Morphological and cardiac alterations after crude oil exposure in the early-life stages of the tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus).

Fish development can be affected by environmental pollutants such as crude oil (anthropogenic or natural sources), causing alterations especially in cardiac function and morphology. Most such studies have focused on saltwater species, whereas studies in freshwater fishes are scant. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of crude oil exposure (as 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20% high-energy water accommodated fractions, HEWAF) on cardiac function and edema formation during two early periods of development (embryo and eleuteroembryo, 48 h each) individually using the tropical gar Atractosteus tropicus as a model. Embryos did not exhibit alterations in body mass, total length, condition factor, and cardiac function as a function of oil. In contrast, eleuteroembryos proved to be more sensitive and exhibited increased body mass, total length, and condition factor, decreased heart rate and phenotypic alterations such as cardiac dysmorphia (tubular hearts) and spine curvature at high concentrations of HEWAF. Moreover, edema formation was observed in both stages This study shows different functional responses of A. tropicus after crude oil exposure and provides useful information of the developmental impacts of these compounds on the early life stages of freshwater tropical fishes.

Microbial growth in biobeds for treatment of residual pesticide in banana plantations.

BACKGROUND: High doses of ethylenebisdithiocarbamate (EBDC) are used in banana production, and unused pesticide mixture (solution) is often disposed of improperly. This can result in soil and water contamination and present an undue risk to rural communities and the environment. An alternative to reduce the environmental impacts caused by pesticide residues is the biobeds treatment. It is necessary to establish if the composition of the proposed biomixtures supports microbial activity to degrade pesticides in biobeds. This research aimed to evaluate the EBDC effect on the distribution and abundance of microbial populations in polluted biomixtures . METHODS: For this purpose, a biomixture based on banana stem, mulch, and Fluvisol soil (50:25:25% v/v) was prepared and polluted with 1,000 mg L-1 EBDC. The response variables kinetics were determined every 14 days for three months, such as pH, organic matter, moisture, cation exchange capacity, microbial colonies, and cell counts at three depths within the experimental units. RESULTS: EBDC reduced the number of microbial colonies by 72%. Bacterial cells rapidly decreased by 69% and fungi 89% on the surface, while the decrease was gradual and steady at the middle and bottom of the biobed. The microbial populations stabilized at day 42, and the bacteria showed a total recovery on day 84, but the fungi slightly less. At the end of the experiment, the concentration of EBDC in the biomixture was 1.3-4.1 mg L-1. A correlation was found between fungal count (colonies and cells) with EBDC concentration. A replacement of the biomixture is suggested if the bacterial population becomes less than 40 × 106 CFU mL-1 and the fungal population less than 8 × 104 CFU mL-1 or if the direct cell count becomes lower than 50 × 104 cells mL-1 in bacteria and 8 × 102 cells mL-1 in fungi. CONCLUSION: The biomixture based on banana stem supports the microbial activity necessary for the degradation of the EBDC pesticide. It was found that fungi could be used as indicators of the pollutant degradation process in the biomixtures. Microbial counts were useful to establish the mobility and degradation time of the pesticide and the effectiveness of the biomixture. Based on the results, it is appropriate to include the quantification of microbial populations to assess the effectiveness of pesticide degradation and the maturity level of the biomixture.

Human health risks from fish consumption following a catastrophic gas oil spill in the Chiquito River, Veracruz, Mexico.

An industrial accident resulted in a gas oil spill of 11,808 barrels in the upper part of the Coatzacoalcos River watershed. After river shore cleanup, concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in muscle (+ skin) were determined in captured fish to evaluate human health risk due to fish consumption post-spill in the most affected communities. Data on fish consumption, body weight, and diet factor were collected by questionnaires and field observations. Using standard formulas for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances, site-specific remediation levels were calculated in fish, comparing them to the real levels observed. Likewise, the levels of PAHs in fish captured pre- and post-spill were compared to determine their origin (pyrolytic vs. petrogenic). The TPH concentrations were between 119,000 and 523,000 ng/g (dry weight) and no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found pre- vs. post-spill. The concentration of total PAHs varied between 2494.83 and 35,412.23 ng/g (dry weight), with the concentrations of naphthalene (520.9 ng/g) and phenanthrene (7532.7 ng/g) being much higher than in control samples, and being from the gas oil spill (petrogenic origin). The site-specific remediation levels calculated for TPH and PAH were much higher than the maximum levels actually detected. No human health risks were found from hydrocarbons from the spill, at least after cleanup efforts and natural attenuation (six months).

Soil Odor as An Extra-Official Criterion for Qualifying Remediation Projects of Crude Oil-Contaminated Soil.

Unfortunately, many property owners in southeastern Mexico do not trust environmental authorities, and the de facto method they use to evaluate the progress in environmental remediation projects is soil smell. This criterion was evaluated to determine if it was reliable to assess soil fertility and toxicity. Three soils (Fluvisol, Gleysol, and Arenosol), were contaminated with 2% medium or heavy crude oil (30.2, 17.1°API, respectively), and treated for 18 months to simulate bioremediation or natural attenuation. Every two months, field capacity, water repellency, hydrocarbon concentration, acute toxicity and soil odor were measured. Odor was measured in controlled conditions with a group of unexperienced panelists. During remediation, the Fluvisol and Gleysol were perceived to have an odor intensity between slight to low, and were considered acceptable. Meanwhile, in the Arenosol, the odor intensity was between low to medium and was considered unacceptable. After treatment, the hydrocarbon concentration was reduced to low levels, very near Mexican norm, and all the soils, including the Arenosol, were perceived to have an intensity between neutral to slightly agreeable, were considered acceptable, and no toxicity was observed in the earthworm bioassay (no false positives). However, in various soil samples from the Fluvisol and Arenosol, important risks were present with respect to field capacity and water repellency. Due to these observations, even though soil smell may be a trustworthy guide to soil toxicity, it does not ensure that the remediated soil's fertility has been restored.

Fertility Deterioration in a Remediated Petroleum-Contaminated Soil.

A soil that had been remediated by soil washing and chemical oxidation was evaluated, comparing it to an uncontaminated control soil ~30 m away. Profile descriptions were made of both soils over a 0-1 m depth, and samples were analyzed from each soil horizon. Samples were also analyzed from surface soil (0-30 cm). The control soil (a Fluvisol), had several unaltered A and C horizons, but the remediated soil presented only two poorly differentiated horizons, without structure and much lower in organic matter (<0.5%). In surface samples (0-30 cm), the bulk density, sand-silt-clay contents, field capacity, organic matter, and porosity were different with respect to the control (p > 0.05), and there was much greater compaction (3.04 vs. 1.10 MPa). However, the hydrocarbon concentration in the remediated soil was low (969.12 mg kg-1, average), and was not correlated to soil fertility parameters, such as porosity, organic matter, pH, moisture, field capacity or texture (R2 < 0.69), indicating that the impacts (such as compaction, lower field capacity and moisture content) were not due to residual hydrocarbons. Likewise, acute toxicity (Microtox) was not found, nor water repellency (penetration time < 5 s). It was concluded that the fertility deterioration in this soil was caused principally from the mixture of upper (loam) and lower (silty clay to silty clay loam) horizons during remediation treatment. Another important factor was the reduction in organic material, probably caused by the chemical oxidation treatment.

Soil contact bioassay for rapid determination of acute toxicity with Eisenia foetida.

A rapid bioassay is presented for determining acute toxicity directly in soil. Modifying the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) protocol 207, it uses a thin layer of moistened soil laid directly in the bottom of the bioassay jar into which the earthworms are placed and incubated. Examples are presented in comparisons between the soil contact bioassay vs. the filter paper bioassay run on Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) extracts of pesticide contaminated soil and petroleum drilling cuttings. In 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) contaminated soil (300mg/Kg), no mortality was found in soil extracts, but 100% mortality was found when exposed directly to soil. Treatment with the Daremend® product in five anaerobic/aerobic cycles slowly reduced the 24 h mortality (0%) but still showed 100% mortality at 48 h. However, severe sub-lethal effects (expulsion of celomic/bloody fluids) were reduced from 50% to 37%, and further treatment may reduce the toxicity to acceptable levels. The petroleum drilling cuttings treated by chemical oxidation (1.3% H2O2, w/w) and bioremediation (simulation of biopiles), showed a similar response, where 0% mortality in soil extracts was found, but 100% mortality with soil contact. Post-treatment with chemical oxidation resulted in a reduction in the soil contact bioassay to 3% and 13% mortality, within the accepted range (≤10%) of the OECD protocol. Observations are presented with respect to moisture control to prevent earthworm desiccation and recommendation for confirmation using the sub-chronic test in the OECD protocol but by testing the contaminated/treated soil itself rather than artificial soil.

Concentración rssidual de hidrocarburos en suel del trópico. i: consideracionees para la salud pública y protección al Ganado / Reidual concentrration of hydrocarons in soil in the tropics. i: considerations for public health and livestock protection / Concentação resiidual d hidrocarbonetos em solo do trópico. i: consideerações para a saúde pública e proteção ao gado

En este trabajo se evalúan algunos de los factores más importantes con respecto a los criterios de saneamiento de suelo en un ambiente tropical rural, incluyendo el transporte de hidrocarburos del suelo a la planta, la ingesta de suelo contaminado por ganado, y el consumo de alimentos de origen vegetal y animal producidos en estos sitios. Los resultados permiten afirmar que los hidrocarburos característicos de una fracción residual, o bien no son asimilados por las plantas o su incorporación es insignificante. De igual manera, el riesgo para el ganado o los consumidores de alimentos producidos en estos suelos es sumamente bajo.

In this study several of the most important factors involved in establishing soil restoration criteria for a tropical rural environment were evaluated, including hydrocarbon transport from the soil to the plant, soil ingestion by livestock, and consumption of foods of vegetable or animal origin produced in these sites. The results confirm that those hydrocarbons typical of the residual fraction in soil are either not assimilated by plants or their incorporation is insignificant. Likewise, the risk to livestock and consumers of foods produced in these sites is extremely low.

Neste trabalho são avaliados alguns dos fatores mais importantes em relação aos critérios de saneamento do solo em um ambiente tropical rural, incluindo o transporte de hidrocarbonetos do solo até a usina, o solo contaminado ingerido pelo gado, e o consumo de alimentos de origem vegetal e animal produzidos nestes lugares. Os resultados permitem afirmar que os hidrocarbonetos, características de uma fração residual, não são assimilados pelas plantas ou então, sua incorporação é insignificante. De igual maneira, o risco para o gado ou os consumidores de alimentos produzidos nestes solos é sumamente baixo.

Concentración rssidual de hidrocarburos en suel del trópico. ii: afectación a la fertilidad y su recuperación / Residual concentration of hydrocarbons in soil inthe tropics. ii: impacts to ferrtility and reclamation / Concentraço resiidual de hidrocarbonetos em solo do trópic. ii: afetação da fertilidade e sua recuperação

En este trabajo se evalúan factores de fertilidad con respecto a los criterios de saneamiento de suelo contaminado con hidrocarburos en un ambiente tropical rural. Aunque la toxicidad puede afectar la fertilidad en derrames recientes, en general este tipo de impacto es mínimo para derrames antiguos y en suelos que han sido remediados y que tienen concentraciones <25000mg TPH/kg de suelo (base seca). Sin embargo, en concentraciones aún muy bajas (~2500mg TPH/kg) se observan afectaciones en el crecimiento de la vegetación e impactos en varios parámetros físico-químicos de fertilidad, particularmente sobre la capacidad de campo, temperatura, capacidad de intercambio catiónico, repelencia al agua, y porosidad. Estos impactos de toxicidad, así como los cambios en parámetros físico-químicos, pueden ser mitigados con el empleo de abonos orgánicos en concentraciones de 1-4%, resultando en un crecimiento vigoroso de la vegetación en un ambiente tropical húmedo impactado. Se presentan lineamientos de parámetros edáficos como criterios de saneamiento para suelos típicos del trópico.

In this article factors related to fertility are evaluated with respect to clean up criteria for soil in a tropical rural environment. Although toxicity can affect fertility in recent spills, in general this kind of impact is minimal for old spills and in soils that have been remediated and that have <25000mg TPH/kg of soil (dry weight). Nonetheless, even in very low concentrations (~2500mg/kg) vegetation growth is affected and impacts are observed in various physical-chemical fertility parameters, especially field capacity, temperature, cation exchange capacity, water repellency, and porosity. These toxicity impacts, as well as changes in physical-chemical parameters, can be mitigated with the use of organic amendments in concentrations of 1-4%, resulting in the vigorous growth of vegetation in an impacted humid tropical environment. Guidelines for soil parameters as clean up criteria are presented for soils typical of the tropics.

Neste trabalho são avaliados fatores de fertilidade em relação aos critérios de saneamento de solo contaminado com hidrocarbonetos em um ambiente tropical rural. Mesmo que a toxicidade por vazamentos recentes possa afetar a fertilidade, em geral é mínimo este tipo de impacto em vazamentos antigos e em solos que têm sido remediados e que têm concentrações <25.000mg TPH/kg de solo (base seca). No entanto, em concentrações ainda mais baixas (~2,500mg TPH/kg) se observam afetações no crescimento da vegetação e impactos em vários parâmetros físico-químicos de fertilidade, particularmente sobre a capacidade de campo, temperatura, capacidade de intercâmbio catiônico, repelência à água, e porosidade. Estes impactos de toxicidade, assim como as mudanças em parâmetros físico-químicos, podem ser mitigados com o emprego de adubos orgânicos em concentrações de 1-4%, resultando em um crescimento vigoroso da vegetação em um ambiente tropical úmido impactado. Apresentam-se lineamentos de parâmetros edáficos como critérios de saneamento para solos típicos do trópico.