The impact of municipal wastewater effluent on field‐deployed freshwater mussels in the Grand River (Ontario, Canada)

Abstract

To examine effects of municipal wastewater effluent (MWWE) on sentinel organisms, the authors deployed caged freshwater mussels (Lasmigona costata) in the Grand River (ON, Canada) upstream and downstream of an MWWE outfall. Passive sampling devices were deployed alongside caged mussels to confirm exposure. Biomarkers of xenobiotic biotransformation, oxidative stress, estrogenicity, and immunomodulation were investigated. Elevated concentrations of selected pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) and a natural estrogen (estrone) were found at the downstream sites. Mussels caged downstream of the effluent for 2 wk showed minimal evidence of exposure, while those deployed for 4 wk exhibited significantly higher levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, demonstrating that MWWE-exposed mussels exhibit increased activity in xenobiotic conjugation and oxidative stress. With respect to immune responses, a significant increase in plasma lysozyme activity and hemocyte viability was observed in MWWE-exposed mussels. Vitellogenin (vtg)-like protein in male mussels showed a trend toward induction after 4 wk of deployment at the first downstream site, but mean levels were not significantly different. Discriminant function analysis indicated that mussels deployed for 4 wk upstream and downstream of the MWWE discharge could be discriminated on the basis of LPO, GST, plasma lysozyme, and vtg responses. The physiological stress observed in caged mussels indicates that wild mussels chronically exposed to MWWE in this ecosystem would also be negatively impacted.

Sulfamethoxazole and isoproturon degradation and detoxification by a laccase-mediator system: Influence of treatment conditions and mechanistic aspects

“…Micropollutant oxidation assays were performed at different pH values (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9) in citrate or phosphate buffers (30-40 mM) containing the pollutant at around 100 M (20-25 mg l −1 ) and variable concentrations of mediator (10-1000 M). Batch reactions were conducted in 2-ml glass vials containing 1 ml of an oxygensaturated reaction mixture.…”

“…The presence of polar organic micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides in wastewater, their poor removal in municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and their potential impact on aquatic organisms motivate development of new treatment processes able to deal with these substances [1][2][3][4]. Bio-oxidation of these pollutants, catalyzed by oxidative enzymes such as laccase, is a potentially attractive treatment option [5].…”

Assessment of biomarkers for contaminants of emerging concern on aquatic organisms downstream of a municipal wastewater discharge

“…In marine mussels (Mytilus edulis) collected from intertidal regions impacted by municipal wastewater, biomarker responses included reduced levels of Vtg-like proteins in females and elevated lipid content in males (Hellou et al, 2003). Gillis et al (2014a) observed induction of oxidative stress biomarkers and modulation of immune function in freshwater mussels (Lasmigona costata) caged in a river influenced by wastewater. Bianchi et al (2014) found that in the freshwater mussel, Diplodon chilensis, gGST and gCAT were suitable biomarkers for high fecal bacteria pollution.…”

The effects of the psychiatric drug carbamazepine on freshwater invertebrate communities and ecosystem dynamics

“…Sub-lethal effects, such as changes in behavior (De Lange et al 2006) development (Nentwig et al 2004, Oetken et al 2005, mating success ) and immune response (Martin-Diaz et al 2009, Gust et al 2013, Gillis et al 2014, have been observed after exposure to carbamazepine. For instance, Gust et al (2013) selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx) were up-regulated and allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) were downregulated.…”

“…Exposure to carbamazepine may have induced physiological stress in Helisoma and affected interspecific competition between Elimia and Helisoma (Gillis et al 2014, Martin-Diaz et al 2009, Gust et al 2013, Brown 2001. Other studies suggest the influence of anthropogenic pollutants on freshwater organisms may depend on the relative strength of interspecific competition (Wojdak 2005, Dolciotti et al 2014.…”