Data from: Assessing multi-generational exposure of an extract of naphthenic acid fraction components derived from oil sands process-affected water in Daphnia magna
Data files
Apr 14, 2026 version files 706.55 KB
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McCuaig_et_al._2026_Raw_Data.xlsx
700.63 KB
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README.md
5.92 KB
Abstract
Naphthenic acids (NAs) naturally occur in bitumen deposits and surrounding waters, particularly within the Athabasca oil sands region in Alberta, Canada. Bitumen extraction produces large volumes of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW), which contains elevated concentrations of bitumen-derived chemicals, including NAs and other soluble organics. Although NAs are among the most acutely toxic component of OSPW to aquatic biota, there is limited understanding of chronic or multi-generational effects. To understand the effects of multi-generational exposure from an OSPW-derived naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFC) extract, the model cladoceran Daphnia magna was used. Four generations (F0 to F3) were each reared under continual NAFC exposure (0, 6.9, 15.8, and 31.1 mg/L) for 21 days, in their respective exposure solution. The F0 and F2 generations experienced high mortality at 31.1 mg/L NAFC, with only 65% and 55% of the population surviving, respectively. Survivors showed significant growth and reproductive effects occurring at 31.1 mg/L NAFC exposure. Daphnia mass decreased by up to 43% and delays in reproduction resulted in fewer broods within the 21-day period, with high reproductive failure (i.e., non-viable neonate production increased in all generations by up to 27-fold). The F2 generation was the most vulnerable to the NAFC exposure out of all the generations tested. Individual survival was highest in the F3 generation, though growth and reproduction were still negatively impacted. These results suggest that exposure to NAFCs can considerably affect D. magna by causing individual mortality and impacting growth and reproduction, beyond the first generation exposed. This study provides novel insight into NAFC toxicity following long-term exposure, emphasizing the need for further multi-generational toxicity testing.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.83bk3jb7p
Description of the data and file structure
This file contains the raw data for the acute and multi-generational exposure of Daphnia magna to an OSPW-derived naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFC) extract.
Files and variables
File: McCuaig_et_al._2026_Raw_Data.xlsx
Description:
Sheet: Info
Includes manuscript information
Sheet: Acute Data
Exposure type. Indicates whether water was dosed with OSPW-derived naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFC) extract or is control water (control).
Concentration of NAFC in the exposure.
Replicate number for the treatment (1-6).
The numbers associated to each vial during the experiment since it was blinded.
The number of daphnids that were scored as alive at 48 hours in each vial.
The number of daphnids that were scored as immobilized at 48 hours in each vial.
The total number of daphnids in each vial.
The number of daphnids that were scored as dead at 48 hours in each vial.
The number of daphnids that were scored as having an effect (sum of dead and immobilized) at 48 hours in each vial.
Sheet: Multi-gen (Repro & Growth)
Exposure type. Indicates whether water was dosed with OSPW-derived naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFC) extract or is control water (control). Levels: Control (OECD), Low NAFC, Med NAFC, High NAFC.
Replicate number for the treatment (1-20).
The generation that the daphnid was a part of (F0 - F3).
Concentration of NAFC in the exposure measured in mg/L.
The date that the generation was started - MM/DD/YYYY
The day of exposure that the daphnid died, if it did. Otherwise N/A denotes that the daphnid survived.
Whether the daphnid survived the exposure (yes or no).
Column H-I is left blank unless a daphnids survival or reproduction needed to be removed from further analysis (denoted by No), with the justification for this exclusion in column J.
The total number of molts the daphnid had during 21 days of exposure.
The total number of broods the daphnid had during 21 days of exposure.
The total number of neonates the daphnid produced during 21 days of exposure.
The total number of eggs the daphnid produced during 21 days of exposure.
The total number of neonates the daphnid produced during 21 days of exposure.
The sum of eggs, neonates, and stillbirths that the daphnid produced during 21 days of exposure.
The sum of eggs, and stillbirths that the daphnid produced during 21 days of exposure.
The wet mass in mg of the daphnid at the end of the 21 days of exposure.
The dry mass in mg of the daphnid at the end of the 21 days of exposure.
The body length in mm of the daphnid at the end of the 21 days of exposure.
Left blank unless a note is made indicating why an image needed to be excluded.
The day that brood 1was produced is indicated under Brood1_day. The number of neonates, eggs and stillbirths that made up the first brood are indicated in the respective columns, and the sum of all these outputs is indicated under Brood1_reproductiveeffort.
Same paramters as columns V-Z, but for broods 2 through 5.
Sheet: Multi-gen (MO2)
The date that the MO2 measurements were taken (day 21) - DD-MMM-YY
Exposure type. Indicates whether water was dosed with OSPW-derived naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFC) extract or is control water (control). Levels: Control (OECD), Low NAFC, Med NAFC, High NAFC. Blank is indicative of a well that was filled with only water (no daphnid).
Replicate number for the treatment (1-20).
Yes or No written to indicate if included or not included in further analysis, respectively (Column D). Left blank unless there is a reason to exclude, and justification is provided (Column E).
The generation (1 = F0; 2 = F1; 3 = F2; 4 = F3).
Which microplate respirometer run the daphid was in (n = 24 wells per respirometer).
Which well of the respirometer that the daphnid was in. [Oxygen] means that oxygen was measured.
Oxygen measurements are taken every 15 seconds in mmol O2 per litre. Each subsequent column is the next measurement 15 seconds later for the respective well of the respirometer. Runs were ended at different times, thus, blank cells are indicative that the run was already complete.
Code/software
Microsoft Excel or equivalent
