Effects Of Chemical Pollutants Research Articles

Effect of chemical pollution on the fertility of male rodents from natural populations: сomparing the response of sperm morphology, motility, and concentration

The results of studies of epididymal spermatozoa of three species of rodents (bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus, northern red-backed vole Cl. rutilus, and herb field mouse Sylvaemus uralensis) living under long-term exposure to atmospheric emissions from two large copper smelters in the Middle Urals are summarized (Middle Ural and Kirovgrad copper smelters). The impact of pollution (including at the individual level on the accumulation of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in the liver) was assessed for indicators characterizing the quality of sperm from different aspects: morphology (proportion of cells with head and tail defects), motility (proportion of motile cells, velocity, and straightness of movement) and concentration. Sperm motility responds to pollution: in impact zones, the proportion of motile cells and their velocity were lower than in background zones. The occurrence of abnormal cells and sperm concentration were not statistically significantly different between impact and background zones. The reaction of sperm to chemical pollution is species-specific: voles react more strongly than the herb field mouse. The consistency of changes in sperm parameters (in the direction of their deterioration) in response to increased pollution was found only in the bank vole. Effect sizes for sperm parameters are much smaller compared to those for liver Cd accumulation and animal abundance. In general, the reaction of sperm to pollution turned out to be weak, none of the studied indicators can be a reliable marker of industrial pollution.

Adolescent exposure to tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) induces reproductive toxicity in zebrafish through hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis disruption

Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP), a prevalent organophosphorus flame retardant in aquatic environments, has raised significant concerns regarding its ecological risks. This study aims to explore the impacts of TCPP on the reproductive functions of zebrafish and delineate its gender-related toxic mechanisms. By assessing the effects on zebrafish of 10 mg/L TCPP exposure from 30 to 120 days post-fertilization (dpf), we thoroughly evaluated the reproductive capability and endocrine system alterations. Our findings indicated that TCPP exposure disrupted gender differentiation in zebrafish and markedly impaired their reproductive capacity, resulting in decreased egg laying and offspring development quality. Histological analyses of gonadal tissues showed an abnormal increase in immature oocytes in females and a reduction in mature sperm count and spermatogonial structure integrity in males, collectively leading to compromised embryo quality. Additionally, molecular docking results indicated that TCPP showed a strong affinity for estrogen receptors, and TCPP-treated zebrafish exhibited imbalanced sex hormones and increased estrogen receptor expression. Alterations in genes associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and activation of the steroidogenesis pathway suggested that TCPP targets the HPG axis to regulate sex hormone homeostasis. Tamoxifen (TAM), as a competitive inhibitor of estrogen, exhibited a biphasic effect, as evidenced by the counteraction of TCPP-induced effects in both male and female zebrafish after TAM addition. Overall, our study underscored the gender-dependent reproductive toxicity of TCPP exposure in zebrafish, characterized by diminished reproductive capacity and hormonal disturbances, likely due to interference in the HPG axis and steroidogenesis pathways. These findings emphasize the critical need to consider gender differences in chemical risk assessments for ecosystems and highlight the importance of understanding the mechanisms underlying the effects of chemical pollutants on the reproductive health of aquatic species.

Effects of novel flame retardants tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) and triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) on function and homeostasis in human and rat pancreatic beta-cell lines

Despite the fact that environmental pollution has been implicated in the global rise of diabetes, the research on the impact of emerging pollutants such as novel flame retardants remains limited. In line with the shift towards the use of non-animal approaches in toxicological testing, this study aimed to investigate the effects of two novel flame retardants tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) and triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) in rat (INS1E) and human (NES2Y) pancreatic beta-cell lines. One-week exposure to 1 μM and 10 μM TDCIPP and TPhP altered intracellular insulin and proinsulin levels, but not the levels of secreted insulin (despite the presence of a statistically insignificant trend). The exposures also altered the protein expression of several factors involved in beta-cell metabolic pathways and signaling, including ATP citrate lyase, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1, perilipins, glucose transporters, ER stress-related factors, and antioxidant enzymes. This study has brought new and valuable insights into the toxicity of TDCIPP and TPhP on beta-cell function and revealed alterations that might impact insulin secretion after more extended exposure. It also adds to the scarce studies using in vitro pancreatic beta-cells models in toxicological testing, thereby promoting the development of non-animal testing strategy for identifying pro-diabetic effects of chemical pollutants.

Effect of Chemical Pollution on the Fertility of Male Rodents from Natural Populations: Сomparing the Response of Sperm Morphology, Motility, and Concentration

Effect of Chemical Pollution on the Fertility of Male Rodents from Natural Populations: Сomparing the Response of Sperm Morphology, Motility, and Concentration

Macroinvertebrate communities respond strongly but non-specifically to a toxicity gradient derived by effect-based methods

Chemical pollution is one of the most important threats to freshwater ecosystems. The plethora of potentially occurring chemicals and their effects in complex mixtures challenge standard monitoring methods. Effect-based methods (EBMs) are proposed as complementary tools for the assessment of chemical pollution and toxic effects. To investigate the effects of chemical pollution, the ecological relevance of EBMs and the potential of macroinvertebrates as toxicity-specific bioindicators, ecological and ecotoxicological data were linked. Baseline toxicity, mutagenicity, dioxin-like and estrogenic activity of water and sediment samples from 30 river sites in central Germany were quantified with four in vitro bioassays. The responses of macroinvertebrate communities at these sites were assessed by calculating 16 taxonomic and functional metrics and by investigating changes in the taxonomic and trait composition. Principal component analysis revealed an increase in toxicity along a joint gradient of chemicals with different modes of action. This toxicity gradient was associated with a decrease in biodiversity and ecological quality, as well as significant changes in taxonomic and functional composition. The strength of the effects suggested a strong impact of chemical pollution and underlined the suitability of EBMs in detecting ecological relevant effects. However, the metrics, taxa, and traits associated with vulnerability or tolerance to toxicity were found to also respond to other stressors in previous studies and thus may have only a low potential as toxicity-specific bioindicators. Because macroinvertebrates respond integratively to all present stressors, linking both ecological and environmental monitoring is necessary to investigate the overall effects but also isolate individual stressors. EBMs have a high potential to separate the toxicity of chemical mixtures from other stressors in a multiple stressor scenario, as well as identifying the presence of chemical groups with specific modes of action.

Biomarker responses of Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lamarck 1819) regarding marine mucilage in the Sea of Marmara

It has been proposed that marine mucilage intensifies the biological effects of chemical pollutants and can increase their bioaccumulation in seafood. Indeed, in 2021, mucilage caused a major environmental disaster in the Sea of Marmara. Limited resources on the possible effects of marine mucilage on sustainable food security have increased the importance of this study. The aim of this study is to investigate the biochemical effects of mucilage in wild and cultured mussels, a bioindicator species collected from four different regions [Istanbul Strait (S1) and Canakkale Strait (S2), Bandirma (S3), Gelibolu (S4)] during the 2021 fishing season in the Sea of Marmara. The levels of reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation, activities of antioxidant enzymes like glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, activities of biomarker enzymes like alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities were determined. Our findings demonstrated that mucilage had an impact on cellular oxidative state and compromised the lipid cell membranes in the mantle tissues of Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lamarck 1819). It was found that there is a high positive relationship between seawater temperatures and bioparameters in S2 and S3 regions, except for GSH level. This study puts forward that in the presence of marine mucilage the biological responses and the state of health of mussels are negatively affected. Parameters which exhibit this kind of response may be used as biomarkers of exposure to marine mucilage in wild and culture mussel populations. Environmental disasters such as marine mucilage naturally affect food security by putting the sustainability of these species at risk.

PLANT PROTECTION METHODS IN ORGANIC FARMING

Today, producers generally aim to increase product quality and diversify, but ultimately increase efficiency. On the other hand, when the negative effects of chemical pollution in nature is in consideration, the producer can’t harvest all of the produced crops, but they harvest the crops that aren’t consumed by diseases and pests. The increasing human movement and trade in the world in the last few hundred years has facilitated the transfer of harmful organisms from one geographical region to another. It is estimated that there are about 20 thousands potentially harmful organisms on the globe today. However, 5 thousands of these are known to be harmful to plants. In Turkey, 6 hundreds of these organisms cause economic damage. However, in 2011, according to the records of the Department of Phytosanitary and Quarantine in the General Directorate of Food and Control (GKGM), it was determined that there were around 470 harmful organisms in Turkey, and 350 of them had technical instructions and were combated. In other words, the number of harmful organisms that threat plant health is generally increasing. Even before there was no Ministry of Agriculture in Turkey, the fight against phylloxera started and the legislation and physical infrastructures were established due to the obligation to fight against pests. However, the last 100 years of pest control studies in plant production have revealed that the fight against harmful organisms is not sustainable when only chemical control measures are taken. Because faulty or excessive chemical applications sometimes cause irreversible damages to the ecosystems, cultivation areas, water sources, human health and food chains. For this reason, it is needed to include alternative control measures, such as biotechnical and biological controls, perhaps even more so, methods such as genetic control.

Differentiation and decreased genetic diversity in field contaminated oysters Crassostrea hongkongensis: Identification of selection signatures

The extent to which chemical contamination affects the population structure and genetic diversity of natural populations remains elusive. Here, we used the whole-genome resequencing and transcriptome to diagnose the effects of long-term exposure to multiple elevated chemical pollutants on the population differentiation and genetic diversity in oysters Crassostrea hongkongensis in a typically polluted Pearl River Estuary (PRE) of Southern China. Population structure revealed an obvious differentiation between the PRE oysters and those collected from a nearby clean Beihai (BH) individuals, while no significant differentiation was observed among individuals collected from the three pollution sites within PRE due to the high gene flow. The decreased genetic diversity in the PRE oysters reflected the long-term effects of chemical pollutants. Selective sweeps between BH and PRE oysters revealed that chemical defensome genes, including glutathione S-transferase, zinc transporter, were responsible for their differentiation, sharing common metabolic process of other pollutants. Combined with the genome-wide association analysis, 25 regions containing 77 genes were identified to be responsible for the direct selection regions of metals. Linkage disequilibrium blocks and haplotypes within these regions provided the biomarkers of permanent effects. Our results provide important insights to the genetic mechanisms underlying the rapid evolution under chemical contamination in marine bivalves.

The impact of chemical pollution on the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) from a Mediterranean hypersaline coastal lagoon

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a critically endangered species. The impact of environmental contamination on this species has been highlighted as contributing to the decline in recruitment. The Mar Menor hypersaline coastal lagoon (SE Spain) is one of the most productive fisheries of European eel in Europe, making it a critical habitat for species conservation. The present study aimed to provide an initial overview of the impact of organic chemical contaminants on the European eel and the potential sublethal effects of chemical pollution on pre-migrating eels in this hypersaline habitat. We investigated muscle bioaccumulation of main persistent and hazardous organic contaminants (including some current-use pesticides) and genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and xenobiotic detoxification system responses. The findings show that lagoon eels were exposed to high levels of legacy organochlorine contaminants, recently banned pesticides (chlorpyrifos), and some emerging chemicals. Some individuals surpassed the maximum levels of CBs authorized by the European Commission for human consumption. In this species, residuals of chlorpyrifos, pendimethalin, and chlorthal dimethyl have been reported for the first time. This field study provides relevant data to stock management and human health consumption and provides the first biomarker responses in European eel under permanent hypersaline conditions. Furthermore, the high frequency of micronuclei in peripheral erythrocytes of lagoon eels indicates sublethal genotoxic effects on the organism. Overall, the European eels growing and maturing in the Mar Menor lagoon are exposed to toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. The lack of seafood safety regulations for human consumption for some legacy chemicals that were measured in high concentrations in our study requires special action. Further biomonitoring and research are recommended to protect the animal, public, and environmental health.

Evaluation of perinatal exposure of glyphosate and its mixture with 2,4-D and dicamba οn liver redox status in Wistar rats

Wide-scale emergence of glyphosate-resistant weeds has led to an increase in the simultaneous application of herbicide mixtures exacerbated by the introduction of crops tolerant to glyphosate plus dicamba or glyphosate plus 2,4-D. This raises serious concerns regarding the environmental and health risks resulting from increased exposure to a mixture of herbicide active ingredients. We evaluated hepatotoxic effects following perinatal exposure to glyphosate alone or in combination with 2,4-D and dicamba from gestational day-6 until adulthood in Wistar rats. Animals were administered with glyphosate at the European Union (EU) acceptable daily intake (ADI; 0.5 mg/kg bw/day) and no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL; 50 mg/kg bw/day). A mixture of glyphosate with 2,4-D (0.3 mg/kg bw/day) and dicamba (0.02 mg/kg bw/day) with each at their EU ADI was evaluated. Redox status was determined by measuring levels of reduced glutathione, decomposition rate of Η2Ο2, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity, thiobarbituric reactive substances, and protein carbonyls. Gene expression analysis of Nr1d1, Nr1d2, Clec2g, Ier3, and Gadd45g associated with oxidative damage to DNA, was also performed. Analysis of liver samples showed that exposure to the mixture of the three herbicides induced a marked increase in the concentration of glutathione and malondialdehyde indicative of a disturbance in redox balance. Nevertheless, the effect of increased lipid peroxidation was not discernible following a 3-month recuperation period where animals were withdrawn from pesticide exposure post-weaning. Interestingly, toxic effects caused by prenatal exposure to the glyphosate NOAEL were present after the same 3-month recovery period. No statistically significant changes in the expression of genes linked with genotoxicity were observed. Our findings reinforce the importance of assessing the combined effects of chemical pollutants at doses that are asserted by regulatory agencies to be safe individually.

Establishment of killer whale (Orcinus orca) primary fibroblast cell cultures and their transcriptomic responses to pollutant exposure

Populations of killer whale (Orcinus orca) contain some of the most polluted animals on Earth. Yet, the knowledge on effects of chemical pollutants is limited in this species. Cell cultures and in vitro exposure experiments are pertinent tools to study effects of pollutants in free-ranging marine mammals. To investigate transcriptional responses to pollutants in killer whale cells, we collected skin biopsies of killer whales from the Northern Norwegian fjords and successfully established primary fibroblast cell cultures from the dermis of 4 out of 5 of them. Cells from the individual with the highest cell yield were exposed to three different concentrations of a mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that reflects the composition of the 10 most abundant POPs found in Norwegian killer whales (p,p’-DDE, trans-nonachlor, PCB52, 99, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180, 187). Transcriptional responses of 13 selected target genes were studied using digital droplet PCR, and whole transcriptome responses were investigated utilizing RNA sequencing. Among the target genes analysed, CYP1A1 was significantly downregulated in the cells exposed to medium (11.6 µM) and high (116 µM) concentrations of the pollutant mixture, while seven genes involved in endocrine functions showed a non-significant tendency to be upregulated at the highest exposure concentration. Bioinformatic analyses of RNA-seq data indicated that 13 and 43 genes were differentially expressed in the cells exposed to low and high concentrations of the mixture, respectively, in comparison to solvent control. Subsequent pathway and functional analyses of the differentially expressed genes indicated that the enriched pathways were mainly related to lipid metabolism, myogenesis and glucocorticoid receptor regulation. The current study results support previous correlative studies and provide cause-effect relationships, which is highly relevant for chemical and environmental management.

Indoor air quality in day-care centres: a global review.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11869-023-01320-5.

Risk factors for the development of bronchopulmonary pathology in workers producing synthetic polyacrylonitrile fiber

Aim of the study was to assess the risk of bronchopulmonary pathology in workers of the production of synthetic polyacrylonitrile fiber as a result of exposure to harmful chemicals and smoking tobacco products . Material and methods . During the periodic medical examination , the function of external respiration and adherence to smoking in 137 employees were studied , medical records were analyzed (025/u accounting form ). Hygienic assessment of working conditions was carried out on the basis of the results of in-situ sanitary and hygienic studies . Results and discussions . As a result of a hygienic assessment of working conditions , it was found that workers engaged in the production of polyacrylonitrile fiber are subject to the combined intermittent effects of harmful chemicals of hazard classes 1–3 ( acrylonitrile , methyl acrylate , hydrocyanide , ammonia , sodium rhodanide , sulfuric acid , methanol , isopropyl alcohol , ethylene glycol ), the content of which in the working area exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations in 1.6% of samples . The occupational risk of developing bronchopulmonary diseases in groups of workers who smoke is assessed as unacceptably high , while in people exposed to harmful chemicals , its level is 28.46 times higher than in people who are not exposed to these effects . The risk of the formation of ventilation disorders in groups of smoking workers is unacceptably high , while its level is 2.46 times higher in workers exposed to harmful chemicals than in non-workers in such conditions . In groups of workers exposed to harmful chemicals , the occupational risk of obstructive disorders is unacceptably high , in the group of smokers the risk is 2.32 times higher . Conclusions . Among the employees of the enterprise producing synthetic polyacrylonitrile fiber , the influence of tobacco smoking on the development of bronchopulmonary pathology is higher than the influence of harmful working conditions , and the use of smoking tobacco products significantly increases the negative effect of chemical pollutants .

Effects of chemical pollution on the behaviour of cichlid fish

Effects of chemical pollution on the behaviour of cichlid fish

Metabolism of β-naphthoflavone by cytochrome P450 isoforms in three air breathing fish, Channa punctatus, Heteropneustes fossilis and Clarias batrachus

The crucial phase I xenobiotic metabolising enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP 450) has a variety of isoforms and a wide range of substrate specificities. While the roles of mammalian CYP 450 are well established, those of non-mammalian species are much less defined. These roles are frequently extrapolated from mammalian data and assumed to be similar across vertebrate species. In the present study, three air breathing fish species, Channa punctatus, Heteropneustes fossilis and Clarias batrachus were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with 50 mg/kg β-naphthoflavone (β-NF) and its effects on hepatic CYP 450 system were evaluated. β-NF treatment resulted in significant increase (p<0.01) in CYP 450 content and CYP1A mediated EROD (Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase) activity in all three treated fish groups compared to control. CYP2B mediated N,N-dimethylaniline demethylase activity and CYP2E1 mediated aniline hydroxylase activity showed no response suggesting insensitivity to β-NF treatment. All three fish species showed an increase in CYP3A4 mediated erythromycin N-demethylase activity, but only H. fossilis displayed a significant difference (p<0.05). Of all the activities investigated, EROD activity mediated by CYP1A responded towards β-NF treatment the best and could serve as a sensitive biomarker to gauge the effects of chemical pollutants in the aquatic environment.

Безопасность труда и управление рисками при производстве наноматериалов

In the modern world, nanotechnologies are used in almost all the areas of the national economy: industry, agriculture, electronics, mechanics, medicine (nanocapsules), food industry (packaging materials, food enrichment with micronutrients), ecology (water treatment, oil well treatment). The market for carbon nanomaterials is constantly evolving, which leads to questions about the problems of exposure to nanoparticles for personnel in the working areas of production facilities. Products of the powder nanomaterials formation can enter the environment at all the stages of their production. It is also known that a nanoscale substance can behave differently than the same material in a larger bulk form. With a decrease in size, the melting point of the material, color, strength, chemical activity, and other parameters can change. In the existing regulatory and legal framework in the field occupational safety, insufficient attention is paid to the issues of safety and health of the nanotechnological laboratories personnel. This is due to the lack of unified international norms, and the insufficiently studied problem of the nanoparticle toxicity. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the impact of nanomaterials on people, which should be carried out in dynamics and covering various groups of the population, as well as conducting scientific studies of the effect of the nanomaterials on plants and animals. The aim of the research was a comprehensive study of the effect of chemical pollutants on the development of plants. Modern methods of analysis were used in the work: atomic absorption spectrometry, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, which allows to determine the accumulation of carbon nanomaterials in plants through the soil medium. The experiment showed that at the initial stage, nanomaterials have a beneficial effect on plant growth, but in the future, they have a depressing character. On the obtained micrographs, a violation of the cellular structure is observed.

The problem of assessing the economic consequences from chemical pollution of surface water

Purpose. Analysis of domestic and foreign experience in solving the problem of chemical pollution of surface waters and improving the existing "Methodology for calculating the amount of compensation for damages caused to the state as a result of violations of legislation on protection and rational use of water resources." Methods. Information analysis, theoretical and calculation, systems analysis. Results. In European countries, the assessment of the economic consequences of chemical pollution of surface waters is based on the provisions of Directive 2004/35 / EC "On environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage". The implementation of this Directive is carried out by creating a system of environmental liability based on the "polluter pays" principle not only for non-compliance with the limit of discharge of pollutants into water bodies, but also for violation of the properties and nature of aquatic ecosystems and their restoration. It is established that the consequences of not all forms of environmental damage can be eliminated by using the mechanism of environmental responsibility. For this mechanism to be effective, one or more sources of pollution must be identified, the damage must be specific and calculable, and a causal link must be found between the damage and one or more identified sources of pollution. In addition, liability is not an appropriate tool for large-scale, diffuse pollution, when it is impossible to establish a link between negative environmental impacts and the actions or inaction of certain individuals. Based on the analysis of national regulations and methodological approaches to assessing the economic consequences of chemical pollution of surface waters in European and other foreign countries, an algorithm is proposed to take into account the levels of acute lethal toxicity of return waters. Conclusions.. The algorithm for assessing the environmental impact of chemical pollution of surface waters must take into account the provisions of Article 16 of WFD 2000/60 / EC "Strategies against water pollution", in particular in paragraph 1.2.6 of Annex V "Surface water status" emphasizes " obtain data on the acute and chronic effects of chemical pollution of surface waters on the representatives of the "basic set of taxa" - algae, crustaceans and fish.

Can the “10-year fishing ban” rescue biodiversity of the Yangtze River?

Can the “10-year fishing ban” rescue biodiversity of the Yangtze River?

Warmer temperatures limit the effects of antidepressant pollution on life-history traits.

Pharmaceutical pollutants pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Yet, few studies have considered the interaction between pharmaceuticals and other chronic stressors contemporaneously, even though the environmental challenges confronting animals in the wild seldom, if ever, occur in isolation. Thermal stress is one such environmental challenge that may modify the threat of pharmaceutical pollutants. Accordingly, we investigated how fluoxetine (Prozac), a common psychotherapeutic and widespread pollutant, interacts with temperature to affect life-history traits in the water flea, Daphnia magna. We chronically exposed two genotypes of Daphnia to two ecological relevant concentrations of fluoxetine (30 ng l−1 and 300 ng l−1) and a concentration representing levels used in acute toxicity tests (3000 ng l−1) and quantified the change in phenotypic trajectories at two temperatures (20°C and 25°C). Across multiple life-history traits, we found that fluoxetine exposure impacted the fecundity, body size and intrinsic growth rate of Daphnia in a non-monotonic manner at 20°C, and often in genotypic-specific ways. At 25°C, however, the life-history phenotypes of individuals converged under the widely varying levels of fluoxetine, irrespective of genotype. Our study underscores the importance of considering the complexity of interactions that can occur in the wild when assessing the effects of chemical pollutants on life-history traits.

Effect of Chemical Pollution, Bacterial Contamination on Cancer Cells

Chemical pollution and bacterial contamination have a significant impact on increasing the spread of cancer cells in the body., Volatile organic compounds are one of the most important outdoor air pollutants, and they are often divided into two categories: methane compounds and non-methane compounds. The methane in methane compounds is one of the greenhouse gases that causes global warming, and non-methane volatile organic compounds cause leukemia. during prolonged exposure. While some other chemical compounds are used as a treatment for cancer by using them as anti-tumors.