Multigenerational plasticity of Daphnia magna under thermal stress across ten generations.

The effects of increasing temperature owing to thermal discharge and global warming on zooplanktons such as Daphnia magna are a growing concern. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of elevated temperature (25 °C) on oxidative stress responses, growth, and reproduction of D. magna across 10 generations. The number of offspring per female at 21 d was significantly increased and the rate of adult somatic growth (5-21 d) was decreased in the F0 generation at 25 °C compared with those at the reference temperature 20 °C. However, the F3 generation showed the lowest number of offspring and the highest adult somatic growth rate and oxidative stress responses (5 d) at 25 °C. Moreover, all life-history traits seemed to recover to the levels of the control group from the F6 generation at 20 °C. These findings suggest that D. magna under continuous thermal stress exhibits non-adaptive responses in the early generations (F0-F3) and changes to adaptive responses in the later generations (F6-F9). However, the underlying epigenetic mechanism should be identified in the future.

Time-Dependent Responses of Oxidative Stress, Growth, and Reproduction of Daphnia magna Under Thermal Stress.

The present study evaluated the effects of temperature (20 and 25°C) on the oxidative stress responses and life-history traits of Daphnia magna depending on exposure time. Daphnid exposed to an elevated temperature for 21 days had notably higher activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase while the enzyme activities did not differ significantly between the two temperature groups for daphnid exposed for 5 days. However, the results of body length were opposite where only the 5 days exposure daphnid had significantly longer bodies at 25°C compared to those at 20°C (p < 0.05). Despite the earlier reproduction for daphnids at 25°C, the cumulative number of offspring per female for 21 days was not significantly different from those at 20°C (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that D. magna undergo strategic changes in oxidative stress response, growth, and reproduction throughout the exposure period of 21 days.

Integrated Biomarker Responses in Livers of the Pale Chub Zacco platypus for Risk Assessment of a Stream Contaminated by Wastewater Effluents.

We evaluated the effects of wastewater effluents on pale chub (Zacco platypus) in a contaminated stream by integrating genotoxic, oxidative stress, histological, and physiological biomarkers. The metal pollution index indicated higher pollution loads at downstream sites (DS1 and DS2) compared with the upstream reference site. Significantly higher nuclear abnormality confirmed the existence of genotoxicity (p < 0.05) at downstream sites. Antioxidant activity (catalase and glutathione S-transferase) and lipid peroxidation levels in livers of Z. platypus were also significantly higher at the DS1 site (p < 0.05). The liver somatic index was also influenced, with abnormal histological alterations in the liver, possibly caused by heavy metal accumulation (Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Pb). The integrated biomarker response value was the highest at DS1 (13.74) followed by DS2 (1.94), indicating that wastewater effluents had the potential to cause adverse effects on Z. platypus inhabiting receiving stream.

Reproductive toxicity and molecular responses induced by telmisartan in Daphnia magna at environmentally relevant concentrations.

With aging population increasing globally, the use of pharmaceutically active compounds is rising. The cardiovascular drug telmisartan has been widely detected in various environmental compartments, including biota, surface waters, and sewage treatment plant effluents at concentrations ranging from ng/L to µg/L levels. This study evaluated the effects of telmisartan on the microcrustacean Daphnia magna at a wide range of concentrations (0.35, 0.70, 1.40, 500, and 1000 µg/L) and revealed significant ecotoxicological implications of this drug, even at environmentally relevant concentration. Acute exposure to telmisartan (1.40, 500, and 1000 µg/L) resulted in a notable decrease in heart rate, while chronic exposure accelerated the time to the first brood by 3 days and reduced neonate body size. Molecular investigations revealed marked downregulation of vitellogenin genes (Vtg1 and Vtg2). Non-monotonic dose responses were observed for gene expression, early-stage body length, and the total number of offspring produced, while the heart rate and time to the first brood showed clear concentration-dependent responses. These findings highlight the potential risks, notably to reproductive capacity, associated with exposure to telmisartan in environmentally relevant concentration, suggesting the need for further studies on the potential long-term ecological consequences.

Biofuel production from Euglena: Current status and techno-economic perspectives.

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) can contribute reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fuel. With the increasing SAFs demand, various generations of resources have been shifted from the 1st generation (oil crops), the 2nd generation (agricultural waste), to the 3rd generation (microalgae). Microalgae are the most suitable feedstock for jet biofuel production than other resources because of their productivity and capability to capture carbon dioxide. However, microalgae-based biofuel has a limitation of high freezing point. Recently, a jet biofuel derived from Euglena wax ester has been paying attention due to its low freezing point. Challenges still remain to enhance production yields in both upstream and downstream processes. Studies on downstream processes as well as techno-economic analysis on biofuel production using Euglena are highly limited to date. Economic aspects for the biofuel production will be ensured via valorization of industrial byproducts such as food wastes.

Transgenerational effects of benzotriazole on the gene expression, growth, and reproduction of Daphnia magna.

Due to its widespread and intensive use as a corrosion inhibitor, benzotriazole is ubiquitously detected from a few parts per billion to several hundred parts per million in aquatic environments. The long-term toxicity of benzotriazole is unclear despite its low acute toxicity. Therefore, we investigated the transgenerational effects of benzotriazole at the genomic and individual levels using the freshwater zooplankton Daphnia magna. Maternal exposure to sublethal concentrations (15 and 30 mg/L) of benzotriazole exerted transgenerational effects on D. magna at the genomic and individual levels even in descendants that have never been exposed to benzotriazole. Significant alterations in the expression of Cyp, GST, Vtg1, and Hb and in neonate size were observed in the unexposed F3 generation, confirming the transgenerational effect of benzotriazole. Interestingly, detoxification related genes Cyp and GST were unaffected or downregulated in the exposed generation but upregulated in the following unexposed generations. Furthermore, continuous multigenerational exposure to an environmental concentration (4.3 µg/L) of benzotriazole also upregulated detoxification genes in decent generations but exerted no individual-level effects in subsequent generations.

Effect of cresol isomers on reproduction and gene expression in Daphnia magna.

Cresols are frequently detected in freshwater systems due to their wide use as disinfectants. However, there is limited knowledge regarding their adverse long-term toxicity effects on reproduction and gene expression patterns of aquatic species. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the chronic toxic effects on reproduction and gene expression using D. magna. In addition, the bioconcentration behaviour of cresol isomers was also investigated. Based on the 48 h EC50 value, p-cresol's toxicity unit (TU) (13.77 TU, very toxic) was higher than o-cresol (8.05 TU, toxic) and m-cresol (5.52 TU, toxic). Regarding population-level effects, cresols resulted in a decrease in offspring and a delay in reproduction. However, cresols did not significantly affect daphnia's body weight throughout the course of the exposure period of 21 day, while third brood neonates' average body length (m-cresol and p-cresol) was significantly affected in sub-lethal concentrations. In addition, the gene transcription did not vary significantly across treatments. For bioconcentration exposure experiments, D. magna quickly eliminated all cresols from their body, suggesting that cresol isomers are unlikely to bioaccumulate in aquatic species.

Elevated temperature alleviates benzophenone-3 toxicity in Daphnia magna.

Water temperature rises due to thermal discharge and global warming and the potential resulting impacts on the ecotoxicity of emerging chemicals are a growing concern. Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) is an ultraviolet filter added to personal care and plastic products, which is detected at highest concentrations during the hot summer season. This study aimed to investigate the effect of elevated temperature on acute (48 h) and chronic (21 d) BP-3 toxicity in Daphnia magna. Neonates (<24 h) acclimated at 28 °C showed much lower acute toxicity (EC50 = 3.91 and 2.69 mg L-1 at 20 and 28 °C, respectively) than those acclimated at 20 °C (EC50 = 2.96 and 2.04 mg L-1 at 20 and 28 °C, respectively). The body length, embryonic development, and the number of offspring in D. magna offspring exposed to BP-3 for 21 d were significantly decreased after exposure to 0.8 mg L-1 BP-3 at 20 °C. However, these adverse effects of BP-3 in D. magna were significantly ameliorated at 28 °C. Under these conditions, stress response genes such as Hb (hemoglobin), Hsp70 (heat shock protein), Cyp4 (cytochrome P450), and GST (glutathione-S-transferase) were significantly upregulated. These findings suggest that elevated temperature activated stress responses in D. magna, leading to enhanced protection against BP-3 toxicity. This study will contribute to a better understanding of the ecotoxicological impacts of toxic chemicals on aquatic organisms at elevated temperature.

Role of extracellular polymeric substances in leaching and bioconcentration of benzophenone-3 from microplastic fragments.

Adverse effects of microplastics (MPs) are exacerbated by plastic additives such as benzophenone-3 (BP-3). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of Chlorella vulgaris in leaching BP-3 additive (3.0 ± 0.2% wt/wt) from polyethylene MP fragments (99.8 ± 4.1 µm) and subsequent bioconcentration in Daphnia magna. BP-3 leaching in M4 medium was higher at pH 8 than at pH 6, because of the higher solubility of BP-3 (pKa=7.07) at pH 8. However, EPS reduced BP-3 leaching in M4 medium, possibly because of repulsive interactions between the negatively charged EPS and anionic BP-3. Thus, BP-3 leaching was greater at lower pH (6 >8) and EPS concentration (20 >50 mg L-1 as total organic carbon), which was well related to BP-3 sorption capacity of EPS. Although BP-3 uptake in D. magna was decreased at pH 8 by increasing EPS concentration, the bioconcentration of BP-3 in D. magna was increased, possibly because of reduced BP-3 elimination. These findings suggest the important role of EPS in the bioconcentration of anionic plastic additives, which should be further evaluated to understand the underlying toxicokinetic mechanisms.

Linking multiple biomarker responses in Daphnia magna under thermal stress.

Temperature is an important abiotic variable that greatly influences the performance of aquatic ectotherms, especially under current anthropogenic global warming and thermal discharges. The aim of the present study was to evaluate thermal stress (20 °C vs 28 °C) in Daphnia magna over 21 d, focusing on the linkage among molecular and biochemical biomarker responses. Thermal stress significantly increased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation, especially in the 3-d short-term exposure treatment. This change in the ROS level was also correlated with mitochondrial membrane damage. These findings suggest that oxidative stress is the major pathway for thermally-induced toxicity of D. magna. Additionally, the expression levels of genes related to hypoxia (Hb), development (Vtg1), and sex determination (Dsx1-α, Dsx1-ß, and Dsx2) were greatly increased by elevated temperature in a time-dependent manner. The cellular energy allocation was markedly decreased at the elevated temperature in the 3-d exposure treatment, mainly due to carbohydrates consumption for survival (oxidative stress defense). The present study showed that linking multiples biomarker responses are crucial for understanding the underlying mechanism of thermal stress on D. magna.

Ecological risk assessment of a contaminated stream using multi-level integrated biomarker response in Carassius auratus.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the adverse effects of wastewater effluents on freshwater crucian carp, Carassius auratus, inhabiting Sincheon stream using the integrated biomarker response (IBR) at the genotoxic (micronucleus [MN] test), oxidative stress (activity of catalase [CAT] and glutathione S-transferase [GST], and level of lipid peroxidation [LPO]), histopathological (degree of tissue changes [DTC]), and physiological (condition factor [CF] and liver somatic index [LSI]) levels. The CF and LSI were significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced in fish from downstream sites (DS1 and DS2) as compared to that of upstream (US) fish samples. Moreover, a significant increase in morphometric indices (DTC) was observed in C. auratus collected from downstream sites (p < 0.05) and histopathological responses showed the degree of pathogenicity in the order of liver > kidney > gills. The activities of CAT, GST, and LPO in fish from the DS1 and DS2 sites were notably increased in gills, liver, and kidney compared to that of fish from the US site. Additionally, the MN test level in C. auratus from the DS1 and DS2 were significantly increased (p < 0.05) when compared with that of the US site. Considering the higher bioaccumulation of Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Pb in gills, liver, and kidney of C. auratus collected from downstream sites compared to that of the upstream site (p < 0.05), the observed toxicity was likely attributable to metal accumulation. The multi-level IBR index was higher at the DS1 site (15.08) than at the DS2 (1.02) and the reference US (0.00) sites. Therefore, these findings demonstrated that wastewater effluent discharge induces significant DNA damage, oxidative stress, and tissue injuries in C. auratus and suggested that the multi-level IBR approach should be used to quantify these effects on fish in streams and rivers.

Comparative assessment of the adverse outcome of wastewater effluents by integrating oxidative stress and histopathological alterations in endemic fish.

This study evaluated the adverse effect of wastewater effluents on three fish species, Carassius auratus, Zacco platypus, and Zacco koreanus, collected in the Eungcheon, Mihocheon, and Busocheon streams, respectively. Fish gills, liver, and kidneys from the mixing zone (MZ) and sites upstream (US) and downstream (DS) of the MZ were analyzed for oxidative stress responses and histology. Catalase and glutathione S-transferase activity was significantly higher at MZ and DS than from US (p<0.05), indicating induction of antioxidant defense mechanisms. Additionally, degree of tissue changes (DTC) indicated highest histopathological alteration in MZ, followed by DS and US. Integrated biomarker response (IBR) for oxidative stress and histopathological alterations showed higher values consistently for Z. koreanus than other two species. Water temperature, EC, and TN levels seemed to be responsible for the observed biomarker responses. These findings indicate that thermal hot spring effluent discharged into Busocheon steam induced the most significant impact on the cool water species (Z. koreanus). Overall, this study suggests that the IBR index is a very useful tool for monitoring in situ adverse effects of wastewater effluents on fish, particularly for histopathological alterations representing prolonged impact.

Characterization of odor emission from alternating aerobic and anoxic activated sludge systems using real-time total reduced sulfur analyzer.

Anaerobic biodegradation of sulfur-containing compounds always generates volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) including H2S, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide (DMS). VSC emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) result in odor complaints from people living nearby. To control odor-causing compounds in WWTPs, it is important to know the odor emission quantity particularly with continuous monitoring. Since modified activated sludge processes always include anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic conditions for nutrient removal, odor emission from these different environmental settings is expected. In this study, continuous monitoring of VSCs from the headspace of an alternating aerobic and anoxic (AAA) activated sludge process via total reduced sulfur (TRS) analyzer was performed. There is clear pattern of the initial TRS peak immediately after the initiation of the aeration in the AAA system and TRS concentration begins to drop through the remaining air-on cycle. On the other hand, during the air-off period, TRS concentrations increase with time. In particular, a clear inflection point in the TRS profile could be observed after complete removal of nitrate during air-off, meaning more VSCs formation. Since the highest odor emission occurs after the initiation of aeration, the future control of exhausted air should only deal with air collected during the initial aeration period (e.g., 30min), a similar concept for the treatment of first flush in combined sewer overflow. In addition, application of a control scheme to initiate aeration immediately after denitrification is completed during air-off should be beneficial in reducing odor emission.