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Silva C, Santos JI, Vidal T, Silva S, Almeida SFP, Gonçalves FJM, Abrantes N, Pereira JL. Potential effects of the discharge of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents in benthic communities: evidence from three distinct WWTP systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:34492-34506. [PMID: 38709406 PMCID: PMC11136724 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33462-z] [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: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents can be sources of environmental contamination. In this study, we aimed to understand whether effluents of three different WWTPs may have ecological effects in riverine recipient ecosystems. To achieve this, we assessed benthic phytobenthos and macroinvertebrate communities at three different locations relative to the effluent discharge: immediately upstream, immediately downstream and 500-m downstream the effluent discharge. Two approaches were employed: the ecological status classification as defined in the Water Framework Directive (WFD) based on biological indicators; constrained multivariate analysis to disentangle the environmental drivers (physicochemical variables and contaminants, namely metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products) of ecological changes across the study sites. The results showed inconsistencies between the WFD approach and the multivariate approach, as well as between the responses of macroinvertebrates and diatoms. The WWTP effluents impacted benthic communities in a single case: macroinvertebrates were negatively affected by one of the WWTP effluents, likely by the transported pharmaceuticals (other stressors are essentially homogeneous among sites). Given the findings and the scarcity of consistent evidence on ecological impacts that WWTP effluents may have in recipient ecosystems, further research is needed towards more sustainable regulation and linked environmental protection measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Silva
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana Isabel Santos
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Tânia Vidal
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Susana Silva
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Salomé Fernandes Pinheiro Almeida
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- GeoBioTec - Geobiociências, Geotecnologias E Geo-Engenharias, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernando José Mendes Gonçalves
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana Luísa Pereira
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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Temporal and spatial changes in diatom community structure with the effects of environmental parameters, and ecological status assessment by diatom indices in three shallow lakes (Sakarya, Turkey). Biologia (Bratisl) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-022-01220-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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3
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Assessment of Aquatic Ecosystem Health with Indices of Biotic Integrity (IBIs) in the Ganjiang River System, China. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14030278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Indices of biotic integrity (IBIs) are widely used to assess aquatic ecosystem health. However, there are few studies on their relationships. Based on fish, macroinvertebrate and plankton survey data collected in the Ganjiang River system from 2016 to 2017, redundancy analysis (RDA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were used to analyze how the community structures of these organisms respond to environmental variables. The fish IBI (F-IBI), benthic macroinvertebrate IBI (B-IBI), and phytoplankton IBI (P-IBI) were applied to evaluate the health status of the aquatic ecosystem. A Kruskal–Wallis test (p < 0.05) and Spearman’s correlation coefficient analysis were performed to evaluate the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of the results. Our results suggested that the F-IBI-, B-IBI-, and P-IBI-based assessments indicated good, fair, and healthy Ganjiang River system ecosystem health statuses, respectively, and significant differences existed among these indices (p < 0.05). The main environmental factors affecting F-IBI, B-IBI, and P-IBI were different. At the temporal scale, the F-IBI and B-IBI were stable, while the P-IBI fluctuated obviously. The consistency between the F-IBI and B-IBI results was better than that between each of these indices and the P-IBI results, and the consistency was better on a larger scale. These research results show that comprehensive assessments based on multiple groups rather than a single group can better characterize the impacts of environmental pressures on water ecosystems.
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Khan MJ, Rai A, Ahirwar A, Sirotiya V, Mourya M, Mishra S, Schoefs B, Marchand J, Bhatia SK, Varjani S, Vinayak V. Diatom microalgae as smart nanocontainers for biosensing wastewater pollutants: recent trends and innovations. Bioengineered 2021; 12:9531-9549. [PMID: 34709977 PMCID: PMC8810035 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1996748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Microalgae have been recognized as one of the most efficient microorganisms to remediate industrial effluents. Among microalgae diatoms are silica shelled unicellular eukaryotes, found in all types of water bodies and flourish very well even in wastewater. They have their silica cell wall made up of nano arrayed pores arranged in a uniform fashion. Therefore, they act as smart nanocontainers to adsorb various trace metals, dyes, polymers, and drugs which are hazardous to human as well to aquatic life. The beautiful nanoarchitecture in diatoms allows them to easily bind to ligands of choice to form a nanocomposite structure with the pollutants which can be a chemical or biological component. Such naturally available diatom nanomaterials are economical and highly sensitive compared to manmade artificial silica nanomaterials to help in facile removal of the toxic pollutants from wastewater. This review is thus focused on employing diatoms to remediate various pollutants such as heavy metals, dyes, hydrocarbons detected in the wastewater. It also includes different microalgae as biosensors for determination of pollutants in effluents and the perspectives for nanotechnological applications in the field of remediating pollutants through microalgae. The review also discusses in length the hurdles and perspectives of employing microalgae in wastewater remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Jahir Khan
- Diatom Nanoengineering and Metabolism Laboratory (DNM), School of Applied Science, Dr. Harisingh Gour Central University, Sagar, India
| | - Anshuman Rai
- School of Engineering, Department of Biotechnology, Mmu, Deemed University, Ambala,India
| | - Ankesh Ahirwar
- Diatom Nanoengineering and Metabolism Laboratory (DNM), School of Applied Science, Dr. Harisingh Gour Central University, Sagar, India
- Metabolism, Bioengineering of Microalgal Metabolism and Applications (MIMMA), Mer Molecules Santé, Le Mans University, Le Mans, France
| | - Vandana Sirotiya
- Diatom Nanoengineering and Metabolism Laboratory (DNM), School of Applied Science, Dr. Harisingh Gour Central University, Sagar, India
| | - Megha Mourya
- Diatom Nanoengineering and Metabolism Laboratory (DNM), School of Applied Science, Dr. Harisingh Gour Central University, Sagar, India
| | - Sudhanshu Mishra
- Diatom Nanoengineering and Metabolism Laboratory (DNM), School of Applied Science, Dr. Harisingh Gour Central University, Sagar, India
| | - Benoit Schoefs
- Metabolism, Bioengineering of Microalgal Metabolism and Applications (MIMMA), Mer Molecules Santé, Le Mans University, Le Mans, France
| | - Justine Marchand
- Metabolism, Bioengineering of Microalgal Metabolism and Applications (MIMMA), Mer Molecules Santé, Le Mans University, Le Mans, France
| | | | - Sunita Varjani
- Paryavaran Bhavan, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gandhinagar, India
| | - Vandana Vinayak
- Diatom Nanoengineering and Metabolism Laboratory (DNM), School of Applied Science, Dr. Harisingh Gour Central University, Sagar, India
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5
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Benthic Diatoms in River Biomonitoring—Present and Future Perspectives within the Water Framework Directive. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13040478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The European Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) has been implemented over the past 20 years, using physicochemical, biological and hydromorphological elements to assess the ecological status of surface waters. Benthic diatoms (i.e., phytobenthos) are one of the most common biological quality elements (BQEs) used in surface water monitoring and are particularly successful in detecting eutrophication, organic pollution and acidification. Herein, we reviewed their implementation in river biomonitoring for the purposes of the WFD, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages over other BQEs, and we discuss recent advances that could be applied in future biomonitoring. Until now, phytobenthos have been intercalibrated by the vast majority (26 out of 28) of EU Member States (MS) in 54% of the total water bodies assessed and was the most commonly used BQE after benthic invertebrates (85% of water bodies), followed by fish (53%), macrophytes (27%) and phytoplankton (4%). To meet the WFD demands, numerous taxonomy-based quality indices have been developed among MS, presenting, however, uncertainties possibly related to species biogeography. Recent development of different types of quality indices (trait-based, DNA sequencing and predictive modeling) could provide more accurate results in biomonitoring, but should be validated and intercalibrated among MS before their wide application in water quality assessments.
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Pereda O, von Schiller D, García-Baquero G, Mor JR, Acuña V, Sabater S, Elosegi A. Combined effects of urban pollution and hydrological stress on ecosystem functions of Mediterranean streams. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 753:141971. [PMID: 33207454 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Urban pollution and hydrological stress are common stressors of stream ecosystems, but their combined effects on ecosystem functioning are still unclear. We measured a set of functional processes and accompanying environmental variables in locations upstream and downstream of urban sewage inputs in 13 streams covering a wide range of water pollution levels and hydrological variability. Sewage inputs seriously impaired stream chemical characteristics and led to complex effects on ecosystem functioning. Biofilm biomass accrual, whole-reach nutrient uptake and metabolism (ecosystem respiration) were generally subsidized, whereas organic matter decomposition and biofilm phosphorus uptake capacity decreased with increasing pollutant concentrations. Hydrological stress affected stream ecosystem functioning but its effect was minor compared to the effects of urban pollution, due to the large inter-site variability of the streams. Changes appeared mainly linked to the concentration of pharmaceutically active compounds, followed by other chemical characteristics and by hydrology. The results point to the need to further improve sewage treatment, especially as climate change will stress riverine organisms and reduce the dilution capacity of the receiving streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olatz Pereda
- Faculty of Science and Technology, the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Daniel von Schiller
- Faculty of Science and Technology, the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain; Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gonzalo García-Baquero
- Faculty of Science and Technology, the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain; Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jordi-René Mor
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; University of Girona (UdG), Plaça de Sant Domenec 3, 17004 Girona, Spain
| | - Vicenç Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; University of Girona (UdG), Plaça de Sant Domenec 3, 17004 Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Girona (UdG), Campus de Montilivi, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Arturo Elosegi
- Faculty of Science and Technology, the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), PO Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
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Llorens E, Ginebreda A, la Farré M, Insa S, González-Trujillo JD, Munné A, Solà C, Flò M, Villagrasa M, Barceló D, Sabater S. Occurrence of regulated pollutants in populated Mediterranean basins: Ecotoxicological risk and effects on biological quality. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 747:141224. [PMID: 32771786 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Chemical stressors co-occur in mixtures into watercourses and this complicates predicting their effects on their ecological status. Our knowledge of river basin specific pollutants (RBSPs) is still limited, but it remains necessary to ensure the good chemical and ecological status. We performed an exercise on Mediterranean river sites exposed to urban and industrial pressures in order to, i) prioritize the occurring chemicals, ii) assessing the site's specific chemical risk (RQsite), and iii) relating the chemical risk to the biological quality, using as evidences invertebrates and diatom indices. Mediterranean rivers suffer from strong pressures which lead to a poor dilution ability, which makes the inhabiting biota highly vulnerable. The most frequent pollutants in the 89 sites surveyed included pharmaceutical products such as the antibiotics azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin, and the anti-inflammatory diclofenac, and products of industrial origin such as perfluorinated PFOS, nickel, and nonylphenol. Both the diatom index IPS and the macroinvertebrate index IBMWP hold strong negative correlations to RQsite, indicating a significant contribution of chemicals to biological impairment. Chemical contaminants (but not nutrients or dissolved organic carbon) were associated with significant changes to the taxonomic composition of invertebrate communities, but not to that of diatom communities. Our analyses indeed reveal that the impact of co-occurring chemicals translates onto negative effects in the biological quality. Our approach may be of use to evidence impacts on water resources and water quality in rivers under strong human pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Llorens
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Antoni Ginebreda
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marinel la Farré
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Insa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Juan David González-Trujillo
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Antoni Munné
- Catalan Water Agency, Provença 260, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina Solà
- Catalan Water Agency, Provença 260, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mònica Flò
- Catalan Water Agency, Provença 260, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Villagrasa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
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Guo K, Wu N, Manolaki P, Baattrup-Pedersen A, Riis T. Short-period hydrological regimes override physico-chemical variables in shaping stream diatom traits, biomass and biofilm community functions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 743:140720. [PMID: 32758834 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite increasing interest in hydrological effects on riverine ecosystems, few studies have documented the impact of hydrology on biofilm community functions, and those existing have typically focused on annual-based hydrological indices. In this study, we conducted monthly samplings during a year in five lowland streams with different flow regimes and investigated the impacts of hydrological conditions and physico-chemical variables on the trait composition of diatoms growing on artificial substrates, biomass (chlorophyll a and ash free dry weight), and biofilm community functions (biochemical processes, i.e., biofilm metabolism and nutrient uptake rates measured in the laboratory). Instead of the commonly used annual-based hydrological indices, we calculated indices for shorter periods (14 and ~28 days) of the hydrological regimes. Results of species-based variation partitioning showed that short-period hydrological indices (10.10 ± 7.18%) contributed more to explain species distribution than physico-chemical variables (5.90 ± 3.83%), indicating the dominant role of hydrology in structuring the diatom community. Specifically, we found different response patterns for different guilds and size classes to the hydrological and physico-chemical variables, and our results demonstrated that species tolerating high disturbance may be more appropriate as indicators of environmental disturbance than low-tolerant species. We also found dominant effects of short-period hydrological events on biomass and biofilm community functions. Despite an overall negative effect of high flow events and flow variations on biomass and biofilm community functions, positive effects on function-biomass ratios were also observed, indicating that the effects of flow regimes on biofilm are complex. In conclusion, our study highlights the importance of including short-period hydrological conditions in studies on environmental factors shaping benthic algae. Based on our results, we recommend use of short-period hydrological conditions when investigating the effects of flow regime on biofilm community composition and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Guo
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Naicheng Wu
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Paraskevi Manolaki
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Tenna Riis
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; WATEC, Aarhus University, Centre for Water Technology, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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Comparison of temperate and tropical versions of Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) index for assessing water quality of River Aturukuku in Eastern Uganda. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Çelekli A, Lekesiz Ö. Eco-assessment of West Mediterranean basin's rivers (Turkey) using diatom metrics and multivariate approaches. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:27796-27806. [PMID: 32399875 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09140-1] [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: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bio-evaluating of surface waters is not a new approach but is becoming more important since the application of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). The present study was designed to evaluate the limno-ecological conditions of rivers in the West Mediterranean basin of Turkey using diatom metrics and multivariate approaches according to the WFD requirements. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to assess the relationships of diatom species and environmental variables from 17 stations of 12 rivers sampled in two seasons. The CCA indicated that nitrite, chloride, electrical conductivity (EC), sulfate, temperature, and total phosphorus (TP) are the most explanatory factors on the distribution of the diatom species. Karasu River had the most deteriorated ecosystem, distinctly revealed by the CCA. Nutrient enrichment and high EC, biological oxygen demand (BOD5), and temperature values were noticed in this ecosystem. Karasu River was also characterized by pollution tolerant diatom species (e.g., Nitzschia inconspicua, Nitzschia pusilla, Halamphora normanii, and Rhoicosphenia abbreviata). Trophic index Turkey (TIT), eutrophication and/or pollution index-diatom (EPI-D), and trophic index (TI) showed poor ecological conditions in Karasu and Hamzabey rivers when a moderate environment quality in Dalaman River (at R6 station) and a good ecological state in Kocadere River. A high ecological status was found in Dalaman (at R5 station) concerning the results of TIT and TI, while a good condition was recorded based on EPI-D. This ecosystem was also associated with pollution-sensitive diatom taxa (Achnanthidium minutissimum, Cymbella excisa, Meridion circulare, and Gomphonema olivaceum). Results of CCA were corroborated with the bio-assessment of sampling stations based on diatom metrics. TIT, TI, and EPI-D had different indices' scores, but they showed significantly positive correlations with logTP. Spearman correlation coefficient value of TIT strengthens the suitability of it for the bio-assessment of the rivers in the West Mediterranean basin of Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abuzer Çelekli
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Gaziantep University, 27310, Gaziantep, Turkey.
| | - Ömer Lekesiz
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Science, Gaziantep University, 27310, Gaziantep, Turkey
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Kafouris S, Smeti E, Spatharis S, Tsirtsis G, Economou-Amilli A, Danielidis DB. Nitrogen as the main driver of benthic diatom composition and diversity in oligotrophic coastal systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 694:133773. [PMID: 31756832 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Phytoplankton is the main indicator group for eutrophication in coastal ecosystems, however its high dispersal potential does not enable the assessment of localized effects of coastal nutrient enrichment. Benthic diatoms are sessile microalgae associated with sandy substrates and have the potential to reflect more localized pollution impacts. Although benthic diatoms are widely used bioindicators in freshwater systems, they have rarely been used for assessing the eutrophication status of oligotrophic environments such as the eastern Mediterranean Sea. In the present study, we assess the efficiency of benthic diatoms as bioindicators of nutrient enrichment in oligotrophic coastal systems, by investigating the effect of different physicochemical conditions and nutrient concentrations on the assemblage composition, diversity and individual species populations. To do this, we sampled along a eutrophication gradient formed by anthropogenic nutrient inputs from a metropolitan area. The main driver of assemblage composition, diversity and biomass of diatoms was nitrogen concentration and its temporal and spatial changes. Nitrogen loadings were positively correlated with increased biomass of Cocconeis spp. and negatively correlated with Mastogloia spp. Our findings suggest that in coastal ecosystems of oligotrophic marine ecoregions, benthic diatom assemblage structure and specific taxonomic groups can be reliable predictors of coastal eutrophication offering higher spatial resolution compared to phytoplankton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savvas Kafouris
- University of Athens, Faculty of Biology, Department of Ecology and Systematics, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15784, Greece; Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, 1416 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Evangelia Smeti
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources & Inland Waters, 46.7 km Athens-Souniou Av., 19013, Anavissos, Attica, Greece
| | - Sofie Spatharis
- University of Glasgow, School of Life Sciences, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK; University of Glasgow, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK.
| | - George Tsirtsis
- University of the Aegean, Department of Marine Sciences, University Hill, 81100 Mytilene, Greece
| | - Athena Economou-Amilli
- University of Athens, Faculty of Biology, Department of Ecology and Systematics, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15784, Greece
| | - Daniel B Danielidis
- University of Athens, Faculty of Biology, Department of Ecology and Systematics, Panepistimiopolis, Athens 15784, Greece
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12
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Smeti E, Kalogianni E, Karaouzas I, Laschou S, Tornés E, De Castro-Català N, Anastasopoulou E, Koutsodimou M, Andriopoulou A, Vardakas L, Muñoz I, Sabater S, Skoulikidis NT. Effects of olive mill wastewater discharge on benthic biota in Mediterranean streams. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 254:113057. [PMID: 31454578 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Olive mill wastewaters (OMW) discharging in river ecosystems cause significant adverse effects on their water chemistry and biological communities. We here examined the effects of OMW loads in four streams of a Mediterranean basin characterized by changing flow. The diatom and macroinvertebrate community structures were compared between upstream (control) and downstream (impacted) sites receiving OMW discharge. We also tested if effects occurred at the organism level, i.e. the occurrence of deformities in diatom valves, and the sediment toxicity on the midge Chironomus riparius. We evaluated these effects through a two-year analysis, at various levels of chemical pollution and dilution capacity. The impacted sites had high phenol concentrations and organic carbon loads during and after olive mill (OM) operation, and were characterized by higher abundances of pollution-tolerant diatom and macroinvertebrate taxa. Diatom valve deformities occurred more frequently at the impacted sites. The development of C. riparius was affected by phenolic compounds and organic carbon concentrations in the sediments. The similarity in the diatom and macroinvertebrate assemblages between control and impacted sites decreased at lower flows. Diatoms were more sensitive in detecting deterioration in the biological status of OMW receiving waterways than macroinvertebrates. Our results indicate that the negative effects of OMW extended to the whole benthic community, at both assemblage and organism level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Smeti
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Anavissos, 19013, Attica, Greece
| | - Eleni Kalogianni
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Anavissos, 19013, Attica, Greece.
| | - Ioannis Karaouzas
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Anavissos, 19013, Attica, Greece
| | - Sofia Laschou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Anavissos, 19013, Attica, Greece
| | - Elisabet Tornés
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technologic Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Spain
| | - Núria De Castro-Català
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Diagonal 645, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Evangelia Anastasopoulou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Anavissos, 19013, Attica, Greece
| | - Maria Koutsodimou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Anavissos, 19013, Attica, Greece
| | - Argyro Andriopoulou
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Anavissos, 19013, Attica, Greece
| | - Leonidas Vardakas
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Anavissos, 19013, Attica, Greece
| | - Isabel Muñoz
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Diagonal 645, E-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technologic Park of the University of Girona, Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Spain
| | - Nikolaos Th Skoulikidis
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Anavissos, 19013, Attica, Greece
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13
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Calapez AR, Elias CL, Almeida SFP, Brito AG, Feio MJ. Sewage contamination under water scarcity effects on stream biota: biofilm, grazers, and their interaction. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:26636-26645. [PMID: 31292867 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05876-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
One of the most common anthropogenic impacts on river ecosystems is the effluent discharge from wastewater treatment plants. The effects of this contamination on stream biota may be intensified in Mediterranean climate regions, which comprise a drought period that leads to flow reduction, and ultimately to stagnant pools. To assess individual and combined effects of flow stagnation and sewage contamination, biofilm and gastropod grazers were used in a 5-week experiment with artificial channels to test two flow velocity treatments (stagnant flow/basal flow) and two levels of organic contamination using artificial sewage (no sewage input/sewage input). Stressors' effects were determined on biofilm total biomass and chlorophyll (Chl) content, on oxygen consumption and growth rate of the grazers (Theodoxus fluviatilis), and on the interaction grazer-biofilm given by grazer's feeding activity (i.e., biofilm consumption rate). The single effect of sewage induced an increase in biofilm biomass and Chl-a content, simultaneously increasing both grazers' oxygen consumption and their feeding activity. Diatoms showed a higher sensitivity to flow stagnation, resulting in a lower content of Chl-c. Combined stressors interacted antagonistically for biofilm total biomass, Chl-b contents, and grazers's feeding rate. The effect of sewage increasing biofilm biomass and grazing activity was reduced by the presence of flow stagnation (antagonist factor). Our findings suggest that sewage contamination has a direct effect on the functional response of primary producers and an indirect effect on primary consumers, and this effect is influenced by water flow stagnation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Raquel Calapez
- LEAF - Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Carmen L Elias
- Department of Biology and GeoBioTec - GeoBioSciences, GeoTechnologies and GeoEngineering Research Centre, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Salomé F P Almeida
- Department of Biology and GeoBioTec - GeoBioSciences, GeoTechnologies and GeoEngineering Research Centre, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - António G Brito
- LEAF - Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria João Feio
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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14
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Mor JR, Dolédec S, Acuña V, Sabater S, Muñoz I. Invertebrate community responses to urban wastewater effluent pollution under different hydro-morphological conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 252:483-492. [PMID: 31158676 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.05.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Urban wastewater effluents bring large amounts of nutrients, organic matter and organic microcontaminants into freshwater ecosystems. The effects of this complex mixture of pollutants on freshwater invertebrates have been studied mainly in temperate rivers and streams with high dilution capacities. In contrast, Mediterranean streams and rivers have lower dilution capacities especially during the seasonal drought, and are therefore exposed to high concentrations of pollutants. Here, we assess the effects of urban wastewater pollution on invertebrate communities from Mediterranean streams under different hydrological conditions. Specifically, we assessed the invertebrates taxonomic composition and functional biological traits in 12 streams, differing in stream and substrate size (sand or cobbles), under low (2 surveys) and baseflow (1 survey) conditions. In each stream, we selected reaches both upstream and downstream of the wastewater discharge point. Our results indicate that urban wastewater pollution favours the most tolerant invertebrate taxa and homogenises functional trait composition over time. Changes in functional traits were more evident during the seasonal drought, when the low flow conditions at the upstream and downstream sites were more severe and, pollutant concentrations downstream were at their highest. However, the effects of urban wastewater pollution were not uniform in the downstream sites; as local invertebrate communities differed in according to the river substrate and stream size (i.e., width and discharge). Overall, urban pollution caused by wastewater enhanced both, taxonomic and functional differences between the invertebrate communities. Such an absence of homogenisation among wastewater pollution impacted sites was probably related to the relevant role of stream substrate-size as well flow conditions in the rivers receiving the impact. These are attributes that need to be considered when setting the pollutant discharge limits in rivers and streams receiving effluents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi-René Mor
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain; Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Sylvain Dolédec
- UMR 5023 - LEHNA, Biodiversité et Plasticité dans les Hydrosystèmes, Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Vicenç Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain; Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Isabel Muñoz
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
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15
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Chonova T, Kurmayer R, Rimet F, Labanowski J, Vasselon V, Keck F, Illmer P, Bouchez A. Benthic Diatom Communities in an Alpine River Impacted by Waste Water Treatment Effluents as Revealed Using DNA Metabarcoding. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:653. [PMID: 31024473 PMCID: PMC6465766 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems are continuously affected by anthropogenic pressure. One of the main sources of contamination comes from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents that contain wide range of micro- and macropollutants. Chemical composition, toxicity levels and impact of treated effluents (TEs) on the recipient aquatic ecosystems may strongly differ depending on the wastewater origin. Compared to urban TEs, hospital ones may contain more active pharmaceutical substances. Benthic diatoms are relevant ecological indicators because of their high species and ecological diversity and rapid response to human pressure. They are routinely used for water quality monitoring. However, there is a knowledge gap on diatom communities’ development and behavior in treated wastewater in relation to prevailing micro- and macropollutants. In this study, we aim to (1) investigate the response of diatom communities to urban and hospital TEs, and (2) evaluate TEs effect on communities in the recipient river. Environmental biofilms were colonized in TEs and the recipient river up- and downstream from the WWTP output to study benthic diatoms using DNA metabarcoding combined with high-throughput sequencing (HTS). In parallel, concentrations of nutrients, pharmaceuticals and seasonal conditions were recorded. Diatom metabarcoding showed that benthic communities differed strongly in their diversity and structure depending on the habitat. TE sites were generally dominated by few genera with polysaprobic preferences belonging to the motile guild, while river sites favored diverse communities from oligotrophic and oligosaprobic groups. Seasonal changes were visible to lower extent. To categorize parameters important for diatom changes we performed redundancy analysis which suggested that communities within TE sites were associated to higher concentrations of beta-blockers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in urban effluents vs. antibiotics and orthophosphate in hospital effluents. Furthermore, indicator species analysis showed that 27% of OTUs detected in river downstream communities were indicator for urban or hospital TE sites and were absent in the river upstream. Finally, biological diatom index (BDI) calculated to evaluate the ecological status of the recipient river suggested water quality decrease linked to the release of TEs. Thus, in-depth assessment of diatom community composition using DNA metabarcoding is proposed as a promising technique to highlight the disturbing effect of pollutants in Alpine rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teofana Chonova
- Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, Faculty of Biology, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria.,UMR CARRTEL, INRA, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Thonon-les-Bains, France
| | - Rainer Kurmayer
- Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee, Faculty of Biology, University of Innsbruck, Mondsee, Austria
| | - Frédéric Rimet
- UMR CARRTEL, INRA, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Thonon-les-Bains, France
| | - Jérôme Labanowski
- UMR IC2MP 7285, CNRS, Université de Poitiers, ENSIP, Poitiers, France
| | - Valentin Vasselon
- UMR CARRTEL, INRA, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Thonon-les-Bains, France
| | - François Keck
- UMR CARRTEL, INRA, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Thonon-les-Bains, France.,Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Paul Illmer
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Agnès Bouchez
- UMR CARRTEL, INRA, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Thonon-les-Bains, France
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