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 1 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! 3 4 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 5 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 7 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.’ 8 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. 30 31 32 Sponsors