Acute effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on Mytilus galloprovincialis: A case study with the active compound thiacloprid and the commercial formulation calypso 480 SC

Abstract Pesticides can enter aquatic environments potentially affecting non-target organisms. Unfortunately, the effects of such substances are still poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of the active neonicotinoid substance thiacloprid (TH) and the commercial product Calypso 480 SC (CA) (active compound 40.4% TH) on Mytilus galloprovincialis after short-term exposure to sublethal concentrations. Mussels were tested for seven days to 0, 1, 5 and 10 mg L−1 TH and 0, 10, 50 and 100 mg L−1 CA. For this purpose, several parameters, such as cell viability of haemocytes and digestive cells, biochemical haemolymph features, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymatic activity of gills and digestive gland, as well as histology of such tissues were analysed. The sublethal concentrations of both substances lead to abatement or completely stopping the byssal fibres creation. Biochemical analysis of haemolymph showed significant changes (

Assessing the effects of neonicotinoid insecticide on the bivalve mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis

Abstract In the present work, the marine invertebrate Mytilus galloprovincialis was used as model organism to evaluate the toxic effects of the neonicotinoid Calypso 480 SC (CAL) following 20 days of exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of 7.77 mg L-1 (0.1 % 96h-LC50) and 77.70 mg L-1 (1 % 96h-LC50), and a recovery period of 10 days in uncontaminated seawater. Results revealed that exposure to both concentrations of CAL increased significantly mortality rate in the cells of haemolymph and digestive gland, while digestive gland cells were no longer able to regulate cell volume. Exposure significantly reduced haemolymph parameters (Cl-, Na+), affected the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase of digestive gland and catalase of gill, and caused also histopathological alterations in digestive gland and gills. Main histological damages detected in mussels were lipofuscin accumulation, focal points of necrosis, mucous overproduction and infiltrative inflammations. Interestingly, alterations persisted after the recovery period in CAL-free water, especially for haemocyte parameters (K+, Na+, Ca2+, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose). A slight recovery of histological conditions was detected. These findings suggested that sub-chronic exposure to the neonicotinoid insecticide caused important alterations in both cell and tissue parameters of M. galloprovincialis. Considering the ecologically and commercially important role of mussels in coastal waters, a potential risk posed by neonicotinoids to this essential aquatic resource can be highlighted

Leeches as Sensor-bioindicators of River Contamination by PCBs

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of leeches of the genus Erpobdella as a means of assessing polychlorinated biphenyl contamination of watercourses. The River Skalice, heavily contaminated with PCBs, was selected as a model. The source of contamination was a road gravel processing factory in Rožmitál pod Třemšínem from which an estimated 1 metric ton of PCBs leaked in 1986. Levels of PCB were measured in leeches collected between 1992 to 2003 from 11 sites covering about 50 km of the river (the first sampling site upstream to the source of contamination and 10 sites downstream). The PCB indicator congeners IUPA no. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, and 180 were measured. Levels were highest at the four sampling sites nearest the source of pollution. The highest values of PCB congeners were found in 1992. PCB content decreased from 1992 to 2003 and with distance from the source. The study indicated that leeches of the genus Erpobdella are a suitable bioindicator of contamination in the surface layer of river sediments

Effects of Glyphosate and Its Metabolite AMPA on Aquatic Organisms

Glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) was developed in the early 1970s and at present is used as a herbicide to kill broadleaf weeds and grass. The widely occurring degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) is a result of glyphosate and amino-polyphosphonate degradation. The massive use of the parent compound leads to the ubiquity of AMPA in the environment, and particularly in water. Considering this, it can be assumed that glyphosate and its major metabolites could pose a potential risk to aquatic organisms. This review summarizes current knowledge about residual glyphosate and its major metabolite AMPA in the aquatic environment, including its status and toxic effects in aquatic organisms, mainly fish. Based on the above, we identify major gaps in the current knowledge and some directions for future research knowledge about the effects of worldwide use of herbicide glyphosate and its major metabolite AMPA. The toxic effect of glyphosate and its major metabolite AMPA has mainly influenced growth, early development, oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes, haematological, and biochemical plasma indices and also caused histopathological changes in aquatic organisms

Effect of Terbuthylazine-2-hydroxy at Environmental Concentrations on Early Life Stages of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The aim of the study was to investigate effects of the triazine’s herbicide terbuthylazine-2-hydroxy on early life stage of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) through antioxidant indices, mortality, growth, development, and histopathology. Based on accumulated mortality in the experimental groups, lethal concentrations of terbuthylazine-2-hydroxy were estimated at 35-day LC50 = 10.9 mg/L terbuthylazine-2-hydroxy. By day 15, fish were exposed to 3.5 mg/L and by day 26, fish were exposed to 0.0029 mg/L; real environmental concentration in Czech rivers, 0.07 mg/L, 1.4 mg/L, and 3.5 mg/L terbuthylazine-2-hydroxy, showed significantly lower mass and total length compared with controls. Based on inhibition of growth in the experimental groups, lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) = 0.002 mg/L terbuthylazine-2-hydroxy and no observed effect concentration (NOEC) = 0.0001 mg/L terbuthylazine-2-hydroxy. No significant negative effects on hatching or embryo viability were demonstrated at the concentrations tested, but significant differences in early ontogeny among groups were noted. Fish from the two highest tested concentrations showed a dose-related delay in development compared with the controls. Total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significant lower in all groups testedly for terbuthylazine-2-hydroxy compared with the control group. At concentrations of 1.4 and 3.5 mg/L damage to caudal kidney tubules when compared to control fish was found

A nitrogen factor for European pike-perch (Sander lucioperca), northern pike (Esox lucius), and sheatfish (Silurus glanis) fillets

Measures for consumer protection against food adulteration and misleading labeling are integrated into EU legislation, including methods for detection of misleading practices. Verification of meat content is available for marine products but not for freshwater fish because of the lack of standard nitrogen factors. The aim of this study was to establish nitrogen factors for European pike-perch Sander lucioperca (Linnaeus, 1758), northern pike Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1758, and sheatfish Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758. The study involved analysis of 808 fillet samples obtained in spring (March–April) and autumn (October–November) harvest seasons, 2018–2019, from seven Czech Republic fish rearing facilities. Samples with and without skin were analyzed for nitrogen content, dry matter, protein, ash, and fat according to established ISO methods. The recommended nitrogen factor for European pike-perch with the skin is 3.28 ± 0.09 and without the skin is 3.21 ± 0.09; for northern pike with the skin is 3.18 ± 0.09 and without skin is 3.15 ± 0.09; and for sheatfish with skin is 2.73 ± 0.13 and without skin is 2.75 ± 0.12. The established nitrogen factors will enable analysis of meat content to ensure that consumers are purchasing correctly described and labeled fish products

Chronic Toxicity of Primary Metabolites of Chloroacetamide and Glyphosate to Early Life Stages of Marbled Crayfish Procambarus virginalis

Degradation products of herbicides, alone and in combination, may affect non-target aquatic organisms via leaching or runoff from the soil. The effects of 50-day exposure of primary metabolites of chloroacetamide herbicide, acetochlor ESA (AE; 4 µg/L), and glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA; 4 µg/L), and their combination (AMPA + AE; 4 + 4 µg/L) on mortality, growth, oxidative stress, antioxidant response, behaviour, and gill histology of early life stages of marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) were investigated. While no treatment effects were observed on cumulative mortality or early ontogeny, growth was significantly lower in all exposed groups compared with the control group. Significant superoxide dismutase activity was observed in exposure groups, and significantly higher glutathione S-transferase activity only in the AMPA + AE group. The gill epithelium in AMPA + AE-exposed crayfish showed swelling as well as numerous unidentified fragments in interlamellar space. Velocity and distance moved in crayfish exposed to metabolites did not differ from controls, but increased activity was observed in the AMPA and AE groups. The study reveals the potential risks of glyphosate and acetochlor herbicide usage through their primary metabolites in the early life stages of marbled crayfish

Effect of the human therapeutic drug diltiazem on the haematological parameters, histology and selected enzymatic activities of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss.

Diltiazem is a pharmaceutical belonging to a group of calcium channel blockers (CCB) that is widely used in the treatment of angina pectoris and hypertension. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of diltiazem on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Juvenile trout were exposed for 21 and 42 days to three nominal concentrations of diltiazem: 0.03 μg L(-1) (environmentally relevant concentration), 3 μg L(-1), and 30 μg L(-1) (sub-lethal concentrations). The number of mature neutrophilic granulocytes was significantly increased by 450 and 400% in fish exposed to 3 μg L(-1) and 30 μg L(-1) diltiazem compared to the control, respectively. Antioxidant enzyme activity was affected in liver and gills of fish exposed to all tested concentrations of diltiazem but the changes were mostly transient and not concentration dependent. Creatine kinase activity was markedly increased (ranging from 520 to 845%) at all tested diltiazem concentrations at the end of the exposure indicating muscle and/or kidney damage. The highest concentration was associated with histological changes in heart, liver, and kidney. These alterations can be attributed to the effects of diltiazem on the cardiovascular system, similar to those observed in the human body, as well as to its metabolism. At the environmentally relevant concentration, diltiazem was found to induce some alterations in the blood, gills, and liver of fish, indicating its potential for adverse effects on non-target organisms in the aquatic environment