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Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health
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Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health

A special issue of Journal of Xenobiotics (ISSN 2039-4713). This special issue belongs to the section "Ecotoxicology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2024) | Viewed by 10670

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sara Raquel Boaventura Rodrigues

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
Interests: ecology; water quality; aquatic ecotoxicology; environmental risk assessment; biological responses; bioassays; biomarkers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The effects of emerging contaminants, including pharmaceutical, personal care, and household cleaning products, agricultural residues, flame retardants, microplastics, and nanomaterials on biota are a matter of growing attention for environmental risk assessment. Animals are continuously exposed to this set of contaminants, mainly through dermal, respiratory, or oral routes of exposure, inducing variable deleterious effects in the most varied metabolic pathways and biological functions. On the other hand, these sub-individual changes can have repercussions on the levels of the organism, population, and communities. Despite the great success in developing analytical tools for their detection, as well as investigating their toxic mechanisms, some still remain unclear along with those related to the “emerging contaminants”. Moreover, the single and combined toxicity of chemicals is yet to be studied, especially under chronic exposure (realistic conditions). The Special Issue is devoted to acquiring new information on the impact of conventional and emerging pollutants in the ecosystem and encourages the submission of manuscripts that explore themes such as (but not limited to) the toxic mechanisms implicated in environmental chemical-induced toxicity in animals and fish. In this context, studies dealing with the ecotoxicological assessment involving model organisms, physiological and biomolecular mechanisms, and novel biomonitoring indices are particularly welcome.

Dr. Sara Raquel Boaventura Rodrigues
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Xenobiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • emerging contaminants
  • ecotoxicological assessment
  • environmental health
  • bioassays
  • individual and sub-individual responses
  • physiology
  • biomarkers
  • wildlife
  • non-target organisms

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3619 KiB  
Article
Toxicity of UV Filter Benzophenone-3 in Brine Shrimp Nauplii (Artemia salina) and Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos
by Melissa I. Ortiz-Román, Ileska M. Casiano-Muñiz and Felix R. Román-Velázquez
J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(2), 537-553; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14020032 - 29 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1418
Abstract
The benzophenone (BP) family, including oxybenzone (BP-3), a prevalent sunscreen ingredient and environmental contaminant, has raised concerns since the year 2005. This study investigated oxybenzone toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) eleutheroembryos and brine shrimp (Artemia salina) nauplii, focusing on [...] Read more.
The benzophenone (BP) family, including oxybenzone (BP-3), a prevalent sunscreen ingredient and environmental contaminant, has raised concerns since the year 2005. This study investigated oxybenzone toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) eleutheroembryos and brine shrimp (Artemia salina) nauplii, focusing on the LC50 and developmental impacts. Zebrafish embryos (0.100–1.50 mg/L BP-3, 96 h) and A. salina (0.100–5.00 mg/L BP-3, 48 h) were tested with ultrasound-assisted emulsified liquid-phase microextraction (UA-ELPME) used for zebrafish tissue analysis. HPLC-DAD determined BP-3 concentrations (highest: 0.74 ± 0.13 mg/L). Although no significant zebrafish embryo mortality or hatching changes occurred, developmental effects were evident. Lethal concentrations were determined (A. salina LC50 at 24 h = 3.19 ± 2.02 mg/L; D. rerio embryos LC50 at 24 h = 4.19 ± 3.60 mg/L), with malformations indicating potential teratogenic effects. A. salina displayed intestinal tract alterations and D. rerio embryos exhibited pericardial edema and spinal deformities. These findings highlight oxybenzone’s environmental risks, posing threats to species and ecosystem health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health)
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9 pages, 1484 KiB  
Communication
Effects of Chronic Roundup Exposure on Medaka Larvae
by Deborah Killian, Mehwish Faheem, Beh Reh, Xuegeng Wang and Ramji Kumar Bhandari
J. Xenobiot. 2023, 13(3), 500-508; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox13030032 - 14 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1900
Abstract
The use of glyphosate-based herbicides is increasing yearly to keep up with the growing demands of the agriculture world. Although glyphosate-based herbicides target the enzymatic pathway in plants, the effects on the endocrine systems of vertebrate organisms, mainly fish, are widely unknown. Many [...] Read more.
The use of glyphosate-based herbicides is increasing yearly to keep up with the growing demands of the agriculture world. Although glyphosate-based herbicides target the enzymatic pathway in plants, the effects on the endocrine systems of vertebrate organisms, mainly fish, are widely unknown. Many studies with glyphosate used high-exposure concentrations (mg/L), and the effect of environmentally relevant or lower concentrations has not been clearly understood. Therefore, the present study examined the effects of very low, environmentally relevant, and high concentrations of glyphosate exposure on embryo development and the thyroid system of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). The Hd-rR medaka embryos were exposed to Roundup containing 0.05, 0.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/L glyphosate (glyphosate acid equivalent) from the 8 h post-fertilization stage through the 14-day post-fertilization stage. Phenotypes observed include delayed hatching, increased developmental deformities, abnormal growth, and embryo mortality. The lowest concentration of glyphosate (0.05 mg/L) and the highest concentration (20 mg/L) induced similar phenotypes in embryos and fry. A significant decrease in mRNA levels for acetylcholinesterase (ache) and thyroid hormone receptor alpha (thrα) was found in the fry exposed to 0.05 mg/L and 20 mg/L glyphosate. The present results demonstrated that exposure to glyphosate formulation, at a concentration of 0.05 mg/L, can affect the early development of medaka larvae and the thyroid pathway, suggesting a link between thyroid functional changes and developmental alteration; they also showed that glyphosate can be toxic to fish at this concentration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health)
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15 pages, 4562 KiB  
Article
Transcriptional Alterations Induced by Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol in the Brain and Gonads of Adult Medaka
by Marlee Vassall, Sourav Chakraborty, Yashi Feng, Mehwish Faheem, Xuegeng Wang and Ramji Kumar Bhandari
J. Xenobiot. 2023, 13(2), 237-251; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox13020018 - 30 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1850
Abstract
With the legalization of marijuana smoking in several states of the United States and many other countries for medicinal and recreational use, the possibility of its release into the environment cannot be overruled. Currently, the environmental levels of marijuana metabolites are not monitored [...] Read more.
With the legalization of marijuana smoking in several states of the United States and many other countries for medicinal and recreational use, the possibility of its release into the environment cannot be overruled. Currently, the environmental levels of marijuana metabolites are not monitored on a regular basis, and their stability in the environment is not well understood. Laboratory studies have linked delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) exposure with behavioral abnormalities in some fish species; however, their effects on endocrine organs are less understood. To understand the effects of THC on the brain and gonads, we exposed adult medaka (Oryzias latipes, Hd-rR strain, both male and female) to 50 ug/L THC for 21 days spanning their complete spermatogenic and oogenic cycles. We examined transcriptional responses of the brain and gonads (testis and ovary) to Δ9-THC, particularly molecular pathways associated with behavioral and reproductive functions. The Δ9-THC effects were more profound in males than females. The Δ9-THC-induced differential expression pattern of genes in the brain of the male fish suggested pathways to neurodegenerative diseases and pathways to reproductive impairment in the testis. The present results provide insights into endocrine disruption in aquatic organisms due to environmental cannabinoid compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health)
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Review

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19 pages, 353 KiB  
Review
Microbial Symbiont-Based Detoxification of Different Phytotoxins and Synthetic Toxic Chemicals in Insect Pests and Pollinators
by Olivia Kline and Neelendra K. Joshi
J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(2), 753-771; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14020043 - 4 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1585
Abstract
Insects are the most diverse form of life, and as such, they interact closely with humans, impacting our health, economy, and agriculture. Beneficial insect species contribute to pollination, biological control of pests, decomposition, and nutrient cycling. Pest species can cause damage to agricultural [...] Read more.
Insects are the most diverse form of life, and as such, they interact closely with humans, impacting our health, economy, and agriculture. Beneficial insect species contribute to pollination, biological control of pests, decomposition, and nutrient cycling. Pest species can cause damage to agricultural crops and vector diseases to humans and livestock. Insects are often exposed to toxic xenobiotics in the environment, both naturally occurring toxins like plant secondary metabolites and synthetic chemicals like herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. Because of this, insects have evolved several mechanisms of resistance to toxic xenobiotics, including sequestration, behavioral avoidance, and enzymatic degradation, and in many cases had developed symbiotic relationships with microbes that can aid in this detoxification. As research progresses, the important roles of these microbes in insect health and function have become more apparent. Bacterial symbionts that degrade plant phytotoxins allow host insects to feed on otherwise chemically defended plants. They can also confer pesticide resistance to their hosts, especially in frequently treated agricultural fields. It is important to study these interactions between insects and the toxic chemicals they are exposed to in order to further the understanding of pest insect resistance and to mitigate the negative effect of pesticides on nontarget insect species like Hymenopteran pollinators. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health)
36 pages, 1996 KiB  
Review
A Review on Fluoroquinolones’ Toxicity to Freshwater Organisms and a Risk Assessment
by Marianna Pauletto and Marco De Liguoro
J. Xenobiot. 2024, 14(2), 717-752; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox14020042 - 4 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1245
Abstract
Fluoroquinolones (FQs) have achieved significant success in both human and veterinary medicine. However, regulatory authorities have recommended limiting their use, firstly because they can have disabling side effects; secondly, because of the need to limit the spread of antibiotic resistance. This review addresses [...] Read more.
Fluoroquinolones (FQs) have achieved significant success in both human and veterinary medicine. However, regulatory authorities have recommended limiting their use, firstly because they can have disabling side effects; secondly, because of the need to limit the spread of antibiotic resistance. This review addresses another concerning consequence of the excessive use of FQs: the freshwater environments contamination and the impact on non-target organisms. Here, an overview of the highest concentrations found in Europe, Asia, and the USA is provided, the sensitivity of various taxa is presented through a comparison of the lowest EC50s from about a hundred acute toxicity tests, and primary mechanisms of FQ toxicity are described. A risk assessment is conducted based on the estimation of the Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC). This is calculated traditionally and, in a more contemporary manner, by constructing a normalized Species Sensitivity Distribution curve. The lowest individual HC5 (6.52 µg L−1) was obtained for levofloxacin, followed by ciprofloxacin (7.51 µg L−1), sarafloxacin and clinafloxacin (12.23 µg L−1), and ofloxacin (17.12 µg L−1). By comparing the calculated PNEC with detected concentrations, it is evident that the risk cannot be denied: the potential impact of FQs on freshwater ecosystems is a further reason to minimize their use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health)
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Other

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11 pages, 2005 KiB  
Opinion
The Silent Threat: Exploring the Ecological and Ecotoxicological Impacts of Chlorinated Aniline Derivatives and the Metabolites on the Aquatic Ecosystem
by Daniela Rebelo, Sara C. Antunes and Sara Rodrigues
J. Xenobiot. 2023, 13(4), 604-614; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox13040038 - 1 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1934
Abstract
The growing concern over the environmental impacts of industrial chemicals on aquatic ecosystems has prompted increased attention and regulation. Aromatic amines have drawn scrutiny due to their potential to disturb aquatic ecosystems. 4-chloroaniline and 3,4-dichloroaniline are chlorinated derivatives of aniline used as intermediates [...] Read more.
The growing concern over the environmental impacts of industrial chemicals on aquatic ecosystems has prompted increased attention and regulation. Aromatic amines have drawn scrutiny due to their potential to disturb aquatic ecosystems. 4-chloroaniline and 3,4-dichloroaniline are chlorinated derivatives of aniline used as intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, dyes, pesticides, cosmetics, and laboratory chemicals. While industrial applications are crucial, these compounds represent significant risks to aquatic environments. This article aims to shed light on aromatic amines’ ecological and ecotoxicological impacts on aquatic ecosystems, given as examples 4-chloroaniline and 3,4-dichloroaniline, highlighting the need for stringent regulation and management to safeguard water resources. Moreover, these compounds are not included in the current Watch List of the Water Framework Directive, though there is already some information about aquatic ecotoxicity, which raises some concerns. This paper primarily focuses on the inherent environmental problem related to the proliferation and persistence of aromatic amines, particularly 4-chloroaniline and 3,4-dichloroaniline, in aquatic ecosystems. Although significant research underscores the hazardous effects of these compounds, the urgency of addressing this issue appears to be underestimated. As such, we underscore the necessity of advancing detection and mitigation efforts and implementing improved regulatory measures to safeguard the water bodies against these potential threats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health)
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