Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-77). Also available via the Internet.

For the protection of the ecological Reserve in South Africa, the proposed introduction of compulsory toxicity testing in the licensing of effluent discharges necessitates the development of whole effluent toxicity testing. The elucidation of the effects of effluent on the local indigenous populations of organisms is essential before hazard and risk assessment can be undertaken. The limpet Burnupia stenochorias, prevalent in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, was chosen to represent the freshwater molluscs as a potential toxicity indicator. Using potassium dichromate (as a reference toxicant) and a textile whole effluent, the suitability of B. stenochorias was assessed under both acute and chronic toxicity conditions in the laboratory. In support of the toxicity studies, aspects of the biology of B. stenochorias were investigated under both natural and laboratory conditions. Using Principal Component and Discriminant Function Analyses, the relative shell morphometrics of three feral populations of B. stenochorias were found to vary. Length was shown to adequately represent growth of the shell, although the inclusion of width measurements is more statistically preferable. Two of the feral populations, one in impacted water, were studied weekly for 52 weeks to assess natural population dynamics. Based on the Von Bertalanffy Growth Equation, estimates of growth and longevity were made for this species, with growth highly seasonal. Age is not easily discerned from shell size. Egg laying occurred all year round, with early summer (peak egg lay), mid summer (a second, smaller peak in egg lay), and winter (limited presence of eggs) phases. In toxicity testing, consideration is given to the choice of the test organism based on age and sexual development. Consequently, the sexual development of B. stenochorias relative to shell length was determined with the aid of histological examinations of transverse sections of limpets, of all sizes, collected over one year. Limpets less than 3mm shell length were found to be immature in the development of the oocytes and spermatozoa, and were later chosen for acute toxicity tests. A laboratory diet was developed, for both culturing and maintaining of the limpets during toxicity tests; however, the diet requires optimisation. Under laboratory conditions, growth was linear, and individual fecundity highly variable. Successful methods for the collection of limpets from naturally occurring populations, and their acclimation to the laboratory were developed. Three B. stenochorias populations, representing different hydrological and water quality conditions, were compared to a laboratory population (maintained for three years) in their responses to the textile whole effluent and potassium dichromate. Under acute conditions, variability of mortality between limpet populations and between seasons was consistent with acceptable international standards. However, seasonal differences between feral limpets were apparent, with early summer limpets significantly more susceptible to both potassium dichromate and textile effluent than winter limpets. Although mortality occurred within the effluent at all concentrations, no 96 hour LC₅₀ values were obtained. The chronic toxicity effects of the textile whole effluent were assessed over the entire life cycle of B. stenochorias, based on survival, growth and reproductive effects. Lower concentrations of effluent (# 10%) gave greater variability of responses and toxicity than higher concentrations, with a 43 day LC₅₀ of 3.9% effluent. The No Observed Effect Concentrations for survival (over 43 days) were calculated in consecutive years as 0.1% and 1% effluent. Survival is considered a useful tool for determining toxicity endpoints using B. stenochorias. Limpet growth remained linear in effluent, with an apparent stimulation of growth at the 3-10% effluent concentration, confusing the toxicity and variability assessments. The possible addition of nutrients from the effluent points to either a potential inadequacy of the food quality provided in the chronic assessment, or the presence in the effluent of growth stimulants. Growth was also found to be too variable to allow adequate statistical conclusions about the toxicity of the effluent, although it is suggested that growth may be useful in the assessment of single compounds. Despite large individual variability in fecundity, statistical differences were discernible between effluent concentrations. The application of fecundity of B. stenochorias in hazard assessment therefore warrants further investigation. It was concluded that an assessment of textile whole effluent toxicity to B. stenochorias over an entire life cycle, and an F1 generation, is unnecessary. The development of the bucket/plastic bag method for both acute and chronic toxicity assessment of B. stenochorias was useful. In the final assessment of the usefulness of B. stenochorias as a toxicity indicator, toxicity endpoints were compared with those of the standard laboratory organism Daphnia pulex. Both in acute and chronic toxicity, B. stenochorias was found to be more sensitive. B. stenochorias is therefore considered valuable as a South African freshwater molluscan ecotoxicological indicator, with a place in hazard assessment, although further development and research is necessary before the limpet can be effectively used.

M.Sc. (Aquatic Health) / Sediments can contain a variety of organic and inorganic contaminants. These contaminants accumulate, resulting in extremely high concentrations even once the overlying water concentrations are at or below acceptable water quality guidelines. Any changes in the physical parameters of the overlying water can cause these pollutants to be released back into solution. Accumulated contaminants can be released at even higher concentrations than previously detected. In recent years, sediment contamination has highlighted the need to monitor these previously overlooked pollutant sources that have accumulated in aquatic ecosystems. South Africa does not currently have standardised methods to assess sediment toxicity. Although international methods exist, they are largely untested in South Africa and the organisms needed to conduct these tests are not readily available. Over the years numerous culture methods have been develop globally for culturing organism to be used for water and sediment toxicity tests. In South Africa, the focus has mainly been on culturing organisms for water toxicity testing. Sediment toxicity testing with indigenous organism however, was not developed. Established international culture methods from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, and Environment Canada were taken into consideration when developing the laboratory culture method for two(2) of the selected organisms (Chironomus spp. & Hydra sp.) from this study. A preliminary culture method was also developed for the third selected organism, Melanoides tuberculata (gastropod). The organisms cultured in this study were selected based on their extent of contact with the substrate, ease of handling, availability, culture maintenance as well as their reproductive cycle. The Hydra, Chironomids and M. tuberculata cultures were successfully breeding under laboratory conditions and remained stable. The Chironomus sp. and M. tuberculata maintain contact with the sediment making them suitable as ecologically relevant organisms for use in whole sediment toxicity testing in South Africa.

Contaminants may affect marine organisms through various pathways with impacts evident across a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Organisms may encounter short pulsed exposures which contaminate surface waters for hours to days, or more persistent but patchy contamination of benthic habitats throughout their entire life-cycle. This thesis examines the responses of epifauna associated with macroalgae to a pulsed exposure of contaminants (storm-water input) and to chronic contamination via metal accumulation within temperate algal beds. The effects of storm water were monitored during a two-year survey of Sydney Harbour which sampled epifauna before and after heavy rainfall. Epifaunal assemblages declined throughout the harbour following storm events but for the most part these declines were not attributable to storm-water runoff. However, transient (&lt 4 d) and localized impacts of storm water upon physico-chemical characteristics of recipient water and some epifaunal groups were identified around storm drains. A novel field dosing technique tested the relative importance of freshwater and associated metals as causative agents of behavioural avoidance and direct mortality responses. Strong avoidance of storm-water plumes was found which could be entirely explained by freshwater inundation, with no additional effects of metals. No direct mortality was observed following brief exposures. Contaminants introduced by storm water may accumulate within the tissues of macroalgae and potentially pose persistent threats to epifauna. Colonisation of epifauna was reduced on algae with enhanced copper levels, and the nesting behaviour, feeding and survival of an abundant amphipod were all negatively affected by copper load. Subsequent field surveys identified sufficient copper, lead and zinc contamination in Sydney Harbour algal beds to pose direct toxic threats to epifauna. The abundance of herbivorous amphipods correlated negatively with the copper content of a common algal species. However, differences in metal accumulation between algal species resulted in spatially variable levels of contamination. Small-scale patchiness of contaminants within these landscapes may allow populations of mobile species to persist if contaminated hosts are avoided. In summary, epifaunal assemblages appeared resilient to storm-water pulses. Recovery of affected groups was rapid and large fluctuations in abundance appear to be part of the natural flux of epifaunal communities. In contrast, assemblages responded strongly to algal-bound contaminants and this has emerged as an important pathway of contaminant exposure and impact within algal habitats.

Contaminants may affect marine organisms through various pathways with impacts evident across a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Organisms may encounter short pulsed exposures which contaminate surface waters for hours to days, or more persistent but patchy contamination of benthic habitats throughout their entire life-cycle. This thesis examines the responses of epifauna associated with macroalgae to a pulsed exposure of contaminants (storm-water input) and to chronic contamination via metal accumulation within temperate algal beds. The effects of storm water were monitored during a two-year survey of Sydney Harbour which sampled epifauna before and after heavy rainfall. Epifaunal assemblages declined throughout the harbour following storm events but for the most part these declines were not attributable to storm-water runoff. However, transient (&lt 4 d) and localized impacts of storm water upon physico-chemical characteristics of recipient water and some epifaunal groups were identified around storm drains. A novel field dosing technique tested the relative importance of freshwater and associated metals as causative agents of behavioural avoidance and direct mortality responses. Strong avoidance of storm-water plumes was found which could be entirely explained by freshwater inundation, with no additional effects of metals. No direct mortality was observed following brief exposures. Contaminants introduced by storm water may accumulate within the tissues of macroalgae and potentially pose persistent threats to epifauna. Colonisation of epifauna was reduced on algae with enhanced copper levels, and the nesting behaviour, feeding and survival of an abundant amphipod were all negatively affected by copper load. Subsequent field surveys identified sufficient copper, lead and zinc contamination in Sydney Harbour algal beds to pose direct toxic threats to epifauna. The abundance of herbivorous amphipods correlated negatively with the copper content of a common algal species. However, differences in metal accumulation between algal species resulted in spatially variable levels of contamination. Small-scale patchiness of contaminants within these landscapes may allow populations of mobile species to persist if contaminated hosts are avoided. In summary, epifaunal assemblages appeared resilient to storm-water pulses. Recovery of affected groups was rapid and large fluctuations in abundance appear to be part of the natural flux of epifaunal communities. In contrast, assemblages responded strongly to algal-bound contaminants and this has emerged as an important pathway of contaminant exposure and impact within algal habitats.

The polyamines are a group of natural compounds which have been found in almost all living tissues. N1- and N8- acetylspermidine have been known for a considerable time as normal constituents in human urine, but their physiological role is unknown. Recent studies have indicated the presence of enzymes in the tissues capable of converting spermidine into N1-acetylspermidine and N8-acetylspermidine and other enzyme activities which catalyze deacetylation and interconversion reactions. One approach for determining physiologic activity of an endogenous compound is to observe their pharmacologic and toxicologic effects. In the present study, the LD50 for N1-acetylspermidine, N8-acetylspermidine, spermidine, spermine and putrescine, were determined by intraperitoneal injection in mice. The LD50 for N1-acetylspermidine •2HCl and N8-acetylspermidine •2HCl were 1150 and 820 mg/kg, respectively, and the respective LD50 for spermidine •3HCl, spermine n#8226;4HCl and putrescine n#8226;2HCl were 870, 370, and 1400 mg/kg. The major difference between the toxicity of N1-acetylspermidine and N8acetylspermidine and that of spermidine, spermine and putrescine appeared to be the latency period for the time of death. While N1- and N8-acetylspermidine have very rapid effects in which animals died in the first ten minutes after the injection with very few delayed deaths, the effects of spermidine, spermine and putrescine occurred over a wider range of time intervals with some deaths occurring as late as ten days after treatment The other signs of toxicity with N1acetylspermidine, N8-acetylspermidine, spermidine, spermine, and putrescine were qualitatively quite similar as each compound produced hypothermia, sedation, muscle incoordination, decreased motor activity, decreased respiration, and clonic convulsions.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1984. / Vita. Bibliography: leaves [189]-210.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Delaware, 2009. / Principal faculty advisor: Chin-Pao Huang, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.