Nested interactions in the combined toxicity of uranium and cadmium to the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Margerit, Adrien; Lecomte-Pradines, Catherine; Svendsen, Claus ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7281-647X; Frelon, Sandrine; Gomez, Elena; Gilbin, Rodolphe. 2015 Nested interactions in the combined toxicity of uranium and cadmium to the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 118. 139-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.04.023

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.04.023

Abstract/Summary

Uranium is a natural, ubiquitous radioactive element for which elevated concentrations can be found in the vicinity of some nuclear fuel cycle facilities or intensive farming areas, and most often in mixtures with other contaminants such as cadmium, due to co-occurrence in geological ores (e.g. U- or P-ore). The study of their combined effects on ecosystems is of interest to better characterize such multi-metallic polluted sites. In the present study, the toxicity of binary mixture of U and Cd on physiological parameters of the soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was assessed over time. Descriptive modeling using concentration and response addition reference models was applied to compare observed and expected combined effects and identify possible synergistic or antagonistic interactions. A strong antagonism between U and Cd was identified for length increase and brood size endpoints. The study revealed that the combined effects might be explained by two nested antagonistic interactions. We demonstrate that the first interaction occurred in the exposure medium. We also identified a significant second antagonistic interaction which occurred either during the toxicokinetic or toxicodynamic steps. These findings underline the complexity of interactions that may take place between chemicals and thus, highlight the importance of studying mixtures at various levels to fully understand underlying mechanisms.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.04.023
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Acreman
ISSN:	0147-6513
Additional Keywords:	metals, mixture toxicity, joint effects, MIXTOX, antagonism
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	22 Mar 2016 12:15 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/513302

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.04.023

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Acreman

ISSN:

0147-6513

Additional Keywords:

metals, mixture toxicity, joint effects, MIXTOX, antagonism

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment