Pub Date : 2026-01-02DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107705
Xiaochen Wang , Kaiyu Fu , Jianghuan Hua , Mingyang Li , Lingzhi Tan , Lihua Yang , Jian Han , Weimin Xie , Bingsheng Zhou
Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), a novel brominated flame retardant, has been widely detected in various environmental media and exhibits significant bioaccumulation potential. This study first analyzed the distribution characteristics of DBDPE in zebrafish tissues using a toxicokinetic model. The results revealed that DBDPE preferentially accumulated in the brain, with the concentration order being brain > liver > gonads, indicating a potential neurotoxic risk. Further research demonstrated that zebrafish chronically exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of DBDPE exhibited abnormal social behaviors. Molecular analysis indicated that this neurobehavioral toxicity may be related to the disruption of neurotransmitter homeostasis and the upregulation of gene expression in the central nervous system induced by DBDPE. Notably, female zebrafish were found to be more sensitive to the neurotoxic effects of DBDPE. These findings not only clarify the tissue-specific accumulation characteristics of DBDPE but also reveal its sex-dependent neurotoxic differences, thereby providing important scientific evidence for the ecological risk assessment of this pollutant.
{"title":"Tissue uptake, distribution, elimination and neurotoxicity of decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) in adult zebrafish (Danio Rerio)","authors":"Xiaochen Wang , Kaiyu Fu , Jianghuan Hua , Mingyang Li , Lingzhi Tan , Lihua Yang , Jian Han , Weimin Xie , Bingsheng Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107705","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107705","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), a novel brominated flame retardant, has been widely detected in various environmental media and exhibits significant bioaccumulation potential. This study first analyzed the distribution characteristics of DBDPE in zebrafish tissues using a toxicokinetic model. The results revealed that DBDPE preferentially accumulated in the brain, with the concentration order being brain > liver > gonads, indicating a potential neurotoxic risk. Further research demonstrated that zebrafish chronically exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of DBDPE exhibited abnormal social behaviors. Molecular analysis indicated that this neurobehavioral toxicity may be related to the disruption of neurotransmitter homeostasis and the upregulation of gene expression in the central nervous system induced by DBDPE. Notably, female zebrafish were found to be more sensitive to the neurotoxic effects of DBDPE. These findings not only clarify the tissue-specific accumulation characteristics of DBDPE but also reveal its sex-dependent neurotoxic differences, thereby providing important scientific evidence for the ecological risk assessment of this pollutant.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107705"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145893690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107703
Ibrahim Lawan , Gisela de Aragão Umbuzeiro , Alastair R. Lyndon , Theodore B. Henry
Sex-specific physiological differences can modulate the toxicity of contaminants; however, the relationship between these differences and the physicochemistry of toxicants remains understudied. Our objective was to investigate sex-specific differences in the acute toxicity of nine priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with varying physicochemical properties (logKow: 3.30–6.63) in the tropical marine amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis. Adult males and females were exposed (96 h), toxicity thresholds (LCx and ECx) were determined, and Toxic Units (TUs), Hazard Quotients (HQs), and Risk Quotients (RQs) were computed to assess environmental risks. The results revealed a consistent pattern of heightened sensitivity in females for all the tested PAHs. For the most toxic mid-range compounds (logKow 4.4–4.95), females were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) more sensitive than males, with LC50 values of 111.3 µg/L in females and 190.3 µg/L in males for phenanthrene. This heightened sensitivity was particularly evident at lower effect thresholds, where female EC10 values for the most toxic PAHs were approximately two-fold lower than those for males. Toxicity was nonlinear with respect to hydrophobicity, and mid-range PAHs (logKow 4.4–4.95) posed the highest acute toxicity risk. Consequently, the calculated Risk Quotient for phenanthrene in females (RQ = 14.44) was nearly 30 times the Level of Concern (0.5). This study provides foundational toxicity data for a key tropical species, demonstrating that risk assessments that overlook both sex-specific vulnerabilities and the distinct threats of mid-range PAHs may fail to protect critically important tropical marine ecosystems.
{"title":"Sex and physicochemistry modulate the acute toxicity of PAHs in the tropical amphipod model, Parhyale hawaiensis","authors":"Ibrahim Lawan , Gisela de Aragão Umbuzeiro , Alastair R. Lyndon , Theodore B. Henry","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107703","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107703","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sex-specific physiological differences can modulate the toxicity of contaminants; however, the relationship between these differences and the physicochemistry of toxicants remains understudied. Our objective was to investigate sex-specific differences in the acute toxicity of nine priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with varying physicochemical properties (logKow: 3.30–6.63) in the tropical marine amphipod <em>Parhyale hawaiensis</em>. Adult males and females were exposed (96 h), toxicity thresholds (LC<sub>x</sub> and EC<sub>x</sub>) were determined, and Toxic Units (TUs), Hazard Quotients (HQs), and Risk Quotients (RQs) were computed to assess environmental risks. The results revealed a consistent pattern of heightened sensitivity in females for all the tested PAHs. For the most toxic mid-range compounds (logKow 4.4–4.95), females were significantly (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.05) more sensitive than males, with LC<sub>50</sub> values of 111.3 µg/L in females and 190.3 µg/L in males for phenanthrene. This heightened sensitivity was particularly evident at lower effect thresholds, where female EC<sub>10</sub> values for the most toxic PAHs were approximately two-fold lower than those for males. Toxicity was nonlinear with respect to hydrophobicity, and mid-range PAHs (logKow 4.4–4.95) posed the highest acute toxicity risk. Consequently, the calculated Risk Quotient for phenanthrene in females (RQ = 14.44) was nearly 30 times the Level of Concern (0.5). This study provides foundational toxicity data for a key tropical species, demonstrating that risk assessments that overlook both sex-specific vulnerabilities and the distinct threats of mid-range PAHs may fail to protect critically important tropical marine ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107703"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145893693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107704
Indrajit Das , Soumen Roy , Ankur Banerjee , Poulami Sen Gupta , Subrata Karmakar , Shamee Bhattacharjee , Deba Prasad Mandal
Organophosphates are one of the major and most widely used pesticides. Globally, two of the most widely used organophosphates are chlorpyrifos (CPF) and malathion (MAL). Reports on the effect of environmentally relevant concentrations of organophosphates during embryological development are very limited.
In this study, we have exposed 2 h viable zebrafish to 100 µg/L, 200 µg/L, 400 µg/L concentrations of CPF or MAL. In addition, the embryos were also exposed to a mixture of CPF and MAL containing 200 µg/L of each of the pesticides (CPF+MAL). Morphological observations of the whole embryo, behavioural study and histopathological assessment of various organs in 120 hpf zebrafish larvae were conducted. mRNA expressions of the genes relevant to neuro and cardiac development were also analysed. Finally, intracellular ROS generation and protein expression of the oxidative stress responsive transcription factor NRF2 was assessed.
Both the pesticides have been shown to induce various types of malformations related to cardiac and neural toxicity. A significant observation of this study is the differential effect of CPF and MAL on the hatching rate of zebrafish embryos and on the locomotor activity of zebrafish larvae. Among all the experimental exposures, CPF was the most toxic, even more than the combination group which we found to be very startling.
Overall, we showed that sub-lethal concentrations of organophosphate pesticides can cause severe developmental toxicity and abnormal gene expressions without causing lethality in the embryos.
{"title":"Developmental toxicity of two organophosphate pesticides in Zebrafish embryo: Comparative and combinatorial assessment of neuro- and cardio-toxicity of sub-lethal concentrations of chlorpyrifos and malathion","authors":"Indrajit Das , Soumen Roy , Ankur Banerjee , Poulami Sen Gupta , Subrata Karmakar , Shamee Bhattacharjee , Deba Prasad Mandal","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107704","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107704","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Organophosphates are one of the major and most widely used pesticides. Globally, two of the most widely used organophosphates are chlorpyrifos (CPF) and malathion (MAL). Reports on the effect of environmentally relevant concentrations of organophosphates during embryological development are very limited.</div><div>In this study, we have exposed 2 h viable zebrafish to 100 µg/L, 200 µg/L, 400 µg/L concentrations of CPF or MAL. In addition, the embryos were also exposed to a mixture of CPF and MAL containing 200 µg/L of each of the pesticides (CPF+MAL). Morphological observations of the whole embryo, behavioural study and histopathological assessment of various organs in 120 hpf zebrafish larvae were conducted. mRNA expressions of the genes relevant to neuro and cardiac development were also analysed. Finally, intracellular ROS generation and protein expression of the oxidative stress responsive transcription factor NRF2 was assessed.</div><div>Both the pesticides have been shown to induce various types of malformations related to cardiac and neural toxicity. A significant observation of this study is the differential effect of CPF and MAL on the hatching rate of zebrafish embryos and on the locomotor activity of zebrafish larvae. Among all the experimental exposures, CPF was the most toxic, even more than the combination group which we found to be very startling.</div><div>Overall, we showed that sub-lethal concentrations of organophosphate pesticides can cause severe developmental toxicity and abnormal gene expressions without causing lethality in the embryos.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107704"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juvenile hormone analogs (JHAs) are widely used insect growth regulators that disrupt endocrine signaling and impair reproduction in arthropods. Although their effects on non-target crustaceans such as Daphnia magna are well documented, the cellular mechanisms underlying JHA-induced reproductive toxicity remain unclear. In this study, we performed time-course exposure experiments to identify the sensitive window during which fenoxycarb reduces fecundity and investigated the associated ovarian changes. We generated a germline-specific VASA:H2B-GFP knock-in line to visualize ovarian nuclei in vivo and found that exposure during 16–32 h after oviposition resulted in marked reductions in offspring number. High-resolution fluorescence and multiphoton imaging revealed apoptosis-like nuclear abnormalities in developing oocytes, indicating that oocyte degeneration contributes to reduced fecundity. This study provides evidence that oocyte degeneration contributes to fenoxycarb-induced reproductive impairment and highlights the utility of genetic and live-imaging tools for advancing mechanistic understanding of endocrine disruption in small aquatic invertebrates.
{"title":"Juvenile hormone analog, fenoxycarb induced apoptotic effects in the developing ovary of Daphnia magna","authors":"Lichi Hsieh, Fransiscus Jason Wiguna, Nikko Adhitama, Yasuhiko Kato, Hajime Watanabe","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107699","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107699","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Juvenile hormone analogs (JHAs) are widely used insect growth regulators that disrupt endocrine signaling and impair reproduction in arthropods. Although their effects on non-target crustaceans such as <em>Daphnia magna</em> are well documented, the cellular mechanisms underlying JHA-induced reproductive toxicity remain unclear. In this study, we performed time-course exposure experiments to identify the sensitive window during which fenoxycarb reduces fecundity and investigated the associated ovarian changes. We generated a germline-specific VASA:H2B-GFP knock-in line to visualize ovarian nuclei in vivo and found that exposure during 16–32 h after oviposition resulted in marked reductions in offspring number. High-resolution fluorescence and multiphoton imaging revealed apoptosis-like nuclear abnormalities in developing oocytes, indicating that oocyte degeneration contributes to reduced fecundity. This study provides evidence that oocyte degeneration contributes to fenoxycarb-induced reproductive impairment and highlights the utility of genetic and live-imaging tools for advancing mechanistic understanding of endocrine disruption in small aquatic invertebrates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107699"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145880044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107698
Kevin V. Brix, Jeffrey C. Wolf, Stijn Baken, Tara Miller, Yamini Gopalapillai, Douglas J. Fort
This study investigated copper (Cu) effects on zebrafish (Danio rerio) reproduction. Multiple measured endpoints provided insight into potential modes of action. Reproductively active zebrafish were exposed to dissolved Cu concentrations of 0.3 (control), 6.2, 16.8, and 48.8 μg L−1 for 21 days, generally following OECD TG 229. Parameters assessed included fecundity, gonado- and liver-somatic index (GSI and LSI), plasma vitellogenin, and two indicators of oxidative stress – catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) concentration on days 0, 2, 10, and 21. Additionally, histopathological evaluation of the gill, liver, and gonad was undertaken at test termination. Copper significantly reduced fecundity at 16.8 and 48.8 μg L−1 Cu. Correspondingly, CAT and GSH-Px concentrations increased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in the gonad and liver indicating oxidative stress in these tissues. Plasma vitellogenin concentrations, GSI, and LSI were not affected by Cu exposure. Liver histopathology indicated treatment-related increases in bile duct hyperplasia in male fish. Absence of ovarian post-ovulatory follicles in 16.8 and 48.8 μg L−1 group females was consistent with reduced fecundity, but other histopathological findings in gonads were not considered conclusively related to Cu exposure. Overall, the absence of changes in plasma vitellogenin concentrations and endocrine-specific histopathological effects provides further evidence against an endocrine disruption adverse outcome pathway. The lack of overt histopathological damage in the gonads indicates oxidative damage is also likely not driving effects on reproduction. Alternative modalities, such as Cu-induced changes in bioenergetics, could be playing a role in observed reproductive effects and could be investigated.
{"title":"Investigation of potential mechanisms of chronic copper effects on reproduction in zebrafish (Danio rerio)","authors":"Kevin V. Brix, Jeffrey C. Wolf, Stijn Baken, Tara Miller, Yamini Gopalapillai, Douglas J. Fort","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107698","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107698","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated copper (Cu) effects on zebrafish (<em>Danio rerio</em>) reproduction. Multiple measured endpoints provided insight into potential modes of action. Reproductively active zebrafish were exposed to dissolved Cu concentrations of 0.3 (control), 6.2, 16.8, and 48.8 μg L<sup>−1</sup> for 21 days, generally following OECD TG 229. Parameters assessed included fecundity, gonado- and liver-somatic index (GSI and LSI), plasma vitellogenin, and two indicators of oxidative stress – catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) concentration on days 0, 2, 10, and 21. Additionally, histopathological evaluation of the gill, liver, and gonad was undertaken at test termination. Copper significantly reduced fecundity at 16.8 and 48.8 μg L<sup>−1</sup> Cu. Correspondingly, CAT and GSH-Px concentrations increased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in the gonad and liver indicating oxidative stress in these tissues. Plasma vitellogenin concentrations, GSI, and LSI were not affected by Cu exposure. Liver histopathology indicated treatment-related increases in bile duct hyperplasia in male fish. Absence of ovarian post-ovulatory follicles in 16.8 and 48.8 μg L<sup>−1</sup> group females was consistent with reduced fecundity, but other histopathological findings in gonads were not considered conclusively related to Cu exposure. Overall, the absence of changes in plasma vitellogenin concentrations and endocrine-specific histopathological effects provides further evidence against an endocrine disruption adverse outcome pathway. The lack of overt histopathological damage in the gonads indicates oxidative damage is also likely not driving effects on reproduction. Alternative modalities, such as Cu-induced changes in bioenergetics, could be playing a role in observed reproductive effects and could be investigated.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107698"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145893697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107701
A.K.M. Munzurul Hasan , Mahesh Rachamalla , Md Helal Uddin , Sravan Kumar Putnala , Ed S. Krol , Som Niyogi , Douglas P. Chivers
Bisphenol S (BPS) is a widely used synthetic compound and is known as an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC). The ability of BPS to bind predominantly to estrogen receptors raises significant concern, as it can interfere with different neurological functions, leading to neurobehavioural deficits. Despite extensive research documenting various adverse effects of BPS in adult fish, its neurobehavioural effects, especially in early life stages of fish, remain poorly understood. In the present study, zebrafish embryos (4-hours post fertilization, hpf) were exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration of BPS (30 μg/L), in addition to control and DMSO (0.01%; vehicle control), until 120 hpf, followed by behavioural, biochemical, and molecular assessments. BPS exposure impaired tail coiling frequency in embryos (20 hpf), and thigmotaxis and reflexive movement behaviour (120 hpf) in zebrafish larvae. At 120 hpf, larvae showed elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased apoptosis, and higher malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage. Biochemical analysis further demonstrated that BPS significantly increased whole body serotonin (5-HT) and acetylcholine levels at 120 hpf. Moreover, gene expression analysis at 120 hpf indicated that BPS exposure resulted in the dysregulation of genes involved in dopaminergic, serotonergic and cholinergic neurotransmitter pathways, apoptosis pathway, oxidative stress response, and neuroinflammation. These findings suggest that BPS induces oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and apoptosis, leading to the disruption of neural development and signaling pathways involved in regulating behavioural responses. Overall, our study provides new insights into the behavioural effects and underlying neurotoxic mechanisms of developmental BPS exposure in larval zebrafish.
{"title":"Developmental exposure to Bisphenol S causes neurobehavioural deficits in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio)","authors":"A.K.M. Munzurul Hasan , Mahesh Rachamalla , Md Helal Uddin , Sravan Kumar Putnala , Ed S. Krol , Som Niyogi , Douglas P. Chivers","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107701","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107701","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bisphenol S (BPS) is a widely used synthetic compound and is known as an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC). The ability of BPS to bind predominantly to estrogen receptors raises significant concern, as it can interfere with different neurological functions, leading to neurobehavioural deficits. Despite extensive research documenting various adverse effects of BPS in adult fish, its neurobehavioural effects, especially in early life stages of fish, remain poorly understood. In the present study, zebrafish embryos (4-hours post fertilization, hpf) were exposed to an environmentally relevant concentration of BPS (30 μg/L), in addition to control and DMSO (0.01%; vehicle control), until 120 hpf, followed by behavioural, biochemical, and molecular assessments. BPS exposure impaired tail coiling frequency in embryos (20 hpf), and thigmotaxis and reflexive movement behaviour (120 hpf) in zebrafish larvae. At 120 hpf, larvae showed elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased apoptosis, and higher malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage. Biochemical analysis further demonstrated that BPS significantly increased whole body serotonin (5-HT) and acetylcholine levels at 120 hpf. Moreover, gene expression analysis at 120 hpf indicated that BPS exposure resulted in the dysregulation of genes involved in dopaminergic, serotonergic and cholinergic neurotransmitter pathways, apoptosis pathway, oxidative stress response, and neuroinflammation. These findings suggest that BPS induces oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and apoptosis, leading to the disruption of neural development and signaling pathways involved in regulating behavioural responses. Overall, our study provides new insights into the behavioural effects and underlying neurotoxic mechanisms of developmental BPS exposure in larval zebrafish.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107701"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145893696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-28DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107697
Katarzyna Affek , Nicholas Buss , Gavin Dehnert , Jessica Hite , Andrzej N. Affek , Jessica Hua
Microplastic (MP) pollution poses a growing threat to freshwater ecosystems, yet its effects on ecological interactions, such as host-parasite or host-microbiota dynamics, are poorly understood. Using leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens) tadpoles and their interactions with a common trematode parasite as a model, this study experimentally manipulated MP fiber size (short: ∼0.24 mm; long: ∼1.5 mm) and concentration (10 or 40 μg L⁻¹) to assess effects on tadpole survival, growth, development, behavior, gut microbiota, and parasite susceptibility. High MP concentrations significantly reduced tadpole survival, with long fibers causing greater mortality. Sublethal exposures inhibited development at both concentrations, while 40 μg L⁻¹ also reduced mass and length. Shorter fibers were more frequently ingested, coinciding with altered host behavior and elevated infection intensities, suggesting impaired parasite avoidance. MP exposure caused modest shifts in gut microbiota. In contrast, tadpole gut microbiota was minimally altered by the parasite and MP–parasite treatments. Our findings revealed that MP fiber morphology and concentration interact to shape amphibian health and susceptibility to parasitic infection. These results underscore the importance of incorporating ecological interactions into risk assessments of MP and highlight how environmentally–relevant fiber sizes can disrupt key ecological interactions in freshwater systems.
{"title":"Direct and indirect ecological impacts of microplastic fibers on host-parasite and host-microbiota interactions","authors":"Katarzyna Affek , Nicholas Buss , Gavin Dehnert , Jessica Hite , Andrzej N. Affek , Jessica Hua","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107697","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107697","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastic (MP) pollution poses a growing threat to freshwater ecosystems, yet its effects on ecological interactions, such as host-parasite or host-microbiota dynamics, are poorly understood. Using leopard frog (<em>Lithobates pipiens</em>) tadpoles and their interactions with a common trematode parasite as a model, this study experimentally manipulated MP fiber size (short: ∼0.24 mm; long: ∼1.5 mm) and concentration (10 or 40 μg L⁻¹) to assess effects on tadpole survival, growth, development, behavior, gut microbiota, and parasite susceptibility. High MP concentrations significantly reduced tadpole survival, with long fibers causing greater mortality. Sublethal exposures inhibited development at both concentrations, while 40 μg L⁻¹ also reduced mass and length. Shorter fibers were more frequently ingested, coinciding with altered host behavior and elevated infection intensities, suggesting impaired parasite avoidance. MP exposure caused modest shifts in gut microbiota. In contrast, tadpole gut microbiota was minimally altered by the parasite and MP–parasite treatments. Our findings revealed that MP fiber morphology and concentration interact to shape amphibian health and susceptibility to parasitic infection. These results underscore the importance of incorporating ecological interactions into risk assessments of MP and highlight how environmentally–relevant fiber sizes can disrupt key ecological interactions in freshwater systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107697"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145845498","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-28DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107700
Ye-bing Shi , Zu-lin Hua , Zi-wei Chen , Xiao-qing Li , Li Gu
Understanding how submerge-emerge alternation influences the fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in wetland plants is crucial for ecological risk assessment and optimizing phytoremediation under fluctuating hydrological regimes. This study simulated the alternation scenario (ASE), comparing it with continued submergence (CS) and continued emergence (CE) to investigate alternation’s regulatory effect on PFAS fate, considering plant growth, physiology, and metabolic profiles. Results showed that ASE inhibited PFAS accumulation in roots, while enhancing their translocation and accumulation in leaves. Specifically, the average PFAS amount in ASE roots (14.96 μg) was lower than that in CS (19.14 μg) and CE (17.28 μg), whereas in ASE leaves, they were 1.25 and 1.23 times higher than in CS and CE, respectively. Among individual PFASs, PFBA, 6:2 FTS, and PFOS exhibited pronounced bioaccumulation under ASE treatment, whereas PFOA preferentially accumulated under CS and CE treatments. Physiological analysis indicated that ASE stimulated plant growth (higher biomass and growth rate) and root development (e.g., longer root length and increased number of root tips), accompanied by elevated levels of H₂O₂, malondialdehyde, and chlorophyll, suggesting enhanced photosynthesis and transpiration. In the rhizosphere, ASE markedly increased the secretion of flavonoids and organic acids, while reducing the exudation of lipids and amino acids. The KEGG analysis further revealed upregulation of sphingolipid metabolism and fatty acid degradation pathways under ASE treatment, which were implicated in membrane integrity, protein functionality, and ion channel regulation. Collectively, these findings suggest that ASE mitigated PFAS accumulation in roots by enhancing membrane selectivity and activating rhizosphere defense mechanisms, while elevated oxidative stress and transpiration likely promoted PFAS translocation to leaves. This study provides novel insights into PFAS behavior in fluctuating hydrological environments and informs phytoremediation strategies.
{"title":"Submerge-emerge alternation regulates per(poly)fluoroalkyl substance fate in emergent plants: Insights from growth, physiology, and metabolomics","authors":"Ye-bing Shi , Zu-lin Hua , Zi-wei Chen , Xiao-qing Li , Li Gu","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107700","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107700","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding how submerge-emerge alternation influences the fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in wetland plants is crucial for ecological risk assessment and optimizing phytoremediation under fluctuating hydrological regimes. This study simulated the alternation scenario (ASE), comparing it with continued submergence (CS) and continued emergence (CE) to investigate alternation’s regulatory effect on PFAS fate, considering plant growth, physiology, and metabolic profiles. Results showed that ASE inhibited PFAS accumulation in roots, while enhancing their translocation and accumulation in leaves. Specifically, the average PFAS amount in ASE roots (14.96 μg) was lower than that in CS (19.14 μg) and CE (17.28 μg), whereas in ASE leaves, they were 1.25 and 1.23 times higher than in CS and CE, respectively. Among individual PFASs, PFBA, 6:2 FTS, and PFOS exhibited pronounced bioaccumulation under ASE treatment, whereas PFOA preferentially accumulated under CS and CE treatments. Physiological analysis indicated that ASE stimulated plant growth (higher biomass and growth rate) and root development (e.g., longer root length and increased number of root tips), accompanied by elevated levels of H₂O₂, malondialdehyde, and chlorophyll, suggesting enhanced photosynthesis and transpiration. In the rhizosphere, ASE markedly increased the secretion of flavonoids and organic acids, while reducing the exudation of lipids and amino acids. The KEGG analysis further revealed upregulation of sphingolipid metabolism and fatty acid degradation pathways under ASE treatment, which were implicated in membrane integrity, protein functionality, and ion channel regulation. Collectively, these findings suggest that ASE mitigated PFAS accumulation in roots by enhancing membrane selectivity and activating rhizosphere defense mechanisms, while elevated oxidative stress and transpiration likely promoted PFAS translocation to leaves. This study provides novel insights into PFAS behavior in fluctuating hydrological environments and informs phytoremediation strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107700"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145893698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose developmental risks, specifically craniofacial malformations in fish. This study assessed the effects of benzo [a]anthracene (BaA) and pyrene (Pyr) exposure on craniofacial chondrogenesis in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos, focusing on the roles of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and cytochrome P450 (CYP). To explore the involvements with inhibiting craniofacial chondrogenesis, the CYP inhibitor (piperonyl butoxide [PBO]) and AhR antagonist (CH223191 [CH]) were used. Whole-mount Alcian blue staining of hatching larvae revealed that exposure of fish embryos to BaA partially impaired craniofacial chondrogenesis that was further exacerbated by BaA + PBO co-exposure, indicating synergistic effects of BaA under CYP inhibition. Those impairments were accompanied by the downregulation of collagen type II alpha 1a (Col2a1a) and sex-determining region Y-box9b (Sox9b). In contrast, although Pyr exposure also impaired craniofacial chondrogenesis, these effects were not associated with the downregulation of Col2a1a or Sox9b. Notably, both AhR and CYP inhibitions can attenuate Pyr-induced cartilage defects, suggesting that metabolic activation of Pyr is responsible for craniofacial effects. Overall, this study demonstrates that BaA and Pyr disrupt craniofacial chondrogenesis through different toxicological profiles.
{"title":"Differences of benzo[a]anthracene- and pyrene-induced disruption of craniofacial chondrogenesis in Japanese medaka","authors":"Shusaku Fukugami , Masatoshi Yamasaki , Emiko Kokushi , Seiichi Uno","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107696","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107696","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose developmental risks, specifically craniofacial malformations in fish. This study assessed the effects of benzo [a]anthracene (BaA) and pyrene (Pyr) exposure on craniofacial chondrogenesis in Japanese medaka (<em>Oryzias latipes</em>) embryos, focusing on the roles of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and cytochrome P450 (CYP). To explore the involvements with inhibiting craniofacial chondrogenesis, the CYP inhibitor (piperonyl butoxide [PBO]) and AhR antagonist (CH223191 [CH]) were used. Whole-mount Alcian blue staining of hatching larvae revealed that exposure of fish embryos to BaA partially impaired craniofacial chondrogenesis that was further exacerbated by BaA + PBO co-exposure, indicating synergistic effects of BaA under CYP inhibition. Those impairments were accompanied by the downregulation of collagen type II alpha 1a (<em>Col2a1a</em>) and sex-determining region Y-box9b (<em>Sox9b</em>). In contrast, although Pyr exposure also impaired craniofacial chondrogenesis, these effects were not associated with the downregulation of <em>Col2a1a</em> or <em>Sox9b</em>. Notably, both AhR and CYP inhibitions can attenuate Pyr-induced cartilage defects, suggesting that metabolic activation of Pyr is responsible for craniofacial effects. Overall, this study demonstrates that BaA and Pyr disrupt craniofacial chondrogenesis through different toxicological profiles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107696"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145845095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Despite the increasing production and several applications of green plant-based-synthesized nanomaterials, their hazardous and transgenerational effects on aquatic organisms remain unknown. Thus, green copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized from Croton urucurana aqueous leaf extract (G-CuONPs) were evaluated for their transgenerational effects on the gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata across three generations (i.e., F0, F1, and F2). Adult snails (F0) were exposed for 7 days to G-CuONPs at sublethal concentrations (G-CuONP1 = 8.5 and G-CuONP2 = 21.0 µg L⁻¹) and to the aqueous extract (AqEx) used in G-CuONP synthesis (273.0 µg L⁻¹). Fecundity parameters (egg clutches per adult, eggs per egg clutch, and egg viability) and adult mortality were not affected in F0 and F1. However, changes in heart rate were observed in F1 and F2 from F0 exposure to AqEx and G-CuONP2, indicating the persistence of this effect even with a short parental exposure period. Notably, both F1 and F2 presented improved embryo development and hatching success, suggesting a positive carry-over effect. In contrast, there was a reduction in the period taken to return to normal for F1 from G-CuONP2 and an increase in this period for F2 from AqEx. These behavioral changes could compromise predator avoidance and, consequently, individual survival and population dynamics. The data suggest that while sublethal exposure to G-CuONPs may enhance early developmental outcomes in unexposed generations, it may simultaneously impair key survival behaviors over time. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these generational shifts and their ecological relevance.
尽管绿色植物合成纳米材料的产量和应用不断增加，但其对水生生物的危害和跨代影响尚不清楚。因此，研究了从巴豆水提取物（G-CuONPs）中合成的绿色氧化铜纳米颗粒对腹足动物（即F0， F1和F2）的跨代效应。成年蜗牛（F0）暴露在亚致死浓度的g - cuonp （g - cuonp1 = 8.5和g - cuonp2 = 21.0µg L -毒发展）和用于g - cuonp合成的水提取物（AqEx）中7天（273.0µg L -毒发展）。F0和F1对繁殖力参数（每窝卵数、每窝卵数和卵活力）和成虫死亡率没有影响。然而，F0暴露于AqEx和G-CuONP2后，F1和F2的心率发生了变化，这表明即使父母暴露时间较短，这种影响也会持续存在。值得注意的是，F1和F2的胚胎发育和孵化成功率都有所提高，表明存在正的结转效应。相比之下，G-CuONP2使F1恢复正常所需的时间缩短，AqEx使F2恢复正常所需的时间增加。这些行为变化可能会影响捕食者的躲避，从而影响个体生存和种群动态。数据表明，虽然亚致死暴露于G-CuONPs可能会增强未暴露代的早期发育结果，但随着时间的推移，它可能同时损害关键的生存行为。需要进一步的研究来阐明这些代际变化的潜在机制及其生态相关性。
{"title":"Carry-over effects of green copper oxide nanoparticles on three generations of the gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata","authors":"Cyntia Ayumi Yokota Harayashiki , Maxwell Batista Caixeta , Thiago Lopes Rocha","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107694","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107694","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite the increasing production and several applications of green plant-based-synthesized nanomaterials, their hazardous and transgenerational effects on aquatic organisms remain unknown. Thus, green copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized from <em>Croton urucurana</em> aqueous leaf extract (G-CuONPs) were evaluated for their transgenerational effects on the gastropod <em>Biomphalaria glabrata</em> across three generations (i.e., F0, F1, and F2). Adult snails (F0) were exposed for 7 days to G-CuONPs at sublethal concentrations (G-CuONP1 = 8.5 and G-CuONP2 = 21.0 µg L⁻¹) and to the aqueous extract (AqEx) used in G-CuONP synthesis (273.0 µg L⁻¹). Fecundity parameters (egg clutches per adult, eggs per egg clutch, and egg viability) and adult mortality were not affected in F0 and F1. However, changes in heart rate were observed in F1 and F2 from F0 exposure to AqEx and G-CuONP2, indicating the persistence of this effect even with a short parental exposure period. Notably, both F1 and F2 presented improved embryo development and hatching success, suggesting a positive carry-over effect. In contrast, there was a reduction in the period taken to return to normal for F1 from G-CuONP2 and an increase in this period for F2 from AqEx. These behavioral changes could compromise predator avoidance and, consequently, individual survival and population dynamics. The data suggest that while sublethal exposure to G-CuONPs may enhance early developmental outcomes in unexposed generations, it may simultaneously impair key survival behaviors over time. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these generational shifts and their ecological relevance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"291 ","pages":"Article 107694"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145845096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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