Research On Zooplankton in the Gulf of Rapallo

Zooplankton samples, collected in autumn 1996 from two stations in the Gulf of Rapallo, Ligurian Sea (Rapallo Harbour and Prelo Bay, which is a more open site with lower human impacts) were analysed. at both stations, the community was dominated by copepods (mainly juveniles and adults of different species of Acartia and Oithona) and meroplankton (mainly polychaete larvae). Total zooplankton abundance in the harbour waters was significantly higher than in the nearby bay. the occurrence of Acartia grani in Rapallo Harbour and Pteriacartia josephinae in Prelo Bay is noteworthy, as they are reported for the first time in the Ligurian Sea, and A. grani has not previously been recorded to the Italian coastline. A three-day benthic chamber experiment aimed to quantify nutrient fluxes between the sediment and water column was performed in the Rapallo Harbour: the profound effects of confinement on the composition and abundance of zooplankton within the incubation chamber are discussed.     

Combined effects of mercury and hexachlorobenzene in the rat

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to assess the potential interactive effects of two Great Lakes chemical contaminants, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and mercury (HgCl₂). Groups of 10 female Sprague‐Dawley rats were administered by gavage single doses of HCB (400, 600 mg/kg b.w. in corn oil), HgCl₂ (10.0, 12.5 mg/kg b.w. aqueous) or combinations of both followed by observation for clinical signs of toxicity for 14 days. Five animals from treatment groups died before the termination of the study; one animal each in 600 mg HCB, 400 mg HCB + 10 mg HgCl₂, and 600 mg HCB + 10 mg HgCl₂, and two animals in 600 mg HCB + 12.5 mg HgCl₂. The surviving animals were necropsied at the termination of the study, and hematological, clinical chemistry, histopathological and tissue residue analyses were performed. Relative liver weights were increased in both low and high dose groups of HCB but not in animals treated with HgCl₂ alone. Co‐administration of HgCl₂ did not alter the HCB effects on the liver weight of the animals. Serum cholesterol levels were increased in all the groups receiving HCB but not HgCl₂. No interactive effects on other serum parameters were seen in animals administered with both chemicals. Mild to moderate morphological changes occurred in the liver, thyroid, thymus, ovary and bone marrow of rats exposed to HCB or HCB + HgCl₂, and in the kidney of HgCl₂ or HgCl₂ + HCB treated animals. More severe histological changes occurred in the groups receiving both chemicals. The histological effects appeared to be additive. It was concluded that co‐administration with HCB and HgCl₂ resulted in additive effects in some of the endpoints measured but no synergism or antagonism was observed.     

Toxicological response and its reversibility in rats fed Lake Ontario or pacific coho salmon for 13 weeks

Abstract

Lake Ontario coho salmon were known to contain a mixture of chemical contaminants. A previous study demonstrated that rats fed the Lake Ontario fish‐supplemented diet for 28 days exhibited mild biochemical and histological changes. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects due to a longer term of exposure and the reversibility of these effects. Growth rate and food consumption were not affected by feeding the animals with Lake Ontario or Pacific fish‐supplemented diets for 13 weeks. No deaths were observed. Decreased spleen weights were observed in groups of males fed 1.45%, 5.8% Lake Ontario and 2.9% Pacific diet. After a 13 week recovery the spleen weights returned to normal. Decreased serum potassium was observed in male rats fed 2.9% Lake Ontario diet, and all levels of Pacific diet for 13 weeks, and was not evident following maintenance on normal diet. Serum glucose was not affected by the 13‐week period of treatment, however; a reduction in this parameter occurred in male rats fed the two highest doses of Lake Ontario diet and all doses of Pacific diet following the 13‐week recovery period. Minor hematological changes occurred only in the male rats fed either Lake Ontario or Pacific diet following a 13 week recovery period and included reduced marrow myeloid cells and myeloid/erythroid ratio. Hepatic microsomal ethoxyresorufin deethylase activity was significantly increased in rats ingesting Lake Ontario diet. Mild histological changes occurred in the liver and thyroid of the treated males, and in the liver and kidney of the treated females. These changes were attributed to the chemical residues and/or the fish diet. Data presented here indicated that the Lake Ontario fish‐supplemented diet can cause mild biochemical, hematological and histological changes but most of these were reversible when exposure was terminated.     

Methyl Tertiary Hexyl Ether and Methyl Tertiary Octyl Ether as Gasoline Oxygenates: Assessing Risks from Atmospheric Dispersion and Deposition

Abstract

Methyl tertiary hexyl ether (MtHxE) and methyl tertiary octyl ether (MtOcE) are currently being developed as replacement oxygenates for methyl tertiary butyl ether (MtBE) in gasoline. As was the case with MtBE, the introduction of these ethers into fuel supplies guarantees their introduction into the environment as well. In this study, a screening-level risk assessment was performed by comparing predicted environmental concentrations (PEC) of these ethers to concentrations that might cause adverse effects to humans or ecosystems. A simple box model that has successfully estimated urban air concentrations of MtBE was adapted to predict atmospheric concentrations of MtHxE and MtOcE. Expected atmospheric concentrations of these ethers were also estimated using the European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES) multimedia fate model, which simultaneously calculates PECs in the various environmental compartments of air, water, soil, and sediment. Because little or no data are available on the physicochemical, environmental, and toxicological properties of MtHxE and MtOcE, estimation methods were used in conjunction with EUSES to predict both the PECs and the concentrations at which these ethers might pose a threat. The results suggest that these ethers would contaminate the air of a moderately sized U.S. city (Boston, MA) at levels similar to those found previously for MtBE. The risk assessment module in EUSES predicted risk characterization ratios of 10^?3 and 10^?2 for MtHxE and MtOcE, respectively, in Boston, and 10^?2 and 10^?1 in very large urban centers, suggesting that these ethers pose only a minimal threat to ecosystems at the anticipated environmental concentrations. The assessment also indicates that these compounds are possible human carcinogens and that they may be present in urban air at concentrations that pose an unacceptable cancer risk. Therefore, testing of the toxicological properties of these compounds is recommended before they replace MtBE in gasoline.     

Interaction of ocean acidification and temperature; the high cost of survival in the brittlestar Ophiura ophiura

This study has demonstrated an interaction between the effect of increased ocean acidity and temperature (40 days exposure) on a number of key physiological parameters in the ophiuroid brittlestar, Ophiura ophiura. Metabolic upregulation is seen in the low pH treatments when combined with low temperature. However, this is far outweighed by the response to elevated temperature (+4.5°C). In the high temperature/low pH treatments treatments (where calcite is undersaturated) there appears to be an energetic trade-off likely in order to maintain net calcification where dissolution of calcium carbonate may occur. This energy deficit results in a ~30% reduction in the rate of arm regeneration at pH 7.3 which is predicted to be reached by the year 2300. This understanding of how O. ophiura responds to ocean acidification, taking into account an interactive effect of temperature, suggests that fitness and survival may indirectly be reduced through slower recovery from arm damage.