The application of nanomaterials in agriculture is deemed as a promising strategy to increase the sector's sustainability. Nanopesticides are expected to improve solutions for pest/disease ...management, while reducing adverse effects to ecosystems, in accordance with the European Green Deal strategy. Hitherto, nanopesticide research has mostly focused on assessing effects to target species or crops, and less attention has been devoted to non-target soil species. In this study, we explored whether three copper hydroxide-based forms (nano and non-nano) show different toxicity and accumulation patterns in two terrestrial invertebrates, the isopod Porcellionides pruinosus and the mealworm larvae Tenebrio molitor. Toxicity and bioaccumulation experiments were performed and time-course toxicity and toxicokinetics analyzed and modelled. We found important differences in copper sensitivity and accumulation: T. molitor was more resistant and able to eliminate copper compared to P. pruinosus. The nanopesticide mostly elicited lower effects for both species. Slower toxicokinetics by the nanopesticide and lower bioaccumulative potential to P. pruinosus must be partially responsible for the differences in toxicity. Although no toxicokinetics differences were found in T. molitor between Cu forms, distinct negative effects on growth must reflect different energetic costs for copper regulation. Even though effects on toxicity and bioaccumulation are species-specific, copper hydroxide-based nanopesticides may cause less adverse effects to soil organisms than conventional products, being a good solution for reducing the environmental impact.
Copper hydroxide-based nanopesticide was less toxic and bioaccumulative to soil organisms than conventional copper hydroxide products, being a good solution for reducing the environmental impact.
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•T. molitor was able to regulate copper, contrary to P. pruinosus.•Nanopesticide elicited lower effects compared to Cu(OH)2 for both species.•Differences in toxicity partially related to slower toxicokinetics by nanopesticide.•T. molitor growth patterns denote increased energy costs involved in Cu regulation.•Nanopesticide Kocide3000® potentially less harmful to soil organisms
Bioaccumulation studies are critical in regulatory decision making on the potential environmental risks of engineered nanoparticles (NPs). The present study evaluated the toxicokinetics of silver, ...taken up from sulfide nanoparticles (Ag2S NPs; simulating an aged Ag NP form) and AgNO3 (ionic counterpart), in the pulmonate snail Physa acuta and the planarian Girardia tigrina. The snails were first exposed for 7 days to Ag-spiked water, along with the microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata upon which they fed setting up a double route exposure, and subsequently provided as pre-exposed food to the planarians. Ag toxicokinetics and bioaccumulation were assessed in planarians and snails, and potential biomagnification from snail to planarian was evaluated. Gut depuration was also explored to understand whether it constitutes a factor likely to influence Ag toxicokinetics and internal concentrations in the test species. Both species revealed Ag uptake in Ag2S NP and AgNO3 treatments, with higher uptake from the latter. Uptake by the snails was probably via a combination of water exposure and ingested algae provided as food, but ingestion of algae possibly had higher relevance for Ag uptake from the Ag2S NPs compared to AgNO3. For planarians, diet probably was the most important exposure route since no Ag uptake was observed in previous waterborne exposures to Ag2S NPs. Kinetics and internal Ag concentrations did not significantly differ between depurated and non-depurated snails or planarians. The planarians fed on snails revealed no biomagnification. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study investigating the toxicokinetics and biomagnification of NPs in planarians, and with that providing important data on the kinetics and bioaccumulation of NPs in a relevant benthic species.
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•Bioaccumulation studies are highly requested for NP risk assessment.•Different uptake routes tested for Ag2S NPs and AgNO3 in snails and planarians•Water and diet were the main routes for Ag2S NPs and AgNO3 uptake in snails.•Diet was the main route for Ag2S NP and AgNO3 uptake in planarians.•No biomagnification observed in the two-level food chain snail → planarian
The impact of pharmaceuticals on marine invertebrates has been a topic of rising concern, with an increasing number of studies regarding the impacts on bivalves. However, very few investigated the ...toxicity of mixtures of pharmaceuticals. This knowledge gap was investigated in the present study, where the toxicity of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and salicylic acid (SA) mixture was evaluated. To this end, Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels were chronically subjected to both pharmaceuticals, acting alone and in combination, and the effects at the cellular level were measured. The Independent Action (IA) model was performed aiming to compare obtained with predicted responses. The integrated biomarker response (IBR) index was used to assess the overall biochemical response given by mussels. The results obtained revealed that the most stressful condition was caused by the combined effect of EE2 and SA, with the highest metabolic capacity, antioxidant (catalase activity) and biotransformation (carboxylesterases activity) activation and cellular damage in organisms exposed to the mixture of both drugs in comparison to responses observed when each drug was acting alone. Predicted responses obtained from the IA model indicate that caution should be paid as frequent deviations to observed responses were found. This study highlights the need for future studies considering the mixture of pollutants, mimicking the actual environmental conditions.
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•Mytilus galloprovincialis metabolism was higher in the presence of the drug mixture.•17α-ethinylestradiol and Salicylic acid activated mussels' antioxidant capacity.•Antioxidant and detoxification defenses were higher when both drugs were mixed.•Cellular damage occurred when both drugs were acting in combination.
Personal care products have various organic ultraviolet filters (UV filters) in their composition to increase protection against ultraviolet radiation. Some of these products also contain insect ...repellents in their formulations. Consequently, these compounds reach freshwater ecosystems, exposing aquatic organisms to a cocktail of anthropogenic contaminants. In this study, the joint effects of two most frequently detected UV filters (Benzophenone – 3 (BP3) and Enzacamene (4-MBC)) and joint effects of BP3 combined with an insect repellent (N, N diethyl-3-methylbenzamide – DEET) were evaluated using life-history traits of the aquatic midge Chironomus riparius such as emergence rate, time to emergence and imagoes body weight. The results showed synergistic effects between BP3 and 4-MBC for C. riparius emergence rate. Regarding the effects of BP3 and DEET mixture, our analysis suggests synergism in the case of males but antagonism in the case of females' time to emergence. Our results imply that the effects of UV filters present in sediments within chemical mixtures are complex and that the evaluation of effects using different life-history traits can yield different patterns of responses. This study demonstrates the importance of assessing the combined effects of pollutants used/found concomitantly in aquatic systems for a more accurate risk assessment, as individual chemical testing can underestimate the toxicity of organic UV filters.
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•Mixtures containing organic UV filters and Insect repellents occur in freshwaters.•Synergistic effects were observed in C. riparius exposed to a mixture of UV filters.•Deviations from additivity were found for mixtures containing UV filters and DEET.•Individual chemical testing might underestimate the ecological effects of UV filters.
Groundwater represents one of the most important natural water resources worldwide. Contamination is a key driver in sustaining water quality to populations and the environment. Therefore, it is ...crucial to look at contamination and potential effects. Within the WaterJPI project “We-Need - WatEr NEEDs, Availability, Quality and Sustainability”, the Cremona and the Bologna Aquifers (Italy) were chosen as case studies since both aquifers represent two major Italian water resources of the Emilia–Romagna region. Aiming for a site-specific groundwater hazard assessment, the groundwaters from the Cremona and Bologna aquifers were simulated by preparing synthetic waters, CSW and BSW, respectively. Boron (as boric acid), fluoride (as sodium fluoride), and ammonium (as ammonium hydroxide), detected in the aquifers, were used to assess potential negative impacts on groundwater systems using aquatic organisms. Acute toxicity tests with Daphnia magna and Fish Embryo Toxicity Tests (FET) with Danio rerio were performed in the CSW and BSW synthetic waters and respective culture media, and toxicity was assessed for each organism. Boron, fluoride and ammonium had no ecological hazard effects at the concentrations detected in the groundwaters. Besides, a crucial result from this study regards the use of different media when addressing toxicity assessment. In this case, it was observed that toxicity was media and organism dependent. Therefore, adapting testing protocols for higher relevance should be considered for site-specific hazard assessment.
•Site-specific hazard assessment can improve groundwater risk assessment.•Toxicity of groundwater contaminants was media and organism dependent.•Improving exposure media leads to higher accuracy in ERA’s effects characterization.•Adapting test protocols for higher relevance is key for site specific assessments.
The detrimental impacts of plastic nanoparticles (PNPs) are a worldwide concern, although knowledge is still limited, in particular for soil mesofauna. This study investigates the biochemical impact ...of 44 nm polystyrene PNPs on three soil models-
(Oligochaeta),
(Collembola) and
(Isopoda). Exposure durations of 3, 7 and 14 days (d) were implemented at two concentrations (1.5 and 300 mg kg
PNPs). Results revealed PNPs impact on the activities of the glutathione-dependent antioxidative enzyme, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and on the neurotransmitter acetylcholinesterase (AChE) for all three species. Catalase (CAT) played a minor role, primarily evident in
at 300 mg kg
PNPs (CAT and GST response after 14 d), with no lipid peroxidation (LPO) increase. Even with the antioxidant defence,
was the most sensitive species for lipid oxidative damage (LPO levels increased after 7 d exposure to 300 mg kg
PNPs). Significant AChE inhibitions were measured already after 3 d to both PNP concentrations in
and
, respectively. Significant AChE inhibitions were also found in
but later (7 d). Overall, the toxicity mechanisms of PNPs involved antioxidant imbalance, being (mostly) the glutathione-associated metabolism part of that defence system. Neurotoxicity, linked to AChE activities, was evident across all species. Sensitivity to PNPs varied:
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This pioneering study on PNPs toxicity in soil invertebrates underscores its environmental relevance, shedding light on altered biochemical responses, that may compromise ecological roles and soil ecosystem fitness.
Due to several anthropogenic activities, water bodies have been heavily impacted by contaminants identified in aquatic ecosystems, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, agricultural and ...industrial chemicals. Risk assessment based on chemical mixtures is still default in many monitoring studies, with decisions being based solely on a chemical-by-chemical basis. The present study aimed to improve risk assessment procedures in water bodies by focusing on mixtures of chemical substances of different origins. The goal was to analyze potential interactions occurring at different complexity levels (binary and quaternary mixtures) using standardised toxicity assays. Mixture toxicity effects were assessed using Daphnia magna as the model organism and the compounds sodium fluoride, boric acid, ammonium hydroxide and acetaminophen as general representatives of contaminants in the aquatic ecosystem. The results revealed interactions between the compounds, mainly showing antagonism but also dose level and dose ratio-dependent deviations. Overall antagonism was the dominant deviation pattern, particularly at low doses, though synergism was also detected at higher doses or specific ratios. Synergism at low doses was found for the binary mixture of ammonium hydroxide and acetaminophen, two common pollutants, which denotes an enhanced risk to aquatic ecosystems. Independent Action provided more accurate predictions for the quaternary mixture, whereas Concentration Addition overestimated the toxicity of the mixture. Regarding the environmental risk assessment of water bodies, the interaction between chemicals in a mixture should not be neglected. The complexity of the mixture interactions found in the present study highlights the importance of complementing chemical screenings of water bodies with mixture toxicity data, particularly when considering chemicals of multiple origins whose joint action remains unknown.
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•Complex interactions found in mixtures of multiple source substances.•Binary mixtures showed an overall antagonism.•IA model provided a more accurate prediction of the quaternary mixture.•Quaternary mixture elicited lower effects than predicted by the CA model.•Mixture toxicity data is a fundamental tool in predicting risk assessment.
Climate changes and metal contamination are pervasive stressors for soil ecosystems. Mercury (Hg), one of the most toxic metals, has been reported to interact with temperature. However, compared to ...aquatic biota, little is known about how temperature affects Hg toxicity and bioaccumulation to soil organisms. Here, toxicity and bioaccumulation experiments were replicated at 15 °C, 20 °C, and 25 °C to understand how sub-optimal temperatures affect the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of Hg via soil. Genotoxicity and energy reserves were also assessed to disclose potential trade-offs in life-history traits. Results underpin the complexity of temperature-Hg interactions. Survival was determined mainly by toxicokinetics, but toxicodynamics also played a significant role in defining survival probability during early stages. The processes determining survival probability were faster at 25 °C: General Unified Threshold of Survival (GUTS) model identified an earlier/steeper decline in survival, compared to 20 °C or 15 °C, but it also approached the threshold faster. Despite potentiation of Hg genotoxicity, temperature promoted faster detoxification, either increasing toxicokinetics rates or damage repair mechanisms. This metabolism-driven increase in detoxification led to higher depletion of energy reserves and likely triggered stress response pathways. This work emphasized the need for comprehensive experimental approaches that can integrate the multiple processes involved in temperature-metal interactions.
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•Temperature-related physiological rates were key for survival probability.•Temperature increased Hg genotoxicity but also improved Hg detoxification.•Hg stored as inert form increased with concentration but not with temperature.•GUTS aided the formulation of a mechanistic hypothesis for the interaction.
mMarine and estuarine ecosystems are highly productive areas that often act as a final sink for several pollutants, such as cadmium. Environmental conditions in these habitats can affect metal ...speciation, as well as its uptake and depuration by living organisms. The aim of this study was to assess cadmium uptake and depuration rates in the euryhaline calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa under different pH, salinity and temperature conditions. Cadmium speciation did not vary with changing pH or temperature, but varied with salinity. Free Cd2+ ion activity increased with decreasing salinities resulting in increased cadmium concentrations in A. tonsa. However, uptake rate, derived using free Cd2+ ion activity, showed no significant differences at different salinities indicating a simultaneous combined effect of Cd2+ speciation and metabolic rates for osmoregulation. Cadmium concentration in A. tonsa and uptake rate increased with increasing pH, showing a peak at the intermediate pH of 7.5, while depuration rate fluctuated, thus suggesting that both parameters are mediated by metabolic processes (to maintain homeostasis at pH levels lower than normal) and ion competition at membrane binding sites. Cadmium concentration in A. tonsa, uptake and depuration rates increased with increasing temperature, a trend that can be attributed to an increase in metabolic energy demand at higher temperatures. The present study shows that cadmium uptake and depuration rates in the marine copepod A. tonsa is mostly affected by biological processes, mainly driven by metabolic mechanisms, and to a lesser extent by metal speciation in the exposure medium.
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•Cadmium accumulation in copepods increased with higher temperature and pH.•Cadmium accumulation in copepods decreased with increasing salinity.•Biological processes rather than metal speciation affected uptake/depuration rates.•Cadmium speciation did not vary with pH and temperature.•Cadmium ion activity was inversely correlated with salinity.
Bioaccumulation of cadmium was assessed in different tissues of the benthic fish Solea senegalensis. Juvenile Senegalese soles were simultaneously exposed to cadmium-contaminated diet (Hediste ...diversicolor) and water during 14 days and allowed to depurate for another 14 days. Cadmium content was measured in muscle, gills, liver and intestine, with recorded values increasing in these tissues in this same order. Muscle showed a considerably lower cadmium accumulation after 14 days of uptake. Cadmium kinetics in juvenile Senegalese soles revealed that the highest uptake flux of this metal occurred in the intestine. Cadmium depuration from the liver was not detected, which suggests the existence of a storage compartment for this metal in Solea senegalensis during uptake and depuration. Comparisons between maximum acceptable values for cadmium in the muscle, the Target Hazard Quotient and the Estimated Weekly Intake, indicated that acceptable limits were not exceeded, and the muscle of juvenile Senegalese soles could be considered safe for human consumption.
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