Biology subjects

Mair, M. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Mair, M. M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Missing genomic resources for the next generation of environmental risk assessment

Environmental risk assessment traditionally relies on a wide range of in vivo testing to assess the potential hazard of chemicals in the environment. These tests are often time-consuming, costly and can cause test organisms suffering. Recent developments of reliable low-cost alternatives, both in vivo- and in silico-based, opened the door to reconsider current toxicity assessment. However, many of these new approach methodologies (NAMs) rely on high quality annotated genomes for surrogate species of the regulatory risk assessment. Currently, lacking genomic information slows the process of NAM development. Here, we present a phylogenetically resolved overview of missing genomic resources for surrogate species within regulatory ecotoxicological risk assessment. We call for an organized and systematic effort within the (regulatory) ecotoxicological community to provide these missing genomic resources. Further, we discuss the potential of a standardized genomic surrogate species landscape to enable a robust and non-animal reliant ecotoxicological risk assessment in the systems ecotoxicology era. Synopsis StatementWe identify missing genomic resources needed for the development and regulatory acceptance of new approach methodologies in environmental risk assessment.

pharmacology and toxicology↗

bioRxiv2023

The complexity of micro- and nanoplastic research in the genus Daphnia - A systematic review of study variability and meta-analysis of immobilization rates

In recent years, the number of publications on nano-and microplastic particles (NMPs) effects on freshwater organisms has increased rapidly. Freshwater crustaceans of the genus Daphnia are widely used in ecotoxicological research as model organisms for assessing the impact of NMPs. However, the diversity of experimental designs in these studies makes conclusions about the general impact of NMPs on Daphnia challenging. To approach this, we systematically reviewed the literature on NMP effects on Daphnia and summarized the diversity of test organisms, experimental conditions, NMP properties and measured endpoints to identify gaps in our knowledge of NMP effects on Daphnia. We use a meta-analysis on mortality and immobilization rates extracted from the compiled literature to illustrate how NMP properties and study parameters can impact outcomes in toxicity bioassays. In addition, we investigate the extent to which the available data can be used to predict the toxicity of untested NMPs based on the extracted parameters. Based on our results, we argue that focusing on a more diverse set of NMP properties combined with a more detailed characterization of the particles in future studies will help to fill current research gaps, improve predictive models and allow the identification of NMP properties linked to toxicity. HighlightsO_LISystematic review of NMP effects on the model system Daphnia C_LIO_LIOrganismic, experimental and NMP properties influence observed effects C_LIO_LIIn silico identification of traits likely linked to NMP toxicity (immobilization) C_LIO_LIMore detailed standardized characterization of NMP needed to improve predictions C_LI

ecology↗

bioRxiv2022

Comparison of fitness effects in the earthworm Eisenia fetida after exposure to single or multiple anthropogenic pollutants

Terrestrial ecosystems are exposed to many anthropogenic pollutants. Non-target effects of pesticides and fertilizers have put agricultural intensification in the focus as a driver for biodiversity loss. However, other pollutants, such as heavy metals, particulate matter, or microplastic also enter the environment, e.g. via traffic and industrial activities in urban areas. As soil acts as a potential sink for such pollutants, soil invertebrates like earthworms may be particularly affected by them. Under natural conditions soil invertebrates will likely be confronted with combinations of pollutants simultaneously, which may result in stronger negative effects if pollutants act synergistically. Within this work we study how multiple pollutants affect the soil-dwelling, substrate feeding earthworm Eisenia fetida. We compared the effects of the single stressors, polystyrene microplastic fragments, polystyrene fibers, brake dust and soot, with the combined effect of these pollutants when applied as a mixture. Endpoints measured were survival, growth, reproductive fitness, and changes in three oxidative stress markers. We found that among single pollutant treatments, brake dust imposed the strongest negative effects on earthworms in all measured endpoints including increased mortality rates. Sub-lethal effects were found for all pollutants. Exposing earthworms to all four pollutants simultaneously led to effects on mortality and oxidative stress markers that were smaller than expected by the respective null models. These antagonistic effects are likely a result of the adsorption of toxic substances found in brake dust to the other pollutants. With this study we show that effects of combinations of pollutants cannot necessarily be predicted from their individual effects and that combined effects will likely depend on identity and concentration of the pollutants.

ecology↗