V program: investigations of hazardous substances distribution in the ecosystems,
regularities and mechanisms of ecotoxic and biological effects under the impact of
anthropogenic stress
1. Programme implementing entity: Nature Research Centre
State-determined staff positions allocated to the programme: 13 (ca. 5% annual increase projected depending
on the research output appraisal)
2. Objectives:
2.1. To investigate the processes and patterns of distribution, accumulation, ecotoxicity and
biological effect of hazardous compounds (heavy metals, radionuclides, polyaromatic
hydrocarbons, pesticides, polychlorbiphenyls, etc.) under anthropogenic stress conditions.
2.2. To experimentally investigate the regularities and mechanisms of biological responses to
anthropogenic load in the organisms of different phylogenetic, ontogenetic and biological
organization levels.
3. Tasks:
3.1. To investigate distribution of natural and artificial radionuclides in abiotic and biotic
components of the environment under different environmental conditions and impacting
factors, to estimate biological effects of the impact of radionuclides in test organisms and
predict changes in the radioecological status of ecosystems.
3.2. To investigate the regularities and mechanisms of environmental genotoxicity and
cytotoxicity in aquatic ecosystems in relation to chemical stressors of anthropogenic origin and
global change as well as to create a biomarker indication methodology for integrated
assessment of the status of ecosystems.
3.3. To investigate biological effects induced by toxic substances of anthropogenic origin in
test organisms of different phylogenetic and ontogenetic levels and to describe the regularities
and mechanisms of toxicity effects on their functional systems.
3.4. To justify application of cellular phytotoxicity markers in determining regularities of
chemical stress caused by xenobiotics and to design methodological principles for the holistic
water toxicity assessment system.
4. Methodological basis:
The objectives of the programme will be implemented through application of a set of new
radiochemical, beta-, gamma-, and mass-spectrometric analyses and gas and liquid
chromatography methods for the estimation of hazardous substances distribution and
assessment of the status of ecosystems under conditions of anthropogenic stress and in
reference zones. The existing research infrastructure is intended to be consolidated with a high
efficiency module system of liquid chromatography (BIOGEONAUDA National Complex
Programme) and the system for identification of radionuclides in biological objects (Santara
Valley). The new experimental results will be used for the creation of conceptual methods
describing the behaviour of hazardous substances in ecosystems at different trophic levels.
Environmental genotoxicity and cytotoxicity studies in aquatic ecosystems will be
conducted applying cytogenetic methods in relation to different biomarker responses,
interactions between responses and an integrated response. Multifactorial analysis will be used
to define the relationships between genotoxicity biomarker responses and different pollution
agents, as well as environmental variables and biological factors. In order to describe the
environmental status of ecologically different marine ecosystems, using the integrated response
of different biomarkers, comprehensive studies of hazardous substances, genotoxicitycytotoxicity and other biomarkers in different aquatic species will be performed together with
researchers from the Institute of Fisheries Ecology (Germany), Alfred Wegener Institute for
Polar and Marine Research (Germany), National Marine Fisheries Research Institute in Gdynia
(Poland), Institute of Oceanology (Poland), Estonian University of Life Sciences, and Finnish
Environment Institute. The research vessel to be acquired under a Marine Valley Programme
will be used in sampling surveys for assessment of genotoxicity in the Lithuanian zone of the
Baltic Sea.
Experimental research of toxic effects of different hazardous substances in organisms will
be conducted applying both traditional toxicological and microbiological methods
comprehended by the programme staff and modern biology methods. Chemical load
investigations will be carried out in a newly established Central Ecotoxicological Research
Laboratory (Santara Valley Project) accredited according to LST ISO EN 17025 and
experimental stations of the Marine Valley. Currently, the following new state-of-the-art
equipment for ecotoxicological research is under procurement: equipment for ecotoxicological
research with fish (partnership agreement between Environmental Protection Agency and
Nature Research Centre), automated systems for ecotoxicological research of water organisms
and plants, a computerised video system with software for recording behaviour of water
animals, a renovated experimental aquarium, etc. (Santara Valley Project), original automated
system for monitoring, recording and analysis of fish behavioural responses (Lithuanian
Research Council support).
An integral assessment of the significance of indices reflecting the functioning of ecosystems
will be carried out based on corresponding and other similar statistical analysis; this will allow
integrating abiotic indices of environmental changes with biological characteristics of
investigated hydroecosystems.
6. Expected outcomes:
Programme staff is in major part composed of researchers working in the area of aquatic
ecotoxicology in Lithuania. Their scientific competence and considerable experience in
running international projects enable successful implementation of programme objectives and
tasks and can contribute to the development of ecotoxicology, marine genotoxicology and
radioecology not only in Lithuania but also on an international scale. The research works under
the programme will allow getting qualitatively new scientific information on the regularities of
biological changes related to hazardous substances in the environment, on mechanisms of
formation of biomarker responses, as well as on the peculiarities of abiotic-biotic interactions
and vulnerability, tolerance and adaptation of organisms in aquatic ecosystems. A database of
scientific results obtained during implementation of the programme will be created. An
integrated system of anthropogenic chemicals and their effects assessment will be established.
The obtained results will serve as the basis for recommendations on integrated chemical and
biological control and management of pollutants and consultancy on the issues of
ecotoxicology.
The peculiarities of radionuclide transfer through trophic levels and distribution in
organism tissues under conditions of anthropogenic load will be revealed, potential
accumulation zones of man-made radionuclides in the ecosystems will be identified and plant
species as indicators of radioactive contamination in the ecosystems near areas where
appearance of nuclear objects is expected will be selected, and recommendation for
characterisation of radioactive waste in the Ignalina NPP will be given. Qualitatively new
scientific information on the regularities and mechanisms of accumulation of pollution agents
in tissues and formation of biomarker responses as well as on the role of biological lesions in
physiological and reproductive processes of water organisms will be obtained. Research results
will be used to characterise the state and health of ecosystems and predict their changes in
relation to global change or chemical stress. The obtained results will be the basis to estimate
an integrated index of ecosystem health by using biomarkers for a more precise description of
ecotoxicological processes in water ecosystems and proposing up-to-date environment
management measures. The analytical database of biomarkers compiled during implementation
of the programme will be used in drafting strategic European Union, HELCOM, OSPAR,
ICES and national documents. Programme results will contribute to implementation of the first
resolution initiated by Lithuania and approved by the United Nations General Assembly on 20
December 2010 on environmental effects related to waste originating from chemical munitions
dumped at sea.
Responses of test organisms of different phylogenetic and ontogenetic levels to anthropogenic
load will be assessed and compared. The peculiarities of such responses depending on changes
in biotic and abiotic factors will be revealed, and the mechanisms of functional changes in
different in test organisms of different phylogenetic and ontogenetic level and adaptation
possibilities ensuring individual → population survivorship will be established. In order to
improve the ecotoxicological investigation system, the most sensitive and informative tests
will be proposed for ecotoxicological assessment of the state of the environment. Biochemical,
physiological and biological responses of algae to chemical stressors of natural and artificial
origin, including nanoforms, will be investigated; changes in the composition and abundance
of aerobic and anaerobic bacterial groups and dynamics of the processes of organic substance
production and microbial mineralisation under conditions of anthropogenic load will be
assessed, and recommendations on the application of microbiotests, phytomarkers and their
systems for control and management of water bodies affected by complex pollution will be
provided.
9. Programme duration:
2012–2016
10. Chief executive:
Dr Habil. Janina Baršienė, chief researcher, 2729895, 868260979, janbar@ekoi.lt