The toxicity of heavy metals commonly impacts the survival of crustacean and bivalve larvae in hatchery culture, and this has led to the widespread use of EDTA to decrease this toxicity. Since EDTA has a very poor biodegradability leading to potential persistent environmental effects, alternative methods to prevent heavy metal toxicity to shellfish larvae are needed. EDDS is a biodegradable potential

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential metal with no known biological function and a broad range of toxic effects in biological systems. We used whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) to study the effects of Cd2+ toxicity in zebrafish liver cells, ZFL. The results of an RNA-Seq analysis of ZFL cells exposed to 5, 10 or 20 μM Cd2+ for 4- or 24-h. The differentially expressed genes affected by Cd2+ were analyzed

Bitumen mined in the oil sands region of Northern Alberta, Canada, is diluted with natural gas condensates to form dilbit, which is transported through pipelines. Sections of these pipelines come close to freshwater ecosystems. If dilbit is spilled into or near an aquatic environment, environmental weathering processes, such as evaporation and sediment interaction, influence the fate and toxicity of

Trace concentrations of a number of pharmaceutically active compounds have been detected in the aquatic environment in many countries, where they are thought to have the potential to exert adverse effects on non-target organisms. Amiodarone (AMD) is one such high-risk compound commonly used in general hospitals. AMD is known to alter normal thyroid hormone (TH) function, although little information

Microplastics (MPs) are contaminants of emerging concern in the Arctic, but knowledge of their potential effects on Arctic plankton food webs remains scarce. We experimentally investigated ingestion and effects of MPs (20 µm polyethylene spheres) on the arctic copepods Calanus finmarchicus, C. glacialis and C. hyperboreus. These species dominate arctic zooplankton biomass and are relevant target species

An experiment was carried out using microcosms to evaluate the impact of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic on nematode trophic groups structure and bacterial abundance. Sediment samples were experimentally enriched with four increasing doses of ciprofloxacin [D1 (50 ppm), D2 (100 ppm), D3 (200 ppm) and D4 (500 ppm)] and compared to non-enriched sediments (used as control). Ciprofloxacin changed the trophic

Cyanobacteria are known for their ability to produce and release mixtures of up to thousands of compounds into the environment. Recently, the production of novel metabolites, retinoids, was reported for some cyanobacterial species along with teratogenic effects of samples containing these compounds. Retinoids are natural endogenous substances derived from vitamin A that play a crucial role in early

Hexavalent chromium, a heavy metal toxicant, abundantly found in the environment showed hepatotoxic potential in zebrafish liver and instigated the Nrf2-Keap1-ARE pathway as a cellular stress response as reported in our previous studies. In the present study we have evaluated the ameliorating effect of shinorine, a mycosporine like amino acid (MAAs) and a mammalian Keap1 antagonist against chromium

Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid insecticide commonly used in agricultural and urban sectors, and is found in watersheds worldwide. As a sodium channel blocker, at sublethal concentrations it causes off-target effects, including disruption of calcium signaling and neuronal growth. At the whole organism level, sublethal concentrations of bifenthrin cause behavioral effects in fish species, raising concerns

Understanding internal dose metrics is integral to adequately assess effects environmental contaminants might have on aquatic wildlife, including fish. In silico toxicokinetic (TK) models are a leading approach for quantifying internal exposure metrics for fishes; however, they often do not adequately consider chemicals that are actively biotransformed and have not been validated against early-life

Commonly affected by changes in climate and environmental conditions, coastal areas are very dynamic environments where shellfish play an important ecological role. In this study, the oxidative stress and genotoxic responses of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) exposed to paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) - producing dinoflagellates Gymnodinium catenatum were evaluated under i) current conditions (CC:

The DNA repair system has evolved from the common ancestor of all life forms and its function is highly conserved within eukaryotes. In this study, to reveal the role of DNA double-strand break repair (DSB) genes in response to benzo[α]pyrene (B[α]P), we first identified DSB genes in relation to homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining events in four Brachionus rotifer spp.: B. calyciflorus

Chemical contaminants can be discharged by vessel hull cleaning processes, such as scraping, jet spraying, and painting, all of which produce readily transportable contaminants into the marine environment, where they are referred to as ‘hotspots’ of contamination in coastal areas. However, many countries have not yet established effective evaluation methods for disposal of waste mixtures or management

Here we report the molecular networks associated with the mucosal and systemic responses to peracetic acid (PAA), a candidate oxidative chemotherapeutic in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Smolts were exposed to different therapeutic doses (0, 0.6 and 2.4 mg/L) of PAA for 5 min, followed by a re-exposure to the same concentrations for 30 min 2 weeks later. PAA-exposed groups have higher external welfare

The 20th Pollutant Responses in Marine Organisms (PRIMO 20) conference provided a forum for scientists from around the world to communicate novel toxicological research findings specifically focused on aquatic organisms, by combining applied and basic research at the intersection of environmental and mechanistic toxicology. The work highlighted in this special issue of Aquatic Toxicology, a special

Hepatic in vitro biotransformation assays, in combination with in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) and bioaccumulation modeling, can be used to support regulatory bioaccumulation assessments. In most applications, however, these methods ignore the possibility of extrahepatic metabolism. Here we evaluated intestinal biotransformation in rainbow trout using S9 fractions prepared from the upper intestinal

Pen shell (Atrina cf. japonica) resources have been devastated in Ariake Bay, Japan, and to facilitate the recovery of this species, there is an urgent need to fully understand the factors contributing to its high levels of mortality. Pen shells living in natural waters grow through successive life stages, and environmental factors may affect these bivalves differently at different stages. Accordingly

Increasing salinity in freshwater environments is a growing problem due both to the negative influences of salts on ecosystems and their accumulation and persistence in environments. Two major sources of increased salinity from sodium chloride salts (NaCl) are saline wastewaters co-produced during energy production (herein, wastewaters) and road salts. Effects of road salts have received more attention

Pharmaceuticals are widespread contaminants across the aquatic systems and despite the role that these compounds play in society today, little is known about their effects in aquatic organisms once they are released into the environment. This study aims to provide quantitative insight on the effects of antidepressants on the reproduction of fish and crustaceans with a multilevel meta-analysis. A systematic

In order to understand the potential impacts of nickel nanowires (Ni NWs) after reaching the aquatic environment, this research evaluated the toxicity of Ni NWs with different lengths (≤ 1.1, ≤11 and ≤ 80 μm) for several floating, planktonic and nektonic freshwater organisms. In this work, Ni NWs were synthesized by electrodeposition using anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes. The toxicity of the

Species responses to stress are expected to be dependent on their life-history strategy. In this study, we compare the responses of two free-living marine nematodes, Litoditis marina and Diplolaimella dievengatensis, both considered opportunistic, fast-growing, and stress-tolerant species, to the exposure to sublethal concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant. Specifically, we evaluated

Diatoms are highly sensitive to perturbations in their environment and are thus useful as bioindicators for anthropogenic impacts such as pollution. However, there is no consensus about what aspects of diatom populations to measure (e.g., diversity, physiology, or morphology) and efficient and reliable survey protocols are lacking. Here, we evaluated the ecological status of diatom communities using

Lambda-cyhalothrin is a synthetic pyrethroid that mimics the structure and insecticidal properties of pyrethrin, a natural insecticide derived from chrysanthemums. In fish, it disrupts the nervous system, causing motor paralysis and several other alterations associated with varying levels of mortality. This study aimed to evaluate osmoregulatory responses and histological changes in the gills of Oreochromis

As one of the main toxic substances in aquaculture water, ammonia causes seriously physiological harm to aquatic animals. In order to investigate the effects of ammonia exposure on the antioxidant defense, immune response, and NF-κB signaling pathway in the Chinese Strip-necked Turtle (Mauremys sinensis), we designed two experimental groups (control and 6.45 mM ammonia), and sampled at 6 h, 24 h, 48 h

The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of defined mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), at low, environmentally relevant (1× = L), or high (20× = H) doses, on biological responses in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). To this end, farmed juvenile cod were exposed at day 0 and day 7 via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections, in a two-week in

Estrogenic effects triggered by androgens have been previously shown in a few studies. Aromatization and direct binding to estrogen receptors (ERs) are the most proposed mechanisms. For example, previously, a modulation of vitellogenin A (VtgA) by testosterone (T), an aromatizable androgen, was reported in brown trout primary hepatocytes. The effect was reversed by an ER antagonist. In this study,

The ubiquitous contamination of environmental lead (Pb) remains a worldwide threat. Improper Pb mine waste disposal from an abandoned lead-zinc mine has recently unearthed widespread Pb poisoning in children in Kabwe Zambia. Although the adverse effects of Pb on human health have begun to receive attention, the ecotoxicological effects on aquatic vertebrates still need further investigation. In addition

The pollution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is becoming a pressing environmental problem in aquatic environments, and its threat to aquatic organism has received much attention. In this study, Phaeodactylum tricornutum was treated with 0.8 and 4 mg L−1 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabrominated biphenyl ether (BDE-47), the most toxic PBDEs, for 96 h. BDE-47 inhibited cell growth in a time- and concentration-dependent

Along with traditional ecotoxicological approaches in model organisms, toxicological studies in non-model organisms are being taken into consideration in order to complement them and contribute to more robust approaches. This allows us to figure out the complexity of the exposures involved in natural ecosystems. In this context, in the present research we have used the model species Chironomus riparius

The effects of allelopathy and the potential harm of several isolated allelochemicals have been studied in detail. Microorganisms in the phycosphere play an important role in algal growth, decay and nutrient cycling. However, it is unknown and often neglected whether allelochemicals affect the phycosphere. The present study selected a phenolic acid protocatechuic acid (PA) – previously shown to be

Among the various environmental disturbances caused by wildfires, their impacts within burnt areas and on the downhill aquatic ecosystems has been receiving increased attention. Post-fire rainfalls and subsequent runoffs play an important role in transporting ash and soil to aquatic systems within the burnt areas. These runoffs can be a diffuse source of toxic substances such as metals. The present

The presence of diclofenac in the aquatic environment and the risks for aquatic wildlife, especially fish, have been raised in several studies. One way to manage risks without enforcing improved wastewater treatment would be to substitute diclofenac (when suitable from a clinical perspective) with another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) associated with less environmental risk. While there

Pesticides have an impact on the aquatic environment, with ecological effects. The regulation of this impact is of key importance. One of the components of the planning of agricultural and industrial activities is the development of databases and models in order to identify substances that may cause damage. In this study, a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) approach was established

In aquatic animals, hypoxia is associated with growth retardation, impaired immunity, susceptibility to pathogens, oxidative stress, and mortality. However, the relative long-term effects of hypoxia on bivalves, including abalone, are not well understood. In this study, we examined the effects of exposure to hypoxic (2.5 and 4 mg O2 L−1) and normoxic (8 mg O2 L−1) conditions on the growth, survival

An emerging Multi-Ion Toxicity (MIT) model for assessment of environmental salt pollution is based on the premise that major ion toxicity to aquatic organisms is related to a critical disturbance of the trans-epithelial potential across the gills (ΔTEP), which can be predicted by electrochemical theory. However, the model has never been evaluated physiologically. We directly tested key assumptions

There is increasing evidence about negative effects of fungicides on non-target organisms, including parasitic species, which are key elements in food webs. Previous experiments showed that environmentally relevant concentrations of fungicide tebuconazole are toxic to the microparasite Metschnikowia bicuspidata, a yeast species that infects the planktonic crustacean Daphnia spp. However, due to their

Although excess ammoniacal-nitrogen (NH4+-N) results in the disturbance of various important biochemical and physiological processes, a detailed study on the effects of NH4+-N stress on the photosynthesis and global changes in protein levels in submerged macrophytes is still lacking. Here, the changes of excess NH4+-N on physiological parameters in Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle, a submerged macrophyte

The increasing contamination of water bodies with mercury (Hg) raises concerns about the possible effects of this metal on native fish species. Our current understanding of its dynamics in fish organs remains limited. In this study, adult individuals of the native species Astyanax eigenmanniorum were exposed to three environmentally relevant HgCl2 concentrations (5, 100, and 170 μg L−1) for 96 h. To

Fluoxetine is a widely prescribed antidepressant that has been frequently detected in aquatic environments and is associated with a series of neurological, behavioural and neuroendocrine disruptions in nontarget organisms. However, studies on its effects in fish under realistic environmental conditions are still limited. In this study, we determined the influences of an environmentally relevant concentration

Bisphenol A (BPA), a well-known estrogenic endocrine disruptor, is ubiquitously present in the environment, possessing the potential to interfere with the reproductive endocrine system in male mammals. However, there are limited studies on the reproductive toxicity in male aquatic animals associated with epigenetic modifications. In order to evaluate the potential effects of BPA on reproduction and

Strains of microalgae vary in traits between species and populations due to adaptation or stochastic processes. Traits of individual strains may also vary depending on the acclimatization state and external forces, such as abiotic stress. In this study we tested how metal tolerance differs among marine diatoms at three organizational levels: species, populations, and strains. At the species level we

Millions of pharmaceuticals are prescribed each year. Wastewater treatment plants fail to remove all pharmaceuticals from discharge leading to detectable concentrations entering aquatic ecosystems where the compounds can encounter nontarget organisms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class of antidepressants interact with transporters in the brain and peripheral nervous system to change

In the aquatic environment, metals are present as mixtures, therefore studies on mixture toxicity are crucial to thoroughly understand their toxic effects on aquatic organisms. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were used to assess the effects of short-term Cu(II) and Cd(II) mixtures, using a fixed concentration of one of the metals, representing 25 % of its individual 96h-LC50 (concentration lethal for

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes play important roles in the detoxification and bioactivation of environmental contaminants and are involved in the responses to pollution in fish. In this study, we cloned four new CYP1 genes, CYP1A, CYP1B, CYP1C1, and CYP1C2, from black rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii), a dominant and economically important fish species in Korea. This species is at a significant risk of

Pyrene (PYR) and fluorene (FLU) are among the sixteen priority Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and are both frequently detected in contaminated sites. Due to the importance of bivalve mollusks in biomonitoring programs and the scarce information on the biotransformation system in these organisms, the aim of this study was to investigate the

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates the toxicity of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) in vertebrates. Two clades of the Ahr family exist in teleosts (Ahr1 and Ahr2), and it has been demonstrated that Ahr2 is the main protein involved in mediating the toxicity of dioxins and DLCs in most teleost species. Recently, we characterized the Atlantic

Climate warming and nitrate pollution are pervasive aquatic stressors that endanger the persistence of fishes prevailing in anthropogenically disturbed habitats. Individually, elevated nitrate and temperature can influence fish energy homeostasis by increasing maintenance costs and impairing oxygen transport capacity. However, it remains unknown how fish respond to simultaneous exposure to elevated

Triclosan (TCS) is commonly used in home and personal care products (HPCPs), which causes it to be ubiquitously detected in aquatic environments. The toxicity of triclosan to aquatic organisms can vary at different pH values because the ionization states of TCS affect its bioaccumulation properties. The objective of this study was to examine the pH-dependent toxicity of TCS on embryonic zebrafish (Danio

Ribosomal (r)DNA is a highly dynamic, conserved, multigene family whose sequence homogeneity is thought to be maintained by intra- and interchromosomal recombination, which are capable of changing rDNA copy number. It is generally not known how environmental stress such as sublethal exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of metals impacts rDNA copy number. To determine how chronic metal