Chronic effects of lead exposure on topsmelt fish (Atherinops affinis): Influence of salinity, organism age, and relative sensitivity to other marine species

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of salinity and organism age on the chronic toxicity of waterborne lead (Pb) to Atherinops affinis and to compare the relative Pb sensitivity of A. affinis with other marine species. Chronic Pb exposure experiments were conducted in a water flow-through testing system. Survival, standard length, dry weight, and tissue Pb concentration were measured and lethal concentrations (LCs), effect concentrations (ECs), and bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were calculated. In general, increasing salinity and organism age decreased Pb toxicity. The LC50s for larval fish at 14 and 28 ppt salinity were 15.1 and 79.8 μg/L dissolved Pb, respectively; whereas, the LC50 for juvenile fish was 167.6 μg/L dissolved Pb at 28 ppt salinity. Using standard length data, the EC10 values for larval fish were 16.4 and 82.4 μg/L dissolved Pb at 14 and 28 ppt salinity, respectively. The dry weight EC25s for low and high salinity were 15.6 and 61.84 μg/L dissolved Pb, respectively. The BCFs were higher with the lower salinity study (1703) in comparison to the higher salinity study (654). Results of Pb speciation calculation showed higher fraction of Pb in water with lower salinity, explaining the higher observed toxicity of Pb in lower salinity water than higher salinity water. Atherinops affinis is more sensitive to Pb than several other marine species. Evidence of abnormal swimming and skeletal deformities were observed in Pb exposure treatments. Results of the present study are useful for marine biotic ligand modeling and support ecological risk assessment and deriving Pb environmental quality criteria for marine environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2705-2713. © 2018 SETAC.

Trace element assessment in Neoechinorhynchus agilis (Rudolphi, 1918) (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) and its fish hosts, Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Chelon ramada (Risso, 1827) from Ichkeul Lagoon, Tunisia

“…Another study by Reynolds et al . (2018) revealed similar results, indicating that following an increase in salinity in the fish habitat, a decrease in the rate of accumulation of metals can be observed. These authors have empirically proven that the BCFs in fish tissue are much higher in the low-salinity environment.…”

High‐throughput metabolomics method based on liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry: Insights into the underlying mechanisms of salinity–alkalinity exposure‐induced metabolites changes in Barbus capito

“…The flow diagram of exploring the mechanisms underlying salinity-alkalinity exposures-induced metabolites and pathway changes by using non-target tissue metabolomics coupled with biochemical analysis and alkalinity are closely associated with the toxicant outcome of aquatic animals [5,6]. The direct effect of salinity on fish physiology and ecology is to affect osmotic pressure regulation in fish body and indirectly influence on the material exchange and energy flow between fish body and environment [7]. The adjustment of osmotic pressure requires a large amount of energy causing the energy used for growth is relatively reduced, which leads to slow metabolism, decreased physique, and decreased immunity of fish [8,9].…”

Exploring the metabolic biomarkers and pathway changes in crucian under carbonate alkalinity exposure using high-throughput metabolomics analysis based on UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS

“…5 Salinity is closely associated with the injury of immunity system, penetration regulation and tissue structure in sh leading to the heavy consumption of endogenous substance for survival. 6,7 Alkalinity affects sh physical and chemical balance, growth and development. When sh are exposed to water with excessive alkalinity, a large amount of mucus is secreted on the surface of the sh; bleeding hemorrhoids and even death occur.…”