In the last decades a dramatic loss of Apis mellifera hives has been reported in both Europe and USA. Research in this field is oriented towards identifying a synergy of contributing factors, i.e. pathogens, pesticides, habitat loss and pollution to the weakening of the hive. Cadmium (Cd) is a hazardous anthropogenic pollutant whose effects are proving to be increasingly lethal. Among the multiple damages related to Cd contamination, some studies report that it causes immunosuppression in various animal species. The aim of this paper is to determine whether contamination by Cd, may have a similar effect on the honey bees’ immunocompetence. Our results, obtained by immune challenge experiments and confirmed by structural and ultrastructural observations show that such metal causes a reduction in immunocompetence in 3 days Cd exposed bees. As further evidence of honey bee response to Cd treatment, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (X-EDS) has revealed the presence of zinc (Zn) in peculiar electron-dense granules in fat body cells. Zn is a characteristic component of metallothioneins (MTs), which are usually synthesized as anti-oxidant and scavenger tools against Cd contamination. Our findings suggest that honey bee colonies may have a weakened immune system in Cd polluted areas, resulting in a decreased ability in dealing with pathogens.

Globally carbon nanoparticles are increasingly utilized, yet it is not known if these nanoparticles pose a threat to the environment or human health. This investigation examined 'as-prepared', and acid cleaned carbon nanoparticle physicochemical characteristics (by FTIR, TEM, FESEM, UV-VIS and X-ray microanalysis), and whether these characteristics changed following 2.5-7 yr exposure to pH neutral saline or fresh water. To determine if these aqueous aged nanotubes were cytotoxic, these nanotubes were incubated with human epithelial monolayers and analyzed for cell viability (vital staining) and ultrastructural nanoparticle binding/localization (TEM, FESEM). The presence of Ni and Y catalyst, was less damaging to cells than CNT lattice surface oxidation. Extended fresh water storage of oxidized CNTs did not reduce surface reactive groups, nor lessen cell membrane destruction or cell death. However storing oxidized CNTs in saline or NOM significantly reduced CNT-induced cell membrane damage and increased cell survival to control levels. Oxidized SWCNTs in pH neutral fresh and saline water showed no reduction in surface oxidation with time, yet exposure of these nanotubes to saline and NOM reduced human cell toxicity markedly.

The discharge of oil well produced water (PW) provides a constant source of contaminants to the marine environment including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, alkylated phenols, metals and production chemicals. High concentrations of PW cause adverse effects to exposed biota, including reduced survival, growth and reproduction. Here we explore the effects of PW on immune function in the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis. Mussels were exposed for 21 days to sublethal PW concentrations (0.125-0.5%) and cellular parameters were measured. Cell viability, phagocytosis and cytotoxicity were inhibited after exposure to 0.25% and 0.5% PW, whilst the 0.125% PW treatment produced significant increases in these biomarker responses. This biphasic response was only observed after 7 days exposure; longer exposure periods led to a reduction in immune parameters. Results indicate that PW concentrations close to the discharge point cause modulation to cellular immunity. The implications for longer-term disease resistance are discussed. Exposure to produced water alters immune function in the sentinel species Mytilus edulis.

To investigate the consequences of acidification and metal accumulation on the biology of aquatic bryophytes, the acid-tolerant liverwort Scapania undulata (L.) Dum. and the acid-sensitive moss Rhynchostegium riparioides (Hedw.) Cardot were transplanted from one stream to two other streams of differing acidity (pH 5.20 and 6.38). The bryophytes were collected in a circumneutral (pH 6.57) stream in the Vosges Mountains. Metal accumulation was semi-quantitatively measured in shoots by energy dispersive TEM X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). After 1 month, the two species remained green without alteration signs. Although no marked ultrastructural damage was observed in either species, some cells seemed to be necrotic, with flattened chloroplasts, in R. riparioides. Lipid droplet accumulation was observed in some leaf cells of S.undulata when transplanted to the most acidic stream. Metal was mostly localised in the cell wall, and was only sometimes detected in small vacuoles. Under acidic conditions, R. riparioides showed the highest relative amount of Al and the lowest amount of Fe, whereas the acid-tolerant bryophyte species S. undulata contained more Fe and less Al. The capability to limit the uptake of metals into the cytoplasm varies according to the bryophyte species. This could be an explanation of the tolerance of S. undulata to acidification.

Introduction More attention has been paid to tetracycline contamination in view of its rapid increasing concentration in the environment. Therefore, it is important to set up rapid, simple, and accurate methods for monitoring tetracycline ecotoxicity. Methods In the present study, a hydroponics experiment was conducted to examine toxic effects of tetracycline at the concentration range of 0.5 to 300 mg L⁻¹ on growth, antioxidative, and genetic indices of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Results The results indicated that tetracycline at 0.5-10 mg L⁻¹ could stimulate seed germination, cell mitotic division, and growth of wheat seedlings and did not induce a significant increase in the activity of antioxidative enzymes. However, tetracycline at the high concentrations (10-300 mg L⁻¹) could significantly inhibit these parameters in the concentration-dependent manner, including germination percentage (≥100 mg L⁻¹), shoot height (≥100 mg L⁻¹), root length (≥50 mg L⁻¹), and mitotic index (≥50 mg L⁻¹), and increased the activity of antioxidative enzymes (≥25 mg L⁻¹) in the dose-dependent manner, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase. Tetracycline at 5 mg L⁻¹ and above significantly augmented chromosome aberration frequency and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. On the other hand, MDA has positive correlation with the inhibition rates of seed germination, root length, shoot length, mitotic index, and antioxidative enzyme activities. Conclusion Tetracycline may have potential physiological, biochemical, and genetic toxicity to plant cells, and chromosome aberration and MDA might be sensitive bioindicators for tetracycline contamination than the other plant characteristics.

Background Chlorobenzoic acids (CBA) are intermediate products of the aerobic microbial degradation of PCB and several pesticides. This study explores the feasibility of using basket willows, Salix viminalis, to remove 4-CBA from polluted sites, which also might stimulate PCB degradation. Methods The removal of 4-CBA by willow trees was investigated with intact, septic willow trees growing in hydroponic solution and with sterile cell suspensions at concentrations of 5 mg/L and 50 mg/L 4-CBA. Nutrient solutions with different levels of ammonium and nitrate were prepared to achieve different pH levels. The concentration of 4-CBA was tracked over time and quantified by HPLC. Results and discussion At the low level of 4-CBA (5 mg/L), willows removed 70% (pH 4.2) to 90% (pH 6.8), while 48% (pH 4.2) to 52% (pH 6.8) of the water was transpired. At the high 4-CBA level (50 mg/L), the pH varied between 4.4 and 4.6, and 10% to 30% of 4-CBA was removed, but only 5% to 9% of the water. In sterile cell suspensions, removal of 4-CBA by fresh biomass was much higher than removal by dead biomass. Conclusions The results indicate that 4-CBA is toxic to willow trees at 50 mg/L. The removal of 4-CBA from solution is by both passive processes (uptake with water, sorption to plant tissue) and metabolic processes of the plants. Recommendations and outlook Plants, such as willow trees, might assist in the degradation of PCB and their degradation products CBA.

BACKGROUND: Soil samples from remote Alpine areas were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls by high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution gas spectrometry. Additionally, the EROD micro-assay and a genetically modified yeast estrogen bioassay were carried out to determine persistent aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) and estrogen receptors (ER) agonists, respectively. Regarding the AhR agonists, the toxicity equivalents of analytical and EROD determined values were compared, targeting both altitude of samples and their soil organic content. The ratio between bioassay derived equivalents and analytical determinations suggested no significant contribution of unknown AhR inducers in these sampling sites and some antagonism in soils with relatively high PCB loading. More CYP1A1 expression was induced at the highest sites or about 1400–1500 m a.s.l. along the altitude profiles. Surprisingly, no clear tendencies with the soil organic content were found for dioxin-like compounds. Mean values obtained in the present study were for ER agonists, 0.37 ± 0.12 pg 17ß-estradiol EQ g⁻¹ dry soil and 6.1 ± 4.2 pg TCDD-EQ g⁻¹ dry soil for AhR agonists. CONCLUSION: Low bioassay responses with a higher relative amount of AhR inducers than ER disrupters were detected, indicating the higher abundance of persistent dioxin-like than estrogen-like compounds in these forested mountainous areas.