Ecotoxicological Perspective Research Articles

An in situ study on the distribution, biotransformation and flux of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) in an aquatic food chain (seston‐Mytilus edulis L.‐Somateria mollissima L.) from the baltic: An ecotoxicological perspective

AbstractThis in situ study is focusing on the distribution, biotransformation and flux of 19 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH19) in the food chain seston‐blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.)‐common eider duck (Somateria mollissiima L.) as well as the distribution in the gallbladder, liver, adipose tissue and egg of the duck. All samples were collected within the open northern Baltic proper coastal areas. Analyses were carried out by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with electron impact (GC‐MSEI) and negative ion chemical ionization (GC‐MSNICI). With a multivariate statistical method (SIMCA) a significant change in the PAH composition through the food chain was found. This change probably depends on an increasing metabolic activity with increasing trophic level, due to a selective biotransformation capacity for different PAHs. Decreasing PAH concentrations with increasing trophic level were found. The PAH concentrations in the different eider duck organs were: gallbladder > adipose tissue ≥ liver. The theoretical inhalation of air‐dispersed PAHs was of no significance compared to the exposure from food. The relatively high theoretical PAH flux through the food chain did not result in increasing concentrations with increasing trophic level, which indicates that PAHs are biotransformed quite fast. However, many intermediate metabolites of PAHs have a mutagenic and carcinogenic potential, which makes it important to observe these compounds when assessing ecotoxicological risks.

Ecotoxicology and climate: with special reference to hot and cold climates

Part 1 World's climate and ecosystems - global transport of chemicals: climates of the world seen from an ecotoxicological perspective, G.A. McKay and M.K.Thomas ecosystems of the world, E.F.Bruenig atmospheric transport of chemicals, D.R.Miller and C.A.Robinson aquatic transport of chemicals, E.D.Goldberg. Part 2 Environmental fate of chemicals and chemical exposure in tropical, arid and cold regions: mobility of environmental chemicals including abiotic degradation, W.Klein biotic degradation of pollutants, F.Matsumura chemicals in cold environments, D.R.Miller chemicals in tropical and arid regions, C.R.Krishna Murti. Part 3 Effects of environmental chemicals on biota and ecosystems in tropical, arid and cold regions: effects of temperature and humidity on ecotoxicology of chemicals, P.N.Viswanathan and C.R.Krishna Murti effects in arid regions, A.S. and R.Y.Perry effects in marine ecosystems, J.P.Lay and A.Zsolnay effects in arctic and subarctic systems, D.R.Miller effects on domestic animals, R.K.Ringer. Part 4 Case studies: environmental pollution in coastal areas of India, R.Sen Gupta et al biodegradation of pesticides in tropical rice ecosystems, N.Sethunathan effects of insecticides in rice ecosystems in southeast Asia, E.D.Magallona fate and effects of aldrin/dieldrin in terrestrial ecosystems in hot climates, I.Scheunert the use of insecticides in the Onchocerciasis control programme and aquatic monitoring in West Africa, C.Leveque herbicides in warfare - the case of Indochina, A.Westing fate and undesirable effects of pesticides in Egypt, A.H.El-Sebae mercury in Canadian rivers, D.R.Miller.