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Andriolo U, Gonçalves G, Hidaka M, Gonçalves D, Gonçalves LM, Bessa F, Kako S. Marine litter weight estimation from UAV imagery: Three potential methodologies to advance macrolitter reports. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 202:116405. [PMID: 38663345 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116405] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
In the context of marine litter monitoring, reporting the weight of beached litter can contribute to a better understanding of pollution sources and support clean-up activities. However, the litter scaling task requires considerable effort and specific equipment. This experimental study proposes and evaluates three methods to estimate beached litter weight from aerial images, employing different levels of litter categorization. The most promising approach (accuracy of 80 %) combined the outcomes of manual image screening with a generalized litter mean weight (14 g) derived from studies in the literature. Although the other two methods returned values of the same magnitude as the ground-truth, they were found less feasible for the aim. This study represents the first attempt to assess marine litter weight using remote sensing technology. Considering the exploratory nature of this study, further research is needed to enhance the reliability and robustness of the methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Andriolo
- INESC Coimbra, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Polo 2, 3030 - 290 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Gil Gonçalves
- INESC Coimbra, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Polo 2, 3030 - 290 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Department of Mathematics, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Mitsuko Hidaka
- Research Institute for Value-Added-Information Generation (VAiG), Japan Agency for Marine - Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokohama, Japan; Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Department of Engineering, Ocean Civil Engineering Program, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
| | - Diogo Gonçalves
- INESC Coimbra, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Polo 2, 3030 - 290 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Department of Civil Engineering, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Luisa Maria Gonçalves
- INESC Coimbra, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Polo 2, 3030 - 290 Coimbra, Portugal; School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic of Leiria, Nova IMS University Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Filipa Bessa
- Centre for Functional Ecology - Science for People & the Planet (CFE), Associate Laboratory TERRA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Shin'ichiro Kako
- Research Institute for Value-Added-Information Generation (VAiG), Japan Agency for Marine - Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Yokohama, Japan; Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Department of Engineering, Ocean Civil Engineering Program, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
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González-Aravena M, Galbán-Malagón C, Castro-Nallar E, Barriga GP, Neira V, Krüger L, Adell AD, Olivares-Pacheco J. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater Associated with Scientific Stations in Antarctica and Possible Risk for Wildlife. Microorganisms 2024; 12:743. [PMID: 38674687 PMCID: PMC11051888 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Before December 2020, Antarctica had remained free of COVID-19 cases. The main concern during the pandemic was the limited health facilities available at Antarctic stations to deal with the disease as well as the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Antarctic wildlife through reverse zoonosis. In December 2020, 60 cases emerged in Chilean Antarctic stations, disrupting the summer campaign with ongoing isolation needs. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the wastewater of several scientific stations. In Antarctica, treated wastewater is discharged directly into the seawater. No studies currently address the recovery of infectious virus particles from treated wastewater, but their presence raises the risk of infecting wildlife and initiating new replication cycles. This study highlights the initial virus detection in wastewater from Antarctic stations, identifying viral RNA via RT-qPCR targeting various genomic regions. The virus's RNA was found in effluent from two wastewater plants at Maxwell Bay and O'Higgins Station on King George Island and the Antarctic Peninsula, respectively. This study explores the potential for the reverse zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from humans to Antarctic wildlife due to the direct release of viral particles into seawater. The implications of such transmission underscore the need for continued vigilance and research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristóbal Galbán-Malagón
- GEMA, Center for Genomics, Ecology & Environment, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580745, Chile;
- Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Santiago 8370146, Chile;
- Institute for Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Eduardo Castro-Nallar
- Anillo en Ciencia y Tecnología Antártica POLARIX, Santiago 8370146, Chile;
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca 3481118, Chile
- Centro de Ecología Integrativa, Universidad de Talca, Campus Talca, Talca 3460000, Chile
| | - Gonzalo P. Barriga
- Laboratorio de Virus Emergentes, Programa de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile;
| | - Víctor Neira
- Medicina Preventiva Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile;
| | - Lucas Krüger
- Departamento Científico, Instituto Antártico Chileno, Punta Arenas 6200985, Chile;
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Aiko D. Adell
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago 9350841, Chile;
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance, MICROB-R, Santiago 7550000, Chile
| | - Jorge Olivares-Pacheco
- Millennium Initiative for Collaborative Research on Bacterial Resistance, MICROB-R, Santiago 7550000, Chile
- Grupo de Resistencia Antimicrobiana en Bacterias Patógenas y Ambientales, GRABPA, Instituto de Biología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2373223, Chile
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Menicagli V, Balestri E, Bernardini G, Barsotti F, Fulignati S, Raspolli Galletti AM, Lardicci C. Beach-cast seagrass wrack: A natural marine resource improving the establishment of dune plant communities under a changing climate. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 201:116270. [PMID: 38520997 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116270] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Seagrass wrack plays multiple ecological roles in coastal habitats but is often removed from beaches and used for economical processing, neglecting its potential role in sustaining dune plant establishment under changing climate scenarios. Rainwater shortage is a major stress for seedlings and reduced precipitations are expected in some coastal areas. We investigated in mesocosm how wrack influenced seedling performance of Cakile maritima, Thinopyrum junceum, and Calamagrostis arenaria under current and reduced precipitation. We also assessed wrack water holding capacity and leachate chemical/physical properties. Wrack stimulated seedling growth while reduced precipitation decreased root development. Wrack mitigated the effects of reduced precipitation on T. junceum and C. arenaria biomass. Wrack retained water up to five-fold its weight, increased water pH, conductivity, and nutrient content. Wrack promotes dune colonization by vegetation even under rainwater shortage. Thus, the maintenance of this natural resource on beaches is critical for improving dune resilience against climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Menicagli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Giada Bernardini
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Barsotti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Fulignati
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 13, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Lardicci
- Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy
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Soffritti I, D’Accolti M, Bini F, Mazziga E, Volta A, Bisi M, Rossi S, Viroli F, Balzani M, Petitta M, Mazzacane S, Caselli E. Characterization of the Pathogenic Potential of the Beach Sand Microbiome and Assessment of Quicklime as a Remediation Tool. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2031. [PMID: 37630591 PMCID: PMC10460030 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Beach sand may act as a reservoir for potential human pathogens, posing a public health risk. Despite this, the microbiological monitoring of sand microbiome is rarely performed to determine beach quality. In this study, the sand microbial population of a Northern Adriatic Sea beach sand was profiled by microbiological (CFU counts) and molecular methods (WGS, microarray), showing significant presence of potential human pathogens including drug-resistant strains. Consistent with these results, the potential of quicklime as a restoring method was tested in vitro and on-field. Collected data showed that adding 1-3% quicklime (w/w) to sand provided an up to -99% of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, till 45 days post-treatment. In conclusion, data suggest that accurate monitoring of sand microbiome may be essential, besides water, to assess beach quality and safety. Moreover, first evidences of quicklime potential for sand decontamination are provided, suggesting its usage as a possible way to restore the microbiological quality of sand in highly contaminated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Soffritti
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (I.S.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Maria D’Accolti
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (I.S.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Francesca Bini
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (I.S.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Eleonora Mazziga
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (I.S.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Antonella Volta
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Matteo Bisi
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Silvia Rossi
- Building and Construction Cluster of the Emilia Romagna Region, 40129 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Francesco Viroli
- TekneHub, Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Marcello Balzani
- TekneHub, Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (F.V.); (M.B.)
| | - Marco Petitta
- Department of Earth Sciences, University “La Sapienza”, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Sante Mazzacane
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
| | - Elisabetta Caselli
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, and LTTA, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (I.S.); (M.D.); (F.B.); (E.M.)
- CIAS Research Center, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, Italy; (A.V.); (M.B.); (S.M.)
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Andriolo U, Gonçalves G. The octopus pot on the North Atlantic Iberian coast: A plague of plastic on beaches and dunes. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115099. [PMID: 37267867 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This baseline focuses on the octopus pot, a litter item found on the North Atlantic Iberian coast. Octopus pots are deployed from vessels in ropes, with several hundred units, and placed on the seabed, to capture mostly Octopus Vulgaris. The loss of gears due to extreme seas state, bad weather and/or fishing-related unforeseen circumstances, cause the octopus pots contaminating beaches and dunes, where they are transported by sea current, waves and wind actions. This work i) gives an overview of the use of octopus pot on fisheries, ii) analyses the spatial distribution of this item on the coast, and iii) discusses the potential measures for tackling the octopus pot plague on the North Atlantic Iberian coast. Overall, it is urgent to promote conducive policies and strategies for a sustainable waste management of octopus pots, based on Reduce, Reuse and Recycle hierarchical framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Andriolo
- INESC Coimbra, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Polo 2, 3030 - 290 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Gil Gonçalves
- INESC Coimbra, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Polo 2, 3030 - 290 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Department of Mathematics, Coimbra, Portugal.
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