51 research outputs found

    Dynamic NanoSIMS ion imaging of unicellular freshwater algae exposed to copper

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    This work demonstrates the capabilities of nanoscale secondary-ion mass spectrometry, using the Cameca NanoSIMS50 ion microprobe, to detect and image the copper-ion distribution in microalgal cells exposed to nanomolar and micromolar copper concentrations. In parallel to 63Cu− secondary-ion maps, images of 12C−, 12C14N−, and 31P− secondary ions were collected and analysed. A correlation of 63Cu− secondary-ion maps with those found for 12C14N− and 31P− demonstrated the possible association of Cu with cell components rich in proteins and phosphorus. The results highlighted the potential of NanoSIMS for intracellular tracking of essential trace elements such as Cu in single cells of the microalga Chlorella kesslerii. Figure 12C14N-, 63Cu- secondary-ion distributions in algal cel

    Rare Earth Elements as Hydrological Tracers of Anthropogenic and Critical Zone Contributions: A Case Study at the Alzette River Basin Scale.

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    AbstractEnrichments in Gd and LREE/HREE fractionation have been observed for the dissolved and colloidal fractions in waters of the Alzette River during low flow conditions. They can be related to the effluents of the waste water treatment plants (Gd/Gd*: 8-380 and LaN/YbN: 0.02-0.07). Mean daily flux balance calculations at the basin scale show that during low flow conditions Gd only comes from the anthropogenic effluents. When flood events occur, the Gd anomaly progressively disappears and gives way to a chemical water signature, which is closer to that of natural REE sources in the basin (Gd/Gd*<1.4 and 0.11<LaN/YbN<1.5)

    Chemical contamination in fish species from rivers in the North of Luxembourg: Potential impact on the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra).

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    Contamination levels of PCBs, and of the heavy metals cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) were analyzed in four fish species from seven rivers in the North of Luxembourg. During August and September 2007, 85 samples of fish were collected belonging to four species: the stone loach (Barbatula barbatula, n = 12 pools), the chub (Squalius cephalus, n = 36), the barbel (Barbus barbus, n = 23) and eel (Anguilla anguilla, n = 14). The concentration of seven indicator PCBs (P7PCBs) reached a mean of 39 ng g 1 and varied between 4.0 and 346.2 ng g 1 (wet wt) depending on the site and species. Fish collected at Wal- lendorf on the Our River and sites on the Wiltz and the Clerve rivers showed the highest concentrations for PCBs. In comparison with 1994, PCB levels in fish decreased strongly during the last decade in these rivers. Lead was detected at low levels (0–181.4 ng g 1 wet wt). Mercury concentrations ranged between 10.3 and 534.5ngg 1 (wet wt) exceeding maximum tolerable levels for human consumption of 500 ng g 1 in two fish out of 85. Chubs and eels from the Sûre River were the most contaminated by mer- cury. Cadmium levels varied between 4.0 and 103.9 ng g 1 (wet wt). In addition to mercury in fish, cad- mium was the most problematic pollutant on the Our, the Wiltz, the Clerve and the Troine Rivers, because values found in 20% of fish exceeded the threshold of about 10–50 ng g 1 (wet wt) recommended for human health. The total PCB level predicted to accumulate in livers from otter potentially feeding on these fish based on a previously published mathematical model is 37.7 lg g 1 (lipid wt), which is between a proposed ‘‘safe level” and a ‘‘critical level” for otters. Rivers in the North of Luxembourg are thus to some extent polluted, and the establishment of otter populations could be affected by current levels of contamination.Peer reviewe

    Structural characterization of humic substances from an acidic peat using thermochemolysis techniques

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    The general aim of the present work is a study of the insoluble organic matter (humic acids, humin) present in an acidic wetland, and more particularly lipidic parts involved in their chemical structure. Humic acids and humin from an acidic peat bog located at Brennilis (Sphagnum, pH 4.7) in Brittany (France) were characterised by spectroscopic properties (FT-IR and solid state 13^{13}C NMR) of their functional groups. Analytical and preparative thermochemolysis (pyrolysis using tetraalkylammonium hydroxide) were also used to investigate humic substances. This technique yielded various ranges of hydrocarbons, fatty acid methyl esters and α\alpha,ω\omega-dicarboxylic acid methyl esters. In both cases, pyrolysates contained high amounts of polar macromolecular components and aromatic products, mainly derived from lignin moieties, as syringic and p-coumaric units. Our results indicate that structural similarities exist between humic acids and humin in the Brennilis sample, but important structural differences can be pointed out by thermochemolysis.Étude structurale de substances humiques d'une tourbe acide par thermochimiolyse. L'objectif gĂ©nĂ©ral de ce travail est l'Ă©tude des formes insolubles de matiĂšre organique (humine, acides humiques) prĂ©sentes dans une tourbe acide, et plus particuliĂšrement de leur composante lipidique. Les principaux groupes fonctionnels des acides humiques et de l'humine de la tourbe acide de Brennilis (Sphaignes, pH 4,7) en Bretagne (France) ont Ă©tĂ© caractĂ©risĂ©s par spectroscopie (FT-IR et RMN 13^{13}C du solide). Plusieurs techniques de thermochimiolyse (pyrolyse en prĂ©sence d'hydroxyde de tĂ©traalkyl ammonium) analytique et prĂ©parative ont Ă©galement Ă©tĂ© utilisĂ©es pour Ă©tudier les substances humiques. Ces techniques permettent d'isoler diffĂ©rentes sĂ©ries d'hydrocarbures, d'esters mĂ©thyliques d'acides gras et d'esters α\alpha, ω\omega-dimĂ©thyliques. Dans tous les cas, les pyrolysats contiennent une grande quantitĂ© de composĂ©s macro-molĂ©culaires et de produits aromatiques dĂ©rivĂ©s principalement de motifs ligneux, tels que les acides syringique et p-coumarique. Nos rĂ©sultats indiquent que des similitudes existent entre les acides humiques et l'humine de l'Ă©chantillon de Brennilis, mais que des diffĂ©rences structurales importantes apparaissent par thermochimiolyse

    Effect of soil drying on FT-IR spectroscopic analysis: a methodological study in Luxembourg

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    Optimum soil quality is a goal to be achieved in agriculture and forestry and in order to maintain a sustainable equilibrium of ecosystems. The evaluation of various parameters influencing the soil’s structure, fertility or even its chemical, physical or biological properties, like for instance soil organic matter, often relies on time-consuming and cost-intensive labwork. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, however, has highly contributed to rapidly and cost-effectively assess these different parameters. Especially the mid-infrared (MIR) range (4000-400cm-1) has proven to be an effective tool to predict soil properties. Additionally, MIR spectroscopy represents a qualitative analysis and renders spectral interpretation less complex by easily attributing peaks to organic or mineral compounds on the spectrum. Our research focuses on characterizing various soil compounds (water-extractable organic matter and lipids) through MIR spectral analysis. The present study specifically investigates the effect of various drying conditions on soils by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode. The OL and A horizons of five representative soils of Luxembourg were collected: a Stagnic cambisol (Humic, Dystric), a Haplic Acrisol (Arenic), a Stagnic Albeluvisol (Dystric, Siltic), a Cambic Leptosol (Calcaric) and a Haplic Cambisol (Eutric). Field-moist soil samples were directly sieved in a 2mm mesh and conditioned in accordance with the different drying procedures realized during this study, namely freeze-drying, oven-drying (25, 40, 80 and 105°C) and air-drying (20°C). The spectral analyses were performed after incorporation of KBr pellets on a Bruker Hyperion 2000 (Bruker Optik Gmbh, Ettlingen, Germany) Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR) in Attenuated Total Reflectance mode (ATR). For each pellet, three spectra were recorded at different locations, in order to evaluate the reproducibility of the method. Additional conventional soil analyses were realized: pH (H2O, KCl, CaCl2), exchange capacity (Cohex) and related exchangeable cations, particle size analysis and CHNS elemental analysis, including the distinction between total and organic carbon contents, by means of acidic pretreatment of samples (HCl 2N). The outcome of this study shall define an optimal drying procedure for soil organic matter analysis coupled with infrared spectrometry. Indeed, traces of water in soil samples are known to produce broad bands around 3500cm- 1, which may mask relevant peaks related to soil. The expected results would show a significant attenuation or even an absence of the water band, depending on the pretreatment applied. In addition, this work will also be focused on the impact of the drying procedure on the spectral bands attributable to soil organic matter, possibly due to SOM degradation. Furthermore, the results from the preferred method should be reproducible independently from the type of soil chosen

    From Tolerance to Acute Metabolic Deregulation: Contribution of Proteomics To Dig into the Molecular Response of Alder Species under a Polymetallic Exposure

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    Alnus spp. are actinorhizal trees commonly found in wet habitats and able to grow effectively in soil slightly contaminated with metal trace- elements. Two clones belonging to two Alnus species, namely, A. incana and A. glutinosa, were grown in hydroponics and exposed for 9 weeks to a Cd + Ni + Zn polymetallic constraint. Although responding by a similar decrease in total biomass production, the proteomic analysis associated with the study of various biochemical parameters including carbohydrate and mineral analyses revealed that the two clones have a distinct stressresponsive behavior. All parameters indicated that the roots, the organ in direct contact with the media, are more affected than the leaves. In fact, in A. glutinosa the response was almost completely confined to the roots, whereas many proteins change significantly in the roots and in the leaves of the treated A. incana. In both clones, the changes affected a broad range of metabolic processes such as redox regulation and energy metabolism and induced the production of pathogenesis-related proteins. In particular, changes in the accumulation of bacterial proteins that were not identified as coming from the known symbionts of Alnus were reported. Further investigation should be performed to identify their origin and exact role in the plant response to the polymetallic exposure tested here

    Effect of soil drying on FT-IR spectroscopic analysis: a methodological study in Luxembourg

    No full text
    Optimum soil quality is a goal to be achieved in agriculture and forestry and in order to maintain a sustainable equilibrium of ecosystems. The evaluation of various parameters influencing the soil’s structure, fertility or even its chemical, physical or biological properties, like for instance soil organic matter, often relies on time-consuming and cost-intensive labwork. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, however, has highly contributed to rapidly and cost-effectively assess these different parameters. Especially the mid-infrared (MIR) range (4000-400cm-1) has proven to be an effective tool to predict soil properties. Additionally, MIR spectroscopy represents a qualitative analysis and renders spectral interpretation less complex by easily attributing peaks to organic or mineral compounds on the spectrum. Our research focuses on characterizing various soil compounds (water-extractable organic matter and lipids) through MIR spectral analysis. The present study specifically investigates the effect of various drying conditions on soils by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode. The OL and A horizons of five representative soils of Luxembourg were collected: a Stagnic cambisol (Humic, Dystric), a Haplic Acrisol (Arenic), a Stagnic Albeluvisol (Dystric, Siltic), a Cambic Leptosol (Calcaric) and a Haplic Cambisol (Eutric). Field-moist soil samples were directly sieved in a 2mm mesh and conditioned in accordance with the different drying procedures realized during this study, namely freeze-drying, oven-drying (25, 40, 80 and 105°C) and air-drying (20°C). The spectral analyses were performed after incorporation of KBr pellets on a Bruker Hyperion 2000 (Bruker Optik Gmbh, Ettlingen, Germany) Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR) in Attenuated Total Reflectance mode (ATR). For each pellet, three spectra were recorded at different locations, in order to evaluate the reproducibility of the method. Additional conventional soil analyses were realized: pH (H2O, KCl, CaCl2), exchange capacity (Cohex) and related exchangeable cations, particle size analysis and CHNS elemental analysis, including the distinction between total and organic carbon contents, by means of acidic pretreatment of samples (HCl 2N). The outcome of this study shall define an optimal drying procedure for soil organic matter analysis coupled with infrared spectrometry. Indeed, traces of water in soil samples are known to produce broad bands around 3500cm- 1, which may mask relevant peaks related to soil. The expected results would show a significant attenuation or even an absence of the water band, depending on the pretreatment applied. In addition, this work will also be focused on the impact of the drying procedure on the spectral bands attributable to soil organic matter, possibly due to SOM degradation. Furthermore, the results from the preferred method should be reproducible independently from the type of soil chosen

    Does nitrate co-pollution affect biological responses of an aquatic plant to two common herbicides?

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    International audienceAquatic systems in agricultural landscapes are subjected to multiple stressors, among them pesticide and nitrate run-off, but effects of both together have rarely been studied. We investigated possible stress-specific and interaction effects using the new OECD test organism, Myriophyllum spicatum, a widespread aquatic plant. In a fully factorial design, we used two widely applied herbicides, isoproturon and mesosulfuron-methyl, in concentration-response curves at two nitrate levels (219.63 and 878.52 mg N-NO3). We applied different endpoints reflecting plant performance such as growth, pigment content, content in phenolic compounds, and plant stoichiometry. Relative growth rates based on length (RGR-L) were affected strongly by both herbicides, while effects on relative growth rate based on dry weight (RGR-DW) were apparent for isoproturon but hardly visible for mesosulfuron-methyl due to an increase in dry matter content. The higher nitrate level further reduced growth rates, specifically with mesosulfuron-methyl. Effects were visible between 50 and 500 mu g L-1 for isoproturon and 0.5-5 mu g L-1 for mesosulfuron-methyl, with some differences between endpoints. The two herbicides had opposite effects on chlorophyll, carotenoid and nitrogen contents in plants, with values increasing with increasing concentrations of isoproturon and decreasing for mesosulfuron-methyl. Herbicides and nitrate level exhibited distinct effects on the content in phenolic compounds, with higher nitrate levels reducing total phenolic compounds in controls and with isoproturon, but not with mesosulfuron-methyl. Increasing concentrations of mesosulfuron-methyl lead to a decline of total phenolic compounds, while isoproturon had little effect. Contents of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus changed depending on the stressor combination. We observed higher phosphorus levels in plants exposed to certain concentrations of herbicides, potentially indicating a metabolic response. The C:N molar ratio decreased strongly with isoproturon and increased with mesosulfuron-methyl. The C:P and N:P ratios did not vary for most herbicide concentrations, indicating homeostasis. Nitrate level had no effect on the C:N ratio, but the N:P ratio increased in high nitrate level treatments, indicating that the former is more strictly regulated by the plant than the latter. We conclude that the multi-stress impacts caused to aquatic primary producers by herbicides and nitrate enrichment, as often observed in agricultural run-off, not only affected growth and pigment content, but also structural traits (dry matter content) and other physiological traits (elemental stoichiometry, phenolic compounds). Changes in those might have indirect effects on biotic interactions and elemental cycles. We suggest considering some of these endpoints in future studies in environmental risk assessment for agricultural run-off
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