Second Annual – Winnipeg 2011
From Pole
to Pothole:
Ecotoxicology in a Changing Climate!
Winnipeg Downtown Map
Points of Note:
A – University of Winnipeg
B – The Bay Parkade (Parking)
C – The Place Louis Riel Hotel – Phone # 947-6961
D – Hu’s on First – Phone # 982-7426 and
Canwest Park
P
B
Parking on campus
Bay Parkade Parking:
$1.25/30 min, $8.50/day until 6
PM, $3 overnight 6 PM – 6 AM
D
P
P
P
A
B
C
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Campus Map
Event Locations:
A – Chapter Meeting
B – Morning Sessions
C – Poster Session
C – Lunch
D – Aft. Sessions
E – Bus to Banquet
P
Manitoba Hall M270
Eckhardt Gramatté Hall
Richardson College
Richardson College
Eckhardt Gramatté Hall
Duckworth
7:30 – 8 AM
8-11 AM
11 AM - 12:15 PM
12:15 – 1 PM
1:10 – 5:30 PM
6:15 PM
Parking Lots
1 - $2/hr, $8.50/day until 6 PM, $3 overnight 6 PM - 6 AM
2- $2/hr, $9/day until 6 PM, $4 overnight 6 PM- 6 AM
3- $1.25/30 min, $8.50/day until 6 PM, $3 overnight
6 PM – 6 AM (Bay Parkade)
P
2
P
1
A
1
B,D
P
Red River
Hotel
786-7011
To Bay
Parkade
How to get here (and park):
From East:
Take Portage Avenue West, turn Right
on Sherbrooke St. and Left on Ellice
Ave. and continue to parking.
From West:
Take St. Anne’s Rd., merge right onto
St. Mary’s Rd. and turn left to
Broadway Ave. Then turn right onto
Colony St. where you will pass the Bay
Parkade or either parking spot off of
Colony St.
E
C
3
Plenary Speakers:
Dr. Paul Hoekstra is the Technical
Registration Manager, Human and
Environmental Exposure for Syngenta
Canada, an agri-business committed to
sustainable agriculture – farming with future
generations in mind. Dr. Hoekstra earned his
undergraduate degree at the University of
Waterloo and earned a PhD from the
University of Guelph’s Toxicology
program. After working as a scientist with
Golder Associates, Paul joined Syngenta
where he oversees the risk assessment
program for the environment and human
health. Dr. Hoekstra has published over 30
government and peer-reviewed scientific
publications across several relevant
disciplines. Dr. Hoekstra continues his
research and efforts in promoting a sciencebased approach to assessing risk of
pesticides to the public and the environment.
2
Dr. Markus Hecker is an Associate
Professor at the University of Saskatchewan
and is a Canada Research Chair in the
School of Environment and Sustainability.
Dr. Hecker earned his diploma and his PhD
at the University of Hamburg in
Germany. Dr. Hecker’s research focuses on
molecular toxicology, bioanalytical science,
and risk assessment of classic (various
POPs, dioxins, PCBs, metals) and emerging
contaminants (pesticides, endocrine
disruptors). Dr. Hecker has published over
60 peer reviewed articles, short features and
chapters over the last 9 years pushing
science forward in several aspects of
molecular and environmental toxicology. Dr.
Hecker is also the Editor for Environmental
Science and Pollution Research.
Dr. Feiyue Wang is a professor in the
Department of Environment and Geography
and the Department of Chemistry at the
University of Manitoba. Dr. Wang earned his
PhD at Peking University in China. His
research focuses on speciation, cycling, and
bioavailability of trace metals across
environmental interfaces. Processes are
studied at the molecular to global scales.
His research also involves analytical science
and modeling (for transport and
transformation), and has become heavily
involved in the fate of mercury in arctic
environments. Dr. Wang has published
more than 70 peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Wang continues his research looking at
the effects of climate change on the fate,
distribution and transport of metals and
organics in the arctic environment.
Second Annual – Winnipeg 2011
SETAC-PNC is very grateful for the support of our sponsors!
Platinum Sponsorship
University of Winnipeg, Faculty of Science
Neil Besner, University of Winnipeg, VP Research
University of Manitoba, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Earth, Environment, and Resources
Cameco Corporation
Syncrude Canada Limited
National Science and Engineering Research Council
Stantec Incorporated
Syngenta Incorporated
Gold Sponsorship
Canada North Environmental Services
Saskatchewan Research Council, Environmental Analytical Laboratories
Silver Sponsorship
University of Winnipeg, Department of Chemistry
AREVA Resources Canada Inc.
Bronze Sponsorship
University of Winnipeg, Environmental Studies Program
THANK YOU!
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Conference Information:
Organizing Committee:
Co-chairs: Dr. Charles S. Wong, Dr. Mark L. Hanson
Dept. of Toxicology Staff at The University of Saskatchewan:
Fiona Price, Adriana Brown
Platform presenters: Powerpoint presentations should be submitted to Dr. Jules
Carlson before 08:00 AM on Friday, June 24th . Any presentations sent to
winnipegpncabstracts@gmail.com by Wednesday, June 22nd will be uploaded and
available. Powerpoint submission can be found in Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall from
07:30 onward. Please keep your Powerpoint presentation files in 2007 (Mac
2008) or earlier format. In addition, please identify yourself to the Session Chair
before the session begins.
Program Chair: Dr. Jules C. Carlson
Registration Chair: Jennifer E. Low
Student Liaison: Sarah A. Beattie
Emergency information:
If emergency services are needed phone 911 (8-911 from a campus phone).
For Campus Emergency dial 786-6666 (6666 from a campus phone).
Campus Security can also be found at the entrance to Centennial Hall on the
first floor.
The SETAC - PNC registration desk is located in front of the Eckhardt –
Gramatté main entrance. Eckhardt-Gramatté is located at the south end of
Centennial Hall on the third floor.
Registration hours are from 07:00 – 12:00, Friday, June 24th, 2011
Registration fees: Your registration fee covers the costs associated with your
entry to all scientific sessions, as well as the following meals, refreshment
breaks and receptions:
• Morning coffee break
• Lunch
• Afternoon coffee break
Name badges: Please wear your name badge during all meeting activities.
Cell phone etiquette: Please turn off or mute your cell phones during the
scientific sessions and plenaries.
Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in all buildings at the University of Winnipeg.
Poster presenters: Each poster has a unique number in the program book that
corresponds to a poster board.
Please bring your posters to the registration desk on Friday, June 24th from 7:00
AM to 8:00 AM. We will put up your posters and take them down and return
them to you. Please come from 5:15 PM to 6:00 PM to pick up your posters, or as
announced in the session.
It is important that students are present next to their poster during the Poster
Session held between 11:00 AM and 12:10 PM.
Our evening social will be located at Hu’s on First (1 Portage Avenue East)
starting at 6:15 PM. There will be a bus to take registrants to the event leaving
outside Duckworth Building at 6:15 PM. From the large covered restaurant
balcony we will be able to watch a Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball game. First pitch
is at 7:00 PM. The bus will bring you back to The University of Winnipeg at the
end of the game.
Silent Auction: All books and other items will be available to view for the day.
The silent auction will close after the afternoon coffee break, and winners will be
announced at the Banquet.
Any book purchased for under $20 will be a cash-only sale , and books that sell
for more than $20 can be paid for by cash or cheque. Please make your cheque
payable to: The Prairie Northern Chapter of SETAC .
We would like to express our gratitude to SETAC for donating a variety of
books and other items for our meeting.
Platform Presentations SETAC - PNC - MORNING
8:10 AM - KEYNOTE
Chemical contamination in aquatic ecosystems under a
changing climate: early warnings from the polar regions
Feiyue
Wang1
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8:40 AM
EEM – An Example of why Experimental Design Matters
Huebert, Dave 1
1 Stantec
Consulting, 603-386 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 3R6, ph: 942-2505
Center for Earth Observation Science, Department of Environment and Geography,
and Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
email: dave.huebert@stantec.com
E-mail: wangf@ms.umanitoba.ca
Key Words: EEM, metal mining
Key Words: mercury, arctic ecosystems, bioaccumulation, climate change
The Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) program has been in place since
2002, when the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations were registered. The purpose
of the EEM guidance document as written was, “to evaluate the effects of mine
effluent on the aquatic environment”, and was designed to achieve “national
uniformity” in monitoring, and “to provide guidance on recommended
standards of good scientific practice…”. Unfortunately, there are currently at
least three serious methodological and/or statistical deficiencies within the
metal mines Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) program. First, the basic
study design is pseudo-replicated. The result is that the study is confounded;
differences between reference and impacted sites could be due to natural
variability, or effluent impacts. Second, the probability of a Type 1 error is
misrepresented, and is not 10% as stated, but actually over 60%. Third,
calculation errors introduced into development of the Bray-Curtis Index (BCI)
result in a bias towards finding an ‘effect’ under almost any ecological
circumstance. Together, these three deficiencies result in an almost certain
finding of ‘effect’, even in the absence of environmental ‘impact’. Examination
of 26 EEM datasets from nine mines located across the country indicated a
mining ‘effect’ for 85% of datasets when using the basic EEM protocol. This
dropped to 71% when the BCI was re-calculated, and to 53% when alpha was
appropriately defined. Finally, for the five sites where reference sites could be
replicated, there was no indication of an ‘effect’ at any of the five sites. These
results highlight the importance of proper experimental design, and strongly
suggest that the EEM requires modification to eliminate current methodological
deficiencies.
1
The stubbornly high and spatiotemporally variable concentrations of mercury
(Hg) in Arctic marine mammals have been a major subject of scientific
research and policy debate. There is no doubt that Hg emission from
anthropogenic activities in southern latitudes has played a major role in Hg
contamination in Arctic marine ecosystems. What makes the Hg
contamination phenomenon in the Arctic especially puzzling is, however, the
apparent lack of an atmospheric-biological dose-response relationship in
recent decades. Based on extensive research in the Arctic Ocean, we recently
published a hypothesis that, under a rapidly changing climate, internal postdepositional processes within the system can overtake external emission
sources in controlling Hg bioaccumulation in aquatic ecosystems. This
hypothesis is further supported by new studies on the role of a changing sea
ice environment on the transport, transformation and uptake of Hg in the
Arctic Ocean. We argue that what is happening with Hg in the Arctic Ocean
could also occur elsewhere and for certain other chemical contaminants such
as PCBs. This shift in the paradigms in driving chemical bioaccumulation
suggests that during a rapidly changing climate, emission control of these
contaminants will be followed by long delays before ensuing reduction is seen
in food-web levels. The response lag makes it all the more urgent for
controlling further loading of these contaminants into key environmental
reservoirs. It also highlights the importance of both long-term and short-term
risk management of chemical contamination under a changing climate.
Platform Presentations SETAC – PNC - MORNING
9:00 AM
Declines in methyl mercury bioaccumulation in the recovery
phase of a whole-ecosystem mercury addition experiment
(METAALICUS)
Paterson, Michael1, Blanchfield, Paul1, Hintelmann, Holger2, Harris, Reed3
1Fisheries
& Oceans Canada, Winnipeg MB;
Harris Environmental Ltd, Oakville ON.
2Trent University,
Peterborough, ON;
3Reed
6
9:20 AM
The (non) effect of calcium on copper-induced olfactory
dysfunction in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)
Dew, William A. 1 and Pyle, Greg G. 1
1Aquatic
Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology Lab, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay ON.
Email: wdew@lakeheadu.ca
Author e-mail: Michael.paterson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Key Words: calcium, copper, EOG, olfaction
Key Words: Mercury, Bioaccumulation, atmospheric emissions
Calcium is protective of the lethal effects of copper in fathead minnows
(Pimephales promelas). Considerable research has demonstrated that calcium
may compete with copper at physiologically-sensitive binding sites, or ‘biotic
ligands’ (typically gills of fishes), which inhibits copper uptake and subsequent
toxicity. Toxicological predictions by the biotic ligand model (BLM) are adjusted
to consider the protective effects of calcium. Recent research has demonstrated
that sublethal copper exposure can inhibit fathead minnow olfaction and
olfactory-mediated behaviours, however, the effect of calcium on the protection
of these sublethal effects of copper has not been thoroughly investigated. The
purpose of this study was to determine whether or not calcium was protective
against copper toxicity in olfactory epithelium. Fathead minnows were exposed
to sublethal concentrations of waterborne copper, calcium, and copper and
calcium together for 1 h to 96 h in soft water. Olfactory acuity was measured as
the neurophysiological response to chemosensory stimuli at the olfactory
epithelium using electrolfactography (EOG) and standard behavioural assays
using calcium as a behavioural stimulus. Results indicated that not only is
calcium not protective of the sublethal effects of copper at the olfactory
epithelium, but it also has its own inhibitory effects on olfaction. Used as a
chemosensory stimulus, calcium can induce a behavioural and EOG response
similar to that of other chemosensory stimuli. Taken together, these results
suggest that calcium does not protect against olfactory copper toxicity as it does
in the gill. Any future olfactory-based BLM should consider calcium, not as a
competing cation, but a metal capable of inducing its own independent effects
on fish olfaction.
The objective of the METAALICUS project is to determine how much and how
quickly changes in mercury (Hg) deposition will affect methyl mercury (MeHg)
bioaccumulation in the aquatic food web. We added enriched stable Hg
isotopes to a lake and its catchment at the Experimental Lakes Area between
2001 and 2007 we are now following ecosystem recovery. By adding different
isotopes to the lake, upland, and wetland areas of the catchment we
examined the relative importance of these areas to MeHg production and
bioaccumulation. Hg applied directly to the lake was quickly methylated and
MeHg levels in small fish and invertebrates increased by 35-60% within 3 years
for small fish and invertebrates and 5-6 years for large fish, with all members
of the food web appearing to reach a new steady state by 2007. Following
cessation of Hg inputs in 2007, concentrations of MeHg derived from the lake
isotope rapidly declined in the food web for shorter-lived organisms. Isotopes
applied to the catchment surrounding the study lake have remained near or
below detection levels in aquatic biota throughout the study. Our results
imply that decreases in atmospheric Hg deposition will result in lower MeHg
accumulation in aquatic food webs and that the response will depend on the
relative contribution of the catchment to overall lake Hg budgets. Lakes
receiving most of their Hg from direct deposition to the lake surface will see
more rapid responses than lakes primarily receiving Hg from catchment
runoff.
Platform Presentations SETAC – PNC - MORNING
9:40 AM
The effects of seleno-methionine in three salmonid species;
rainbow trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout
Pilgrim, Nicole1, Rasmussen, Joseph1, Palace, Vince2, Hontela, Alice1
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10:20 AM
Characterization of Athabasca Oil Sands Constituents by
Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography
Ross, Matthew S1; Wang, Yuan1; Rowland, Steven J2 and Martin, Jonathan W1
Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB,
Canada
2 School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth,
Plymouth, Devon, U.K.
1
1University
of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4
2Department of Fisheries and Oceans, 501 University Cres., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N6
E-mail: nicole.pilgrim@uleth.ca
E-mail: msross@ualberta.ca
Key words: selenium, salmonid, reproduction
Key words: Oil Sands, LCxLC, water monitoring
This project investigates the effects of maternally transferred selenomethionine (Se-met) on reproductive and physiological endpoints in rainbow
trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout. It has been suggested that native
rainbow trout are more susceptible to the teratogenic effects of Se than brook
trout due to oxidative stress caused by selenium compounds creating
superoxide radicals. Cutthroat trout are reported to have increased mortality
at fertilization. To test hypothesis that species-specific sensitivities to Se exist
and to investigate the mechanisms underlying these differences, trout were
fed diets of 0, 15, and 40 µg Se/g (dw) for approximately 5 months prior to
spawning. Tissue and blood samples were taken from adult fish at spawning.
Eggs were fertilized and placed in a vertical incubator or under 10-15 cm of
gravel in experimental flumes, to assess deformities and swim-up success. In
rainbow trout and brook trout plasma thyroid hormones T3 and T4 decreased
compared to pre-treatment controls. dose-dependent decrease in plasma
cortisol was detected in both rainbow trout and brook trout adults. Liver LPO
and GSH were higher in adult fish fed selenium enriched diets. Swim-up
success was significantly lower in the high treatment for both species. Analysis
of the terotogenic effects of Se in the larvae of the three salmonid species are
in progress. This study will provide comparative data for the reproductive
effects of selenium in three salmonid species for use in species-specific risk
assessment of selenium. (Funded by MITHE-SN and ACA)
The toxicity of oil sands process water (OSPW) has been mainly attributed to a
complex mixture of large (C8-C22) aliphatic and alicyclic carboxylic acids, called
naphthenic acids (NAs; CnH2n-zO2). However, a number of NA-like compounds
containing heteroatoms (i.e. N, S, O), aromatic groups, or multiple carboxylic
acid moieties are also reported to be present in OSPW. Partial identification of
OSPW components often relies on ultra high resolution mass spectrometry (MS),
but even by this method the ‘identification’ of compounds is limited to chemical
formula, with little information about chemical structure. Two-dimensional (2D)
gas chromatography-MS has allowed identification of numerous NA, but usually
has the disadvantage of low resolution MS and often requires a derivatization
step. The goal of the present work was to further characterize NA and NA-like
components of OSPW by novel comprehensive two-dimensional (2D) HPLC with
high resolution or tandem MS detection. Structure-retention relationships were
studied by utilizing a series of “model” NAs, facilitating prediction of compound
structure based on two-dimensional retention time. In the first dimension, NAs
could be separated from their oxidized products, while a combination of first
and second dimension separation was needed to separate NAs from aromatic
and heteroatom containing compounds. The improved chromatographic
resolution over one-dimensional systems allowed for the collection of tandem
mass spectra of individual NA components, aiding in compound identification.
The 2D HPLC method was further applied to investigate the unique compound
fingerprints in commercial NAs, OSPW, and environmental samples from the
Athabasca River and surrounding area.
Platform Presentations SETAC – PNC - MORNING
10:40 AM
Developmental effects of exposure to ozonated and untreated
oil sands process water on C. dilutus larvae
Anderson, Julie1, Wiseman, Steve B.1, Wang, Nan2, Perez, Leonidas3, Gamal ElDin, Mohamed2, Martin, Jonathan W.3, Liber, Karsten,1,4 and Giesy, John
P.1,5,6,7
1 Toxicology
Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta,
Edmonton, AB
3 Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta,
Edmonton, AB
4 School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
5 Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, SK
6 Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR,
Peoples Republic of China
7 Department of Zoology and Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, MI, USA
2 Department of
Email: julie.anderson@usask.ca
Key Words: reclamation, pupation, emergence
Increasing energy demands are driving a shift from conventional oil sources to
alternatives such as oil sands. Canada hosts the second largest oil reserves,
with the majority located within the Alberta oil sands. Oil sands development
has raised considerable environmental concern, with water use representing a
key issue. Bitumen extraction processes result in saline, alkaline oil sands
process water (OSPW). OSPW has high concentrations of naphthenic acids,
which are believed to be responsible for acute and chronic toxicity of OSPW.
Companies are held to a zero-discharge policy so over 1 billion m3 of OSPW are
in settling ponds and this will increase as production continues. Ozonation has
been identified as a potential method to eliminate OSPW toxicity. To assess
the effectiveness of ozonation, we initiated studies with the benthic
invertebrate Chironomus dilutus. OSPW was ozonated using 30 or 80 mg/L of
O3, and both ozonation levels were examined for effects on C. dilutus
larvae following a 10-day and a long-term exposure. OSPW-exposed larvae
were 64-77% smaller than their respective controls following the 10-day
exposure (p<0.05). Organisms exposed to 30 mg/L-ozonated-OSPW were no
smaller than the controls (p=0.486). Larvae in 80 mg/L-ozonated-OSPW were
only 40% smaller than the controls (p <0.001). Long-term exposure to OSPW
delayed male pupation (p<0.007) and reduced adult emergence (p<0.05).
While emergence was significantly less than controls in 80mg/L-ozonatedOSPW, ozonation still provided a significant improvement from untreated
OSPW. These results suggest ozonation of OSPW can potentially attenuate
growth inhibition effects, eliminate reductions in survival, and improve
pupation and emergence success. Presently, we are investigating the
molecular basis for the effects of OSPW and ozonated-OSPW on growth and
developmental effects.’
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Platform Presentations SETAC – PNC - AFTERNOON
1:10 PM - KEYNOTE
The Environmental Safety of Pesticides in a Changing Climate
Hoekstra, Paul 1
1 Syngenta Crop
Protection Canada, Inc., Guelph, ON
1:40 PM
Atmospheric Deposition of Selected Pesticides in an Urban
Environment
Andronak, Lindsey1 and Farenhorst, Annemieke1
1
E-mail: paul.hoekstra@syngenta.com
Key Words: pesticides, regulatory, effects, modelling, monitoring
The world’s growing population and the demand for food are placing a greater
importance on sustainable agriculture. Various technologies, including
pesticides, play a vital role in meeting this challenge. The proper use of these
compounds promotes human health by providing an abundant, high quality and
affordable food supply. Unfortunately, information reported in the media often
portrays to the general public that pesticides are poorly regulated or not
rigorously tested. In reality, the Canadian pesticide industry is stringently
regulated by Health Canada as mandated under the Federal Pest Control
Products Act. Before a pesticide product can be legally sold and used in Canada,
it undergoes a comprehensive suite of human and environmental testing (e.g.,
environmental toxicology, fate parameters) and scientific assessment to ensure
it does not pose an unacceptable risk to non-target organisms. During this
presentation, various aspects of the Canadian regulatory process, with emphasis
on the environmental safety of pesticides, will be discussed. The role of
pesticides as part of a system-wide approach to modern agriculture will be
presented, along with their beneficial impact on water, land, and biodiversity in
the face of various pressures facing the agricultural industry and society.
Department of Soil Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N2
E-mail: umandron@cc.umanitoba.ca
Key Words: atmospheric deposition, urban, malathion, 2,4-D
Bulk atmospheric deposition, consisting of both rainfall and particulate matter,
is an example of a non-point source by which pesticides can enter surface
waters in rural regions of Manitoba. However, pesticides are also applied in
urban environments such as the City of Winnipeg for which the occasional use
of malathion to control adult mosquito populations is most often debated by
its citizens. The objective of this study was to monitor deposition levels of
seventy-two pesticides at two locations in southern Winnipeg. Bulk deposition
samples were collected weekly during the period of May to September 2010
and rainfall volume and intensity were also recorded. A total of nineteen
pesticides were detected. 2,4-D had the highest rate of detection with 94% of
samples having detectable levels followed by glyphosate (66%). Malathion was
detected in 42% of the samples and only occurred from late June to August,
the majority of which followed application of malathion by the City of
Winnipeg. Atrazine, a chemical with generally very low usage in Manitoba, was
detected in 39% of the samples with the majority of detections occurring from
May to July, possibly reflecting spring applications of the herbicide in the
United States. No legacy pesticides (α-benzene hexachloride (α-BHC), γ-BHC)
were detected in any of the samples. In addition to being detected in weeks
with rainfall, glyphosate, 2,4-D, atrazine, dicamba, bromoxynil, MCPA, MCPP
and malathion were all detected during a week withoutrainfall, therefore
demonstrating that deposition of particulate matter is a contributor to overall
atmospheric deposition of those pesticides. The study will continue during the
period of May to September 2011.
9
Platform Presentations SETAC – PNC - AFTERNOON
2:00 PM
Atmospheric pesticide impacts on Prairie Pothole Wetlands
Messing, Paul1, Farenhorst, Annemieke1, Waite, Don2, Sproull, Jim3, Humphries,
David4, McQueen, Ross1
1Department of
Soil Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg
Quality Research Division, Environment Canada, Regina
3Prairie& Northern Laboratory for Environmental Testing, Environment Canada,
Edmonton
4Alberta Research Council, Environmental Monitoring & Health, Vegreville, AB
2Air
2:20 PM
Characterization of priority organic compound releases to
Prairie rural waters from wastewater treatment lagoons
Carlson, Jules C,1,2 Challis, Jonathan K,1 Low, Jennifer E,1 Wong, Charles S,1
Hanson, Mark L,2 and Buhay, Bill M3
Richardson College for the Environment, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB
Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
3 University of Winnipeg, Department of Geography, Winnipeg MB
1
2
E-mail: farenhor@cc.umanitoba.ca
Email: carlsonj@cc.umanitoba.ca
Key Words: pesticides, atmospheric deposition, prairie wetlands, aquatic
invertebrates
Key Words: Organic Pollutants, Wastewater Treatment, LC/MS/MS
The Prairie Pothole Region of North America is an area of approximately 715,000
km2 and contains millions of wetlands, a large portion being closely associated
with agricultural cropland. The aim of this research was to monitor air
concentrations of pesticides and to assess the impact of atmospheric deposition
of pesticides on prairie wetland water quality. The impact of elevated levels of
herbicides on aquatic invertebrates was also assessed.
The concentrations of currently-used herbicides in air decreased with increasing
distance from areas in which their agricultural use was concentrated. For a
research site located in a region with greater pesticide use, although not applied
on the site, eight herbicides registered for use in Canada were all frequently
detected (92-100%) throughout the crop growing season.
For those pesticides with both wet and dry deposition detections, dry
deposition contributed 12 to 51% of the total deposition over the crop growing
season. For a range of herbicides, their concentrations detected in the wetland
water-column could be estimated based on pesticide inputs from bulk (wet +
dry) deposits alone.
Herbicide additions to ephemeral or permanent wetlands had no significant
short-term effects on the invertebrate community. However, differences in
invertebrate abundances and composition were evident between the
ephemeral and permanent wetlands.
The impact of climate change on prairie wetland hydrology and species
composition needs to be further explored. Climate change could also lead to
changes in the types and amounts of pesticides entering prairie wetlands.
10
Releases of organic contaminants from wastewater lagoons systems on the
Canadian Prairies has become an area of increased scientific interest, and few
studies have attempted to characterize the actual exposure to aquatic
ecosystems from these facilities. Typically, in rural areas with wastewater
lagoons, large volumes of waste are stored and then released over short
periods. To address the uncertainty around ecological exposure, we
monitored for 43 pharmaceuticals and pesticides in a small creek in southern
Manitoba and in the wastewater lagoons of two small towns (combined
population ca. 18000) that are released into the creek at a number of
locations. Sampling was performed by grab samples and passive samples
collected on Passive Organic Chemical Integrated Samplers (POCIS) and
analysis was performed by LC/MS/MS. We found thirteen pharmaceuticals
and pesticides were detected at concentrations up to 275 ng/L in lagoons and
471 ng/L in the creek. Presence of organic contaminants followed their
expected use patterns. Pharmaceuticals used primarily for human use were
largely only found downstream of the lagoons and only after the lagoons were
released while pesticides and veterinary-use pharmaceuticals could be found
at any site before or after wastewater was released. Will the concentrations
observed were not deemed to be an acute risk for aquatic organisms as single
compounds, the complexity of the mixture and the lack of chronic data
demonstrates a need for improved treatment methods to lower the
concentrations to which aquatic life is exposed.
Platform Presentations SETAC – PNC - AFTERNOON
2:40 PM
Direct Photochemistry of selected sulfonamide antibiotic
pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment
Challis, Jonathan1,†; Carlson, Jules1,2; Wong, Charles1; Friesen, Kenneth1; Hanson,
Mark2.
1 – Richardson College for the Environment, University of Winnipeg
2 – Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba
E-mail: challis-j@webmail.uwinnipeg.ca
Key Words: quantum yield, photochemistry, pharmaceuticals
The averaged direct photolytic quantum yields of the two sulfonamide
antibiotics sulfapyridine (SPYR) and sulfamethoxazole (SMXZ) were characterized
over a 290-330 nm wavelength range as a function of protonation state (pH), to
assess the ability of SPYR and SMXZ to undergo direct photolysis, an important
contributor to their degradation in the aquatic environment. Time-based direct
photochemical rate constants and quantum yields were determined using a
merry-go-round photochemical reactor for both SPYR and SMXZ in singly
deprotonated, and doubly deprotonated states, as well as at an environmentally
relevant pH (pH 7).
The first and second pKa of SPYR were found to be 2.2 ± 0.01 and 8.58 ± 0.02
respectively, via a spectrophotometric titration method, a result previously
unreported from experimental measurement. The photochemical reactivity of
SPYR was found to increase with increasing pH, despite a reduction in its molar
absorption coefficient. The quantum yields of SPYR at pH 5, 7, and 11 were
0.002 ± 0.001, 0.003 ± 0.001, and 0.02 ± 0.01 respectively. This increase in
quantum yield with pH has been observed for other sulfonamides, but was
previously unreported for sulfapyridine. The relatively large quantum yields at
an environmental pH and significant light absorption at solar light wavelengths
(> 290 nm), for both SPYR and SMXZ, suggests that direct photolysis is a major
removal mechanism of these compounds and thus will be quickly removed in
surface waters.
11
3:00 PM
All Mixed Up: Phenotypic Plasticity in a Genotypic World
Tompsett, Amber1, Wiseman, Steve1, Higley, Eric1, Giesy, John P.1,2, Hecker,
Markus1,3
1Toxicology
Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
3School of the Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
2Department
E-mail: amber.tompsett@usask.ca
Key Words: Ethinylestradiol, phenotypic plasticity, sexual determination
Xenopus laevis exhibits a genetic system of sexual determination where
females have a ZW sex chromosome complement and males have a ZZ
complement. Since the Z and W chromosomes are morphologically
indistinguishable, determining the genotype of an X. laevis individual was not
possible until the recent discovery of a W-linked gene. Previously, multiple
studies have shown that exposure to potent estrogens at critical times during
development can cause feminization and/or demasculinization of X. laevis,
including male to female phenotypic sex reversal at adequate doses. Given
that genotyping of X. laevis has only recently become possible, these past
studies were rarely able to make concrete linkages between genetic and
phenotypic sex. Therefore, to further characterize the relationship between
genotype and phenotype, X. laevis tadpoles were exposed to 0.1, 1, or 10 µg/L
17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), the estrogen analog commonly used in oral
contraceptives, from 12 h post-oviposition through 13 wks post-hatch.
Genotyping showed that genetic sex ratios were similar among treatments.
However, morphological evaluation revealed that phenotypic sex ratios were
altered in all EE2 treatments. While some animals did exhibit complete male
to female phenotypic sex reversal, a surprising number of individuals displayed
various intersex conditions that were only diagnosed upon histological
examination. The impacts of these conditions on fitness are unknown but
likely to be more complex than sex reversal on an individual basis. The
relatively great number of intersex animals is probably a result of estrogens
functioning downstream of the initial molecular signals of sexual
differentiation. Thus, genetically male animals receive mixed endogenous
male and exogenous female signals that cause disordered sexual
development. RNA samples are being analyzed with an Illumina sequencer to
characterize the molecular signature of abnormal sexual development.
Platform Presentations SETAC – PNC - AFTERNOON
3:40 PM - KEYNOTE
Aquatic Ecotoxicology in Times of Climate Change: A
Canadian Prairies Perspective
Markus Hecker1
Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N
5B3
1
E-mail: markus.hecker@usask.ca
12
4:10 PM
Factors Affecting Phase I Enantioselective Biotransformation of
Chiral Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) by Cytochrome P-450
Isozymes and Production of Hydroxylated Metabolites
Lu, Zhe1 and Wong, Charles 1,2
1Department of
Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada;
College for the Environment, Environmental Studies Program and
Department of Chemistry, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9, Canada
2Richardson
Key Words: aquatic ecotoxicology, climate change, hydrology, risk assessment
E-mail: umlvz@cc.umanitoba.ca
The predicted trends in average annual temperatures, wetter and dryer climates
in certain regions, and increasing extreme weather events as a consequence of
climate change will have significant impacts on current ecotoxicological issues.
These changes include but are not limited to the extrapolation of risks among
different climatic regions, changing environmental fates of contaminants, and
potential shifts in tolerance to pollution due to the costs of adaptation or
changes of biological systems to the new climatic conditions. There is consensus
that changes in climate will vary greatly among geographical regions. With
respect to the Canadian Prairies recent studies predicted that there will be an
increase in average annual temperatures with trends towards wetter winters
and dryer summers. Possible consequences of such changes would be higher
spring runoff events and lower summer flow-rates, resulting in altered
contaminant fluxes and exposure scenarios. In fact, during the past years the
Prairie Provinces have witnessed an increase in extreme hydrological events
such as floods. Ecotoxicological risks associated with such events include the resuspension of contaminated sediments or increased run-off from urban or
agricultural surfaces during floods, and reduced dilution of effluents and
concentration of contaminants during draughts. This presentation will provide
an overview over the possible impacts climate change will have on current
issues in aquatic ecotoxicology from a global and regional (Prairie) perspective.
Furthermore, it will discuss recent approaches and future research needs to
address the specific challenges associated with (aquatic) ecotoxicology and risk
assessment under changing climatic conditions.
Key words: Chiral PCBs; Rat CYP2B1; Enantioselectivity; Biotransformation
In vitro incubations of rat cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2B1 with three chiral
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) congeners (PCB 45, PCB 95 and PCB 132) were
performed to investigate factors affecting phase I enantioselective
biotransformation. Rat CYP2B1 preferentially biotransformed the second-eluting
atropisomer of PCBs 45 and 95 at low substrate concentration ranges (≤15μM).
Competitive biotransformation from different congeners was also observed,
with increasing competition at higher chlorination. Competition decreased the
biotransformation rates of each congener enantioselectively, affecting
enantiomeric composition. No enantiomeric enrichment was observed for PCB
132 upon incubation of the racemate. However, significant differences in
biotransformation kinetics were observed in individual atropisomer incubations,
indicating that the biotransformation of (+)-PCB 132 and (-)-PCB 132 was a
competition process. Homology modeling and docking studies suggested that
each atropisomer had different interactions with rat CYP2B1, and could dock
with the isozyme at different locations. This is one possible explanation for
enantioselective biotransformation and competitive biotransformation of chiral
PCBs at the molecular level. Our results suggest that the lack of predictive
capability for enantioselectivity of PCBs and other chiral pollutants in biota may
because of competitive activities of different chiral substrates, including
enantiomers.
Platform Presentations SETAC – PNC - AFTERNOON
13
4:30 PM
Composition of fluorinated surfactants in aqueous filmforming foams
4:50 PM
Does early life exposure to perfluorinated chemicals affect
airway responsiveness?
Asher, Brian J.1*, De Silva, Amila2, Spencer, Christine2, Sluiter, Andrew3,
Sattar, Saleem3
Loewen, Mark1, Basu, Sujata1, HayGlass, Kent1, Halayko, Andrew1, Becker, Allan1,
Nikoobakht, Neda1, Wong, Charles S.2, Bondy, Genevieve3, Wan, Yi4, Nail,
Jonathan4, Jones, Paul4, Giesy, John P.5,6,7
Contaminated Sites Division, Health Canada
Aquatic Ecosystem Protection Research Division, Environment Canada
3 Infrastructure and Environment, National Defence
1
2
E-mail: brian.asher@hc-sc.gc.ca
Key words: AFFFs, fire fighting foam, fluorinated surfactants,
fluorotelomer sulfonates
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is an industrial product widely used for
extinguishing hydrocarbon fuel fires, with significant usage at military
installations and airports. AFFFs are primarily made up of water, but often
contain between one and six percent of a fluorosurfactant, an important
component necessary for coating hydrocarbon fuel. Past formulations, which
have since been phased out, were known to contain perfluorooctanoic acid
(PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), the latter of which is listed as
a persistent organic pollutant under the Stockholm Convention. However,
since the compositions of AFFFs are proprietary, the contribution of other
fluorosurfactants, potentially relevant to both human and ecological health, to
AFFF mixtures is largely unknown. In this study, liquid chromatography
tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) was employed to quantify several
flourosuractants, including perfluoroalkylcarboxylates,
perfluoroalkylsulfonates, and fluorotelomer sulfonates, in several current-use
foam formulations. Knowledge of the composition of these prevalent
products can guide the assessment, management, and remediation of
contaminated sites. This knowledge can also aid in directing the future
development of environmental quality guidelines.
1
Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba
Richardson College for the Environment, University of Winnipeg
3 Toxicology Research Division, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON
4 School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
5 Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
6 State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of
Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Peoples Republic of China
7 Department of Zoology and Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East
Lansing, MI, USA
2
E-mail: mloewen@cc.umanitoba.ca
Key Words: perfluorinated chemicals, early-life exposure, lung and immune
response
Early life exposures to perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) have been shown to alter
lung and immune function in animal models. Although several animal exposure
models have been used to test ingestible PFC toxicity using gavage methods at
high concentrations, we chose to expose timed-pregnant Balb/C dams from
gestational day 2, to 4mg/kg diet perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) or
perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)] mixed into Purina 5001 rodent chow.
Pregnant dams were selected to feed on either a control or contaminated diet
ad-libitum (~ 4-6g/day) through pregnancy and lactation. Pups continued on
the same diet as their mother. Chemically exposed and control groups were
split into 2 arms, one of which was sensitized with ovalbumin intraperitoneally
on day 58 and 66 and intranasally on days 66,67 and 68 to test if allergically
sensitized animals will be affected differently. On day 70 mice were
anesthetized and a catheter was inserted into their trachea. Airways were then
challenged with increasing doses of aerosolized metacholine and lung mechanics
were measured using a Flexivent. Preliminary data suggests that both PFOA and
PFOS are capable of causing increased airway resistance when compared to
controls. This suggests that early life exposures to PFCs may be associated with
increasing airway hyperresponsiveness in the human population.
14
15
Morning Programme - Program Chair: Dr. Jules C. Carlson
Time
Location
Presenter
Title
07:30
Manitoba Hall 2M70
SETAC Chapter
SETAC Chapter Meeting
08:00
Eckhardt-Gramatté
SETAC and UW Officials
Introductory Remarks
Chemical contamination in aquatic ecosystems under a
changing climate: early warnings from the polar regions
08:10
Wang, Feiyue
08:40
Huebert, Dave
09:00
Paterson, Michael
EEM – An Example of why Experimental Design Matters
Declines in methyl mercury bioaccumulation in the
recovery phase of a whole-ecosystem mercury addition
experiment (METAALICUS)
Dew, William
The (non) effect of calcium on copper-induced olfactory
dysfunction in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas)
Pilgrim, Nicole
The effects of seleno-methionine in three salmonid
species; rainbow trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout
09:20
09:40
10:00
COFFEE BREAK
10:20
Ross, Matthew
Characterization of Athabasca Oil Sands Constituents by
Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography
10:40
Anderson, Julie
Developmental effects of exposure to ozonated and
untreated oil sands process water on C. dilutus larvae
11:00
Richardson College
for the Environment
& Science Complex
Colour Legend
See list of posters in poster abstract section pages 18-29
Meeting
Plenary Talk
Organizational
Platform
Poster
Afternoon Programme - Program Chair: Dr. Mark L. Hanson
Time
12:10
01:10
01:40
02:00
16
Location
Presenter
Title
Richardson College
for the Environment
Chemical contamination in aquatic ecosystems under a
& Science Complex Organizers and Sponsors changing climate: early warnings from the polar regions
The Environmental Safety of Pesticides in a Changing
Eckhardt-Gramatté
Paul Hoesktra
Climate
Atmospheric Deposition of Selected Pesticides in an
Andronak, Lindsey
Urban Environment
Farenhorst, Annemieke
Atmospheric pesticide impacts on Prairie Pothole
Wetlands
02:20
Carlson, Jules
02:40
Challis, Jonathan
Characterization of priority organic compound releases to
Prairie rural waters from wastewater treatment lagoons
Direct photochemistry of selected sulphonamide antibiotic
pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment
03:00
Tompsett, Amber
All Mixed Up: Phenotypic Plasticity in a Genotypic World
03:20
03:40
Hecker, Markus
04:10
Lu, Zhe
04:30
Asher, Brian
04:50
Loewen, Mark
05:10
05:30
COFFEE BREAK
Aquatic Ecotoxicology in Times of Climate Change: A
Canadian Prairies Perspective
Factors Affecting Phase I Enantioselective
Biotransformation of Chiral Polychlorinated Biphenyls
(PCBs) by Cytochrome P-450 Isozymes and Production of
Hydroxylated Metabolites
Composition of fluorinated surfactants in aqueous filmforming foams
Does early life exposure to perfluorinated chemicals affect
airway responsiveness?
SETAC PN Organizers Closing Remarks
Adjourned – Join us for the Banquet at Hu’s on First starting at 6:15 PM
17
Poster Presentations SETAC - PNC
18
Poster 01: Reproductive endpoints of fathead minnows
(Pimephales promelas) exposed to agricultural drain waters in
southern Alberta
Poster 02: Effects of pH and membrane pore size on aqueous
passive sampling rates of selected polar organic compounds: A
lab calibration study
Annett, Robert 1, Hontela, Dr. Alice1. Habibi, Dr. Hamid2
Beattie, Sarah A1., Elmayergi, Basil H. 1, Wong, Charles S. 1
1. University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4
2. University of Calgary, Department of Biological Sciences, 2500 University Dr. N.W.
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
1Richardson
E-mail: robert.annett@uleth.ca
Key Words: agricultural runoff, endocrine disrupting chemicals, pesticide
exposure, non-point source contamination.
The Oldman River basin in southern Alberta is among the most highly
impacted watersheds in Canada. The combination of urban and rural uses
places significant stress on the often limited supply of surface water. The
highly variable flow regime of the Oldman River produces periods of low river
flow combined with high levels of irrigation use, amplifying the overall
potential for surface water contamination. Contamination sources, including
pesticide residues and runoff from confined feeding operations, combine to
produce an environment with the potential to alter normal vertebrate
physiology. The purpose of this study is to determine the biological effects of
exposure to agricultural drain waters using fathead minnow (Pimephales
promelas) as a sentinel fish species.
Fathead minnows were collected from irrigation canals and agricultural drains
within the Bow River Irrigation District during the summer and autumn of
2009/2010 and tissue samples were collected for biochemical analysis.
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was determined and used as a marker for
organophosphate pesticide exposure, while liver samples were collected and
analyzed for vitellogenin gene induction. Results of these analyses, combined
with water quality data, suggest both a spatial and temporal pattern of
increased pesticide exposure during the sampling period. Additionally, these
data suggest a role for wetlands in buffering contamination within the
irrigation drainage flows prior to returning to the Oldman River. (Funded by
Alberta Water Research Institute).
College for the Environment, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
E-mail: sabeattie23@gmail.com
Key Words: POCIS, pH, membrane pore size, calibration
Sampling rates for the Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler (POCIS) were
determined for 15 current-use pharmaceuticals and organic commercial
products commonly found in wastewaters and surface waters as a function of
pH. While the development of passive samplers such as the POCIS has greatly
advanced environmental monitoring of aqueous polar organic contaminants, the
ionization state of the analyte may have an effect on its uptake by the
sequestration material of the device given possible differences in interactions
between the analyte and the sorbent. Calibration tank experiments were
conducted on water spiked with target analytes (e.g., enrofloxacin,
fluribuprofen, and pyrocatechol) at pH 4.2, 6.2 and 8.2. Solid phase extraction
was used as a sample preparation technique, and samples were analyzed via
liquid chromatography - diode array detection. Preliminary results suggest that
POCIS sampling rates for the selected compounds are not a strong function of
pH, indicating that a single sampling rate may be feasible for using POCIS to
estimate continuous time-weighted-average concentrations of emerging aquatic
pollutants.
Poster Presentations SETAC - PNC
Poster 03: Removal and Fate of Selected Pharmaceuticals by
Aquatic Plants in Mesocosms
Poster 04: Investigating the Effects of pH and Solvent on
Thyroid Hormone Extraction from Fish Plasma
Pascal Cardinal1, C.S. Wong1,2, M.L. Hanson1,3, J.C. Carlson2,3, C.W. Knapp4
Darling, Colin1, Palace, Vince1 and Tomy, Gregg1
Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB Canada R3T 2N2
Richardson College for the Environment, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB,
Canada, R3B 2E9
3 Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB
Canada R3T 2N2
4 Department of Civil Engineering, David Livingstone Centre for Sustainability, University
of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK, G1 1XN
1Fisheries
1
2
E-mail: pcard19@yahoo.com
Key Words: Pharmaceuticals, ARGs, mesocosms, HPLC-MS/MS
Pharmaceutical compounds have been discovered in our drinking water and
surface waters since the late 1990s. The major source of contamination in
rural communities is from human excretion followed by inefficient removal
from wastewater treatment plants which were not designed for removing
such pollutants. This became a concern due to the inherent biological activity
of pharmaceuticals, and the presence of antibiotic resistance genes in the
environment at low concentrations. The objective of this experiment is to
study the removal and fate of 5 pharmaceuticals: carbamazepine, clofibric
acid, fluoxetine, naproxen, and sulfamethoxazole in 3000L outdoor simulated
wetlands (mesocosms). It is hypothesized that the presence of aquatic plants
will enhance the removal of pharmaceuticals in mesocosms over time through
sorption, degradation and sequestration. Water and extracted plant samples
will be analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass
spectrometry in order to monitor pharmaceutical concentrations over time
and to provide a mass balance. The results will be used to provide further
insight in the removal efficiency and implementation of constructed wetlands
in the rural municipalities of Morden and Winkler, Manitoba. Constructed
wetlands provide tertiary treatment of wastewater by absorbing excess
nutrients and other organic pollutants and could thus be greatly useful to
Canadian and American rural communities as well as improving the health of
Lake Winnipeg.
19
and Oceans Canada, 501 University Crescent Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6 Canada
E-mail: colin.darling@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Key Words: thyroid hormone, liquid extraction, plasma, LC-MS
A growing number of environmental contaminants are known to disrupt the
thyroid system, and as a result, there is increased emphasis on the development
of reliable techniques to assess thyroid function. A simplified method based on
liquid-liquid extraction and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry is
presented for effective extraction of thyroid hormones from fish plasma. The
effect of pH on the recovery of 13C-labelled thyroid hormones was investigated,
as well as the solvent used for extraction.
Plasma was first fortified with known amounts of 13C-T2, 13C-T3, 13C-reverse T3,
and 13C-T4 and pH adjusted from 4 to 10 using ammonium hydroxide. Protein
precipitation and/or solvent extraction was studied using acetonitrile, acetone,
ethyl acetate, isopropanol, methanol, or methyl-tert-butyl ether. Recoveries (i.e.
the sum of extraction efficiency and matrix effects) were calculated for each pH
and solvent combination. The extent of matrix effects was determined using a
post-extraction spike of native T2. At plasma pH 9, methanol gave the highest
recoveries of thyroid hormones (range: 72-89 %) and also the smallest overall
ion suppression of 10 %. Method detection limits were calculated as 2.8, 3.1,
2.8, and 3.6 pg/μL for 13C-T2, 13C-T3, 13C-reverse T3, and 13C-T4, respectively.
Poster Presentations SETAC - PNC
Poster 05: Biochemical and Molecular Responses of White
Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) to an Aryl Hydrocarbon
Agonist
Doering, Jon1, Beitel, Shawn1, Tendler, Brett1, Wiseman, Steve1, Giesy, John
P.1,2,4, Hecker, Markus1,3
1Toxicology
Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
3School of the Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
4Department of Biology & Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
2Dept.
Email: jad929@mail.usask.ca
Key Words: Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor; CYP1A; EROD
Dioxin-like chemicals in some sediments can bioaccumulate into fishes to
concentrations sufficient to produce toxic effects. Benthic fishes such as
sturgeon might be at greater risk of exposure to these chemicals. Despite
their endangered status, little research has been done to characterize the
relative responsiveness of sturgeon to dioxin-like chemicals. In a first attempt
to characterize the biological effects and possible associated risks of exposure
to dioxin like chemicals in sturgeon we investigated the molecular and
biochemical responses of white sturgeon to a model aryl hydrocarbon
receptor agonist, β-naphthoflavone (BNF). Juvenile white sturgeon were
injected intraperitoneally with BNF. Rainbow trout were used as a reference
species since their responses have been well characterized in the past. Three
days following injection with one of three doses of BNF (0 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg or
500 mg/kg) fish were euthanized and gill, intestine, and liver collected for
biochemical and molecular analyses. In sturgeon all tissues had significantly
greater ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in exposed groups.
EROD activity in liver of sturgeon exposed to 50mg/kg was 37 times greater
than that of the controls, 28 times greater in the intestine, and 23 times
greater in the gill. Rainbow trout had EROD activity 88 times greater than
controls in the liver, but undetectable activity in the intestine and gill. Based
on these results, sturgeon appear to be moderately responsive to dioxin-like
chemical exposure. The greater responsiveness of the intestine and gill in
sturgeon suggests that these tissues might be of greater importance in the
biotransformation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in sturgeon than in trout.
Further research is necessary to investigate the toxicological and evolutionary
significance of the observed intestine and gill enzyme activity in sturgeon.
20
Poster 06: Characterization of Nutrient loading in Southern
Manitoba’s Dead Horse Creek
Elliott, Ashley1; Bartel, Caitlin1; Beattie, Sarah A. 1; Challis1, Jonathan K. 1; Dyck1,
Caitlin1; Thiessen, Safiya1; Carlson, Jules C. 1,2; Low, Jennifer E. 1; Cardinal, Pascal3;
MacKenzie, Scott2; Martens, Matt2; Hanson, Mark L. 2; Buhay4, William M. 4;
Bennett, Renae4; Wong, Charles S.1,3
1University
2University
2N2
3University
4University
of Winnipeg, Richardson College for the Environment, Winnipeg MB R3B 2E9
of Manitoba, Department of Environment and Geography, Winnipeg MB R2T
of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, Winnipeg MB R2T 2N2
of Winnipeg, Department of Geography, Winnipeg MB R3B 2E9
E-mail: umellio7@cc.umanitoba.ca, bartel-c@webmail.uwinnipeg.ca
Key Words: Lake Winnipeg, nutrient loading, sewage
In rural south-central Manitoba, the City of Winkler and the Town of Morden
currently use sewage lagoons as a means to manage waste water. In June and
October, these municipalities release the contents of their lagoons into Dead
Horse Creek (DHC), which is a tributary of the Red River and the Lake Winnipeg
Basin. In order to characterize the nutrient levels in DHC, field data was
collected before, during and after release in the summer of 2010. Results
showed a spike in nutrient levels, specifically nitrogen, phosphorus and
chlorophyll, downstream of the lagoons following release. This confirmed that
these sewage lagoons only provide limited nutrient removal, and are pointsources of pollution into the water system. The removal of these nutrients
before the sewage water is released would reduce the amount of nutrient
dumping into Lake Winnipeg and in turn decrease the level of anthropogenic
eutrophication. This year, monitoring of DHC nutrient levels will continue to
confirm past results, and to establish loadings and operating parameters for
ongoing work. This work will include the construction of mesocosms with
simulated constructed wetlands to quantify the effectiveness of
phytoremediation of nutrient overloading in a northern prairie environment.
Poster Presentations SETAC - PNC
Poster 07: The importance of macroinvertebrates in treating
wastewater effluents: A mesocosm study.
Alex Favreau1, Tatiana Kozlova1, Chuck Knapp2, Pascal Cardinal3, Jules
Carlson1,4, Charles Wong4, Mark Hanson1
1 Department of
Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
Department of Civil Engineering, David Livingstone Centre for Sustainability, University
of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
3 Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB
4 Richardson College for the Environment, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB
2
E-mail: a_favreau@hotmail.com
Key Words: ARG’s, treatment wetlands, zooplankton, toxicity testing
The water quality of the Lake Winnipeg watershed and its surrounding
watershed, is an important issue to many stakeholders. Local communities
discharge effluent from sewage lagoons once or twice a year into watersheds
that ultimately flow into Lake Winnipeg. These releases may be a factor in the
low water quality within the basin as a whole, especially in regards to
nutrients. However, the effects of other water quality contaminants from
these sources, such as organic micropollutants, e.g., antibiotics, and antibiotic
resistant gene-containing organisms (ARGs), in addition to the role of
treatment wetlands in their possible removal, have not been as thoroughly
investigated. We will use microcosms to model treatment wetlands to
investigate their potential role in enhancing water quality. In-situ experiments
using the standard the test organisms Daphnia magna and Hyalella azteca to
examine the effects (acute and chronic) on invertebrates of typical prairie
wastewater as well as their role in grazing, and hence removing, ARGs from
the water column and sediments, respectively. Enclosures that isolate a
section of the water column will be placed in each system to monitor
zooplankton, and likewise enclosures will be placed at the sediment-water
interface to monitor amphipods. These enclosures will isolate the organisms
in them, but allow water to pass in and out. Within each microcosm, two
enclosures will be used for toxicity testing, and two used for gut content
analysis of these organisms. Toxicity enclosures will be monitored for survival
over 14 days. After 14 days a new set of individuals will be added to the
21
enclosures and monitored another 14 days for survival and reproduction. Gut
content analysis enclosures will be collected and sampled over the same 28
day period and analyzed using qPCR analysis, targeted for specific resistance
genes. This will reveal the proportion of antibiotic-resistant and non-resistant
bacteria that the organisms are eating, and when compared to the
background populations, will indicate if either D. magna or H. azteca select for
either antibiotic-resistant or non-resistant bacteria when grazing. This will
provide a possible mechanism for ARG removal, and consequently, improving
water quality.
Poster Presentations SETAC - PNC
Poster 08: An evaluation of selenium nanoparticle
bioavailability, biotransformation and toxicity using the midge
Chironomus dilutus
Gallago-Gallagos1,2, M., Doig1, L.E., Liber1,3, K., and Pickering2, I.J.
1 Toxicology
Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada
3 School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada
2
E-mail: lorne.doig@usask.ca
22
Poster 09: Composition of fluorinated surfactants in aqueous
film-forming foam
Asher, Brian J.1*, De Silva, Amila2, Spencer, Christine2, Sluiter, Andrew3,
Sattar, Saleem3
Contaminated Sites Division, Health Canada
Aquatic Ecosystem Protection Research Division, Environment Canada
3 Infrastructure and Environment, National Defence
1
2
Key Words: Selenium, nanoparticles, Chironomus dilutus, bioaccumulation
E-mail: brian.asher@hc-sc.gc.ca
Effluent discharge from industrial activities in Canada, such as metal and coal
mining, can result in selenium (Se) contamination in aquatic ecosystems. If
environmental Se concentrations are sufficiently elevated, Se toxicity can cause
reproductive failure in fish or aquatic birds. Previous research downstream of
uranium mining and milling operations in northern Saskatchewan has
demonstrated that: i) elemental Se is present in northern lake sediments; ii) this
form of Se is more abundant than any other Se species (ranging from 39-86% in
some sediments); and, iii) it is likely present in the form of nanometer-sized
particles. Although elemental Se is generally considered to be biologically inert
due to its insolubility in water, nano-sized Se particles are known to pose
potential human health and ecological risks. At present, very little is known
about the bioavailability and toxicity of Se nanoparticles (SeNPs) to aquatic
organisms. The first objective of this study was to evaluate the bioavailability
and toxicity of SeNPs to the common benthic invertebrate Chironomus dilutus. If
SeNPs were found to be bioavailable, the second objective was to evaluate the
speciation of the accumulated Se. Chironomus dilutus larvae were exposed for
10 days to SeNPs that were suspended in water (5 to 1000 µg Se/L) or added to
the diet (5 to 500 µg Se/g). For comparison, C. dilutus were also exposed to
other forms of Se such as selenite (waterborne exposure) and selenomethionine
(Se-Met, as selenized algae, dietary exposure). Whole-body digestions followed
by graphite furnace AAS analysis were performed to evaluate Se accumulation in
the test organism. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was used to evaluate the
chemical form(s) of Se in the tissue of C. dilutus larvae. It was found that Se from
the SeNPs was bioavailable, and that larval growth was inhibited at high water
or food SeNP concentrations. XAS results showed that a Se-Met-like compound
was the main Se species present in the larval tissue after exposure of all forms of
Se, regardless of route of exposure.
Key Words: AFFFs, fire fighting foam, fluorinated surfactants,
fluorotelomer sulfonates
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is an industrial product widely used for
extinguishing hydrocarbon fuel fires, with significant usage at military
installations and airports. AFFFs are primarily made up of water, but often
contain between one and six percent of a fluorosurfactant, an important
component necessary for coating hydrocarbon fuel. Past formulations, which
have since been phased out, were known to contain perfluorooctanoic acid
(PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), the latter of which is listed as
a persistent organic pollutant under the Stockholm Convention. However,
since the compositions of AFFFs are proprietary, the contribution of other
fluorosurfactants, potentially relevant to both human and ecological health, to
AFFF mixtures is largely unknown. In this study, liquid chromatography
tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) was employed to quantify several
flourosuractants, including perfluoroalkylcarboxylates,
perfluoroalkylsulfonates, and fluorotelomer sulfonates, in several current-use
foam formulations. Knowledge of the composition of these prevalent
products can guide the assessment, management, and remediation of
contaminated sites. This knowledge can also aid in directing the future
development of environmental quality guidelines.
Poster Presentations SETAC - PNC
Poster 10: Acute effects of β-naphthoflavone on swim
performance, oxygen consumption and energy stores in adult
zebrafish
Gerger, Courtney J.1 and Weber, Lynn P.1,2
1Toxicology
Program, 2Veterinary Biomedical Science, University of Saskatchewan,
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4
E-mail: cjg302@mail.usask.ca
Key Words: Beta-naphthoflavone, Swim performance, Triglycerides, Zebrafish
The class of chemicals known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are
known agonists of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). They are also known
contaminants of rivers, lakes, and marine shorelines, making fish a primary
target species, but acute adult toxicity is thought to be minimal or absent. In
the present study adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to solvent
control (DMSO) or three increasing concentrations of the commonly used
model PAH β-naphthoflavone (BNF; 0.1, 10, and 1000 µg/L) for a 48 hour
period. Following exposure fish were placed in a swim tunnel in clean water to
undergo endurance swim testing (Ucrit) or were immediately euthanized
without testing (n=5/BNF treatment/swimming status), then both groups
analyzed for tissue triglyceride levels. Oxygen consumption rates (MO2) were
increased at all exposure concentrations compared to control, reaching
statistical significance at the second highest BNF exposure at a swim speed of
30.8 cm/s (p<0.01 in Fisher’s LSD test after two way ANOVA). In contrast, BNF
had no significant effect on Ucrit, aerobic scope, or tissue triglyceride
concentrations. Considering that BNF is considered to be relatively non-toxic
to adult fish, the lack of effect on many endpoints is not surprising. However,
the effect of BNF on MO2 is likely to be physiologically important given that
fish have a critical need for adequate oxygen to fuel aerobic activities such as
swimming. Future studies should be directed at determining if physiologically
relevant consequences of acute BNF exposure can be detected as well as
possible mechanisms of toxic effect on MO2.
23
Poster 11: Effects of triphenyltin exposure during the larval
period in wood frogs (Rana sylvatica)
Eric Higley1, Amber Tompsett1, Steve Wiseman1, John P. Giesy1,3,4, and Markus
Hecker1,2
1. Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
2. School of the Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,
SK
3. Department Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
4. Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
E-mail: eric.higley@usask.ca
Key Words: Triphenyltin, Rana sylvatica, fungicide, amphibian.
Triphenyltin (TPT) is a fungicide that is widely used in agriculture on crops such
as pecans, potatoes and sugar beets. In areas of the United States, levels as high
as 6 µg/L TPT have been measured in the water of rivers and lakes and
significant biomagnification of TPT through the food web has been shown.
Furthermore, several studies have documented acute toxicity in some
amphibian species at concentrations as low as 1.25 µg/L TPT after 48 hours.
However, to date no studies have been performed on the sensitivity of the wood
frog (Rana sylvatica) to TPT despite the continued use of TPT within its range.
Thus, the current study was designed to assess the sensitivity of wood frog
tadpoles to Triphenyltin chloride (TPTCl) from 1 week post hatch through
metamorphic climax. Wood frog tadpoles were exposed to 0.1, 1 and 5 µg/L
TPTCl. Endpoints that were examined included mortality, time to
metamorphosis and basic morphometrics of tadpoles and metamorphing
froglets. Complete mortality of wood frog tadpoles was observed after 9 days
when exposed to 5 µg/L TPTCl. During this same time period, mortality in
control treatments was negligible. Furthermore, after seven days the weight
and length of wood frog tadpoles treated with 5µg/L TPTCl was significantly less
than that of the control. No significant differences were observed in the 0.1 and
1 µg/L TPTCl treatments for weight and length after the same time period.
Poster Presentations SETAC - PNC
24
Poster 12: Periconceptional changes in maternal exposure to
sewage sludge affect fetal thyroid gland development.
Poster 13: Parasites and pollution: a study of selenium uptake
in parasite infected rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Hombach-Klonisch S1, Danescu A1, Begum F1, Fowler PA2, Amezaga MR2, Rhind
SM3, Evans N4, Bellingham M4 and Klonisch T1.
Hursky Olesya 1, Pietrock Michael 1
1Dept.
E-mail: olm183@mail.usask.ca
of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; 2Centre
for Reproductive Endocrinology & Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen,
Aberdeen, UK; 3Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Aberdeen, UK; 4 Institute of Biodiversity,
Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences,
University of Glasgow, UK;
E-mail: hombach@cc.umanitoba.ca
Key Words: periconceptual exposure, fetus, thyroid
Prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) affects the
development of endocrine organs. We investigated thyroid development in
fetal sheep following exposure of ewes to sewage sludge fertilised pastures:
(1) exposure throughout their lives before and after mating (TT); (2) exposure
only until mating (TC); (3) exposure only between mating and slaughter (CT).
Controls (CC) were exposed to pasture treated with inorganic fertilizer.
We examined weight, morphological, and functional parameters of fetal
thyroid glands at 110 days of gestation (term: 145 days). Thyroid follicle
number and size and blood vessel areas were assessed. Cell proliferation (Ki67) and apoptosis (in-situ tunel) were determined. Thyroid function was
assessed by immunodetection of the sodium-iodine-symporter (NIS) and
measurement of plasma hormone levels of free T3 (fT3) and free T4 (fT4) in
mothers and fetuses.
Morphometric analyses revealed a lower total number of fetal thyroid
follicles in the CT and TC groups compared to controls. Analysis of the
distribution of follicles in 3 different size categories revealed an increase in the
percentage of small follicles (150-500 µm2, p<0.05) in the TC and TT groups.
The number of Ki-67 positive thyroid cells was higher in the TC and CT groups.
No differences in apoptosis were detected among treatments. Thyrocytes of
small-sized follicles did not express NIS. Although fetal plasma levels of fT3 and
fT4 between treatment groups were not different, mothers in the CT and/or
TC groups had lower circulating fT3 and fT4, respectively (p<0.05).
Our results suggest a differentiation delay in the fetal thyroid gland with
potential consequences for offspring development and the manifestation of
adult thyroid disease.
1
Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5B3
Key Words: Raphidascaris acus, selenium, parasites, bioindicators
Given that parasites demonstrate different sensitivity to contaminants and
environmental stress there is an increasing interest in using parasites as
biological or ecological indicators of their fish host life conditions as well as
bioindicators of heavy metal pollution of aquatic ecosystem.
The aim of this study was to investigate (1) whether there is a transfer of
selenium from intestinal contents of rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss) to
nematodes (Raphidascaris acus), (2) whether parasites bioconcentrate more
selenium than their host and (3) to examine if the combined effect of parasitic
infection and Se exposure has an effect on fish health (as determined by Fulton’s
condition factor, Hepatosomatic Index (HSI), Gross Energy (GE) content and
levels of catalase and GST). Rainbow trout were infected with larval stages of
nematodes and subsequently exposed to dietary Se for 70 days (15 µg/kg food
dryweight). Selenium concentration of trout muscle tissue and intestinal
parasites were determined using ICP-MS. The results indicate that comparing to
muscle tissue of their host, R. acus accumulate lower levels of Se, therefore is
not a good bioindicator of Se accumulation in ecosystem. However, R.acus do
have an impact on fish health: combined with Se exposure parasitic infection
decreases GE content of the fish and has negative effects on enzyme levels.
Poster Presentations SETAC - PNC
25
Poster 14: Comparative Exposure Assessment of
Contaminated Soil from an Arctic Urban Brownfield
Poster 15: The Mechanism of Biotransformation of 6-MeOBDE-47 to 6-OH-BDE-47
Kyle J. James1 and Steven D. Siciliano1
Fengyan Liu1*, Steve Wiseman1, Yi Wan2, Xiaowei Zhang1, Hong Chang3, Markus
Hecker4, Paul D. Jones1,5, John P. Giesy1,6,7,8
1
Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
E-mail: kyle.james@usask.ca
Key Words: Risk assessment, particulate matter, polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons, and trace metals
Iqaluit, Nunavut is one of many sites in northern Canada with a legacy of trace
metal and hydrocarbon soil contamination. It is generally accepted that
ingestion of soil particles is an important exposure route, due to a lack of
vegetation within the city, soil particles are re-suspended in the atmosphere,
making inhalation of soil particles an important exposure route. The purpose
of this study was to conduct a human health risk assessment to compare the
relative contribution of ingestion to inhalation of contaminated soils in Iqaluit.
To satisfy this, surface (0 to 10 cm) soil samples were collected from multiple
sites and three size fractions of airborne particulate matter (TSP, PM10 and
PM2.5) were collected over a period of two months. From the resulting data,
an estimation of exposure from the two exposure routes - ingestion and
inhalation were made. The results of this study will indentify the importance
of exposure route in risk assessment.
1 Toxicology
Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
College of Urban and Environmental Science, Peking University, Beijing, China
3 State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory for Lake Pollution Control, Chinese Research
Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, China
4 ENTRIX Inc., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
5 School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
S7N 5C8, Canada
6 Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
7 State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of
Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Peoples Republic of China
8 Department of Zoology and Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East
Lansing, MI, USA
2
E-mail: fel141@mail.usask.ca
Key Words: PBDEs, Enzyme(s)
Hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs), which have been
detected in wildlife and humans, are of concern due to their greater toxicities
relative to synthetic PBDEs. There is evidence suggesting that OH-PBDEs are
products of PBDE metabolism. However, laboratory exposure studies during
which test animals were administered large amounts of synthetic PBDEs (ug/g
body weight) revealed formation of only trace amounts of OH-PBDE’s (<0.01-1 %
of PBDEs). Recent in vitro and in vivo studies performed in our lab has
demonstrated that MeO-PBDE’s, which have been shown to be of natural origin,
and not synthetic PBDE’s, are the primary metabolic precursors of OH-PBDE in
vitro and in vivo. In the current study we utilized rainbow trout liver
microsomes to identify the mechanism(s) by which MeO-PBDE’s are metabolized
to OH-PBDE’s, in vitro. Metabolism of 6-MeO-BDE-47 to 6-OH-BDE-47 was 50fold higher in the microsomal fraction than in the cytosolic fraction. Without the
addition of NADPH (required for phase I enzyme activity) no conversion of MeOPBDE’s to OH-PBDE’s was detected. Taken together these results suggest that
phase I enzymes are at least partially responsible for conversion of MeO-PBDE’s
to OH-PBDEs. Pharmacological studies with specific cytochrome P450 enzyme
inhibitors and species comparisons were applied to elucidate the precise
enzyme(s) responsible for this biotransformation.
Poster Presentations SETAC - PNC
Poster 16: Parasties and chemical contamination of pike (Esox
lucius) and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) from Montreal
Lake, Saskatchewan
Poster 17: Perfluorinated Compounds in Indoor Air, Indoor
Dust and Human Blood and their Impact on Respiratory
Problems in Young Children
Matwee, Larisa1; Pietrock, Michael2
Nikoobaht, Neda1, McConkey, Clare1, Bews, Hilary2, and Wong, Charles1,2
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A2, Canada.
Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 44 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N
5B3, Canada
1
2 Toxicology
E-mail: lkm370@mail.usask.ca
Key Words: Parasites, Pike, Walleye, Montreal Lake
With accelerating industrial activities in Saskatchewan, there is growing
scientific and public debate over the potential effects of pollutants on the
health of fish in local aquatic environments. Contaminants released by mining
and oil industries enter the environment and can travel great distances. Local
Indigenous people from Montreal Lake, Saskatchewan have expressed
concern with regard to the pollutants that may be accumulating in their fish
populations. In addition to negative effects due to potential chemical
pollution, aboriginal leaders reported changes in fish parasitism believing that
these changes may be associated with airborne contaminants. In order to
identify potential health risks related to predatory fish consumption, health,
condition and chemical contamination of walleye and pike from Montreal Lake
were assessed. Baseline information on biological (parasitological) and
chemical contamination was documented for future monitoring purposes.
Walleye and pike collected in September 2010 were examined for the
presence of metazoan parasites, and metal and organic contaminants. The
present study found 4 parasite species (belonging to the taxa Cestoda,
Trematoda, Acanthocephala and Nematoda) in pike and 5 species (Cestoda,
Trematoda and Hirudinea) in walleye. All parasites were determined to be
nonpathogenic to humans and common to Canadian lakes. The occurrence of
Ichthyocotylurus platycephalus in pike and walleye, and Neoechinorhynchus
rutili in pike were not previously recorded for Saskatchewan lakes in the
aforementioned fish species. Metal and organic contaminants in the muscle
tissue of both species of fish were very low and fell well within levels
considered acceptable for consumption.
26
E-mail: umnikoob@cc.umanitoba.ca, claremc_@hotmail.com
1. Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba
2. Richardson College of the Environment, University of Winnipeg
Key Words: perfluorinated compounds, human exposure
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are found in many items in the home such as
non-stick cookware, food packaging, and stain repellents for fabric and
upholstery. Non-volatile PFCs such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are persistent in both humans and the
environment. Volatile and semi volatile comopunds such as fluorotelomer
alcohols (FTOHs), fluorooctane sulfonamides (FOSAs), and fluorooctane
sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs) may break down to produce non-volatile PFCs.
These compounds are investigated due to their persistence, toxicity, and their
existence worldwide. However, the exposure pathways to humans are largely
unknown.
One exposure pathway is from the indoor environment. PFCs may contribute
to respiratory problems, as it is thought they may have negative effects on the
lungs. Exposure to PFCs from indoor air and dust could contribute to the
incidence of respiratory problems in young children.
The purpose of this study is to investigate a correlation between concentration
of PFCs in the indoor environment and incidence of respiratory problems such as
wheezing in infants. This will be achieved by measuring the concentration of
these compounds in indoor air, dust, human blood and breast milk samples from
Winnipeg participants and tracking occurrence of respiratory problems.
We hypothesize there will be a positive correlation between incidence of
infants wheezing and concentration of PFCs in infant blood and their homes.
Additionally, the concentration of non-volatile PFCs in young children is
expected to increase over time.
It is expected that volatile and semi volatile PFCs will be found in indoor air and
dust samples. Non-volatile PFCs will be found in blood and breast milk samples.
These samples will be analyzed with GC-MS and LC-MS/MS.
Poster Presentations SETAC - PNC
27
Poster 18: Toxicokinetics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
in swine
Poster 19: How toxic are oil sands sediments to Northern pike
(Esoxlucius)?
Peters, RE1, Siciliano, SD1, Wickstrom, M2
Romanowski, Lian1; Turcotte, Dominique1; Raine, Jason C.2; Tumber, Vijay1;
Parrott, Joanne3.
1Department of
Soil Science, 51 Campus Dr, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK,
S7N 5A8
2Toxicology Centre, 44 Campus Dr, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B3
E-mail: rachel.peters@usask.ca
Key words: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, swine, toxicokinetics
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are compounds of concern in the
environment as they are common soil contaminants. PAHs are introduced to
the environment through incomplete combustion and fuel spills. These
compounds are of particular concern for human exposure, especially in
toddlers who are at high risk due to the quantity of soil they ingest, as well as
their sensitivity to carcinogens. Juvenile swine are becoming a widely used
animal model due to their similarities, particularly through the gastrointestinal
tract, to humans. In this study, swine were dosed with a certified reference
soil containing a mixture of PAHs, and blood was taken in a serial time course
manner up to 12 hours post-dosing. Serum concentrations were plotted
versus time and preliminary toxicokinetic modeling was done to determine
absorption and elimination characteristics of PAHs sorbed to soil.
Environment Canada, Saskatoon, SK.
Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK.
3 Environment Canada, Burlington, ON.
1
2
E-mail: Lian.k@live.ca
Keywords: Fish, Bioassay, Oil sands, Toxicity
Northern pike (Esoxlucius) are a commercially important fish species native to
the northern hemisphere. In Alberta (Canada), these fish inhabit the Athabasca
River, which flows through the Athabasca oil sands, and are exposed to natural
sources of bitumen eroding from the McMurray formation. There is currently no
information available to assess the early development of pike exposed to the
bitumen present in the water of the Athabasca River. Pike are not easily cultured
in a laboratory environment and no methods have been developed to assess the
toxicity of oil sands to this fish species. Thus the current study describes the
design and implementation of a daily-renewal bioassay that assesses the
potential effects of sediments from the Athabasca oil sands area to the early
stages of pike development. Eggs were collected and fertilized with milt from
spawning wild pike captured from Lake Diefenbaker, SK. The fertilized eggs were
exposed to treatments containing different concentrations of sediments from
the oil sands area, reference sediments or strictly culture water until complete
yolk absorption of control fish, approximately 15 days post-hatch. Brine shrimp
were fed to the pike embryos daily at the initiation of exogenous feeding and
continued to the conclusion the experiment. Developing fish were examined for
morphological deformities, survival, hatching success, and changes in weight
and length between treatments. Preliminary results suggest that the Northern
pike is less sensitive than walleye and fathead minnow to the toxicity of oil sands
sediments.
Poster Presentations SETAC - PNC
Poster 20: Are Pearl dace from Fort McMurray, Alberta,
affected by oil sands sediments?
Poster 21: The paleoecotoxicology of Ross Lake, MB:
Reconstructing 80 years of industrial and municipal effects
Grenier, Kandace1,2; Salehi, Forouz1; Turcotte, Dominique2; Raine, Jason C.1;
Tumber, Vijay2; Parrott, Joanne3.
Schiffer, S.R.1, Liber, K.1, and Doig, L.E1.
Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK.
2 Environment Canada, Saskatoon, SK.
3 Environment Canada, Burlington, ON.
1
E-mail: dot092@mail.usask.ca
Keywords: Fish, Bioassay, Oil sands, Toxicity
Pearl dace (Semotilus margarita) are a bottom-dwelling fish species native to
Canada and the northern United States. Pearl dace inhabit effluents of the
Athabasca River, which flow through the Athabasca oil sands, and are exposed
to natural sources of bitumen eroding from the McMurray formation. The
effects of the bitumen present in the water on pearl dace are not fully
characterised yet. This project studied two populations of wild pearl dace
captured upstream and downstream of the oil sands operations in Fort
McMurray. Fish were exposed to treatments containing different
concentrations of naturally bitumen-enriched sediments or control sediment
for 21 days. Lyophilized brine shrimp were fed daily. Histology of the gills, liver
and gonads was performed to detect differences between treatments and fish
populations. RNA was extracted from the gonads to determine if vitellogenin
expression was altered. CYP1a induction was measured by a standard EROD
test. Measurements were also recorded to calculate liver and gonad to body
weight ratios. The result of this study will provide much needed information
on the effects of bitumen-containing sediments from the Athabasca River on
pearl dace health. This project will also compare how fish populations from
upstream and downstream sites of Fort McMurray are responding to bitumen
exposure.
1 Toxicology
28
Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
E-mail: sts747@mail.usask.ca
Key words: sediment, paleolimnology, sub-fossil remains, trace metals, cultural
eutrophication
Ross Lake, a small, boreal shield lake located within the city of Flin Flon
(Manitoba, Canada) has become highly contaminated with trace metals as a
result of atmospheric deposition and effluent discharged since 1930 from the
Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company (HBMS). Ross Lake has also received
municipal discharge from the surrounding community (now Flin Flon) over the
same period. Sediment cores extracted from Ross Lake in 2009 were analyzed
for physicochemical and radiometric variables and sub-fossil remains (diatoms,
chironomids, chaoborids, and cladocerans) to assess water quality changes over
time. Diverse, benthic, mesotrophic, and alkalphilous diatoms historically
present have been replaced by long, needle-shaped, meso-eutrophic diatoms,
which currently dominate the community assemblage. Historically, the diverse
chironomid community was typical of a well oxygenated lake. Ross Lake is
currently dominated by a single genus Chironomus, which is indicative of a
system having low dissolved oxygen concentrations. The cladocerans, which are
important members of the zooplankton community, have also greatly decreased
in species richness. As the prey of the predatory phantom midge, Chaoborus, the
changes to the cladoceran community likely explain the demise of Chaoborus.
Although Chaoborus was present in pre-industrial times, it has largely
disappeared from Ross Lake. Constrained cluster analysis of diatom, chironomid
and cladoceran communities showed distinct differences in both the pre- and
post-industrial ecology of Ross Lake. A reduction in biodiversity occurred in all
assemblages subsequent to the onset of mining and municipal activities in the
area. Although improvements to both mining and municipal wastewater
treatment have reduced trace metals concentrations and nutrient loading into
Ross Lake, the sub-fossil remains in the modern-day sediment of Ross Lake do
not suggest that this lake is under-going biological recovery.
Poster Presentations SETAC - PNC
Poster 22: Comparative toxicities of maternally deposited and
microinjected selenomethionine to larval and juvenile
zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Thomas J.K.1 and Janz D.M.1, 2
1Toxicology
2Department of
Centre and
Veterinary Biomedical Sciences
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B3
E-mail: jik822@mail.usask.ca
Key words: zebrafish, selenomethionine, maternal transfer, microinjection,
developmental toxicities, swimming performance
The present study was designed to investigate toxicities of in ovo SeMet
exposure to larval and juvenile zebrafish by two distinct routes: maternal
transfer and egg microinjection. In the maternal transfer exposure study, adult
zebrafish were fed varying concentrations of SeMet (1, 3, 10 and 30 μg Se/g,
dry weight) for 60 days. At the end of the exposure period embryos were
collected to investigate consequences of SeMet exposure on F1 generation
larval and juvenile fish. In the microinjection exposure study, fertilized
zebrafish embryos were injected with either saline or SeMet (1.6, 4.8, 16.1
and 48.3 ng Se/egg, dry weight). Total Se levels in eggs collected from 1, 3, 10
and 30 μg Se/g fed fish were 0.39, 2.88, 4.26 and 5.74 μg/g respectively.
Significant increases in developmental deformities and mortalities were
observed in embryos collected from >3 μg Se/g fed fish. A dose-dependent
increase in the occurrence of total deformities and mortalities was also
observed in larval fish exposed to SeMet via egg microinjection. In addition,
physiological effects of early developmental SeMet exposure in juvenile fish
were investigated. Swimming performance (Ucrit), bioenergetic status (whole
body triglycerides and glycogen) and physiological stress response (whole
body cortisol) of juvenile fish from both exposure studies were determined.
Impaired swimming performance was observed in SeMet exposed juvenile fish
from both studies. However, whole body triglycerides, glycogen and cortisol
levels were not significantly different among treatments. Overall, the results of
this study suggest that in ovo SeMet exposure can cause detrimental effects
on larval and juvenile fish survivability that could impact recruitment in wild
fish populations.
29
Poster 23: All Mixed Up: Phenotypic Plasticity in a Genotypic
World
Tompsett, Amber1, Wiseman, Steve1, Higley, Eric1, Giesy, JohnP.1,2, Hecker,
Markus1,3
1Toxicology
Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
3School of the Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
2Department
E-mail: amber.tompsett@usask.ca
Keywords: amphibian, estrogen, sexual development
Xenopus laevis exhibits a genetic system of sexual determination where females
have a ZW sex chromosome complement and males have a ZZ complement.
Since the Z and W chromosomes are morphologically indistinguishable,
determining the genotype of an X. laevis individual was not possible until the
recent discovery of a W-linked gene. Previously, multiple studies have shown
that exposure to potent estrogens at critical times during development can
cause feminization and/or demasculinization of X. laevis, including male to
female phenotypic sex reversal at adequate doses. Given that genotyping of X.
laevis has only recently become possible, these past studies were rarely able to
make concrete linkages between genetic and phenotypic sex. Therefore, to
further characterize the relationship between genotype and phenotype, X. laevis
tadpoles were exposed to 0.1, 1, or 10 µg/L 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), the
estrogen analog commonly used in oral contraceptives, from 12 h postoviposition through 13 wks post-hatch. Genotyping showed that genetic sex
ratios were similar among treatments. However, morphological evaluation
revealed that phenotypic sex ratios were altered in all EE2 treatments. While
some animals did exhibit complete male to female phenotypic sex reversal, a
surprising number of individuals displayed various intersex conditions that were
only diagnosed upon histological examination. The impacts of these conditions
on fitness are unknown but likely to be more complex than sex reversal on an
individual basis. The relatively great number of intersex animals is probably a
result of estrogens functioning downstream of the initial molecular signals of
sexual differentiation. Thus, genetically male animals receive mixed endogenous
male and exogenous female signals that cause disordered sexual development.
Currently, RNA samples are being analyzed with an Illumina sequencer to
characterize the molecular signature of abnormal sexual development.
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