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Advances in the Characterization of Usnea barbata (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg from Călimani Mountains, Romania. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12094234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Usnea barbata (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg (U. barbata) is a medicinal representative of the lichens from the Usnea genus (Parmeliaceae, lichenized Ascomycetes), containing bioactive secondary metabolites. The aim of this study is a comparative analysis between two separated parts of the thallus layers: medulla–cortex (mcUB) and central cord (ccUB) and the whole dried U. barbata thallus (dUB). These three samples were examined regarding color differences. The U. barbata thallus morphology was examined through fluorescent microscopy (FM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mineral content was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) preliminarily established the differences in the metabolite content. Finally, extracts in different solvents (ethanol and acetone) were obtained from all studied samples, and their total phenolic content (TPC) and free radical scavenging activity (antiradical activity, AA) were evaluated by spectrophotometry. The ICP-MS results showed that from 23 elements analyzed, 18 minerals were quantified in mcUB, 13 in dUB, and only 12 in ccUB. The ccUB fraction recorded the lowest mineral content, color intensity (chroma), luminosity (L*), and TPC value, followed in increasing order by dUB and mcUB. FT-IR spectra displayed different peaks in ccUB and dUB samples compared to mcUB. The mcUB fraction also showed the highest TPC, significantly correlated with AA. However, dUB had the highest antiradical activity, followed by mcUB and ccUB, with noticeable differences in the acetone extract. The final correlation between all variable data obtained indicates that 99.31% of the total variance was associated with all minerals, total phenolics, and color parameters and was also related to the antiradical activity. These obtained results complete our previous studies on autochthonous U. barbata. Moreover, being a source of bioactive metabolites, extracting them from the mcUB fraction could increase this process’s yield and selectivity.
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Carlsen HK, Ilyinskaya E, Baxter PJ, Schmidt A, Thorsteinsson T, Pfeffer MA, Barsotti S, Dominici F, Finnbjornsdottir RG, Jóhannsson T, Aspelund T, Gislason T, Valdimarsdóttir U, Briem H, Gudnason T. Increased respiratory morbidity associated with exposure to a mature volcanic plume from a large Icelandic fissure eruption. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2161. [PMID: 33846312 PMCID: PMC8042009 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22432-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2014-15 Holuhraun eruption in Iceland was the largest fissure eruption in over 200 years, emitting prodigious amounts of gas and particulate matter into the troposphere. Reykjavík, the capital area of Iceland (250 km from eruption site) was exposed to air pollution events from advection of (i) a relatively young and chemically primitive volcanic plume with a high sulphur dioxide gas (SO2) to sulphate PM (SO42-) ratio, and (ii) an older and chemically mature volcanic plume with a low SO2/SO42- ratio. Whereas the advection and air pollution caused by the primitive plume were successfully forecast and forewarned in public advisories, the mature plume was not. Here, we show that exposure to the mature plume is associated with an increase in register-measured health care utilisation for respiratory disease by 23% (95% CI 19.7-27.4%) and for asthma medication dispensing by 19.3% (95% CI 9.6-29.1%). Absence of public advisories is associated with increases in visits to primary care medical doctors and to the hospital emergency department. We recommend that operational response to volcanic air pollution considers both primitive and mature types of plumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne Krage Carlsen
- Environment and Natural Resources, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland.
- Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | | | - Peter J Baxter
- Cambridge Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anja Schmidt
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | - Francesca Dominici
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Thor Aspelund
- School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Thorarinn Gislason
- School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
- Landspitali - the National University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Unnur Valdimarsdóttir
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Centre of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Haraldur Briem
- Chief Epidemiologist, Directorate of Health, Centre for Health Threats and Communicable Diseases, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Thorolfur Gudnason
- Chief Epidemiologist, Directorate of Health, Centre for Health Threats and Communicable Diseases, Reykjavík, Iceland
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Castellani F, Massimi L, Vitali M, Canepari S, Guidotti M, Conti ME, Protano C. High spatial resolution analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) using transplanted lichen Evernia prunastri: A case study in central Italy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 742:140590. [PMID: 32629268 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The ability of transplanted lichen Evernia (E.) prunastri (L.) to act as a high spatial biomonitoring tool for 14 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) was evaluated at 23 monitoring sites in a very polluted area in central Italy. The selected area is characterized by the presence of numerous emission sources, such as waste-to-energy plant, steel plant, vehicular traffic, and domestic heating. Transplanted E. prunastri proved to be a useful tool to biomonitor PBDEs, due to its ability to bioaccumulate individual congeners in varying concentrations in relation to the strength of the emission sources present over the territory. PBDEs levels widely ranged from 132 to 24,237 ng kg-1 dry weight, according to the sources of emission located around the monitoring sites. The highest concentrations were detected at the sites close to the municipal solid waste incinerator, steel plant, and high busy roads, confirming their important role as PBDEs emissions sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Castellani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Tuscia University, Largo dell'Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Massimi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome La Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Matteo Vitali
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Canepari
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome La Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Guidotti
- Arpa Lazio, Regional Agency for Environmental Protection, Sede di Rieti, via Salaria per l'Aquila 8, I-02100 Rieti, Italy.
| | - Marcelo Enrique Conti
- Department of Management, University of Rome La Sapienza, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Carmela Protano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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Conti ME, Plà R, Simone C, Jasan R, Finoia MG. Implementing the monitoring breakdown structure: native lichens as biomonitors of element deposition in the southern Patagonian forest connected with the Puyehue volcano event in 2011-a 6-year survey (2006-2012). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:38819-38834. [PMID: 32632679 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10001-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the airborne elements' deposition by using native Usnea barbata lichens as biomonitors in the forested areas of Tierra del Fuego (TdF, southern Patagonia), an apparently pristine environment. The present study is linked to the volcanic eruption of the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle which started in north Patagonia in June 2011, which gives rise to long-distance transport of pollutants through the atmosphere at 1700 km from our sampling sites. The monitoring breakdown structure (MBS) was applied to three sampling campaigns in 2006 (baseline) ➔ 2011-2012 (3 and 15 months after the volcanic event, respectively). We have on purpose enhanced the information variety endowment: (i) Seventy-one referenced sites were double sampled; (ii) up to 426 composite lichen samples were collected; (iii) twenty-six elements were measured by neutron activation analysis (As, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Lu, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, U, Yb, Zn) for samples of 2011 and 2012 campaigns; (iv) thirteen common elements (As, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, K, Na, Sb, Se, U, Zn) were determined in 2006 for the baseline comparison. The natural contamination by tephras is reflected by lichens more clearly in the 2011 campaign, where Ba, Cr, Na, Ca, Cs, and U showed higher median levels compared with the baseline campaign (2006). Ca, K, and Na were the most accumulated elements after the volcano event and could be associated with the volcanic ashes' deposition. Rare earth elements (REEs) showed no significant bioaccumulation levels between 2011 and 2012, indicating their association with higher lithogenic inputs than volcanic ashes. Using the Earth's crust as reference, nine elements (As, Ba, Br, Ca, K, Na, Sb, Se, and Zn) presented moderate/significant mean enrichment factor (EF) values (> 5). The usefulness of Usnea barbata as test species for direct biomonitoring oriented kinetic studies in areas characterized by a low human impact is confirmed. Eventually, our results confirm that TdF is not an actual pristine environment as earlier supposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Enrique Conti
- Department of Management, University of Rome, Sapienza, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Rita Plà
- Departamento Química Nuclear, GAATEN, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica (CNEA), Av. del Libertador 8250, 1429, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristina Simone
- Department of Management, University of Rome, Sapienza, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Raquel Jasan
- Departamento Química Nuclear, GAATEN, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica (CNEA), Av. del Libertador 8250, 1429, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Grazia Finoia
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via di Casalotti 300, 00166, Rome, Italy
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Di Marzio A, Lambertucci SA, García-Fernández AJ, Martínez-López E. Temporal changes in metal concentrations in Andean condor feathers: a potential influence of volcanic activity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:25600-25611. [PMID: 32356051 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08981-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Geothermal activities (e.g., volcanic eruptions) represent one of the most important natural sources of metal emissions (heavy metals and metalloids). They can be one of the main risks for the ecosystems in regions like North of Argentiniean Patagonia, a sparsely populated area, close to an extensive network of active volcanoes on the Andes Range. The 2011 eruption of the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle volcanic complex (PCCVC) has been the largest volcanic event of the last decades. The effects of exposure to ashes on wildlife and humans have been sparsely studied, and only one biomonitoring study has used higher trophic species. The exposure to metals of the species in Patagonia has been poorly studied. The main objectives of our study were to assess metal screening and to evaluate a possible relation between the levels of metals in the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) population and the volcanic activity of the area. We investigated the effects of the eruption of the PCCVC in 2011, using samples of molt primary feathers of the Andean condor, collected in nine roosts around Bariloche, Argentina (maximum distance 85 km). Data available suggest the molt of the primary feathers of the Andean condor has a duration of 6 years. We carried out sampling before (2007, 2009) and after (2017) the volcanic eruption (2011). The feathers sampled in 2017 should have been developed in 2011-2012, reflecting the environmental situation of the period immediately following the eruption of the PCCVC. For the first time, we have screened metals in 48 molted primary feathers of Andean condor, showing the levels of 9 metals and metalloids (Si, Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Pb, Hg). Si, Zn, As, and Cd showed higher levels in the feathers sampled after the eruption. The levels of Cr and Pb (although apparently not related to the volcanic eruption) in some samples are compatible with potential adverse effects in living organisms. The screening results represent an important database (the first for this species) that can be used in in future studies for comparative purposes. HIGHLIGHTS: •We present the first database of metals in condor feathers, which may be useful for future studies. •Volcanic eruptions might represent an important source of metal and metalloid emissions in this area. •The Andean condor from Argentine Patagonia could be affected by volcanic activity in the area. •Andean condor feathers may be good biomonitoring units of this contamination. •Pb pollution does not seem to be related to the volcano's eruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Di Marzio
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Sergio Agustín Lambertucci
- Grupo de Investigaciones de Biología de la Conservación, Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA (CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue), Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Antonio Juan García-Fernández
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Emma Martínez-López
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
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Di Marzio A, Lambertucci SA, Fernandez AJG, Martínez-López E. From Mexico to the Beagle Channel: A review of metal and metalloid pollution studies on wildlife species in Latin America. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 176:108462. [PMID: 31228806 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Emissions of metals and metalloids (Hg; Cd; Cr; Cu; Pb; Ni; Zn; Fe; Mn; As; Se) generated by natural (e.g., geothermal activity) or anthropic causes (eg., industry or mining) represent a worldwide contamination problem, especially in developing countries. Exposure to high concentrations of these elements is harmful to living beings, including humans. Information on this type of contamination is scarce and fragmented, limiting research which could benefit from these data. To know the state of the research, we reviewed the studies of environmental pollution by metals and metalloids carried out on animal species in Latin America. The use of animals as biomonitors of contamination by metals and metalloids is a continuously expanding practice that allows for early detection of problems. With this work, we were able to identify the most studied areas in Latin America (Amazon, Gulf of California, coastal area between Rio de Janeiro and Florianopolis and River Plate Estuary). Moreover, we provide information on the most studied metals (Hg, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) and wild species, which evidence the use of endangered species. The data reviewed should help researchers to direct their efforts towards sparsely researched areas and facilitate bibliographic consultation of scientific information on exposure to metals and metalloids in Latin America.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Di Marzio
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - S A Lambertucci
- Grupo de Investigaciones en Biología de La Conservación, Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA (CONICET-Universidad Nacional Del Comahue), Bariloche, Argentina
| | - A J Garcia Fernandez
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - E Martínez-López
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
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Avigliano E, Lozano C, Plá RR, Volpedo AV. Toxic element determination in fish from Paraná River Delta (Argentina) by neutron activation analysis: Tissue distribution and accumulation and health risk assessment by direct consumption. J Food Compost Anal 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2016.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Duntas LH. Volcanic environments: "biomonitoring" their links to thyroid cancer. Endocrine 2016; 53:343-6. [PMID: 27160818 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-016-0977-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas H Duntas
- Evgenideion Hospital, Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Thyroid Section, University of Athens, 20 Papadiamantopoulou, 11528, Athens, Greece.
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