Copper bioavailability and amelioration of toxicity in Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania, Australia

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Stauber ◽  
Rodney J. Benning ◽  
Leigh T. Hales ◽  
Ruth Eriksen ◽  
Barbara Nowak
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Copper Toxicity ◽  
Toxicity Tests ◽  
Copper Binding ◽  
Observable Effect ◽  
Railway Company ◽  
Complexing Capacity ◽  
Chemical Measurements ◽  
Membrane Bound

The 100-year operation of the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company Limited’s copper mine in Queenstown, Australia, has resulted in the deposition of over 100 million cubic metres of mine tailings, smelter slag and topsoil into the King River and Macquarie Harbour. Apreliminary risk assessment, together with chemical measurements of dissolved copper, ASV-labile copper, copper complexing capacity and resin-adsorbed copper, suggested that copper in mid-salinity harbour waters was potentially bioavailable. However, toxicity tests based on inhibition of microalgal (Nitzschia closterium) growth showed that copper in these waters was not toxic, even though labile copper concentrations (6–24 µg L−1) exceeded the concentration of lowest observable effect for algae of 5 mg L−1. Measurements of intracellular and membrane-bound copper confirmed that cell division was not affected because copper was not taken up intracellularly. Amelioration of copper toxicity was due to binding of dissolved organic matter and/or other metals at the cell membrane, preventing copper binding and uptake. An understanding of the mechanism of copper toxicity and its amelioration is vital to assessing various clean-up options for the harbour.

scholarly journals Environmental Risk Assessment Resulting from Sediment Contamination with Perfluoroalkyl Substances

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Grażyna Gałęzowska ◽  
Justyna Rogowska ◽  
Ewa Olkowska ◽  
Wojciech Ratajczyk ◽  
Lidia Wolska
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Environmental Risk ◽  
Environmental Risk Assessment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
River Mouth ◽  
Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Perfluoroalkyl Substances ◽  
Toxicity Tests ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Vistula River

Due to wide use of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) (e.g., in metal-plating, in fire-fighting foam, lubricants) and their resistance to degradation, they occur widely in the environment. The aim of this study was to estimate the environmental risk resulting from the presence of PFASs in the Gulf of Gdansk. Therefore, 17 PFASs concentrations were determined using ultra performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (UPLC-MS/MS). Additionally, sediment ecotoxicity was investigated. The results of the chemical analysis were used to asses environmental risk of PFASs. In samples collected around discharge collectors from a wastewater treatment plant and the Vistula mouth, Σ17PFASs values were 0.00403 ÷ 40.6 and 0.509 ÷ 614 ng/g d.w., respectively. In samples collected around discharge collectors, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFHpA, and PFOA were dominating, while at the Vistula River mouth, PFHxS, PFDS, and PFBS were prevalent. For most sediments, no toxic effect was observed in the toxicity tests with Heterocypris inconguens and Aliivibrio ficsheri. There was no observed correlation between the PFASs level and their ecotoxicity. Generally, the results of environmental risk assessment indicate that the PFASs would not generate high impact on the aquatic life (five water samples have shown medium risk related to PFBS and PFDoA).

scholarly journals Risk Assessment of Malakite with the Active Substances Dithianon and Pyrimenthanil

2019 ◽  
pp. 312-314
Author(s):  
Torsten Källqvist ◽  
Merete Grung ◽  
Katrine Borgå ◽  
Hubert Dirven ◽  
Ole Martin Eklo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Toxicity Tests ◽  
Concentration Addition ◽  
Active Ingredients ◽  
Active Substances ◽  
Assessment Factor

The plant protection product Malakite (BAS 669 01 F), containing the active substances dithianon and pyrimethanil, is a fungicide against scab in pome fruits. Products containing these active plant protection substances are approved in Norway, but not with both substances in the same product. The Swedish Chemicals Agency (KemI) has as zonal Rapporteur Member State (zRMS) of the Northern Zone evaluated the product Malakite and decided on non-approval due to the observation of unacceptable effects in exposed birds, aquatic organisms, non-target arthropods and earthworms. On request from The Norwegian Food Safety Authority, the VKM Panel on Plant Protection Products has discussed the available data and the report prepared by KemI, and has concluded as follows on the questions raised: On the refinement of DT50 in long term risk assessment for birds: It is the view of the VKM panel that the refinement is not acceptable because the analysis using first order kinetics seems not in line with a realistic and sufficiently conservative approach for the data provided. Furthermore, field studies from more sites are required. On the long term cumulative effects of the active substances on birds: VKM shares the view of KemI, that the combined sub-lethal and reproduction effects should be assessed because the mode of action of the two ingredients has only been shown in fungi, and since the mechanisms in birds could be different. On the reduction of assessment factor for fish: VKM opposes to the reduction of assessment factor for dithianon in fish because the data from acute toxicity tests cannot be extrapolated to chronic toxicity, and because the factor should reflect not only the variation in interspecies sensitivity, but also the uncertainty involved in extrapolation from laboratory tests to the field situation. On the choice of end point in risk assessment for fish: The VKM panel considers the NOEC of dithianon for fish determined from the study at pH 7.9 not to be adequate for the more acidic Norwegian surface waters, and recommends using the data from the test performed at pH 6.5. On the formulation studies for aquatic organisms: It is the opinion of the VKM panel that the formulation studies may be used together with corresponding studies with the active ingredients as long as the studies compared are performed and evaluated according to the same principles. However, VKM notes that the formulation tests as well as the tests of the active ingredients have been performed at high pH values, which are not representative to most Norwegian surface waters. Thus, the toxic effect of dithianon shown in these tests are likely to be lower than expected under typical conditions in Norway. On the assessment factors for concentration addition in fish: It is the opinion of the VKM panel that a reduction in assessment factor for one component in a mixture cannot be used for a formulation containing components for which a similar reduction has not been accepted. On effect studies of active substances and formulations on non-target arthropods: The VKM panel shares the view of KemI that the risk assessment should be based on all available information, including the studies presented for the active substances. On the endpoint in earthworm risk assessment: VKM supports the view of KemI that the observed effects of pyrimethanil on reproduction of earthworms should be considered in the risk assessment of Malakite.

scholarly journals The copBL operon protects Staphylococcus aureus from copper toxicity: CopL is an extracellular membrane–associated copper-binding protein

2019 ◽  
Vol 294 (11) ◽  
pp. 4027-4044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuelay Rosario-Cruz ◽  
Alexander Eletsky ◽  
Nourhan S. Daigham ◽  
Hassan Al-Tameemi ◽  
G. V. T. Swapna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Copper Toxicity ◽  
Copper Binding ◽  
Copper Binding Protein

Preliminary risk assessment of the wet landscape option for reclamation of oil sands mine tailings: Bioassays with mature fine tailings pore water

2001 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. A. Madill ◽  
Monika T. Orzechowski ◽  
Guosheng Chen ◽  
Brian G. Brownlee ◽  
Nigel J. Bunce
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Oil Sands ◽  
Mature Fine Tailings ◽  
Fine Tailings

ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF WATER QUALITY ON COPPER TOXICITY INHYALELLA AZTECA

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Richards ◽  
Stephanie Walsh ◽  
Carmen Shultz ◽  
Marilyne Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Strength ◽  
River Water ◽  
Sediment Toxicity ◽  
River Sediments ◽  
Copper Toxicity ◽  
Copper Tolerance ◽  
Toxicity Tests ◽  
Water Type ◽  
Ottawa River ◽  
Sediment Toxicity Tests

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that when standard artificial media 5-salt culture water (SAM-5S) is used to test sediment toxicity of much lower ionic-strength aquatic ecosystems, the resulting toxicity estimates are lower than if the tests had been conducted in water of comparable ionic strength. Results showed that this concern was unfounded for testing of copper toxicity to Hyalella azteca (H. azteca) in Ottawa River water. Sediment testing is often conducted using a standard water that is prepared in the laboratory. However, this water may have an ionic strength that is different than local water bodies. It follows that laboratory results using the standard water may be unrepresentative. A study was undertaken to assess the copper tolerance of 2 strains of H. azteca in SAM-5S, diluted SAM-5S (similar in electrical conductivity to Ottawa River water), and Ottawa River water. Acute (96 h) copper toxicity tests were conducted with 9–16 day-old H. azteca. For a given water type, the 2 strains of H. azteca yielded comparable responses to copper. The highest copper tolerance was found in Ottawa River water (closely followed by SAM-5S), whereas the lowest copper tolerance was found in diluted SAM-5S. Our results suggest that sediment toxicity is not lowered by the higher ionic strength of SAM-5S and that sediment toxicity tests of Ottawa River sediments, conducted with SAM-5S, can be used to estimate the in situ toxicity of the sediments.

scholarly journals Derivation of ecological standards for risk assessment of molybdate in soil

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koen Oorts ◽  
Erik Smolders ◽  
Steve P. McGrath ◽  
Cornelis A.M. van Gestel ◽  
Michael J. McLaughlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Sodium Molybdate ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Toxicity Tests

Environmental context In order to assess the potential risks of elevated molybdenum concentrations in soil due to anthropogenic activities, toxicity thresholds must be known and environmental criteria defined. Setting such criteria for metals is not straightforward because of varying natural background concentrations and differences in toxicity between typical laboratory and field conditions and across soil types. Toxicity data and models were derived that account for these parameters so that soil quality criteria can be derived based on total molybdenum concentrations in soil. Abstract An extensive testing programme on the toxicity of sodium molybdate dihydrate in soil was initiated to comply with the European REACH Regulation. The molybdate toxicity was assayed with 11 different bioassays, 10 different soils, soil chemical studies on aging reactions, and toxicity tests before and after 1-year equilibration in field conditions. Differences in molybdate toxicity among soils were best explained by soil pH and clay content. A correction factor of 2.0 was selected to account for the difference in molybdate toxicity between laboratory and field conditions due to leaching and aging processes. Toxicity thresholds were determined as the HC5–50 (median hazardous concentration for 5% of the species, i.e. median 95% protection level) derived from the species sensitivity distribution of ecotoxicity data after bioavailability corrections. Uncertainty analysis illustrated that the HC5–50 provides a robust and ecologically relevant predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) for risk characterisation. The 10th and 90th percentiles for site-specific PNEC values in European agricultural soil are 10.7 and 168mgMokg–1 dry weight respectively based on a large survey of metal concentrations and soil properties in arable land soils. Total soil Mo concentrations in these soils are below corresponding PNEC values at most locations, suggesting no regional risks of molybdate to soil organisms at this scale. The information presented can be used in the EU risk-assessment framework as well as for national and international regulatory purposes for the setting of soil quality criteria based on total molybdenum concentrations, soil pH and clay content.

scholarly journals The Common Targeted Organ in Zebrafish Embryos Exposed to Eight Toxic Chemicals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongfei Gao ◽  
Pengyuan Yang
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Zebrafish Embryo ◽  
Toxicity Tests ◽  
Chemical Mixtures ◽  
Chlorinated Paraffins ◽  
Gas Bladder ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos are widely used in toxicity tests, especially in investigations on chlorinated or brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and metals. A key challenge in environmental risk assessment (ERA) is how to clarify the same or different sites of toxic action in a species after exposure to the individual chemicals or chemical mixtures and further provide the common toxic sites or organs for risk assessment of chemical mixtures. In this study, zebrafish embryo was used to evaluate the sublethal toxicity (gas bladder damage) of tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate (TBC), Chlorinated paraffins (CPs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), and Cu, Cd, Pb, Ag, Zn, and corresponding sublethal molecular levels (and inflammation-related enzymes [deiodinase (DIO) enzymes]) in fish through optical microscopy methods. The tested chemicals all caused failed inflation of the gas bladder, as indicated by activity inhibition of type 2 iodothyroxine deiodinase enzyme. We put up with the common targeted sites or organs for further studying the toxic mechanisms underlying the chemical mixtures.

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