Ecotoxicity of silver nanoparticles on earthworm Eisenia fetida: responses of the antioxidant system,acid phosphatase and ATPase

Ecotoxicity of nanoparticles has received growing attention in recent years. This study investigated the influence of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) on earthworm Eisenia fetida. The experiment was performed with five test groups: control (without Ag-NP), 10?nm Ag-NP groups (20, 100 or 500?mg?kg^?1) and positive control (787?mg?kg^?1 AgNO₃). After 14-day acute exposure, activities of various enzymes, including glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), acid phosphatase (AP), and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase were determined. Effects of Ag-NP with different sizes (10 and 80?nm) were also tested. Data showed that the activity of GR was significantly lower at 500?mg?kg^?1. The activities of AP and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase were inhibited following the increase of Ag-NP concentration. When treated with Ag-NP with different sizes, activities of AP and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase of the 10?nm group were significantly lower than the control group, but those of the 80?nm group were similar to the control group. Data indicate that Ag-NP may be harmful to the earthworm E. fetida at 500?mg?kg^?1, and the toxicity of Ag-NP with 10?nm size is greater than 80?nm. In addition, AP and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase are sensitive biomakers to the effects of Ag-NP.     

Effect of fomesafen on glutathione S-transferase and cellulase activity and DNA damage in the earthworm (Eisenia fetida)

Biochemical responses and DNA damage of earthworm (Eisenia fetida) exposed to various concentrations of fomesafen (0, 10, 100, and 500 μg kg^?1) for 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days were investigated in vivo. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was significantly stimulated upon treatment with 500 μg kg^?1 fomesafen for 21 days, while the cellulase activity was markedly inhibited after 14 days of treatment. On day 28, the activities of GST and cellulase had recovered to the level similar to that of controls. Low or mild DNA damage in earthworm was induced within 14 days of exposure, and the damage was reduced or disappeared with the extension of exposure.     

PBS基共聚物及其模拟降解产物对赤子爱胜蚓急性生态毒性的研究

采用滤纸接触法和自然土壤法,通过急性毒性实验分别研究了20℃时不同分子量PBS（聚丁二酸丁二醇酯poly（butylene succinate））基聚合物及其模拟降解产物二元酸、二元醇对赤子爱胜蚓（Eisenia foetida）的存活和生长的影响。研究结果表明：48 h内二元酸、二元醇质量浓度在低于3 400 mg.L-1时对蚯蚓的存活没有影响,滤纸接触法测得丁二酸、己二酸、1,4-丁二醇、1,6-己二醇对蚯蚓的LC50分别为：3 523、3 402、74 907、18 160 mg.L-1;在自然土壤实验中,相比空白实验,蚯蚓在含有不同分子量、不同质量分数的PBS及PBS-co-HS、PBS-co-BA土壤中经过14 d的培养,体质量明显增加,且所有的蚯蚓没有任何病状或伤口出现。以上结果表明PBS基聚合物对该物种是安全的。     

Growth inhibition and DNA damage in the earthworm (Eisenia fetida) exposed to perfluorooctane sulphonate and perfluorooctanoic acid

An artificial soil method was applied to study the effects of perfluorooctane sulphonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on earthworms (Eisenia fetida). Survival, growth inhibition and damage to DNA of earthworms were detected after 14 d acute exposure. The 14 d-LC₅₀ of PFOS and PFOA was 478.0?mg·kg^?1 dw and 759.6?mg·kg^?1 dw, respectively, indicating that they were of low toxicity. Both PFOS and PFOA could significantly inhibit the growth of earthworms after 14 d exposure, and growth inhibition rates increased with the greater concentrations of PFOS or PFOA, showing a dose–response relationship (PFOS: r?=?0.951, P r?=?0.962, P?P?50 of PFOS was lower than that of PFOA, the growth inhibition rate of earthworm exposed to PFOS was higher than that exposed to PFOA at the same concentration level, and the median values of TL, CL and OTM in PFOS treatments were also higher than those in PFOA treatments. In conclusion, both these fluorine compounds were moderately toxic to earthworms, but the PFOS effect was greater than that of PFOA.     

磷酸三正丁酯对蚯蚓的生态毒性效应

有机磷酸酯(OPEs)作为一种新型的阻燃剂和增塑剂,在环境中普遍存在,尤其在土壤中常被检出,因此其环境和健康风险亟待评估.为探究OPEs对土壤生物的毒性效应,选取磷酸三正丁酯(TnBP)作为受试物,以赤子爱胜蚓( Eisenia fetida)为指示生物,采用人工土壤法研究不同浓度TnBP对蚯蚓生长、抗氧化酶系统、乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)活性、体腔细胞DNA损伤及8-羟基脱氧鸟苷(8-OHdG)含量的影响.结果表明,TnBP暴露对蚯蚓生长无明显抑制作用,但TnBP胁迫可引起蚯蚓体内抗氧化酶活性增强,脂质过氧化产物丙二醛含量显著上升,表明蚯蚓受到氧化损伤;彗星试验结果显示,彗尾DNA含量和Olive尾矩均显著上升,表明TnBP暴露能够引起蚯蚓体腔细胞DNA损伤;8-OHdG含量也显著增加,其水平与暴露浓度存在明显的剂量-效应关系,提示TnBP暴露可引起蚯蚓体腔细胞氧化性DNA损伤;AChE活性受到的影响则较为微弱.综上,本研究阐明了TnBP暴露对蚯蚓的毒性效应并为进一步研究OPEs对土壤的生态风险评估提供科学依据.     

Influence of organic wastes and seasonal environmental factors on growth and reproduction of Eisenia fetida

Epigeic earthworms (E. fetida) were cultured on variety of organic wastes amended with cattle manure to determine the influence of diets and the seasonal environmental factors on growth and reproduction. The results showed that growth and reproductive strategies of E. fetida varied with different diets and seasons. Growth and reproduction of worms in all wastes were significantly more in winter and monsoon than in summer season. Hence winter and monsoon seasons could be considered congenial for vermiculture. During all seasons, worm activities were more in cattle manure followed by amended Bengal gram grain husk and Mixed Organic waste by E. fetida. Parthenin containing diet had deleterious effects on cocoon production.     

大肠杆菌对赤子爱胜蚓体表超微结构的影响

以赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)为实验动物,研究了细菌诱导(浸浴诱导和注射诱导)对蚯蚓体表超微结构的影响.结果表明:(1)用细菌浸浴4h的实验组、用细菌注射4h的实验组及对照组蚯蚓的角质层厚度分别为(0.51±0.03)μm、(0.56±0.02)μm、(0.50±0.01)μm;上角质层突起的高度分别为(0.16±0.02)μm、(0.12±0.01)μm、(0.11±0.01)μm;上角质层游离面中微绒毛的高度分别为(0.18±0.02)μm、(0.11±0.01)μm、(0.11±0.01)μm.统计分析表明,蚯蚓在抵御微生物侵袭过程中,体表角质层中的上角质层突起及上角质层游离面中的微绒毛发挥着重要作用.(2)细菌浸浴4h的实验组、用细菌注射4h实验组及对照组蚯蚓体表的表皮厚度分别为(2.63±0.15)μm、(2.23±0.06)μm、(1.97±0.15)μm;表皮中小颗粒蛋白细胞的颗粒直径分别为(0.38±0.04)μm、(0.26±0.02)μm、(0.24±0.02)μm;大颗粒粘液细胞的颗粒直径分别为(0.50±0.04)μm、(0.26±0.03)μm、(0.21±0.02)μm;网状粘液细胞的直径分别为(0.93±0.06)μm、(0.63±0.06)μm、(0.28±0.03)μm.统计分析表明,蚯蚓在抵御微生物侵袭的过程中,表皮中的腺细胞(小颗粒蛋白细胞、大颗粒粘液细胞及网状粘液细胞)发挥着重要作用.图4表2参17     

Seasonal variations in compostability and production of vermiprotein by Eisenia fetida

The potential of E. fetida to degrade wastes into vermicompost and to produce vermiprotein in the form of worm-biomass during different seasons was evaluated. Results revealed that the environmental factors prevailing during different seasons did influence directly the life activities of the worm and indirectly the compostability of the wastes. Feeding activities of E. fetida reduced the time of production of an efficient organic pool with energy reserves as vermicompost. Further, the amount of vermicompost produced by the worm activity depended primarily on the environmental factors and secondarily on the nature of organic wastes.     

不同类型土壤中外源镍对赤子爱胜蚓的急性毒性

按照国际标准化组织(ISO)颁布的蚯蚓毒性试验方法,研究了镍离子在我国13种典型土壤中对赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)的急性毒性,发现镍离子在不同类型土壤中对蚯蚓的半数致死浓度(LC50)变化范围为243.8-1970.6 mg·kg-1,镍离子在不同土壤中的毒性大小顺序为:湖南红壤＞重庆紫壤＞江西红壤＞河...     

几种典型土壤中铜对赤子爱胜蚓的毒性差异比较研究

土壤污染物基础生态毒理数据是开展污染土壤生态风险评价和构建土壤生态筛选基准的重要依据.以湖南红壤、北京潮土、吉林黑土和经济合作与发展组织(OECD)推荐的人工土壤为测试介质,按照国际标准化组织(ISO)颁布的测试方法,研究了铜在4种不同土壤中对赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)的急性和慢性毒性.结果表明,铜在4种不同类型土壤中对赤子爱胜蚓的毒性效应差异较大,在湖南红壤、北京潮土、吉林黑土和人工土壤中的半致死浓度(14d LC50)分别为134.4、557.7、715.2和867.0mg·kg-1;赤子爱胜蚓体重对较低浓度铜污染响应相对不敏感,而较高浓度铜污染(接近引起蚯蚓死亡的高浓度)则可导致蚯蚓体重显著降低;铜对赤子爱胜蚓生殖(产茧量)的影响较为明显,其在湖南红壤、北京潮土、吉林黑土和人工土壤中对蚯蚓产茧量产生50%抑制作用的有效中浓度(28d EC50)分别为58.2、140.1、258.9和150.4mg·kg-1,无可见效应浓度(NOECs)分别为50、50、200和100mg·kg-1.鉴于我国土壤类型的多样性十分丰富,不同地区土壤性质差异较大等特点,在制定土壤筛选基准时需考虑污染物在不同土壤中生物有效性与毒性的差异。     

赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia foetida)对三种土壤Zn、Pb有效态含量的影响

以褐土(Cinnamonsoil)、潮棕壤(Aquicbrownsoil)和酸性棕壤(Acidbrownsoil)为供试土壤,通过培养实验,研究了土壤中重金属Zn、Pb对赤子爱胜蚓(Eiseniafoetida)生长率的影响,赤子爱胜蚓(Eiseniafoetida)对不同土壤中有效态Zn、Pb含量的影响,并与野生环境中生长的灰暗异唇蚓(Allolobaphoracaliginosa)进行比较。结果表明:重金属的污染明显抑制了赤子爱胜蚓的生长;赤子爱胜蚓可以显著提高潮棕壤中DTPA-Pb的含量,对DTPA-Zn的含量影响不大;加赤子爱胜蚓,褐土中DTPA-Zn和Pb的含量显著高于加灰暗异唇蚓,潮棕壤中DTPA-Zn的含量和酸性棕壤中大DTPA-Pb的含量则相反。     

四溴双酚A对赤子爱胜蚓的急性毒性及抗氧化防御系统酶的影响

以赤子爱胜蚓(Eisenia fetida)为研究对象,根据OECD指南中的滤纸接触法和人工土壤法研究了四溴双酚A(TBBPA)的急性毒性和对蚯蚓体内抗氧化防御系统酶的影响.结果表明,滤纸接触法和人工土壤法检测TBBPA对蚯蚓的半致死浓度LC50分别为4.90mg·L-(148h)和16.7mg·kg-(114d),TBBPA对蚯蚓具有低等毒性.当TBBPA的浓度在0.05和0.1mg·kg-1时对蚯蚓超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)产生显著诱导;在0.05mg·kg-1时,对过氧化氢酶(CAT)和谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)也产生显著诱导;脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)随TBBPA浓度的升高逐渐增加,呈良好的剂量效应关系(R2=0.97,p<0.01).SOD、CAT、GST和MDA可以作为土壤生态早期预警中潜在的敏感的生物标志物.     

Responses of the earthworm Eisenia andrei exposed to sublethal aluminium levels in an artificial soil substrate

Industrial discharges of Al are increasingly common. In this study, the activities of three antioxidases, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and changes in coelomocytes were investigated in earthworms (Eisenia andrei) exposed to different concentrations of aluminium chloride (range 0–200 mg Al kg^?1 dry soil) in artificial soils for 32 days. Within the first 16 days of Al exposure, catalase activity was elevated in most treatments, while the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were inhibited in all treatments. After 16 days exposure, SOD and GSH-Px activities returned to normal at lower Al concentrations, but were still inhibited at higher concentrations, hence the inhibition of SOD and GSH-Px showed some exposure-level dependence during the late exposure phase. MDA content was significantly elevated from 16 days after initial exposure. Neutral Red retention time of coelomocytes decreased at the highest exposure concentrations after 32 days, and an increased proportion of cells showing membrane damage was also observed at this time using flow cytometry. We conclude that excessive Al in soils can cause oxidative stress and cell damage in earthworms. Hence, Al accumulation in the environment may present an ecological hazard through suppression of the important functions of earthworms in soil ecosystems.     

Characterization of arsenic content in marine organisms from temperate, tropical, and polar environments

Arsenic is a widely distributed element which occurs in several chemical forms in the marine environment. Inorganic arsenic mediates the most toxic effects and predominates in sea water and sediments, while organisms generally accumulate non-toxic organic forms to concentrations probably reflecting species-specific characteristics in arsenic metabolism. This work represents an additional contribution to our knowledge on natural levels and chemical speciation of arsenic in marine organisms; basal concentrations were characterized in several species (bivalves, crustaceans, and fishes) from different environments (polar, temperate, and tropical latitudes), and results revealed an elevated variability with values ranging from less than 5 to about 200 μg g^-1. No significant effects were observed as a function of the geographical area, with the only exception of crustaceans always showing more elevated arsenic concentrations in Mediterranean species (about 45-110 μg g^-1) compared with tropical species (lower than 30 μg g^-1). Chemical speciation of arsenic was investigated in representative species from the three studied taxa; the predominance of organic forms confirmed the general tendency of marine organisms to bioaccumulate non-toxic arsenic compounds, probably resulting from a detoxification pathway.     

Wave exposure,swimming performance,and the structure of tropical and temperate reef fish assemblages

We examined the relationship between swimming performance, wave exposure, and the distribution patterns of labrids on temperate rocky reefs, in comparison with previous functional analyses of a tropical assemblage. Visual censuses of the distribution and abundance of labrids across two major gradients of wave exposure (depth and aspect to prevailing winds) were made at two offshore islands near Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia. Distinct shifts in species composition and abundance were evident between high and low wave exposure habitats on temperate rocky reefs, particularly between deep and shallow habitats on exposed reef fronts. The swimming performances of temperate labrids were assessed through examination of pectoral fin shape (aspect ratio) and in situ swimming speeds. A diversity of pectoral fin morphologies was exhibited within this temperate assemblage, ranging from rounded to tapered fins (aspect ratios of 0.52 and 1.43, respectively). Fin shape was strongly correlated (Pearsons correlation 0.884, P<0.001) with swimming speed (ranging from 1.05 and 3.06 body lengths s^–1), in a relationship comparable to that observed in tropical labrids. Inter-specific differences in swimming ability provided some explanation for differences in the distribution and abundance of temperate labrids in relation to wave exposure. However, our findings suggest that although coral reef labrids appear to predominantly use high aspect-ratio fins to successfully occupy wave-exposed habitats, temperate labrids appear to be using an enhanced swimming ability through increased body size.Communicated by G.F. Humphrey, Sydney     

Changes in chemical forms of lead in temperate and semiarid soils in sterile and unsterile conditions

Sequential extraction has been used as a suitable method for fractionation of chemical forms of trace elements and study of their plant availability. Surface soils were sampled from Guilan and Hamadan provinces in north and northwest of Iran with temperate and semiarid climates. The chemical forms of Pb in the Pb(NO₃)₂-treated (400 μg Pb g⁻¹) soils have been studied in solid state incubation (FC) at 27°C in sterile and unsterile conditions. After 20 min and 3600 h a sequential extraction scheme was also used to fractionate Pb of incubated samples into soluble-exchangeable (Sol-Exch), carbonates associated (ACar), organic matter associated (AOM), Mn oxide associated (AMnOx), Fe oxide associated (AFeOx), and residual (Res) forms. Temperate soil samples had higher clay content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), dichromate oxidable organic carbon (OC), total Kjeldahl-nitrogen (TN), biological activity, amorphous and crystalline Fe and Al, but semiarid soil samples had higher sand content, pH, equivalent calcium carbonate (ECC), available P and K. Soil lead fractionation revealed that in both groups of soils Pb largely changed to exchangeable, carbonates associated and organic associated forms after 20 min. The chemical forms of Pb differed widely among soils after 3600-h incubation. The conversion rate of Pb from more available forms to less available forms was higher in temperate soils with higher Fe–Mn oxides and OM contents compared to semiarid soils. In temperate soils after 3600-h incubation, greater content of Pb was observed in Res (68%), AOM (14%), ACar (7%), and AMnOx (5%) fractions. However, in semiarid soils greater content of Pb was observed in Res (61%), ACar (16%), Sol-Exch (8%), and AOM (8%) fractions. The sum of AMnOx and AFeOx chemical forms for Pb in semiarid soils compared to temperate soils was lower. It was only 7% against 9% in temperate soils. Soil microorganisms in unsterile soils had significant effect on AOM, AFeOx and Res fractions of Pb. They not only increased AOM and AFeOx fractions of Pb in soils but also decreased Res fraction of Pb significantly.     

Effects of nutritional history on nitrogen assimilation in congeneric temperate and tropical scleractinian corals

The nutritional history of corals is known to affect metabolic processes such as inorganic nutrient uptake and photosynthesis, but little is known about how it affects assimilation efficiency of ingested prey items or the partitioning of prey nitrogen between the host and symbiont. The temperate scleractinian coral Oculina arbuscula and its tropical congener Oculina diffusa were acclimated to three nutritional regimes (fed twice weekly, starved, starved with an inorganic nutrient supplement), then fed Artemia nauplii labeled with the stable isotope tracer ¹⁵N. Fed corals of both species had the lowest assimilation efficiencies (36–51% for O. arbuscula, 38–57% for O. diffusa), but were not statistically different from the other nutritional regimes. Fed and starved corals also had similar NH₄⁺ excretion rates. This is inconsistent with decreased nitrogen excretion and reduced amino acid catabolism predicted by both the nitrogen recycling and conservation paradigms. In coral host tissue, ~90% of the ingested ¹⁵N was in the TCA-insoluble (protein and nucleic acids) and ethanol-soluble (amino acids/low molecular weight compounds) within 4 h of feeding. The TCA-insoluble pool was also the dominant repository of the label in zooxanthellae of both species (40–53% in O. arbuscula, 50–60% in O. diffusa). However, nutritional history had no effect on the distribution of prey ¹⁵N within the biochemical pools of the host or the zooxanthellae for either species. This result is consistent with the nitrogen conservation hypothesis, as preferential carbon metabolism would minimize the effects of starvation on nitrogen-containing biochemical pools.Communicated by P.W. Sammarco, Chauvin     

Feeding energetics and metabolism in demersal fish species from Antarctic,temperate and tropical environments

The energetics of feeding has been investigated in demersal fish with similar sedentary lifestyles from the Antarctic (Notothenia neglecta Nybelin), North Sea (Myoxocephalus scorpius L.) and Indian Ocean (Cirrhitichys bleekeri Bleeker). In general, the metabolic rates of fasting individuals were positively correlated with adaptation temperature: values for a standard 100 g fish (mg O₂/h) were 3.3 for N. neglecta at around 0 °C, 2.7 for winter-acclimatized M. scorpius at 5 °C, 4.3 for summer-acclimatized M. scorpius at 15 °C, and 7.0 for C. bleekeri at 25 °C. In all species, following a single satiating meal, oxygen consumption increased to a peak of 2 to 3.5 times the fasting values. Maximum rates of oxygen consumption after feeding were several-fold higher in the warm-than in the cold-water species. After controlling for the effects of body mass and energy intake by analysis of covariance, the duration of the increase in metabolic rate, referred to as specific dynamic action (SDA), was found to be 3 to 4 times shorter in the warm- than in the cold-water fish, ranging from 57 h in C. bleekeri to 208 h in N. neglecta. In contrast, the SDA was not significantly different in the various species, corresponding to 15 to 23% of the energy ingested. Seasonal influences on metabolism and feeding were also studied in N. neglecta acclimated to simulated winter (-1.0 to-0.5 °C; 3 h light:21 h dark) or summer (0 to 0.9 °C; 21 h light:3 h dark) conditions. The metabolic rates of fasting and fed individuals, and the characteristics of the SDA were found to be independent of acclimation conditions. This suggests that N. neglecta is capable of processing food at similar rates throughout the year. Energy stores and enzyme activities were measured in the swimming muscles and liver of fish fed ad libitum. Summer-acclimated fish had higher concentrations of liver triglyceride stores and elevated activities of some enzymes of intermediary metabolism relative to winter-acclimated fish. The observed changes in intermdiary metabolism are probably related to annual cycles of growth and reproduction. It is suggested that the low aerobic scope for physiological performance in Antarctic fish may necessitate the seasonal switching of energy allocation between growth and reproduction.     

Bird metacommunities in temperate South American forest: vegetation structure, area, and climate effects

Spatial structure in metacommunities and their relationships to environmental gradients have been linked to opposing theories of community assembly. In particular, while the species sorting hypothesis predicts strong environmental influences, the neutral theory, the mass effect, and the patch dynamics frameworks all predict differing degrees of spatial structure resulting from dispersal and competition limitations. Here we study the relative influence of environmental gradients and spatial structure in bird assemblages of the Chilean temperate forest. We carried out bird and vegetation surveys in South American temperate forests at 147 points located in nine different protected areas in central Chile, and collected meteorological and productivity data for these localities. Species composition dissimilarities between sites were calculated, as well as three indices of bird local diversity: observed species richness, Chao estimate of richness, and Shannon diversity. A stepwise multiple regression and partial regression analyses were used to select a small number of environmental factors that predicted bird species diversity. Although diversity indices were spatially autocorrelated, environmental factors were sufficient to account for this autocorrelation. Moreover, community dissimilarities were not significantly related to distance between sites. We then tested a multivariate hypothesis about climate, vegetation, and avian diversity interactions using a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The SEM showed that climate and area of fragments have important indirect effects on avian diversity, mediated through changes in vegetation structure. Given the scale of this study, the metacommunity framework provides useful insights into the mechanisms driving bird assemblages in this region. Taken together, the weak spatial structure of community composition and diversity, as well as the strong environmental effects on bird diversity, support the interpretation that species sorting has a predominant role in structuring avian assemblages in the region.