Chronic effects of triclocarban in the amphipod Gammarus locusta: Behavioural and biochemical impairment

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2017-01, Vol.135, p.276-283
• Main Authors: Barros, Susana, Montes, Rosa, Quintana, José Benito, Rodil, Rosario, Oliveira, Jorge M.A., Santos, Miguel M., Neuparth, Teresa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetylcholinesterase - drug effects; Amphipod; Amphipoda - drug effects; Animals; Aquatic Organisms - drug effects; Behavior, Animal - drug effects; Biomarkers - analysis; Carbanilides - toxicity; Catalase - drug effects; Chronic toxicity; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Emerging pollutants; Female; Gammarus locusta; Glutathione Transferase - drug effects; Lipid Peroxidation - drug effects; Male; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Reproduction - drug effects; Triclocarban; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2016.10.013

Triclocarban (TCC), a common antimicrobial agent widely used in many household and personal care products, has been widely detected in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Due to its high lipophilicity and persistence in the aquatic ecosystems, TCC is of emerging environmental concern. Despite the frequently reported detection of TCC in the environment and significant uncertainties about its long term effects on aquatic ecosystems, few studies have addressed the chronic effects of TCC in aquatic organisms at ecologically relevant concentrations. Therefore, we aimed at testing a broad range of biological responses in the amphipod Gammarus locusta following a chronic (60 days) exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of TCC (100, 500 and 2500ng/L). This work integrated biochemical markers of oxidative stress (catalase (CAT), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and lipid peroxidation (LPO)) and neurotransmission (acetylcholinesterase (AChE)) with several key ecological endpoints, i.e. behaviour, survival, individual growth and reproduction. Significant alterations were observed in all biochemical markers. While AChE showed a dose-response curve (with a significant increased activity at a TCC concentration of 2500ng/L), oxidative stress markers did not follow a dose-response curve, with significant increase at 100 and/or 500ng/L and a decreased activity in the highest concentration (2500ng/L). The same effect was observed in the females' behavioural response, whereas males' behaviour was not affected by TCC exposure. The present study represents a first approach to characterize the hazard of TCC to crustaceans. •Significant uncertainties exist about TCC long term effects on aquatic ecosystems.•Work integrates G. locusta biochemical-ecological responses after chronic TCC assay.•TCC induced alterations in all biochemical markers and in behavioural responses.•oxidative stress markers and behaviour responses did not follow a dose-response curve.•The present study is a first approach to characterize the hazard of TCC to crustaceans.