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Caliani I, De Marco G, Cappello T, Giannetto A, Mancini G, Ancora S, Maisano M, Parrino V, Cappello S, Bianchi N, Oliva S, Luciano A, Mauceri A, Leonzio C, Fasulo S. Assessment of the effectiveness of a novel BioFilm-Membrane BioReactor oil-polluted wastewater treatment technology by applying biomarkers in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 243:106059. [PMID: 34991045 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.106059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Petrochemical industries and oil refineries are sources of hazardous chemicals into the aquatic environments, and often a leading cause of reduced oxygen availability, thus resulting in adverse effects in biota. This study is an expansion of our previous work on the assessment of the BioFilm-Membrane Bioreactor (BF-MBR) to mitigate the impact of oil-polluted wastewater on marine environments. Specifically, this study evaluated the reduction of selected chemical constituents (hydrocarbons and trace metals) and toxicity related to hypoxia and DNA damage to mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis, before and after treatment of oil-polluted wastewater with the BF-MBR. The application of a multidisciplinary approach provided evidence of the efficiency of BF-MBR to significantly reducing the pollutants load from oily contaminated seawaters. As result, the health status of mussels was preserved by a hypoxic condition due to oily pollutants, as evidenced by the modulation in the gene expression of HIF-1α and PHD and changes in the level of hypotaurine and taurine. Moreover, ameliorative effects in the energy metabolism were also found in mussel gills showing increased levels of glycogen, glucose and ATP, as well as a mitigated genotoxicity was revealed by the Micronucleus and Comet assays. Overall, findings from this study support the use of the BF-MBR as a promising treatment biotechnology to avoid or limiting the compromise of marine environments from oil pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Caliani
- Department of Physics, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Marco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Alessia Giannetto
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mancini
- Electric, Electronics and Computer Engineering Department, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Stefania Ancora
- Department of Physics, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Maisano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Parrino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Simone Cappello
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology (IRBIM)-National Research Center, Messina, Italy
| | - Nicola Bianchi
- Department of Physics, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Sabrina Oliva
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Antonella Luciano
- Energy and Sustainable Economic Development - Department for Sustainability, ENEA - Italian National Agency for the New Technologies, Casaccia Research Centre, Rome, Italy
| | - Angela Mauceri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Claudio Leonzio
- Department of Physics, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fasulo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
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Tomasino MP, Aparício M, Ribeiro I, Santos F, Caetano M, Almeida CMR, de Fátima Carvalho M, Mucha AP. Diversity and Hydrocarbon-Degrading Potential of Deep-Sea Microbial Community from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, South of the Azores (North Atlantic Ocean). Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9112389. [PMID: 34835516 PMCID: PMC8620031 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep-sea sediments (DSS) are one of the largest biotopes on Earth and host a surprisingly diverse microbial community. The harsh conditions of this cold environment lower the rate of natural attenuation, allowing the petroleum pollutants to persist for a long time in deep marine sediments raising problematic environmental concerns. The present work aims to contribute to the study of DSS microbial resources as biotechnological tools for bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon polluted environments. Four deep-sea sediment samples were collected in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, south of the Azores (North Atlantic Ocean). Their autochthonous microbial diversity was investigated by 16S rRNA metabarcoding analysis. In addition, a total of 26 deep-sea bacteria strains with the ability to utilize crude oil as their sole carbon and energy source were isolated from the DSS samples. Eight of them were selected for a novel hydrocarbonoclastic-bacterial consortium and their potential to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons was tested in a bioremediation experiment. Bioaugmentation treatments (with inoculum pre-grown either in sodium acetate or petroleum) showed an increase in degradation of the hydrocarbons comparatively to natural attenuation. Our results provide new insights into deep-ocean oil spill bioremediation by applying DSS hydrocarbon-degrading consortium in lab-scale microcosm to simulate an oil spill in natural seawater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paola Tomasino
- CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; (M.A.); (I.R.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (C.M.R.A.); (M.d.F.C.); (A.P.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Mariana Aparício
- CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; (M.A.); (I.R.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (C.M.R.A.); (M.d.F.C.); (A.P.M.)
| | - Inês Ribeiro
- CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; (M.A.); (I.R.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (C.M.R.A.); (M.d.F.C.); (A.P.M.)
| | - Filipa Santos
- CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; (M.A.); (I.R.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (C.M.R.A.); (M.d.F.C.); (A.P.M.)
| | - Miguel Caetano
- CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; (M.A.); (I.R.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (C.M.R.A.); (M.d.F.C.); (A.P.M.)
- Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, I.P. Avenida de Brasília, 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C. Marisa R. Almeida
- CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; (M.A.); (I.R.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (C.M.R.A.); (M.d.F.C.); (A.P.M.)
| | - Maria de Fátima Carvalho
- CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; (M.A.); (I.R.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (C.M.R.A.); (M.d.F.C.); (A.P.M.)
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana P. Mucha
- CIIMAR—Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; (M.A.); (I.R.); (F.S.); (M.C.); (C.M.R.A.); (M.d.F.C.); (A.P.M.)
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 790, 4150-171 Porto, Portugal
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Banerjee A, Sarkar S, Govil T, González-Faune P, Cabrera-Barjas G, Bandopadhyay R, Salem DR, Sani RK. Extremophilic Exopolysaccharides: Biotechnologies and Wastewater Remediation. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:721365. [PMID: 34489911 PMCID: PMC8417407 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.721365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Various microorganisms thrive under extreme environments, like hot springs, hydrothermal vents, deep marine ecosystems, hyperacid lakes, acid mine drainage, high UV exposure, and more. To survive against the deleterious effect of these extreme circumstances, they form a network of biofilm where exopolysaccharides (EPSs) comprise a substantial part. The EPSs are often polyanionic due to different functional groups in their structural backbone, including uronic acids, sulfated units, and phosphate groups. Altogether, these chemical groups provide EPSs with a negative charge allowing them to (a) act as ligands toward dissolved cations as well as trace, and toxic metals; (b) be tolerant to the presence of salts, surfactants, and alpha-hydroxyl acids; and (c) interface the solubilization of hydrocarbons. Owing to their unique structural and functional characteristics, EPSs are anticipated to be utilized industrially to remediation of metals, crude oil, and hydrocarbons from contaminated wastewaters, mines, and oil spills. The biotechnological advantages of extremophilic EPSs are more diverse than traditional biopolymers. The present review aims at discussing the mechanisms and strategies for using EPSs from extremophiles in industries and environment bioremediation. Additionally, the potential of EPSs as fascinating biomaterials to mediate biogenic nanoparticles synthesis and treat multicomponent water contaminants is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Banerjee
- Centro de investigación en Estudios Avanzados del Maule (CIEAM), Vicerrectoría de Investigación Y Posgrado, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
- Centro de Biotecnología de los Recursos Naturales (CENBio), Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias Y Forestales, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Shrabana Sarkar
- Department of Botany, UGC-Center of Advanced Study, The University of Burdwan, Golapbag, Burdwan, India
| | - Tanvi Govil
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, South Dakota Mines, Rapid City, SD, United States
- Composite and Nanocomposite Advanced Manufacturing – Biomaterials Center, Rapid City, SD, United States
| | - Patricio González-Faune
- Escuela Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias Y Forestales, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | | | - Rajib Bandopadhyay
- Department of Botany, UGC-Center of Advanced Study, The University of Burdwan, Golapbag, Burdwan, India
| | - David R. Salem
- Department of Botany, UGC-Center of Advanced Study, The University of Burdwan, Golapbag, Burdwan, India
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, South Dakota Mines, Rapid City, SD, United States
- Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, South Dakota Mines, Rapid City, SD, United States
| | - Rajesh K. Sani
- Department of Botany, UGC-Center of Advanced Study, The University of Burdwan, Golapbag, Burdwan, India
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, South Dakota Mines, Rapid City, SD, United States
- BuGReMeDEE Consortium, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, SD, United States
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Ancora S, Rossi F, Borgese M, Pirrone C, Caliani I, Cappello S, Mancini G, Bianchi N, Leonzio C, Bernardini G, Gornati R. Assessing the Effect of Contaminated and Restored Marine Sediments in Different Experimental Mesocosms Using an Integrated Approach and Mytilus galloprovincialis as a Model. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 22:411-422. [PMID: 32240431 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-020-09961-8] [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: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The research presented here was conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of recovery technologies in remediating a compromised marine environment. The multidisciplinary approach aims to integrate traditional chemical-physical analysis and to assess the biological parameters of Mytilus galloprovincialis within different experimental mesocosms (W, G, and B). In particular, this system was designed to reproduce sediment resuspension in a marine environment, which is thought to be one cause of contaminant release. The study combined morphological and ultrastructural observations with DNA damage assessment and mRNA expression of those genes involved in cellular stress responses. The tissues of mussels maintained in the polluted mesocosm showed a higher accumulation of Pb and Hg than in those maintained in restored mesocosm. This observation correlates well with mRNA expression of MT10 and data on DNA damage. The outcome of the biological evaluation consolidates the chemical characterization and supports the concept that the remediation method should be evaluated at an early stage, both to analytically determine the reduction of toxic components and to assess its ultimate impact on the biological system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Ancora
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli, 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Federica Rossi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Marina Borgese
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Cristina Pirrone
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Ilaria Caliani
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli, 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Simone Cappello
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology (IRBIM)-CNR of Messina, Via San Raineri 86, 98122, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mancini
- Electric, Electronics and Computer Engineering Department, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Nicola Bianchi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli, 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Claudio Leonzio
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli, 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Rosalba Gornati
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy.
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Gornati R, Maisano M, Pirrone C, Cappello T, Rossi F, Borgese M, Giannetto A, Cappello S, Mancini G, Bernardini G, Fasulo S. Mesocosm System to Evaluate BF-MBR Efficacy in Mitigating Oily Wastewater Discharges: an Integrated Study on Mytilus galloprovincialis. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 21:773-790. [PMID: 31655935 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-019-09923-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This work presents the results of recovery efficacy of the system "BioFilm Membrane BioReactor" (BF-MBR), in the treatment of oily contaminated seawaters. To this aim, we proposed a multidisciplinary approach that integrates traditional chemical-physical measures together with the assessment on biological sentinel Mytilus galloprovincialis, maintained in a medium-scale artificial system named mesocosm. The setup included: (1) a mesocosm consisting of uncontaminated seawater; (2) a mesocosm composed of an untreated oily wastewater discharge; and (3) a mesocosm receiving the same oily wastewater previously treated by a BF-MBR pilot scale plant. The multidisciplinary approach that included traditional chemical measures on mesocosms together with the evaluation of morphological organization, mRNA expression of those genes involved in cellular stress response, immunohistochemistry and metabolomic analysis on mussel tissues, was able to provide a robust and holistic evidence of how the proposed treatment is able to reduce the overall impact of oily wastewater discharges on the marine ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalba Gornati
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy.
| | - Maria Maisano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via Ferdinando d'Alcontres, 31, 98166, Messina, Italy.
| | - Cristina Pirrone
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via Ferdinando d'Alcontres, 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Federica Rossi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Marina Borgese
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Alessia Giannetto
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via Ferdinando d'Alcontres, 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
| | - Simone Cappello
- Institute for Coastal Marine Environment, National Research Center, Via San Raineri 86, 98122, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mancini
- Electric, Electronics and Computer Engineering Department, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fasulo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via Ferdinando d'Alcontres, 31, 98166, Messina, Italy
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Mahjoubi M, Aliyu H, Cappello S, Naifer M, Souissi Y, Cowan DA, Cherif A. The genome of Alcaligenes aquatilis strain BU33N: Insights into hydrocarbon degradation capacity. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221574. [PMID: 31550268 PMCID: PMC6759156 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental contamination with hydrocarbons though natural and anthropogenic activities is a serious threat to biodiversity and human health. Microbial bioremediation is considered as the effective means of treating such contamination. This study describes a biosurfactant producing bacterium capable of utilizing crude oil and various hydrocarbons as the sole carbon source. Strain BU33N was isolated from hydrocarbon polluted sediments from the Bizerte coast (northern Tunisia) and was identified as Alcaligenes aquatilis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. When grown on crude oil and phenanthrene as sole carbon and energy sources, isolate BU33N was able to degrade ~86%, ~56% and 70% of TERHc, n-alkanes and phenanthrene, respectively. The draft genome sequence of the A. aquatilis strain BU33N was assembled into one scaffold of 3,838,299 bp (G+C content of 56.1%). Annotation of the BU33N genome resulted in 3,506 protein-coding genes and 56 rRNA genes. A large repertoire of genes related to the metabolism of aromatic compounds including genes encoding enzymes involved in the complete degradation of benzoate were identified. Also genes associated with resistance to heavy metals such as copper tolerance and cobalt-zinc-cadmium resistance were identified in BU33N. This work provides insight into the genomic basis of biodegradation capabilities and bioremediation/detoxification potential of A. aquatilis BU33N.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouna Mahjoubi
- Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole SidiThabet, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Habibu Aliyu
- Institute of Process Engineering in Life Science 2: Technical Biology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Simone Cappello
- Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero (IAMC)-CNR of Messina. Sp. San Raineri, Messina, Italy
| | - Mohamed Naifer
- Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole SidiThabet, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Yasmine Souissi
- Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole SidiThabet, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Don A. Cowan
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ameur Cherif
- Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole SidiThabet, Ariana, Tunisia
- * E-mail:
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Pirrone C, Rossi F, Cappello S, Borgese M, Mancini G, Bernardini G, Gornati R. Evaluation of biomarkers in Mytilus galloprovincialis as an integrated measure of biofilm-membrane bioreactor (BF-MBR) system efficiency in mitigating the impact of oily wastewater discharge to marine environment: a microcosm approach. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 198:49-62. [PMID: 29501937 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The large volumes of oily wastewater discharged to marine environment cause heavy impacts on the coastal marine ecosystem. The selection of an appropriate technology to reduce these impacts should be based on the respect of the discharge limits and on the effective assessment and monitoring of its effects on biological organism preservation. To this aim, we set up a controlled microcosm-scale system to compare the effects of a treated and untreated oily wastewater discharge in which the restore process is performed through a Membrane Bio-Reactor. The system is completed by other three microcosms to control and isolate any possible concurrent effect on the Mytilus galloprovincialis, used as sentinel organism. Mytilus galloprovincialis have been kept in all these microcosms, and then mRNA expression and morphology were evaluated on gills and digestive gland. The genes considered in this work are Heat Shock Protein 70 and Metallothionein 10, involved in response to physicochemical sublethal stressors, Superoxide dismutase 1, Catalase, and Cytochrome P450 involved in oxidative stress response. Our results evidenced a significant overexpression, both in gills and digestive gland, of HSP70 in samples maintained in the microcosm receiving the untreated effluent, and of MT10 in those animals kept in microcosm where the effluent was treated. Even though the mRNA modifications are considered "primary" and transient responses which do not always correspond to protein content, the study of these modifications can help to gain insights into the mechanisms of action of xenobiotic exposure. Morphological analysis suggested that, although different, depending on the microcosm, the most serious damages were found in the gill epithelium accompanied with severe haemocyte infiltration, whilst in digestive gland the tissue architecture alterations and the haemocyte infiltration were less pronounced. These observations suggest that the immune system was activated as a general response to stressful stimuli such as the presence of toxic compounds. Moreover, the results indicate that the treatment process is useful. In fact, samples derived from the microcosm receiving the treated effluent, even though presenting some signs of stress, seemed to partially recover the normal structure, although their mRNA expression indicated some cellular suffering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Pirrone
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Federica Rossi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Simone Cappello
- Institute for Coastal Marine Environment, National Research Center, Via San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Marina Borgese
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mancini
- Electric, Electronics and Computer Engineering Department, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bernardini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy; "The Protein Factory" Research Center, Politecnico di Milano, ICRM-CNR Milano and Università dell'Insubria, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Rosalba Gornati
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy; "The Protein Factory" Research Center, Politecnico di Milano, ICRM-CNR Milano and Università dell'Insubria, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milano, Italy.
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