scholarly journals Can the toxicity of naphthenic acids in oil sands process-affected water be mitigated by a green photocatalytic method?

FACETS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 474-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry N. Madison ◽  
Jessie Reynolds ◽  
Lauren Halliwell ◽  
Tim Leshuk ◽  
Frank Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Intensity ◽  
Oil Sands ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Naphthenic Acid ◽  
Ultra Violet ◽  
Naphthenic Acids ◽  
Early Life Stages ◽  
Treatment Needs ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy

Our study evaluates the efficacy of a “green” (i.e., sustainable, recyclable, and reusable) technology to treat waste waters produced by Canada’s oil sands industry. We examined the ability of a novel advanced oxidative method—ultra-violet photocatalysis over titanium dioxide (TiO2)-coated microparticles—to reduce the toxicity of naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFC) to early life stages of the fathead minnow ( Pimephales promelas). Lengthening the duration of photocatalysis resulted in greater removal of NAFC from bioassay exposure waters; low- and high-intensity treatments reduced NAFC concentrations to about 20 and 3 mg/L (by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, FTIR), respectively. Treatments reduced the acute lethality of NAFC to fathead minnows by over half after low-intensity treatment and three-fold after high-intensity treatment. However, incomplete degradation in low-intensity treatments increased the incidence of chronic toxicity relative to untreated NAFC solutions and cardiovascular abnormalities were common even with >80% of NAFC degraded. Our findings demonstrate that photocatalysis over TiO2 microparticles is a promising method for mitigating the toxicity of oil sands process-affected water-derived NAFC to fish native to the oil sands region, but the intensity of the photocatalytic treatment needs to be considered carefully to ensure adequate mineralization of toxic constituents.

scholarly journals The Effects of Naphthenic Acids on Tryptophan Metabolism and Peripheral Serotonin Signalling

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A493-A493
Author(s):  
Laiba Jamshed ◽  
Genevieve A Perono ◽  
Shanza Jamshed ◽  
Kim Ann Cheung ◽  
Philippe J Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Sands ◽  
Naphthenic Acid ◽  
Kynurenine Pathway ◽  
Naphthenic Acids ◽  
Tryptophan Metabolism ◽  
Lipid Homeostasis ◽  
Prostaglandin E ◽  
Serotonin Synthesis ◽  
Active Metabolites ◽  
Glucose And Lipid Homeostasis

Abstract Introduction: Serotonin produced in the periphery has been shown to affect glucose and lipid homeostasis. The availability of the amino acid tryptophan, the precursor of serotonin, affects serotonin availability. In addition, the metabolism of tryptophan via the kynurenine pathway produces physiologically active metabolites which have been shown to be altered under conditions of increased adiposity and dysglycemia. There is now evidence demonstrating some environmental xenobiotics, known to affect glucose and lipid homeostasis, can also alter serotonin production and key components of the kynurenine pathway. Recent evidence suggests that exposure to compounds present in petroleum and wastewaters from oil and gas extraction sites can impact endocrine signaling and result in aberrant lipid accumulation and altered glycemic control. However, whether any of these changes can be causally ascribed to altered serotonin synthesis/signaling or tryptophan metabolism remains unknown. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of exposure to naphthenic acid (NA), a key toxicant found in wastewater from bitumen (thick crude oil present in oil sands deposits) extraction on the enzymes involved in tryptophan metabolism and serotonin production. Methods: McA-RH7777 rat hepatoma cells, were exposed to a technical NA mixture for 48 hours at concentrations within the reported range of NA found in wastewaters from oil extraction. We assessed mRNA expression for key rate-limiting enzymes involved in tryptophan metabolism that lead to either serotonin [Tph1] and/or kynurenine [Ido2 and Tdo2] production, as well as downstream enzymes in the kynurenine pathway [Afmid, Kyat1, Aadat, Kyat3, Kmo, Haao, Acmsd, Qprt]. We also examined the effects of NA on prostaglandin synthesis [Ptgs1, Ptgs2, Ptges] and signalling [Ptger2, Ptger4] as prostaglandins have been shown to be induced by serotonin and are linked to hepatic fat accumulation. Results: NA treatment significantly increased Tph1 and Ido2 expression; this occurred in association with a significant increase in the expression of the inducible prostaglandin synthase Ptgs2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E synthase Ptges, and prostaglandin receptors Ptger2 and Ptger4. Acmsd was the only downstream enzyme in the kynurenine pathway that was significantly altered by NA treatment. Conclusion: These results provide proof-of-concept that compounds associated with oil sands extraction have the potential to perturb key components of serotonin synthesis (Tph1) and tryptophan metabolism (Ido2, Acmsd). Furthermore, we found that the increase in Tph1 expression paralleled expression of Ptgs2. As increased prostaglandin production has been reported in association with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, these data provide a potential mechanism by which exposure to NA and other petroleum-based compounds may increase the risk of metabolic disease.

Investigating the toxicity of naphthenic acid fraction components from oil sands process-affected water to developing fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brianna Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Oil Sands ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Naphthenic Acid ◽  
Natural Setting ◽  
Acid Fraction ◽  
Spinal Curvatures ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Pericardial Edema ◽  
Embryo Heart

The extraction of bitumen from Alberta’s oil sands region generates large volumes of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) that is stored in tailings ponds. Toxic constituents present in OSPW such as naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs) can cause adverse effects to aquatic life. Recent research has focused on the toxicity of NAFCs to highly vulnerable early life stages of fish. Here we examined the embryotoxicity of NAFCs (0-54 mg/L) extracted from OSPW to native fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) from 1-day post-fertilization to hatch in a semi-natural setting at Queen’s University’s Biological Station. Embryo heart rate, mortality, prevalence and severity of malformations at hatch, post-hatch mass, and basal activity at hatch was examined. Embryo heart rates declined with increasing NAFC concentration, preceding pronounced exposure-response patterns of mortality and non-viable hatches. Visible malformations included cardiovascular (pericardial edema; present in 81.51% of non-viable hatches), craniofacial (reduced jaw and head size; 68.96%), myoskeletal (spinal curvatures; 60.90%), and peritoneal (yolk sac edema; 26.44%) malformations, that significantly increased in severity with increasing NAFC concentration. Fish that survived lethal concentrations displayed evidence of nervous system impairment including elevated patterns of erratic twitching. Post-hatch mass generally increased with increasing NAFC exposure, potentially as a compensatory-like response. Results of this work are the first to be reported in a semi-natural exposure setting and provide important toxicological information that will aid future policy directives for the management of OSPW in Alberta, Canada.

Toxicity of untreated and ozone-treated oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) to early life stages of the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)

2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (19) ◽  
pp. 6359-6368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhe He ◽  
Sarah Patterson ◽  
Nan Wang ◽  
Markus Hecker ◽  
Jonathan W. Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Oil Sands ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Early Life Stages

FC05-06 - Comparison of two-year outcomes for children with autism receiving high versus low-intensity behavioral intervention

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1839-1839 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Granpeesheh ◽  
A. Kenzer ◽  
J. Tarbox
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Intervention ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Challenging Behavior ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Treatment Needs ◽  
Evidence Based Treatment ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Outcomes For Children ◽  
Living Skills

IntroductionBehavioral intervention is an evidence-based treatment for children with autism but there still exists some disagreement regarding how intensive the treatment needs to be. Little previous research has directly compared the effects of high to low-intensity behavioral intervention.ObjectivesTo compare the effects of high versus low-intensity behavioral intervention.AimsCompare outcomes in the area of diagnostic classification, intellectual functioning, executive functions, challenging behavior, language, socialization, and independent living skills after two years of treatment.Methods60 children with autism, under five years old, comprised two groups who received behavioral intervention services. The high-intensity group received 25–35 hours per week for two years and the low-intensity group received 8–15 hours per week of treatment. For all participants, a comprehensive battery of assessments was conducted prior to treatment and at annual intervals.ResultsThe high-intensity group outperformed the low-intensity group on all measures after two years of treatment.ConclusionsThis study provides further evidence that high intensity behavioral intervention produces greater gains than low-intensity treatment and the results suggest that children with autism under the age of five years should receive access to high-intensity treatment

Toxicity of naphthenic acid fraction components extracted from fresh and aged oil sands process-affected waters, and commercial naphthenic acid mixtures, to fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) embryos

2015 ◽  
Vol 164 ◽  
pp. 108-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie R. Marentette ◽  
Richard A. Frank ◽  
Adrienne J. Bartlett ◽  
Patricia L. Gillis ◽  
L. Mark Hewitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Sands ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Naphthenic Acid ◽  
Acid Fraction

scholarly journals Metabolomic Analysis of Hexagenid Mayflies Exposed to Sublethal Concentrations of Naphthenic Acid

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Pomfret ◽  
Robert B. Brua ◽  
Danielle Milani ◽  
Adam G. Yates
Keyword(s):  
Oil Sands ◽  
Naphthenic Acid ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Naphthenic Acids ◽  
Acid Exposure ◽  
Oil Reserves ◽  
Apoptosis Regulation ◽  
Northeastern Alberta ◽  
Sublethal Concentrations

The oil sands region in northeastern Alberta, Canada contain approximately 165 billion barrels of oil making it the third largest oil reserves in the world. However, processing of extracted bitumen generates vast amounts of toxic byproduct known as oil sands process waters. Naphthenic acids and associated sodium naphthenate salts are considered the primary toxic component of oil sands process waters. Although a significant body of work has been conducted on naphthenic acid toxicity at levels comparable to what is observed in current oil sands process waters, it is also important to understand any impacts of exposure to sublethal concentrations. We conducted a microcosm study using the mayfly Hexagenia spp. to identify sublethal impacts of naphthenic acid exposure on the survival, growth, and metabolome across a concentration gradient (0–100 μg L−1) of sodium naphthenate. Nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomic analyses were completed on both the polar and lipophilic extracted fractions of whole organism tissue. We observed a positive relationship between sodium naphthenate concentration and mean principal component score of the first axis of the polar metabolome indicating a shift in the metabolome with increasing naphthenic acid exposure. Eleven metabolites correlated with increased naphthenic acid concentration and included those involved in energy metabolism and apoptosis regulation. Survival and growth were both high and did not differ among concentrations, with the exception of a slight increase in mortality observed at the highest concentration. Although lethal concentrations of naphthenic acids in other studies are higher (150–56,200 μg L−1), our findings suggest that physiological changes in aquatic invertebrates may begin at substantially lower concentrations. These results have important implications for the release of naphthenic acids into surface waters in the Alberta oil sands region as an addition of even small volumes of oil sands process waters could initiate chronic effects in aquatic organisms. Results of this research will assist in the determination of appropriate discharge thresholds should oil sands process waters be considered for environmental release.

TOXICITY OF OIL SANDS TO EARLY LIFE STAGES OF FATHEAD MINNOWS (PIMEPHALES PROMELAS)

2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria V. Colavecchia ◽  
Sean M. Backus ◽  
Peter V. Hodson ◽  
Joanne L. Parrott
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Oil Sands ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Fathead Minnows ◽  
Early Life Stages

scholarly journals Persulfate Oxidation Coupled with Biodegradation by Pseudomonas fluorescens Enhances Naphthenic Acid Remediation and Toxicity Reduction

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1502
Author(s):  
Amy-lynne Balaberda ◽  
Ania C. Ulrich
Keyword(s):  
Acute Toxicity ◽  
Pseudomonas Fluorescens ◽  
Oil Sands ◽  
Vibrio Fischeri ◽  
Naphthenic Acid ◽  
Complex Mixture ◽  
Chemical Oxidation ◽  
Naphthenic Acids ◽  
Persulfate Oxidation ◽  
Synergistic Interactions

The extraction of bitumen from the Albertan oilsands produces large amounts of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) that requires remediation. Classical naphthenic acids (NAs), a complex mixture of organic compounds containing O2− species, are present in the acid extractable organic fraction of OSPW and are a primary cause of acute toxicity. A potential remediation strategy is combining chemical oxidation and biodegradation. Persulfate as an oxidant is advantageous, as it is powerful, economical, and less harmful towards microorganisms. This is the first study to examine persulfate oxidation coupled to biodegradation for NA remediation. Merichem NAs were reacted with 100, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/L of unactivated persulfate at 21 °C and 500 and 1000 mg/L of activated persulfate at 30 °C, then inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens LP6a after 2 months. At 21 °C, the coupled treatment removed 52.8–98.9% of Merichem NAs, while 30 °C saw increased removals of 99.4–99.7%. Coupling persulfate oxidation with biodegradation improved removal of Merichem NAs and chemical oxidation demand by up to 1.8× and 6.7×, respectively, and microbial viability was enhanced up to 4.6×. Acute toxicity towards Vibrio fischeri was negatively impacted by synergistic interactions between the persulfate and Merichem NAs; however, it was ultimately reduced by 74.5–100%. This study supports that persulfate oxidation coupled to biodegradation is an effective and feasible treatment to remove NAs and reduce toxicity.

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