1
|
Rishan ST, Kline RJ, Rahman MS. New prospects of environmental RNA metabarcoding research in biological diversity, ecotoxicological monitoring, and detection of COVID-19: a critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:11406-11427. [PMID: 38183542 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31776-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Ecosystems are multifaceted and complex systems and understanding their composition is crucial for the implementation of efficient conservation and management. Conventional approaches to biodiversity surveys can have limitations in detecting the complete range of species present. In contrast, the study of environmental RNA (eRNA) offers a non-invasive and comprehensive method for monitoring and evaluating biodiversity across different ecosystems. Similar to eDNA, the examination of genetic material found in environmental samples can identify and measure many species, including ones that pose challenges to traditional methods. However, eRNA is degraded quickly and therefore shows promise in detection of living organisms closer to their actual location than eDNA methods. This method provides a comprehensive perspective on the well-being of ecosystems, facilitating the development of focused conservation approaches to save at-risk species and uphold ecological equilibrium. Furthermore, eRNA has been recognized as a valuable method for the identification of COVID-19 in the environment, besides its established uses in biodiversity protection. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is accountable for the worldwide epidemic, releases RNA particles into the surrounding environment via human waste, providing insights into the feasibility of detecting it in wastewater and other samples taken from the environment. In this article, we critically reviewed the recent research activities that use the eRNA method, including its utilization in biodiversity conservation, ecological surveillance, and ecotoxicological monitoring as well as its innovative potential in identifying COVID-19. Through this review, the reader can understand the recent developments, prospects, and challenges of eRNA research in ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sakib Tahmid Rishan
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program, School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
| | - Richard J Kline
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program, School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
- School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
| | - Md Saydur Rahman
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program, School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA.
- School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chatterjee NH, Manna S, Ray A, Das S, Rana N, Banerjee A, Ray M, Ray S. Microplastics contamination in two species of gobies and their estuarine habitat of Indian Sundarbans. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 198:115857. [PMID: 38039580 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115857] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Sundarbans, a Ramsar site of India is contaminated with heterogeneous microplastic wastes. Boddart's goggle eye mudskipper and Rubicundus eelgoby, were common gobies of Sundarbans estuary which accumulated microplastics during their normal biological activities. We estimated the abundance of microplastics in water, sediment; skin, gills, bucco-opercular cavity and gastrointestinal tract of these two goby fishes. Microplastic load estimated in gobies were 0.84 and 2.62 particles per fish species with a dominance of transparent, fibrous microplastics with 100-300 μm in length. ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy revealed polyethylene as prevalent polymer. Surface degradations and adsorption of contaminants on microplastic surface were investigated by SEM-EDX analysis. Presence of hazardous polymers influenced high polymer hazard index and potential ecological risk index which indicated acute environmental threat to Sundarbans estuary and its resident organisms. Current study will provide a new information base on the abundance of microplastics and its ecological hazard in this biosphere reserve.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nilanjan Hari Chatterjee
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Sumit Manna
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Abhishek Ray
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Sourav Das
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Nabakumar Rana
- Department of Physics, University of Calcutta, 92 A.P.C Road, Kolkata 700009, West Bengal, India
| | - Aritra Banerjee
- Department of Physics, University of Calcutta, 92 A.P.C Road, Kolkata 700009, West Bengal, India
| | - Mitali Ray
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Sajal Ray
- Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ahmed M, Phukan B, Talukdar A, Ahmed I, Sarma J, Ali A, Gogoi R, Borah K, Xavier M. Assessment of microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tracts of indigenous fishes from north eastern hill regions of Bhogdoi, a tributary of River Brahmaputra, India. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:121124-121137. [PMID: 37950117 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30821-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution in freshwater environments has drawn considerable attention over the decades due to the risk posed by MPs to the aquatic fauna and human health. In this study, the occurrence of MPs was assessed from the gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of indigenous fishes from Bhogdoi River, a tributary of River Brahmaputra, northeast hill region, Assam, India. All the fish species (n = 180) analysed showed 100% occurrence of MPs sampled from three stations of River Bhogdoi. A total of 488 microplastic particles were recorded from GIT of fishes collected. The mean abundance of MPs was highest in Station-II (7.64 ± 2.77 numbers individual-1) with lowest in S-I (3.17 ± 0.99 numbers individual-1). The MP size of 100-500 μm, MP shape of fibre (43.33%) and fragments (35.33%), blue colour MPs (26-37%) and polymer type PA (23-30%) were most prevalent in fishes analysed from River Bhogdoi. The mean abundance of MPs was higher in herbivore fishes (8.52 ± 1.22 numbers individual-1) as compared to carnivorous and omnivorous fish species with highest abundance in Labeo rohita (12.11 ± 2.13 numbers individual-1). Fibre and fragments with size range of 100-500 μm were dominant among all the feeding habits. Blue and black colour MPs were abundant among herbivore and carnivore fishes. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed that polyamide and polypropylene were the most abundant MP polymer in the fishes analysed. The present study provides baseline information of MPs in River Bhogdoi, Assam, for its future monitoring and assessment of contaminants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Ahmed
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Bipul Phukan
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India.
| | - Avinash Talukdar
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Imtiaz Ahmed
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Jiten Sarma
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Ayub Ali
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Rinku Gogoi
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Kankana Borah
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Martin Xavier
- Department of Quality Assurance and Management, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Coachin-682029, Kerala, India
| |
Collapse
|