Environmental Quality Through Transdisciplinary Collaboration
SETAC EUROPE
27
th
Annual Meeting
ABSTRACT BOOK
07−11 May 2017 | Brussels, Belgium
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ABSTRACT BOOK
Pages 2 and 3
ABSTRACT BOOK
SETAC Europe 27
th
Annual Meeting
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Keynote abstracts 1
Platform abstracts 2
Poster abstracts 121
Poster corner abstracts 339
Keyword index 355
Author index 359
This book compiles the abstracts from the platform and poster session presentations at the 27
thAnnual Meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Europe (SETAC
Europe),
held at Square conference centre, Brussels, Belgium, from 7–11 May 2017. The
abstracts are reproduced as submitted by the author and accepted by the Scientific Committee.
They appear in
order of abstract code and alphabetical order per presentation type. The poster
spotlight abstracts
are included in the list of poster abstracts. The presenting author of each
abstract is underlined.
SETAC Europe Office
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SOCIETY OF ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
In the 1970s, no forum existed for interdisciplinary communication among environmental
scientists,
biologists, chemists, toxicologists, managers, engineers or others interested in
environmental
issues. The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)
was founded in
North America in 1979 to fill the void, and quickly saw dynamic growth in
the Society’s membership,
meeting attendance and publications.
A unique strength of SETAC is its commitment to balance the scientific interests of
government,
academia and business. The Society by-laws mandate equal representation from
these three sectors
for officers of the World Council and Geographic Unit Boards of Directors
and Councils, and in the composition of committees
and other society activities. The
proportion of members from each of the three sectors
has remained nearly equal over the
years.
1
SETAC Europe 27th Annual Meeting Abstract Book
Keynote Abstracts
K1
Seas, Oceans, and Public Health in Europe
Lora Fleming1, N. McDonough2, M. White1, O. McMeel3, C. Domegan3, S. Wujits5,
A. Blauw6, J. Vera Prieto7, M. Parga8, J-B Calewaert3, R. Garside1, M. Garza8, M.
Depledge1/
1University of Exeter, UK; 2European Marine Board, Belgium; 3Seascape, UK;
4National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland; 5RIVM, Netherlands; 6Deltares,
Netherlands; 7Travelecoology, Spain; 8Submon, Spain
There is a growing body of evidence that the health of humans and the marine environment are inextricably linked. These linkages encompass both risks and benefits. On the risk side, natural events such as extreme weather and tsunamis can have devastating impacts on coastal populations, while pollution of the seas and global ocean by pathogens and toxic waste can cause illness and death. Conversely, the seas and global ocean can also be the source of essential ecosystem services and potential health benefits through the provision of healthy food, novel pharmaceuticals and related products derived from marine organisms, as well as through a contribution to general wellbeing from a close association with the coastal environment (i.e. the “Blue Gym” effect).
In the US, Oceans and Human Health (OHH) has been recognized as an important research and training area for more than 15 years. The OHH research programme in the US has provided a platform to bring together researchers from a diverse range of disciplines to address complex OHH questions and deliver societally relevant results, with continued funding. Europe has particular OHH needs and challenges. Surrounded by four seas and two ocean basins, and with a coastline of 89,000km, Europe is a truly maritime continent; approximately 43% of the EU population (over 218 million people) live in coastal regions, including in 194 coastal cities. To date, Europe has failed to develop a coherent Oceans and Human Health research collaboration. And on both sides of the Atlantic, there has been a failure to truly bring together the human health and marine communities to address the growing challenges of OHH. Hence, the European research community remains structurally unprepared to comprehensively respond to threats to human health and to optimize the potential for health and wellbeing benefits from our interactions with blue environments.
K2
10 years of REACH: achievements, scientific challenges and research needs Geert Dancet, ECHA, Finland
This year’s tenth anniversary of the European Chemicals Agency ECHA is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the main achievements of the REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). It is also timely to consider the scientific (environmental) challenges and research needs identified from working with this chemicals legislation. Several achievements of REACH will be highlighted in the presentation: increased availability of data, phasing out the most hazardous substances... Under REACH, industry is responsible for collecting information on the properties and uses of the substances they manufacture or import. New animal testing must only be done as a last resort and registrants can make use of alternatives methods and approaches. However such ‘surrogate’ data must be scientifically robust to be able to replace the standard in vivo tests that REACH prescribes. When examined many read-across and weight of evidence cases are inadequate, i.e. poorly documented &/or with inadequate scientific justification. This dilemma forms a challenge for regulatory science: regulators and the research community should work together to solve knowledge gaps and develop improved methods and approaches. One area to
explore is to develop more integrated approaches between human
health andenvironmental effects. For example mechanistic knowledge for human health effects could provide insight into mechanisms of action in ecotoxicology and could facilitate grouping and read-across approaches to predict properties of substances. Furthermore, ‘new approaches’ could be integrated with existing approaches: ‘-omics’, systems biology, bioinformatics, standardised ecotox studies... are all valuable in themselves, but a coherent and integrated approach is needed to support efficient and effective regulatory decision making. Collaborative approaches between academia, regulators and industry can strengthen new developments and enhance their usability for reliable prediction of the long term effects of hazardous chemicals on human health and the environment and thereby contribute to the regulatory framework that can ensure safe use of chemicals.
K3
Product Environmental Footprint
Michele Galatola, European Commission - DG Environment, Belgium
The role of science in society is to help it to advance, in the sense of making the overall living condition of human society better, from the economic, social and environmental viewpoint. In most successful past civilisations, teachers and scientists were amongst the most respected professions in view of their key role for the continuation of our species.
It is possible to identify a cycle of science that usually starts with an important conceptualisation stage, followed by a trial & error stage, and ultimately – in the best cases – a deployment stage. Deployment is what mostly counts from the
society perspective because it is when the large effects of any scientific novelty can really be experienced and have an impact on the society as a whole. However, for scientists, that is often the less interesting part of the “cycle” because there is no more room for testing, new theories and intellectual challenges, whilst it is all about “standardisation” of a method or procedure. Of course science continues, but once a certain approach is mainstreamed, inevitably it becomes less interesting from a scientific viewpoint.
This well-known dichotomy between scientific progress and its real-life impact is also valid for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). We are now living the time when there may be the transition from the trial & error stage to the full deployment stage and the community is leaving this period with a tension between worry and excitement. The Life Cycle Assessment community has progressed about 50 years now and the method has been used for many industry in-house applications, but it has never been mainstreamed in policy making due to a number of limitations that will be discussed in this keynote. This situation might change in the coming months due to the finalisation of the largest trial & error experiment promoted in Europe by the European Commission and led by 24 industry sectors. The LCA-based Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and Organisation Environmental Footprint (OEF) methods, developed by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, represent the best available practice of LCA and, in many respects, have introduced a Copernican revolution in this scientific community.
As all revolutions, the appearance of the PEF/OEF is facing ambivalent reactions within the scientific community and final users (industry, policy makers, consumer associations). The analysis of the reasons behind this and the implications of a wide deployment of PEF/OEF at European and international level, will be the focus of this speech.
The Society is concerned about global environmental issues. Its members are committed to
Environmental
Quality Through Science
®, to timely and effective communication of research,
and to
interactions among professionals so that enhanced knowledge and increased personal
exchanges
occur. Therefore, SETAC publishes two globally esteemed scientific journals and
convenes annual meetings around
the world, showcasing cutting-edge science in poster and
platform presentations. Because of its
multidisciplinary approach, the scope of the science of
SETAC is broader in concept and application
than that of many other societies.
SETAC’s growth is reflected in the founding of geographic units around the world.
SETAC
Europe was established in 1989 as an independent organisation, followed by SETAC
Asia-Pacific in 1997 and SETAC Latin America in 1999. In 2002, the four existing organisations
joined together under the governance of the SETAC World Council. SETAC
Africa is the
most recent geographic unit, which was adopted in 2012.
As evidence of international
acceptance of the SETAC model and of the great interest
at the local level, regional chapters
and branches have emerged in a number
of countries.
SETAC publishes two journals: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (ET&C) and
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management (IEAM). Environmental Toxicology
and Chemistry is dedicated to furthering scientific knowledge and disseminating information
on environmental toxicology and chemistry, including the application of these sciences to risk
assessment. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management focuses on the
application of science in environmental decision-making, regulation, and management,
including aspects of policy and law, and the development of scientifically sound approaches
to environmental problem solving. Together, these journals provide a forum for professionals
in academia, business, government, and other segments of society involved in the use,
protection, and management of the environment for the enhancement of ecological health and
human welfare.
SETAC books provide timely in-depth reviews and critical appraisals on scientific subjects
relevant to understanding a wide range of contemporary topics pertaining to the environment.
These include any aspect of environmental chemistry, toxicology, risk assessment, risk
management, or environmental policy.
SETAC has two administrative
offices, in Pensacola, Florida, USA, established in 1992, and
in Brussels, Belgium, established in
1993.
1
SETAC Europe 27th Annual Meeting Abstract Book
Keynote Abstracts
K1
Seas, Oceans, and Public Health in Europe
Lora Fleming1, N. McDonough2, M. White1, O. McMeel3, C. Domegan3, S. Wujits5,
A. Blauw6, J. Vera Prieto7, M. Parga8, J-B Calewaert3, R. Garside1, M. Garza8, M.
Depledge1/
1University of Exeter, UK; 2European Marine Board, Belgium; 3Seascape, UK;
4National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland; 5RIVM, Netherlands; 6Deltares,
Netherlands; 7Travelecoology, Spain; 8Submon, Spain
There is a growing body of evidence that the health of humans and the marine environment are inextricably linked. These linkages encompass both risks and benefits. On the risk side, natural events such as extreme weather and tsunamis can have devastating impacts on coastal populations, while pollution of the seas and global ocean by pathogens and toxic waste can cause illness and death. Conversely, the seas and global ocean can also be the source of essential ecosystem services and potential health benefits through the provision of healthy food, novel pharmaceuticals and related products derived from marine organisms, as well as through a contribution to general wellbeing from a close association with the coastal environment (i.e. the “Blue Gym” effect).
In the US, Oceans and Human Health (OHH) has been recognized as an important research and training area for more than 15 years. The OHH research programme in the US has provided a platform to bring together researchers from a diverse range of disciplines to address complex OHH questions and deliver societally relevant results, with continued funding. Europe has particular OHH needs and challenges. Surrounded by four seas and two ocean basins, and with a coastline of 89,000km, Europe is a truly maritime continent; approximately 43% of the EU population (over 218 million people) live in coastal regions, including in 194 coastal cities. To date, Europe has failed to develop a coherent Oceans and Human Health research collaboration. And on both sides of the Atlantic, there has been a failure to truly bring together the human health and marine communities to address the growing challenges of OHH. Hence, the European research community remains structurally unprepared to comprehensively respond to threats to human health and to optimize the potential for health and wellbeing benefits from our interactions with blue environments.
K2
10 years of REACH: achievements, scientific challenges and research needs Geert Dancet, ECHA, Finland
This year’s tenth anniversary of the European Chemicals Agency ECHA is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the main achievements of the REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). It is also timely to consider the scientific (environmental) challenges and research needs identified from working with this chemicals legislation. Several achievements of REACH will be highlighted in the presentation: increased availability of data, phasing out the most hazardous substances... Under REACH, industry is responsible for collecting information on the properties and uses of the substances they manufacture or import. New animal testing must only be done as a last resort and registrants can make use of alternatives methods and approaches. However such ‘surrogate’ data must be scientifically robust to be able to replace the standard in vivo tests that REACH prescribes. When examined many read-across and weight of evidence cases are inadequate, i.e. poorly documented &/or with inadequate scientific justification. This dilemma forms a challenge for regulatory science: regulators and the research community should work together to solve knowledge gaps and develop improved methods and approaches. One area to
explore is to develop more integrated approaches between human
health andenvironmental effects. For example mechanistic knowledge for human health effects could provide insight into mechanisms of action in ecotoxicology and could facilitate grouping and read-across approaches to predict properties of substances. Furthermore, ‘new approaches’ could be integrated with existing approaches: ‘-omics’, systems biology, bioinformatics, standardised ecotox studies... are all valuable in themselves, but a coherent and integrated approach is needed to support efficient and effective regulatory decision making. Collaborative approaches between academia, regulators and industry can strengthen new developments and enhance their usability for reliable prediction of the long term effects of hazardous chemicals on human health and the environment and thereby contribute to the regulatory framework that can ensure safe use of chemicals.
K3
Product Environmental Footprint
Michele Galatola, European Commission - DG Environment, Belgium
The role of science in society is to help it to advance, in the sense of making the overall living condition of human society better, from the economic, social and environmental viewpoint. In most successful past civilisations, teachers and scientists were amongst the most respected professions in view of their key role for the continuation of our species.
It is possible to identify a cycle of science that usually starts with an important conceptualisation stage, followed by a trial & error stage, and ultimately – in the best cases – a deployment stage. Deployment is what mostly counts from the
society perspective because it is when the large effects of any scientific novelty can really be experienced and have an impact on the society as a whole. However, for scientists, that is often the less interesting part of the “cycle” because there is no more room for testing, new theories and intellectual challenges, whilst it is all about “standardisation” of a method or procedure. Of course science continues, but once a certain approach is mainstreamed, inevitably it becomes less interesting from a scientific viewpoint.
This well-known dichotomy between scientific progress and its real-life impact is also valid for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). We are now living the time when there may be the transition from the trial & error stage to the full deployment stage and the community is leaving this period with a tension between worry and excitement. The Life Cycle Assessment community has progressed about 50 years now and the method has been used for many industry in-house applications, but it has never been mainstreamed in policy making due to a number of limitations that will be discussed in this keynote. This situation might change in the coming months due to the finalisation of the largest trial & error experiment promoted in Europe by the European Commission and led by 24 industry sectors. The LCA-based Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and Organisation Environmental Footprint (OEF) methods, developed by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, represent the best available practice of LCA and, in many respects, have introduced a Copernican revolution in this scientific community.
As all revolutions, the appearance of the PEF/OEF is facing ambivalent reactions within the scientific community and final users (industry, policy makers, consumer associations). The analysis of the reasons behind this and the implications of a wide deployment of PEF/OEF at European and international level, will be the focus of this speech.
2
SETAC Europe 27th Annual Meeting Abstract Book
Platform Abstracts
Multigenerational, epigenetic and evolutionary effects in
human and environmental toxicology: from mechanisms to
risk assessment
1
Genetics and evolution of tolerance to zinc pollution in the pseudometallophyte Arabidopsis halleri (Brassicaceae)
M. Pauwels, University of Lille1 / UMR CNRS 8198 EVO-ECO-PALEO; M. Karam, University of Lille / UMR CNRS EVO-ECO-PALEO; D. SOULEMAN, University of Lille1 / LGCgE Fonctionnement des Ecosystèmes Terrestres Anthropisés; H. Frerot, University of Lille1 / UMR CNRS EVO-ECO-PALEO Pollution can lead to environmental toxicity and threaten population maintenance. Population survival could imply the evolution of local adaptation for tolerance traits. Understanding which genetic diversity helps species to survive in polluted habitat is not onyl fundamental but could also help the development of new remediation strategies. Pseudometallophyte are plant species that occur on both metal-polluted and non-polluted areas (metallicolous, hereafter M, and non-metallicolous, hereafter NM, populations, respectively). They are therefore good models for the study of the genetics and evolution of metal-related adaptive traits, including metal tolerance (ability to survive and reproduced on
metal-polluted soils). Arabidposis halleri, in particular, occurs in non-polluted areas but also colonized anthropogenic calamine (zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd)-rich) habitats. Although, its Zn tolerance was shown to be species-wide, quantities variation among populations supports a role in the adaptation to calamine habitats. The genetic basis of local adaptation to Zn pollution was investigated in A.
halleri through several experimental strategies. First, the genetic architecture of Zn tolerance was analyzed comparing results from the QTL analysis of two
interspecific crosses involving the nontolerant close relative Arabidopsis lyrata subsp. petraea and either a M or a NM accession of A. halleri. The subtractive comparison of obtained results suggested a role of some QTL regions in local adaptation. Those QTL regions are particularly known to include A. halleri-specific paralogs of the candidate gene MTP1 (METAL TOLERANT PROTEIN 1) encoding a Zn transporter involved in vacuolar sequestration. We therefore investigated the molecular evolution of MTP1 from a large set of A. halleri natural populations. Results confirmed that at least one paralog (AhMTP1-A2) could be involved in local adaptation to Zn-polluted habitats. In parallel, an third cross performed at the intraspecific level between a M and a NM accession of A. halleri was analyzed. We used 384 SNP markers issued from high-throughput sequencing of the genomes of parental plants for the genetic map construction. One major QTL was identified. It did not co-localize with QTL regions that have been identified so far at the inter-specific level. This suggests that the genetic diversity involved in local adaptation may differ among M population resulting from different events of colonization of Zn-polluted habitats.
2
The evolution of resistance to a gradient of contaminants in Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) populations from Galveston Bay, Texas, USA E. Oziolor, Baylor University / Environmental Science; N. Reid, University of California Davis; S.L. Guberman, Baylor University / Department of
Environmental Science; K. Young, Indiana University Bloomington; Z. Winfield, Baylor University; J. Apell, MIT / Civil & Environmental Engineering; L. Aguilar, Baylor University; P. Gschwend, MIT / Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering; S. Usenko, Baylor University / Department of Environmental Science; J. Shaw, Indiana University / The School of Public and Environmental Affairs and The Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics; A. Whitehead, University of California Davis / Environmental Toxicology; C.W. Matson, Baylor University / Environmental Science
The Houston Ship Channel (HSC) in Texas includes areas that have historically been found to contain substantial levels of mercury, dioxins, furans,
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We collected Fundulus grandis from contaminated areas on the HSC, from sites expected to have intermediate contamination, and from reference sites to establish a total of 12 lab colonies. F1 embryos from HSC populations were up to 1,000x more resistant to PCB126- and 2-5x more resistant to coal tar-induced cardiovascular teratogenesis. We confirmed biparental inheritance and a genetic basis of protection through reciprocal crosses between a reference and contaminated population, and by conducting experiments on F2 embryos for select populations. Similar to patterns observed for Fundulus heteroclitus inhabiting polluted areas along the US Atlantic coast, HSC populations of F. grandis exhibit a reduction of both basal and induced cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) activity, suggesting a common mechanism of adaptation. We observe a gradient of adaptation that correlates with the level of pollution at multiple HSC sites. Thus, we sequenced 288 individuals from 7 populations to understand the genetic causes for this resistance. In addition, we look at contaminants in various environmental matrices to be able to understand the chemical drivers of the selective sweeps that we see in F. grandis populations. Such
results suggest that the HSC can serve as a “natural laboratory” to study evolutionary processes driven by anthropogenic pollution.
3
Transgenerational effects and epigenetic inheritance following a chronic external gamma irradiation in Daphnia magna
M. Trijau, IRSN/PRP-ENV/LECO / PRP/ENV/SERIS/LECO; J. Asselman, Ghent University / Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology GhEnToxLab unit; O. Armant, C. Adam-Guillermin, IRSNPRPENVLECO / PRPENV/SERIS/LECO; K. De Schamphelaere, Ghent University (UGent) / Applied Ecology and Environmental Biology; F. Alonzo, IRSN
Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are exposed to radionuclides through planned discharges or accidental releases linked with the nuclear industry activities. Over the past decade, ecosystems protection against ionizing radiation has become a growing public, regulatory and scientific concern. Nowadays, ecological risk assessment for ionizing radiation is based on a majority of radiotoxocity tests under acute doses and short exposure time, far from realistic environmental conditions in which natural biota are actually exposed. Recently, studies in daphnids at chronic low doses have been conducted over several generations in order to understand the long-term effects of low doses of gamma radiation and explore the contribution of underlying molecular mechanisms, such as DNA alterations. In this context, radio-induced epigenetic modifications have never been investigated in invertebrate species although ionizing radiation were shown to induce changes in DNA methylation patterns and gene expression. This suggests that epigenetic modifications might be inherited across generations. In this context, the present study examines the potential transmission of epigenetic alterations caused by a life-long gamma irradiation to their non-irradiated progeny up to the third generation, using the microcrustacean Daphnia magna as a model organism. The aim of our study is to test whether effects on survival, growth and reproduction observed in daphnids exposed to gamma radiation (in generation referred as F0) might persist in their non-exposed offspring generations (referred as F1, F2 and F3) and whether it might be linked to modifications of DNA methylation patterns inherited across generations. Results showed significant effects of gamma radiation on fecundity only for the highest dose rate and no effect at organism level seemed to last across non-exposed generations. However, effects on DNA methylation at low dose rate and across generations are not excluded. Our study will give a better insight in the effect of ionizing radiation on epigenetic processes, their heritability across generation and their link to organism level effects.
4
Consequences of cadmium-induced epigenomes on mutation and animal fitness
J. Shaw, Indiana University / The School of Public and Environmental Affairs and The Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics; C. Jackson, Indiana University / The School of Public and Environmental Affairs; N. Keith, S. Reynolds, S. Glaholt, Indiana University / School of Public and Environmental Affairs
There is a pressing need to understand how environmental conditions, including toxicant exposure, influence genome content, structure, and function and, in turn, how individuals and populations cope with changing environments. It is now understood that genomes are more than static, heritable, biological templates, but rather display a wide range of plasticity that is modulated by the environment. These environmental perturbations of the genome are functionally important as we are quickly learning that they contribute significantly to variation in individual physiologies, fitness, dynamics of populations, and influence adverse outcomes. Both base-substitution and structural mutations are known to contribute to genome plasticity. While mutation is a stochastic event, mutation hotspots exist both within and between genomes. The genetic events that give rise to mutation (e.g., altered DNA damage/repair pathways, miscued replication, recombination error, transposable elements) are beginning to be defined in terms of their functions, yet little is known of the mechanisms that destabilize DNA, potentiate mutation, and coordinate mutation within the genome. In this talk, we explore the hypothesis that environmental stress influences epigenetic states including histone modifications, which control access to the genome and affect organismal fitness by potentiating mutations. Understanding these processes will have profound implications for society and the long-term health of populations, which are living longer in the presence of a large and growing diversity of chemicals that can modify DNA. 5
Poster spotlight: MO001, MO002, MO003, MO004
Advances on the assessment of environmental pollutants to
amphibians and reptiles
6
Bioaccumulation and tissue distribution of selenium in developing striped marsh frog tadpoles
C. Lanctot, Central Queensland University / School of Medical and Applied
3
SETAC Europe 27th Annual Meeting Abstract Book
Sciences; T. Cresswell, ANSTO Environmental Research / Institute for Environmental Research; P. Callaghan, ANSTO / Life Sciences; S.D. Melvin, Griffith University / Australian Rivers Institute
Selenium (Se) is a nutritionally essential element that occurs naturally and ubiquitously in the environment in both organic and inorganic forms. Despite being essential for animal health and fitness, Se has a relatively narrow range between deficiency and toxicity, and excess Se can cause a variety of adverse effects in aquatic organisms. Selenium may pose serious long-term threats to aquatic ecosystems because it has the capacity to bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the food chain. Amphibians may be particularly vulnerable to contaminants during their larval aquatic life stage, because they can accumulate toxic ions through their skin, gills, lungs and digestive tract. Few attempts have been made to understand the tissue-specific uptake of trace elements, and the impacts of chemical forms, in
larval amphibians undergoing metamorphosis. We used radiolabelled 75Se to
explore the biokinetics and tissue distributions of the two dominant dissolved forms
that occur in surface waters, selenite (SeIV, SeO32-) and selenate (SeVI, SeO42-).
Tadpoles of the native Australian frog Limnodynastes peronii were exposed to 75Se
in both forms, and gamma spectroscopy was used to track their uptake and retention over time. Tissue-specific kinetics and biodistribution of Se were quantified throughout metamorphosis using individually dissected organs and whole-body autoradiography. Results showed that the bioconcentration of SeIV to be 3 times greater compared to SeVI, but rates of elimination were similar for both forms. This suggests a change of Se speciation within the organism prior to excretion. Depuration kinetics in whole body and individual organs were best described by a one-phase exponential decay model. Tadpoles retained approximately 20% of the accumulated Se after 10 to 27 days of depuration in clean water. Selenium bioaccumulation was greatest in digestive and excretory organs, as well as the eye lens, which may directly relate to previously reported Se-induced impairments. Results demonstrate how the use of radiotracing techniques can significantly improve our understanding of trace element toxicokinetics and tissue distributions, during amphibian development. Knowledge of the distribution and speciation is essential to understanding the risks associated with Se exposure, but more research is needed to understand the fate and metabolism of Se in various tissues. 7
Common toad (Bufo bufo) and common frog (Rana temporaria) in agricultural landscapes in Germany - results of a monitoring study
F. Groezinger, G. Schmidt, BASF SE; G. Montinaro, J. Ludwigs, Rifcon GmbH; P. Dohmen, BASF SE / Landw Versuchsstation APDRO
Field data about the behaviour and prevalence of amphibians in agricultural fields is rather scarce. Therefore, we have conducted monitoring studies of the common toad and common frog in an agricultural landscape in southern Germany. Using a combination of drift fences and pitfall traps, spring migration timing and presence of the two species were recorded in agricultural fields for two consecutive years. Further, methods for individual identification, to assess activity patterns and the use of telemetry as a suitable method for field trials was investigated. The spring migration of adult common frogs and common toads to and away from their breeding pond occurred in March and early April. This movement through agricultural landscapes corresponds to the early growth stages of cereals in this region. Metamorphs were also captured emigrating from the pond starting in June, and thus at later stages of crop development. These data contribute to the knowledge about amphibian phenology and give further information about suitable methods to investigate their presence and behaviour in agricultural landscapes for assessing potential impacts of agricultural measures.
8
Toxicity of chemicals to amphibians and reptiles. Assessment factors and comparative sensitivity
M. Ortiz Santaliestra, Institute for Environmental Sciences University of Koblenz-Landau / Institute for Environmental Sciences; A. Egea-Serrano, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC CSICUCLMJCCM; J.P. Maia, University of Aveiro / CESAM Department of Biology; F. Streissl, EFSA / Pesticides Unit; I. Lopes, University of Aveiro / Department of Biology & CESAM, 3810-193 Aveiro
Amphibians and reptiles have not been traditionally considered in environmental risk assessments of pesticides, which has generated some debate about whether risk posed by pesticides on these animals are covered by surrogate taxa. In order to develop a scientific sound and robust risk assessment scheme it is necessary to have enough information on the biological relevance of effects observed in laboratory studies in view of population level effects, to identify sensitive life stages and to compare sensitivity of our target study groups with that of their surrogates. With these purposes, a systematic review of toxicological literature on amphibians and reptiles was conducted. After retrieval from different sources and filtering of references, 4504 records were screened and proposed for data extraction. Informartion on species, age, sex, chemical substance, exposure route and duration, type of recorded endpoint, type of response, exposure concentration, mean effect value of the control and exposed groups and the reported variability measures of these mean effects, and statistical significance of the comparison was extracted from each valid reference. To estimate extrapolation factors from lab to field data, identify senstive stages and compare among taxa, we used LC/LD/EC/ED/NOEC
values when possible, calculating Hedge’s d values as the metric of standardized effect size in the rest of cases. The results of the literature review are currently being processed and will be included in the final presentation. Financed through the EFSA procurement OC/EFSA/PRAS/2015/01.
9
Coverage of Amphibians and Reptiles by the Pesticide Risk Assessment for Birds and Mammals
F. Streissl, EFSA / Pesticides Unit; P. Berny, VETAGRO-SUP / Toxicology; M. Ortiz Santaliestra, Institute for Environmental Sciences University of
Koblenz-Landau / Institute for Environmental Sciences; L. Petschick, University of Koblenz Landau / Institute of Environmental Sciences; S. Pieper, German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) / Plant Protection Products
Vertebrate biodiversity is in decline with amphibian and reptile species being more threatened and experiencing faster decline rates than birds and mammals [1] [2] [3]. Xenobiotic chemicals including pesticides are hypothesized as being one of the causes of the decline of amphibans and reptiles. There are indications that the current risk assessment schemes may not be protective for amphibians and reptiles. In order to close this potential gap in the pesticide risk assessment, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was tasked to develop a risk assessment scheme for amphibians and reptiles exposed to Plant Protection Products (PPP) after intended uses. The aim of the study was to investigate the coverage of the exposure of amphibians and reptiles by exposure estimates for birds and mammals and to identify potential differences in the relative importance of different exposure routes among amphibian and reptile groups. Worst case exposure calculations were conducted in order to compare the relative importance of oral and dermal exposure pathways, to identify the groups of amphibians and reptiles with the greatest oral and dermal exposure and to investigate whether the exposure assessment in the first tier risk assessment for birds and mammals cover amphibians and reptiles (only for oral exposure). Preliminary results indicate that oral exposure of birds may cover amphibians. Dermal exposure of lizards and snakes is of high importance and in the same range as the daily dietary exposure of birds. Comparison of daily dietary exposure and dermal exposure give an indication that both exposure pathways are of high importance and both need to be considered in the risk assessment for amphibians and reptiles.
10
Risk assessment proposal for plant protection products for terrestrial life stages of amphibians
L. Weltje, BASF SE / Crop Protection Ecotoxicology; A. Ufer, BASF SE / Project Team Amphibians; M. Hamer, Syngenta / Project Team Amphibians; P. Sowig, Bayer CropScience / Ecotoxicology; S. Demmig, F. Dechet, Industrieverband Agrar / Project Team Amphibians
Amphibians can be found in agricultural landscapes and as a result may be exposed to plant protection products. While aquatic life-stages are considered to be covered by the standard data requirements for aquatic organisms (especially fish), the situation is less clear for the amphibian terrestrial life-stages. In this contribution, a first proposal is presented on how to conduct risk assessment for plant protection products and terrestrial life-stages of amphibians. It briefly discusses available evidence and considers aspects of amphibian biology, exposure and toxicity. Special emphasis is put on avoiding unnecessary vertebrate testing by exposure driven approaches and also by making use of existing vertebrate toxicity data that could be used as surrogates for amphibians. Options for toxicity testing are presented as a tiered approach, progressing from simple worst case laboratory testing, via semi-field enclosures to ultimately full scale field testing and monitoring. Proposals are made for triggers that help decide on the necessity to progress to higher tiers. Finally, remaining uncertainties and research items are considered by proposing a way forward (road map) for generating additional data to inform amphibian terrestrial risk assessment.
Combined effects of chemical and environmental stressors:
from local stressors towards climate change (I)
11
Unravelling the effects of multiple stressors on the aquatic invertebrate community in the region of Madrid (Central Spain)
A. Rico, IMDEA Water Institute / Aquatic Ecotoxicology; C. Alonso, P. García, A. Romero, A. Castaño, L. Nozal, IMDEA Water Institute; M. Vighi, IMDEA Water Institute / Earth and Environmental Sciences; A.A. Sanchez, IMDEA Water Institute / Aquatic Ecotoxicology
Combined effects of chemical pollution and water scarcity are one of the most important threats to aquatic ecosystems in semi-arid regions. The low dilution potential in aquatic ecosystems receiving waste water can enhance chemical exposure, leading to devastating direct and indirect toxic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of multiple stressors on aquatic ecosystems in scenarios of water scarcity that are characteristic of (semi-)arid regions. In particular, this study focused on identifying the main stress factors that are influencing aquatic communities in the (semi-)arid region of Madrid (central Spain) and on describing the most relevant traits characterising adaptation to the
2
SETAC Europe 27th Annual Meeting Abstract Book
Platform Abstracts
Multigenerational, epigenetic and evolutionary effects in
human and environmental toxicology: from mechanisms to
risk assessment
1
Genetics and evolution of tolerance to zinc pollution in the pseudometallophyte Arabidopsis halleri (Brassicaceae)
M. Pauwels, University of Lille1 / UMR CNRS 8198 EVO-ECO-PALEO; M. Karam, University of Lille / UMR CNRS EVO-ECO-PALEO; D. SOULEMAN, University of Lille1 / LGCgE Fonctionnement des Ecosystèmes Terrestres Anthropisés; H. Frerot, University of Lille1 / UMR CNRS EVO-ECO-PALEO Pollution can lead to environmental toxicity and threaten population maintenance. Population survival could imply the evolution of local adaptation for tolerance traits. Understanding which genetic diversity helps species to survive in polluted habitat is not onyl fundamental but could also help the development of new remediation strategies. Pseudometallophyte are plant species that occur on both metal-polluted and non-polluted areas (metallicolous, hereafter M, and non-metallicolous, hereafter NM, populations, respectively). They are therefore good models for the study of the genetics and evolution of metal-related adaptive traits, including metal tolerance (ability to survive and reproduced on
metal-polluted soils). Arabidposis halleri, in particular, occurs in non-polluted areas but also colonized anthropogenic calamine (zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd)-rich) habitats. Although, its Zn tolerance was shown to be species-wide, quantities variation among populations supports a role in the adaptation to calamine habitats. The genetic basis of local adaptation to Zn pollution was investigated in A.
halleri through several experimental strategies. First, the genetic architecture of Zn tolerance was analyzed comparing results from the QTL analysis of two
interspecific crosses involving the nontolerant close relative Arabidopsis lyrata subsp. petraea and either a M or a NM accession of A. halleri. The subtractive comparison of obtained results suggested a role of some QTL regions in local adaptation. Those QTL regions are particularly known to include A. halleri-specific paralogs of the candidate gene MTP1 (METAL TOLERANT PROTEIN 1) encoding a Zn transporter involved in vacuolar sequestration. We therefore investigated the molecular evolution of MTP1 from a large set of A. halleri natural populations. Results confirmed that at least one paralog (AhMTP1-A2) could be involved in local adaptation to Zn-polluted habitats. In parallel, an third cross performed at the intraspecific level between a M and a NM accession of A. halleri was analyzed. We used 384 SNP markers issued from high-throughput sequencing of the genomes of parental plants for the genetic map construction. One major QTL was identified. It did not co-localize with QTL regions that have been identified so far at the inter-specific level. This suggests that the genetic diversity involved in local adaptation may differ among M population resulting from different events of colonization of Zn-polluted habitats.
2
The evolution of resistance to a gradient of contaminants in Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) populations from Galveston Bay, Texas, USA E. Oziolor, Baylor University / Environmental Science; N. Reid, University of California Davis; S.L. Guberman, Baylor University / Department of
Environmental Science; K. Young, Indiana University Bloomington; Z. Winfield, Baylor University; J. Apell, MIT / Civil & Environmental Engineering; L. Aguilar, Baylor University; P. Gschwend, MIT / Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering; S. Usenko, Baylor University / Department of Environmental Science; J. Shaw, Indiana University / The School of Public and Environmental Affairs and The Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics; A. Whitehead, University of California Davis / Environmental Toxicology; C.W. Matson, Baylor University / Environmental Science
The Houston Ship Channel (HSC) in Texas includes areas that have historically been found to contain substantial levels of mercury, dioxins, furans,
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We collected Fundulus grandis from contaminated areas on the HSC, from sites expected to have intermediate contamination, and from reference sites to establish a total of 12 lab colonies. F1 embryos from HSC populations were up to 1,000x more resistant to PCB126- and 2-5x more resistant to coal tar-induced cardiovascular teratogenesis. We confirmed biparental inheritance and a genetic basis of protection through reciprocal crosses between a reference and contaminated population, and by conducting experiments on F2 embryos for select populations. Similar to patterns observed for Fundulus heteroclitus inhabiting polluted areas along the US Atlantic coast, HSC populations of F. grandis exhibit a reduction of both basal and induced cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) activity, suggesting a common mechanism of adaptation. We observe a gradient of adaptation that correlates with the level of pollution at multiple HSC sites. Thus, we sequenced 288 individuals from 7 populations to understand the genetic causes for this resistance. In addition, we look at contaminants in various environmental matrices to be able to understand the chemical drivers of the selective sweeps that we see in F. grandis populations. Such
results suggest that the HSC can serve as a “natural laboratory” to study evolutionary processes driven by anthropogenic pollution.
3
Transgenerational effects and epigenetic inheritance following a chronic external gamma irradiation in Daphnia magna
M. Trijau, IRSN/PRP-ENV/LECO / PRP/ENV/SERIS/LECO; J. Asselman, Ghent University / Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology GhEnToxLab unit; O. Armant, C. Adam-Guillermin, IRSNPRPENVLECO / PRPENV/SERIS/LECO; K. De Schamphelaere, Ghent University (UGent) / Applied Ecology and Environmental Biology; F. Alonzo, IRSN
Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are exposed to radionuclides through planned discharges or accidental releases linked with the nuclear industry activities. Over the past decade, ecosystems protection against ionizing radiation has become a growing public, regulatory and scientific concern. Nowadays, ecological risk assessment for ionizing radiation is based on a majority of radiotoxocity tests under acute doses and short exposure time, far from realistic environmental conditions in which natural biota are actually exposed. Recently, studies in daphnids at chronic low doses have been conducted over several generations in order to understand the long-term effects of low doses of gamma radiation and explore the contribution of underlying molecular mechanisms, such as DNA alterations. In this context, radio-induced epigenetic modifications have never been investigated in invertebrate species although ionizing radiation were shown to induce changes in DNA methylation patterns and gene expression. This suggests that epigenetic modifications might be inherited across generations. In this context, the present study examines the potential transmission of epigenetic alterations caused by a life-long gamma irradiation to their non-irradiated progeny up to the third generation, using the microcrustacean Daphnia magna as a model organism. The aim of our study is to test whether effects on survival, growth and reproduction observed in daphnids exposed to gamma radiation (in generation referred as F0) might persist in their non-exposed offspring generations (referred as F1, F2 and F3) and whether it might be linked to modifications of DNA methylation patterns inherited across generations. Results showed significant effects of gamma radiation on fecundity only for the highest dose rate and no effect at organism level seemed to last across non-exposed generations. However, effects on DNA methylation at low dose rate and across generations are not excluded. Our study will give a better insight in the effect of ionizing radiation on epigenetic processes, their heritability across generation and their link to organism level effects.
4
Consequences of cadmium-induced epigenomes on mutation and animal fitness
J. Shaw, Indiana University / The School of Public and Environmental Affairs and The Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics; C. Jackson, Indiana University / The School of Public and Environmental Affairs; N. Keith, S. Reynolds, S. Glaholt, Indiana University / School of Public and Environmental Affairs
There is a pressing need to understand how environmental conditions, including toxicant exposure, influence genome content, structure, and function and, in turn, how individuals and populations cope with changing environments. It is now understood that genomes are more than static, heritable, biological templates, but rather display a wide range of plasticity that is modulated by the environment. These environmental perturbations of the genome are functionally important as we are quickly learning that they contribute significantly to variation in individual physiologies, fitness, dynamics of populations, and influence adverse outcomes. Both base-substitution and structural mutations are known to contribute to genome plasticity. While mutation is a stochastic event, mutation hotspots exist both within and between genomes. The genetic events that give rise to mutation (e.g., altered DNA damage/repair pathways, miscued replication, recombination error, transposable elements) are beginning to be defined in terms of their functions, yet little is known of the mechanisms that destabilize DNA, potentiate mutation, and coordinate mutation within the genome. In this talk, we explore the hypothesis that environmental stress influences epigenetic states including histone modifications, which control access to the genome and affect organismal fitness by potentiating mutations. Understanding these processes will have profound implications for society and the long-term health of populations, which are living longer in the presence of a large and growing diversity of chemicals that can modify DNA. 5
Poster spotlight: MO001, MO002, MO003, MO004
Advances on the assessment of environmental pollutants to
amphibians and reptiles
6
Bioaccumulation and tissue distribution of selenium in developing striped marsh frog tadpoles
C. Lanctot, Central Queensland University / School of Medical and Applied
3
SETAC Europe 27th Annual Meeting Abstract Book
Sciences; T. Cresswell, ANSTO Environmental Research / Institute for Environmental Research; P. Callaghan, ANSTO / Life Sciences; S.D. Melvin, Griffith University / Australian Rivers Institute
Selenium (Se) is a nutritionally essential element that occurs naturally and ubiquitously in the environment in both organic and inorganic forms. Despite being essential for animal health and fitness, Se has a relatively narrow range between deficiency and toxicity, and excess Se can cause a variety of adverse effects in aquatic organisms. Selenium may pose serious long-term threats to aquatic ecosystems because it has the capacity to bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the food chain. Amphibians may be particularly vulnerable to contaminants during their larval aquatic life stage, because they can accumulate toxic ions through their skin, gills, lungs and digestive tract. Few attempts have been made to understand the tissue-specific uptake of trace elements, and the impacts of chemical forms, in
larval amphibians undergoing metamorphosis. We used radiolabelled 75Se to
explore the biokinetics and tissue distributions of the two dominant dissolved forms
that occur in surface waters, selenite (SeIV, SeO32-) and selenate (SeVI, SeO42-).
Tadpoles of the native Australian frog Limnodynastes peronii were exposed to 75Se
in both forms, and gamma spectroscopy was used to track their uptake and retention over time. Tissue-specific kinetics and biodistribution of Se were quantified throughout metamorphosis using individually dissected organs and whole-body autoradiography. Results showed that the bioconcentration of SeIV to be 3 times greater compared to SeVI, but rates of elimination were similar for both forms. This suggests a change of Se speciation within the organism prior to excretion. Depuration kinetics in whole body and individual organs were best described by a one-phase exponential decay model. Tadpoles retained approximately 20% of the accumulated Se after 10 to 27 days of depuration in clean water. Selenium bioaccumulation was greatest in digestive and excretory organs, as well as the eye lens, which may directly relate to previously reported Se-induced impairments. Results demonstrate how the use of radiotracing techniques can significantly improve our understanding of trace element toxicokinetics and tissue distributions, during amphibian development. Knowledge of the distribution and speciation is essential to understanding the risks associated with Se exposure, but more research is needed to understand the fate and metabolism of Se in various tissues. 7
Common toad (Bufo bufo) and common frog (Rana temporaria) in agricultural landscapes in Germany - results of a monitoring study
F. Groezinger, G. Schmidt, BASF SE; G. Montinaro, J. Ludwigs, Rifcon GmbH; P. Dohmen, BASF SE / Landw Versuchsstation APDRO
Field data about the behaviour and prevalence of amphibians in agricultural fields is rather scarce. Therefore, we have conducted monitoring studies of the common toad and common frog in an agricultural landscape in southern Germany. Using a combination of drift fences and pitfall traps, spring migration timing and presence of the two species were recorded in agricultural fields for two consecutive years. Further, methods for individual identification, to assess activity patterns and the use of telemetry as a suitable method for field trials was investigated. The spring migration of adult common frogs and common toads to and away from their breeding pond occurred in March and early April. This movement through agricultural landscapes corresponds to the early growth stages of cereals in this region. Metamorphs were also captured emigrating from the pond starting in June, and thus at later stages of crop development. These data contribute to the knowledge about amphibian phenology and give further information about suitable methods to investigate their presence and behaviour in agricultural landscapes for assessing potential impacts of agricultural measures.
8
Toxicity of chemicals to amphibians and reptiles. Assessment factors and comparative sensitivity
M. Ortiz Santaliestra, Institute for Environmental Sciences University of Koblenz-Landau / Institute for Environmental Sciences; A. Egea-Serrano, Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos IREC CSICUCLMJCCM; J.P. Maia, University of Aveiro / CESAM Department of Biology; F. Streissl, EFSA / Pesticides Unit; I. Lopes, University of Aveiro / Department of Biology & CESAM, 3810-193 Aveiro
Amphibians and reptiles have not been traditionally considered in environmental risk assessments of pesticides, which has generated some debate about whether risk posed by pesticides on these animals are covered by surrogate taxa. In order to develop a scientific sound and robust risk assessment scheme it is necessary to have enough information on the biological relevance of effects observed in laboratory studies in view of population level effects, to identify sensitive life stages and to compare sensitivity of our target study groups with that of their surrogates. With these purposes, a systematic review of toxicological literature on amphibians and reptiles was conducted. After retrieval from different sources and filtering of references, 4504 records were screened and proposed for data extraction. Informartion on species, age, sex, chemical substance, exposure route and duration, type of recorded endpoint, type of response, exposure concentration, mean effect value of the control and exposed groups and the reported variability measures of these mean effects, and statistical significance of the comparison was extracted from each valid reference. To estimate extrapolation factors from lab to field data, identify senstive stages and compare among taxa, we used LC/LD/EC/ED/NOEC
values when possible, calculating Hedge’s d values as the metric of standardized effect size in the rest of cases. The results of the literature review are currently being processed and will be included in the final presentation. Financed through the EFSA procurement OC/EFSA/PRAS/2015/01.
9
Coverage of Amphibians and Reptiles by the Pesticide Risk Assessment for Birds and Mammals
F. Streissl, EFSA / Pesticides Unit; P. Berny, VETAGRO-SUP / Toxicology; M. Ortiz Santaliestra, Institute for Environmental Sciences University of
Koblenz-Landau / Institute for Environmental Sciences; L. Petschick, University of Koblenz Landau / Institute of Environmental Sciences; S. Pieper, German Federal Environment Agency (UBA) / Plant Protection Products
Vertebrate biodiversity is in decline with amphibian and reptile species being more threatened and experiencing faster decline rates than birds and mammals [1] [2] [3]. Xenobiotic chemicals including pesticides are hypothesized as being one of the causes of the decline of amphibans and reptiles. There are indications that the current risk assessment schemes may not be protective for amphibians and reptiles. In order to close this potential gap in the pesticide risk assessment, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was tasked to develop a risk assessment scheme for amphibians and reptiles exposed to Plant Protection Products (PPP) after intended uses. The aim of the study was to investigate the coverage of the exposure of amphibians and reptiles by exposure estimates for birds and mammals and to identify potential differences in the relative importance of different exposure routes among amphibian and reptile groups. Worst case exposure calculations were conducted in order to compare the relative importance of oral and dermal exposure pathways, to identify the groups of amphibians and reptiles with the greatest oral and dermal exposure and to investigate whether the exposure assessment in the first tier risk assessment for birds and mammals cover amphibians and reptiles (only for oral exposure). Preliminary results indicate that oral exposure of birds may cover amphibians. Dermal exposure of lizards and snakes is of high importance and in the same range as the daily dietary exposure of birds. Comparison of daily dietary exposure and dermal exposure give an indication that both exposure pathways are of high importance and both need to be considered in the risk assessment for amphibians and reptiles.
10
Risk assessment proposal for plant protection products for terrestrial life stages of amphibians
L. Weltje, BASF SE / Crop Protection Ecotoxicology; A. Ufer, BASF SE / Project Team Amphibians; M. Hamer, Syngenta / Project Team Amphibians; P. Sowig, Bayer CropScience / Ecotoxicology; S. Demmig, F. Dechet, Industrieverband Agrar / Project Team Amphibians
Amphibians can be found in agricultural landscapes and as a result may be exposed to plant protection products. While aquatic life-stages are considered to be covered by the standard data requirements for aquatic organisms (especially fish), the situation is less clear for the amphibian terrestrial life-stages. In this contribution, a first proposal is presented on how to conduct risk assessment for plant protection products and terrestrial life-stages of amphibians. It briefly discusses available evidence and considers aspects of amphibian biology, exposure and toxicity. Special emphasis is put on avoiding unnecessary vertebrate testing by exposure driven approaches and also by making use of existing vertebrate toxicity data that could be used as surrogates for amphibians. Options for toxicity testing are presented as a tiered approach, progressing from simple worst case laboratory testing, via semi-field enclosures to ultimately full scale field testing and monitoring. Proposals are made for triggers that help decide on the necessity to progress to higher tiers. Finally, remaining uncertainties and research items are considered by proposing a way forward (road map) for generating additional data to inform amphibian terrestrial risk assessment.
Combined effects of chemical and environmental stressors:
from local stressors towards climate change (I)
11
Unravelling the effects of multiple stressors on the aquatic invertebrate community in the region of Madrid (Central Spain)
A. Rico, IMDEA Water Institute / Aquatic Ecotoxicology; C. Alonso, P. García, A. Romero, A. Castaño, L. Nozal, IMDEA Water Institute; M. Vighi, IMDEA Water Institute / Earth and Environmental Sciences; A.A. Sanchez, IMDEA Water Institute / Aquatic Ecotoxicology
Combined effects of chemical pollution and water scarcity are one of the most important threats to aquatic ecosystems in semi-arid regions. The low dilution potential in aquatic ecosystems receiving waste water can enhance chemical exposure, leading to devastating direct and indirect toxic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of multiple stressors on aquatic ecosystems in scenarios of water scarcity that are characteristic of (semi-)arid regions. In particular, this study focused on identifying the main stress factors that are influencing aquatic communities in the (semi-)arid region of Madrid (central Spain) and on describing the most relevant traits characterising adaptation to the
