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The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution in Taihu Lake Basin has caused widespread concern. However, the spatial temporal distribution of PAHs in the upstream rivers of Taihu Lake Basin remains largely unknown. Thus, this study aims to investigate the level, spatial distribution, sources, and environment risk caused by PAHs in upstream rivers of Taihu Lake Basin. The concentrations of total 16 PAHs (∑16PAHs) ranged from 188.64 to 1060.39 ng/g, with an average of 472.62 ng/g. High-molecular-weight (HMW) PAHs were the predominant compounds in most sample sites. The results of source analysis demonstrated that the PAH pollution was mainly sourced from mixture of combustion and direct petroleum spillage. The ecological risk assessment showed that moderate ecological risk caused by the PAH contaminants might occur in most sample sites. The incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) ranged from 2.07 ×10 -4 - 2.66 × 10 -3 for children and 9.66 ×10 -5 - 1.24 × 10 -3 for adult, indicating moderate cancer risk of PAH-contaminated sediments., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

With the rapid economic development in China, environmental pollution has become a major concern, particularly pollution by persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Thus, these pollutants must be monitored over the long term. In this study, we analyze the distribution levels and sources of POPs in the surficial sediments of Chinese estuaries and seas. Results showed that POPs in sediments significantly distribute spatially and temporally. Furthermore, POPs not only concentrate in densely populated cities, bays, and industrial areas, but also follow the natural distribution of and temporal changes in local industrial structures. Hence, we recommend sampling sites and frequencies to monitor POPs in China over the long term and to defer their analysis., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Tributyltin (TBT) is a ubiquitous marine contaminant due to its extensive use as a biocide, fungicide and antifouling agent. However, the neurotoxic effect of TBT has not been extensively studied, especially in marine fish. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of TBT (10, 100 and 1000 ng/L) on the predatory behavior of Sebastiscus marmoratus and to look into the mechanism involved. The results showed that TBT exposure depressed predatory activity after 50 days exposure. Dopamine levels in the fish brains increased in a dose-dependent manner, while 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine levels decreased significantly in the TBT exposure group compared to the control. The mRNA levels of dopamine receptors, which have functions such as cognition, motor activity, motivation and reward, mood, attention and learning, were significantly down-regulated by TBT exposure. Although the levels of amino acid neurotransmitters, including glutamate, did not show marked alteration, the expression of the glutamatergic signaling pathway such as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor, calmodulin, Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases-II and cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element binding protein, was significantly reduced by TBT exposure, which indicated that central nerve activities were in a state of depression, thus affecting the predatory activities of the fish., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Tributyltin (TBT) is a ubiquitous marine environmental contaminant, which has been known to cause axial skeletal deformities in fish embryos. However, the effects of TBT on the craniofacial cartilage development of fishes remain unclear. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of waterborne TBT at environmental levels (0, 0.1, 1, and 10 ng L(-1) as Sn) on craniofacial cartilage development in embryos of the rockfish (Sebastiscus marmoratus). Our study showed that TBT exposure induced craniofacial skeletal deformities, such as reduction of the craniofacial skeleton elements and a shorter lower jaw. The expressions of retinoic acid receptor α, sonic hedgehog, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were depressed and the expressions of vitamin D receptor were increased in the rockfish embryos after TBT exposure. In addition, the activities of Ca(2+)-ATPase were inhibited after TBT exposure. These results suggested that TBT might perturb the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes, and disturb calcium homeostasis, thus disorganizing craniofacial skeletal development., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Tributyltin (TBT) is a ubiquitous marine environmental contaminant characterized primarily by its reproductive toxicity. However, the embryotoxicity of TBT has not been extensively described, especially in fishes. The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental toxicity of waterborne TBT at environmental levels (0, 0.1, 1, and 10 ng L(-1) as Sn) on Sebastiscus marmoratus embryos. Our study showed that TBT reduced the hatchability and caused apparent morphological abnormalities including dorsal curvature, severely twisted tails and pericardial edema. In addition, localized apoptosis was found in the tail regions of embryos after TBT exposure. The study provided a possible mechanistic link between apoptosis and TBT-induced twisted tails abnormality. TBT exposure induced retinoid X receptor α expression in S. marmoratus embryos at the 0.1 and 1 ng L(-1) group, which would be responsible for the increasing apoptotic cells induced by TBT. The results of the present study have widespread implications for environmental ecological assessment, management and the etiology of developmental defects., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Tributyltin (TBT), a ubiquitous marine environmental contaminant, has been reported to affect functioning of the central nervous system. However, the mechanism of its neurotoxicity remains unknown. In this study, an Anneal Control Primer-differential display Reverse Transcription-PCR method was employed to investigate differentially expressed genes in the brain of Sebastiscus marmoratus in response to acute TBT exposure. A total of 18 gene sequences were identified as having the potential for being differentially expressed, of which 9 could be identified with homologous database sequences. The expression profiles of 4 genes, namely cytochrome c oxidase subunit II, GRB2-associated binding protein 2, adaptor-related protein complex 2, and guanine nucleotide exchange factor p532, were analyzed in the brain using real time fluorescence quantitative PCR after treatment with 10, 100 and 1000 ng/L of TBT for 50 days. The results showed that chronic exposure to TBT induced down-regulation of these genes in a dose dependent manner. The present study provided a basis for studying the response of fish to TBT exposure and allowed the characterization of new potential neurotoxic biomarkers of TBT contamination in seawater.

Effects of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on Sebastiscus marmoratus were investigated using a suppression subtractive hybridization method. A total of 108 gene sequences were identified as having the potential for being differentially expressed, and 45 could be identified with homologous database sequences. Functions with which they were associated included long-term potentiation and neurotransmitter release, neuroendocrine, mitosis and cell proliferation, energy-related metabolism, general metabolism, signal protein, hemopoiesis system, immune system, and structure. The expression of 17 of these genes was analyzed in the brain using real time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The present study provided a basis for studying the response of fish to PCB exposure and allowed the characterization of new potential neurotoxicol biomarkers of PCB contamination in seawater.

Trimethyltin (TMT) is a well-documented neurotoxicant that affects the function of central nervous system (CNS). In this study, we studied the neurotoxicity of TMT on the brain of marine fish Sebastiscus marmoratus. Our results showed that TMT acute exposure induced brain cell apoptosis in the telencephalon, optic tectum and cerebellum. In addition, we observed increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) and one asparate-specific cysteinyl protease named caspase-3 which are often associated with the processes of cell apoptosis, in the brain of S. marmoratus after acute treatment of TMT. Our results indicated that TMT induces neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in marine fish S. marmoratus. Our results suggested that TMT exposure in the environment may affect fish behaviors including schooling, sensory and motorial learnings, based on the observation of cell apoptosis in the cerebral regions.