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Hedfi A, Ben Ali M, Noureldeen A, Darwish H, Saif T, Albogami B, Altowairqi TK, Boufahja F. Impact of treated sewage on meiobenthic nematodes: a case study from the Tunisian Refining Industries Company. BRAZ J BIOL 2022; 82:e246116. [DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.246116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract The main objective of the current study was to assess the impact of the water taken from the ‘Tunisian Refining Industries Company’ on meiobenthic nematodes, before and after a series of treatments in decantation basins followed by its discharge in Bizerte bay, Tunisia. The comparison of environmental parameters of the two types of water was clearly indicative of an improvement in the quality of treated waters after a significant reduction in their loads in hydrocarbons. Overall, the water retained a good quality after being treated by ‘Tunisian Refining Industries Company’ before discharge in the sea. At the end of the experiment, differential responses were observed according to the richness of sediment in organic matter and hydrocarbons. Thus, it was apparent that the nematode assemblage exposed to the treated waters was closer to controls and associated to higher values of abundance, than that under untreated ones. It was also assumed that the species Microlaimus honestus De Man, 1922, Paramonohystera proteus Wieser, 1956 and Cyartonema germanicum Juario, 1972 are sensitive bioindicators of bad environmental statues and of hydrocarbon presence in the environment. On the other hand, Metoncholaimus pristiurus (Zur Strassen, 1894) Filipjev, 1918 would rather be classified as a positive bioindicative species of this type of pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Hedfi
- Taif University, Saudi Arabia; Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Tunisia
| | - M. Ben Ali
- Taif University, Saudi Arabia; Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Tunisia
| | - A. Noureldeen
- Taif University, Saudi Arabia; Mansoura University, Egypt
| | - H. Darwish
- Taif University, Saudi Arabia; Agriculture Research Center, Egypt
| | - T. Saif
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Egypt
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Yasin M, Khan HA, Majeed W, Mushtaq S, Hedfi A, Maalik S, Ben Ali M, Mustafa S, Kanwal S, Tahreem S. Investigation of roost composition of passerine birds in different environmental conditions. BRAZ J BIOL 2022; 82:e263354. [DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.263354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract The majority of the birds in different habitats are stressed due to alteration in multiple climate factors contributing to their loss. The present study has been planned to find the roosts composition of passerine birds in different major and sub-habitats of Punjab, Pakistan. In Faisalabad, of the four species, the higher number of exits was almost comparable, while Passer domesticus and Pastor roseus were more abundant than Tachycinet bicolor and Lanius cristatus. For the three remaining birds, total exits and returns were 180 for P. roseus, 181 for T. bicolor, and 179 for L. cristatus, respectively. Considering the exits in morning hours, a total of 314, 256, 246 and 210, were recorded from Sheikhupura. In Khanewal, of the four species, the highest exits and returns were that of P. domesticus (407; 451), followed by that of the P. roseus (273; 336), T. bicolor (242; 319) and L. cristatus (220; 397). The temperature imposed serious effects on roost exits for the four birds. The varied P-values which were higher (< 0.001***, < 0.001***, 0.002 **, <0.001***) appeared to limit the roost exits for them. Nonetheless, the impact of relative humidity exerted a strong influence on the T. bicolor (0.003**). In roosts return, it was seen that roost returns were even likely in warm temperatures and precipitation did not impose seriously on returns, and even in light rainfall. Nonetheless, relative humidity (RH) strongly impacted the sparrow. The T. bicolor and L. cristatus were adversely affected with the slopes (1.37) and (2.06), indicated with each percentage increase of relative humidity, and slope variations became least.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Yasin
- University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - H. A. Khan
- University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - W. Majeed
- University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - S. Mushtaq
- Government College for Women University, Pakistan
| | | | - S. Maalik
- Government College for Women University, Pakistan
| | | | - S. Mustafa
- University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - S. Kanwal
- University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - S. Tahreem
- The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
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Brahmi N, Feriani A, Ben Ali M, Hedfi A, Elleuch A, Ismail IA, Albogami B, Saif T, Talarmin H, El Feki A, Allagui MS. Potential Hepatoprotective Effect of Cheatomorpha gracilis extract against High Fat Diet (HFD)-Induced Liver Damage, and its characterization by HPLC. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 82:e247102. [PMID: 34161431 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.247102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The current investigation was carried out to estimate the protective effect of aqueous extract of Cheatomorpha gracilis (AEC) against High fat Diet (HFD) induced liver damage in mice. The results of the in vitro study showed that AEC have higher antioxidant capacities in the DPPH and hydroxyl radical-scavenging assays. Indeed, many phenolic compounds (gallic acid, quercetin, naringenin, apigenin, kaempferol and rutin) were identified in the AEC. In the animal studies, during 6 weeks, HFD promoted oxidative stress with a rise level of malonaldehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls (PCOs) levels and a significant decrease of the antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Interestingly, the treatment with AEC (250 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced the effects of HFD disorders on some plasmatic liver biomarkers (AST, ALT and ALP) in addition to, plasmatic proteins inflammatory biomarkers (α2 and β1 decreases / β2 and γ globulins increases). It can be suggest that supplementation of MECG displays high potential to quench free radicals and attenuates high fat diet promoted liver oxidative stress and related disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Brahmi
- University of Sfax, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Sfax, Tunisia.,University of Gafsa, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, Research Unit of Macromolecular Biochemistry and Genetic, Gafsa, Tunisia
| | - A Feriani
- University of Gafsa, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, Research Unit of Macromolecular Biochemistry and Genetic, Gafsa, Tunisia
| | - M Ben Ali
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.,University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Laboratory of Environment Biomonitoring LR01 ES14, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - A Hedfi
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.,University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Laboratory of Environment Biomonitoring LR01 ES14, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - A Elleuch
- CHU Habib Bourguiba, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - I A Ismail
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Plant Genetic Transformation, Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, 12619, Giza, Egypt
| | - B Albogami
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - T Saif
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Cairo, Egypt
| | - H Talarmin
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Laboratory ORPHY EA4324, UFR Sciences et Technique, Brest, France
| | - A El Feki
- University of Gafsa, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, Research Unit of Macromolecular Biochemistry and Genetic, Gafsa, Tunisia
| | - M S Allagui
- University of Sfax, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Sfax, Tunisia.,University of Gafsa, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, Research Unit of Macromolecular Biochemistry and Genetic, Gafsa, Tunisia
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Amari R, Gammoudi M, Tlili H, Ben Ali M, Hedfi A, Albogami B, Almalki M, Allagui MS, Achouri MS. Notes on the biological development of the darkling beetle Blaps nefrauensis nefrauensis Seidlitz, 1893 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 82:e246316. [PMID: 34076171 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.246316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Several endemic species of Blaps occur in Tunisia, and the species Blaps nefrauensis nefrauensis has been reported in Moulares (urban zone in west-central Tunisia), where it lives and reproduces in home gardens and old buildings. The aim of this work is to study the life cycle of the darkling beetle, considering both field and laboratory rearing conditions. As a result, the beetle species has different developmental stages (egg, larva, prepupa, pupa, and adult) that last about 15 months. Each year during the same period, adults emerge (early summer) and expire (late autumn), larvae hatch (late summer) and pupate (early summer). There is only one generation per year. Females began laying eggs in late July. The eggs were ovoid, white, and about 2.7 mm in length and 1.5 mm in width. Embryogenesis took an average of nine days. The first instar larvae were at initially only 4.5 mm long and ivory white in color. A brief description of the newly egg hatched larva was provided; thus, the nerve fibers innervating the apical setae in the antennae and ligula were detected. Further light microscopic examination of the embryo before hatching from the egg pointed out that the antennal sensilla are protected during the embryogenesis stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Amari
- University of Gafsa, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, Research Unit of Macromolecular Biochemistry and Genetic, Gafsa, Tunisia.,University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Laboratory of Bio-ecology and Evolutionary Systematics, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - M Gammoudi
- University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Science of Tunis, Animal Reproduction and Developmental Biology, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - H Tlili
- University of Sorbonne, Institute of Systematic, Evolution and Biodiversity - ISYEB, National Museum of Natural History, National Center for Scientific Research, Paris, French
| | - M Ben Ali
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.,University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Laboratory of Environment Biomonitoring, LR01 ES14, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - A Hedfi
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.,University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Laboratory of Environment Biomonitoring, LR01 ES14, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - B Albogami
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - M Almalki
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - M S Allagui
- University of Gafsa, Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, Research Unit of Macromolecular Biochemistry and Genetic, Gafsa, Tunisia
| | - M S Achouri
- University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Laboratory of Bio-ecology and Evolutionary Systematics, Tunis, Tunisia
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Boulaaba S, Zrelli S, Hedfi A, Ben Ali M, Boumaiza M, Bejaoui M, Hassan MM, Saif T, Albogami B, Pacioglu O, Boufahja F. Spatio-temporal distribution patterns of Chironomidae communities in the wadis of Northern Tunisia. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 82:e247073. [PMID: 33978088 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.247073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In Northern Tunisia, seasonal streams, called wadi, are characterized by extreme hydrological and thermal conditions. These freshwater systems have very particular features as a result of their strong irregularity of flow due to limited precipitation runoff regime, leading to strong seasonal hydrologic fluctuations. The current study focused on the spatio-temporal distribution of chironomids in 28 sampling sites spread across the Northern Tunisia. By emplying PERMANOVA, the results indicated a significant spatio-temporal variation along various environmental gradients. The main abiotic factors responsible for noted differences in the spatial distribution of chironomids in wadi were the conductivity and temperature, closely followed by altitude, pH, salinity, talweg slope and dissolved oxygen, identified as such by employing distance-based linear models' procedure. The Distance-based redundancy analysis ordination showed two main groups: the first clustered the Bizerte sites, which were characterized by high water conductivity, sodium concentration and salinity. The second main group comprised sites from the Tell zone and was characterized by low temperatures, neutral pH, low conductivity and nutrients content. The subfamily TANYPODIINAE (e.g., Prochladius sp., Prochladius choerus (Meigen, 1804) and Macropelopia sp.) was the dominant group at Tell zone, whereas species such as Diamesa starmachi (Kownacki et Kownacha, 1970) and Potthastia gaedii (Meigen, 1838) were found only in Tell Wadis. In contrast, chironomid species such as Diamesa starmachi (Kownacki et Kownacha, 1970), Potthastia gaedii (Meigen, 1838), Procladius choreus (Meigen, 1804) were specific for Tell Mountain. Cap Bon wadis region was dominated by genus Cladotanytarsus sp. The results of this survey liked the taxonomic composition of chironomid assemblages to the variation of hydromorphological and physic-chemical gradients across the northern Tunisia wadis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Boulaaba
- Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - S Zrelli
- Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - A Hedfi
- Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia.,Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - M Ben Ali
- Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia.,Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - M Boumaiza
- Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - M Bejaoui
- Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - M M Hassan
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.,Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt. Email
| | - T Saif
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Cairo, Egypt
| | - B Albogami
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - O Pacioglu
- National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Bucharest, Romania
| | - F Boufahja
- Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
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Jaouani R, Dellali M, Mouneyrac C, Hassine SB, Ali MB, Hedfi A, Hassan MM, Beyrem H, Boufahja F. Assessment of carbamazepine acute toxicity in the cockle Cerastoderma edule through chemical, physiological and biochemical tools. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 82:e247035. [PMID: 33978087 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.247035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The cockle Cerastoderma edule was exposed to four concentrations (5, 10, 20 and 70 μg L-1) of carbamazepine (CBZ). This anticonvulsant was found to alter the mussel behavior of by reducing its clearance rate (CR). Analysis of CBZ accumulation in tissues of C. edule was carried out using HPLC-UV after 48 or 96 hours of exposure. In addition, an overproduction of H2O2 by the bivalves was detected following exposure to CBZ but nitrite levels remained unchanged. Moreover, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities showed a significant increase in relation to their contact with CBZ. The activity of the biotransformation enzyme gluthatione-S-transferase did not change during exposure. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels indicating cellular damage, increased when bivalves were exposed to 20 and 70 μg l-1 of carbamazepine for 96 h CBZ. The results also indicate that acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) was inhibited in all CBZ concentrations during the 48 h exposure period. However, during the 96 h exposure period, AChE was only inhibited at the highest concentration. Further studies are needed now for more exploration of the toxicity of CBZ since it could be bioaccumulable throughout the food web and may affect non-target organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Jaouani
- University of Carthage, Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia.,Laboratory 'Sea, Molecules, Health', Catholic University of the West, Angers, France
| | - M Dellali
- University of Carthage, Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - C Mouneyrac
- Laboratory 'Sea, Molecules, Health', Catholic University of the West, Angers, France
| | - S Ben Hassine
- University of Carthage, Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - M Ben Ali
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia.,University of Carthage, Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - A Hedfi
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia.,University of Carthage, Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - M M Hassan
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia.,Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, 11566, Cairo, Egypt
| | - H Beyrem
- University of Carthage, Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
| | - F Boufahja
- University of Carthage, Laboratory of Biomonitoring of the Environment LR01 ES14, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
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Boufahja F, Hedfi A, Essid N, Aïssa P, Beyrem H, Mahmoudi E. Morphometric and energetic differences between nematode feeding groups of Moens, Vincx (1997) and their suitability for environmental biomonitoring. ekol 2011. [DOI: 10.4149/ekol_2011_01_91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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Beyrem H, Mahmoudi E, Essid N, Hedfi A, Boufahja F, Aïssa P. Individual and combined effects of cadmium and diesel on a nematode community in a laboratory microcosm experiment. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2007; 68:412-8. [PMID: 17303240 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2006.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2005] [Revised: 11/11/2006] [Accepted: 12/14/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
A microcosm experiment was carried out to study the influence of cadmium and diesel, individually and in a mixture, on a free living nematode community of a Tunisian lagoon. Sediments were contaminated with cadmium that ranged in concentration from 0.54 to 1.40 mg Cd kg(-1) (dry weight (dw)), by diesel at 0.25 mg kg(-1) (dw), by a cadmium-diesel mixture (Cd at 1.40 mg kg(-1)+Diesel at 0.25 mg kg(-1)) and effects were examined after 90 days. Univariate analysis showed that all univariate indices did not change significantly neither at all the levels of cadmium contamination nor at 0.25 mg kg(-1) (dw) diesel concentration. But, at the cadmium-diesel mixture, significant differences were recorded between nematode assemblages from uncontaminated sediment control microcosm and those from cadmium-diesel mixture amended sediment treatments. Total nematode abundance (I), mean individual weight (bi), Shannon-Weaver index H', species richness (d), evenness (J') and number of species (S) decreased significantly in microcosms contaminated with both cadmium and diesel. Results from multivariate analyses of the species abundance data demonstrated that responses of nematode species to the cadmium-diesel treatments were varied: Marylynnia stekhoveni, Calomicrolaimus honestus and Oncholaimellus mediterraneus were significantly affected at the cadmium-diesel contamination but they were not eliminated. These species could be categorized as "cadmium-diesel sensitive". Enoploides sp. and Oncholaimus campylocercoides, characterized by increased abundances in cadmium-diesel amended sediment, seemed to be "cadmium-diesel resistant" species. All these species, "cadmium-diesel sensitive" or "cadmium-diesel resistant", were not affected by either cadmium or diesel alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Beyrem
- Environmental Biomonitoring Laboratory, Science University of Bizerta, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisia
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Hedfi A, Mahmoudi E, Boufahja F, Beyrem H, Aïssa P. Effects of increasing levels of nickel contamination on structure of offshore nematode communities in experimental microcosms. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2007; 79:345-9. [PMID: 17712504 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-007-9261-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2007] [Accepted: 07/19/2007] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
A microcosm experiment was used to examine the effects of nickel on offshore nematode communities of a Tunisian coastal zone (Southwestern Mediterranean Sea). Sediments were contaminated with three nickel concentrations [low (250 ppm), medium (550 ppm) and high (900 ppm)], and effects were examined after 30 days. Results showed significant differences between nematode assemblages from undisturbed controls and those from nickel treatments. Most univariates measures, including diversity and species richness, decreased significantly with increasing level of Ni contamination. Results from multivariate analyses of the species abundance data demonstrated that responses of nematode species to the nickel treatments were varied: Leptonemella aphanothecae was eliminated at all the nickel doses tested and seemed to be intolerant species to nickel contamination; Daptonema normandicum, Neochromadora trichophora and Odontophora armata which significantly increased at 550 ppm nickel concentration appeared to be "opportunistic" species at this dose whereas Oncholaimus campylocercoides and Bathylaimus capacosus which increased at all doses tested (250, 550 and 900 ppm) seemed to be "nickel-resistant" species.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Hedfi
- Unité d'Ecologie Côtière Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Laboratoire de Biosurveillance de l'Environnement, 7021 Zarzouna, Bizerte, Tunisia.
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