Impact of chemical elements released by the volcanic eruption of La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain) on banana agriculture and European consumers

Genotyping and diversity analysis of local avocado landraces in La Palma, Canary Islands

Although both informal and formal avocado breeding has been carried out for over a century, current commercial avocado production worldwide is concentrated on only a few cultivars, with 'Hass' dominating the global avocado market. This narrow genetic base hinders the long-term sustainability of the crop amid the challenges derived from climate change. For this reason, studying the existing avocado diversity is essential and, in this work, we address this issue by analyzing the genetic diversity of 177 avocado trees from La Palma, Canary Islands, and comparing it with 89 avocado accessions maintained at a worldwide avocado germplasm bank in Málaga, Spain. In the Canary Islands, particularly on the island of La Palma, local avocado germplasm can be found due to the historic commercial and cultural ties with America that have lasted for over 500 years. Currently, isolated avocado trees that originated from or descended from these transoceanic movements still persist. Using nine SRR molecular loci, we characterized these isolated trees that have adapted to insular conditions and often predate commercial varieties. The analyses grouped the samples by racial origin and revealed a high percentage of interracial hybrids, likely resulting from seeds exchange between farmers and free pollination.

Levels of Rare Earth Elements in Food and Human Dietary Exposure: A Review

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group consisting of the following 17 metals: Ce, Dy, Er, Eu, Gd, Ho, La, Lu, Nd, Pr, Pm, Sc, Sm, Tb, Tm, Y and Yb. In the current century, the number of applications of REEs has significantly increased. They are being used as components in high technology devices of great importance industrial/economic. However, information on the risk of human exposure to REEs, as well as the potential toxic effects of these elements is still limited. In general terms, dietary intake is the main route of exposure to metals for non-occupationally exposed individuals, which should be also expected for REEs. The current paper aimed at reviewing the studies -conducted over the world- that focused on determining the levels of REEs in foods, as well as the dietary intake of these elements. Most studies do not suggest potential health risk for consumers of freshwater and marine species of higher consumption, or derived from the intake of a number of vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, as well as other various foodstuffs (honey, tea, rice, etc.). The current estimated daily intake (EDI) of REEs does not seem to be of concern. However, considering the expected wide use of these elements in the next years, it seems to be clearly recommendable to assess periodically the potential health risk of the dietary exposure to REEs. This is already being done with well-known toxic elements such as As, Cd, Pb and Hg, among other potentially toxic metals.

Evidence of eared doves consumption and the potential toxic exposure during the Regional Development period in Quito-Ecuador

Throughout history, food has played a fundamental role in the development of societies. An understanding of the diets of different cultures and their impact on health can provide valuable insights into their lifestyle. The identification of the animal remains found within two vessels is reported and, in addition, an assessment of whether the diet and soil composition of the period may be associated with toxic elements was carried out. The animal bones retrieved from the settlement, which dated from 25 to 203 cal AD, were identified as belonging to Zenaida cf. auriculata, commonly known as eared dove. Ancient starch was discovered in the sediments inside the vessels. These sediments, along with the pre-Hispanic soil collected in the study zone, showed moderate pollution, suggesting potential environmental contamination. For the first time, evidence that eared doves were part of the diet of the ancient inhabitants of Quito is presented, as shown by the occurrence of their bones within food processing utensils. Furthermore, the study highlights the possibility of environmental contamination due to volcanic eruptions that occurred during the Regional Development period from 500 BC to AD 500. These results can contribute to a better understanding of the living conditions of the early inhabitants of Quito and similar regions.

Effects of a recent volcanic eruption on the isolated population of the iconic red-billed chough in La Palma, Canary Islands

The effects of volcanic eruptions on ecosystems, particularly on oceanic islands, have been widely studied because of their important role in land formation, climate patterns and biological processes. Although these phenomena can lead to habitat loss, population decline and even species extinction, their effects on isolated populations, especially vertebrates, are not fully understood due to the paucity of pre-eruption data and in situ observations. Here, we assess the impact of the recent eruption of the Tajogaite volcano in La Palma, Canary Islands, on a unique population of red-billed choughs (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), an emblematic bird species that symbolises the natural heritage of the island. Pre- and post-eruption surveys showed that the eruption did not significantly affect the overall size or distribution of the population, although the number of choughs decreased after the eruption in the northern and central roosts, and increased in the southern ones. Although the eruption resulted in the release of toxic gases and ash, the observed changes in chough distribution and numbers could be attributed to environmental variability and the use of different foraging areas by individuals rather than direct effects of the volcano. The high mobility of choughs may have allowed them to avoid the negative effects of the volcano in the immediate aftermath of the eruption. Future studies are recommended to assess the long-term effects of volcanic ash on feeding habitats and the possible accumulation of contaminants, such as heavy metals, in the food chain. This will allow not only to monitor the presence of these compounds in ecosystems, but also to understand the response of this species to environmental changes and ensure its conservation.

Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Response in a Multi-Hazard Context: COVID-19 Pandemic as a Point of Reference

Infectious diseases manifesting in the form of epidemics or pandemics do not only cause devastating impacts on public health systems but also disrupt the functioning of the socio-economic structure. Further, risks associated with pandemics and epidemics become exacerbated with coincident compound hazards. This study aims to develop a framework that captures key elements and components of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response systems, focusing on a multi-hazard context. A systematic literature review was used to collect data through peer-reviewed journal articles using three electronic databases, and 17 experts were involved in the validation. Epidemiological surveillance and early detection, risk and vulnerability assessments, preparedness, prediction and decision making, alerts and early warning, preventive strategies, control and mitigation, response, and elimination were identified as key elements associated with epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response systems in a multi-hazard context. All elements appear integrated within three interventional phases: upstream, interface, and downstream. A holistic approach focusing on all interventional phases is required for preparedness and response to pandemics and epidemics to counter their cascading and systemic effects. Further, a paradigm shift in the preparedness for multi-hazards during an epidemic or pandemic is essential due to the multiple challenges posed by concurrent hazards.

Health impact of the Tajogaite volcano eruption in La Palma population (ISVOLCAN study): rationale, design, and preliminary results from the first 1002 participants

BACKGROUND

The eruption of the Tajogaite volcano began on the island of La Palma on September 19, 2021, lasting for 85 days. This study aims to present the design and methodology of the ISVOLCAN (Health Impact on the Population of La Palma due to the Volcanic Eruption) cohort, as well as the preliminary findings from the first 1002 enrolled participants.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted with random selection of adult participants from the general population, with an estimated sample size of 2600 individuals. The results of the first 857 participants are presented, along with a group of 145 voluntary participants who served as interveners during the eruption. Data on epidemiology and volcano exposure were collected, and participants underwent physical examinations, including anthropometry, blood pressure measurement, spirometry, and venous blood extraction for toxicological assessment.

RESULTS

In the general population (n = 857), descriptive analysis revealed that the participants were mostly middle-aged individuals (50.8 ± 16.4), with a predominance of females. Before the eruption, the participants resided at a median distance of 6.7 km from the volcano in the Western region and 10.9 km in the Eastern region. Approximately 15.4% of the sample required evacuation, whose 34.8% returning to their homes on average after 3 months. A significant number of participants reported engaging in daily tasks involving cleaning of volcanic ash both indoors and outdoors. The most reported acute symptoms included ocular irritation, insomnia, mood disorders (anxiety-depression), and respiratory symptoms. Multivariate analysis results show that participants in the western region had a higher likelihood of lower respiratory tract symptoms (OR 1.99; 95% CI:1.33-2.99), depression and anxiety (OR 1.95; 95% CI:1.30-2.93), and insomnia (OR 2.03; 95% CI:1.33-3.09), compared to those in the eastern region.

CONCLUSION

The ongoing follow-up of the ISVOLCAN cohort will provide valuable insights into the short, medium, and long-term health impact related to the material emitted during the Tajogaite eruption, based on the level of exposure suffered by the affected population.

Potentially harmful elements released by volcanic ash of the 2021 Tajogaite eruption (Cumbre Vieja, La Palma Island, Spain): Implications for human health

This study assesses the potential impacts on human health of volcanic ash emitted during the 2021 Tajogaite eruption (La Palma Island, Spain). Ash samples were physically and chemically characterized and leaching tests (with deionized water and acidic solution) were performed according to the IVHHN protocols to elucidate i) the leachable elements that may affect water quality and represent a potential threat for livestock and humans through drinking water supply; and ii) the bioaccessible fraction of toxicants able to be solubilized from ash surfaces if ashes are incidentally ingested by children. The most abundant readily water-soluble compounds were SO4, F, Cl, Na, Ca, Ba, Mg, and Zn. Fluoride and chloride (up to 1085 and 1347 mg/kg) showed higher values in distal ash samples than closer ones. The potential F availability assessed from water leachates may suggest important environmental and health implications. In addition, long-term health hazard due to a long-term weathering of tephra deposits should be possible as confirmed by the greater amount of F extracted by acidic solution. Concentration of other trace elements (e.g., As, V, Mn, Mo, Cr, Fe, Se, Ti, Pb) were low compared to global medians and within the range globally assessed. Indicative calculation of hazard for water supply showed that F concentration may exceed both the recommended value (1 mg/L) for irrigation purpose and the health-based drinking water limits of 1.5 mg/L (for humans) and 2 mg/L (for livestock). If the predicted concentrations in water were compared with the toxicologically dose, F showed a potential health-risk for children through drinking water. The indicative health-risk characterization via accidental ash ingestion showed that the direct exposure does not represent a primary source of F daily intake for children. This important outcome confirmed F as element with the greatest health threat during Tajogaite 2021 eruption.