L’introduction de composé d’origine anthropogénique (produits pharmaceutiques, et de soin personnel, retardateur de flammes, plastifiants, etc.) par les stations de traitement des eaux usées municipales ainsi que le devenir de ses composés dans l’environnement est une problématique d’intérêt mondial. L’élimination de ses contaminants d’intérêt émergent des eaux usées s’effectue au niveau des stations de traitement des eaux usées qui, pour la plupart, ne sont pas conçues pour réaliser cette tâche. En effet, celles-ci présentent des niveaux très variables d’efficacité de dégradation/transformation de la plupart des contaminants émergents ce qui laisse dans l’effluent de ces stations des concentrations habituellement inférieures à quelques microgrammes par litres d’au moins plusieurs centaines de contaminants. Quelques études ont démontrés que l’exposition chronique à ces concentrations environnementales de différents CIE donne lieu à des effets toxiques chez le méné à tête de boule (effondrement de la population) et le gammare (diminution de l’activité). Cependant, les méthodes classiques utilisées pour l’évaluation de la toxicité ne sont pas suffisamment sensibles pour déceler des effets sublétaux aux concentrations environnementales observées dans les milieux recevant ces rejets de station d’épuration. Bien entendu, il est impossible de concevoir un procédé unique capable d’éliminer la totalité des contaminants d’intérêt émergent (présents ou futurs) des eaux usées. Il est donc nécessaire de créer des approches capables de prioriser et de cibler les composés qui doivent être éliminés. Ce projet de recherche met de l’avant l’hypothèse qu’une étude métabolomique ciblé serait capable de répondre à cette problématique. L’approche utilisée vise à ajouter un ou plusieurs points de terminaison (fluctuation des métabolites) au test de toxicité aiguë des effluents déjà effectué sur la puce d’eau (Daphnia magna) en quantifiant des molécules essentielles à la survie de cette espèce (ecdystéroïdes et acides rétinoïques). Les daphnies sont des modèles idéaux pour ce type d’étude puisqu’il s’agit d’organismes essentiels du zooplancton dans le monde entier. L’espèce D. magna est retrouvée dans l’hémisphère nord dans les lacs, rivières et étangs temporaires, elle se reproduit rapidement, est facile à cultiver et se reproduit par parthénogénèse. La quantification des ecdystéroïdes et acides rétinoïques aux concentrations observées chez la puce d’eau (picogramme par individus) est typiquement atteinte par dosage radio-immunologique (radioimmunoassay). Cependant, ce type de méthode ne permet pas d’identifier spécifiquement l’analyte ciblé, mais plutôt la somme de toutes molécules produisant une réaction immunologique similaire à celui-ci appelée "équivalent immunologique" et les résultats obtenus dépendent de l’anticorps, de la préparation effectuée et du lot de l’anticorps utilisé. Ce manque de sélectivité et variabilité des données obtenues pose problème pour la comparaison inter-laboratoires de résultats et a donc forcé le développement d’une nouvelle méthode analytique. Le présent document décrit le développement et la validation d’une méthode de quantification par chromatographie liquide couplée à un spectromètre de masse permettant d’atteindre des limites de quantification allant de 210 à 380 pg mL-1 pour trois ecdystéroïdes (20-hydroxyecdysone, ecdysone et ponasterone A) et de 5 ng mL-1 pour la somme des isomères de l’acide rétinoïque. La quantification de ces analytes aux faibles concentrations observées chez la puce d’eau a nécessité l’optimisation des paramètres instrumentaux, de la préparation d’échantillon et l’optimisation des conditions chromatographiques. Au final, la 20-hydroxyecdysone a pu être quantifiée à 19 ± 8 pg ind-1 pour les adultes (475 ± 200 pg mL-1, n=3) et à 3.6 ± 1.0 pg ind-1 pour les juvéniles (360 ± 10 pg mL-1, n=3), mais seulement détectée chez les néonates à 0.19 pg ind-1 (19 pg mL-1, n=3). L’ecdysone a également pu être détectée à 1.8 pg ind-1 chez les spécimens de taille adulte (180 pg mL-1, n=3). Le projet suivant vise à augmenter les connaissances sur l’effet de contaminants d’intérêt émergents sur l’environnement et sur le métabolisme de la puce d’eau D.magna ainsi que fournir une méthode potentiellement capable d’évaluer le risque d’exposition à des concentrations environnementales et permettre de prioriser les composés à être évaluer.

En los últimos años ha surgido una nueva tecnología en el rango nanométrico denominado hoy en día Nanotecnología. Desde su descubrimiento, la producción y uso de nanomateriales se ha visto incrementado rápidamente. Uno de ellos es el Fulereno (C60), el cual es utilizado en diferentes campos de la ciencia y la tecnología como la medicina, cosmética, electricidad, entre otros. Esta nueva industria genera desechos de producción que tienen como destino final los ambientes acuáticos, del mismo modo los residuos del uso de productos que contienen nanomateriales como los son algunos detergentes, bloqueadores solares, desodorantes. Como es sabido los ambientes acuáticos son dinámicos y conformados por múltiples componentes. Sin embargo, no se han realizado suficientes evaluaciones de los posibles efectos de la exposición de dicho compuesto en el ambiente y por ende, en los organismos, más aún, la interacción del mismo con otros contaminantes de origen natural o artificial. El presente estudio fue realizado con el fin de evaluar la influencia de un nanocompuesto denominado Fulereno (C60) sobre un organismo acuático denominado Daphnia magna, mediado por dos factores adicionales: un metal (Cobre) y la luz ultravioleta en condiciones de laboratorio. Para ello, se obtuvieron “dafnias” que posteriormente fueron reproducidas considerando 16h luz/ 8h oscuridad y una alimentación en base a Nutrafiin basic (3g) suplementado con levadura (0.05g). Luego del cultivo, se sometió a los organismos juveniles de Daphnia magna, a diferentes tratamientos durante 48 hrs., luego de los cuales se evaluó lo siguiente: 1) DL50 y la EC50 en diferentes concentraciones de Fulereno (C60) y Cobre; 2) El grado de estrés oxidativo generado por una gradiente de concentraciones de Fulereno (C60) y Cobre; 3) Evaluar su comportamiento considerando la frecuencia de saltos por minuto ante la exposición a diferentes concentraciones y bajo la influencia de luz UV (pre y post); y, 4) Evaluar la producción de melaninas como respuesta a la exposición de Fulereno C60 y Cobre a diferentes concentraciones y bajo la influencia de luz UV (pre y post). Esto permitió estimar el riesgo ambiental del fulereno aunado a contaminantes clásicos como un metal (Cobre) y la luz UV, a fin de proponer posibles mecanismos de acción. Los resultados muestran que no hay diferencias estadísticamente significativas en cuanto a capacidad antioxidante entre un pre y post tratamiento con luz UV-Vis, sin embargo sí existen diferencias a nivel comportamental (frecuencia de saltos) y entre la cantidad de melaninas generadas entre ambos tratamientos considerando la mezcla de Fulereno C60 y Cobre, y la pre y post exposición a radiación UV. / In recent years there has emerged a new technology in the nanometer range today called Nanotechnology. Since its discovery, production and use of nanomaterials has been increased rapidly. One is the Fullerene (C60), which is used in different fields of science and technology such as medicine, cosmetics, electricity, among others. This new industry generates waste production are destined for aquatic environments, just as the use of waste products containing nanomaterials as are some detergents, sunscreens, deodorants. As is well known aquatic environments are dynamic and shaped by multiple components. However, there have been sufficient assessments of the potential effects of exposure to this compound in the environment and therefore, in organisms, even more, its interaction with other pollutants of natural or artificial origin. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the influence of a nanocomposite called Fullerene (C60) on a water body called Daphnia magna, mediated by two other factors: a metal (copper) and the ultraviolet light in the laboratory. To do this, “daphnia” which were subsequently reproduced considering 16h light / 8h dark and feeding based on basic Nutrafiin (3g) supplemented with yeast (0.05g) was obtained. After the culture was subjected to youth organizations Daphnia magna, to different treatments for 48 h, after which the following were evaluated: 1) LD50 and EC50 in different concentrations of Fullerene (C60) and Copper; 2) The degree of oxidative stress generated by a concentration gradient of fullerene (C60) and Copper; 3) Assess their behavior considering the frequency of jumps per minute when exposed to different concentrations and under the influence of UV light (pre and post); and 4) Evaluate the production of melanin in response to exposure of fullerene C60 and copper at different concentrations and under the influence of UV light (pre and post). This allowed us to estimate the environmental risk of fullerene contaminants coupled with classics like a metal (copper) and UV light in order to propose possible mechanisms of action. The results show no statistically significant differences in antioxidant capacity between before and after treatment with UV -Vis light, however there are differences at the behavioral level (frequency hopping) and between the amount of melanin generated between both treatments considering fullerene C60 mixture and Copper, and pre and post exposure to UV radiation. Keywords: Fullerene (C60), Copper, antioxidant capacity, frequency jumps, Melanin.

Stable isotope analysis (SIA) is a valuable tool in ecotoxicology because δ13C and δ15N may provide insights into the trophic transfer of contaminants in a food web. The relationship between a species’ trophic position (TP, determined from δ15N) and internal concentration of biomagnifying contaminants can be established and used for regulatory purposes. However, the exposure of organisms to xenobiotics incurs physiological costs, and the stable isotope signature of a consumer reflects not only diet but also a physiological state. The latter raises questions regarding the interpretation of stable isotope signatures in contaminated areas. Therefore, the aim of this Thesis was to evaluate the behaviour of consumers’ stable isotope signatures in stressed systems, with a primary focus on the effects of environmental contaminants. In paper I, the physiological costs of chemical exposure were found to alter incorporation rates of dietary nitrogen and carbon in a consumer by influencing both growth and metabolic turnover, with resulting changes in isotope signatures relative to a control system. In paper II, the diet-consumer discrimination factors for 15N and 13C were confirmed to increase under chemical exposure mediated via increased metabolic costs. However, the physiological response was low and translated into only minor shifts in the δ13C and δ15N. The predictability of exposure effects on the stable isotope signature was demonstrated in paper III, in which animals exposed to a chemical with a known mode of action presented expected effects on elemental composition, body size, biomarkers of oxidative stress and the stable isotope signatures. Moreover, consumers’ oxidative balance was found to be related to their δ15N values, thus providing evidence of the kinetic isotope effect on the oxidative status. However, despite the alterations in stable isotope signatures observed in laboratory settings (papers I-III), the effect of xenobiotics on the TP estimates was nil or minor in the field-collected animals. Moreover, the TP values were not significantly different between the animals in the contaminated and the reference habitats because of the high overall uncertainties in the TP estimates (paper IV). Also, the TP estimates based on δ15N in bulk material were more similar between the contaminated and the reference systems than TP estimates based on δ15N values in amino acids. Therefore, the latter method appears more sensitive towards xenobiotics (and, possibly, other environmental stressors) and thus less suitable for TP assessment in contaminated areas. This Thesis improved the overall understanding of the applicability of SIA in stressed systems by establishing relationships between various exposure regimes, physiological responses and the stable isotope signatures in consumers. In model species at low trophic levels, the exposure to xenobiotics was found to significantly affect δ13C and δ15N values, which can be expected whenever physiological responses are detected. However, because of the overall high uncertainty in TP estimates, no significant differences between contaminated and control systems were detected, although the estimated TP were consistently higher in the contaminated systems. Future research should focus on higher trophic levels, in which effects of a greater magnitude can be expected. Moreover, the effects in entire food webs should be addressed rather than single prey–consumer relationships as well as other environmental variables that may contribute to the stable isotope variability in and among systems under various environmental pressures. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Manuscript. Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>

Three suspended solids types containing a range of physicochemical characteristics were used to determine the effect of suspended solids on the bioavailability of acenaphthene, 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene, zinc, and chlordane to Daphnia magna and Pimephales promelas. Generally, the bioavailability of zinc and chlordane decreased due to interactions with all suspended solids types while bioavailability of acenaphthene and 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene were not clearly reduced. Partition coefficients and slope of dose-response curves related chemical characteristics and organism sensitivity, respectively, to experimentally determined results. It is believed that the biologically available form of these chemicals to Daphnia magna and Pimephales promelas resides in the aqueous phase.

Multi-walled carbon nanotube aggregates can be suspended in the aqueous phase by natural organic matter. These aggregates are ingested by filter feeding zooplankton. Ingested aggregates result in decreased growth and decreased reproduction. These effects may be caused by reduction in energy input from normal feeding behavior. pH alters natural organic matter structure through changes in electrostatic repulsion. Altered natural organic matter structure changes multi-walled carbon nanotube aggregate size. This size variation with variation in pH is significant, but not large enough a change in size to alter toxicity, as the aggregate size range remains well within the particle size selection of the organisms.

Parasites are thought to have large effects on their host populations, driving genetic change, population density changes, speciation and be a major selective force maintaining sexual reproduction. Indirect signatures of parasite-mediated selection are common, but explicit examples of parasite-mediated selection in nature are lacking. In this thesis I examine parasite-mediated dynamics in a natural population of Daphnia magna that experiences an annual epidemic of the bacterial pathogen Pasteuria ramosa. I also test a novel hypothesis investigating the relationship between parasitism and the production of resting eggs. In chapter 2 a combined field study and laboratory infection experiment illustrates one of the best examples of parasite-mediated selection in a natural population, with Daphnia collected after a parasite epidemic having higher levels of parasite resistance than those collected before. This chapter also explored the relationship between parasitism and resting eggs, which are only produced during the sexual phase of reproduction. Daphnia that were reproducing sexually in the field prior to the parasite epidemic were more susceptible, supporting higher levels of parasite growth, than their asexual counterparts. This supports the idea that some genotypes invest in sex at the expense of parasite resistance. In chapter 3 I used molecular markers to investigate genotype frequency changes in the same population in relation to the parasite epidemic. The parasite epidemic was found to be associated with genetic change in the population, and a laboratory infection experiment revealed that the genotype most resistant to the parasite was also most common following the peak of the parasite epidemic. While chapter 2 explored a genetic relationship between susceptibility and resting eggs, chapter 4 explores whether crowding conditions, cues indicating parasite prevalence in the population, or direct exposure to parasite spores can induce resting egg production. I found that crowding conditions or parasite prevalence enhance levels of male and resting egg production, but patterns were entirely dependent on Daphnia genotypes. There was no indication that exposure to parasite spores affects levels of sexual reproduction.

The current work determined whether there is a constant tissue residue associated with narcotic compounds. In this investigation, the cladoceran, Daphnia magna was exposed to lethal levels (48h LC50) of ten, $ sp{14}$C-labelled, narcotic organic chemicals in a closed system. Exposure times, ambient concentrations, and body sizes were varied to evaluate their effects. The $ sp{14}$C-method developed in current work can detect chemicals in single D. magna in concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 6310 mmol/kg. Moreover, the technique detected phobic and lipophilic chemicals equally well. The technique's sensitivity (nmol/kg) allowed for detection of differences in the internal concentrations of pollutants among the unaffected, immobilized, and dead D. magna. Immobilized D. magna contained between 0.14 mmol/kg and 200 mmol/kg of narcotics. On the average, however, the internal residues were 3.1 mmol/kg (95%CL = 3.1 $ pm$ 2.0). This agreed with literature values. The effects of time of exposure, ambient concentration, and body size on the tissue residues of narcotics varied with the chemical compound.

Thesis (M.S.)--Baylor University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 68-74)

Atrazine photochemical degradation in homogeneous phase using Fe(III)/UV/air system was studied. Two toxicity assessments, a Lemna minor growth inhibition test and a Daphnia magna acute immobilisation test, were employed to test potential toxicity of atrazine and its degradation products. The occurrence of atrazine in rivers from the Vltava River basin was evaluated from the analyses performed by Povodí Vltavy, State Enterprise.

This thesis deals with ecotoxicity tests of selected substances used in agriculture and horticulture. It is focused on the determination of acute and chronic toxicity of selected herbicides. These herbicides are sold commercially, specifically Finalsan (active substance is nonanoic acid), the product of Neudorff GmbH KG company, and Dominator (active substance is glyphosate, isopropylamine salt) by Dow AgroSciences Ltd. Next tested substances are potassium nitrate and sodium nitrate - common agricultural fertilizers. Potassium dichromate was also tested. Potassium dichromate is very toxic for aquatic environment and it is used as the standard in acute tests. Tests were carried out in terms of effects on aquatic systems, due to very good solubility in water of selected substances. The tests were performed on the organism Daphnia magna.