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Mining activities in the world's largest platinum mining area in South Africa have resulted in environmental contamination with Pt (e.g., the Hex River's vicinity). The present study compared a Pt mining area with a non-mining area along this river in terms of (1) metal concentrations in different grain size fractions from soils and aquatic sediments; (2) the toxicological potential of aquatic sediments based on the Consensus-Based Sediment Quality Guideline (CBSQG); and (3) the chronic toxicity of aqueous eluates from soils and sediments to Caenorhabditis elegans. Platinum concentrations were higher in the mining area than in the non-mining area. For most metals, the sediment silt and clay fraction contained the highest metal concentrations. Based on the CBSQG, most sampling sites exhibited a high toxicological potential, driven by Cr and Ni. Eluate toxicity testing revealed that C. elegans growth, fertility, and reproduction inhibition were not dependent on mining activities or the CBSQG predictions. Toxicity was instead likely due to Cd, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pt, and Pb. In conclusion, the investigated region is loaded with a high geogenic background resulting in high reproduction inhibition. The mining activities lead to additional environmental metal contamination (particularly Pt), contributing to environmental soil and sediment toxicity.
Dakeishla M. Díaz-Morales; Johannes H. Erasmus; Suanne Bosch; Milen Nachev; Nico J. Smit; Sonja Zimmermann; Victor Wepener; Bernd Sures. Metal contamination and toxicity of soils and river sediments from the world's largest platinum mining area. Environmental Pollution 2021, 286, 117284 .
AMA StyleDakeishla M. Díaz-Morales, Johannes H. Erasmus, Suanne Bosch, Milen Nachev, Nico J. Smit, Sonja Zimmermann, Victor Wepener, Bernd Sures. Metal contamination and toxicity of soils and river sediments from the world's largest platinum mining area. Environmental Pollution. 2021; 286 ():117284.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDakeishla M. Díaz-Morales; Johannes H. Erasmus; Suanne Bosch; Milen Nachev; Nico J. Smit; Sonja Zimmermann; Victor Wepener; Bernd Sures. 2021. "Metal contamination and toxicity of soils and river sediments from the world's largest platinum mining area." Environmental Pollution 286, no. : 117284.
To date, micropollutants from anthropogenic sources cannot be completely removed from effluents of wastewater treatment plants and therefore enter freshwater systems, where they may impose adverse effects on aquatic organisms, for example, on fish. Advanced treatment such as ozonation aims to reduce micropollutants in wastewater effluents and, thus, to mitigate adverse effects on the environment. To investigate the impact and efficiency of ozonation, four different water types were tested: ozonated wastewater (before and after biological treatment), conventionally-treated wastewater, and water from a river (River Ruhr, Germany) upstream of the wastewater treatment plant effluent. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were used to study lethal and sublethal effects in a modified fish early life-stage test. Mortality occurred during exposure in the water samples from the wastewater treatment plant and the river in the first 24 h post-fertilization, ranging from 12% (conventional wastewater) to 40% (river water). Regarding sublethal endpoints, effects compared to the negative control resulted in significantly higher heart rates (ozonated wastewater), and significantly reduced swimming activity (highly significant in ozonated wastewater and ozone reactor water, significant in only the last time interval in river water). Moreover, the respiration rates were highly increased in both ozonated wastewater samples in comparison to the negative control. Significant differences between the ozonated wastewater samples occurred in the embryonic behavior and heart rates, emphasizing the importance of subsequent biological treatment of the ozonated wastewater. Only the conventionally-treated wastewater sample did not elicit negative responses in zebrafish, indicating that the discharge of conventional wastewater poses no greater risk to embryonic and larval zebrafish than water from the river Ruhr itself. The sublethal endpoints embryonic- and larval behavior, heart rates, and respiration were found to be the most sensitive endpoints in this fish early life-stage test and can add valuable information on the toxicity of environmental samples.
Louisa E. Rothe; Tarryn L. Botha; Christian K. Feld; Michael Weyand; Sonja Zimmermann; Nico J. Smit; Victor Wepener; Bernd Sures. Effects of conventionally-treated and ozonated wastewater on mortality, physiology, body length, and behavior of embryonic and larval zebrafish (Danio rerio). Environmental Pollution 2021, 286, 117241 .
AMA StyleLouisa E. Rothe, Tarryn L. Botha, Christian K. Feld, Michael Weyand, Sonja Zimmermann, Nico J. Smit, Victor Wepener, Bernd Sures. Effects of conventionally-treated and ozonated wastewater on mortality, physiology, body length, and behavior of embryonic and larval zebrafish (Danio rerio). Environmental Pollution. 2021; 286 ():117241.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLouisa E. Rothe; Tarryn L. Botha; Christian K. Feld; Michael Weyand; Sonja Zimmermann; Nico J. Smit; Victor Wepener; Bernd Sures. 2021. "Effects of conventionally-treated and ozonated wastewater on mortality, physiology, body length, and behavior of embryonic and larval zebrafish (Danio rerio)." Environmental Pollution 286, no. : 117241.
Background The artificial mussel (AM) is a passive sampling device that was originally developed for monitoring metal concentrations in the marine environment, but is also increasingly used in freshwater environments. The AM consists of a non-permeable Perspex tube, which is closed on both sides with a semi-permeable membrane. The space in between contains Chelex-100 beads, which bind metals. The AM allows the determination of the dissolved, bioaccessible metal fraction in water bodies without killing organisms, as well as environments with unfavorable conditions for living bioindicators. In the present study, the use of the AM was adapted for the monitoring of platinum (Pt) in a freshwater ecosystem. Results The elution of Pt from the Chelex-100 beads was optimized. Two modifications to the original method for the use of AMs are recommended, i.e., washing and separation of the beads through centrifugation and elution with a mixture of 4.5 mL HNO3 and 0.5 mL HCl for approximately 2–3 h to ensure the release of all Pt bound to the beads. Additionally, the uptake kinetics of the AM were determined under laboratory conditions over a wide exposure concentration range (0.1–1000 µg/L) showing highly correlated Pt accumulation in the AMs with the aqueous exposure concentration. For the tested Pt exposure concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 µg/L, the Pt concentrations in the AMs increased during the exposure period of 6 weeks. At the highest exposure concentration of 1000 µg/L, the increase stagnated after 3 weeks. To validate the AM in the field, the Pt accumulation of the AM was assessed together with that of freshwater clams (Corbicula fluminalis africana), muscle and liver tissue of the three fish species sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), as well as water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes) at two sampling sites in the Pt mining area of South Africa. Conclusion Results from the present study showed that the AM is a promising tool to monitor Pt concentrations in the freshwater environment at contaminated sites.
Marelize Labuschagne; Sonja Zimmermann; Nico J. Smit; Johannes H. Erasmus; Milen Nachev; Bernd Sures; Victor Wepener. Laboratory and field studies on the use of artificial mussels as a monitoring tool of platinum exposure in the freshwater environment. Environmental Sciences Europe 2021, 33, 1 -15.
AMA StyleMarelize Labuschagne, Sonja Zimmermann, Nico J. Smit, Johannes H. Erasmus, Milen Nachev, Bernd Sures, Victor Wepener. Laboratory and field studies on the use of artificial mussels as a monitoring tool of platinum exposure in the freshwater environment. Environmental Sciences Europe. 2021; 33 (1):1-15.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarelize Labuschagne; Sonja Zimmermann; Nico J. Smit; Johannes H. Erasmus; Milen Nachev; Bernd Sures; Victor Wepener. 2021. "Laboratory and field studies on the use of artificial mussels as a monitoring tool of platinum exposure in the freshwater environment." Environmental Sciences Europe 33, no. 1: 1-15.
Background The artificial mussel (AM) is a passive sampling device that was originally developed for monitoring metal concentrations in the marine environment but is also increasingly used in freshwater environments. The AM consists of a non-permeable Perspex tube, which is closed on both sides with a semi-permeable membrane. In the space in between are Chelex-100 beads, which bind metals. The AM allows the determination of the dissolved, bioaccessible metal fraction in water bodies without killing organisms, as well as environments with unfavorable conditions for living bioindicators. In the present study, the use of the AM was adapted for the monitoring of platinum (Pt) in a freshwater ecosystem. Results The elution of Pt from the Chelex-100 beads was optimized. Two modifications to the original method for the use of AMs are recommended, i.e. washing and separation of the beads through centrifugation and elution with a mixture of 4.5 mL HNO3 and 0.5 mL HCl for approximately 2-3 hours to ensure the release of all Pt bound to the beads. Additionally, the uptake kinetics of the AM were determined under laboratory conditions over a wide exposure concentration range (0.1-1000 µg/L) showing highly correlated Pt accumulation in the AMs with the aqueous exposure concentration. For the tested Pt exposure concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 µg/L, the Pt concentrations in the AMs increased during the exposure period of 6 weeks. At the highest exposure concentration of 1000 µg/L, the increase stagnated after 3 weeks. To validate the AM in the field, the Pt accumulation of the AM was assessed together with that of freshwater clams (Corbicula fluminalis africana), muscle and liver tissue of three fish species sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), as well as water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes) at two sampling sites in the Pt mining area of South Africa. Conclusion Results from the present study showed that the AM is a promising tool to monitor Pt concentrations in the freshwater environment at contaminated sites.
Marelize Labuschagne; Sonja Zimmermann; Nico J. Smit; Johannes H. Erasmus; Milen Nachev; Bernd Sures; Victor Wepener. Laboratory and field studies on the use of artificial mussels as a monitoring tool of platinum exposure in the freshwater environment. 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleMarelize Labuschagne, Sonja Zimmermann, Nico J. Smit, Johannes H. Erasmus, Milen Nachev, Bernd Sures, Victor Wepener. Laboratory and field studies on the use of artificial mussels as a monitoring tool of platinum exposure in the freshwater environment. . 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarelize Labuschagne; Sonja Zimmermann; Nico J. Smit; Johannes H. Erasmus; Milen Nachev; Bernd Sures; Victor Wepener. 2021. "Laboratory and field studies on the use of artificial mussels as a monitoring tool of platinum exposure in the freshwater environment." , no. : 1.
Due to the increasing consumption of platinum (Pt), especially in automobile exhaust catalysts, environmental concentrations of Pt are of emerging concern worldwide. Limited information exists on environmental concentrations, particularly in Pt mining regions, while South Africa is the world’s main supplier of Pt. Moreover, other metals are also released as by-products of Pt mining, which might also cause environmental concern. Certain fish parasite taxa have the ability to accumulate metals orders of magnitude higher than their hosts and can be used to reliably detect metals with naturally low abundance. Studies on Pt accumulation in parasite-host systems are limited. Therefore, the aims of the present study were (1) to determine the accumulation of a variety of metals (cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), platinum (Pt), and zinc (Zn)) in helminth fish parasites compared with their hosts from a reference site and an impoundment impacted by Pt mining activities; (2) to assess whether there is a difference between bioaccumulation of metals in infected and uninfected hosts, as well as between hosts with different infection intensities; and (3) to compare the biomarker responses (acetylcholine esterase activity (AChE), metallothionein content (MT), catalase activity (CAT), reduced glutathione content (GSH), malondialdehyde content (MDA), protein carbonyls induction (PC), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), and cellular energy allocation (CEA)) between infected and uninfected hosts. The cestode Atractolytocestus huronensis accumulated significantly higher concentrations of Cr, Ni, and Pt than their host Cyprinus carpio, while the nematode Contracaecum sp. accumulated significantly higher concentrations of Pt and Zn than their host Clarias gariepinus. Infected fish showed lower metal concentrations compared to uninfected fish, while the parasites had no significant effects on their hosts’ biomarker responses. The parasites demonstrated the bioavailability of metals derived from Pt mining activities and their ability to resist its toxic effects. Thus, these parasites are promising sensitive accumulation indicators for Cr, Ni, Pb, and Pt contaminations from Pt mining activities.
Johannes H. Erasmus; Victor Wepener; Milen Nachev; Sonja Zimmermann; Wynand Malherbe; Bernd Sures; Nico J. Smit. The role of fish helminth parasites in monitoring metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems: a case study in the world’s most productive platinum mining region. Parasitology Research 2020, 119, 2783 -2798.
AMA StyleJohannes H. Erasmus, Victor Wepener, Milen Nachev, Sonja Zimmermann, Wynand Malherbe, Bernd Sures, Nico J. Smit. The role of fish helminth parasites in monitoring metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems: a case study in the world’s most productive platinum mining region. Parasitology Research. 2020; 119 (9):2783-2798.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJohannes H. Erasmus; Victor Wepener; Milen Nachev; Sonja Zimmermann; Wynand Malherbe; Bernd Sures; Nico J. Smit. 2020. "The role of fish helminth parasites in monitoring metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems: a case study in the world’s most productive platinum mining region." Parasitology Research 119, no. 9: 2783-2798.
There is increasing evidence that platinum group elements (PGE) are pollutants of emerging concern worldwide. Limited information exists on levels, particularly in regions where PGEs are mined. A passive sampling device (i.e., the artificial mussel (AM)) and transplanted indicator organisms (i.e., the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminalis africana) were deployed along a PGE mining gradient in the Hex River, South Africa, and concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Pt, V, and Zn were determined after six weeks of exposure. Results showed differential uptake patterns for Pt, Cr, and Ni between the AMs and clams indicating availability differences. For monitoring purposes, a combination of AMs and indicator organisms provides a more holistic assessment of element exposure in aquatic environments.
Marelize Labuschagne; Victor Wepener; Milen Nachev; Sonja Zimmermann; Bernd Sures; Nico J. Smit. The Application of Artificial Mussels in Conjunction with Transplanted Bivalves to Assess Elemental Exposure in a Platinum Mining Area. Water 2019, 12, 32 .
AMA StyleMarelize Labuschagne, Victor Wepener, Milen Nachev, Sonja Zimmermann, Bernd Sures, Nico J. Smit. The Application of Artificial Mussels in Conjunction with Transplanted Bivalves to Assess Elemental Exposure in a Platinum Mining Area. Water. 2019; 12 (1):32.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarelize Labuschagne; Victor Wepener; Milen Nachev; Sonja Zimmermann; Bernd Sures; Nico J. Smit. 2019. "The Application of Artificial Mussels in Conjunction with Transplanted Bivalves to Assess Elemental Exposure in a Platinum Mining Area." Water 12, no. 1: 32.
South Africa is the world’s main supplier of Pt. The Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa contains 75% of the world’s Pt resources. Mining of this precious metal requires large volumes of water for production and removal of waste products. Most of this wastewater is discharged into river systems. Although the source of contamination with Pt in aquatic systems due to mining activities is known, little to no information is available about the impact of Pt on aquatic organisms. Additionally, other metals are released as byproducts of Pt mining, which might also be discharged into the environment. Therefore, concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pt and Pb were determined in water, sediment and macroinvertebrate samples from a reference site (Site 1), a highly impacted site (Site 2) and a moderately impacted site (Site 3) along the Hex River, South Africa. Aquatic invertebrate families representing different functional feeding groups i.e. scraper-grazers (Lymnaeidae), collector-gatherers (Potamonautidae, Hydropsychidae, Tubificidae and Chironomidae), shredders (Baetidae) and predators (Coenagrionidae and Libellulidae) were studied. In the sediments, the concentrations of Cr and Pt were significantly higher at Site 2 than at Sites 1 and 3, respectively, whereas concentrations of Ni, Cu, Cd, and Pb showed no significant differences between the sites. Depending on the metal, the aquatic invertebrate families showed different grades of bioaccumulation. The results from especially Lymnaeidae, Baetidae, Tubificidae and Chironomidae showed great promise for the use of these taxa for biomonitoring of metal contaminations. The macroinvertebrates accumulated metals associated with Pt mining, with epi-benthic dwelling taxa (Tubificidae) accumulating higher concentrations of Pt and Cr than other families (e.g. Potamonautidae, Coenagrionidae and Lymnaeidae). These results provide valuable information on the behavior of metals related to Pt mining in aquatic ecosystems and therefore can contribute to the risk assessment of these intensive mining activities.
J.H. Erasmus; W. Malherbe; S. Zimmermann; A.W. Lorenz; M. Nachev; V. Wepener; B. Sures; N.J. Smit. Metal accumulation in riverine macroinvertebrates from a platinum mining region. Science of The Total Environment 2019, 703, 134738 .
AMA StyleJ.H. Erasmus, W. Malherbe, S. Zimmermann, A.W. Lorenz, M. Nachev, V. Wepener, B. Sures, N.J. Smit. Metal accumulation in riverine macroinvertebrates from a platinum mining region. Science of The Total Environment. 2019; 703 ():134738.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJ.H. Erasmus; W. Malherbe; S. Zimmermann; A.W. Lorenz; M. Nachev; V. Wepener; B. Sures; N.J. Smit. 2019. "Metal accumulation in riverine macroinvertebrates from a platinum mining region." Science of The Total Environment 703, no. : 134738.
Silver ions are among the predominant anthropogenic introduced pollutants in aquatic systems. As silver has effects on species at all trophic levels the community composition in aquatic habitats can be changed as a result of silver stress. The response of planktonic protists to environmental stressors is particularly important as they act both as producers and consumers in complex planktonic communities. Chrysomonad flagellates are of major interest, since this group includes heterotrophic, mixotrophic and phototrophic taxa, and therefore allows analysis of silver stress in organisms with contrasting nutritional strategies independent of a potential taxonomic bias. In a series of lab experiments, we compared the response of different trophic chrysophyte strains to low (5 μg L−1), medium (10 μg L−1) and high (20 μg L−1) nominal Ag concentrations in combination with changes in temperature and light intensity (phototrophs), temperature and food concentration (heterotrophs), or a combination of the above settings (mixotrophs). All tested strains were negatively affected by silver in their growth rates. The phototrophic strains reacted strongly to silver stress, whereas light intensity and temperature had only minor effects on growth rates. For heterotrophic strains, high food concentration toned down the effect of silver, whereas temperatures outside the growth optimum had a combined stress effect. The mixotrophic strains reacted differently depending on whether their nutritional mode was dominated by heterotrophy or by phototrophy. The precise response pattern across all variables was uniquely different for every single species we tested. The present work contributes to a deeper understanding of the effects of environmental stressors on complex planktonic communities. It indicates that silver will negatively impact planktonic communities and may create shifts in their composition and functioning.
Christina Bock; Sonja Zimmermann; Daniela Beisser; Sarah-Maria Dinglinger; Simone Engelskirchen; Philipp Giesemann; Saskia Klink; Jana Laura Olefeld; Sven Rahmann; Matthijs Vos; Jens Boenigk; Bernd Sures. Silver stress differentially affects growth of phototrophic and heterotrophic chrysomonad flagellate populations. Environmental Pollution 2018, 244, 314 -322.
AMA StyleChristina Bock, Sonja Zimmermann, Daniela Beisser, Sarah-Maria Dinglinger, Simone Engelskirchen, Philipp Giesemann, Saskia Klink, Jana Laura Olefeld, Sven Rahmann, Matthijs Vos, Jens Boenigk, Bernd Sures. Silver stress differentially affects growth of phototrophic and heterotrophic chrysomonad flagellate populations. Environmental Pollution. 2018; 244 ():314-322.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChristina Bock; Sonja Zimmermann; Daniela Beisser; Sarah-Maria Dinglinger; Simone Engelskirchen; Philipp Giesemann; Saskia Klink; Jana Laura Olefeld; Sven Rahmann; Matthijs Vos; Jens Boenigk; Bernd Sures. 2018. "Silver stress differentially affects growth of phototrophic and heterotrophic chrysomonad flagellate populations." Environmental Pollution 244, no. : 314-322.
The platinum group elements (PGE) platinum, palladium and rhodium gain increasing (eco-)toxicological interest due to their cumulative introduction into ecosystems. So far, most PGE exposure studies investigating biological availability, uptake and bioaccumulation of PGE as well as their effects on different toxicological endpoints were performed under non-standardized conditions which occasionally make an interpretation and comparison of the results difficult. Here we compare the results of different PGE exposure studies with zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) showing influences due to the PGE source, the exposure medium, the exposure concentration and period as well as the test system. Problems associated to the performance and evaluation of these studies were identified and recommendations as well as needs for future studies are given. As nominal exposure concentrations often did not reflect real exposure conditions the reference for exposure concentration has to be chosen with caution, i.e. nominal versus quantified aqueous concentrations. The determination of bioaccumulation factors can be problematic when PGE concentrations in the exposure medium and in the test organism did not reach steady state even after several weeks of exposure. For future studies it would be advantageous to regularly correlating PGE bioaccumulation and biomarker responses to increase the knowledge on potential adverse effects of these metals, preferably using environmentally relevant PGE concentration scenarios. Many aspects discussed in the present study for zebra mussels and PGE can be transferred to other aquatic animals and other metals, respectively.
Sonja Zimmermann; Bernd Sures. Lessons learned from studies with the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha exposed to platinum, palladium and rhodium. Science of The Total Environment 2018, 615, 1396 -1405.
AMA StyleSonja Zimmermann, Bernd Sures. Lessons learned from studies with the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha exposed to platinum, palladium and rhodium. Science of The Total Environment. 2018; 615 ():1396-1405.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSonja Zimmermann; Bernd Sures. 2018. "Lessons learned from studies with the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha exposed to platinum, palladium and rhodium." Science of The Total Environment 615, no. : 1396-1405.
Mainly due to automobile traffic, but also due to other sources, the platinum group elements (PGE) platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh) are introduced into aquatic biotopes where they accumulate in sediments of lakes and rivers. However, the toxicity of these noble metals to aquatic organisms is not well understood and especially toxicity studies under standardized condition are lacking. Thus, the toxicity of Pt, Pd and Rh to Daphnia magna was tested in single metal exposure experiments according to OECD guideline 202. Immobility and lethality was recorded after 24 h and 48 h of exposure and EC and LC, respectively, were determined. As the nominal exposure concentration of Pd differed significantly from the quantified concentration, the control of the real exposure concentration by chemical analysis is mandatory, especially for Pd. The toxicity decreased in the order Pd > Pt ≫ Rh with e.g. LC(48 h) values of 14 μg/L for Pd, 157 μg/L for Pt and 56,800 μg/L for Rh. The exposure period had a clear effect on the toxicity of Pt, Pd and Rh. For Pt and Rh the endpoint immobility was more sensitive than the endpoint lethality whereas Pd toxicity was similar for both endpoints. The Hill slopes, which are a measure for the steepness of the concentration-response curves, showed no significant discrepancies between the different metals. The binary metal exposure to Pt and Pd revealed a more-than-additive, i.e. a synergistic toxicity using the toxic unit approach. The present study is a start to understand the toxicity of interacting PGE. The modes of action behind the synergistic effect are unclear.
Sonja Zimmermann; Carolina Wolff; Bernd Sures. Toxicity of platinum, palladium and rhodium to Daphnia magna in single and binary metal exposure experiments. Environmental Pollution 2017, 224, 368 -376.
AMA StyleSonja Zimmermann, Carolina Wolff, Bernd Sures. Toxicity of platinum, palladium and rhodium to Daphnia magna in single and binary metal exposure experiments. Environmental Pollution. 2017; 224 ():368-376.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSonja Zimmermann; Carolina Wolff; Bernd Sures. 2017. "Toxicity of platinum, palladium and rhodium to Daphnia magna in single and binary metal exposure experiments." Environmental Pollution 224, no. : 368-376.
Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were exposed to polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated silver nanoparticles (AgNP; hydrodynamic diameter 80 nm; solid diameter 50 nm) to investigate the behavior of Ag in the tank water with respect to its uptake, bioaccumulation, elimination and subcellular distribution in the mussel soft tissue. Parallel experiments were performed with ionic Ag (AgNO) to unravel possible differences between the metal forms. The recovery of the applied Ag concentration (500 μg/L) in the tank water was clearly affected by the metal source (AgNP < AgNO) and water type (reconstituted water < tap water). Filtration (<0.45 μm) of water samples showed different effects on the quantified metal concentration depending on the water type and Ag form. Ag accumulation in the mussel soft tissue was neither influenced by the metal source nor by the water type. Ag concentrations in the mussel soft tissue did not decrease during 14 days of depuration. For both metal forms the Ag distribution within different subcellular fractions, i.e. metal-rich granules (MRG), cellular debris, organelles, heat-sensitive proteins (HSP) and metallothionein-like proteins (MTLP), revealed time-dependent changes which can be referred to intracellular Ag translocation processes. The results provide clear evidence for the uptake of Ag by the mussel soft tissue in nanoparticulate as well as in ionic form. Thus, zebra mussels could be used as effective accumulation indicators for environmental monitoring of both Ag forms.
Sonja Zimmermann; Nadine Ruchter; Kateryna Loza; Matthias Epple; Bernd Sures. Nanoparticulate versus ionic silver: Behavior in the tank water, bioaccumulation, elimination and subcellular distribution in the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha. Environmental Pollution 2017, 222, 251 -260.
AMA StyleSonja Zimmermann, Nadine Ruchter, Kateryna Loza, Matthias Epple, Bernd Sures. Nanoparticulate versus ionic silver: Behavior in the tank water, bioaccumulation, elimination and subcellular distribution in the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha. Environmental Pollution. 2017; 222 ():251-260.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSonja Zimmermann; Nadine Ruchter; Kateryna Loza; Matthias Epple; Bernd Sures. 2017. "Nanoparticulate versus ionic silver: Behavior in the tank water, bioaccumulation, elimination and subcellular distribution in the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha." Environmental Pollution 222, no. : 251-260.
The current socio-economic, environmental and public health challenges that countries are facing clearly need common-defined strategies to inform and support our transition to a sustainable economy. Here, the technology-critical elements (which includes Ga, Ge, In, Te, Nb, Ta, Tl, the Platinum Group Elements and most of the rare-earth elements) are of great relevance in the development of emerging key technologies—including renewable energy, energy efficiency, electronics or the aerospace industry. In this context, the increasing use of technology-critical elements (TCEs) and associated environmental impacts (from mining to end-of-life waste products) is not restricted to a national level but covers most likely a global scale. Accordingly, the European COST Action TD1407: Network on Technology-Critical Elements (NOTICE)—from environmental processes to human health threats, has an overall objective for creating a network of scientists and practitioners interested in TCEs, from the evaluation of their environmental processes to understanding potential human health threats, with the aim of defining the current state of knowledge and gaps, proposing priority research lines/activities and acting as a platform for new collaborations and joint research projects. The Action is focused on three major scientific areas: (i) analytical chemistry, (ii) environmental biogeochemistry and (iii) human exposure and (eco)-toxicology.
A. Cobelo-García; M. Filella; P. Croot; C. Frazzoli; G. Du Laing; N. Ospina-Alvarez; S. Rauch; P. Salaun; J. Schäfer; S. Zimmermann. COST action TD1407: network on technology-critical elements (NOTICE)—from environmental processes to human health threats. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2015, 22, 15188 -15194.
AMA StyleA. Cobelo-García, M. Filella, P. Croot, C. Frazzoli, G. Du Laing, N. Ospina-Alvarez, S. Rauch, P. Salaun, J. Schäfer, S. Zimmermann. COST action TD1407: network on technology-critical elements (NOTICE)—from environmental processes to human health threats. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2015; 22 (19):15188-15194.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Cobelo-García; M. Filella; P. Croot; C. Frazzoli; G. Du Laing; N. Ospina-Alvarez; S. Rauch; P. Salaun; J. Schäfer; S. Zimmermann. 2015. "COST action TD1407: network on technology-critical elements (NOTICE)—from environmental processes to human health threats." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 22, no. 19: 15188-15194.
The present book chapter gives an overview of laboratory exposure experiments dealing with the biological availability, uptake and accumulation of the platinum group elements (PGE) platinum, palladium and rhodium by aquatic organisms. Effects of different test parameters such as test system, PGE source, route of exposure, exposure concentration, exposure medium, test organism, temperature and exposure period are described in detail. Problems in the determination of bioaccumulation factors (BAF) and in their use to comparing results from different bioaccumulation studies are discussed. Although the transfer of laboratory results to field conditions bears a lot of difficulties, it is important to know these influences and problems for a better understanding of the environmental situation.
Sonja Zimmermann; Bernd Sures; Nadine Ruchter. Laboratory Studies on the Uptake and Bioaccumulation of PGE by Aquatic Plants and Animals. Soil and Recycling Management in the Anthropocene Era 2014, 361 -381.
AMA StyleSonja Zimmermann, Bernd Sures, Nadine Ruchter. Laboratory Studies on the Uptake and Bioaccumulation of PGE by Aquatic Plants and Animals. Soil and Recycling Management in the Anthropocene Era. 2014; ():361-381.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSonja Zimmermann; Bernd Sures; Nadine Ruchter. 2014. "Laboratory Studies on the Uptake and Bioaccumulation of PGE by Aquatic Plants and Animals." Soil and Recycling Management in the Anthropocene Era , no. : 361-381.
This Editorial introduces a series of papers on ‘Progress in ecotoxicology, environmental chemistry and ecology’ and was initiated in the context of the Joint SETAC GLB/GDCh Annual Meeting 2013 at the University of Duisburg-Essen. According to the title of the conference ‘Ecotoxicology in an urban context’ (Ökotoxikologie im urbanen Raum), a couple of conference contributions dealing with the occurrence and availability of pollutants relevant for organisms in urban environments will be published as papers in this series. Additional contributions with a focus on current developments in any field of ecotoxicology, environmental chemistry or ecology or which specifically address the importance of multiple stressors are welcome. We cordially invite all colleagues who feel they can contribute to the topic to submit a manuscript to ESEU with reference to this series.
Bernd Sures; Nadine Ruchter; Sonja Zimmermann; Michael Eisinger; Henner Hollert. Progress in ecotoxicology, environmental chemistry and ecology. Environmental Sciences Europe 2014, 26, 1 -2.
AMA StyleBernd Sures, Nadine Ruchter, Sonja Zimmermann, Michael Eisinger, Henner Hollert. Progress in ecotoxicology, environmental chemistry and ecology. Environmental Sciences Europe. 2014; 26 (1):1-2.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBernd Sures; Nadine Ruchter; Sonja Zimmermann; Michael Eisinger; Henner Hollert. 2014. "Progress in ecotoxicology, environmental chemistry and ecology." Environmental Sciences Europe 26, no. 1: 1-2.
Frankie Thielen; Sonja Zimmermann; Bernd Sures. Biomonitoring of Palladium in the Environment Using Different Accumulation Indicators. Palladium Emissions in the Environment 2006, 513 -523.
AMA StyleFrankie Thielen, Sonja Zimmermann, Bernd Sures. Biomonitoring of Palladium in the Environment Using Different Accumulation Indicators. Palladium Emissions in the Environment. 2006; ():513-523.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrankie Thielen; Sonja Zimmermann; Bernd Sures. 2006. "Biomonitoring of Palladium in the Environment Using Different Accumulation Indicators." Palladium Emissions in the Environment , no. : 513-523.