Microplastic pollution in karst systems is still poorly studied, despite the presence of protected species and habitats, and important water reserves. Vulnerable key species hosted in these habitats could consume or assimilate microplastics, which can irreversibly damage management efforts, and thus ecosystems functionality. This can be particularly true for subterranean water habitats where microplastic pollution effects on wildlife management programs are not considered. The aim of this study is to provide a case study from the Classical Karst Region, which hosts peculiar habitats and key species protected at European level, such as the olm Proteus anguinus. As this area has been deeply exploited and modified over time, and is adjacent to highways, roads and railways, which could contribute to pollution within the karst system, threatening the ecosystems, it provides a perfect model system. In this study we collected and investigated water and sediment samples from aquatic environments of surface and subterranean habitats hosting several subterranean environment-adapted organisms. Examined particles were counted and characterized by size, color and shape via visual identification under a microscope, with and without UV light. Furthermore, spectroscopic analyses were carried out in order to identify microplastics typology. Microplastics were found in all examined habitats. In water, microplastics concentration ranged from 37 to 86 items/L, in sediments from 776 to 2064 items/kg. Fibre-shape was the main present, followed by fragments and beads, suggesting multiple sources of pollution, especially textile products. Most of the particles were fluorescent under UV light and were mainly transparent, while not-fluorescent ones were especially black, blue or brown. Samples contained especially polyesters and copolymers. These results highlight intense MP pollution in karst areas, with significant impacts on water quality, and potential effects on subterranean environment-dwelling species. We stress the importance of monitoring pollution in these critical environments for biodiversity and habitat conservation: monitoring in karst areas must become a priority for habitat and species protection, and water resources management, improving analyses on a larger number of aquatic surface and subterranean habitats.
- Klíčová slova
- Aquatic environments, Caves, Microplastic pollution, Proteus anguinus, Springs, Troglobionts,
- MeSH
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu * analýza MeSH
- ekosystém MeSH
- mikroplasty * analýza MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
- plastické hmoty MeSH
- znečištění vody analýza MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu * MeSH
- mikroplasty * MeSH
- plastické hmoty MeSH
Treated wastewater ponds (TWPs) serve as recipients and passive tertiary treatment mediators for recycled water. These nutrient-rich habitats are increasingly utilised in aquaculture, nevertheless multiple loads of various contaminants with adverse effects on aquatic fauna, including fish, have been recorded. In the present study, we investigated the effects of fish transfer in response to altered levels of pollution on liver metabolic profiles and tissue-specific oxidative stress biomarkers during short- and long-term exposure. In a field experiment, common carp (Cyprinus carpio) originating in severely polluted TWP were restocked after one year to a reference pond with a background pollutant concentration typical of the regional river. In contrast, fish that originated in the reference pond were restocked to TWP. Fish were sampled 0, 7, 14, 60, and 180 days after restocking and fish liver, kidney, intestine, and gill tissues were subjected to biomarker analysis. Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) and metabolic profiles were determined in fish liver using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Fish transferred from reference to polluted pond increased the antioxidant response and absorbed PhACs into metabolism within seven days. Fish liver metabolic profiles were shifted rapidly, but after 180 days to a lesser extent than profiles in fish already adapted in polluted water. Restocked fish from polluted to reference pond eliminated PhACs during the short phase within 14 days, and the highest antioxidant response accompanied the depuration process. Numerous elevated metabolic compounds persisted in such exposed fish for at least 60 days. The period of two weeks was suggested as sufficient for PhACs depuration, but more than two months after restocking is needed for fish to stabilise their metabolism. This study contributed to determining the safe handling with marketed fish commonly restocked to wastewaters and clarified that water pollution irreversibly altered fish metabolic profile.
- Klíčová slova
- Antioxidant enzymes, Metabolic profile, Pharmaceuticals, Restocked fish, Treated wastewater pond,
- MeSH
- antioxidancia metabolismus MeSH
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu * analýza MeSH
- játra metabolismus MeSH
- kapři * metabolismus MeSH
- metabolom MeSH
- odpadní voda analýza MeSH
- oxidační stres MeSH
- voda analýza MeSH
- znečištění vody analýza MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- antioxidancia MeSH
- chemické látky znečišťující vodu * MeSH
- odpadní voda MeSH
- voda MeSH
Floating marine debris (FMD) were abundantly reported in the Northern Chilean Patagonia in 2009 where sea-based activities (mussel and salmon aquaculture) are responsible for most of them. Identifying the sources of FMD is important to take the necessary actions to diminish their abundance. In 2019 eleven transects were opportunistically conducted to evaluate the abundance, spatial distribution and composition of FMD in the same area, and to compare them with the previous study using the same methodology. FMD identified were classified into the same six categories from the previous study, however "Others" category were now the dominant one indicating that new pollutants have been increasing during the last decade. Inside the "others" category, plastics buoy and other floating devices, that normally are used by the salmon aquaculture, were the main items. Similarly than the previous study, styrofoam and domestic plastics were also the other most abundant items. In general, also, an increase in abundance compared with the previous study was found. The highest abundances were similarly found in the "Golfo de Corcovado" zone ranging from 50 to 230 items km-2. Our results, as well as the previous study, confirm that sea-based activities are still responsible for the FMD found in the Northern Patagonia. To avoid the origin of this contamination it is urgent to implement public policies that effectively reduce FMD, and hold the aquaculture industries responsible.
- Klíčová slova
- Aquaculture, Chile, Floating marine debris, Patagonia, Plastics, Styrofoam,
- MeSH
- látky znečišťující vodu * analýza MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
- odpadní produkty analýza MeSH
- plastické hmoty MeSH
- znečištění vody * analýza MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Chile MeSH
- Názvy látek
- látky znečišťující vodu * MeSH
- odpadní produkty MeSH
- plastické hmoty MeSH
The microbiome plays an essential role in the health and onset of diseases in all animals, including humans. The microbiome has emerged as a central theme in environmental toxicology because microbes interact with the host immune system in addition to its role in chemical detoxification. Pathophysiological changes in the gastrointestinal tissue caused by ingested chemicals and metabolites generated from microbial biodegradation can lead to systemic adverse effects. The present critical review dissects what we know about the impacts of environmental contaminants on the microbiome of aquatic species, with special emphasis on the gut microbiome. We highlight some of the known major gut epithelium proteins in vertebrate hosts that are targets for chemical perturbation, proteins that also directly cross-talk with the microbiome. These proteins may act as molecular initiators for altered gut function, and we propose a general framework for an adverse outcome pathway that considers gut dysbiosis as a major contributing factor to adverse apical endpoints. We present 2 case studies, nanomaterials and hydrocarbons, with special emphasis on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, to illustrate how investigations into the microbiome can improve understanding of adverse outcomes. Lastly, we present strategies to functionally relate chemical-induced gut dysbiosis with adverse outcomes because this is required to demonstrate cause-effect relationships. Further investigations into the toxicant-microbiome relationship may prove to be a major breakthrough for improving animal and human health. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2758-2775. © 2018 SETAC.
- Klíčová slova
- Adverse outcome pathway, Gut dysbiosis, Inflammation, Nanomaterial, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, Short chain fatty acid,
- MeSH
- biodiverzita MeSH
- environmentální zdraví * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nemoc MeSH
- střevní mikroflóra * MeSH
- toxikologie * MeSH
- znečištění vody analýza MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
We reviewed 219 papers and built an inventory of 532 items of ecological evidence on multiple stressor impacts in rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters, as well as groundwaters. Our review revealed that, despite the existence of a huge conceptual knowledge base in aquatic ecology, few studies actually provide quantitative evidence on multi-stress effects. Nutrient stress was involved in 71% to 98% of multi-stress situations in the three types of surface water environments, and in 42% of those in groundwaters. However, their impact manifested differently along the groundwater-river-lake-transitional-coastal continuum, mainly determined by the different hydro-morphological features of these ecosystems. The reviewed papers addressed two-stressor combinations most frequently (42%), corresponding with the actual status-quo of pressures acting on European surface waters as reported by the Member States in the WISE WFD Database (EEA, 2015). Across all biological groups analysed, higher explanatory power of the stress-effect models was discernible for lakes under multi-stressor compared to single stressor conditions, but generally lower for coastal and transitional waters. Across all aquatic environments, the explanatory power of stress-effect models for fish increased when multi-stressor conditions were taken into account in the analysis, qualifying this organism group as a useful indicator of multi-stress effects. In contrast, the explanatory power of models using benthic flora decreased under conditions of multiple stress.
- Klíčová slova
- Biological group, Hydromorphology, Nutrient stress, Paradigm, Stressor combination, Stressor interaction,
- MeSH
- ekologie MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí * MeSH
- mořská voda chemie MeSH
- podzemní voda chemie MeSH
- sladká voda chemie MeSH
- teoretické modely MeSH
- znečištění vody analýza statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
AIMS: Biological incidents jeopardising public health require decision-making that consists of one dominant feature: complexity. Therefore, public health decision-makers necessitate appropriate support. METHODS: Based on the analogy with business intelligence (BI) principles, the contextual analysis of the environment and available data resources, and conceptual modelling within systems and knowledge engineering, this paper proposes a general framework for computer-based decision support in the case of a biological incident. At the outset, the analysis of potential inputs to the framework is conducted and several resources such as demographic information, strategic documents, environmental characteristics, agent descriptors and surveillance systems are considered. RESULTS: Consequently, three prototypes were developed, tested and evaluated by a group of experts. Their selection was based on the overall framework scheme. Subsequently, an ontology prototype linked with an inference engine, multi-agent-based model focusing on the simulation of an environment, and expert-system prototypes were created. CONCLUSIONS: All prototypes proved to be utilisable support tools for decision-making in the field of public health. Nevertheless, the research revealed further issues and challenges that might be investigated by both public health focused researchers and practitioners.
- MeSH
- epidemický výskyt choroby statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- katastrofy * MeSH
- kontaminace potravin analýza MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- metody pro podporu rozhodování * MeSH
- únik nebezpečných biologických látek * MeSH
- veřejné zdravotnictví - informatika metody normy MeSH
- veřejné zdravotnictví metody normy MeSH
- znečištění vody analýza MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
The first experiments on the use of wetland plants to treat wastewaters were carried out in the early 1950s by Dr. Käthe Seidel in Germany and the first full-scale systems were put into operation during the late 1960s. Since then, the subsurface systems have been commonly used in Europe while free water surface systems have been more popular in North America and Australia. During the 1970s and 1980s, the information on constructed wetland technology spread slowly. But since the 1990 s the technology has become international, facilitated by exchange among scientists and researchers around the world. Because of the need for more effective removal of ammonia and total nitrogen, during the 1990 s and 2000s vertical and horizontal flow constructed wetlands were combined to complement each other to achieve higher treatment efficiency. Today, constructed wetlands are recognized as a reliable wastewater treatment technology and they represent a suitable solution for the treatment of many types of wastewater.
We studied the differences in a microbial community structure with respect to the water pollution level and seasonal changes. The determination of phylogenetic groups of Bacteria and Archaea was done using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The total number of microorganisms was determined by direct counting of DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) stained samples using a fluorescence microscope. Our results showed that the microbial community structure was significantly dependent on the level of water pollution, both in absolute microbial counts and in relative abundance of phylogenetic groups. For surface water with anthropogenic pollution, the microbial community with significant proportion of Betaproteobacteria and Cytophaga-Flavobacterium was characteristic. Gammaproteobacteria were significant in municipal waste water. In microbial communities with low numbers of microorganisms (e.g. non-polluted water and some industrial waste water) represented the significant component groups Alphaproteobacteria and Archaea. The impact of seasonal changes on the microbial distribution was not significant.
- MeSH
- Archaea klasifikace účinky léků genetika MeSH
- Bacteria klasifikace účinky léků genetika MeSH
- hybridizace in situ fluorescenční MeSH
- látky znečišťující vodu toxicita MeSH
- mikrobiologie vody * MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
- roční období * MeSH
- znečištění vody škodlivé účinky analýza MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to assess the pollution of the Svitava and Svratka rivers in and around the industrial city of Brno (Czech Republic) by persistent organic pollutants using selected biochemical markers in chub. DESIGN: Levels of selected biochemical markers were measured in liver and plasma samples of chub. The concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were determined in bottom sediment, semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and muscle samples, and consequently used for correlation with biochemical markers. RESULTS: Significant alterations (p < 0.05) in some biochemical markers were observed and associated with combined exposure to pollutants. The highest levels of pollutants were found at sites situated downstream from Brno. The most widespread changes were identified in the function of phase I detoxifying enzymes. Significant positive correlations were observed in cytochrome P450 content and DDT concentration in the semi-permeable membrane device (p = 0.019, rs = 0.886), and between ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity and content of DDT (p = 0.041, rs = 0.352) and polychlorinated biphenyls (p = 0.034, rs = 0.365) in muscle tissues of indicator fish. CONCLUSION: The results presented in our study indicate the highest contamination of sites situated downstream from Brno, where the intensive industrial and agricultural activities as well as domestic waste and sewage most probably comprise the main impact sources of the enhanced level of pollutants and some biochemical markers in fish.
- MeSH
- biologické markery analýza krev metabolismus MeSH
- Cyprinidae metabolismus MeSH
- cytochrom P-450 CYP1A1 metabolismus MeSH
- DDT analýza metabolismus MeSH
- játra chemie enzymologie metabolismus MeSH
- kosterní svaly chemie enzymologie metabolismus MeSH
- látky znečišťující vodu analýza metabolismus MeSH
- polychlorované bifenyly analýza metabolismus MeSH
- řeky chemie MeSH
- systém (enzymů) cytochromů P-450 metabolismus MeSH
- vystavení vlivu životního prostředí MeSH
- znečištění vody analýza MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
- Názvy látek
- biologické markery MeSH
- cytochrom P-450 CYP1A1 MeSH
- DDT MeSH
- látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
- polychlorované bifenyly MeSH
- systém (enzymů) cytochromů P-450 MeSH
The Uniform Covering by Probabilistic Rejection (UCPR) algorithm was used, in conjunction with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, to identify P loads from point source and nonpoint source polluters in the upper Etowah River basin (UERB) in Georgia. The key findings of the research are as follows. The mean absolute error was preferred over the root mean square error as a search criterion for the UCPR algorithm when water quality observations are scarce. The undocumented P load from point sources in the UERB was consistently estimated as about 43 kg/d by the proposed method; but the method was not able to identify the broiler litter application rate to the poultry/beef operation pastures. Point sources (both documented and undocumented), poultry/beef operation pastures, and forests are the three major contributors of P. During 1992-1996, on average they accounted for 36.4, 31.7, and 17.2% of P load from the UERB, respectively.
- MeSH
- fosfor analýza MeSH
- nejistota MeSH
- pohyb vody MeSH
- řeky * MeSH
- teoretické modely * MeSH
- znečištění vody analýza statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Georgia MeSH
- Názvy látek
- fosfor MeSH
