content (～20.6?mg/kg), resulted in accumulation of As in food crops. A positive correlation in As conc. with increase over period in all sites indicating gradual As accumulation in topsoil. Unpolished rice samples showed high As content (～1.75?mg/kg), polishing reduced 80% of As. Among vegetables, the plant family Poaceae with high irrigation requirements and Solanaceae retaining high moisture, have the highest levels of As. Contaminated animal fodder (Poaceae) and turf water for cattle are shown to contaminate milk (0.06 to 0.24?µg/L) and behoves strategies, practices to minimize As exposure.     

Mercury pollution in the Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh,India, and its health impacts

The Sonbhadra district in the Singrauli area of Uttar Pradesh, India, has many coal mines and thermal power plants and is a critically polluted area. Many residents of this area reported adverse health conditions which may be linked to metal pollution, especially of mercury investigated here.

In May 2012, samples of water (23), soil (7), blood, hair, and nails from persons showing adverse health conditions selected at random were collected and analyzed for total mercury by atomic absorption spectrometry.

Twenty percent drinking water samples contained mercury from 3 to 26 μg L^?1 (3–26 times the permissible limit). Soil samples had 0.5–10.1 mg kg^?1 Hg.

The average concentrations of mercury in human blood, hair, and nails were found to be 34 μg L^?1, 7.4 mg kg^?1, and 0.8 mg kg^?1, respectively. Mercury concentrations in the blood of these persons were 45 and 28 μg L^?1 on average in the case of men and women. This is much higher than the safe level of 5.8 μg L^?1 set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

It was concluded that all residents of Sonbhadra sampled could be suffering from mercury toxicity as the area is polluted by Hg released from the coal-fired thermal power plants.     

Removal of pesticides from water samples by adsorption with fatty acids supported on barium sulphate

Oleic or linoleic acid supported on barium sulphate was used to remove atrazine and terbuthylazine in the range of 0.1–2.0 μg/L using spiked water samples. The sorption of atrazine depends on the stirring time and the best value is 150 min. Terbuthylazine is removed well with a stirring time of 60 min and its adsorption is about 90%. Detection of the residual pesticide in treated waters, after solid phase extraction (SPE), was carried out by GC‐MS operating in selected ion monitoring (SIM) using a calibration curve by direct injection of standard solutions of herbicide.