Increased use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in domestic and industrial applications has increased risk for adverse environmental outcomes based on an elevated likelihood of organism exposure. Anatase TiO2 nanoparticle exposure to UV‐A radiation in aquatic environments generates radical oxygen species (ROS), which may ultimately be responsible for increased organism toxicity. Herein we identify

Mechanistic population models are gaining considerable interest in ecological risk assessment. The dynamic energy budget approach for toxicity (DEBtox) and the general unified threshold model for survival (GUTS) are well‐established theoretical frameworks that describe sublethal and lethal effects of a chemical stressor, respectively. However, there have been limited applications of these models for

Historical and present‐day use of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been linked to environmental and human health impacts that prove challenging to address. Therefore, prioritization of PFAS management based on observed or predicted toxicological properties and environmental fate is critical in the development of effective risk management practices. Hazard rating calculations use a range

As managers and decision makers evaluate pollutant risk, it is critical that we are able to measure an assessment of the injury. Often these estimates are difficult to determine for benthic organisms so Finkelstein et al. (2017) proposed a chronic PCB sediment dose‐response model to predict benthic invertebrate injury. Given both Natural Resource Trustee and consultant questions ‐ following publication

Elevated levels of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and other contaminants have been reported in Lower Passaic River (LPR), New Jersey, sediments since the 1980s. Nearly 8,000 surficial and buried sediment samples have been collected along the 17‐miles (27.4 km) of river and analyzed for various contaminants, including the seventeen 2,3,7,8‐substituted

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are associated with several disrupted physiological and endocrine parameters. Regarding endocrine mechanisms, laboratory studies suggest that PFASs could disrupt the thyroid hormone (TH) system and alter circulating TH concentrations. THs play a ubiquitous role—controlling thermoregulation, metabolism, and reproduction. However, evidence for disruption of

Physical impacts of diluted bitumen (dilbit) and the application of surface washing agents (SWAs) in freshwater have not been characterized for aquatic invertebrates. These compounds are known to reduce surface tension in feather and fur microstructures of birds and mammals, and thus likely to affect buoyancy of surface‐dwelling aquatic insects. We evaluated impacts of fresh dilbit and a SWA on water

Evaluation of chemical risks to threatened and endangered (T&E) species is a requirement for Superfund ecological risk assessments; however, screening levels to evaluate the potential for toxicity associated with ecological receptor exposure to per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are lacking. Therefore, PFAS risk‐based screening levels (RBSLs) were developed. Wildlife RBSLs were developed using

The annual list of ET&C Exceptional Reviewers highlights those who have consistently provided the journal with high‐quality, timely reviews in the previous year. The reviewers below were selected from nearly 600 ET&C reviewers, based on both the quantity and quality of reviews they provided. Jana Asselman Ghent University Ostend, Belgium Thomas Bean Smithers Snowcap, North Carolina, USA Luc Belzunces

Equilibrium sampling based on silicone polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been used to determine the concentrations of freely dissolved hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) and assess the thermodynamic potentials for bioaccumulation of these compounds in the aquatic environment. This allows the use of PDMS‐based sampling techniques in assisting conventional sampling and extraction methods for the determination

Storm events lead to agricultural and urban runoff, to mobilization of contaminated particulate matter, and to input from combined sewer overflows into rivers. We conducted time‐resolved sampling during a storm event at the Ammer River, southwest Germany, which is representative of small river systems in densely populated areas with a temperate climate. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) and water

Changes in ecosystems after the removal of stress provide a rich source of information for conservation science. We used a long‐term regional data set on the performance of white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) collected before and after the closure of a pulp mill to explore recovery in fish. Physiological indicators, including liver enzymes and plasma steroids, showed some compelling changes after

Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that have systemic effects that are mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor. Environmental chemicals that disrupt glucocorticoid receptor signaling and/or glucocorticoid homeostasis could adversely affect the health of human and nonhuman vertebrates. A major challenge in identifying environmental chemicals that alter glucocorticoid receptor signaling and/or glucocorticoid

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) cause significant health and reproductive problems in many vertebrates. Exposure during embryogenesis likely leads to defects in organ development, compromising survival and growth through adulthood. The present study identifies the impact of PCBs on the embryonic development of key organs and resulting consequences on survival and growth. Zebrafish embryos were treated

Lead poisoning, mainly through incidental ingestion of lead ammunition in carcasses, is a threat to scavenging and predatory bird species worldwide. In Australia, shooting for animal control is widespread, and a range of native scavenging species are susceptible to lead exposure. However, the prevalence of lead exposure in Australia's scavenging and predatory birds is largely unknown. We evaluated

Aquatic systems worldwide are threatened by the anthropogenic use of synthetic chemicals, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and road de‐icers. Exposure to contaminants can alter the behavior, morphology, and physiology of organisms if it occurs during sensitive life stages. For instance, past studies have documented feminization of male amphibians following herbicide exposure and skewed sex ratios

There is an intrinsic link between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) accumulated in soils and increased health risk to humans after exposure to contaminated soil via ingestion, inhalation of particulates carrying PAHs, and direct contact with polluted soils. However, the assessment of PAH contamination in most developing countries fails to consider health risk assessment. Therefore, a comprehensive

Yu Z, Peng B, Liu L‐Y, Wong CS, Zeng EY. 2019. Development and validation of an efficient method for processing microplastics in biota samples. Environ Tox Chem 38:1400–1408. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4416 The authors of the above‐noted paper hereby submit the following correction to the funding number for the National Natural Science Foundation of China in their Acknowledgment.

The geographical shift of nickel mining to small island countries of the Southeast Asia and Melanesia region has produced a need to assess the environmental risk associated with increased sediment nickel exposure to benthic estuarine/marine biota. Chemical measurements of nickel concentration and potential bioavailability, including the use of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT), were compared

Viticulture is one of the most pesticide‐intensive agricultures in Europe leading to a spatio‐temporal overlap of amphibian migration and pesticide applications. Since post‐metamorphic, terrestrial amphibian stages are mostly neglected in ecotoxicological studies, we investigated acute effects of viticultural fungicides on juvenile common frogs (Rana temporaria). Tadpoles from an uncontaminated pond

Chemical monitoring data sets such as those provided by the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) offer opportunities to evaluate the ecological risks of pesticides under large spatiotemporal scales and to evaluate the protectiveness of the current prospective risk‐assessment framework. As a case study, we used the monitoring data set for the insecticide chlorpyrifos to perform a probabilistic

The freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna has traditionally been a model for ecotoxicological studies owing to its sensitivity to many xenobiotics. Since it is used in many toxicity assessments, its detoxification mechanism for xenobiotics is important and requires further study. However, studies related to detoxification genes are limited to transcriptomic profiling and there are no D. magna mutants

The present study investigated the distribution and environmental fate of Bisphenol A (BPA), the 4‐hydroxyacetophenone (4‐HAP) metabolite, and 5 other bisphenol congeners in 2 municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and their receiving rivers in Romania. Accordingly, a new, highly sensitive and accurate solid‐phase extraction–liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry

Tumor angiogenesis is the main target in cancer drug development. Discovery of antiangiogenic agents targeting different mechanisms of action is the major area of research to control tumor growth and metastasis. Zebrafish (in the embryo‐larvae stage) acts as an essential preclinical efficacy–toxicity model for antiangiogenic drug discovery. We aimed to develop a carcinogen‐induced model of proangiogenesis

Environmental risk assessment is often challenged by a lack of toxicity data for ecological species. The overall goal of the present study was to employ an avian early‐life stage toxicity test to determine the effects of 4 chemicals (benzo[a]pyrene [BaP], chlorpyrifos, fluoxetine hydrochloride [FLX], and ethinyl estradiol [EE2]) on an ecologically relevant avian species, the double‐crested cormorant

The current study evaluated whether in vitro measures of aromatase inhibition as inputs into a quantitative adverse outcome pathway (qAOP) construct could effectively predict in vivo effects on 17β‐estradiol (E2) and vitellogenin (VTG) concentrations in female fathead minnows. Five chemicals identified as aromatase inhibitors in mammalian‐based ToxCast assays were screened for their ability to inhibit

Despite their popularity as a game species across North America, little is known about contaminant burdens in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) inhabiting areas of environmental contamination, and their potential to expose human and wildlife consumers. We compared trace element concentrations and radionuclide activity in muscle and liver tissues of turkeys inhabiting the Savannah River Site (SRS)

Internal feeding is considered to shield sessile herbivore insects from exposure to non‐systemic insecticides aerially sprayed against forest defoliators, though this has not been tested. It is, however, established that leaf damage caused by defoliators affect the survivorship and oviposition behavior of sessile herbivores. Feeding ecology and competition may hence mediate non‐target effects of insecticides

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a ubiquitous contaminant which can be responsible for a variety of deleterious effects to organisms. These adverse outcomes are relatively well studied, but at concentrations rarely found in the environment. Among the documented effects of sublethal acute PAHs exposure are reductions in osmoregulatory capacity, immune function, and changes in the function

Global demand for beef is projected to increase into the foreseeable future (Smith et al., 2018).

Dechlorane Plus (DP) is found widely in the environment. It is important to study DP enrichment and biomagnification in terrestrial ecosystems to improve our understanding of the possible effects of DP on the environment and human health. A total of 90 samples, including plant and animal tissues, were collected from Xilingol Prairie in Inner Mongolia, China. The DP concentrations in different species

Selenium (Se) toxicity to fish is primarily manifested via maternal transfer to the eggs, which may result in adverse effects on larval survival and development. The present study assessed the effects of egg Se concentrations derived via maternal transfer on early life–stage development, survival, and growth of Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus), a salmonid species not previously assessed for Se

Effects‐based monitoring frameworks that combine the use of analytical chemistry with in vitro cell bioassays, as well as in vivo whole organism tests offer an integrative approach to broadly screen for chemical contaminants and link their presence with adverse effects on aquatic organisms. California (USA) is currently evaluating the use of such a framework to assess the impact of contaminants of

Increases in the concentrations of major ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−) in freshwater are a growing concern for ecosystem health. These increases may originate from anthropogenic activities such as road deicing, fracking spills, mining, and fertilizer application and have detrimental effects on freshwater organisms through disturbances in ionoregulation and acid–base balance. The cladoceran Daphnia

recent industrial developments have resulted in an increase in use of so‐called technology‐critical elements (TCEs), for which the potential impacts on aquatic biota remain to be evaluated. In the present study, quantitative ion character activity relationships (QICARs) have been developed to relate intrinsic metal properties to their toxicity towards freshwater aquatic organisms. In total, 23 metal

Evaluate the renal function of rural workers in a city of Northeastern Brazil.

The complex chemical composition of crude oils presents many challenges for rapid chemical characterization in the case of a spill. A number of approaches are currently used to “fingerprint” petroleum‐derived samples. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) is the most common, albeit not very rapid, technique; however, with GC‐MS alone, it is difficult to resolve the complex substances

Routine whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing is commonly used to monitor effluent discharges for regulatory compliance in North America. However, the use of fish in WET testing raises ethical concerns and therefore understanding if invertebrates can be used to reduce and/or replace the need for vertebrate testing is an important question to be explored. The present study evaluated WET data collected

Shoreline spiders have been proposed as sentinels to monitor aquatic contaminants including methyl mercury (MeHg). The present study examined the effect of spider body size on MeHg concentrations in shoreline spiders. We collected 6 taxa of spiders belonging to 4 families (orb‐weavers [Araneidae], long‐jawed orb weavers [Tetragnathidae: Tetragnatha sp.], jumping spiders [Salticidae] and wolf spiders

Natural organic matter (NOM) has long been shown to be the dominant factor in determining equilibrium and kinetic processes during sorption and desorption phenomena in sediment and soil experiments. Although several models have been suggested for predicting these processes, few offer mechanistic interpretations because the spatial location of organic matter on sediment particles is unknown. This investigation

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a perfluorinated compound used in many industrial and consumer products. It has been linked to a broad range of adverse effects in several species, including zebrafish (Danio rerio). The zebrafish embryo is a widely used vertebrate model to elucidate potential adverse effects of chemicals because it is amenable to medium and high throughput. However, there is

Neonicotinoid insecticides cause adverse effects on non‐target organisms, but more information about their occurrence in surface and groundwater is needed across a range of land use. Sixty‐five sites in Minnesota U.S., representing rivers, streams, lakes, groundwater, and treated wastewater, were monitored via collection of 157 water samples to determine variability in spatiotemporal neonicotinoid

Efforts to establish water quality standards for the protection of human health involve a calculation of the amount of fish that can be consumed without exceeding a predetermined safe dose. This is often accompanied by a calculation of the concentration of the substance of concern (i.e., metal) in water that should not be exceeded, to prevent excessive accumulation of the metal in the food organism

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as contaminants of global concern. Among several PFAS, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are persistent and bioaccumulative compounds. We investigated the cyto‐genotoxic potential of PFOS to Allium cepa root meristem cells. The A. cepa root tips were exposed to 6 different concentrations (1–100 mg L−1) of PFOS

Contamination of agricultural soil with Cd has become a global concern because of its adverse effects on eco‐health and food safety. Soil amendments with biochar have become one of the phytotechnology to reduce soil metal phyto‐availability and their potential risk along the food chain. Biochar (BC), derived from cocoa‐pod, was evaluated on soil Cd fractions (exchangeable, reducible, oxidisable and

Ketamine (K) is a chiral drug used for various clinical purposes but often misused. It is metabolized to norketamine (NK), an active chiral metabolite. Both substances have been detected in environmental matrices, but their enantioselective toxic effects are scarce. In this study, the enantiomers of K and NK were separated by a semi‐preparative enantioselective liquid chromatography method and their

Most corn (Zea mays) seeds planted in the US in recent years are coated with a seed treatment containing neonicotinoid insecticides. Abrasion of the seed coating generates insecticide‐laden planter dust that disperses through the landscape during corn planting and has resulted in many ‘bee‐kill’ incidents in North America and Europe. We investigated the linkage between corn planting and honey bee colony

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are the first mostly ionic compounds that are of major concern due to their accumulative behavior. The discussion about their risk is ongoing considering the increasing production of structurally similar alternatives.