Biomedical subjects

B E Bengtsson

Publications and source records attributed to B E Bengtsson.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1988

Sublethal effects of tetrachloro-1,2-benzoquinone--a component in bleachery effluents from pulp mills--on vertebral quality and physiological parameters in fourhorn sculpin.

The effects of tetrachloro-1,2-benzoquinone (TCQ), a component in bleached kraft mill effluents (BKME), on vertebral and physiological parameters were investigated in juvenile fourhorn sculpin, Myoxocephalus quadricornis L. After about 4.5 months of exposure to 0.1 and 0.5 mg TCQ/liter in 7% salinity brackish water, the fish demonstrated vertebral deformities, aberrant mechanical properties of the vertebrae, effects on white and red blood cell counts, enhanced activity of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase in erythrocytes, and increased levels of ascorbic acid in the liver. The effects are discussed in relation to those previously observed in fish exposed to complex BKME in the field and the laboratory.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Long-term effects of bleached kraft mill effluents on red and white blood cell status, ion balance, and vertebral structure in fish.

In a laboratory investigation fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) were exposed for 5-9 months to wastewater from pine and birch lines from a bleached kraft pulp plant. This long-term exposure to bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME) affected the hematology, the ion balance, and the vertebral structure. Decreased values for hematocrit and hemoglobin and a reduced red blood cell count, as well as increased levels of methemoglobin, indicated disturbances in the red blood cell status. The white blood cell picture was not significantly affected by the BKME exposure. Decreased levels of potassium and chloride ions in the blood plasma in some of the exposed fish suggest an impaired ability to maintain ion homeostasis. Elevated frequencies of vertebral deformations in fish exposed to BKME confirm previous observations of vertebral damage in feral fourhorn sculpin caught in the receiving body of water of the same bleached kraft pulp industry. Many of the parameters analyzed in this investigation may be used as health indicators in future laboratory and field studies on fish exposed to BKME.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Long-term effects of bleached kraft mill effluents on carbohydrate metabolism and hepatic xenobiotic biotransformation enzymes in fish.

In a laboratory investigation, fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) were exposed for 5-9 months to waste water from pine and birch lines from a bleached kraft pulp plant. The bleached kraft mill effluents (BKME) affected both the carbohydrate metabolism and the xenobiotic metabolism. Thus, an elevated muscle glycogen content in fish exposed to effluent from the pine pulp line suggests a metabolic imbalance. A liver enlargement and a strong elevation of the hepatic cytochrome P-450-dependent ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity after exposure to the bleached pine pulp effluents indicate the presence of cytochrome P-450-inducing agents in the BKME. The results also demonstrate that many physiological test parameters may be used as good indicators of sublethal disturbances in fish to BKME exposure.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

A flowthrough fecundity test with Nitocra spinipes (Harpacticoidea Crustacea) for aquatic toxicity.

A sublethal flowthrough fecundity test with the euryhaline harpacticoid copepod Nitocra spinipes has been developed as a complement to the acute toxicity test (for 48 or 96 hr LC50) with the same species (B-E. Bengtsson, 1981, Mar. Pollut. Biol. 9,238-241). Bacterial suspension as feed and test water are continuously fed by a peristaltic pump to the system. Newly fertilized females with ovigerous bands are harvested from laboratory cultures and put into the test vessels at the start of the experiment. They are then exposed to a series of concentrations of chemicals or industrial effluents for 13 days. The amount of live offspring (metanauplia and copepodids) are recorded and an EC50 for fecundity is calculated. The report gives a detailed technical description of the test system and presents the results from 11 tests with pure chemicals (Zn, Cd, As, and pentachlorophenate) and six industrial effluents (pulp industry, textile industry, and refinery) in salinities ranging from 3 to 25%.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

The use of chemical and biological parameters to characterize complex industrial effluents.

Hitherto, the concern for possible environmental effects due to aqueous industrial discharges has been directed toward clearly observable effects such as eutrophication and fish kills. However, the development of environmental toxicology and chemistry has made it clear that more subtle and potential long-term effects also have to be taken into account in the regulatory work. The Swedish Environment Protection Board has recently completed a research project: "Characterization of Industrial Effluents." Initially, analytical methods and laboratory tests, originally developed for single substances, were identified. Laboratories were then invited to participate, with their own methods, in ring tests with a variety of industrial effluent waters. The studies indicated that a number of chemical and biological methods can be used to characterize complex industrial wastewaters with regard to their content of toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative substances. A frame program was established for the construction of test batteries adapted to various administrative regulatory purposes. To date, this strategy has been applied to several industries by the authorities, resulting in valuable experience of cost-effectiveness and the usefulness in the administrative decision-making process. Besides the studies on single industries, two other approaches have been applied, namely for the assessment of the impact of several industries on a common receiving water body, and for the evaluation of a whole industrial branch, that is, kraft pulp mill bleachery effluents. In the latter case, the studies have resulted in a ranking of processes and treatment methods to protect the environment.

Environmental Pollution↗

PubMed1979

Biological variables, especially skeletal deformities in fish, for monitoring marine pollution.

When considering principles for selection of indicators, i.e. biological variables, for monitoring marine pollution, it must be regarded as important to search for effects on the highest possible level of organization. For a global monitoring programme there are, however, many practical limitations in the number of useful indicators. The paper suggests skeletal deformities in fish as one possible indicator for this purpose in the future and gives a review on the occurrence, effects, causative factors and possible mechanisms of skeletal deformities in fish.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

Automated thermoluminescence reader. I. Technical construction and function.

An automated TLD reader has been developed and constructed. The dosimeter material consisting of LiF is permanently enclosed in thin-walled teflon tubes. Dosimeters are identified by numbers, which simplifies individual calibration. A calibration radiation source consisting of a cylinder (90Sr-90Y) is used for the calibrations. The function of the reader and the calibration radiation source is described, and the method of measurement briefly reported.

Autoanalysis↗

PubMed1974