Springtails are closely related to insects, but they differ from these with respect to water balance, in particular because springtails are small and have high integumental permeability to water. Here we report a series of experiments addressing the dynamics of osmoregulation, water content and accumulation of free amino acids (FAAs) in three springtail species during exposure to a gradually increasing environmental desiccation simulating conditions in drought exposed soil. Folsomia candida and Protaphorura fimata (both living in the deeper soil layers; euedaphic species) were active throughout the 3week exposure, with the developing drought regime ending at -3.56MPa (the soil water activity at the permanent wilting point of plants is -1.5MPa) and remained hyperosmotic (having an body fluid osmolality higher than the corresponding environment) to their surrounding air. Sinella curviseta (living in upper soil/litter layers; hemiedaphic species) also survived this exposure, but remained hypoosmotic throughout (i.e. with lower osmolality than the environment). The body content of most FAAs increased in response to drought in all three species. Alanine, proline and arginine were the most significantly upregulated FAAs. By combining our results with data in the literature, we could account for 82% of the observed osmolality at -3.56MPa in F. candida and 92% in P. fimata. The osmolality of S. curviseta was only slightly increased under drought, but here FAAs were considerably more important as osmolytes than in the two other species. We propose that FAAs probably have general importance in drought tolerance of springtails.

• MeSH
• aminokyseliny metabolismus   MeSH
• biologická adaptace fyziologie   MeSH
• členovci fyziologie   MeSH
• období sucha * MeSH
• osmoregulace MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• voda MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The bioavailability of metals can be influenced not only by soil properties but also by other species living at polluted sites. However, in laboratory experiments, usually only one test species is used to estimate bioavailability. In this study, a two-species approach was applied to assess the impact of the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus on the bioavailability of cadmium and lead to the springtail Folsomia candida using natural soils from a gradient of metal pollution. Earthworms were kept in half of the soil replicates for 4 weeks. Subsequently, the uptake and elimination kinetics of cadmium and lead in F. candida exposed for 21 days to the soils was determined. Earthworm activity affected soil properties but did not significantly affect metal uptake rate constants in springtails. The slightly higher uptake due to the presence of earthworms, which was consistent in all tested soils and for both metals, suggests that further research is needed on the role of species interactions in affecting metal bioavailability in soil.

• MeSH
• ampicilin analogy a deriváty   chemie   MeSH
• biologická dostupnost MeSH
• členovci chemie   účinky léků   MeSH
• kadmium chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• kinetika MeSH
• Oligochaeta účinky léků   MeSH
• olovo chemie   farmakologie   MeSH
• půda MeSH
• znečištění životního prostředí MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Biomass of cyanobacterial water blooms including cyanobacterial toxins may enter soils, for example, when harvested water bloom is directly applied as an organic fertilizer or when water with massive cyanobacterial biomass is used for irrigation. In spite of this, no information is available about the potential effects on soil arthropods. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of water bloom biomass sampled in five different fresh water lakes on the soil dwelling arthropod, springtail Folsomia candida (Collembola). These samples contained different dominant species of cyanobacteria and varied significantly in microcystin content (21-3662 μg/g dw biomass). No adverse effects on survival or reproduction were observed for any tested sample at concentration up to 4 g dw biomass/kg dw soil. Despite the known hazardous properties of water blooms in aquatic ecosystems, our pilot results suggest that cyanobacterial biomass might have no significant impact on arthropods in soil. It remains a question, if this is due to low bioavailability of cyanobacterial toxins in soil.

• MeSH
• biomasa MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu toxicita   MeSH
• členovci účinky léků   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu toxicita   MeSH
• mikrocystiny toxicita   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• půdní mikrobiologie MeSH
• rozmnožování účinky léků   MeSH
• sinice růst a vývoj   MeSH
• sladká voda chemie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Recent studies have documented significant variability in the basic properties of artificial soil which is used as a standard medium in soil bioassays. Variability in key soil properties could confound the interpretation of toxicity data and bias the output of bioassays. The main aims of this study were (i) to identify the variability in the endpoints survival and reproduction of Folsomia candida and Enchytraeus crypticus related to the artificials soils prepared in different laboratories and (ii) to identify the specific physico-chemical properties of the artificial soils which influence the bioassays results. The results of reproduction tests showed that nearly all tested artificial soils were suitable for the survival and reproduction of both organisms as the validity criteria from the test standards were fulfilled. However, numbers of juveniles varied significantly among soils. The most important factor for F. candida performance was a coarser soil structure. C:N ratio (<22.6) were important for the reproduction of E. crypticus. Both species tolerated a pH (KCl) of artificial soils in the range of 4.27-6.8 and even low TOC (1.5%). Thus, it is possible to reduce peat content in artificial soils, which may increase the comparability of results to those for natural soils.

• MeSH
• analýza přežití MeSH
• chemické jevy MeSH
• členovci růst a vývoj   MeSH
• Oligochaeta růst a vývoj   MeSH
• půda chemie   normy   MeSH
• rozmnožování účinky léků   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, and H+) on cadmium toxicity to the springtail Folsomia candida. Survival of the animals was determined after seven days exposure to different cadmium concentrations in an inert sand-solution medium, in different experimental setups with modification of the cation concentrations. Among the cations tested, Ca2+ and Mg2+ had protective effects on the toxicity of cadmium to the springtails while Na+, K+, and H+ showed less competition with free cadmium ions for binding to the uptake sites of the collembolans. Toxicity predicted with a biotic ligand model agreed well with the observed values. Calculated conditional binding constants and the fraction of biotic ligands occupied by cadmium to show 50% effects were similar to values reported in the literature. The results emphasize the important role of solution chemistry in determining metal toxicity to soil invertebrates.

• MeSH
• biologická dostupnost MeSH
• biologické modely * MeSH
• členovci účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• kadmium toxicita   MeSH
• kationty farmakokinetika   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu toxicita   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The aims of this study were: (i) to investigate the toxicity of N-heterocyclic polyaromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) quinoline, acridine, phenazine, and 1,10-phenanthroline to the soil invertebrates Eisenia fetida, Enchytraeus crypticus, Folsomia candida, and Caenorhabditis elegans, (ii) to compare the toxicity of four NPAHs and the species sensitivity, and (iii) to discuss possible risks of these compounds in soils. Different toxicities were found for the tested NPAHs which might be partially explained by their structure and properties. Effect concentrations expressed as soil pore-water concentrations were related to log K(ow), which indicated narcosis as the most probable mode of toxic action. The species sensitivity decreased in the rank: springtails >enchytraeids=earthworms> nematodes. Predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) values were calculated for all tested species giving values from 0.5 to 6.8 mg/kg. It is unlikely that there is a risk for soil organisms in natural soils where lower NPAHs concentrations are expected.

• MeSH
• akridiny toxicita   MeSH
• bezobratlí účinky léků   MeSH
• Caenorhabditis elegans účinky léků   MeSH
• chinoliny toxicita   MeSH
• členovci účinky léků   MeSH
• dusík toxicita   MeSH
• fenantroliny toxicita   MeSH
• fenaziny toxicita   MeSH
• hodnocení rizik MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu toxicita   MeSH
• Oligochaeta účinky léků   MeSH
• polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky toxicita   MeSH
• půda chemie   MeSH
• vztah mezi dávkou a účinkem léčiva MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVES: During the covid-19 pandemic, protective equipment such as respirators and masks were widely used to protect respiratory tract. This disposable protective equipment is usually made from plastic fibre-based nonwoven fabrics. If used masks and respirators are improperly discarded, they pollute the environment by becoming a source of micro and nanoplastics. The aim of the study was to find out how stable the materials of protective equipment are and how released nano and microplastics can affect aquatic and soil organisms. MATERIALS: The input materials used to produce respirators and masks were tested for their thermal stability and resistance to the release of plastic particles into the environment. To determine the thermal stability of the materials, a simultaneous thermal analysis - thermogravimetry (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were performed. RESULTS: Materials of masks and respirators are stable at temperatures common to temperate climate zone. However, the possible effects of chemical reactions of the materials with the environment were not considered during the measurement. The materials were also subjected to ecotoxicity tests according to European standards. CONCLUSION: While the leachate obtained by shaking the materials in water did not show acute toxicity to the selected aquatic organisms, the material itself had a significant effect on selected soil organisms (springtails).

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie MeSH
• plastické hmoty MeSH
• prostředky na ochranu dýchání * MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Trophic specialisation can be observed in species with long-term constant exploitation of a certain prey in all populations or in a population of a species with short-term exploitation of a certain prey. While in the former case the species would evolve stereotyped or specialised trophic adaptations, the trophic traits of the latter should be versatile or generalised. Here, we studied the predatory behavioural adaptations of a presumed myrmecophagous spider, Oecobius navus. We chose two distinct populations, one in Portugal and the other in Uruguay. We analysed the actual prey of both populations and found that the Portuguese population feeds mainly on dipterans, while the Uruguayan population feeds mainly on ants. Indeed, dipterans and springtails in Portugal, and ants in Uruguay were the most abundant potential prey. In laboratory trials O. navus spiders recognised and captured a wide variety of prey. The capture efficiency of the Portuguese population measured as components of the handling time was higher for flies than for ants, while that of the Uruguayan population was higher for ants. We found phenotypic plasticity in behavioural traits that lead to increased capture efficiency with respect to the locally abundant prey, but it remains to be determined whether the traits of the two populations are genetically fixed. We conclude that O. navus is a euryphagous generalist predator which shows local specialisation on the locally abundant prey.

• MeSH
• biologická adaptace MeSH
• hmyz fyziologie   MeSH
• pavouci fyziologie   MeSH
• potravní řetězec MeSH
• predátorské chování MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Portugalsko MeSH
• Uruguay MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the ecotoxicity of selected antibiotics (i.e. penicillin G, vancomycin and tetracycline) using ecotoxicological tests. Tests were conducted on organisms representing all trophic levels of the aquatic ecosystem, namely producers (green freshwater algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), consumers (water fleas Daphnia magna) and decomposers (bacteria Vibrio fischeri). The effect of antibiotics on the representative of edaphon was measured by testing the inhibition of the reproduction of springtails Folsomia candida and earthworms Eisenia fetida. DESIGN: Methodologically, the procedure was carried out in accordance with the following standards: OECD 201 (Fresh water algal growth inhibition test), OECD 202 (Inhibition of the mobility of Daphnia magna), ISO 11348-2 (Inhibitory effect of antibiotics on the light emission of Vibrio fischeri), OECD 232 (Inhibition of reproduction of Collembola Folsomia candida) and OECD 222 (Inhibition of reproduction of Eisenia fetida). RESULTS: In aquatic organisms the highest level of toxicity was shown by tetracycline to algae (72hEC50 = 1.82 mg.l-1) and daphnia (48hEC50 = 8.16 mg.l-1). The least toxic for all test organisms was penicillin G. The results of the tests performed on the representative of edaphon, Folsomia candida, showed that its reproduction was most inhibited by penicillin G (28dEC50 = 328 mg.kg-1) and least by tetracycline (28dEC50 = 2560 mg.kg-1). Similar results were observed in Eisenia fetida (56dEC50 = 348 mg.kg-1 for penicillin G and 56dEC50 = 2735 mg.kg-1 for tetracycline. CONCLUSION: The ecotoxicity of antibiotics differed significantly depending on the test organism and testing conditions.

• MeSH
• antibakteriální látky toxicita   MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu toxicita   MeSH
• ekosystém * MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu toxicita   MeSH
• testy toxicity * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Nematodes represent a very abundant group of soil organisms and non-parasitic species are important for soil quality and in the soil food web. In recent years, it has been shown that nematodes are appropriate bioindicators of soil condition and they are also suitable organisms for laboratory toxicity testing. The aims of this paper are to overview and critically assess methods and approaches for researching soil nematode ecotoxicology. In natural ecosystems, nematode abundance and community structure analyses were proved to be sensitive indicators of stress caused by soil pollutants and ecological disturbance. Community structure analyses may be approached from a functional or ecological point of view; species are divided into groups according to their feeding habits or alternatively the maturity index is calculated according to their ecological strategy. Many environmental factors have the potential to affect nematode community, which consequently results in high space and time variability. This variance is major handicap in field ecotoxicological studies because pollutant-nematode relationships are obscured. For prospective risk assessment of chemicals, several toxicity tests with nematodes were developed and are increasingly used. Sensitivity of these tests is comparable to tests with other soil species (e.g. enchytraeids, earthworms and springtails) while tests are less demanding to space and time. Most studies have focused on metal toxicity but organic compounds are almost overlooked. Endpoints used in tests were often mortality, reproduction or movement, but more sublethal endpoints such as feeding or biomarkers have been used recently too. Although there is an increasing amount of knowledge in soil nematode ecotoxicology, there is still a lot of various issues in this topic to research.

• MeSH
• ekologie MeSH
• financování organizované MeSH
• hlístice účinky léků   MeSH
• látky znečišťující půdu toxicita   MeSH
• nebezpečný odpad MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• přehledy MeSH