Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/N008790/1
What are the environmental risks of mycotoxins present in freshwater ecosystems within UK agricultural landscapes?
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor T Hutchinson, University of Plymouth, Sch of Geog Earth & Environ Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Plymouth, Sch of Geog Earth & Environ Sciences
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Earth
- Freshwater
- Marine
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Freshwater
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Global Change
- Natural Resource Management
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Agricultural systems
- Climate & Climate Change
- Ecotoxicology
- Water Quality
- Abstract:
- Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by a wide range of fungal pathogens. Many cereal crops suffer from fungal infections resulting in mycotoxin residues being detected in the crop and in the post-harvest waste. Fungal diseases in crops have increased in recent years due to the adoption of minimal tillage practices, decreased crop rotations, resistance to fungicides and also climate change. Exposure to mycotoxins is known to have adverse health impacts in humans and mammals following ingestion, inhalation or skin contact. US scientists very recently reported worryingly high concentrations of mycotoxins in streams used by livestock or as sources of human drinking water. Results of the 2014 US study suggest that both diffuse (e.g. release from fungi infected crops) and point (e.g. food processing plants) sources are important pathways for mycotoxin transport into freshwater ecosystems. Mycotoxins are therefore an important class of emerging contaminants and yet we know almost nothing about their potential ecosystem impacts. This proposal is based on a partnership of expertise by internationally recognised scientists at Plymouth University and the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) which is also the UK National Reference Laboratory for Mycotoxins and collaborates extensively on a wide range of international research projects. Mycotoxins are often resistant to environmental degradation, yet some metabolites cause endocrine disruption in mammals and have oestrogenic activity similar to that of steroidal oestrogens. However, there is a lack of data on the developmental and reproductive effects of most mycotoxins to fish and invertebrates. Future fungal disease problems due to resistance to synthetic fungicides will likely lead to increased mycotoxin exposures and recent European regulation may also lead to significant reductions in fungicide availability for sustainable agriculture. It is therefore essential to fill this critical knowledge gap in order to support sustainable crop production and make evidence-based decisions on the risks to wildlife of mycotoxins versus synthetic fungicides. This studentship will address the hypothesis that there are harmful levels of mycotoxins in freshwaters and biota within UK agricultural landscapes. The proposed work will first quantify mycotoxin concentrations in surface waters and invertebrates and then conduct laboratory studies to investigate their ecotoxicological impacts in fish and aquatic invertebrates. The field and laboratory data will be integrated to address for the first time the relative risks posed by mycotoxins detected in UK surface waters. The proposal is to (1) conduct field sampling of UK surface waters and invertebrates within agricultural landscapes and quantify the seasonal concentrations of mycotoxins; (2) undertake laboratory studies to evaluate the toxicity and bioconcentration of two priority mycotoxins in fish and invertebrates; (3) develop a predictive hazard approach for one priority mycotoxin in fish by based on molecular toxicology methods; and finally (4) complete a risk assessment of mycotoxins detected in the UK aquatic environment in the context of the population-relevant ecotoxicology data. Importantly, as there is a growing need across Europe for scientists trained in the ecotoxicology and environmental risk assessment of natural and synthetic chemicals this project is extremely timely. Over the four year project, the student will develop in-depth knowledge of environmental sampling, analytical chemistry and ecotoxicology, data integration for comparative risk assessment and the role of the OECD and related organisations in chemical risk assessment. Given the supervisory team's experience in academic, government and industry research management and science communication, the student will also gain transferable skills throughout their studies towards significantly enhancing their employability.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/N008790/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Industrial CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £86,776
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - RTSG | Total - Student Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| £16,957 | £11,000 | £58,822 |
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