A multigenerational study can detect the evolutionary response to BaP exposure in the non-biting freshwater midge Chironomus riparius

  • Highlights • BaP exposure increases the mutation rate of C. riparius. • BaP exposure is detrimental for the fitness and the population dynamics of C. riparius. • Multi-generational studies are essential to assess evolutionary implications of anthropogenic substances on biodiversity. Abstract The release of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the environment is posing a threat to ecosystems and human health. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is considered a biomarker of PAH exposure and is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. However, it was not known whether BaP is mutagenic, i.e. induces inherited germline mutations. In this study, we used a recently established method, which combines short-term mutation accumulation lines (MAL) with whole genome sequencing (WGS) to assess mutagenicity in the non-biting midge Chironomus riparius. The mutagenicity analysis was supplemented by an evaluation of the development of population fitness in three successive generations in the case of chronic exposure to BaP at a high concentration (100 μg/L). In addition, the level of ROS-induced oxidative stress was examined in vivo. Exposure to the higher BaP concentration led to an increase in germline mutations relative to the control, while the lower concentration showed no mentionable effect. Against expectations, BaP exposure decreased ROS-level compared to the control and is thus probably not responsible for the increased mutation rate. Likewise, the higher BaP concentration decreased fitness measured as population growth rate per day (PGR) significantly over all generations, without signs of rapid evolutionary adaptations. Our results thus highlighted that high BaP exposure may influence the evolutionary trajectory of organisms.

Export metadata

Additional Services

Share in Twitter Search Google Scholar
Metadaten
Author:Burak BulutORCiD, Lorenzo RiganoORCiD, Halina Binde DoriaORCiD, Gajana Gemüth, Markus PfenningerORCiDGND
URN:urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-856272
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142242
ISSN:0045-6535
Parent Title (English):Chemosphere
Publisher:Elsevier
Place of publication:Amsterdam
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Year of Completion:2024
Year of first Publication:2024
Publishing Institution:Universitätsbibliothek Johann Christian Senckenberg
Release Date:2024/05/15
Tag:Evolutionary ecotoxicology; Multigeneration life-cycle test; Oxidative stress; Reactive oxygen species
Volume:358
Issue:art. 142242
Article Number:142242
Page Number:8
HeBIS-PPN:520908651
Institutes:Angeschlossene und kooperierende Institutionen / Senckenbergische Naturforschende Gesellschaft
Biowissenschaften / Institut für Ökologie, Evolution und Diversität
Dewey Decimal Classification:5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 59 Tiere (Zoologie) / 590 Tiere (Zoologie)
3 Sozialwissenschaften / 33 Wirtschaft / 333 Boden- und Energiewirtschaft / 333.7 Natürliche Ressourcen, Energie und Umwelt
Sammlungen:Universitätspublikationen
Licence (German):License LogoCreative Commons - CC BY-NC - Namensnennung - Nicht kommerziell 4.0 International