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Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health: 2nd Edition
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Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Journal of Xenobiotics (ISSN 2039-4713). This special issue belongs to the section "Ecotoxicology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 2823

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sara Raquel Boaventura Rodrigues

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
Interests: ecology; water quality; aquatic ecotoxicology; environmental risk assessment; biological responses; bioassays; biomarkers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The effects of emerging contaminants, including pharmaceutical, personal care, and household cleaning products, agricultural residues, flame retardants, microplastics, and nanomaterials on biota, are a matter of growing attention for environmental risk assessment. Animals are continuously exposed to this set of contaminants, mainly through dermal, respiratory, or oral routes of exposure, inducing variable deleterious effects in the most varied metabolic pathways and biological functions. On the other hand, these sub-individual changes can affect the levels of the organism, population, and communities. Despite the great success in developing analytical tools for detecting and investigating their toxic mechanisms, some remain unclear, along with those related to “emerging contaminants”. Moreover, chemicals' single and combined toxicity has yet to be studied, especially under chronic exposure (realistic conditions). The Special Issue is devoted to acquiring new information on the impact of conventional and emerging pollutants in the ecosystem. It encourages the submission of manuscripts that explore themes such as (but not limited to) the toxic mechanisms implicated in environmental chemical-induced toxicity in animals and fish. In this context, studies dealing with the ecotoxicological assessment involving model organisms, physiological and biomolecular mechanisms, and novel biomonitoring indices are particularly welcome.

Dr. Sara Raquel Boaventura Rodrigues
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Xenobiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • emerging contaminants
  • ecotoxicological assessment
  • environmental health
  • bioassays
  • individual and sub-individual responses
  • physiology
  • biomarkers
  • wildlife
  • non-target organisms

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 959 KiB  
Article
Ecotoxicological Effects of Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Nickel Nanoparticles on Aquatic Organisms from Three Trophic Levels: Insights from Oxidative Stress Biomarkers
by Alberto Teodorico Correia, Eduardo Motta, David Daniel, Bruno Nunes and José Neves
J. Xenobiot. 2025, 15(4), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15040112 - 4 Jul 2025
Abstract
This study investigated the ecotoxicological impacts of environmentally relevant concentrations (0.05, 0.50, and 5.00 mg/L) of nickel nanoparticles (Ni-NPs) by assessing oxidative stress biomarkers. The worm Hediste diversicolor, the bivalve Mytilus spp., and the fish Sparus aurata were chronically exposed to Ni-NPs [...] Read more.
This study investigated the ecotoxicological impacts of environmentally relevant concentrations (0.05, 0.50, and 5.00 mg/L) of nickel nanoparticles (Ni-NPs) by assessing oxidative stress biomarkers. The worm Hediste diversicolor, the bivalve Mytilus spp., and the fish Sparus aurata were chronically exposed to Ni-NPs for 28 days, and glutathione S-transferases (GST), catalase (CAT), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels were measured to evaluate biochemical responses. GST activity increased in H. diversicolor and the liver of S. aurata, suggesting a key role for this enzyme in Ni-NPs detoxification. CAT activity was inhibited in the digestive gland of Mytilus spp. at the highest Ni-NPs concentration, indicating possible disruption of antioxidant defense. TBARS levels rose significantly in the gills of Mytilus spp. exposed to high Ni-NP concentrations, suggesting oxidative damage beyond detoxification capacity. In contrast, TBARS decreased in the digestive gland of Mytilus and in H. diversicolor, possibly due to compensatory upstream antioxidant responses. These findings indicate that each species exhibits distinct adaptive responses to Ni-NP exposure. Overall, this study highlights the need to consider species- and tissue-specific responses when performing ecotoxicological risk assessments of nanomaterials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health: 2nd Edition)
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21 pages, 1401 KiB  
Article
Impact of Caffeine on Aquatic Ecosystems: Assessing Trophic-Level Biological Responses
by Sara Rodrigues, Rita S. Alves and Sara C. Antunes
J. Xenobiot. 2025, 15(3), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15030086 - 3 Jun 2025
Viewed by 874
Abstract
This study evaluates the effects of caffeine (CAF) on the bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri, the microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata, the macrophyte Lemna minor, and the larvae of Chironomus riparius, aiming to understand its environmental impact and contribution to ecological risk assessment. [...] Read more.
This study evaluates the effects of caffeine (CAF) on the bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri, the microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata, the macrophyte Lemna minor, and the larvae of Chironomus riparius, aiming to understand its environmental impact and contribution to ecological risk assessment. Bioluminescence inhibition in A. fischeri (EC50 = 998.5 mg/L) and growth inhibition in R. subcapitata and L. minor (EC50 = 60.1 mg/L and EC50 = 649.2 mg/L, respectively) were observed. For L. minor, reduced catalase (CAT) activity and non-linear responses in glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) were recorded. No significant changes were observed in proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and pigment contents. In C. riparius, acute mortality (LC50 = 644.5 mg/L) was observed, and growth was significantly affected after 10 days of CAF exposure (EC50 = 81.62 mg/L for fresh biomass). After 10 days of exposure, there was an increase in CAT activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, with TBARS levels both at concentrations ≥82.64 mg/L, and a decrease in GSTs (92.18 mg/L) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (≤62.09 mg/L) activities of C. riparius. The results show that CAF exposure affects organisms’ metabolic and physiological functions, with varying sensitivities among species, potentially leading to ecological disturbances in aquatic ecosystems. The hazardous concentration for 5% of species was 4.42 mg/L. Long-term studies are necessary to understand the risk of caffeine under more realistic scenarios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health: 2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 1670 KiB  
Article
Interaction of Heavy Metals (Cadmium and Selenium) in an Experimental Study on Goldfish: Hematobiochemical Changes and Oxidative Stress
by Yasaman Aghaei Hashtjin, Mahdieh Raeeszadeh and Ali Parsa Khanghah
J. Xenobiot. 2025, 15(2), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15020057 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 548
Abstract
Background: Heavy metal interactions within aquatic ecosystems significantly affect fish physiology. This study evaluated the protective role of selenium against cadmium-induced hematological, biochemical, and electrophoretic alterations in goldfish. Methods: A total of 120 goldfish individuals were divided into four groups: control, cadmium chloride-treated [...] Read more.
Background: Heavy metal interactions within aquatic ecosystems significantly affect fish physiology. This study evaluated the protective role of selenium against cadmium-induced hematological, biochemical, and electrophoretic alterations in goldfish. Methods: A total of 120 goldfish individuals were divided into four groups: control, cadmium chloride-treated (2.8 mg/L), sodium selenite-treated (2 mg/L), and a combined cadmium and selenium-treated group. After 14 days, blood samples were collected and analyzed for hematological parameters, biochemical markers, and serum protein electrophoresis. Results: Cadmium exposure led to significant reductions in red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (HCT) (p < 0.001). Selenium supplementation alleviated these declines and improved overall hematological function. Additionally, cadmium exposure decreased albumin and total protein levels while elevating aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, indicating liver damage. Selenium co-treatment reduced cadmium accumulation and mitigated liver toxicity. Elevated urea and creatinine levels in cadmium-exposed fish were also significantly lowered in the combined treatment group (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, selenium supplementation enhanced antioxidant defense mechanisms by increasing catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, effectively counteracting cadmium-induced oxidative stress. Conclusion: Sodium selenite at a dose of 2 mg/L effectively mitigated the toxic effects of cadmium chloride on hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress markers in goldfish, demonstrating its protective potential against heavy metal toxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health: 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 14338 KiB  
Article
Toxic Effects of Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) Methane (BPF) on the Development and Reproduction of Chironomus tentans
by Chenglin Zhang, Zhen Wang, Huilin Liang, Shuai Sun, Weilong Xing, Bing Zhang, Feng Ge and Lei Wang
J. Xenobiot. 2025, 15(2), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/jox15020041 - 9 Mar 2025
Viewed by 931
Abstract
Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) methane (BPF), as a bisphenolic compound, has toxic effects on organisms such as endocrine disruption and immobilization of growth and development. This study evaluated the effect concentrations of BPF on Chironomus tentans and investigated the impact of BPF exposure at various sub-lethal [...] Read more.
Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) methane (BPF), as a bisphenolic compound, has toxic effects on organisms such as endocrine disruption and immobilization of growth and development. This study evaluated the effect concentrations of BPF on Chironomus tentans and investigated the impact of BPF exposure at various sub-lethal concentrations on the growth, development, and reproductive capacity of different instars of C. tentans. The results demonstrated that exposure at concentrations of 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 4.0 mg·L−1 delayed pupation, inhibited the development of imaginal discs, and caused an initial rise followed by a decline in the expression levels of genes related to larval development (ecr, usp, e74). Additionally, exposure at concentrations of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg·L−1 led to fluctuations in the expression levels of genes related to adult development and reproduction (ecr, kr-h1, foxo, inr, pdk, akt, and vg) in both female and male adults, with varying degrees of effect. Furthermore, BPF exposure inhibited male fertility, causing significant damage to the gonadal tissues, though it did not affect the final hatching of eggs. These findings indicate that BPF exhibits developmental and reproductive toxicity in C. tentans, with 2.0 mg·L−1 identified as the lowest effective concentration at which BPF affects pupation in midges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Toxicology and Animal Health: 2nd Edition)
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