Acute Toxicity of TiO2 Nanoparticles to Ceriodaphnia dubia under Visible Light and Dark Conditions in a Freshwater System

The ever increasing industrial and consumer applications of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) raise concern over the possible risk associated with their environmental exposure. Still, the knowledge regarding nanoparticle behavior in a freshwater ecosystem is lacking. The current study focuses on the toxicity of TiO₂ NPs towards Ceriodaphnia dubia (a dominant daphnid isolated from the freshwater) under two different conditions; (1) light and dark photoperiod (16:8 h) and (2) continuous dark conditions, for a period of 48 h. An increase in toxicity was observed with an increase in the concentration, until a certain threshold level (under both photoperiod and dark conditions), and beyond which, reduction was noted. The decrease in toxicity would have resulted from the aggregation and settling of NPs, making them less bioavailable. The oxidative stress was one of the major contributors towards cytotoxicity under both photoperiod and dark conditions. The slow depuration of TiO₂ NPs under the photoperiod conditions confirmed a higher NP bioaccumulation and thus a higher bioconcentration factor (BCF) compared to dark conditions. The transmission electron micrographs confirmed the bioaccumulation of NPs and damage of tissues in the gut lining.     

The influence of algal densities on the toxicity of chromium for Ceriodaphnia dubia Richard (Cladocera, Crustacea)

Food availability may affect metal toxicity for aquatic organisms. In the present study, the influence of high, medium and low densities of the algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (10(6), 10(5) and 10(4) cells.mL(-1), respectively) on the chronic toxicity of chromium to the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia was investigated. C. dubia was exposed to a range of chromium concentration from 2.71 to 34.04 microg.L(-1) and fed with algae at various densities. In another experiment, the green alga was exposed to chromium concentrations (94 to 774 microg.L(-1)) and supplied as food in different densities to zooplankton. The survival and reproduction of the cladoceran were measured in these toxicity tests. The IC50 for Cr to P. subcapitata and metal accumulated by algal cells were determined. The results of a bifactorial analysis (metal versus algal densities) showed that metal toxicity to zooplankton was dependent on algal densities. Significant toxic effects on the reproduction and survival of C. dubia were observed at 8.73, 18.22 and 34.04 microg.L(-1) Cr when the test organisms were fed with 10(6) cells.mL(-1) of P. subcapitata. Although the chlorophyta retain low chromium content, a decrease in the reproduction and survival of C. dubia occurred when they were fed with high algal density contaminated with 774 microg.L(-1) Cr. It was concluded that high algal density have an appreciable influence on chromium toxicity to daphnids.     

Chemical repellency and adverse effects of free-floating macrophytes on the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia under two temperature levels

Macrophytes can structure biological assemblages in subtropical lakes. Zooplankton often uses them as a refuge, but in the absence of predators many species frequently avoid them. It is hypothesized that plant exudates can act as “repellent factors” because they can be detrimental to the animals’ life history. This work aimed to test both assumptions: whether exudates of two free-floating species, Eichhornia crassipes and Salvinia biloba, repel the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia and whether they affect its life history. Furthermore, given the possibility that increasing temperatures can modify the observed responses, the experimental research was carried out at two temperature levels: 21 and 25 (±1) °C. First, an avoidance experiment was performed inside narrow aquaria containing the plants, so that repellence was analyzed according to the location of animals after 30, 60 and 90 min. Second, for the life cycle experiments, cladocerans were raised in macrophyte-conditioned water and their lifespan, growth and reproduction were daily monitored. Macrophytes’ exudates effectively repelled C. dubia and affected its life history by decreasing its life expectancy, increasing the age at first reproduction and lowering the number of eggs per female. The magnitude of such effects depended on the treatment, i.e. both plants together caused more negative effects than E. crassipes alone, and this latter was more negative than S. biloba. At higher temperature, the negative effects were intensified but C. dubia maintained the same order of sensitivity to each treatment. This suggests that temperature variations, within a tolerance range, do not alter the allelopathic interactions between the studied species.     

Evaluating the role of ion composition on the toxicity of copper to Ceriodaphnia dubia in very hard waters

The mitigating effect of increasing hardness on metal toxicity is reflected in water quality criteria in the United States over the range of 25-400 mgl(-1) (as CaCO(3)). However, waters in the arid west of the US frequently exceed 400 mgl(-1) hardness, and the applicability of hardness-toxicity relationships in these waters is unknown. Acute toxicity tests with Ceriodaphnia dubia were conducted at hardness levels ranging from approximately 300 to 1,200 mgl(-1) using reconstituted waters that mimic two natural waters with elevated hardness: (1) alkaline desert southwest streams (Las Vegas Wash, NV), and (2) low alkalinity waters from a CaSO(4)-treated mining effluent in Colorado. The moderately-alkaline EPA synthetic hard water was also included for comparison. Copper toxicity did not consistently vary as a function of hardness, but likely as a function of other water quality characteristics (e.g., alkalinity or other correlated factors). The hardness equations used in regulatory criteria, therefore, may not provide an accurate level of protection against copper toxicity in all types of very hard waters. However, the mechanistic Biotic ligand model generally predicted copper toxicity within +/-2X of observed EC(50) values, and thus may be more useful than hardness for modifying water quality criteria.     

Life history responses of the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia to variation in food concentration

The effect of five different food concentrations on the life history of Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia was examined by following cohorts of 25 individuals from <24 hours until the death of all individuals. The food concentrations used in the study were chosen to reflect densities found in lentic freshwater systems and those commonly used in toxicity testing, and ranged from 1 × 10⁴ cells mL^-1 to 15 × 10⁴ cells mL^-1. Food concentration was found to have a significant effect (p<0.05) on several life history parameters, with a decrease in food concentration leading to a decrease in brood sizes and population growth rate, and an increase in longevity. Population growth rates varied from approximately 0.39 neonates d^-1 to 0.54 neonates d^-1, while mean lifespan ranged from 16.7 days to 42.9 days. A decrease in food concentration also led to an increase in the mean generation time.     

Factors Associated with Fish Modify Life History Traits of the Cladoceran Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia

This study examined the effect of water that previously containedfish on several life history traits of the small-bodied cladoceranCeriodaphnia cf. dubia. Four fish density treatments were tested(i.e.16.7, 5.9, 2 and 0.9 1 fish-(1).^–1). A significant(P < 0.05) increase in the mean generation length occurredat a fish density of 16.7 l fish^–1. Fish densities ofat least 5.9 l fish^–1 had a significant(P < 0.05) positiveeffect on mean brood sizes, population growth rate and net reproductiverate. Increased fish density appeared to increase the lengthof time during which the cladocerans reproduced significantly(P < 0.05). None of the tested fish densities affected (P> 0.05) cladoceran survival. The observed effects are ascribedto the presence of unidentified substances in the water thatpreviously contained fish. These substances are thought to be‘fish kairomones’. While life history changes occurin the laboratory, it remains unclear whether similar changeswould occur in the field.     

Residual effects of 3,4-dichloroaniline on offspring born to Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia exposed for multiple generations

One of the acknowledged limitations ofconventional toxicity tests is their inabilityto evaluate the impact of toxicants onsubsequent generations. Given their relativelyshort lifespan, cladocerans in the field may beexposed to toxicants for several generations.However, it is unclear what effect such anexposure regime could have on the cladoceranfitness after removal of the toxicant. Thispaper aimed to determine the offspring fitnessof juveniles produced by adult Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia exposed toresidual levels of 3,4-dichloroaniline overfour generations. Mass cultures of Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia were maintainedfor several generations in variousconcentrations of 3,4-dichoroaniline (0, 2.5,5, 10, 15 and 20 µg/L). The mass cultureswere re-established every generation using4th brood neonates <24 h old. Eachgeneration, 4th brood neonates <24 h oldwere also transferred individually intotoxicant-free water and examined until theproduction of their 3rd brood. F1offspring of mothers exposed to 15 and20 µg/L 3,4-dichloroaniline showedsignificantly (p < 0.05) reducedreproduction compared to the controls. Nosignificant (p > 0.05) changes inreproduction due to 3,4-dichloroaniline wereobserved for the F2 and F3 offspring. However,F4 offspring of mothers exposed to all3,4-dichloroaniline concentrations showedsignificantly (p < 0.05) increasedreproduction compared to the controls. Possibleexplanations for the varying influence ofmaternal 3,4-dichloroaniline exposure on thereproductive output of the offspring arediscussed.     

Multi-linear regression models predict the effects of water chemistry on acute lead toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas

The current study examined the acute toxicity of lead (Pb) to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Pimephales promelas in a variety of natural waters. The natural waters were selected to range in pertinent water chemistry parameters such as calcium, pH, total CO(2) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Acute toxicity was determined for C. dubia and P. promelas using standard 48h and 96h protocols, respectively. For both organisms acute toxicity varied markedly according to water chemistry, with C. dubia LC50s ranging from 29 to 180μg/L and P. promelas LC50s ranging from 41 to 3598μg/L. Additionally, no Pb toxicity was observed for P. promelas in three alkaline natural waters. With respect to water chemistry parameters, DOC had the strongest protective impact for both organisms. A multi-linear regression (MLR) approach combining previous lab data and the current data was used to identify the relative importance of individual water chemistry components in predicting acute Pb toxicity for both species. As anticipated, the P. promelas best-fit MLR model combined DOC, calcium and pH. Unexpectedly, in the C. dubiaMLR model the importance of pH, TCO(2) and calcium was minimal while DOC and ionic strength were the controlling water quality variables. Adjusted R(2) values of 0.82 and 0.64 for the P. promelas and C. dubia models, respectively, are comparable to previously developed biotic ligand models for other metals.     

Effects of cyanobacterium exopolysaccharides on life-history of Ceriodaphnia cornuta SARS

The objective of the present investigation was to verify ifAnabaena spiroides exopolysaccharides sustains growth and reproductionof Ceriodaphnia cornuta. The animals were raised in controlledlaboratory conditions and fed exclusively on A. spiroides exopolysaccharides,which were obtained from filtered stationary growth phase A.spiroides cultures. A molecular weight cut-off of 12–14kDa was used to separate the exopolysaccharides from low molecularweight materials. The lyophilized exopolysaccharides were dissolvedin filtered and autoclaved reservoir water at a concentrationof 15 mg L^–1 (0.22 ± 0.01 mg C animal^–1day^–1).These results were compared with animals fed on seston at naturalconcentration obtained by filtering (68 µm) Barra BonicaReservoir water (0.23 ± 0.01 mg C animal^–1day^–1).Several life history parameters (duration of embryonic development,generation time, reproductive performance, age-specific length,primipara age and length) were obtained during 15-day experiments.Growth rate (GR) and weight-specific secondary production werealso quantified. Exopolysaccharide-fed organisms had bettergrowth and reproductive performance (0.091 ± 0.004 GR;51 ± 4.59 eggs produced per female) than seston-fed individuals(0.078 ± 0.010 GR; 30.90 ± 7.25 eggs producedper female). These results show that such macromolecules area potential food source, fulfilling nutritional requirementsto sustain growth and reproduction of C. cornuta and supportstrophic relationships in aquatic ecosystems.     

Some life history responses of the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia to variations in population density at two different food concentrations

Atrazine is the most commonly used agricultural herbicide in the midwestern cornbelt of the U.S.A. This project investigated atrazine bioconcentration in Cladophora glomerata (L.) Kütz, the dominant algae by biomass in nutrient enriched rivers. C. glomerata concentrates many organic and inorganic materials from solution, and by considering the partitioning coefficient of atrazine (Log K_ow=2.56), the uptake of atrazine by this green algae was expected. The bioconcentration factor of C. glomerata ranged from 29 to 5223 over a one year sampling period, and bioconcentration was found to be a function of maximum biomass increase (due to high nutrients) and discharge. Uptake increased at low discharges as a result of increased contact time between cells and water. We found that C. glomerata was able to bioconcentrate a yearly average of 54% of the available atrazine from the water. Efficiency of uptake increased during the summer growing season of the algae (81%) and was 34% during the winter months. This field study demonstrates the ability of C. glomerata to bioconcentrate atrazine to a high degree and suggests an alternative and quicker biological removal of atrazine from agriculturally polluted rivers.     

Combined effects of food level and inoculation density on competition between Brachionus patulus (Rotifera) and the cladocerans Ceriodaphnia dubia and Moina macrocopa

Competition among cladocerans and rotifers is of considerable interest not only due to their close similarity in life history strategies, but also due to the considerable overlap they exhibit in their feeding habits. In tropical waterbodies, several genera of cladocerans, including Ceriodaphnia and Moina occur, simultaneously with rotifers. We tested over a period of 3 weeks the combined effects of food (0.5×10⁶ and 1.5×10⁶ cells ml^–1 of Chlorella) level and rotifer density on the competition between B. patulus and C. dubia and M. macrocopa using population growth experiments. For each cladoceran species we used 30 test jars of 50 ml capacity. The initial density of cladocerans was 0.2 ind ml^–1, while for B. patulus it was either 1 ind ml^–1 or 5 ind ml^–1. Neither the maximal population density nor the rate of population increase (r) of C. dubia was significantly affected by B. patulus. However, for M. macrocopa, both these variables were negatively affected by the rotifers. The combined effects of low food level and high initial density of B. patulus resulted in a 50% reduction in the peak population density of M. macrocopa. The population growth of B. patulus was negatively influenced by the presence of C. dubia and M. macrocopa. The results of the competition experiments conducted in the present study between cladocerans and rotifers suggest the existence of a more complex and delicate interaction than is generally thought.     

The Effects of Differences in Vegetation on Calcium Dynamics in Headwater Streams

Although organisms can alter dynamics of elements in ecosystems via physiological results, the effects of tree species on ecosystem nutrient dynamics are highly uncertain. A four-fold variation in the calcium concentrations of streams, soils and leaf litters were caused by the planting of Cryptomeria japonica in south-central Japan. In this study, we examined how the calcium dynamics were affected by the planting of C. japonica through strontium isotope analysis. We predicted the planting of C. japonica would result in the calcium concentration increasing because of the significant dissolution of calcium from bedrock. In a forest ecosystem, calcium is usually derived from precipitation and bedrock weathering, and their relative contributions can be estimated using a strontium isotope mixing model. Therefore, we collected stream water, litter, soil, precipitation and bedrock samples from 17 sites in catchments dominated by C. japonica plantation or evergreen broad-leaved forest; after collection, we analyzed the sample chemical compositions and strontium isotope ratios. The calcium concentrations in the stream water and the water-soluble calcium in the soil were significantly higher at sites dominated by C. japonica than at broad-leaved forest sites. Strontium isotope analysis indicated that there was more calcium from the bedrock present in stream water at sites dominated by C. japonica than in stream water at broad-leaved forest sites. Our results showed that watershed-scale dynamics of calcium and other cations can be altered by the type of vegetation in a catchment due to the effects of vegetation on the supply of calcium from bedrock.     

The Effects of Chronic Exercise on Attentional Networks

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that chronic physical exercise improves attentional control in young healthy participants. To do this, we compared the performance of physically active and passive participants in the Attentional Network Task, which allows for the assessment of the executive, orienting and alerting networks. The results showed a selective positive effect of exercise on the executive network. These results extend the evidence gathered in children, older adults and certain clinical populations suggesting that exercise can also improve attentional control in healthy young adults.     

Effects of Aggregation on Blood Sedimentation and Conductivity

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test has been used for over a century. The Westergren method is routinely used in a variety of clinics. However, the mechanism of erythrocyte sedimentation remains unclear, and the 60 min required for the test seems excessive. We investigated the effects of cell aggregation during blood sedimentation and electrical conductivity at different hematocrits. A sample of blood was drop cast into a small chamber with two planar electrodes placed on the bottom. The measured blood conductivity increased slightly during the first minute and decreased thereafter. We explored various methods of enhancing or retarding the erythrocyte aggregation. Using experimental measurements and theoretical calculations, we show that the initial increase in blood conductivity was indeed caused by aggregation, while the subsequent decrease in conductivity resulted from the deposition of erythrocytes. We present a method for calculating blood conductivity based on effective medium theory. Erythrocytes are modeled as conducting spheroids surrounded by a thin insulating membrane. A digital camera was used to investigate the erythrocyte sedimentation behavior and the distribution of the cell volume fraction in a capillary tube. Experimental observations and theoretical estimations of the settling velocity are provided. We experimentally demonstrate that the disaggregated cells settle much slower than the aggregated cells. We show that our method of measuring the electrical conductivity credibly reflected the ESR. The method was very sensitive to the initial stage of aggregation and sedimentation, while the sedimentation curve for the Westergren ESR test has a very mild slope in the initial time. We tested our method for rapid estimation of the Westergren ESR. We show a correlation between our method of measuring changes in blood conductivity and standard Westergren ESR method. In the future, our method could be examined as a potential means of accelerating ESR tests in clinical practice.     

乙酸铜对雄性小白鼠生殖毒性的影响

以清洁级ICR雄性小白鼠为实验动物,研究不同剂量乙酸铜对小白鼠的生殖毒性。采用小白鼠精子畸形实验及小白鼠骨髓嗜多染红细胞(以下简称PCE)微核实验等方法。分别对成年小白鼠腹腔每天注射0.25~16.00mg/kg8个剂量的乙酸铜,染毒7天。结果表明:乙酸铜对小白鼠的体重增长及睾丸重量具有一定的抑制作用,其中组VI、组VII的最明显。不同剂量的乙酸铜均使雄性小白鼠精子密度(P<0.001)、精子活力明显降低,具有明显的剂量效应。各实验组精子畸形率、PCE微核率均明显高于对照组(P<0.001)(P<0.05或P<0.001),且均随乙酸铜剂量的增加而明显升高。结果表明实验剂量的乙酸铜对ICR雄性小白鼠具有明显的生殖毒性效应。