Showing papers in "Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology in 1981"

Comparison of three microbial toxicity screening tests with the Microtox test.

Abstract: A variety of test methods, criteria and procedures have been developed to assess the impact of chemical pollutants on aquatic biota. With the increasing awareness of the long term effects of many of those chemical pollutants, research efforts are being directed at short term bioassay tests, in an attempt to quickly alert dischargers as well as monitoring agencies of potential toxic conditions. One of the reasons for the time emphasis is that some effluents may be able to be stopped or contained for short periods for extra treatment, if necessary, but volume problems would make it unrealistic to attempt a 24-h much less a 96-h containment. Also by rapid assessment of changes in effluent quality, it may be possible to modify treatment before too great an environmental impact has occurred.

Identification of musk xylene and musk ketone in freshwater fish collected from the Tama River, Tokyo

Abstract: -dinitroxylene artificial perfumes wide-~ used in Japan, have been)iden -" tified in environmental biota for the first time. These compounds were isolated from freshwater fish(Carassius auratus langsdorfii) collected from the Tama River in the Tokyo area and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS). The levels of musk xylene and musk ketone in a pooled sample were approximately 0.2 and 0.05 ppm on wet weight basis, respectively.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human fat and liver

Abstract: Nine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were determined in human fat and liver by high pressure liquid column chromatography without complex pretreatment prior to analysis. Fat and liver tissue were obtained from autopsies. Smoking habits, occupations, and residence of the persons were unknown. The tissues were free from cancer. Differences of sex and age did not affect PAH content in the tissues. Pyrene averaged 1100 ppT in the fat and 380 ppT in the liver. The next highest level was that of anthracene (260 ppT in the fat and 170 ppT in the liver). The known carcinogens, benzanthracene and dibenzanthracene, were not detected in either tissue, but benzo(a)pyrene was present at a rather low level (20 ppT in both tissues). (RJC)

Acute toxicity of 54 industrial chemicals to sheepshead minnows ( Cyprinodon variegatus )

Abstract: Toxicity tests were conducted with sheepshead minnows to develop a data base from which water quality criteria could be established and to help determine priorites for further reseach efforts. Chemicals were generally those used by industry in relatively large quantities that pose potential or suspected environmental hazards, such as, chlorinated benzenes, phenols, and phthalates. The acute toxicity of the 54 chemicals varied widely. The most toxic chemical groups were the chlorinated phenols and the chlorinated benzenes with 96-h LC50's (based on nominal concentrations) ranging from 1.7-5.4 ppm and 0.8-21 ppm, respectively. The most toxic chemical tested appeared to be 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene with a 96-h LC50 of 0.8 ppm (95% confidence limits of 0.7-1.1 ppm). The 96-h LC50 for pentachlorobenzene was the same (0.8 ppm; 95% confidence limits of 0.4-1.8 ppm), but its effect early in the exposure was not as severe as the effect of 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene. The majority of the chemicals had 96-h LC50's in the range of 10-500 ppm and were considered to be slightly toxic to practically nontoxic. Ten of the chemicals had no apparent effect at highest concentrations tested. (JMT)

Toxic effects of cadmium on the garden snail (Helix aspersa).

Abstract: Spreading treated municipal wastes on agricultural and forest lands is becoming an established method of disposal. However, there is concern about the deleterious effects of toxicants, particularly cadmium, in the sludges. Cadmium concentrations in sewage sludge have been reported as high as 1500 ppM. The work reported here is a part of a larger project to investigate the ecological effects of municipal wastes on forest lands. Snails, Helix aspersa, were chosen to examine the entrance of cadmium into terrestrial food chains. This experiment was designed to determine cadmium accumulation, acute toxicity, and behavioral, reproductive and growth responses with increasing levels of cadmium.

Acute toxicity of phenol and substituted phenols to the fathead minnow.

Abstract: Because of the wide, high-volume usage of phenolics it behooves us to be aware of their toxicity in the environment. This awareness must include a knowledge of the effects on freshwater bodies and more specifically, an appreciation of the importance of differences in the physical properties of the water. The variability of the data on some phenolics makes it difficult to separate toxicity values that vary widely from others because of different test methods rather than different physical properties of the water. Data were lacking on some of the compounds we tested, and thus our data contribute significantly to the basic informtion on these chemicals. This acute test series was conducted with a variety (12) of phenolic compounds. Test conditions were kept as uniform as possible so that the toxicities of the compounds could be attributed to the differences in toxicity rather than to differences in test conditions. In addition, the tests provide data on the toxic effects in Lake Superior water, which is a major freshwater body in the USA.

A rapid biochemical test for measuring chemical toxicity.

Abstract: Many chemicals undergo multiple transformations in the environment, owing to abiotic and biotic processes. Whether they bioaccu~te or not depends, among other things, on their toxicity to the biota. Therefore, toxicity to organisms affecting the transforming is obviously an importrant factor governing the fate and behaviour of a chemical compound in the natural environment. Numerous bioassay procedures employing fish (SASTRY & AGRAWAL 1979), invertebrates (van DIJK et al. 1977), algae (WONG et al. 1979), protozoan (HONIG et al. 1980) and bacteria (MOWAT 1976, BABICH & STOTZKY 19T7) have been developed for the measurement of toxicity. Microbial toxicity tests have the advant84~es of speed and ease of performance (MOWAT 1976) due to the much shorter life cycles of these organisms and the higher test concentrations which can generally be employed. Such tests are therefore suitable for use as primary biological monitoring systems for screening large number of samples for relative toxicity. Chemical toxicity to bacteria is normally measured in terms of inhibition of microbial growth rate (NARKIS & ZUR 1979}, oxygen uptake (BROUZES et al. 1978) and colony formation on agar plates (ANDEHSON & ABDELGHANI 1980). The purpose of this paper was to report the development of a rapid and sensitive biochemical toxicity test based on the resazurin reduction by microbial dehydrogenase. MATERIALS AND METHODS Reagents: Resazurin solution was prepared by dissolving one resazurin tablet (5 mg per tablet from BDH) in 50 mL of distilled water using a volumetric flask. The resazurin solution was stored in a brown bottle and was stable under storage conditions for approximately one week at ~~ Phthalate-HCl buffer (0.05M) was made up by dissolving 1.02 g of potassium biphthalate in 95 mL of distilled water and the pH was adjusted to 3-5 with 6N HCI. Sodium bicarbonate and n~l alcohol (solvent) were laboratory reagent grade. Mixed bacterial cultures were developed by adding 0.i mL of fresh activated sludge to a 125-mL Erlen~yer flask containing 50 mL of 1/10 strength nutrient broth (DIFCO) fortified with 200 ppm each of glucose and sodium acetate. After overnight growth (approximately 18 h) on a shaker at 21~ 0.1 mL of the culture was transferred into another flask containing fresh medium. The transfer was

An Improved Agar Plate Method for Rapid Assessment of Chemical Inhibition to Microbial Populations

Abstract: Assessment of chemical toxicity is essential for effective management of the pollutants in the total environment. To meet such a demand, numerous bioassay procedures employing fish (SASTRY & AGRAWAL 1979), invertebrates (van DIJK et al. 1977), algae (WONG et al. 1979, JOUBERT 1980), protozoans (HONIG et al. 1977), and bacteria (MOWAT 1976, BABICH & STOTZKY 1977) have been developed. Bacteria have several attributes which make them attractive for use in such studies; for example, they are easily handled and require relatively little space. In addition, their short life cycle also means the readily availability of experimental results enabling the laboratory to process more samples. Consequently, bacteria are well suited for use as a primary biological monitoring system for detecting chemical toxicity (MOWAT 1976).

Toxicity, Absorption and Elimination of Phosphoric Acid Triesters by Killifish and Goldfish

Abstract: Chemicals TBP(tributylphosphate) was purchased from Wako Pure Chem Co, and TCEP (trichloroethyl phosphate), TDCPP [tris(l,3dichloroisopropyl) phosphate] and TPP (triphenylphosphate) were purchased from Tokyo Kasei Industry Co Solvents were distilled before use in an all-glass Widmar distillation unit Tap water was used after dechlorination by passage through an activated charcoal column

Mercury in the Muscle Tissue of Fish from Three Northern Maine Lakes

Abstract: We report the levels of mercury in the muscle tissue of brook trout (Sa~ve_f~nt&5 folq;gT~n~) and lake trout (S. na~ayc~sh) from three northern Maine lakes. Mercury levels in fish from two wilderness lakes in the same drainage basin were compared with each other, and in turn with those in fish from a lake in a separate drainage basin. The fish species composition in one of the wilderness lakes, Cliff Lake, is different from that in the other two lakes, enabling us to analyze the effects of trophic structure on mercury concentration in top carnivores. It is unlikely that mercury from agricultural, geological, or local industrial sources occurs in these lakes.

Effect of ozonation and chlorination on the mutagenic potential of drinking water.

Abstract: The mutagenic potential of water taken at various stages in a water treatment plant which used both chlorination and ozonation as methods for disinfection was investigated. Presented in this paper are some of the results obtained using the Salmonella/microsome test. The results of this investigation indicate that while mutagenic chemicals were produced by chlorination, ozonation of the chemicals in controlled laboratory experiments resulted in a decrease in the mutagenic activity. In observations at the treatment plant, mutagenic chemicals were produced to a lesser extent by ozone treatment than by chlorination. (RJC)

Seasonal variation in soft tissue weights and trace metal burdens in the bay mussel,Mytilus edulis

Abstract: Levels of six trace metals were measure in Mytilus edulis during a six month period. Patterns of seasonal variation were established and normal ranges of metal burdens in mussels were determined. Metals measured were vanadium, manganese, nickel, copper, zinc and cadmium. Sexually mature M. edulis, between 50 and 60 mm in size, were sampled in Yaquina Bay, Oregon at regular intervals between October 1979 and June 1980. Tissues were combined in two pools, ''somatic'' and ''gonadal''. Flame atomic absorption was used to determine concentrations of manganese, nickel, copper, and cadmium. Vanadium was determined by neutron activation analysis. With the exception of copper, all gonadal tissue burdens were greatest in late winter or early spring, at the time of gametogenesis. Somatic burdens of nickel, manganese, and zinc were maximal in early spring, while copper, cadmium and vanadium fluctuated without regard to gametogenesis or spawning. Zinc concentrations increased dramatically between days 22 and 80. Such increases may be indicative of the onset of gametogenesis. Results suggest that somatic and gonadal tissue should be considered separately when measuring metal levels. 1 table (JMT)

Accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls in Atlantic tomcod (Microgadus tomcod) collected from the Hudson River estuary, New York.

Abstract: The Hudson River estuary contains elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) throughout its course. HORN et al. (1979) estimated that almost 300 metric tons of residual PCBs are present in the sediments, a level of contamination exceeding other aquatic ecosystems in the United States (US EPA 1976). General Electric's capacitor manufacturing facilities in the upper river at Fort Edward and Hudson Falls, New York, were the major sources of PCBs (HETLING et al. 1979). Discharges of PCBs from these facilities were sharply curtailed in 1976 and terminated in June 1977. PCB concentrations in the Hudson estuary recently ranged from 4 to 6 ~g/g in the sediments and 0.0001 to 0.0011 mg/l in the water column.

Effects of intraperitoneal lead and cadmium on the humoral immune response of Salmo trutta.

Abstract: In the present study the effects of ip dosed lead (Pb) and cadium (Cd) on humoral antibody levels were examined in brown trout, Salmo trutta, immunized with MS2 bacteriophage Earlier work had shown that the live MS2 virus was a primary immunogen and highly immunogenic, while non-pathogenic in fishes Further, the antibody response could be quantified by a sensitive and reproducible technique The ip route of heavy metal challenge was utilized to remove the complications presented by the environmental modifications of the toxicity of these metals and their passage through the gills of the fish It was apparent that single ip doses of Pb and Cd resulted in a substantial reduction of antibody titre in MS2-immunized trout and that within the time limits of the experiment there was no recovery However, only in the case of the two lethal concentrations was antibody totally eliminated from the sera and death ensued Cd-exposure suppressed those responses mediated by T-lymphocytes and macrophages A reduction in the number of B-like cells, as well as the loss of helper and memory cell activity, could have been responsible for reducing antibody titre in Pb- and Cd-dosed trout A reduction in the number and activity of immunemore » effector cells would also account for the Cd-dose dependent suppression of the antibody response after a rechallenge with MS2« less

Effects of some pesticides on enzyme activities in an organic soil.

Abstract: Pesticides are used widely to control a variety of soil pests and often residues of these pesticides or their metabolites are present in soils (DECKER et al. 1965, DUFFY & WONG 1967, TU & MILES 1976). Most studies indicate that pesticides have limited effects on microbial activities related to soil fertility (BOLLEN 1961, TU & MILES 1976). Pesticide effects on soil enzymatic activities have so far received little attention. This paper reports on the effect of some pesticides on the activities of three enzymes, dehydrogenase, phosphatase and urease in an organic soil.

Comparison of liquid-liquid extraction and resin adsorption for concentrating mutagens in Ames Salmonella/microsome assays on water.

Abstract: The Ames Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity assay (AMES et al. 1975) is a relatively simple, cheap and rapid test for mutagenic activity (GREIM et al. 1980, SOBELS 1980). Although there are uncertainties about the health implications of mutagens, the Ames test detects 85 to 93% of known chemical carcinogens and is considered an essential part of the minimal battery of bioassays required in studies on environmental compounds which may damage chromosomal material (GREIM et al. 1980, SOBELS 1980). Since water may play an important role in the transmission of environmental carcinogens, which are responsible for an estimated 50 to 90% of human cancer cases, the Ames test is being used to determine the incidence of potential carcinogens in water supplies and their removal or formation by water treatment processes (HOOPER et al. 1978, NESTMANN et al. 1979, RAPPAPORT et al. 1979, SAXENA & SCHWARTZ 1979, SCHWARTZ et al. 1979, DENKHAUS et al. 1980, GRABOW et al. 1980, LOPER 1980). In many waters, particularly drinking-water supplies, the concentration of mutagens is generally too low for direct detection by the Ames test, and a wide variety of methods are being used to concentrate mutagens from large volumes of water (HOOPER et al. 1978, NESTMANN et al. 1979, RAPPAPORT et al. 1979, SCHWARTZ et al. 1979, GRABOW et al. 1980, LOPER 1980, GRIMM-KIBALO et al. 1981).