ALBERT

Description:    The objective of this work was to assess the impact of pesticide application to non-target soil organisms simulating what happens following pesticide application in agricultural fields and thus obtaining higher realism on results obtained. For that purpose, three commercial formulations containing the insecticides chlorpyrifos and endosulfan and the herbicide glyphosate were applied to a Mediterranean agricultural field. The soil was collected after spraying and dilution series were prepared with untreated soil to determine the impact of the pesticides on the avoidance behaviour and reproduction of the earthworm Eisenia andrei and the collembolan Folsomia candida . A significant avoidance was observed at the recommended field dose in case of endosulfan by earthworms (60 %) and in case of chlorpyrifos by collembolans (64 %). In addition, both insecticides affected the number of juveniles produced by the earthworms (EC 50 were below the recommended field dose). Glyphosate did not seem to affect either earthworms or collembolans in the recommended field dose. Folsomia candida was more sensitive to pesticide application than Eisenia andrei , what was corroborated by the EC 50 and LC 50 values. In conclusion, insecticides may affect the structure of the soil community by reducing the survival of collembolans and the reproductive capacity of collembolans and earthworms. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s10646-012-0963-7 Authors M. J. G. Santos, Department of Biology, CESAM (Centre of Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal M. F. L. Ferreira, Department of Life Sciences, IMAR-CMA, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal A. Cachada, Department of Chemistry, CESAM (Centre of Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal A. C. Duarte, Department of Chemistry, CESAM (Centre of Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal J. P. Sousa, Department of Life Sciences, IMAR-CMA, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal Journal Ecotoxicology Online ISSN 1573-3017 Print ISSN 0963-9292

Description:    The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the pesticides/polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixture on aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), p53 and ubiquitin mRNA level in haemocytes of Mya arenaria exposed to a mixture of chlorothalonil, mancozeb and benzo[ a ]pyrene (BaP) for 48 and 72 h. AhR, p53 and ubiquitin gene expression levels were quantified using quantitative Real-time PCR. For robust and accurate quantification of transcripts, suitable housekeeping genes were selected from four sets of ribosomal and elongation factors transcripts previously sequenced from Mya arenaria using geNorm open source software. Quantitative Real-time PCR data exhibited a significantly high expression of AhR after 72 h of exposure ( P  ≤ 0.05). p53 gene expression seems to be up-regulated by the mixture after 48 h, however not significantly; but the level of p53 mRNA is down-regulated by the xenobiotics between 48 and 72 h after exposure. This study postulates that AhR mRNA levels could be used as an indicator of the exposure of clams’ haemocytes to a mixture of xenobiotics such as chlorothalonil, mancozeb and BaP. However, further studies have to be pursued in order to unravel the molecular mechanisms involved in the p53 signaling pathway. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10646-011-0709-y Authors Julie Pariseau, Department of Pathology & Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada Patricia McKenna, Department of Pathology & Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada Mohammed AboElkhair, Department of Pathology & Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada Richard Saint-Louis, Institute of Marine Sciences of Rimouski, University of Quebec at Rimouski, 310 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, QC G5L 3A1, Canada Émilien Pelletier, Institute of Marine Sciences of Rimouski, University of Quebec at Rimouski, 310 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, QC G5L 3A1, Canada T. Jeffrey Davidson, Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada Réjean Tremblay, Institute of Marine Sciences of Rimouski, University of Quebec at Rimouski, 310 Allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, QC G5L 3A1, Canada Franck C. J. Berthe, Department of Pathology & Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada Ahmed Siah, Department of Pathology & Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3, Canada Journal Ecotoxicology Online ISSN 1573-3017 Print ISSN 0963-9292

Description:    A variety of contaminants have been detected in aquatic and terrestrial environments around the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP), Kentucky. The presence of these contaminants at the PGDP may pose a risk to biota, yet little is known about the bioaccumulation of contaminants and associated effects in wildlife, especially in aquatic turtles. The current study was initiated to evaluate: (1) the accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Hg) in aquatic ecosystems associated with the PGDP using red-eared slider turtle ( Trachemys scripta elegans ) as biomonitors; (2) maternal transfer of heavy metals; and (3) potential hematological and immunological effects resulting from metal accumulation. A total of 26 turtles were collected from 7 ponds located south, adjacent, and north of the PGDP. Liver Cu concentrations were significantly different among ponds and Cu concentrations in eggs were positively correlated with female Cu concentrations in kidney. The concentrations of heavy metals measured in turtle tissues and eggs were low and, based on previous studies of reptiles and established avian threshold levels of heavy metals, did not appear to have adverse effects on aquatic turtles inhabiting ponds near the PGDP. However, total white blood cell counts, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, and phytohemagglutinin stimulation index were correlated with metal concentrations. Because other factors may affect the hematological and immunological indices, further investigation is needed to determine if these effects are associated with metal exposure, other contaminants, or disease. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10646-011-0716-z Authors Shuangying Yu, Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA Richard S. Halbrook, Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA Donald W. Sparling, Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA Robert Colombo, Biological Sciences Department, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL, USA Journal Ecotoxicology Online ISSN 1573-3017 Print ISSN 0963-9292

Description:    The Clean Air Regulatory Agenda (CARA) Mercury Science Program was developed to provide scientific information to support regulatory activities and accountability pertaining to atmospheric emissions of mercury in Canada. The first phase of the science program, entitled “Setting-the-Baseline”, sought to achieve the following: identify key indicators of the state-of-the-Canadian environment with respect to the transport, fate and effects of mercury; define these indicators; and, understand the processes that relate these indicators to anthropogenic emissions of mercury. To achieve these outcomes, a consultative process was used to identify the scientific needs of the agenda for mercury; understand Canada’s scientific capacity; and, develop a plan to fulfill these scientific needs. The science plan that emerged from this process was structured around the themes of atmospheric monitoring, landscape-based risk assessment, ecological risk assessment, ecosystem modeling, and trends. Implementation of the science plan necessitated a multi-disciplinary and extensively partnered program. To date, the CARA Mercury Science Program is producing coordinated science at the national-scale that aims to directly assess the effectiveness of the CARA for mercury and for many of Canada’s other mercury-related policies. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10646-011-0714-1 Authors Heather A. Morrison, Science and Technology Integration Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, 4905 Dufferin Street, Downsview, Toronto, ON M3H 5T4, Canada Journal Ecotoxicology Online ISSN 1573-3017 Print ISSN 0963-9292

Description:    The risk of mercury (Hg) exposure to humans and wildlife from fish consumption has driven extensive mercury analysis throughout the Great Lakes Region since the 1970s. This study compiled fish-Hg data from multiple sources in the region and assessed spatiotemporal trends of Hg concentrations in two representative top predator fish species. Walleye ( Sander vitreus ) and largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ) were chosen for the trend analysis because they had more Hg records (63,872) than other fish species that had been sampled from waters throughout the region. Waterbody types were inland lakes (70%), the Great Lakes, impoundments, and rivers. The compiled datasets were analyzed with a mixed effects statistical model having random effects of station, year, and fish length; and fixed effects of year, tissue type, fish length, habitat, and season. The results showed a generally declining temporal trend in fish-Hg for the region (1970–2009), with spatial trends of increasing Hg concentration from south to north and from west to east across the region. Nonlinearity was evident in the general downward trends of Ontario walleye, with a shift to an upward trend beginning in the 1990s. Only ongoing monitoring can reveal if this upward shift is an oscillation in a long-term decline, a statistical anomaly, or a sustained declining temporal trend in regional fish-Hg concentrations. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s10646-011-0715-0 Authors Bruce A. Monson, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Saint Paul, MN, USA David F. Staples, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Forest Lake, MN, USA Satyendra P. Bhavsar, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Toronto, ON, Canada Thomas M. Holsen, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA Candy S. Schrank, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI, USA Sara K. Moses, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI, USA Daryl J. McGoldrick, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada Sean M. Backus, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada Kathryn A. Williams, BioDiversity Research Institute, Gorham, ME, USA Journal Ecotoxicology Online ISSN 1573-3017 Print ISSN 0963-9292

Description:    One focus of integrated pest management (IPM) is the use of biological and chemical control in an optimal way. The availability of selective pesticides is important as is information about both lethal and sublethal effects of pesticides on biocontrol agents. Acute and sublethal effects of imidacloprid and fenpyroximate exposure were studied on adult stage of egg parasitoid Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchal and the emergence rate and life table parameters were determined. The adult wasps were exposed to field recommended concentration (FRC) of the pesticides on glass plates. Field rates of imidacloprid and fenpyroximate caused 100 and 32% adult mortality, respectively. Based on concentration–response experiments, the LC 50 values of imidacloprid and fenpyroximate were 6.25 and 1,949 ppm, respectively. The effect of imidacloprid and fenpyroximate on larvae, prepupae and pupae of the parasitoid was tested by exposing parasitized eggs of Sitotroga cerealella Olivier or Cydia pomonella L. to the FRC. Imidacloprid and fenpyroximate reduced adult emergence by 10.7 and 29%, respectively, when S. cerealella eggs were used as the host and 10.9 and 24.9%, respectively, when C. pomonella eggs were used as the host. Population parameters of emerged adults from treated pre-imaginal stages by FRC of the pesticides were also studied. The parameters were longevity and progeny production of emergent adults and also intrinsic rate of increase ( r m ), generation time ( T ) and doubling time ( DT ). Longevity and progeny production of the emergent adults was not affected by pesticide exposure in comparison to the control. In addition, none of population parameters such as r m , T and DT were affected by pesticide exposure. The intrinsic rate of increase for the control, fenpyroximate and imidacloprid exposed populations were 0.388, 0.374, and 0.372 female offspring per female per day, respectively. Overall, results of this study suggest a relative compatibility between fenpyroximate and T. cacoeciae , but imidacloprid showed deleterious effects on adults of the parasitoid. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s10646-011-0704-3 Authors Moosa Saber, Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran Journal Ecotoxicology Online ISSN 1573-3017 Print ISSN 0963-9292

Description:    We explored the use of molecular genetic biomarkers for endocrine disruption in Daphnia magna after the exposure to fenoxycarb (FOC), a model juvenile hormone analog. For this purpose, the mRNA expression patterns of DMRT93B (DMRT, sex determination), cuticle 12 (CUT, molting), and vitellogenin (VTG, embryo development) were determined in D . magna . Furthermore, these results were compared with developmental abnormality and reproduction performance. The fold changes of CUT and VTG mRNA expression showed significant dose–response relationship with FOC exposure. Relative mRNA expressions of DMRT and CUT showed notable changes at as low as 1 ng/l FOC. After chronic exposure FOC significantly delayed the first day of reproduction and decreased the number of young and growth rate even at 10 ng/l FOC. A concentration-dependant trend in reproduction effect was also observed. Developmental abnormality such as poorly developed second antennae and curved or unextended shell spines were observed. These results suggest that the three mRNAs, i.e., DMRT, CUT, and VTG can be used as biomarkers of endocrine disrupting effects in D. magna . Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s10646-011-0707-0 Authors Jungkon Kim, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea Younghee Kim, Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Myongji University, Yongin, Korea Sangwoo Lee, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea Kyunghee Kwak, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea Wook-Jin Chung, Department of Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, Myongji University, Yongin, Korea Kyungho Choi, School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea Journal Ecotoxicology Online ISSN 1573-3017 Print ISSN 0963-9292

Description:    Both hypoxia and hyperoxia, albeit in different magnitude, are known stressors in the aquatic environment. Adopting an integrated approach, mirror carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.), were exposed chronically (i.e. 30 days) to hypoxic (1.8 ± 1.1 mg O 2  l −1 ) and hyperoxic (12.3 ± 0.5 mg O 2  l −1 ) conditions and resultant biological responses or biomarkers were compared between these two treatments as well as with fish held under normoxic conditions (7.1 ± 1.04 mg O 2  l −1 ). The biomarkers determined included the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), measurement of oxidative DNA damage (using modified Comet assay employing bacterial enzymes: Fpg and Endo-III), haematological parameters, histopathological and ultrastructural examination of liver and gills. Specific growth rate (SGR) of the fish, as an important ecotoxicological parameter was also determined over the exposure period. The study suggested that while the levels of hepatic GPx were unaffected, there was a significant difference in activity in the blood plasma under different exposure conditions; the hyperoxic group showed increased GPx activity by approximately 37% compared to normoxic group and the hypoxic group showed a decrease by approximately 38% than the normoxic group. Interestingly, oxidative DNA damage was significantly higher in both hypoxic and hyperoxic by approximately 25% compared to normoxic conditions, Fpg showing enhanced level of damage compared to the Endo-III treatment ( P  〈 0.001). The haematological parameters showed enhanced values under hypoxic conditions. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) studies revealed damage to liver and gill tissues for both the treatments. Interestingly, SGR of fish was significantly lowered in hypoxic by approx. 30% compared to normoxic condition and this was found to be correlated with DNA damage ( R  = −0.82; P  = 0.02). Taken together, these results indicate that prolonged exposure to both hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions induce oxidative stress responses at both DNA and tissue levels, and hypoxia can result in compensatory changes in haematological and growth parameters which could influence Darwinian fitness of the biota with wider ecological implications. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s10646-011-0702-5 Authors Sanaa A. Mustafa, School of Biomedical & Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA UK Sherain N. Al-Subiai, School of Biomedical & Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA UK Simon J. Davies, School of Biomedical & Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA UK Awadhesh N. Jha, School of Biomedical & Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA UK Journal Ecotoxicology Online ISSN 1573-3017 Print ISSN 0963-9292

Description:    In the present study, we analyzed the effects of two major pollutants of the environment, tributyltin (TBT) and water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of diesel oil, on MAP kinase activation, apoptosis induction and DNA damage, in the marine sponge Suberites domuncula . Our results clearly demonstrated a differential activation of the MAPKs depending on the chemicals tested. TBT induced the activation of p38 and JNK while diesel oil enhanced activation of both ERK and p38. The activation of MAPKs was observed after 1 h exposure and 6 and 24 h of recovery in seawater. In addition, DNA fragmentation, assessed by two techniques, the Fast micromethod ® and the TUNEL assay, was detected after sponges were treated with both chemicals. Moreover, the study of caspase 3/7 activity showed that apoptosis was induced and triggered with all concentrations of TBT but only at high diesel oil concentrations. After TBT exposure, a correlation was observed between JNK activation, caspase 3 activity and DNA damage while p38 activation followed the two latter parameters at high concentrations of diesel oil, suggesting that sponges enhanced a specific apoptotic pathway depending on the xenobiotic tested. This study demonstrated a high signal response by the sponge Suberites domuncula to the tested chemicals. Cell signaling pathway studies may thus be of use in water quality biomonitoring programs. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s10646-011-0706-1 Authors A. Châtel, EA 4326, Facteurs Nerveux et Structuration Tissulaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, 22 Avenue Camille Desmoulins, 29609 Brest Cedex, France H. Talarmin, EA 4326, Facteurs Nerveux et Structuration Tissulaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, 22 Avenue Camille Desmoulins, 29609 Brest Cedex, France B. Hamer, Laboratory for Marine Molecular Biology, Ruder Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research, Giordano Paliaga 5, 52210 Rovinj, Croatia H. C. Schröder, Institut für Physiologische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Johannes Gutenberg Universität, Duesbergweg 6, 55099 Mainz, Germany W. E. G. Müller, Institut für Physiologische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Johannes Gutenberg Universität, Duesbergweg 6, 55099 Mainz, Germany G. Dorange, EA 4326, Facteurs Nerveux et Structuration Tissulaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, 22 Avenue Camille Desmoulins, 29609 Brest Cedex, France Journal Ecotoxicology Online ISSN 1573-3017 Print ISSN 0963-9292

Description:    The induction of vitellogenin ( Vtg ) synthesis is widely accepted as a biomarker of estrogenic exposure in male and juvenile fish. Vtg synthesis has emerged as an interesting endpoint to assess endocrine disruptor (ED) effects in crustaceans. However, studies reporting induction of Vtg in male crustaceans are lacking. This study investigated the expression of the Vtg gene in a freshwater amphipod, Gammarus fossarum , using calibrated real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT PCR). First, we described the basal pattern of expression in healthy male and female organisms at different reproductive moult stages, in order to validate the function of this gene. Females expressed from 200 to 700 times more Vtg transcripts than males, depending on the female reproductive stage. Females displayed significant elevation of Vtg m RNA levels at the end of the inter-moult phase and at the beginning of the pre-moult phase. Second, male gammarids were exposed to the estrogenic compound nonylphenol (NP) (0.05, 0.5, 5 and 50 μg L −1 ) and to the anti-androgen cyproterone (1, 10, 100 and 1000 μg L −1 ) for 2, 4, 8 and 16 days. Both chemicals altered the pattern of interindividual variability of Vtg gene expression in males with strong induction in some individuals. Finally, the impact of urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) on male Vtg gene expression was assessed in organisms transplanted in the field during in situ bioassay campaigns in three different watersheds. Induction of the Vtg m RNA level was observed in males transplanted downstream from WWTP effluent discharge in two of the three study sites. Content Type Journal Article Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s10646-011-0685-2 Authors Benoît Xuereb, Cemagref, UR MALY, 3 bis quai Chauveau, CP 220, 69336 Lyon, France Laurent Bezin, Laboratoire de physiologie intégrative cellulaire et moléculaire, UMR 5123, Université de Lyon I, 69622 Villeurbanne, France Arnaud Chaumot, Cemagref, UR MALY, 3 bis quai Chauveau, CP 220, 69336 Lyon, France Hélène Budzinski, Laboratoire de Physico- et Toxico-Chimie de l’environnement, Institut des Sciences Moléculaires, UMR 5255, Université Bordeaux 1 - CNRS, 33405 Talence Cedex, France Sylvie Augagneur, Laboratoire de Physico- et Toxico-Chimie de l’environnement, Institut des Sciences Moléculaires, UMR 5255, Université Bordeaux 1 - CNRS, 33405 Talence Cedex, France Renaud Tutundjian, Cemagref, UR MALY, 3 bis quai Chauveau, CP 220, 69336 Lyon, France Jeanne Garric, Cemagref, UR MALY, 3 bis quai Chauveau, CP 220, 69336 Lyon, France Olivier Geffard, Cemagref, UR MALY, 3 bis quai Chauveau, CP 220, 69336 Lyon, France Journal Ecotoxicology Online ISSN 1573-3017 Print ISSN 0963-9292