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Hattab S, Cappello T, Boughattas I, Sassi K, Mkhinini M, Zitouni N, Missawi O, Eliso MC, Znaidi A, Banni M. Toxicity assessment of animal manure composts containing environmental microplastics by using earthworms Eisenia andrei. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 931:172975. [PMID: 38705298 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172975] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Nowadays, animal manure composting constitutes a sustainable alternative for farmers to enhance the level of nutrients within soils and achieve a good productivity. However, pollutants may be present in manures. This study focuses on the detection of environmental microplastics (EMPs) into composts, as well as on the assessment of their potential toxicity on the earthworm Eisenia andrei. To these aims, animals were exposed to two types of compost, namely bovine (cow) and ovine (sheep) manure, besides to their mixture, for 7 and 14 days. The presence and characterization of EMPs was evaluated in all the tested composts, as well as in tissues of the exposed earthworms. The impact of the tested composts was assessed by a multi-biomarker approach including cytotoxic (lysosomal membrane stability, LMS), genotoxic (micronuclei frequency, MNi), biochemical (activity of catalase, CAT, and glutathione-S-transferase, GST; content of malondialdehyde, MDA), and neurotoxic (activity of acetylcholinesterase, AChE) responses in earthworms. Results indicated the presence of high levels of EMPs in all the tested composts, especially in the sheep manure (2273.14 ± 200.89 items/kg) in comparison to the cow manure (1628.82 ± 175.23 items/kg), with the size <1.22 μm as the most abundant EMPs. A time-dependent decrease in LMS and AChE was noted in exposed earthworms, as well as a concomitant increase in DNA damages (MNi) after 7 and 14 days of exposure. Also, a severe oxidative stress was recorded in animals treated with the different types of compost through an increase in CAT and GST activities, and LPO levels, especially after 14 days of exposure. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully consider these findings for agricultural good practices in terms of plastic mitigation in compost usage, in order to prevent any risk for environment health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrine Hattab
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, Higher Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Meriem, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia; Regional Research Centre in Horticulture and Organic Agriculture of Chott-Meriem, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Iteb Boughattas
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, Higher Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Meriem, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia; Regional Field Crops Research Center of Beja, IRESA, Tunisia
| | - Khaled Sassi
- Laboratory of Agronomy, National Agronomy Institute of Tunisia (INAT), University of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Marouane Mkhinini
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, Higher Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Meriem, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia; LEESU, Université Paris Est Créteil, Ecole des ponts, Créteil, France
| | - Nesrine Zitouni
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, Higher Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Meriem, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Omayma Missawi
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, Higher Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Meriem, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Maria Concetta Eliso
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Akram Znaidi
- Department of Animal Production, Higher Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Meriem, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Banni
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, Higher Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Meriem, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia; Higher Institute of Biotechnology, ISBM, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
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Boukadida K, Mlouka R, Abelouah MR, Chelly S, Romdhani I, Conti GO, Ferrante M, Cammarata M, Parisi MG, AitAlla A, Banni M. Unraveling the interplay between environmental microplastics and salinity stress on Mytilus galloprovincialis larval development: A holistic exploration. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172177. [PMID: 38575005 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172177] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The rise of plastic production has triggered a surge in plastic waste, overwhelming marine ecosystems with microplastics. The effects of climate change, notably changing salinity, have shaped the dynamics of coastal lagoons. Thus, understanding the combined impact of these phenomena on marine organisms becomes increasingly crucial. To address these knowledge gaps, we investigated for the first time the interactive effects of environmental microplastics (EMPs) and increased salinity on the early development of Mytilus galloprovincialis larvae. Morphological assessments using the larval embryotoxicity test revealed larval anomalies and developmental arrests induced by EMPs and increased salinity. Transcriptomic analyses targeting 12 genes involved in oxidative stress, apoptosis, DNA repair, shell formation, and stress proteins were conducted on D-larvae uncovered the potential effects of EMPs on shell biomineralization, highlighting the role of Histidine Rich Glycoproteine (HRG) and tubulin as crucial adaptive mechanisms in Mytilus sp. in response to environmental shifts. Furthermore, we explored oxidative stress and neurotoxicity using biochemical assays. Our findings revealed a potential interaction between EMPs and increased salinity, impacting multiple physiological processes in mussel larvae. Our data contribute to understanding the cumulative effects of emerging anthropogenic pollutants and environmental stressors, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to assessing their impact on marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khouloud Boukadida
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, ISA, Chott-Mariem, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia; Higher Institute of Biotechnology, University of Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Rania Mlouka
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, ISA, Chott-Mariem, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia; Higher Institute of Biotechnology, University of Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, ISA, Chott-Mariem, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia; Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Souha Chelly
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, ISA, Chott-Mariem, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Ilef Romdhani
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, ISA, Chott-Mariem, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delleScienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Marine Immunobiology Laboratory, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, Viale delleScienze, Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - Matteo Cammarata
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", Catania University, ViaSanta Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Parisi
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", Catania University, ViaSanta Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Aicha AitAlla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Banni
- Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, ISA, Chott-Mariem, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia; Higher Institute of Biotechnology, University of Monastir, Tunisia.
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Xiao S, Filippini A, Casadei M, Caracciolo G, Digiacomo L, Rossetta A. Fast and portable fluorescence lifetime analysis for early warning detection of micro- and nanoplastics in water. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 244:117936. [PMID: 38109963 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117936] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
The presence of plastic fragments in aquatic environments, particularly at the micro- and nano-scale, has become a significant global concern. However, current detection methods are limited in their ability to reveal the presence of such particles in liquid samples. In this study, we propose the use of a fluorescence lifetime analysis system for the detection of micro- and nanoplastics in water. This approach relies on the inherent endogenous fluorescence of plastic materials and involves the collection of single photons emitted by plastic fragments upon exposure to a pulsed laser beam. Briefly, a pulsed laser beam (repetition frequency = 40 MHz) shines onto a sample solution, and the emitted light is filtered, collected, and used to trace the time distributions of the photons with high temporal resolution. Finally, the fluorescence lifetime was measured using fitting procedures and a phasor analysis. Phasor analysis is a fit-free method that allows the measurement of the fluorescence lifetime of a sample without any assumptions or prior knowledge of the sample decay pattern. The developed instrument was tested using fluorescence references and validated using unlabelled micro- and nano-scale particles. Our system successfully detected polystyrene particles in water, achieving a remarkable sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.01 mg/mL, without the need for sample pre-treatment or visual inspection. Although further studies are necessary to enhance the detection limit of the technique and distinguish between different plastic materials, this proof-of-concept study suggests the potential of the fluorescence lifetime-based approach as a rapid, robust, and cost-effective method for early warning detection and identification of plastic contaminants in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyao Xiao
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Filippini
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedics, Section of Histology and Medical Embryology, "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Casadei
- FLIM LABS S.r.l., Via della Farnesina 3, 00135, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulio Caracciolo
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Digiacomo
- NanoDelivery Lab, Department of Molecular Medicine, "Sapienza" University, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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De Marco G, Eliso MC, Oliveri Conti G, Galati M, Billè B, Maisano M, Ferrante M, Cappello T. Short-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics hampers the cellular function of gills in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 264:106736. [PMID: 37913686 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Plastic is undoubtedly the most useful and versatile polymeric material that man has developed in the last two centuries Despite the societal benefits, plastic is now a serious global issue because it is persistent and may bioaccumulate into aquatic biota as microplastics (MPs). This study was designed to evaluate the daily uptake and cellular effects due to a short-term (up to 72 h) exposure to 3 μm red polystyrene MPs (50 beads/mL) in the gills of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, chosen as model species for its ecological and commercial relevance. After measuring the daily uptake of MPs and detecting their presence within the branchial epithelium at all the exposure time-points (T24, T48, T72), some cleaning mechanisms were observed by neutral and acid mucous secretions at mussel gills. The protonic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR)-based metabolomics, combined with chemometrics, allowed to comprehensively explore the time-dependent metabolic disorders triggered by MPs in mussel gills over the short-term trial. Specifically, the clear clustering between MP-treated mussel gills and those from control, together with the grouping for experimental time-points as depicted by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), were due to changes in the amino acids and energy metabolism, disturbances in the osmoregulatory processes, as well as in the cholinergic neurotransmission. Moreover, as evidenced by enzymatic assays, even the oxidative defense systems and lipid metabolism were hampered by MP exposure. Overall, these findings provides the first insights into the early time-dependent mechanisms of toxicity of polystyrene MPs in marine mussels, and underline the potential environment and human health risk posed by MPs contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe De Marco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Eliso
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Interdepartmental Research Center for the Implementation of Physical, Chemical and Biological Monitoring Processes in Aquaculture and Bioremediation Systems, Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, Hygiene and Public Health "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania 95123, Italy; Research Center in Nanomedicine and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology (NANOMED), Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Galati
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Barbara Billè
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Maria Maisano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy; University Centre for the Protection and Management of Natural Environments and Agro-Ecosystems (CUTGANA), Via Santa Sofia 98, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Interdepartmental Research Center for the Implementation of Physical, Chemical and Biological Monitoring Processes in Aquaculture and Bioremediation Systems, Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, Hygiene and Public Health "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania 95123, Italy; Research Center in Nanomedicine and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology (NANOMED), Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy.
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