Image_1_Synergistic Effects of Nano-ZnO and Low pH of Sea Water on the Physiological Energetics of the Thick Shell Mussel Mytilus coruscus.PDF

<p>In order to investigate the ecotoxicological effects of nano-ZnO particles and seawater acidification on marine bivalves, the thick shell mussels, Mytilus coruscus were subjected to joint treatments with different nano-ZnO concentrations (0 [control], 2.5 [medium] and 10 mg L^-1 [high]) under two pH levels (7.7 [low]and 8.1 [control]) for 14 days. The results showed that respiration rate (RR), absorption efficiency (AE), clearance rate (CR), O:N ratio and scope for growth (SFG) were significantly reduced with nano-ZnO concentration increase, but ammonium excretion rate (ER) was increased. Low pH significantly reduced CR, RR, SFG, and O:N ratio of the mussels especially under high nano-ZnO conditions, and significantly increased ER. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed consistent relationships among most tested parameters, especially among SFG, RR, O:N ratio and CR under the normal pH and 0 nano-ZnO conditions. Therefore, seawater acidification and nano-ZnO interactively impact the ecophysiological responses of mussels and cause more severe effects when they appear concurrently.</p

Pharmaceutical Residues in Edible Oysters along the Coasts of the East and South China Seas and Associated Health Risks to Humans and Wildlife

The investigation of pharmaceuticals as emerging contaminants in marine biota has been insufficient. In this study, we examined the presence of 51 pharmaceuticals in edible oysters along the coasts of the East and South China Seas. Only nine pharmaceuticals were detected. The mean concentrations of all measured pharmaceuticals in oysters per site ranged from 0.804 to 15.1 ng g–1 of dry weight, with antihistamines being the most common. Brompheniramine and promethazine were identified in biota samples for the first time. Although no significant health risks to humans were identified through consumption of oysters, 100–1000 times higher health risks were observed for wildlife like water birds, seasnails, and starfishes. Specifically, sea snails that primarily feed on oysters were found to be at risk of exposure to ciprofloxacin, brompheniramine, and promethazine. These high risks could be attributed to the monotonous diet habits and relatively limited food sources of these organisms. Furthermore, taking chirality into consideration, chlorpheniramine in the oysters was enriched by the S-enantiomer, with a relative potency 1.1–1.3 times higher when chlorpheniramine was considered as a racemate. Overall, this study highlights the prevalence of antihistamines in seafood and underscores the importance of studying enantioselectivities of pharmaceuticals in health risk assessments