Search results for "TOXICITY"

Toxicity of silver nanoparticles to Lumbriculus variegatus is a function of dissolved silver and promoted by low sediment pH

2017

Toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to benthic organisms is a major concern. The use of AgNPs in industry and consumer products leads to increasing release of AgNPs into the aquatic environment-sediments being the major sink. Effects of sediment pH on the toxicity of AgNPs to benthic oligochaeta Lumbriculus variegatus were studied in a 23-d toxicity test. Artificially prepared sediments (pH 5 and 7) were spiked with varying concentrations of uncoated AgNP, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated AgNP, and silver nitrate (AgNO3 ) as dissolved Ag reference. Number of individuals and biomass change were used as endpoints for the toxicity. The toxic effects were related to the bioaccessible conc…

Mercury in fishes from Augusta Bay (southern Italy): risk assessment and health implication

2013

Our study reports on the total mercury (HgT) concentrations measured in the muscles and livers of several benthic, demersal and pelagic fish species caught inside and outside of Augusta Bay (southern Italy), a semi-enclosed marine area, highly contaminated by the uncontrolled (since the 1950s to 1978s) discharge of the largest European petrochemical plant. Mercury levels in fish tissues are discussed with regard to specific habitat, size and/or age of the specimens and HgT distribution in the bottom sediments. Results suggest a still active Hg release mechanism from the polluted sediments to the marine environment. Also, the high HgT concentrations measured in fishes caught in the external …

Accumulation of trace metals in sediments in a Mediterranean Lagoon: Usefulness of metal sediment fractionation and elutriate toxicity assessment.

2015

International audience; The authors investigated sediment quality in Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia) focusing on geochemical characteristics, metal sediment fractionation and elutriate toxicity assessment. Nickel, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Cd partitioning in sediments was studied; accumulation and bioavailability were elucidated using enrichment factors, sequential extractions, redox potential, acid volatile sulfide and biotest procedures in toxicity evaluation. Results revealed an accumulation for Pb and Zn, reaching 99 and 460 mg kg−1 respectively. In addition, the acid volatile sulfide values were high in both eastern and western lagoon areas, thus affecting metal availability. Mean enrichment factor …

Toxicity Testing of Silver Nanoparticles in Artificial and Natural Sediments Using the Benthic Organism Lumbriculus variegatus

2016

The increased use of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) in industrial and consumer products worldwide has resulted in their release to aquatic environments. Previous studies have mainly focused on the effects of AgNP on pelagic species, whereas few studies have assessed the risks to benthic invertebrates despite the fact that the sediments act as a large potential sink for NPs. In this study, the toxicity of sediment-associated AgNP was evaluated using the standard sediment toxicity test for chemicals provided by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development. The freshwater benthic oligochaete worm Lumbriculus variegatus was exposed to sediment-associated AgNP in artificial and natural …

Identification of the plant compound geraniin as a novel Hsp90 inhibitor

2013

Besides its function in normal cellular growth, the molecular chaperone heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) binds to a large number of client proteins required for promoting cancer cell growth and/or survival. In an effort to discover new small molecules able to inhibit the Hsp90 ATPase and chaperoning activities, we screened, by a surface plasmon resonance assay, a small library including different plant polyphenols. The ellagitannin geraniin, was identified as the most promising molecule, showing a binding affinity to Hsp90α similar to that of 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17AGG). Geraniin was able to inhibit in vitro the Hsp90α ATPase activity in a dose−dependent manner, with an in…

The impact of solvent mixtures on neurobehavioral performance: conclusions from epidemiological data.

2007

Abstract The review of epidemiological studies investigating the neurobehavioral effects of occupational exposure to solvent mixtures sought to contribute to the following issues: (1) Identification of affected cognitive and motor functions. (2) Identification of sensitive neuropsychological tests. (3) Analysis of exposure–effect relationships. The approach was based on the meta-analytical method of effect size estimates. Fifty-three groups from occupational studies were included in the meta-analysis. Forty-eight neuropsychological performance variables could be analyzed as they were included in at least three studies. Seventeen articles provided detailed information on the constituents of …

Caddis larvae (Trichoptera, Hydropsychidae) indicate delaying recovery of a watercourse polluted by pulp and paper industry

2012

Abstract We studied ecotoxicological responses of aquatic insects to evaluate the recovery of a watercourse with a history of over 100 years as a recipient of pulp and paper mill effluents. The recovery of the water quality began in 1985 due to the improved technology, but ecotoxicological effects on biota have still been evident two decades later, as indicated by morphological abnormalities in tracheal gills of caddis larvae. We hypothesized that these abnormalities are related to organic contaminants, such as resin acids, alkylated PAHs and chlorinated organic compounds, released historically from the mills, and more recently via resuspension from the sediment. Samples were collected betw…

Changes in biochemical composition of gills, hepatopancreas and muscle of the red crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard) after sublethal exposure to m…

1992

Abstract 1. 1. The changes in the biochemical composition of gills, hepatopancreas and muscle after exposure to 0.25 mg Hg/l were studied in Procambarus clarkii . 2. 2. Sublethal exposure to mercury in P. clarkii resulted in significant decreases in protein concentration and caloric concentration in gills over the 96 hr period. Glycogen/lipid and glycogen/protein ratios increased after 48 and 96 hr of mercury exposure. 3. 3. Lipid and caloric concentration in the hepatopancreas were significantly lower in 96 hr mercury exposed group. 4. 4. Glycogen concentration in muscle was depleted as consequence of 96 hr mercury exposure.

Acute toxicity and oxygen consumption in the gills of Procambarus clarkii in relation to chlorpyrifos exposure.

1992

Thiobencarb-Induced Changes in Acetylcholinesterase Activity of the Fish Anguilla anguilla

2002

Abstract European eels (Anguilla anguilla) were exposed to sublethal thiobencarb concentrations in a continuous flow-through system for 4 days. Brain, muscle, and gill acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities were evaluated after 2, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h herbicide exposure. Thiobencarb induced significant inhibitory effects on the total and specific AChE activity of A. anguilla, ranging from >30–40% inhibition in eel brain and gills to >50% inhibition in muscle tissue 2 h after the initial exposure. In a second experiment, eels were exposed to thiobencarb for 96 h and then allowed a period of recovery in pesticide-free water. Following 1 week of recovery, the AChE activity of affected eels…