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Jiménez L, Freixa A, Besolí N, Sabater S. Resistance but not recovery is related to the role of specialist taxa in river communities submitted to hydric stress. Sci Total Environ 2023; 871:161952. [PMID: 36740050 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
One of the main effects of global change is the human interference in the global water cycle, which alters river hydrological dynamics and submits their biological communities to hydric stress. Hydric stress is a pulse disturbance with potential multiple effects on biodiversity and functions in river ecosystems. The presence of habitat specialists may support the response of biological communities to pulse disturbances, maintaining ecological functions more consistently than other communities only having generalists. We tested this general hypothesis in stream communities submitted to increasing hydric stress (normal conditions vs humidity vs desiccation). We used communities with variable proportion of specialist algal and cyanobacterial taxa and tested their resistance to hydric stress by analyzing potential changes on their number of species, biovolume, proportion of intact cells, and photosynthetic variables (basal fluorescence, photosynthetic yield). We also evaluated the recovery of ecological functions (net community primary production, community respiration, phosphorus uptake) once hydric stress conditions ended. Hydric stress caused a slight decrease in the number of species and biovolume of assemblages, but the proportion of intact cells did not significantly change because of the disturbance. Basal fluorescence and photosynthetic yield under hydric stress decreased more markedly in communities without specialist taxa, while communities with habitat specialists resisted better. Metabolism did not remarkably decrease under moderate hydric stress, but dropped by half under desiccation in all communities, having or not specialist taxa. Overall, specialist taxa did provide higher resistance to stress but did not support a distinct recovery of ecological functions. We suggest that this characteristic response is related to the high plasticity of biofilm structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Jiménez
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Girona, Spain
| | - Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Neus Besolí
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
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2
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Sabater S, Freixa A, Jiménez L, López-Doval J, Pace G, Pascoal C, Perujo N, Craven D, González-Trujillo JD. Extreme weather events threaten biodiversity and functions of river ecosystems: evidence from a meta-analysis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:450-461. [PMID: 36307907 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Both gradual and extreme weather changes trigger complex ecological responses in river ecosystems. It is still unclear to what extent trend or event effects alter biodiversity and functioning in river ecosystems, adding considerable uncertainty to predictions of their future dynamics. Using a comprehensive database of 71 published studies, we show that event - but not trend - effects associated with extreme changes in water flow and temperature substantially reduce species richness. Furthermore, event effects - particularly those affecting hydrological dynamics - on biodiversity and primary productivity were twice as high as impacts due to gradual changes. The synthesis of the available evidence reveals that event effects induce regime shifts in river ecosystems, particularly affecting organisms such as invertebrates. Among extreme weather events, dryness associated with flow interruption caused the largest effects on biota and ecosystem functions in rivers. Effects on ecosystem functions (primary production, organic matter decomposition and respiration) were asymmetric, with only primary production exhibiting a negative response to extreme weather events. Our meta-analysis highlights the disproportionate impact of event effects on river biodiversity and ecosystem functions, with implications for the long-term conservation and management of river ecosystems. However, few studies were available from tropical areas, and our conclusions therefore remain largely limited to temperate river systems. Further efforts need to be directed to assemble evidence of extreme events on river biodiversity and functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain
- GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, 17071, Girona, Spain
| | - Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain
- GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, 17071, Girona, Spain
| | - Laura Jiménez
- Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain
- University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, Spain
| | - Julio López-Doval
- Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain
- University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, Spain
| | - Giorgio Pace
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Pascoal
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Núria Perujo
- Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain
- University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, Spain
| | - Dylan Craven
- Centro de Modelación y Monitoreo de Ecosistemas, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
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Freixa A, Ortiz-Rivero J, Sabater S. Artificial substrata to assess ecological and ecotoxicological responses in river biofilms: Use and recommendations. MethodsX 2023; 10:102089. [PMID: 36915862 PMCID: PMC10006700 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
River biofilms are biological consortia of autotrophs and heterotrophs colonizing most solid surfaces in rivers. Biofilm composition and biomass differ according to the environmental conditions, having different characteristics between systems and even between river habitats. Artificial substrata (AS) are an alternative for in situ or laboratory experiments to handle the natural variability of biofilms. However, specific research goals may require decisions on colonization time or type of substrata. Substrata properties (i.e., texture, roughness, hydrophobicity) and the colonization period and site are selective factors of biofilm characteristics. Here we describe the uses of artificial substrata in the assessment of ecological and ecotoxicological responses and propose a decision tree for the best use of artificial substrata in river biofilm studies. We propose departing from the purpose of the study to define the necessity of obtaining a realistic biofilm community, from which it may be defined the colonization time, the colonization site, and the type of artificial substratum. Having a simple or mature biofilm community should guide our decisions on the colonization time and type of substrata to be selected for the best use of AS in biofilm studies. Tests involving contaminants should avoid adsorbing materials while those ecologically oriented may use any AS mimicking those substrata occurring in the streambed.•We review the utilization of different artificial substrata to colonize biofilm in river ecology and ecotoxicology.•We propose a decision tree to guide on selecting the appropriate artificial substrata and colonization site and duration.•Type of artificial substrata (material, size, shape...) and colonization duration are to be decided according to the specific purpose of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain.,University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, Spain
| | - Javier Ortiz-Rivero
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain.,University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain.,Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain
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4
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Gavara J, Rios Navarro C, Lopez-Lereu MP, Monmeneu JV, De Dios E, Perez-Sole N, Marcos-Garces V, Canoves J, Nunez J, Chorro FJ, Rodriguez-Palomares JF, Freixa A, Borras R, Ortiz-Perez JT, Bodi V. Impact of persistent MVO late after STEMI on adverse left ventricular remodelling: a CMR study. Eur Heart J 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac544.150] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Despite successful revascularization at the epicardial level, microvascular obstruction (MVO) appears soon after reperfusion in up to 50% of cases. Early MVO has been solidly associated with adverse resulting cardiac structure and heightened risk of future cardiovascular events. Although clinical and experimental studies demostrated the spontaneous repair of MVO, little is known about the occurrence and implications of persistent MVO late after infarction.
Purpose
We used cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to characterize the impact of persistent MVO late after reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on adverse left ventricular (LV) remodelling (ALVR).
Methods
A prospective registry of 471 STEMI patients underwent CMR 7 [5–10] and 198 [167–231] days post infarction, and MVO (>1 segment) and ALVR (relative increase >15% at follow-up CMR) of LV end-diastolic (LVEDVI) and end-systolic volume indices (LVESVI) were determined.
Results
One-week MVO occurred in 209 patients (44%) and persisted in 30 of these (6%). Most patients with persistent MVO (22/30, 73%) displayed extensive (>2.5% of LV mass) MVO at 1 week. Compared with patients without MVO (n=262, 56%) or with MVO only at 1 week (n=179, 38%), those with persistent MVO at follow-up (n=30, 6%) showed higher rates of ALVR-LVEDVI (22%, 27%, 50% p=0.003) and ALVR-LVESVI (20%, 21%, 53% p<0.001). After adjustment, the extent (% of LV mass) of MVO at follow-up was independently associated with ΔLVEDVI (relative increase, %) (p=0.01) and ΔLVESVI (p=0.03). Compared to a 1:1 matched population of 30 patients with MVO only at 1 week, patients with persistent MVO more frequently displayed ALVR-LVEDVI (12% vs. 50%, p=0.003) and ALVR-LVESVI (12% vs. 53%, p=0.001).
Conclusion
MVO persists in a small percentage of patients in chronic phase after STEMI and exerts deleterious effects in terms of LV remodelling. These findings fuel the need for further research on microvascular injury repair.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” and “Fondos Europeos de Desarrollo Regional FEDER” [grant numbers PI20/00637, PI15/00531, FI18/00320, and CIBERCV16/11/00486] and by Conselleria de Educaciόn – Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2021/008).
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Affiliation(s)
- J Gavara
- Polytechnic University of Valencia , Valencia , Spain
| | - C Rios Navarro
- Research Foundation Hospital of Valencia (INCLIVA) , Valencia , Spain
| | | | | | - E De Dios
- University of Valencia , Valencia , Spain
| | - N Perez-Sole
- Research Foundation Hospital of Valencia (INCLIVA) , Valencia , Spain
| | - V Marcos-Garces
- Research Foundation Hospital of Valencia (INCLIVA) , Valencia , Spain
| | - J Canoves
- Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia , Valencia , Spain
| | - J Nunez
- Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia , Valencia , Spain
| | - F J Chorro
- Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia , Valencia , Spain
| | | | - A Freixa
- Barcelona Hospital Clinic , Barcelona , Spain
| | - R Borras
- Barcelona Hospital Clinic , Barcelona , Spain
| | | | - V Bodi
- Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia , Valencia , Spain
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5
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Sabater S, Freixa A, Arias A, López-Doval J. Green and brown stream trophic food chains show specific responses to constant or hump-shaped inputs of copper. Sci Total Environ 2022; 807:150740. [PMID: 34619213 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The brown food chain (based on decomposers) co-exists in streams with the green food chain (based on primary producers). The two trophic chains perform specific ecosystem functions which may be altered by the effect of contaminants. Copper is a common contaminant with recognized effects on several compartments of the two trophic chains. We applied it in two separate mesocosm experiments, in which we tested the effects of copper after contrasting patterns of contaminant exposure (constant vs hump-shaped). The constant input simulated a chronic contamination (average of 20 μg/L Cu), while the hump-shaped simulated the steady arrival of copper, the occurrence of a peak (reaching ca. 60 μg/L Cu), and its progressive decrease (down to 10-15 μg/L Cu). In the green trophic food chain, copper exposure decreased the total chlorophyll-a as well as the basal fluorescence and the photosynthetic yield. The treatment receiving hump-shaped inputs caused the highest mortality of the green food chain consumer, the snail Radix balthica. In the chronic copper exposure, mortality achieved a maximum of 80% by the end of the experiment but occurred later than that in the hump-shaped treatment. Effects on the brown food chain were not so pronounced; the microbial decomposition rate of leaflitter decreased nearly ca. 50% after 14 days of copper exposure. Effects on decomposition translated into the ingestion performance of detritivores, which decreased in the two copper treatments. Our results provide evidence that copper affected the two trophic food chains. The hump-shaped arrival included a peak of high concentration, which caused lethal effects on the consumers, but also a decreasing limb, which allowed a partial recovery of the algal photosynthetic variables. Our results suggest the need to consider the different compartments and functions performed within the stream trophic web when evaluating the effects of a contaminant in a river ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Catalonia, Spain; GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Catalonia, Spain; GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Ander Arias
- NEIKER, Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, Parcela 812, Berreaga 1, 48160 Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Julio López-Doval
- Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Catalonia, Spain; University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004 Girona, Catalonia, Spain
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6
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Freixa A, Perujo N, Langenheder S, Romaní AM. River biofilms adapted to anthropogenic disturbances are more resistant to WWTP inputs. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2021; 96:5884858. [PMID: 32766791 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiaa152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The sensitivity and spatial recovery of river sediment biofilms along 1 km after the input of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in two river reaches with different degrees of anthropogenic influence were investigated. First, at the upper reach, we observed an inhibition of some microbial functions (microbial respiration and extracellular enzyme activities) and strong shifts in bacterial community composition (16S rRNA gene), whereas an increase in microbial biomass and activity and less pronounced effect on microbial diversity and community composition were seen at the lower reach. Second, at the lower reach we observed a quick spatial recovery (around 200 m downstream of the effluent) as most of the functions and community composition were similar to those from reference sites. On the other hand, bacterial community composition and water quality at the upper reach was still altered 1 km from the WWTP effluent. Our results indicate that biofilms in the upstream sites were more sensitive to the effect of WWTPs due to a lower degree of tolerance after a disturbance than communities located in more anthropogenically impacted sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain.,GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Núria Perujo
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain.,GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Silke Langenheder
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Limnology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna M Romaní
- GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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7
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Sanchís J, Freixa A, López-Doval JC, Santos LHMLM, Sabater S, Barceló D, Abad E, Farré M. Bioconcentration and bioaccumulation of C 60 fullerene and C 60 epoxide in biofilms and freshwater snails (Radix sp.). Environ Res 2020; 180:108715. [PMID: 31648070 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fullerenes are carbon nanomaterials that have awaken a strong interest due to their adsorption properties and potential applications in many fields. However, there are some gaps of information about their effects and bioconcentration potential in the aquatic biota. In the present work, freshwater biofilms and snails (Radix sp.) were exposed to fullerene C60 aggregates, at concentrations in the low μg/L order, in mesocosms specifically designed to mimic the conditions of a natural stream. The bioconcentration factors of C60 fullerene and its main transformation product, [6,6]C60O epoxide, were studied to the mentioned organisms employing analyses by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. Our results show that C60 fullerene and its [6,6]C60O present a low bioconcentration factor (BCF) to biofilms: BCFC60 = 1.34 ± 0.95 L/kgdw and BCFC60O = 1.43 ± 0.72 L/kgdw. This suggests that the sorption of these aggregates to biota may be less favoured than it would be suggested by its hydrophobic character. According to our model, the surface of fullerene aggregates is saturated with [6,6]C60O molecules, which exposes the polar epoxide moieties in the surface of the aggregates and decreases their affinity to biofilms. In contrast, freshwater snails showed a moderate capacity to actively retain C60 fullerenes in their organism (BAFC60 = 2670 ± 3070 L/kgdw; BAFC60O = 1330 ± 1680 L/kgdw), probably through ingestion. Our results indicate that the bioaccumulation of these carbon nanomaterials can be hardly estimated using their respective octanol-water partition coefficients, and that their colloidal properties, as well as the feeding strategies of the tested organism, play fundamental roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Sanchís
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA- CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, H2O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, E17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain; University of Girona, 17071, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Julio C López-Doval
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, H2O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, E17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain; University of Girona, 17071, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Lúcia H M L M Santos
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, H2O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, E17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain; University of Girona, 17071, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, H2O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, E17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain; University of Girona, 17071, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Damià Barceló
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA- CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, H2O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, E17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Esteban Abad
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA- CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Marinella Farré
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA- CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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8
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Pastor A, Freixa A, Skovsholt LJ, Wu N, Romaní AM, Riis T. Microbial Organic Matter Utilization in High-Arctic Streams: Key Enzymatic Controls. Microb Ecol 2019; 78:539-554. [PMID: 30739147 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-019-01330-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In the Arctic, climate changes contribute to enhanced mobilization of organic matter in streams. Microbial extracellular enzymes are important mediators of stream organic matter processing, but limited information is available on enzyme processes in this remote area. Here, we studied the variability of microbial extracellular enzyme activity in high-Arctic fluvial biofilms. We evaluated 12 stream reaches in Northeast Greenland draining areas exhibiting different geomorphological features with contrasting contents of soil organic matter to cover a wide range of environmental conditions. We determined stream nitrogen, phosphorus, and dissolved organic carbon concentrations, quantified algal biomass and bacterial density, and characterized the extracellular enzyme activities involved in catalyzing the cleavage of a range of organic matter compounds (e.g., β-glucosidase, phosphatase, β-xylosidase, cellobiohydrolase, and phenol oxidase). We found significant differences in microbial organic matter utilization among the study streams draining contrasting geomorphological features, indicating a strong coupling between terrestrial and stream ecosystems. Phosphatase and phenol oxidase activities were higher in solifluction areas than in alluvial areas. Besides dissolved organic carbon, nitrogen availability was the main driver controlling enzyme activities in the high-Arctic, which suggests enhanced organic matter mineralization at increased nutrient availability. Overall, our study provides novel information on the controls of organic matter usage by high-Arctic stream biofilms, which is of high relevance due to the predicted increase of nutrient availability in high-Arctic streams in global climate change scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada Pastor
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain
| | - Louis J Skovsholt
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Naicheng Wu
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Aarhus, Denmark
- Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Anna M Romaní
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Tenna Riis
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Aarhus, Denmark
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9
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López-Doval JC, Freixa A, Santos LHMLM, Sanchís J, Rodríguez-Mozaz S, Farré M, Barceló D, Sabater S. Exposure to single and binary mixtures of fullerenes and triclosan: Reproductive and behavioral effects in the freshwater snail Radix balthica. Environ Res 2019; 176:108565. [PMID: 31280028 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Emerging pollutants occur in complex mixtures in rivers and have the potential to interact with freshwater organisms. The chronic effects of nominal exposure to 3 μg/L of fullerenes (C60) and 1 μg/L of triclosan (TCS) alone and in a binary mixture, were evaluated using the freshwater snail Radix balthica. Pollutants accumulation, reproductive output and feeding behavior were selected as sublethal endpoints. After 21 days of exposure, we did not observe interactive effects between TCS and C60 on the studied endpoints, except for the accumulation of C60 in R. balthica in TCS + C60 treatment, which was lower than when the fullerenes were alone. Neither TCS nor C60 caused significant effects on reproduction, expressed as number of eggs per individual, but an increase in the clutch size was observed in treatments with TCS at the third week of exposure, independently of the presence of C60 (16.15 ± 1.67 and 18.9 ± 4.01 eggs/egg mass in TCS and TCS + C60 treatments, respectively, vs. 13.17 ± 4.01 in control). The presence of C60 significantly enhanced the grazing activity of R. balthica during the first seven days (4.95 ± 1.35 and 3.91 ± 0.59% of the area grazed per individual in C60 and TCS + C60 treatments, respectively, vs 2.6 ± 0.39% in control). The accumulation of TCS was quite similar in treatments where this pollutant was present (BAF ≈ 1007 L/kg d.w.); however, the accumulation of C60 was higher when the nanoparticles were alone (BAF = 254.88 L/kg d.w.) than when it was in the binary mixture (BAF = 7.79 L/kg d.w). Overall, although TCS has been listed as an endocrine disrupter compound, no significant effects on reproduction were observed in the assayed conditions. Regarding C60, the limited effects on feeding activity and the low BAF obtained in this experiment indicate that fullerenes do not have ecological consequences of relevance at the studied environmental concentrations in freshwater snails.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C López-Doval
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, H2O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, E17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain; University of Girona, 17071, Girona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - A Freixa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, H2O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, E17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain; University of Girona, 17071, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - L H M L M Santos
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, H2O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, E17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain; University of Girona, 17071, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - J Sanchís
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, H2O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, E17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain; University of Girona, 17071, Girona, Catalonia, Spain; Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA- CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - S Rodríguez-Mozaz
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, H2O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, E17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain; University of Girona, 17071, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - M Farré
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA- CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - D Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, H2O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, E17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain; Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA- CSIC), C/Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - S Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, H2O Building, C/Emili Grahit, 101, E17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montivili, 17071, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
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10
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Santos LHMLM, Freixa A, Insa S, Acuña V, Sanchís J, Farré M, Sabater S, Barceló D, Rodríguez-Mozaz S. Impact of fullerenes in the bioaccumulation and biotransformation of venlafaxine, diuron and triclosan in river biofilms. Environ Res 2019; 169:377-386. [PMID: 30529139 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A huge variety of organic microcontaminants are presently detected in freshwater ecosystems, but there is still a lack of knowledge about their interactions, either with living organisms or with other contaminants. Actually, carbon nanomaterials like fullerenes (C60) can act as carriers of organic microcontaminants, but their relevance in processes like bioaccumulation and biotransformation of organic microcontaminants by organisms is unknown. In this study, mesocosm experiments were used to assess the bioaccumulation and biotransformation of three organic microcontaminants (venlafaxine, diuron and triclosan) in river biofilms, and to understand how much the concomitant presence of C60 at environmental relevant concentrations could impact these processes. Results indicated that venlafaxine exhibited the highest bioaccumulation (13% of the initial concentration of venlafaxine in water), while biotransformation was more evident for triclosan (5% of the initial concentration of triclosan in water). Furthermore, biotransformation products such as methyl-triclosan were also present in the biofilm, with levels up to 42% of the concentration of accumulated triclosan. The presence of C60 did not involve relevant changes in the bioaccumulation and biotransformation of microcontaminants in biofilms, which showed similar patterns. Nevertheless, the study shows that a detailed evaluation of the partition of the organic microcontaminants and their transformation products in freshwater systems are important to better understand the impact of the co-existence of others microcontaminants, like carbon nanomaterials, in their possible routes of bioaccumulation and biotransformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lúcia H M L M Santos
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain.
| | - Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Sara Insa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Vicenç Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Josep Sanchís
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA, CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marinella Farré
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA, CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montivili, 17071 Girona, Spain
| | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA, CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Rodríguez-Mozaz
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
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11
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Freixa A, Acuña V, Gutierrez M, Sanchís J, Santos LHMLM, Rodriguez-Mozaz S, Farré M, Barceló D, Sabater S. Fullerenes Influence the Toxicity of Organic Micro-Contaminants to River Biofilms. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1426. [PMID: 30018603 PMCID: PMC6037823 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic micro-contaminants (OMCs) enter in freshwaters and interact with other contaminants such as carbon nanoparticles, becoming a problem of unknown consequences for river ecosystems. Carbon nanoparticles (as fullerenes C60) are good adsorbents of organic contaminants and their interaction can potentially affect their toxicity to river biofilms. We tested the C60 interactions with selected OMCs and their effects on river biofilms in different short-term experiments. In these, river biofilms were exposed to C60 and three OMCs (triclosan, diuron, or venlafaxine) and their respective mixtures with fullerenes (C60 + each OMC). The effects were evaluated on structural, molecular, and functional descriptors of river biofilms. Our results showed that C60 did not cause toxic effects in river biofilms, whereas diuron and triclosan significantly affected the heterotrophic and phototrophic components of biofilms and venlafaxine affected only the phototrophic component. The joint exposure of C60 with venlafaxine was not producing differences with respect to the former response of the toxicant, but the overall response was antagonistic (i.e., decreased toxicity) with diuron, and synergistic (i.e., increased toxicity) with triclosan. We suggest that differences in the toxic responses could be related to the respective molecular structure of each OMC, to the concentration proportion between OMC and C60, and to the possible competition between C60 pollutants on blocking the receptors of the biological cell membranes. We conclude that the presence of C60 at low concentrations modified the toxicity of OMC to river biofilms. These interactions should therefore be considered when predicting toxicity of OMC in river ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research, Girona, Spain
| | - Vicenç Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research, Girona, Spain
| | | | - Josep Sanchís
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Spanish National Research Council, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Marinella Farré
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Spanish National Research Council, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research, Girona, Spain.,Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Spanish National Research Council, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research, Girona, Spain.,Research Group on Ecology of Inland Waters, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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12
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Freixa A, Acuña V, Sanchís J, Farré M, Barceló D, Sabater S. Ecotoxicological effects of carbon based nanomaterials in aquatic organisms. Sci Total Environ 2018; 619-620:328-337. [PMID: 29154051 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
An increasing amount of carbon-based nanomaterials (CNM) (mostly fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and graphene) has been observed in aquatic systems over the last years. However, the potential toxicity of these CNM on aquatic ecosystems remains unclear. This paper reviews the existing literature on the toxic effects of CNM in aquatic organisms as well as the toxic effects of CNM through influencing the toxicity of other micro-pollutants, and outlines a series of research needs to reduce the uncertainty associated with CNMs toxic effects. The results show that environmental concentrations of CNM do not pose a threat on aquatic organisms on their own. The observed concentrations of CNM in aquatic environments are in the order of ngL-1 or even lower, much below than the lowest observed effect concentrations (LOEC) on different aquatic organisms (in the order of mgL-1). Toxic effects have been mainly observed in short-term experiments at high concentrations, and toxicity principally depends on the type of organisms, exposition time and CNM preparation methods. Moreover, we observed that CNM interact (establishing synergistic and/or antagonistic effects) with other micro-pollutants. Apparently, the resulting interaction is highly dependent on the chemical properties of each micro-pollutant, CNM acting either as carriers or as sorbents, thereby modifying the original toxicity of the contaminants. Results stress the need of studying the interactive effects of CNM with other micro-pollutants at environmental relevant concentrations, as well as their effects on biological communities in the long-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), C/ Emili Grahit 101, 17003.Girona, Spain.
| | - Vicenç Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), C/ Emili Grahit 101, 17003.Girona, Spain
| | - Josep Sanchís
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/ Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marinella Farré
- Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/ Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), C/ Emili Grahit 101, 17003.Girona, Spain; Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/ Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), C/ Emili Grahit 101, 17003.Girona, Spain; GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Campus Montilivi, 17130. University of Girona, Spain
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13
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Rubol S, Freixa A, Sanchez-Vila X, Romaní AM. Linking biofilm spatial structure to real-time microscopic oxygen decay imaging. Biofouling 2018; 34:200-211. [PMID: 29405091 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2017.1423474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Two non-destructive techniques, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and planar optode (VisiSens imaging), were combined to relate the fine-scale spatial structure of biofilm components to real-time images of oxygen decay in aquatic biofilms. Both techniques were applied to biofilms grown for seven days at contrasting light and temperature (10/20°C) conditions. The geo-statistical analyses of CLSM images indicated that biofilm structures consisted of small (~100 μm) and middle sized (~101 μm) irregular aggregates. Cyanobacteria and EPS (extracellular polymeric substances) showed larger aggregate sizes in dark grown biofilms while, for algae, aggregates were larger in light-20°C conditions. Light-20°C biofilms were most dense while 10°C biofilms showed a sparser structure and lower respiration rates. There was a positive relationship between the number of pixels occupied and the oxygen decay rate. The combination of optodes and CLMS, taking advantage of geo-statistics, is a promising way to relate biofilm architecture and metabolism at the micrometric scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Rubol
- a Department of Energy Resources Engineering , Stanford University , Stanford , CA , USA
| | - A Freixa
- b Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA) , Girona , Spain
| | - X Sanchez-Vila
- c Hydrogeology Group, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, UPC , Barcelona , Spain
| | - A M Romaní
- d Institute of Aquatic Ecology , University of Girona , Girona , Spain
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14
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Amalfitano S, Fazi S, Ejarque E, Freixa A, Romaní AM, Butturini A. Deconvolution model to resolve cytometric microbial community patterns in flowing waters. Cytometry A 2017; 93:194-200. [PMID: 29265528 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.23304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Flow cytometry is suitable to discriminate and quantify aquatic microbial cells within a spectrum of fluorescence and light scatter signals. Using fixed gating and operational settings, we developed a finite distribution mixture model, followed by the Voronoi tessellation, to resolve bivariate cytometric profiles into cohesive subgroups of events. This procedure was applied to outline recurrent patterns and quantitative changes of the aquatic microbial community along a river hydrologic continuum. We found five major subgroups within each of the commonly retrieved populations of cells with Low and High content of Nucleic Acids (namely, LNA, and HNA cells). Moreover, the advanced analysis allowed assessing changes of community patterns perturbed by a wastewater feed. Our approach for cytometric data deconvolution confirmed that flow cytometry could represent a prime candidate technology for assessing microbial community patterns in flowing waters. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Amalfitano
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy (IRSA-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Fazi
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy (IRSA-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain
| | - Anna M Romaní
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Andrea Butturini
- Departament de Biología Evolutiva, Ecología i Ciencias Ambientales, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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15
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Ejarque E, Freixa A, Vazquez E, Guarch A, Amalfitano S, Fazi S, Romaní AM, Butturini A. Quality and reactivity of dissolved organic matter in a Mediterranean river across hydrological and spatial gradients. Sci Total Environ 2017; 599-600:1802-1812. [PMID: 28545207 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding DOM transport and reactivity in rivers is essential to having a complete picture of the global carbon cycle. In this study, we explore the effects of hydrological variability and downstream transport on dissolved organic matter (DOM) dynamics in a Mediterranean river. We sampled the main stem of the river Tordera from the source to the sea, over a range of fifteen hydrological conditions including extreme events (flood and drought). By exploring spatial and temporal gradients of DOM fluorescence properties, river hydrology was found to be a significant predictor of DOM spatial heterogeneity. An additional space-resolved mass balance analysis performed on four contrasting hydrological conditions revealed that this was due to a shift in the biogeochemical function of the river. Flood conditions caused a conservative transport of DOM, generating a homogeneous, humic-like spatial profile of DOM quality. Lower flows induced a non-conservative, reactive transport of DOM, which enhanced the spatial heterogeneity of DOM properties. Moreover, the downstream evolution of DOM chemostatic behaviour revealed that the role of hydrology in regulating DOM properties increased gradually downstream, indicating an organised inter-dependency between the spatial and the temporal dimensions. Overall, our findings reveal that riverine DOM dynamics is in constant change owing to varying hydrological conditions, and emphasize that in order to fully understand the role of rivers in the global carbon cycle, it is necessary to take into account the full range of hydrological variability, from floods to droughts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabet Ejarque
- WasserCluster Lunz - Biologische Station, Lunz am See, Austria; Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain
| | - Eusebi Vazquez
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba Guarch
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stefano Amalfitano
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy (IRSA-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Fazi
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy (IRSA-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Anna M Romaní
- GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Andrea Butturini
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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16
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Freixa A, Acuña V, Casellas M, Pecheva S, Romaní AM. Warmer night-time temperature promotes microbial heterotrophic activity and modifies stream sediment community. Glob Chang Biol 2017; 23:3825-3837. [PMID: 28208235 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Diel temperature patterns are changing because of global warming, with higher temperatures being predicted to be more pronounced at night. Biological reactions are temperature dependent, with some occurring only during the daylight hours (e.g., light photosynthesis) and other during the entire day (e.g., respiration). Consequently, we expect the modification of daily temperature cycles to alter microbial biological reactions in stream sediments. Here, we aimed to study the effect of warming and changes of the diel temperature patterns on stream sediment biofilm functions tied to organic carbon decomposition, as well as on biofilm meiofaunal community structure. We performed an eight-week experiment with 12 artificial streams subjected to three different diel temperature patterns: warming, warmer nights and control. Significant effects of warming on biofilm function and structure were mainly detected in the long term. Our results showed that warming altered biofilm function, especially in the warmer nights' treatment, which enhanced β-glucosidase enzyme activity. Interestingly, clear opposite diel patterns were observed for dissolved organic carbon and β-glucosidase activity, suggesting that, at night, sediment bacteria quickly consume the input of photosynthetic dissolved organic carbon labile compounds created during light-time. The biofilm structure was also altered by warming, as both warming and warmer night treatments enhanced copepod abundance and diminished abundances of turbellaria and nematodes, which, in turn, controlled bacterial, algal and ciliate communities. Overall, we conclude that warming has strong effect on sediment biofilm structure and enhanced microbial organic matter degradation which might, consequently, affect higher trophic levels and river carbon cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Freixa
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain
| | - Vicenç Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain
| | - Maria Casellas
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain
| | | | - Anna M Romaní
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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17
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Butturini A, Guarch A, Romaní AM, Freixa A, Amalfitano S, Fazi S, Ejarque E. Hydrological conditions control in situ DOM retention and release along a Mediterranean river. Water Res 2016; 99:33-45. [PMID: 27132197 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Uncertainties exist regarding the magnitude of in situ dissolved organic matter (DOM) processing in lotic systems. In addition, little is known about the effects of extreme hydrological events on in-stream DOM retention or release during downriver transport. This study quantified the net in-stream retention/release efficiencies (η) of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and its humic and protein-like fluorescent fractions along a Mediterranean river during drought, baseflow and flood conditions. High performance size exclusion chromatography was used to describe the apparent size distributions of the humic and protein-like DOM moieties. A snapshot mass balance allowed estimating the η values of DOC and humic and protein-like fractions. Significant DOM net retention (η < 0) was detected during the drought condition and the protein-like fraction was more retained than the humic-like fraction and bulk DOC. In addition, small substances were more efficiently retained than larger substances. DOC retention decreased under baseflow conditions, but it remained significant. The humic and protein-like net efficiencies exhibited high variability, but the net retention were not significant. From a longitudinal perspective, the entire fluvial corridor contributed net retention of DOC and humic and protein-like moieties net retention during drought condition. In contrast, net retention/release efficiencies exhibited spatial variability during baseflow condition. The flood preferentially mobilized large size DOM molecules and the fluvial corridor behaved as a homogeneous passive DOM (η = 0) conduit. This research highlights the relevance of hydrological extreme events on the magnitude of DOM retention/release mass balance and emphasizes the need to perform measurements during these conditions to quantify the impact of fluvial corridors on DOM fate and transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Butturini
- Departament d'Ecologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - A Guarch
- Departament d'Ecologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A M Romaní
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - A Freixa
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - S Amalfitano
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy (IRSA-CNR), Monterotondo, Roma, Italy
| | - S Fazi
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy (IRSA-CNR), Monterotondo, Roma, Italy
| | - E Ejarque
- WasserCluster Lunz, Biologische Station GmbH, Lunz am See, Austria; Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, University of Vienna, Austria
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18
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Freixa A, Rubol S, Carles-Brangarí A, Fernàndez-Garcia D, Butturini A, Sanchez-Vila X, Romaní AM. The effects of sediment depth and oxygen concentration on the use of organic matter: An experimental study using an infiltration sediment tank. Sci Total Environ 2016; 540:20-31. [PMID: 25900223 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Water flowing through hyporheic river sediments or artificial recharge facilities promotes the development of microbial communities with sediment depth. We performed an 83-day mesocosm infiltration experiment, to study how microbial functions (e.g., extracellular enzyme activities and carbon substrate utilization) are affected by sediment depth (up to 50 cm) and different oxygen concentrations. Results indicated that surface sediment layers were mainly colonized by microorganisms capable of using a wide range of substrates (although they preferred to degrade carbon polymeric compounds, as indicated by the higher β-glucosidase activity). In contrast, at a depth of 50 cm, the microbial community became specialized in using fewer carbon substrates, showing decreased functional richness and diversity. At this depth, microorganisms picked nitrogenous compounds, including amino acids and carboxyl acids. After the 83-day experiment, the sediment at the bottom of the tank became anoxic, inhibiting phosphatase activity. Coexistence of aerobic and anaerobic communities, promoted by greater physicochemical heterogeneity, was also observed in deeper sediments. The presence of specific metabolic fingerprints under oxic and anoxic conditions indicated that the microbial community was adapted to use organic matter under different oxygen conditions. Overall the heterogeneity of oxygen concentrations with depth and in time would influence organic matter metabolism in the sediment tank.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Freixa
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
| | - S Rubol
- Civil Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - A Carles-Brangarí
- Hydrogeology Group, Dept. Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - D Fernàndez-Garcia
- Hydrogeology Group, Dept. Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Butturini
- Department of Ecology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - X Sanchez-Vila
- Hydrogeology Group, Dept. Geotechnical Engineering and Geosciences, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - A M Romaní
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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Romaní AM, Borrego CM, Díaz-Villanueva V, Freixa A, Gich F, Ylla I. Shifts in microbial community structure and function in light- and dark-grown biofilms driven by warming. Environ Microbiol 2014; 16:2550-67. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2013] [Accepted: 02/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna M. Romaní
- Group of Continental Aquatic Ecology; University of Girona; Girona Spain
| | - Carles M. Borrego
- Group of Molecular Microbial Ecology; Institute of Aquatic Ecology; University of Girona; Girona Spain
- Water Quality and Microbial Diversity; Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA); Girona Spain
| | | | - Anna Freixa
- Group of Continental Aquatic Ecology; University of Girona; Girona Spain
| | - Frederic Gich
- Group of Molecular Microbial Ecology; Institute of Aquatic Ecology; University of Girona; Girona Spain
| | - Irene Ylla
- Group of Continental Aquatic Ecology; University of Girona; Girona Spain
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Muñoz X, Cruz MJ, Freixa A, Guardino X, Morell F. Occupational asthma caused by metal arc welding of iron. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 78:455-9. [PMID: 19707012 DOI: 10.1159/000235817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2009] [Accepted: 07/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to welding fumes can be a cause of occupational asthma (OA), although the mechanisms implicated are unknown. We describe 3 patients (all men, mean age 42 years) with OA secondary to exposure to welding fumes generated during metal arc welding on iron. The exposure time ranged from 7 to 43 years and the time of the onset of symptoms following the start of exposure was 2-12 years. Patients were diagnosed by specific inhalation challenge (SIC). Environmental levels of Fe, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, NO2, NO, CO, and O3 produced during the SIC did not exceed threshold limit values. Samples of induced sputum were obtained before and after the SIC and showed an increase in neutrophils and concentrations of IL-8, TNF-α and TNF-β after the SIC. This study presents the first clinical findings reported in welders with OA, mainly working with iron. Neutrophilic inflammation seems to play a role in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Muñoz
- Pulmonology Department, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, ES-08035 Barcelona, Spain.
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Abstract
The presence of a high prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and asthma-like symptoms in swimmers has been recently reported. Chlorine, a strong oxidizing agent, is an important toxic gas that the swimmer can breath during swimming. Measurements of the chlorine concentration at the breathing level (< 10 cm) were obtained randomly during five nonconsecutive days in four different swimming pool enclosures. The mean level in all the swimming pools was 0.42 +/- 0.24 mg.m-3, far below the threshold limited value (TLV) of 1.45 mg.m-3 for the work places for a day of work (8 h). The TLV could be reached and even exceeded if we consider the total amount of chlorine that a swimmer inhales in a daily training session of 2 h (4-6 g) compared with a worker during 8 h at the TLV (4-7 g). Low correlation was observed with the number of swimmers in the swimming pool during the measurements (0.446) and other variables as the water surface area of the pool, volume of the enclosure, and the chlorine-addition system in the swimming pool. A low turnover rate in the air with an increase of chlorine levels through the day (P < 0.05) was observed in all pools. The concentration of chlorine in the microenvironment where the swimmer is breathing is below the TLV concentration limit, but nevertheless results in a high total volume of chlorine inhaled by the swimmers in a given practice session. The possible role of chlorine in producing respiratory symptoms in swimmers needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Drobnic
- Physiology Department, Centre D'Alt Rendiment, Instituto Nacional de Salud e Higiene en el Trabajo, Barcelona, SPAIN
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Campanyà M, Sanz P, Reig R, Nogué S, Obiols J, Freixa A, Corbella J. Fatal hydrogen sulfide poisoning. Med Lav 1989; 80:251-3. [PMID: 2796835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Two cases of fatal hydrogen sulfide poisoning are described which occurred during cleaning of a tank that had transported polysulfides. The most characteristic findings of the autopsy were: a blackish-green pigmentation at macroscopic examination; pulmonary edema, steatosis, intrahepatic cholestasis and renal tubular necrosis at microscopic examination. The blood concentration of sulfide ions exceeded 3.5 mg/l. These cases are compared to others described in the literature. The preventive measures that should be adopted to avoid this type of poisoning are stressed.
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