Effect of ß-naphthoflavone on hepatic cytochrome P4501A activity in the scribbled rabbitfish (Siganus spinus) from tropical Indo-Pacific coral reefs.

Several classes of carcinogenic environmental organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and dioxins, negatively affect aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Pollutant detection is often difficult and expensive, especially when dealing with complex mixtures and matrices. Biological markers are informative tools to identify living sources that may harbor toxic compounds and areas unsuitable for recreation. Currently, no species have established biomarkers for organopollutant monitoring in Indo-Pacific coral reefs. This study evaluated the time- and dose-dependent induction of the cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) system in the scribbled rabbitfish, Siganus spinus (Siganidae), as a biomarker for organic pollutant exposures in these environments. Results indicate that S. spinus hepatic CYP1A enzymatic activity and protein level respond dose-, and time-dependently following a single intraperitoneal injection of the classic aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist, ß-naphthoflavone. S. spinus hepatic CYP1A protein and enzymatic activity rose as function of dose during the first two days and slowly returned to levels close to normal after 16 days, as measured using the 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase and the non-competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. These findings support use of the inducible CYP1A system of S. spinus as a biomarker for reef fish exposure to coastal marine pollution. Baseline CYP1A expression levels among Guam's wild S. spinus populations were also measured and compared.

Ancestral diet transgenerationally influences offspring in a parent-of-origin and sex-specific manner.

Parent-of-origin effects, whereby specific phenotypes are differentially inherited paternally or maternally, provide useful clues to better understand transgenerational effect transmission. Ancestral diet influences offspring phenotypes, including body composition and fitness. However, the specific role that mothers and fathers play in the transmission of altered phenotypes to male and female offspring remains unclear. We investigated the influence of the parent-of-origin's diet on adult progeny phenotypes and reproductive output for three generations in fruit flies ( Drosophila melanogaster). Males and females reared on a control diet were exposed to the control diet or one of two altered (no- or high-) sugar treatment diets for a single generation. Flies from one of the two altered diet treatments were then mated to control flies in a full-factorial design to produce F1 offspring and kept on control media for each following generation. We found parent-of-origin (triglyceride) and non-parent-of-origin (sugar) body composition effects, which were transgenerational and sex-specific. Additionally, we observed a negative correlation between intergenerational maternal reproductive output and triglyceride levels, suggesting that ancestral diet may affect fitness. This work demonstrates that ancestral diet can transmit altered phenotypes in a parent-of-origin and sex-specific manner and highlights that mechanisms regulating such transmission have been greatly overlooked. This article is part of the theme issue 'The role of plasticity in phenotypic adaptation to rapid environmental change'.

Impact of WWII dumpsites on Saipan (CNMI): heavy metal status of soils and sediments.

A number of dumpsites occur on the island of Saipan and in the surrounding coastal waters. Many of these sites date back to the immediate post WWII clean-up period and contain a variety of wartime wastes. Metallic debris is generally the most visible waste material and commonly includes bomb fragments, artillery shells, bullets, and other military hardware. In this investigation, we examined the heavy metal status of soils from around several of these dumpsites and in any obvious drainage pathways leading from them to the coast. Sediments were also taken for analysis from a number of coastal discharge points and three submerged sites. Metal enrichment was evident for one or more elements in deposits from two of the three submerged sites and 24 of the 32 land-based sites visited. Copper, Pb, and Zn were the most commonly encountered contaminant metals with levels well in excess of 1000 µg/g(-1) in several instances. Elevated Hg and Cd concentrations were also relatively widespread throughout the study area although levels of each element seldom exceeded 1.0 and 10.0 µg/g(-1), respectively. Silver, another element of toxicological concern, was only occasionally detected despite registering a high of 42 µg/g(-1) at one particular site. The metal data were weighed against established benchmarks formulated for the protection of human and ecological health. Implications of the findings and issues of primary concern are briefly addressed.

Influence of urban runoff, inappropriate waste disposal practices and World War II on the heavy metal status of sediments in the southern half of Saipan Lagoon, Saipan, CNMI.

Heavy metals were examined in sediments from the southern half of Saipan Lagoon. These waters provided tactical access for US troops during WWII and were heavily shelled at the time. Mercury profiles in sediments were, to some extent, reflective of this event. Samples from the southern end of the lagoon, where an old post-war dumpsite once existed, were found to be substantially enriched with Pb, Cu and Zn. Further north, the lagoon was primarily impacted by urban runoff. Metal enrichment in sediments from this region was generally highest at storm drain outlets and attenuated seawards. Moderate enrichment was rarely exceeded for any element other than Hg beyond the 50 m mark. Sediment quality guidelines used to flag potentially adverse ecological health effects revealed no PEL exceedances. TEL exceedances for Pb and Cu were identified in sediments near the former dumpsite. The public health implications of the data are briefly addressed.