Our findings, derived from studying zebrafish embryos and larvae, underscore the impact of low-level PBDE exposure on melanin production, and indicate a potential light-dependent pathway in their neurotoxic mechanisms.
Developing precise diagnostic techniques for evaluating the impact of treatments on lithobiont colonization within Cultural Heritage monuments remains a significant hurdle in conservation. We investigated the short-term and long-term effectiveness of biocide-based treatments on microbial colonization of a dolostone quarry, using a dual analytical strategy in this study. bioengineering applications To analyze the effectiveness of a process, we employed metabarcoding to characterize temporal microbial community changes (fungal and bacterial), integrating with microscopic analysis to evaluate substrate-microorganism interactions. Dominating these communities were the bacterial phyla Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Cyanobacteria, and the fungal order Verrucariales, including taxa previously documented as biodeteriogenic agents, and their involvement in biodeterioration processes was observed in these communities. Treatment-induced modifications in the profiles of abundance vary over time, according to the classification of taxa. The abundance of Cyanobacteriales, Cytophagales, and Verrucariales diminished, in contrast to the rise in the numbers of Solirubrobacteriales, Thermomicrobiales, and Pleosporales. These patterns are likely a consequence of the biocide's diverse effects on taxonomic units, along with variations in the organisms' recolonization aptitudes. Treatment responsiveness could differ based on inherent cellular characteristics of various taxa, but the contrasting ability of biocides to penetrate endolithic microhabitats could also be a contributing factor. Our findings confirm the necessity of eradicating epilithic colonization and deploying biocides in order to effectively target endolithic forms. The phenomenon of recolonization could offer an explanation for some taxon-dependent reactions, especially over extended periods. Resistant taxa, and those that profit from nutrient buildup in cellular debris post-treatment, might colonize treated areas more readily, underscoring the necessity for extended observation of a broad spectrum of taxonomic groups. Examining treatment efficacy on biodeterioration, this study underlines the potential value of integrating metabarcoding and microscopy in designing conservation strategies and implementing preventive conservation protocols.
Groundwater, while transmitting pollution to linked ecological networks, is frequently underestimated and inadequately addressed within management protocols. To bridge this knowledge gap, we propose incorporating socio-economic data into hydrogeological surveys, enabling the identification of past and present pollution sources stemming from human activities within the watershed, thereby forecasting threats to groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs). A cross-disciplinary approach in this paper seeks to demonstrate the added value of socio-hydrogeological investigations, thereby addressing anthropogenic pollution fluxes towards a GDE and fostering more sustainable groundwater resource management. Utilizing a questionnaire as a component alongside chemical compound analysis, land use analysis, data compilation, and field investigations, a survey was conducted on the Biguglia lagoon plain in France. Across the entire plain's water bodies, pollution arises from a dual source, agricultural and domestic. Pesticide testing revealed the existence of 10 molecules, incorporating domestic compounds, exceeding European groundwater quality standards for individual pesticides, alongside pesticides banned for twenty years. Field surveys and questionnaires reveal localized agricultural pollution, impacting aquifer storage capacity, contrasting with diffuse domestic pollution across the plain, stemming from sewage network outflows and septic tanks. Domestic compounds, circulating through the aquifer with shorter residence times, reveal a direct link to the consumption patterns of the population, indicating constant inputs. Under the stipulations of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), member states are responsible for preserving the satisfactory ecological state, water quality and volume of water in their designated water bodies. learn more The 'good status' sought by GDEs is hard to attain without a thorough understanding of groundwater's pollutant storage capacity and the residual effects of prior pollution. The effectiveness of socio-hydrogeology in resolving this issue is evident, with applications extending to the implementation of effective protection for Mediterranean GDEs.
To study the potential movement of nanoplastics (NPs) from water sources to plants, and then to a higher trophic level, we created a food chain and analyzed the trophic transfer of polystyrene (PS) NPs through measurements of mass concentrations using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Over 60 days, lettuce plants were cultivated in Hoagland solution with varying PS-NP concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 mg/L). 7 grams of lettuce shoot was subsequently fed to snails for 27 days. Treatment of biomass with 1000 mg/L PS-NPs led to a 361% decrease in the exposed biomass level. Root biomass remained stable; however, there was a 256% decrease in root volume at the 100 mg/L level. Correspondingly, PS-NPs were found in the lettuce roots as well as in the shoots, across all concentrations. biological targets Subsequently, snails were administered PS-NPs, with the majority (more than 75%) of the introduced NPs found in their fecal matter. A measly 28 nanograms per gram of PS-NPs was found in the soft tissues of snails that were not directly exposed, but rather indirectly, to 1000 milligrams per liter of the substance. While PS-NPs experienced bio-dilution when moving to higher trophic level species, their substantial inhibition of snail growth underscores the undeniable threat they pose to higher trophic levels. The study details trophic transfer and PS-NP patterns in food chains, offering a framework to assess the risk associated with NPs in terrestrial ecosystems.
Prometryn (PRO), a prevalent triazine herbicide used extensively in agriculture and aquaculture worldwide, is a common contaminant in shellfish destined for international trade. In spite of this, the different levels of PRO in aquatic organisms are unclear, hindering the precision of their food safety risk analysis. In the current study, the first-time report of tissue-specific PRO accumulation, biotransformation, and possible metabolic pathways in the oyster Crassostrea gigas is provided. Over 22 days, samples were subjected to semi-static seawater exposure with PRO at concentrations of 10 g/L and 100 g/L, via daily water renewals. A subsequent 16-day depuration period in fresh seawater then concluded the experiment. Through assessing prometryn's bioaccumulation, metabolic transformation, and elimination patterns in oysters, a comparative analysis was then performed against other organisms. The study found that the digestive gland and gonad were the organs most prominently affected by uptake. Exposure to low concentrations resulted in a bioconcentration factor of 674.41, the maximum observed. Oyster gill tissues showed a greater than 90% reduction in PRO levels within a day of the depuration process, mirroring a rapid decline in overall PRO levels. Four PRO metabolites, specifically HP, DDIHP, DIP, and DIHP, were found in oyster samples of the exposed groups; HP was the most prominent. The preponderance of hydroxylated metabolites (over 90%) in oyster samples suggests that PRO poses a more substantial risk to aquatic organisms than does rat. The biotransformation pathway of PRO in *C. gigas* was eventually presented, with hydroxylation and N-dealkylation being identified as the dominant metabolic processes. Correspondingly, the newly discovered biotransformation of PRO in oysters indicates the need to continuously monitor environmental PRO levels in cultured shellfish, thereby preventing any possible ecotoxicological effects and ensuring the safety of aquatic products.
Determination of the membrane's ultimate structure hinges on the two key effects of thermodynamics and kinetics. Optimizing membrane performance relies heavily on the skillful control of kinetic and thermodynamic processes inherent to phase separation. Nonetheless, the correlation between system parameters and the final membrane structure is predominantly empirical. This review delves into the foundational ideas of thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) and nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS), exploring both kinetic and thermodynamic considerations. Membrane morphology, arising from phase separation processes, has been scrutinized via a detailed thermodynamic exploration of the effect of diverse interaction parameters. This review further investigates the potential and constraints of different macroscopic transport models, used for the last forty years, to analyze the phase inversion process. Phase separation has also been reviewed, touching upon the application of molecular simulations and phase field modeling. This work culminates in a discussion of the thermodynamic principles governing phase separation, the impact of varying interaction parameters on membrane morphology, and possible directions for using artificial intelligence to address knowledge deficiencies. This review seeks to equip future membrane fabrication endeavors with a thorough understanding and the necessary motivation, focusing on novel techniques like nonsolvent-TIPS, complex-TIPS, non-solvent assisted TIPS, the combined NIPS-TIPS method, and mixed solvent phase separation.
Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Fourier transform mass spectrometry (LC/FT-MS) based non-targeted screening (NTS) methodologies have seen significant adoption in recent years for a thorough investigation of complicated organic mixtures. However, the utilization of these techniques within the analysis of intricate environmental mixtures is challenging, attributable to the extreme complexity of environmental samples and the deficiency of standardized samples or appropriate surrogates designed for these specific mixtures.