Rare Earth Elements Lanthanum and Praseodymium Adversely Affect Neural and Cardiovascular Development in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract

Increasing rare earth element (REE) mining and refining activities have led to a considerable release of these substances into aquatic environment, yet the knowledge of their impacts on aquatic organisms is still limited. Here, we explored the developmental effects of 16 REEs (concentration ranged from 0.46 to 1000 mg/L) to zebrafish embryos and highlighted the adverse effects of lanthanum (La) and praseodymium (Pr). Among the multiple developmental parameters measured, the significant effects on swimming behavior and cardiac physiology were the most prominent. Transcriptomic analysis of La and Pr at concentrations of 1.1 to 10 mg/L revealed their rather uniform effects at molecular levels. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analysis revealed that among others, notch, glutamate, and serotonin signaling, as well as cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac muscle contraction, were significantly affected. These changes of neural signaling were consistent with behavior effects observed and supported by neurotransmitter changes and thus provide a reasonable molecular mechanistic explanation. Furthermore, increased DNA damage and apoptotic activity at high concentrations were observed, especially in the heart. They may contribute to explain the observed adverse morphological and physiological outcomes, such as pericardial edema. The effect concentrations observed in the present study were comparable to the concentrations of REE residues at highly contaminated sites (several mg/L), indicating ecotoxicological effects at environmentally relevant concentrations. Overall, the present data help to clarify the potential developmental toxicity of REEs that was not yet fully recognized and thus contribute to their environmental risk assessment.

Enhanced Rare Earth Element Mobilization in a Mountain Watershed of the Colorado Mineral Belt with Concomitant Detection in Aquatic Biota: Increasing Climate Change-Driven Degradation to Water Quality

“…At higher trophic levels, the exclusion of trout populations has already occurred in the upper Snake River due to the increased Zn concentrations and decreased pH . However, for downstream reaches with higher pH values and lower Zn concentrations, the contributions of REEs from natural ARD and AMD may be a concern for current trout populations or for reestablishment of trout populations …”

“…5 However, for downstream reaches with higher pH values and lower Zn concentrations, the contributions of REEs from natural ARD and AMD may be a concern for current trout populations or for reestablishment of trout populations. 75 Including REEs in Water Quality and Aquatic Life Monitoring Programs. As REEs are now appearing in surface waters at increasing concentrations due to their usage in advanced technologies, REEs are becoming recognized as concerns for impairment to drinking water source waters.…”

Neurological mechanism of sensory deficits after developmental exposure to non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

“…The analysis of neurotransmitters, including histamine, L-histidine, L-glutamic acid, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acetylcholine, L-DOPA, 3-methoxytyramine, serotonin, 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid, glycine, L-glutamine, L-valine, 3-hydroxytyramine and choline, was performed with a method developed in a previous study (Zhao et al 2020). Briefly, the zebrafish embryo samples were spiked with 100 ppb isotope-labeled internal standards and then homogenized.…”

Rare Earth Elements Uptake by Synthetic Polymeric and Cellulose-Based Materials: A Review

“…Concerns exist about Gd presence in water sources across Europe and the US due to its usage as a contrasting agent in medicine, which is excreted in urine, and it has been found in water treatment plants [ 4 ]. The effects of REE exposure in biological organisms have been studied, which have shown necrosis, hepatic and pulmonary damage, behavioral changes in rats and mice [ 19 ], development impairment in fish and toxicity in marine organisms [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ], and plant growth inhibition due to disruption in nutrient uptake and plant metabolism [ 3 , 4 , 19 ]. Effects in plants are topics of concern considering the usage of REE oxides and nitrates in Chinese agriculture and should be discussed, especially considering that REE usage in agriculture adds a route of REE exposure to human beings and animals [ 22 ].…”