ALBERT

Description:    The occurrence of organohalogenated compounds including major persistent chlorinated pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDT and its metabolites, brominated flame retardants (BFRs), represented by polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), together with currently widely discussed perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), mainly perfluorooctane sulfonic acid was monitored in several fish species collected from Czech rivers. Eleven sampling locations in highly industrialized areas were chosen. In addition, wild species of 14 farmed fish (grown in dedicated ponds) were also analysed. With respect to the contamination in different areas, chlorinated chemicals were dominant. PCBs and DDTs ranged from 4.8 to 211 and 2 to 791 μg/kg wet weight, respectively. Concentrations of BFRs and PFCs were significantly lower and ranged from 0.6 to 10.2 and 0.9 to 62 μg/kg wet weight, respectively. The highest levels of target analyte groups were found in fish muscle tissue in localities situated on the lower part of the Elbe River: Levels of DDT, HCB, PBDEs, and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) were as high as 791, 77.6, 14.4 and 193 μg/kg wet weight, respectively, in Usti nad Labem and in the sample originated from the confluence of Elbe with Bilina River; a sum of PCBs at a level of 211 μg/kg was detected. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9681-z Authors Petra Hrádková, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Jana Pulkrabová, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Kamila Kalachová, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Veronika Hloušková, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Monika Tomaniová, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Jan Poustka, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Jana Hajšlová, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Concentrations of butyltin compounds (BTs) were determined in 47 species of seafood commonly consumed in Korea to investigate intakes of BTs from seafood consumption and the potential health risks to the Korean population. The concentrations of BTs (the sum of dibutyltin and tributyltin) in seafood ranged from less than the limit of detection to 96.3 ng/g wet weight, which are levels similar to those reported for other countries. The intake of BTs from seafood consumption by the general population was estimated to be 17.2 ng/kg body weight/day. Fish accounted for 50% of the total intakes of BT, and the next contributor was cephalopods (26%). The estimated intakes for males and females were 18.6 and 15.7 ng/ kg body weight/day, respectively. Among the age groups investigated, children (〈2 years and 3–6 years) had higher intakes of BTs compared with adults. The estimated intake of BTs for Korean population groups was 5–8% of the tolerable daily intake of 250 ng/ kg body weight/day set by the European Food Safety Authority. Our results suggest that the Korean population is not expected to exceed the threshold value for adverse health effects. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9688-5 Authors Minkyu Choi, Marine Environment Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), 152-1, Haean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, 619-705 Republic of Korea Hyo-Bang Moon, Department of Environmental Marine Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, 426-791 Republic of Korea Hee-Gu Choi, Marine Environment Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), 152-1, Haean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, 619-705 Republic of Korea Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) in soft tissues of male and female burrowing crab Neohelice granulate , as well as their eggs, were measured in two different locations in the Bahía Blanca estuary, a moderately polluted ecosystem, from October 2008 to August 2009. Differences between sexes, sites, and seasonality were assessed. Furthermore, metal levels in eggs were compared with metal levels in female crabs. The results showed no significant differences for Cu and Cd between sexes (Student t test p  〉 0.25 for both sites) and sites (two-way analysis of variance: Cu p  = 0.82 and Cd p  = 0.29). Nevertheless, seasonality was found, with winter having significantly lower concentrations for both metals. The range of Cu concentrations was between 96.92 and 152.18 μg g −1 dry weight (dw), and the range of Cd concentrations was between 6.09 and 10.41 μg g −1  dw. Cr concentrations could not be assessed because most of the values were lower than the detection limit. Although heavy metals in sediments were not measured in this study, a bioaccumulation process may be occurring for Cd because levels found during the entire sampling period were greater than levels in sediment from previous years. For Cu, a regulation process may be occurring considering that this is an essential metal and levels of Cu in N. granulata found in this study were between 1 and 2 orders of magnitude greater than levels in sediments. Finally, Cu and Cd levels in eggs were detectable, but they were lower than levels in female crabs. The importance of these findings is linked to the fact that metal accumulation seems to be occurring before hatch. The presence of heavy metals in soft tissues as well as in eggs of N. granulata is of great importance considering that this is a key species within the Bahía Blanca estuary; therefore, it plays a major role in the transference of pollutants to greater trophic levels. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9692-9 Authors Pía Simonetti, Área de Oceanografía Química, Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía, CCT-CONICET, Camino La Carrindanga, km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina Sandra Elizabeth Botté, Área de Oceanografía Química, Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía, CCT-CONICET, Camino La Carrindanga, km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina Sandra Marcela Fiori, Área de Oceanografía Biológica, Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía, CCT-CONICET, Camino La Carrindanga, km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina Jorge Eduardo Marcovecchio, Área de Oceanografía Química, Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía, CCT-CONICET, Camino La Carrindanga, km 7.5, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Roundup is the most popular commercial glyphosate formulation applied in the cultivation of genetically modified glyphosate-resistant crops. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histological lesions of the neotropical native fish, Jenynsia multidentata , in response to acute and subchronic exposure to Roundup and to determine if subchronic exposure to the herbicide causes changes in male sexual activity of individuals exposed to a sublethal concentration (0.5 mg/l) for 7 and 28 days. The estimated 96-h LC 50 was 19.02 mg/l for both male and female fish. Gill and liver histological lesions were evaluated through histopathological indices allowing quantification of the histological damages in fish exposed to different concentrations of the herbicide. Roundup induced different histological alterations in a concentration-dependent manner. In subchronic-exposure tests, Roundup also altered normal histology of the studied organs and caused a significant decrease in the number of copulations and mating success in male fish exposed to the herbicide. It is expected that in natural environments contaminated with Roundup, both general health condition and reproductive success of J. multidenatata could be seriously affected. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9686-7 Authors Andrea Cecilia Hued, Laboratory of Animal Diversity II, Faculty of Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sársfield 299, CP 5000 Córdoba, Argentina Sabrina Oberhofer, Laboratory of Animal Diversity II, Faculty of Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sársfield 299, CP 5000 Córdoba, Argentina María de los Ángeles Bistoni, Laboratory of Animal Diversity II, Faculty of Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sársfield 299, CP 5000 Córdoba, Argentina Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Agricultural land use may influence macroinvertebrate communities by way of pesticide contamination associated with agricultural runoff. However, information about the relation between runoff-related pesticides and communities of benthic macroinvertebrates in stormwater wetland that receive agricultural runoff does not currently exist. Here we show changes in macroinvertebrates communities of a stormwater wetland that collects pesticide-contaminated runoff from a vineyard catchment. Sixteen runoff-associated pesticides, including the insecticide flufenoxuron, were continuously quantified at the inlet of the stormwater wetland from April to September (period of pesticide application). In parallel, benthic macroinvertebrate communities, pesticide concentrations, and physicochemical parameters in the wetland were assessed twice a month. Twenty-eight contaminated runoffs ranging from 1.1 to 114 m 3 entered the wetland during the study period. Flufenoxuron concentrations in runoff-suspended solids ranged from 1.5 to 18.5 μg kg −1 and reached 6 μg kg −1 in the wetland sediments. However, flufenoxuron could not be detected in water. The density, diversity, and abundance of macroinvertebrates largely varied over time. Redundancy and formal concept analyses showed that concentrations of flufenoxuron, vegetation cover, and flow conditions significantly determine the community structures of stormwater wetland macroinvertebrates. This study shows that flow conditions, vegetation cover, and runoff-related pesticides jointly affect communities of benthic macroinvertebrates in stormwater wetlands. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9687-6 Authors Sylvain Martin, Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg/ENGEES, UMR 7515 CNRS 1, rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg, France Aurélie Bertaux, Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg/ENGEES, UMR 7515 CNRS 1, rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg, France Florence Le Ber, Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg/ENGEES, UMR 7515 CNRS 1, rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg, France Elodie Maillard, Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg/ENGEES, UMR 7515 CNRS 1, rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg, France Gwenaël Imfeld, Laboratory of Hydrology and Geochemistry of Strasbourg, University of Strasbourg/ENGEES, UMR 7515 CNRS 1, rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg, France Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    In the light of the alarming decline of the European eel ( Anguilla anguilla L.) population, there is an urgent need to define ecological indicators for eel habitat quality. Due to an increasing shortage of glass eels available for local stock enhancement, the decision of whether restocking is a valuable management tool to increase high-quality silver eel escapement to the sea needs to be evaluated. Organic contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are among the major threats to fish in their habitat. Therefore, the aim of the investigation presented here was to examine metabolites of PAHs in eel bile as one possible marker for habitat quality. In total, 170 yellow eels were collected in the rivers Rhine, Ems, Weser, Elbe, Havel, Schlei, Eider, Trave, Warnow, Peene, Uecker, and Oder in 2009. PAH metabolites in eel bile were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Metabolites of pyrene and phenanthrene were investigated. Concentrations of PAH metabolites in eel bile varied significantly between several rivers, with the highest mean concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene and 1-hydroxyphenanthrene in eel bile from the river Trave (2421 and 632 ng/ml). Moreover, huge differences in the ratio of 1-hydroxypyrene to 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, with the highest mean value in eel bile from the river Ems (7.43) and the lowest mean value in eel bile from the river Uecker (0.70), indicate different sources of PAH contamination. A comparative analysis of PAH-metabolite contamination of eels in different river systems is seen as a first step toward a classification of freshwater habitats for restocking purposes. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9693-8 Authors F. Nagel, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Palmaille 9, 22767 Hamburg, Germany U. Kammann, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Palmaille 9, 22767 Hamburg, Germany C. Wagner, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Warnemünde, Seestraße 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany R. Hanel, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Palmaille 9, 22767 Hamburg, Germany Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    This study evaluated the condition factor, gonadosomatic, and hepatosomatic indexes, occurrence of plasmatic vitellogenin (Vg), and frequency of spermatogenic maturity stages in male Chilean flounders, Paralichthys adspersus , caught at three different coastal sites off the Bio-Bio region, central Chile, during 1 year. The Vg was detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with sodium dodecyl sulfate and Western blot analyses using an antibody against Chilean flounder Vg. The spermatogenic maturity stages were analyzed by histological gonadic diagnostic. The prevalence of plasmatic Vg induction in male fish differed significantly among sites. The flounders sampled from the Itata area were the most affected. Evaluations of biometric data, plasmatic Vg induction, and spermatogenic maturity stages of the flounder showed the following: (1) lower gonadosomatic index, (2) greater hepatosomatic index, (3) greater prevalence of plasmatic Vg, and (4) delayed development of the gonad. The results suggest that estrogenic endocrine-disruption compounds are introduced into the marine environment, negatively affecting the fish studied. The relevance of this report is discussed in relation to estrogenic compounds introduced by industrial and municipal wastewater effluents in the areas studied. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9690-y Authors Maritza O. Leonardi, Programa de Investigacion Marina de Excelencia (PIMEX-Nueva Aldea), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanograficas, Universidad de Concepcion, Casilla 160-C, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepción, Chile Marcia Puchi, Departamento de Bioquimica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad de Concepcion, Casilla 160-C, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepcion, Chile Paulina Bustos, Departamento de Bioquimica Clínica e Inmunologia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Concepcion, Casilla 160-C, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepcion, Chile Ximena Romo, Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Autopista Concepcion Talcahuano, 7100 Talcahuano, Chile Violeta Morín, Departamento de Bioquimica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad de Concepcion, Casilla 160-C, Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepcion, Chile Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    We evaluated associations between total mercury (Hg) concentrations in blood and skin and endocrine, hepatic, renal, and hematological parameters in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ). Dolphins in Indian River Lagoon, FL had higher concentrations of Hg in blood (0.67 μg/l wet wt) and skin (7.24 μg/g dry wt) compared with those from Charleston Harbor, SC (0.15 μg/l wet wt, 1.68 μg/g dry wt). An inverse relationship was observed between blood and skin Hg concentrations and total thyroxine, triiodothyronine, absolute numbers of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and platelets. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), blood urea nitrogen, and gamma-glutamyl transferase increased with increasing concentrations of Hg in blood and skin; lactate dehydrogenase and neutrophils increased with concentrations in skin only. Hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin increased with increasing concentrations of Hg in blood. Selenium was negatively associated with free T4, progesterone, and absolute numbers of monocytes, and positively correlated with absolute numbers of eosinophils and lymphocytes, and mean corpuscular volume. The results suggest the potential for a deleterious effect of Hg in highly exposed dolphins. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9651-5 Authors Adam M. Schaefer, Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA Hui-Chen W. Stavros, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, NOS, NOAA, Charleston, SC 29142, USA Gregory D. Bossart, Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA Patricia A. Fair, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, NOS, NOAA, Charleston, SC 29142, USA Juli D. Goldstein, Marine Mammal Research and Conservation, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Florida Atlantic University, 5600 U.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, USA John S. Reif, Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Natural plankton communities from a tropical freshwater reservoir (Combani Reservoir, Mayotte Island, Mozambique Channel) were exposed, in 20-l nutrient-enriched microcosms, to two nominal concentrations of three pesticides: the herbicides diuron (2.2 and 11 μg/l) and paraquat (10 and 40.5 μg/l) and the insecticide fenitrothion (10 and 100 μg/l), commonly used in the tropics for agriculture and disease vector control. Bacterioplankton, phytoplankton, and zooplankton communities were monitored for 5 days after exposure, and the concentrations of toxicant and major nutrients were measured. Bacterioplankton growth was noticeable in all systems and was slightly affected by pesticide at any concentration. A transitory increase in thymidine-based bacterial production was observed in diuron- and fenitrothion-treated microcosms, followed by a marked decrease in all microcosms after 5 days. The functional diversity of bacterioplankton, evaluated using BIOLOG ECO ® microplates, was reduced by exposure to the highest pesticide concentrations. Phytoplankton was affected by pesticides in different ways. Chlorophyll biomass and biovolumes were increased by diuron addition and decreased by paraquat, whereas fenitrothion-treated microcosms remained unaffected relative to controls. Phytoplankton taxonomic diversity was decreased by paraquat and high doses of fenitrothion but was unaffected by addition of diuron. The decrease in diversity was due to a reduction in the number of species, whereas the density of small cells increased, especially after addition of paraquat. Heterotrophic flagellates were sensitive to paraquat and to the highest diuron concentration; a reduction in biomass of up to 90% was observed for 40.5 μg/l paraquat. Zooplankton, dominated by Thermocyclops decipiens and Diaphanosoma excisum , was slightly sensitive to diuron, and very sensitive to paraquat. High concentrations of the insecticide fenitrothion were effective only on young stages. The potential direct and indirect effects of pesticide contamination on such a simplified plankton food web, typical of newly constructed reservoirs, appear to differ significantly depending on the biological compartment considered. The overall sensitivity of tropical plankton is comparable to the sensitivity for temperate systems, and direct and indirect effects appeared rapidly, within 5 days of exposure. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9653-3 Authors C. Leboulanger, IRD UMR 238, ECOSYM UMR5119 CNRS-IRD-Université Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon, case 093, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France M. Bouvy, IRD UMR 238, ECOSYM UMR5119 CNRS-IRD-Université Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon, case 093, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France C. Carré, IRD UMR 238, ECOSYM UMR5119 CNRS-IRD-Université Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon, case 093, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France P. Cecchi, IRD UMR 238, ECOSYM UMR5119 CNRS-IRD-Université Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon, case 093, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France L. Amalric, BRGM MMA/ENV, 3 av. Claude Guillemin, BP 6009, 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France A. Bouchez, INRA UMR CARRTEL, 75 avenue de Corzent, 74211 Thonon-les-Bains Cedex, France M. Pagano, IRD UR 167 CYROCO, LOPB UMR 6535, case 901, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France G. Sarazin, Laboratoire de Géochimie des Eaux, Université Paris-Diderot, 35 rue Hélène Brion, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341

Description:    Cadmium (Cd), a nonessential trace element, is rapidly accumulated by most living organisms and subsequently exerts its toxicity at different molecular levels. This study exposed gilthead sea bream ( Sparus aurata ) to waterborne 0.1 mg/l Cd for 11 days and investigated the Cd accumulation pattern, lipid oxidation, and response of antioxidant defences. At the end of the experiment, mean Cd concentrations in gills and liver, the organs most prone to metal accumulation, were 209.4 and 371.7 ng/g ww, respectively. Muscle did not show any Cd retention during the 11 days of exposure. In liver, the cytosolic fraction of the metal was chelated into the nontoxic form by metallothionein (MT), a specific Cd-inducible protein. Zn and Cu concentrations were not influenced by Cd exposure. Glutathione (GSH) concentrations and the antioxidant enzyme activities of GSH reductase and GSH peroxidase showed an overall decreasing trend. In addition, lipid and aqueous hydroperoxide levels did not show any significant variation. Oxidative stress indirectly generated by Cd seems to be compensated for by the different biochemical systems tailored to decrease cellular damage. In particular, the negative effects of Cd accumulation in tissues were probably counteracted by the induction of MT. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s00244-011-9676-9 Authors T. Cirillo, Department of Food Science, “Federico II” University of Naples, Naples, Italy R. Amodio Cocchieri, Department of Food Science, “Federico II” University of Naples, Naples, Italy E. Fasano, Department of Food Science, “Federico II” University of Naples, Naples, Italy A. Lucisano, Department of Pathology and Animal Health, “Federico II” University of Naples, Naples, Italy S. Tafuri, Department of Pathology and Animal Health, “Federico II” University of Naples, Naples, Italy M. C. Ferrante, Department of Pathology and Animal Health, “Federico II” University of Naples, Naples, Italy E. Carpenè, Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, 60024 Italy G. Andreani, Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, 60024 Italy G. Isani, Department of Medical Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, 60024 Italy Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Online ISSN 1432-0703 Print ISSN 0090-4341