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Świsłowski P, Hebda G, Zinicovscaia I, Chaligava O, Isinkaralar O, Isinkaralar K, Rajfur M. I believe I can fly… but in polluted air, why? Bird feathers as an example of environmental contaminant monitoring. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2025; 972:179033. [PMID: 40088786 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179033] [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: 02/09/2025] [Revised: 02/27/2025] [Accepted: 03/01/2025] [Indexed: 03/17/2025]
Abstract
Metallic element pollution is a global environmental problem, and it is important to study various local conditions to understand the mechanisms on a larger scale. Environmental contamination can be studied in many ways, but non-destructive techniques and methods that preserve the sample are increasingly gaining attention, especially in relation to studies on living organisms. The present study aimed to analyze the feathers of the great tit (Parus major) for Al, S, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ba and Hg content. Discriminant analysis showed that according to elemental composition young females and males make separate groups. At the same time, old birds are in the same group. From principal component analysis (PCA), elements distribution depends on age and gender and sources of elements can be natural and anthropogenic. However, not all element accumulation was dependent on both parameters: Al, Cr, Fe, and Ni were statistically significant from both parameters. Bird feathers can be regarded as promising biomonitors of air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Świsłowski
- Institute of Biology, University of Opole, Kominka 6,6a, 45-032 Opole, Poland.
| | - Grzegorz Hebda
- Institute of Biology, University of Opole, Kominka 6,6a, 45-032 Opole, Poland
| | - Inga Zinicovscaia
- Horia Hulubei National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering, 30 Reactorului Str., 077125 Magurele, Romania
| | - Omari Chaligava
- Doctoral School of Natural Sciences, Moldova State University, 75A M. Kogalniceanu Str., MD-2009 Chisinau, Moldova; Andronikashvili Institute of Physics, I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, 6 Tamarashvili Str, 0162 Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Oznur Isinkaralar
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Türkiye
| | - Kaan Isinkaralar
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Türkiye
| | - Małgorzata Rajfur
- Institute of Biology, University of Opole, Kominka 6,6a, 45-032 Opole, Poland
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Cuzziol Boccioni AP, Lajmanovich RC, Attademo AM, Lener G, Lien-Medrano CR, Simoniello MF, Repetti MR, Peltzer PM. Toxicity of pesticide cocktails in amphibian larvae: understanding the impact of agricultural activity on aquatic ecosystems in the Salado River basin, Argentina. Drug Chem Toxicol 2025; 48:247-265. [PMID: 39402966 DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2024.2412023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2024] [Revised: 09/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2025]
Abstract
Aquatic communities are increasingly exposed to complex mixtures of contaminants, mainly pesticides due to the impact of agricultural activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of an eight-pesticide cocktail on larvae of the South American common toad, Rinella arenarum. The cocktail represents a realistic mixture of insecticides (cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin), herbicides (glyphosate, glufosinate ammonium, prometryn and metolachlor), and a fungicide (pyraclostrobin) previously found in aquatic organisms (Prochilodus lineatus) from the Salado River Basin, an area with strong agricultural pressure. Computational simulations through the Density Functional Tight-Binding method indicated a strong spontaneous trend toward the formation of the cocktail, suggesting that it may act as a novel xenobiotic entity in the environment. The cocktail effects were evaluated in early-developing and premetamorphic larvae, at feasible concentrations found in real scenarios. The mixture led to high mortality and teratogenicity in early-developing larvae. Premetamorphic larvae showed endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, and impairments in detoxification and hepatic functioning. Neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, cardiotoxicity and high mortality under stress conditions were also observed in exposed larvae. This novel evaluation highlights the ecotoxicological risk for aquatic organisms exposed to complex mixtures and underscores the need to consider cocktail effects in studies regarding ecosystems health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P Cuzziol Boccioni
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rafael C Lajmanovich
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés M Attademo
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - German Lener
- INFIQC-Conicet, Departamento de Química Teórica y Computacional, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Carlos R Lien-Medrano
- Bremen Center for Computational Materials Science, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - María Fernanda Simoniello
- Cátedra de Toxicología, Farmacología y Bioquímica Legal, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Maria Rosa Repetti
- Programa de Investigación y Análisis de Residuos y Contaminantes Químicos, Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Paola M Peltzer
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Al-Tarshi M, Husband J, Dobretsov S. Evaluating microplastic contamination in Omani mangrove habitats using large mud snails (Terebralia palustris). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2025; 279:107220. [PMID: 39736165 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.107220] [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: 08/27/2024] [Revised: 12/10/2024] [Accepted: 12/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/01/2025]
Abstract
This study investigated microplastic pollution in the large mud snail Terebralia palustris (Linnaeus, 1767) (Gastropoda: Potamididae) inhabiting the Avicennia marina mangrove ecosystems along the Sea of Oman. A modified digestion protocol, combining two methods, was employed to improve the detection of microplastics within the snail tissue. Results indicated that 50 % of the examined snails contained microplastics, with significant variability observed among different lagoons. Snails from the polluted Shinas lagoon exhibited higher levels of microplastics compared to those from the lowest polluted Al-Qurum Natural Reserve (MPA). The most prevalent type of microplastic in snail tissues was fibers, making up 75.7 % of the total. Fragments constituted about 24.2 %. Using portable Raman spectrometry, Polyurethane (PU) was identified as the predominant polymer, accounting for 50 % of the total. This was followed by Acrylic and Polyethylene, each representing 18.75 %, and Polyethylene Vynil Acetate (PEVA) at 12.50 %. Overall, it is clear that while snails do reflect the presence of microplastics (MPs) in their environment, their physical attributes do not strongly correlate with the levels or types of MPs they contain. Additionally, the significant difference between the abundance of MPs in sediment and in snails illustrates that, while snails may serve as general indicators of microplastic pollution, they may not be reliable as precise bioindicators or sentinel species for quantifying the extent of this pollution. Further studies are needed to explore other potential bioindicators in mangrove habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Al-Tarshi
- Environment Authority, DG of Nature Conservation, Marine Conservation Department P.O.Box: 323, Muscat, Oman; Department of Marine Science and Fisheries, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoud 123 PO Box 34, Muscat, Oman.
| | - John Husband
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoud 123, PO Box 34, Muscat, Oman
| | - Sergey Dobretsov
- Department of Marine Science and Fisheries, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoud 123 PO Box 34, Muscat, Oman; UNESCO Chair in Marine Biotechnology, CEMB, Sultan Qaboos University, Al Khoud 123, PO Box 50, Muscat, Oman.
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Mitkovska V, Dimitrov H, Popgeorgiev G, Chassovnikarova T. Nuclear abnormalities and DNA damage indicate different genotoxic stress responses of marsh frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus, Pallas 1771) to industrial and agricultural water pollution in South Bulgaria. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:64339-64357. [PMID: 39535698 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-35462-5] [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: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 10/24/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024]
Abstract
Amphibians are continuously exposed to pollutants and anthropogenic stressors in their natural habitats, representing a significant challenge to their survival. This study aimed to quantify the extent of DNA damage caused by chronic industrial and agrochemical surface water pollution in wild populations of the marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus). The observed genotoxic effects on the marsh frog DNA, manifesting as abnormalities in erythrocyte nuclei, micronuclei, and DNA strand breaks, demonstrate a clear cause-and-effect relationship with surface water parameters, heavy metals, metalloids, and pesticides. The most prevalent nuclear abnormalities observed were notched and blebbed nuclei and nuclear buds, indicative of chromosomal instability. The significant correlation between cadmium, lead, and copper contamination and the increased frequency of DNA breakage in the marsh frogs from the industrial site indicates that heavy metal contamination has a higher genotoxic potential than pesticide contamination. These findings underscore the vulnerability of amphibians inhabiting heavy metal-contaminated wetlands to genotoxic stress due to their lower tolerance to environmental genotoxins. Therefore, using in situ assays to detect erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities and DNA damage in P. ridibundus could serve as a reliable indicator of environmental quality and provide early detection of anthropogenic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vesela Mitkovska
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski", 24 Tzar Asen Street, 4000, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Hristo Dimitrov
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski", 24 Tzar Asen Street, 4000, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Georgi Popgeorgiev
- National Museum of Natural History, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Tsenka Chassovnikarova
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski", 24 Tzar Asen Street, 4000, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000, Sofia, Bulgaria.
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Soares DMM, Procópio DP, Zamuner CK, Nóbrega BB, Bettim MR, de Rezende G, Lopes PM, Pereira ABD, Bechara EJH, Oliveira AG, Freire RS, Stevani CV. Fungal bioassays for environmental monitoring. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:954579. [PMID: 36091455 PMCID: PMC9452622 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.954579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental pollutants are today a major concern and an intensely discussed topic on the global agenda for sustainable development. They include a wide range of organic compounds, such as pharmaceutical waste, pesticides, plastics, and volatile organic compounds that can be found in air, soil, water bodies, sewage, and industrial wastewater. In addition to impacting fauna, flora, and fungi, skin absorption, inhalation, and ingestion of some pollutants can also negatively affect human health. Fungi play a crucial role in the decomposition and cycle of natural and synthetic substances. They exhibit a variety of growth, metabolic, morphological, and reproductive strategies and can be found in association with animals, plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. There are fungal strains that occur naturally in soil, sediment, and water that have inherent abilities to survive with contaminants, making the organism important for bioassay applications. In this context, we reviewed the applications of fungal-based bioassays as a versatile tool for environmental monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas M. M. Soares
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dielle P. Procópio
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation (RGCI-POLI-USP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caio K. Zamuner
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bianca B. Nóbrega
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Monalisa R. Bettim
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gustavo de Rezende
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro M. Lopes
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arthur B. D. Pereira
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Etelvino J. H. Bechara
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anderson G. Oliveira
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Yeshiva University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Renato S. Freire
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation (RGCI-POLI-USP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cassius V. Stevani
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation (RGCI-POLI-USP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Cassius V. Stevani,
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6
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Ren B, Yu Y, Poopal RK, Qiao L, Ren B, Ren Z. IR-Based Novel Device for Real-Time Online Acquisition of Fish Heart ECG Signals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:4262-4271. [PMID: 35258949 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c07732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We developed an infrared (IR)-based real-time online monitoring device (US Patent No: US 10,571,448 B2) to quantify heart electrocardiogram (ECG) signals to assess the water quality based on physiological changes in fish. The device is compact, allowing us to monitor cardiac function for an extended period (from 7 to 30 days depending on the rechargeable battery capacity) without function injury and disturbance of swimming activity. The electrode samples and the biopotential amplifier and microcontroller process the cardiac-electrical signals. An infrared transceiver transmits denoised electrocardiac signals to complete the signal transmission. The infrared receiver array and biomedical acquisition signal processing system send signals to the computer. The software in the computer processes the data in real time. We quantified ECG indexes (P-wave, Q-wave, R-wave, S-wave, T-wave, PR-interval, QRS-complex, and QT-interval) of carp precisely and incessantly under the different experimental setup (CuSO4 and deltamethrin). The ECG cue responses were chemical-specific based on CuSO4 and deltamethrin exposures. This study provides an additional technology for noninvasive water quality surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baixiang Ren
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, 250358 Jinan, China
| | - Yaxin Yu
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, 250358 Jinan, China
| | - Rama-Krishnan Poopal
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, 250358 Jinan, China
| | - Linlin Qiao
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, 250358 Jinan, China
| | - Baichuan Ren
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, 250358 Jinan, China
| | - Zongming Ren
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, 250358 Jinan, China
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