Aquatic Toxicology最新文献

{"title":"Environmental standard limit fluoride exposure prioritizes neurotoxicity over osteotoxicity in larval zebrafish: A benchmark dose analysis","authors":"Xiumei Yang ,&nbsp;Xianmei Zhang ,&nbsp;Guojun Jian ,&nbsp;Yuanhui Zhu ,&nbsp;Hangyu Chen ,&nbsp;Xiaoxi Mu ,&nbsp;Jie Li ,&nbsp;Bijin Zhu ,&nbsp;Hui Lu ,&nbsp;Yan An ,&nbsp;Tingxu Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107749","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107749","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fluoride is a widespread environmental contaminant, but current water standards, based on skeletal toxicity, may underestimate neurodevelopmental risks. This study directly compares the sensitivity of the central nervous system (CNS) and skeletal system to fluoride at concentrations (0.5–20.0 mg/L) spanning international regulatory limits, using larval zebrafish. An integrated assessment combining behavior, transcriptomics, and benchmark dose modeling was conducted. Fluoride accumulated in the brain dose dependently and induced hyperlocomotion at 0.5 mg/L, indicating neuroexcitation. In contrast, skeletal changes were biphasic, with reduced mineralization only at 20.0 mg/L. Transcriptomics showed broader enrichment of CNS related pathways versus skeletal pathways. Consistently, key neural markers (<em>neun, tmem119a</em>) were upregulated at all concentrations, while skeletal markers (<em>bglap, acp5b</em>) responded inconsistently. Bayesian model averaging revealed that the average benchmark concentration lower limit for CNS markers was 0.17 mg/L—an order of magnitude lower than for skeletal markers (1.83 mg/L). These results quantitatively establish the developing CNS as a more sensitive target than the skeleton at regulatory level exposures. The significant sensitivity disparity suggests that standards based primarily on osteotoxicity may not adequately protect against neurodevelopmental effects. Further research is needed to translate these biomarker based thresholds into functional outcomes for comprehensive health risk assessment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 107749"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146134426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"EcoToxChip reveals immune and metabolic pathway disruption in fish chronically exposed to stormwater-impacted environments","authors":"Fateme Taridashti ,&nbsp;Patricija Marjan ,&nbsp;Markus Hecker ,&nbsp;Kelly R. Munkittrick","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107748","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107748","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Urban stormwater runoff is a growing concern for aquatic ecosystems because it contains complex mixture of nutrients and chemical contaminants. This study assessed molecular and physiological responses in wild fathead minnows (<em>Pimephales promelas</em>) in the stormwater-dominated Nose Creek Watershed, Alberta, Canada. Adult fish were sampled from multiple sites ranging from agriculturally influenced sites to urban-impacted reaches, during the pre-spawning period in May and post-spawn in September 2023. Water quality parameters and fish health endpoints (e.g. condition factor, liversomatic, and gonadosomatic indices) were measured alongside gene expression profiling using the EcoToxChip platform. Results revealed significant differences in liver and gonad sizes among the sampling sites. Transcriptomic analysis showed differential expression in pathways related to xenobiotic metabolism (e.g., cytochrome P450 1A, glutathione S-transferase C-terminal domain (gstcd), stress response (heat shock protein 70.3, heat shock protein family A member 9 (hspa9)), immune function (T helper 17 cells, T helper 1, and T helper 2 cell differentiation), lipid metabolism (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling), and apoptosis (caspase 9, growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible protein 45 gamma a). Upstream West Nose Creek exhibited signs of degradation in few water quality parameters, raising concerns about its continued suitability as a minimally impacted reference site. The study highlights the utility of combining molecular new approach methods (NAMs) with traditional health endpoints to assess the sub-lethal effects of urban stormwater and supports the integration of targeted transcriptomics into environmental monitoring frameworks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"293 ","pages":"Article 107748"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146134425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bioaccumulation and toxicological risks of tris(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate (TOTM) plasticiser in oysters: implications for marine ecosystem health","authors":"Siti Afida Ishak ,&nbsp;Annas Salleh ,&nbsp;Mei Ching Law ,&nbsp;Ley Juen Looi ,&nbsp;Murni Karim ,&nbsp;Ahmad Zaharin Aris","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107723","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107723","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite growing concerns over phthalates, the environmental fate and biological impact of alternative plasticisers such as tris(2-ethylhexyl) trimellitate (TOTM) remain underexplored. This study assessed TOTM bioaccumulation and toxicological responses in <em>Crassostrea (Magallana) saidii</em> following 21-day exposures at 10 and 100 µg/L. TOTM was found to bioaccumulate in oysters in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, highlighting its persistence in marine ecosystems. Exposure to TOTM induced oxidative stress, evidenced by an immediate increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, followed by inhibition at 100 µg/L. Catalase (CAT) activity was significantly inhibited in all exposure groups, with partial recovery observed at 10 µg/L but further inhibition at 100 µg/L. Reduced glutathione (GSH) levels increased in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest level of 219 mmol/g protein in the 100 µg/L group on day 21. Lipid peroxidation, indicated by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, was observed, with the highest level of 1.89 µmol/g protein detected in the 10 µg/L group, followed by 1.67 µmol/g protein in the 100 µg/L group. Histopathological examination revealed marked tissue alterations, including gill ciliary deterioration, mantle epithelial disruption, and atrophy of the digestive gland. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that TOTM, despite its classification as a safer alternative plasticiser, can induce sublethal yet ecologically relevant stress responses in marine bivalves. The observed bioaccumulation and impairment of antioxidant and digestive functions highlight the need to re-evaluate current assumptions regarding the environmental safety of non-phthalate plasticisers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107723"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Road salt creates a slippery slope for Pacific salmon: Environmentally realistic salt pulses have lethal and sublethal effects on developing coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)","authors":"Carley E. Winter ,&nbsp;Clare L. Kilgour ,&nbsp;Colin J. Brauner ,&nbsp;Chris M. Wood ,&nbsp;Patricia M. Schulte","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107737","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107737","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Road salt, primarily sodium chloride (NaCl), is frequently used as a de-icer during cold seasons. In the Vancouver Lower Mainland (VLM) region of British Columbia, Canada, road salt is contaminating local streams where Pacific salmon spawn. The provincial acute water quality guideline is 600 mg L^-1 Cl^-, yet road salt contamination is resulting in pulses of salinity estimated to exceed this guideline by over 11-fold. In the VLM, the spawning and subsequent rearing period of coho salmon (<em>Oncorhynchus kisutch</em>) directly overlaps with these pulses of salinity. This study investigates the lethal and sublethal effects of road salt pulses on coho salmon by simulating an environmentally realistic pulse of road salt at different stages of development. We exposed coho embryos to a 24-h salt pulse at six environmentally relevant salt concentrations at &lt;1 h post-fertilization or at 50 % hatch. To investigate effects on fertilization success, we conducted a 5-min salt exposure at the time of fertilization. Following salt exposures, coho were returned to freshwater to rear until swim-up to assess survival and the presence of deformities. There was no effect of salt exposure on fertilization, but the &lt;1 h post-fertilization exposure group was sensitive to a salt pulse, as there was significant mortality, persistent ionoregulatory disruptions, and an increase in deformities. Upon hatching, exposed embryos exhibited a decrease in body length and larger yolk sac volume, suggesting that the early salt pulse disrupted embryonic development. Our research highlights an urgent need for improved road salting practices to protect developing coho salmon.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107737"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146048422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Zooplankton are adversely affected by chronic exposure to Raphidiopsis raciborskii (Cyanobacteria) and acetamiprid: A study of single and combined toxicity","authors":"Júlia Vianna de Pinho ,&nbsp;Michael Ribas Celano ,&nbsp;Mauro Cesar Palmeira Vilar ,&nbsp;Fábio Verissimo Correia ,&nbsp;Aloysio da S. Ferrão-Filho","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107741","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107741","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Agriculture has expanded worldwide in recent years, with large amounts of inorganic fertilizers used, which can reach aquatic ecosystems and potentially worsen eutrophication and harmful cyanobacterial algal blooms (CyanoHABs). Additionally, the excessive use of neonicotinoid pesticides poses a significant environmental problem, impacting non-target organisms and the health of ecosystems. This study examined the chronic single and combined effects of the neonicotinoid acetamiprid and a saxitoxin-producing cyanobacterial strain (<em>Raphidiopsis raciborskii</em> LETC-CY-05) on survivorship and reproduction of two species of cladocerans (<em>Daphnia similis</em> and <em>Daphnia laevis</em>). In single exposures, <em>D. similis</em> was more affected by the cyanobacterium than by acetamiprid. In contrast, although <em>D. laevis</em> exhibited greater overall tolerance to both toxic agents than <em>D. similis</em>, this species was more sensitive to acetamiprid than to cyanobacterium. The overall toxicity was influenced by a 10-fold variation in toxin content per biomass across the different cyanobacterial cultures used in the experiments, even in treatments with lower biomass concentrations. Combined zooplankton exposure to the pesticide and toxic cyanobacterium yielded different interaction effects, ranging from antagonism to synergism on the proportion of toxicants. For <em>D. similis</em>, the most harmful effects were observed when the cyanobacteria:acetamiprid proportion was 1:1, while for <em>D. laevis</em>, this occurred at 1:1 and 2:1 proportions. These results demonstrate that the interaction between acetamiprid and cyanobacteria can lead to enhanced toxicity in zooplankton, underscoring the importance of assessing multiple stressors and their interactive effects in aquatic ecosystems, as single-exposure assessments may fail to capture the full scope of ecological risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107741"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146071817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Developmental and neurobehavioural toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aquatic organisms: mechanistic insights from molecular disruption to behavioural dysfunction","authors":"Mohamed Hamed ,&nbsp;Mohamed Abbas ,&nbsp;A K M Munzurul Hasan ,&nbsp;Shimaa M. Kteeba ,&nbsp;Hesham Taher ,&nbsp;Mohammed Abdel-Wahab ,&nbsp;Rashad E.M. Said ,&nbsp;Zeinab Bakr ,&nbsp;Douglas P. Chivers ,&nbsp;Jae-Seong Lee ,&nbsp;Alaa El-Din H. Sayed","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107719","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107719","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent synthetic contaminants ubiquitously detected in aquatic ecosystems, raising growing concern over their ecological and toxicological impacts. Increasing evidence demonstrates that PFAS pose significant risks to aquatic organisms, particularly during early developmental stages, by disrupting development and neurobehavioural function. This review synthesizes current knowledge on PFAS-induced developmental and neurobehavioural toxicity in aquatic organisms, integrating molecular, physiological, and behavioural evidence. Developmental exposure to legacy PFAS (e.g., PFOS, PFOA) and emerging alternatives (e.g., GenX, ADONA, HFPO-DA) are associated with embryotoxicity, pericardial edema, craniofacial abnormalities, impaired swim bladder inflation, metabolic disruption, and reduced growth and survival. Neurobehavioural effects include altered locomotion, anxiety-like behaviour, sensory processing, predator–prey interactions, and reproductive behaviours, with some effects persisting across life stages and generations. These outcomes are mechanistically linked to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, endocrine disruption particularly perturbation of the hypothalamic-pituitary -thyroid axis neurotransmitter dysregulation, and transcriptomic, epigenetic, and non-coding RNA reprogramming. Emerging evidence also implicates microglial and neuroimmune dysfunction in PFAS-induced neurotoxicity. Notably, many PFAS alternatives exhibit toxicological profiles comparable to legacy compounds, challenging assumptions of safer substitution. This review highlights the need to integrate neurobehavioural and omics-based endpoints into PFAS risk assessment and regulatory frameworks to better protect aquatic ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107719"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145995808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chemical induction of settlement and metamorphosis in larvae of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum","authors":"Jiakang Wang ,&nbsp;Zhiyang Cui ,&nbsp;Huawang Li ,&nbsp;Yancui Chen ,&nbsp;Biao Wu ,&nbsp;Liqing Zhou ,&nbsp;Zhihong Liu ,&nbsp;Peizhen Ma ,&nbsp;Zhuanzhuan Li ,&nbsp;Xiujun Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107725","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107725","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Larval settlement and metamorphosis is a critical biological process governing the recruitment and population dynamics of bivalves, with profound implications for aquaculture sustainability. This study systematically assessed the effects of neurochemical inducers (Serotonin [5-HT], <span>l</span>-DOPA, acetylcholine, choline) and inorganic ions (K^⁺, Ca^²⁺, NH₄^⁺, Mg^²⁺) on larval settlement and metamorphosis in Manila clam <em>Ruditapes philippinarum</em>. Laboratory bioassays demonstrated that 5-HT acted as a potent settlement inducer, eliciting &gt;65% settlement and metamorphosis at concentrations ranging from 10⁻² to 1 μM within 6–24 h. However, it exhibited acute toxicity at 10² μM, resulting in 100% mortality at 72 h. In contrast, <span>l</span>-DOPA showed transient efficacy, achieving 66.3% settlement and metamorphosis at 10 μM within 6 h but lack of induction effects at 48 h. Among ions, K^⁺ (30 mM) and Ca^²⁺ (30–50 mM) significantly enhanced larval settlement and metamorphosis, with the highest induction rates of 41% and 51% at 24 h, respectively, but the elevated concentrations resulted in increased larval mortality (≥ 37.7%). Ammonium chloride (which is usually present in both ionized and more toxic unionized forms, partly dependent on pH) displayed strong toxicity, causing 100% mortality at &gt;20 mM concentrations within 48 h, while Mg²⁺ had the negligible effects on both settlement and survival. These findings highlight the inductive effects of chemical cues on larval settlement and metamorphosis in <em>R. philippinarum</em>, providing practical thresholds (e.g., 1 μM 5-HT with ≤24 h exposure) to optimize hatchery-rearing protocols in aquaculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107725"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146000600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Damages of aged-PVC microplastics exceed the enhanced resistance of chlorella pyrenoidosa induced by phosphorus limitation","authors":"Xiao Tan ,&nbsp;Lv Wang ,&nbsp;Chao Xing ,&nbsp;Zhipeng Duan ,&nbsp;Jia Liang ,&nbsp;Rui Zhu ,&nbsp;Jiang Huang ,&nbsp;Shichao Chen ,&nbsp;Yijia Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107715","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107715","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phytoplankton could adapt to multiple natural stresses. However, few have explicitly explored their complex adaptation patterns to emerging chemical contaminants (ECCs), such as microplastics (MPs), under nutrient-limited conditions. Here, we experimentally investigated the patterns of <em>Chlorella pyrenoidosa</em> responding to aged polyvinyl chloride (aged-PVC) and their leachate with a series of concentrations (0–20 mg/L) under phosphorus (P) repletion conditions (7.14 mg P/L) and P limitation conditions (0.1 mg P/L). Results revealed that <em>C. pyrenoidosa</em> displayed comparable patterns in response to aged-PVC treatments, regardless of P availability, showing significant decreases in growth rate but increases in photosynthetic efficiency (1.7%-39.6%), and the early-stage growth stimulation (day 2–14) may be attributed to the leachate. Moreover, cells of <em>C. pyrenoidosa</em> under both P availability elevated their cellular P quotas at the stationary phase under the low aged-PVC concentration (0.1 mg/L). These are significantly inconsistent with the responses of phytoplankton to multiple natural stresses, where phytoplankton typically enhance their resistance to environmental stresses under nutrient-limited conditions. This can be attributed to the stronger chemical toxicity of aged-PVC on enzymes and physical damage to the cell membrane. These findings suggest that cellular adaptive mechanisms of phytoplankton to natural stresses may fail against chemical contaminants, therefore providing crucial insights into the threshold dynamics of ecosystem resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107715"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145995185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quantitative prediction of zebrafish reproductive impairment via androgen receptor-driven adverse outcome pathway","authors":"Xuan Liu ,&nbsp;Hongxia Yu ,&nbsp;You Song ,&nbsp;Wei Shi ,&nbsp;Hongling Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107720","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107720","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Exogenous androgenic contaminants have long been of concern and are associated with reproductive impairment in fish. Although Toxcast has screened a large number of compounds using <em>in vitro</em> testing, it is challenging to conduct high-throughput tests for complex effects <em>in vivo</em> and to assess apical endpoints such as reproduction further quantitatively. Therefore, we developed a quantitative prediction method for reproductive dysfunction in zebrafish based on the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework. We carried out <em>in vitro</em> androgen activity tests for 16 compounds and a 21-day exposure experiment of androgen receptor (AR) agonism reference chemical 17β-trenbolone (TB) in zebrafish. The results revealed that TB mainly affected the levels of 11-ketotestosterone, estradiol, and vitellogenin in females by mediating AR, and caused abnormal ovarian development and fecundity decline. Then, AOP leading to reproductive dysfunction in female zebrafish (ZqAOP) was assembled and quantified, and it was validated to determine the potential and reliability for chemical extrapolation. Finally, the ZqAOP model was applied for predicting the potential reproductive impairments of eight compounds in environmental concentrations and global surface water samples with AR activity. This study provides a new insight into screening and assessing large numbers of chemicals with potential endocrine-disrupting effects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107720"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145995807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chronic sublethal effects of pulsed versus constant pesticide exposures on the freshwater amphipod Gammarus fossarum: Behavioural and biochemical impairments under field-realistic conditions","authors":"Jérémie D. Lebrun ,&nbsp;Sabry El Kouch ,&nbsp;Angéline Guenne ,&nbsp;Julien Tournebize","doi":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107736","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquatox.2026.107736","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>After their application to agricultural soils, pesticides frequently reach surface waters, exposing aquatic organisms to fluctuating concentrations influenced by hydrological conditions. However, the influence of exposure dynamics on biological responses remains poorly investigated. In this study, the non-target amphipod <em>Gammarus fossarum</em> was exposed for four weeks in microcosms to environmentally realistic concentrations of three pesticide classes: the insecticide imidacloprid, the fungicide boscalid, and the herbicide bentazone. Two exposure scenarios were compared: (i) repeated short-term pulses mimicking runoff events and (ii) constant low-level exposures, both time-weighted average concentrations. Biochemical biomarkers (enzymes involved in essential functions and stress responses) and behavioural traits (locomotion, respiration, mating and feeding rate) were monitored to assess sublethal effects at cellular and individual levels. Both exposure regimes elicited changes in behaviour of animals and biochemical pathways. Notably, hyperactivity coupled with increased respiration occurred, with pesticide-specific intensity. Unlike repeated pulses, constant exposures to the insecticide and fungicide exerted more persistent inhibitory effects on feeding. Biochemical analyses revealed pesticide-specific disturbances in digestive metabolism, oxidative stress response, and neuronal activity, and suggested trade-offs in energy allocation under chronic chemical stress. Furthermore, these sublethal responses provide evidence of unintended impacts of these chemicals, even at concentrations compliant with environmental quality standards, to which wildlife is naturally exposed under various hydrological conditions. Since such disruptions in physiology and individual performance in this ecosystem engineer may precede population- and ecosystem-level consequences, our results highlight the need to integrate exposure dynamics and multi-level sublethal endpoints in ecotoxicological risk assessment to improve the protection of aquatic wildlife in agriculturally impacted freshwaters.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":248,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Toxicology","volume":"292 ","pages":"Article 107736"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146033241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}