Presence Of Dioxin-like Compounds Research Articles

Emerging contaminants in Brazilian rivers: Occurrence and effects on gene expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are synthetic or naturally occurring chemicals that are not commonly monitored despite having the potential of entering the environment and causing adverse ecological and/or human health effects. This study aimed to determine whether ECs are present in the surface waters of two rivers in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, and evaluate the effects of ECs mixtures at environmentally relevant concentrations on zebrafish (Danio rerio) gene expression. ECs concentrations were determined using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The ECs most frequently detected were caffeine, imidacloprid, 2-hydroxy atrazine, tebuthiuron, atrazine, and bisphenol A. We used these data to reconstruct ECs mixtures reflecting environmental concentrations, codenamed T1, T2, and T3. No effects were observed, so the concentrations were increased. After a preliminary evaluation of the No Observed Effect Concentration for each mixture, we analyzed changes in the expression of zebrafish target genes (cyp1a, hsp70, cat, sod1, tsh, cyp19a1a, cyp19a1b, cyp26b1, casp8, sox2, cyb561d2, and thrb). cat was overrepresented in T1 and underrepresented in the other treatments. All of the mixtures induced the expression of cyp19a1b, which is a marker for (xeno-)estrogen exposure, and two of them increased the expression of cyp1a, which is used to indicate the presence of dioxin-like compounds. The rivers studied had low EC concentrations, and there was no indication of any harmful effects on the zebrafish. However, intensive agricultural activity may result in unsuspected peaks of EC pollution, and subsequent negative effects on living organisms.

Detection and identification of dyes showing AhR–binding affinity in treated sewage effluents

A bioassay using the YCM3 recombinant yeast strain was utilised to investigate the presence of dioxin-like compounds that activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in treated sewage effluents. AhR ligand activity was detected in the concentrated extracts of effluent samples collected in March, June and October 2004 from Kyoto city, Japan. HPLC fractionation was carried out using C18 reversed-phase columns, and possible AhR ligands were further isolated and purified. By using LC/MS/MS, one weak AhR ligand was identified to be rhodamine B base, a fluoran dye. In addition, two other coloured ligands were postulated to be disperse anthraquinone dyes or their metabolites because of their UV spectra and HPLC retention times. The AhR-binding affinities of 12 commercial dyes with different chemical structures were also studied. Among the dyes tested, hydrophobic anthraquinone dyes exhibited higher AhR ligand activity, but azo dyes or hydrophilic acid dyes showed no or very low AhR ligand activity. Rhodamine B base and disperse anthraquinone dyes were suggested to be potential xenobiotic AhR ligands. Future research regarding their contamination in aquatic environments and toxicological information is necessary.

Using the dioxin receptor–calux in vitro bioassay to screen marine harbor sediments for compounds with a dioxin‐like mode of action

The presence of dioxin-like compounds in sediments from harbors and reference sites along the Dutch coast was investigated using the dioxin receptor-chemically activated luciferase gene expression (DR-CALUX) bioassay. The DR-CALUX response varied between 0.2 and 136 ng/kg dry weight expressed in units of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) toxic equivalency quotients (TEQ). The highest CALUX-TEQ values (> 50 ng TEQ/kg dry wt) were found in sediments from the center of the Port of Rotterdam and from the North Sea canal near Amsterdam. The DR-CALUX activity of harbor sediments was classified by setting guideline values. None of the 257 harbor sediment samples investigated exceeded the maximum value of 1,000 ng TEQ/ kg, while 94% of the samples fail the target value of 2 ng TEQ/kg. Threshold values (25 and 50 ng TEQ/kg) are intended as pass/ fail criteria for offshore disposal of dredged material and were exceeded in 12 and 3% of the samples, respectively. DR-CALUX response did not always match with contamination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as determined in bulk sediments (sigma7-PCB ranging from < 1 to 456 microg/kg dry wt). Concentrations of planar PCBs, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated-dibenzofuranes (PCDFs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated-diphenylethers (PBDEs) were determined in 20 selected sediment extracts. On average, PCDD/Fs explained 50% of the DR-CALUX activity and planar PCBs 6%. Further research is needed to elucidate the unexplained part of the DR-CALUX response. The DR-CALUX is a highly sensitive and reproducible bioassay that can usefully complement standard PCB analysis, improving the hazard assessment of the disposal of dredged material in the North Sea.

Fate of Ah-receptor agonists in organic household waste during anaerobic degradation—estimation of levels using EROD induction in organ cultures of chick embryo livers

The fate of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD)-inducing compounds in source-separated organic household waste subject to anaerobic degradation (i.e. mesophilic/thermophilic anaerobic treatment) was investigated using organ cultures of embryonic chicken livers from fertilised hen eggs. This bioassay reflects the combined effect of all EROD-inducing, possibly dioxin-like compounds in a sample, including chemicals that are seldom or never analysed. All samples tested induced EROD in the bioassay, indicating the presence of dioxin-like compounds. In the anaerobic processes, the amounts of acid-resistant EROD-inducing compounds coming out of the reactors were considerably higher than the incoming amounts, especially for the low-temperature (mesophilic) process. This apparent production of EROD-inducing compounds may be due to de novo synthesis or to an increase in the EROD-inducing potency of the compounds in the material.