His coauthors were Célio Mariz, Jr., and Paulo Carvalho from the Federal University of Pernambuco. Jason will present this paper at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) 47th Annual Meeting in November.

Jason is a Scientist based in Missouri who focuses on evaluating the bioaccumulation and toxicological effects of environmental contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in aquatic organisms. He integrates toxicology and environmental risk assessment to translate complex environmental data into practical, science-based solutions for industry and regulatory stakeholders.

Environmental Science & Technology Toxicology is a peer-reviewed journal published by the American Chemical Society that features research on chemical safety and environmental protection that aligns with societal needs, global policy, and scientific innovation.

Abstract

The 2019-2020 oil spill along the northeastern coast of Brazil affected coastal reef ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit these environments. To characterize the toxicity of persistent, weathered oil residues to early life-stage fish, embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of a water-accommodated fraction (WAF) prepared from weathered oil recovered following the spill. Embryos were exposed from 24 to 168 h postfertilization (hpf) to low (2.14 μg ∑PAH60 L-1) and high (17.1 μg ∑PAH60 L-1) concentrations representative of chronic post-spill exposure conditions.

Transcriptomic profiling revealed early alterations in pathways associated with connective tissue, cardiovascular, and respiratory development at 48 hpf, which corresponded with a significant reduction in heart rate at 72 hpf. By 96 and 168 hpf, molecular responses shifted toward visual system dysfunction, including pathways related to photoreceptor development and phototransduction. Histological evaluation confirmed significant thinning of retinal layers, consistent with impaired retinal development or photoreceptor degeneration. These structural changes translated to functional impairment, as larvae exhibited a 40% reduction in optokinetic response. These integrated analyses identify mechanistic targets of weathered oil toxicity and establish molecular to behavioral relationships that improve understanding of chronic oil spill impacts on early life-stage fish.

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For more information on bioaccumulation, toxicology, and environmental risk assessment, contact Jason at [email protected].
Learn more about Jason: Jason Magnuson