Whether microplastics themselves or their interactions with chemicals influence the health and development of aquatic organisms has become a matter of scientific discussion. In aquatic environments, several groups of chemicals are... more
Whether microplastics themselves or their interactions with chemicals influence the health and development of aquatic organisms has become a matter of scientific discussion. In aquatic environments, several groups of chemicals are abundant in parallel to microplastics. The tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline is frequently prescribed, and residues of it are regularly found in surface waters. In the present study, the influence of irregularly shaped polystyrene microplastics (<50 µm), amitriptyline, and their mixture on early life-stages of brown trout were investigated. In a first experiment, the impacts of 100, 104, and 105 particles/L were studied from the fertilization of eggs until one month after yolk-sac consumption. In a second experiment, eggs were exposed in eyed ova stages to 105, 106 particles/L, to amitriptyline (pulse-spiked, average 48 ± 33 µg/L) or to two mixtures for two months. Microplastics alone did neither influence the development of fish nor the oxidative ...
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Beyond the mere detection of presence or absence of heart beat in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos in a fish embryo test conducted referring to the OECD TG 236 at 48 hpf (hours post fertilization) onwards, embryo heart rate may serve as an... more
Beyond the mere detection of presence or absence of heart beat in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos in a fish embryo test conducted referring to the OECD TG 236 at 48 hpf (hours post fertilization) onwards, embryo heart rate may serve as an additional and very sensitive endpoint in ecotoxicological studies. But by including heart rate as a sublethal endpoint, care has to be taken of separating effects exerted by a tested compound from those exerted by temperature. Therefore, profound knowledge on the natural variation of zebrafish heart rates at defined temperatures as a basis for the assessment of gained results is mandatorily needed. As such continuous information in D. rerio is lacking from the literature, we designed a study covering a span of 12°C (from 18 to 30°C in steps of 2°C) to quantify the relationship between heart rate and temperature in D. rerio embryos 48 hpf. Conducting a multiple regression analysis, we found a considerably strong relationship between treatment tempe...
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The NSAID diclofenac is controversially discussed with respect to its environmental relevance. Since further information is need to assess whether diclofenac should be included as substance of priority in the EU water framework directive,... more
The NSAID diclofenac is controversially discussed with respect to its environmental relevance. Since further information is need to assess whether diclofenac should be included as substance of priority in the EU water framework directive, we investigated the impact of this analgesic on the embryonic development of brown trout (Salmo trutta f. fario) from fertilized egg until the end of sac-fry stage and studied effects in juvenile fish six months post hatch. Embryos were exposed to five test concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1, 10, 100μg/L) over 127days at 7°C. None of the treatments affected mortality, hatching, development or heart rate. Six months old juveniles exposed to five concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, 100, 200μg/L) over 25days at 7°C, however, showed increased mortality, reaching significance at 100μg/L. Furthermore, a significantly higher proportion of juvenile animals bore injuries at concentrations higher 10μg/L. Neither the levels of the stress protein Hsp70, nor the amount of lipid peroxides was affected by any of the treatments. Histological analyses of gill, liver and kidney revealed visible tissue reactions in fish from all experimental groups. Histological responses in livers of diclofenac-exposed fish outstripped the status of laboratory control fish, particularly when exposed to the two highest concentrations. Chemical analyses of fish muscle tissue revealed concentration-dependent uptake of DCF into the animal, but no relevant bioconcentration. Our study supports earlier findings indicating a lower sensitivity of trout early life stages compared to older individuals, suggesting that studies for risk assessment of diclofenac should predominantly focus on later life stages. Furthermore, fish mortality was found to increase with rising diclofenac concentrations, and the lowest observed effect concentration of 10μg/L on the organismic level emphasises the classification of diclofenac as a micropollutant that requires close attention.
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Pharmaceuticals, such as beta-blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as well as their metabolites are introduced into the water cycle via municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents in all industrialized... more
Pharmaceuticals, such as beta-blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as well as their metabolites are introduced into the water cycle via municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents in all industrialized countries. As the amino acid sequences of the biological target molecules of these pharmaceuticals - the beta-1 adrenergic receptor for beta-blockers and the cyclooxygenase for NSAIDs - are phylogenetically conserved among vertebrates it is reasonable that wildlife vertebrates including fish physiologically respond in a similar way to them as documented in humans. Consequently, beta-blockers and NSAIDs both exhibit their effects according to their mode of action on one hand, but on the other hand that may lead to unwanted side effects in non-target species. To determine whether residuals of beta-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists and cyclooxygenase inhibitors may pose a risk to aquatic organisms, one has to know the extent to which such organisms respond to the total of active compounds, their metabolites and transformation products with the same modes of action. To cope with this demand, two cell-based assays were developed, by which the total beta-blocker and cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity can be assessed in a given wastewater or surface water extract in real time. The measured activity is quantified as metoprolol equivalents (MetEQ) of the lead substance metoprolol in the beta-blocker assay, and diclofenac equivalents (DicEQ) in the NSAID assay. Even though MetEQs and DicEQs were found to surpass the concentration of the respective lead substances (metoprolol, diclofenac), as determined by chemical analysis by a factor of two to three, this difference was shown to be reasonably explained by the presence and action of additional active compounds with the same mode of action in the test samples. Thus, both in vitro assays were proven to integrate effectively over beta-blocker and NSAID activities in WWTP effluents in a very sensitive and extremely rapid manner.
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This study investigated whether zeolites of different size (Y30 (nano-sized) and H-Beta(OH)-III (forming large aggregates/agglomerates composed of 50 nm small primary particles)) exerted acute toxicity on larvae of the non-biting midge,... more
This study investigated whether zeolites of different size (Y30 (nano-sized) and H-Beta(OH)-III (forming large aggregates/agglomerates composed of 50 nm small primary particles)) exerted acute toxicity on larvae of the non-biting midge, Chironomus riparius, and whether such zeolites are able to modulate the toxicity of a common insecticide, thiacloprid, by means of adsorption of a dissolved toxicant. We conducted acute toxicity tests with fourth instar larvae of C. riparius. In these tests, larvae were exposed to zeolites or thiacloprid solely, or to mixtures of both compounds. The mixtures comprised 1.0 µg/L thiacloprid in addition to low (5.2 mg/L), medium (18.2 mg/L), and high (391.7 mg/L) zeolite concentrations, resulting in different adsorption rates of thiacloprid. As biological endpoints, changes in mortality rates and in behavior were monitored every 24 h over a total investigation period of 96 h. Furthermore, we conducted chemical analyses of thiacloprid in the medium and t...
This study focuses on interactions between nanoparticles and a pesticide. The aim was to investigate how nano-sized aluminum oxide (410 nm) can alter the toxic effects of thiacloprid, even if no sorption between particles and the... more
This study focuses on interactions between nanoparticles and a pesticide. The aim was to investigate how nano-sized aluminum oxide (410 nm) can alter the toxic effects of thiacloprid, even if no sorption between particles and the insecticide takes place. Thus, our study investigated a rather unexplored interaction. We conducted our research with larvae of Chironomus riparius and used thiacloprid as test substance as its toxicity to C. riparius is well described. The used nano-Al2O3 particles where chosen due to their suitable properties. For testing the acute effects of the interaction, we exposed larvae to thiacloprid (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 μg/L) and nano-Al2O3 (300 and 1000 mg/L), either solely or in binary mixtures. While thiacloprid resulted in elevated mortality, nano-Al2O3 solely did not exert any effects. Moreover, we observed an aggregation of nano-Al2O3 within the lumen of the intestinal tract of the larvae. Further results showed a significantly reduced mortality of fourt...
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Efficiency of advanced wastewater treatment technologies to reduce micropollutants which mediate dioxin-like toxicity was investigated. Technologies compared included ozonation, powdered activated carbon and granular activated carbon. In... more
Efficiency of advanced wastewater treatment technologies to reduce micropollutants which mediate dioxin-like toxicity was investigated. Technologies compared included ozonation, powdered activated carbon and granular activated carbon. In addition to chemical analyses in samples of effluents, surface waters, sediments, and fish, (1) dioxin-like potentials were measured in paired samples of effluents, surface waters, and sediments by use of an in vitro biotest (reporter gene assay) and (2) dioxin-like effects were investigated in exposed fish by use of in vivo activity of the mixed-function, monooxygenase enzyme, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) in liver. All advanced technologies studied, based on degradation or adsorption, significantly reduced dioxin-like potentials in samples and resulted in lesser EROD activity in livers of fish. Results of in vitro and in vivo biological responses were not clearly related to quantification of targeted analytes by use of instrumental analyses.
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... Till Luckenbach1,2,∗ , Maja Kilian1,2, Rita Triebskorn1,3 &amp;amp; Axel Oberemm4 1Animal Physiological Ecology, University of Tübingen, Konrad-Adenauer-Str. ... The start of the exposure was the 1 December 1999 and the exposure... more
... Till Luckenbach1,2,∗ , Maja Kilian1,2, Rita Triebskorn1,3 &amp;amp; Axel Oberemm4 1Animal Physiological Ecology, University of Tübingen, Konrad-Adenauer-Str. ... The start of the exposure was the 1 December 1999 and the exposure was ter-minated after 110 days in the laboratory ...
Research Interests: Earth Sciences, Water quality, Reproduction, Water Pollution, Biological Sciences, and 14 moreEnvironmental Sciences, Brown trout, Toxicity, Biomonitoring, Surface Water, Water Temperature, Stream, Embryonic Development, Salmo trutta, Pollutant, Water Quality, Sewage Treatment Plant, Embryos, and Mortality rate
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... GÜNTER VOGT, MARIO LUDWIG, SILKE RUMPF, MARKUS KRATZMANN, GERD ALBERTI, VOLKER STORCH ... treated as described by LUDWIG &amp;amp;amp; ALBERTI (1988) and LUDWIG et al. ... Deroceras reticulatum: The animals were fed a bait... more
... GÜNTER VOGT, MARIO LUDWIG, SILKE RUMPF, MARKUS KRATZMANN, GERD ALBERTI, VOLKER STORCH ... treated as described by LUDWIG &amp;amp;amp; ALBERTI (1988) and LUDWIG et al. ... Deroceras reticulatum: The animals were fed a bait containing 2% or 0.1% of the carbamate ...
Research Interests: Ecotoxicology, Aquatic Toxicology, Endangered Species, Czech Republic, Biological Sciences, and 15 moreCell line, Environmental Sciences, In Vitro, Coal Mining, Endocrine disruptors, Female, Animals, Heavy Metal, Bioassay, CHEMICAL SCIENCES, Integrated Approach, In Vivo, Endocrine Disruptors, Biological Assay, and Geologic Sediments
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Earthworms play key roles in soils and sub-lethal effects of environmental toxicants on these organisms should be taken seriously, since they might have detrimental effects on higher ecological levels. In laboratory experiments we have... more
Earthworms play key roles in soils and sub-lethal effects of environmental toxicants on these organisms should be taken seriously, since they might have detrimental effects on higher ecological levels. In laboratory experiments we have assessed sub-lethal effects (body mass change and cast production) of imidacloprid on two earthworm species commonly found in different agricultural soils (Lumbricus terrestris and Aporrectodea caliginosa). After 7 days of exposure in contaminated soil, a significant loss of body mass was found in both species exposed to imidacloprid concentrations as low as 0.66 mg kg(-1) dry soil. These losses ranged from 18.3 to 39% for A. caliginosa and from 7.4 to 32.4% for L. terrestris, respectively. Changes in cast production, a new biomarker previously validated using L. terrestris, was assessed by soil sieving using the recommended mesh size (5.6 mm) for L. terrestris and three different mesh sizes for A. caliginosa (5.6, 4 and 3.15 mm). The 4 mm mesh size proved to be the most suitable sieve size for A. caliginosa. Cast production increased by 26.2% in A. caliginosa and by 28.1% in L. terrestris at the lowest imidacloprid concentration tested (0.2 mg kg(-1) dry soil), but significantly decreased at higher concentrations (equal to and above 0.66 mg kg(-1) dry soil) in both earthworm species after the 7 days exposure experiment. These decreases in cast production ranged from 44.5 to 96.9% in A. caliginosa and from 42.4 to 95.7% in L. terrestris. The EC(50) for cast production were 0.84 (L. terrestris) and 0.76 mg kg(-1) dry soil (A. caliginosa), respectively. The detected sub-lethal effects were found close to the predicted environmental concentration (PEC) of imidacloprid, which is in the range of 0.33-0.66 mg kg(-1) dry soil. The biomarkers used in the present study, body mass change and changes in cast production, may be of ecological relevance and have shown high sensitivity for imidacloprid exposure of earthworms. The measurement of changes in cast production should be considered for inclusion in current standard tests.
Research Interests: Animal Behavior, Ecotoxicology, Biological Sciences, Insecticides, Environmental Sciences, and 12 moreAnimals, Laboratory experiment, Oligochaeta, CHEMICAL SCIENCES, Contaminated soil, Body Mass, Biological markers, Species Specificity, Imidazoles, High Sensitivity, Soil Pollutants, and Agricultural Soil
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Two different classes of chemicals were tested in a multilevel approach in this study: NiCl(2) as a representative for heavy metals and chlorpyrifos, a pesticide. Both, the single substances and mixtures of them were investigated for... more
Two different classes of chemicals were tested in a multilevel approach in this study: NiCl(2) as a representative for heavy metals and chlorpyrifos, a pesticide. Both, the single substances and mixtures of them were investigated for their effects on embryonic development, histological alterations, and the stress protein (Hsp70) response in the zebrafish Danio rerio. Fishes were exposed from fertilization of eggs up to a maximum of 168 h post fertilization, depending on the investigated endpoint. NiCl(2) led to effects in all tests which, however, were less severe at the histopathological level than in developmental (hatching success) and stress protein studies. Chlorpyrifos did not lead to developmental alterations but it was found to induce the Hsp70 response as well as histopathological damages. Mixtures of both substances resulted in similar results as the single substances; the results suggest an independent mode of action of these two substances and additivity of their effects.
Research Interests: Environmental Toxicology, Ecotoxicology, Histology, Biological Sciences, HSP, and 15 moreEnvironmental Sciences, Pesticide, Toxicity, Pesticides, Animals, Nickel, Cholinesterase inhibitors, CHEMICAL SCIENCES, Embryonic Development, Pollutant, Zebrafish, Chlorpyrifos, Heat Shock Protein, Environment, and Embryo Development
Research Interests: Zoology()
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One of multiple functions of metalloproteins is to provide detoxification to excess metal levels in organisms. Here we address the induction and persistence of a range of low to high molecular weight copper- and zinc binding proteins in... more
One of multiple functions of metalloproteins is to provide detoxification to excess metal levels in organisms. Here we address the induction and persistence of a range of low to high molecular weight copper- and zinc binding proteins in the collembolan species Tetrodontophora bielanensis exposed to copper- and zinc-enriched food, followed by a period of recovery from metal exposure, in absence and presence of food. After 10 days of feeding copper and zinc contaminated yeast, specimens were either moved to ample of leaf litter material from their woodland stand of origin or starved (no food offered). The molecular weight distribution of metal binding proteins was determined by native polyacryl gel electrophoresis. One gel was stained with Comassie brilliant blue and a duplicate gel dried and scanned for the amount of copper and zinc by particle-induced X-ray emission. Specimens exposed to copper and recovered from it with ample of food had copper bound to two groups of rather low mol...
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The present work describes a field survey aiming at assessing the impact of a sewage treatment plant (STP) effluent on fish health by means of biomarkers. Indigenous fish were absent downstream of the STP. To elucidate the reason behind... more
The present work describes a field survey aiming at assessing the impact of a sewage treatment plant (STP) effluent on fish health by means of biomarkers. Indigenous fish were absent downstream of the STP. To elucidate the reason behind this, brown trout (Salmo trutta f. fario) were exposed in floating steel cages up- and downstream of a STP located at the Neckar River near Tübingen (Southern Germany), for 10 and 30 days. A combination of biomarker methods (histopathological investigations, analysis of the stress protein Hsp70, micronucleus test, B-esterase assays) offered the possibility to investigate endocrine, geno-, proteo- and neurotoxic effects in fish organs. Biological results were complemented with chemical analyses on 20 accumulative substances in fish tissue. Even after short-term exposure, biomarkers revealed clear evidence of water contamination at both Neckar River sites; however, physiological responses of caged brown trout were more severe downstream of the STP. Acc...
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The following biomarkers were investigated in stream populations of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta f. fario) and gammarids (Gammarus pulex) to determine if crayfish mortality could have been confounded by pollutants: (1) alterations... more
The following biomarkers were investigated in stream populations of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta f. fario) and gammarids (Gammarus pulex) to determine if crayfish mortality could have been confounded by pollutants: (1) alterations of fish liver ultrastructure, (2) fish gill and kidney histopathology, (3) stress protein (hsp70) expression in fish liver and gills and in gammarids, and (4) changes in various blood parameters of brown trout. In addition, the following measurements were conducted in parallel with the biological sampling: (a) chemical analyses including several pesticides, organochlorines, PCBs, and PAHs in sediment and tissue samples of brown trout and crayfish (Astacus astacus), and (b) limnochemical analyses of nutrients, electrolytes, dissolved oxygen content, temperature and pH. Biomarkers together with chemical and limnochemical analyses concomitantly indicated moderate pollution of the stream at all sampling sites. Biological data indicated a transient, episo...
Research Interests: Water quality, Ecotoxicology, Biological Sciences, Germany, Environmental Sciences, and 15 moreBrown trout, Liver, Animals, CHEMICAL SCIENCES, Fresh water, Gills, Salmo trutta, Trout, Biological markers, Dissolved Oxygen, Water Quality, Geologic Sediments, Biological Data, Blood Parameter, and Diagnostic Tool
The Mediterranean snail Xeropicta derbentina (Pulmonata, Hygromiidae), being highly abundant in Southern France, has the need for efficient physiological adaptations to desiccation and over-heating posed by dry and hot environmental... more
The Mediterranean snail Xeropicta derbentina (Pulmonata, Hygromiidae), being highly abundant in Southern France, has the need for efficient physiological adaptations to desiccation and over-heating posed by dry and hot environmental conditions. As a consequence of heat, oxidative stress manifests in these organisms, which, in turn, leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we focused on adaptations at the biochemical level by investigation of antioxidant defences and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) induction, both essential mechanisms of the heat stress response. We exposed snails to elevated temperature (25, 38, 40, 43 and 45°C) in the laboratory and measured the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), determined the Hsp70 level and quantified lipid peroxidation. In general, we found a high constitutive level of CAT activity in all treatments, which may be interpreted as a permanent protection against ROS, i.e...
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Shell colour polymorphism is a widespread feature of various land snail species. In our study we aimed at elucidating the question whether there is a correlation between shell colouration and immune defense in three land snail species by... more
Shell colour polymorphism is a widespread feature of various land snail species. In our study we aimed at elucidating the question whether there is a correlation between shell colouration and immune defense in three land snail species by comparing phenoloxidase (PO) activity levels of different morphs after immunostimulation via Zymosan A-injection. Since phenoloxidase is involved both in immune defense as well as in melanin production, the PO activity level is particularly interesting when trying to resolve this question. Even though Zymosan A failed to induce PO activity rendering a comparison of inducible PO activity impossible, an interesting difference between pale and dark morphs of all tested species could be observed: dark snails were less affected by hemolymph withdrawal and were able to maintain or regenerate a significantly higher PO activity level after hemolymph withdrawal than pale snails. Possible implications of this observation are discussed.
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ABSTRACT Cited By (since 1996):1, Export Date: 18 October 2014
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The presence of estrogenic substances in thewater of the small streams Körsch (Kö)and Krähenbach (Kr), Southwest Germany, wasdetermined by chemical and biological analysis.Because a large proportion of the Kö waternear its mouth consists... more
The presence of estrogenic substances in thewater of the small streams Körsch (Kö)and Krähenbach (Kr), Southwest Germany, wasdetermined by chemical and biological analysis.Because a large proportion of the Kö waternear its mouth consists of sewage treatmentplant (STPs) effluents, the impact of STPs onlevels of estrogens in surface water is anenvironmental issue of concern. In July 1996,water samples were taken from
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In order to evaluate surface water and the sediment quality of rivers connected to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with different treatment technologies, fish embryo tests (FET) with Danio rerio were conducted using native water and... more
In order to evaluate surface water and the sediment quality of rivers connected to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with different treatment technologies, fish embryo tests (FET) with Danio rerio were conducted using native water and sediment samples collected upstream and downstream of four WWTPs in Southern Germany. Two of these WWTPs are connected to the Schussen River, a tributary of Lake Constance, and use a sand filter with final water purification by flocculation. The two others are located on the rivers Schmiecha and Eyach in the area of the Swabian Alb and were equipped with a powdered activated carbon stage 20 years ago, which was originally aimed at reducing the release of stains from the textile industry. Several endpoints of embryo toxicity including mortality, malformations, reduced hatching rate, and heart rate were investigated at defined time points of embryonic development. Higher embryotoxic potentials were found in water and sediments collected downstream of the WWTPs equipped with sand filtration than in the sample obtained downstream of both WWTPs upgraded with a powdered activated carbon stage.