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Effects of 3,4-dichloroaniline and diazinon on different biological organisation levels of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae

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Abstract

In this study the effects of 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA), a decomposition product of the herbicides propanil and diuron (and other pesticides), and diazinon, a neurotoxic insecticide, on early life stages of zebrafish Danio rerio were assessed. The toxicity of these substances with different modes of action (acetylcholine esterase inhibitor vs. polar narcosis) was tested for single substances as well as in binary mixtures. To study effects on different biological organisation levels (from the molecular up to the whole organism level) the molecular stress response regarding Hsp70, the embryonic and larval development and the locomotor activity were investigated as integrative biomarkers. In single substance tests 3,4-dichloroaniline elicited deformations at ≥0.25 mg/l during the 11 days subchronic test, whereas locomotor activity and mortality were impaired at ≥0.5 mg/l. Diazinon effects on those parameters were obvious at ≥2 mg/l, except for the deformation rate (11 days:1 mg/l). In equitoxic mixtures of both substances concentration additivity was observed for deformation rate and mortality (11 days). An increase in the Hsp70 content occurred in zebrafish exposed to 0.25 mg 3,4-DCA/l as well as to 0.05 mg diazinon/l; in mixtures concentration additivity could be shown. The investigated endpoints varied in respect to their sensitivity, with deformations and Hsp70 levels as most sensitive parameters concerning 3,4-DCA and Hsp70 as most sensitive parameter concerning diazinon. Accordingly, for an integrated understanding of the effects of chemicals and their mixtures on fish, a battery of different test methods should be applied.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the EU Integrated project NoMiracle (Novel Methods for Integrated Risk assessment of Cumulative Stressors in Europe; http://nomiracle.jrc.it) contract no 003956 under the EU-theme “Global Change and Ecosystems” topic “Development of risk assessment methodologies”, coordinated by Dr. Hans Løkke at NERI, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark. Grants received by the University of Tübingen and LimCo Int., Ibbenbüren, both Germany.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Physiological Ecology, University of Tübingen, Konrad-Adenauer-Str. 20, 72072, Tübingen, Germany

    Volker Scheil, Cornelia Kienle, Raphaela Osterauer & Heinz-R. Köhler

  2. LimCo International, An der Aa 5, 49477, Ibbenbüren, Germany

    Almut Gerhardt

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  1. Volker Scheil
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  2. Cornelia Kienle
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  3. Raphaela Osterauer
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  4. Almut Gerhardt
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  5. Heinz-R. Köhler
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Correspondence to Volker Scheil or Cornelia Kienle.

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Volker Scheil and Cornelia Kienle contributed equally to this paper and share first authorship.

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Scheil, V., Kienle, C., Osterauer, R. et al. Effects of 3,4-dichloroaniline and diazinon on different biological organisation levels of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae. Ecotoxicology 18, 355–363 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-008-0291-0

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