Impact des pseudo-fèces de moules sur les densités des bactéries hétérotrophes dans le secteur mytilicole de la lagune de Bizerte (Tunisie)

Cette étude se propose de caractériser au niveau du secteur mytilicole de la lagune de Bizerte l’impact des pseudo-fèces de moules sur les densités bactériennes, particulièrement celles des Vibrionaceae et des bactéries hétérotrophes. Les prospections ont été réalisées en hiver 2000 et en été 2001 au niveau de 5 stations plus ou moins proches d’une table d’élevage, aussi bien dans la colonne d’eau que dans le sédiment. Sous le parc, les sédiments étant les plus fortement chargés en fraction fine (78-83%) et en carbone organique total (COT) (2,5%), les densités microbiennes étaient élevées (1,82-2,83 • 108 UFC/g de sédiment pour les bactéries hétérotrophes et 2,50-17,32 • 102 UFC/g pour les Vibrionaceae). Une analyse en composantes principales (ACP) montre une étroite relation entre, d’une part, les concentrations bactériennes et, d’autre part, les teneurs en matière organique et plusieurs variables hydrologiques, particulièrement la température, la salinité et l’oxygène dissous.This study aims to characterize the effect of high organic loads, produced by a mussel farm in the Bizerte Lagoon, on the distribution of bacterial densities of, especially, marine heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrionaceae in the water column and in the sediment. Five sites located along a distance gradient from the mussel breeding ground were surveyed during the winter of 2000 and the summer of 2001. Below the mussel farm, the sediment was characterized by high percentages of fine particles (78-83%) and total organic carbon (TOC; 2.5%). Furthermore, this station exhibited high bacterial densities, especially of heterotrophic flora (1.82-2.83 • 108UFC/g) and Vibrionaceae (2.50-17.32 • 102 UFC/g). Principal components analysis revealed a strong relationship among bacterial density, high organic loads and hydrological parameters, particularly temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen

New Approach for the Evaluation of Ecological Quality in the Mediterranean Coastal Ecosystems, Case Study of Bizerte Lagoon: Marine Nematodes Functional Traits Assessment

Marine ecosystems have great economic and ecological value, as they provide good services and habitats for a variety of organisms. However, the marine environment is under anthropogenic stressors. The Mediterranean basin is one of the most threatened ecosystems, where urban and industrial waste is becoming a growing risk for coastal marine habitats integrity. The Bizerte lagoon represents a major coastal lagoon and is an example of such an aquatic environment continuously exposed to pollutants. Marine nematodes are the most diverse metazoans and represent an excellent model for the environmental monitoring because they can be easily sampled and maintained under experimental conditions. Nematode communities are investigated for the analysis of taxonomic diversity and ecological indices. Currently, we present here to evaluate the ecological quality based on the description of nematode assemblages using biological traits and functional groups. This relatively new approach allows obtaining insight into the status of marine coastal ecosystems

Toxicity assessment of ZnO-decorated Au nanoparticles in the Mediterranean clam Ruditapes decussatus

The synthesis of hybrid nanomaterials has greatly increased in recent years due to their special physical and chemical properties. However, information regarding the environmental toxicity associated with these chemicals is limited, in particular in the aquatic environment. In the present study, an experiment was performed in which the marine bivalve (Ruditapes decussatus) was exposed for 14 days to 2 concentrations of zinc oxide-decorated Au nanoparticles (Au-ZnONPs: Au-ZnONP50 = 50 μg/L; Au-ZnONP100 = 100 μg/L). The stability and resistance of Au-ZnONPs in the natural seawater were assessed by combining transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy revealed uptake of these nanoparticles within clams and their ability to induce metallic deregulation. The results obtained indicate that Au-ZnONPs induce biochemical and histological alterations within either the digestive gland or gill tissues at high concentration. This was deduced from the significant increase in H2O2 level, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and malondialdehyde content. Furthermore, the toxicity of Au-ZnO nanoparticles was linked with the increase of intracellular iron and calcium levels in both tissues. Histological alterations in gill and digestive gland were more pronounced with Au-ZnONP100 and this is likely related to oxidative mechanisms. Gill and digestive gland are differentially sensitive to Au-ZnONPs if the exposure concentration is higher than 50 μg/L. In conclusion, the parameters considered here could constitute reliable biomarkers for evaluation of hybrid nanoparticles toxicity in environmental model organisms. In addition, based on the results obtained, gill and digestive gland of R. decussatus could be proposed as models to detect harmful effects of hybrid nanoparticles

Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Bizerte Lagoon Ecosystem: Occurrence, Distribution, and Ecotoxicological Assessment Using Marine Organism

Marine ecosystem represents an ecologically and economically important water bodies for human and animal living. Their increasing pollution by persistent organic pollutants has represented a major environmental alarm during the last years. In the current study, we examined the occurrence, local distribution and ecotoxicological menace of organic pollutants, comprising brominated flame retardants (BFR), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in different matrices from the Northern Tunisian Coastal Ecosystem (Bizerte lagoon). The pollutant existence in this biome is related with a negative impact on the biocenosis health. Many approach including (i) chemical analyses; (ii) taxonomic structure and ecological indices analyses; (iii) and biochemical experimental studies, were investigated to determine the ecosystem quality and the contaminant effects. Our chapter introduces the baseline information on the organic contaminations extent and toxicological impact, as well as, it contribute to evaluate the ecological quality of this marine coastal ecosystem

Triangular gold nanoparticles modify shell characteristics and increase antioxidant enzyme activities in the clam Ruditapes decussatus

Context: Nanoparticles may cause adverse environmental effects but there is limited information on their interactions with marine organisms. Objective: Our aim was to examine the effects of triangular gold nanoparticles (Tr-Au NPs) on the clam, Ruditapes decussatus. Materials and methods: Clams were exposed to Tr-Au1 = 5 µg/L and Tr-Au2 = 10 µg/L for 2 and 7 days. Effects on shell structure were investigated. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione transferase (GST) activities, protein carbonyl levels and malondialdehyde content were used to assess biochemical status. Results: Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) showed that Tr-Au NPs modified shell structure and morphology. Tr-Au NPs size increased forming aggregate particles. Tr-Au NPs increased SOD, CAT and GST activities in gill and digestive gland in a concentration- and time-dependent manner indicating defence against oxidative stress. Enhanced lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl levels confirmed oxidative stress. Conclusion: Tr-Au NPs cause oxidative stress and affect shell structure of clams. These findings may have relevance to other marine species

Gold octahedra nanoparticles (Au_0.03 and Au_0.045): Synthesis and impact on marine clams Ruditapes decussatus

The increased use of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in several applications has led to a rise in concerns about their potential toxicity to aquatic organisms. In addition, toxicity of nanoparticles to aquatic organisms is related to their physical and chemical properties. In the present study, we synthesize two forms of gold octahedra nanoparticles (Au_0.03 and Au_0.045) in 1.3-propandiol with polyvinyl-pyrrolidone K30 (PVPK30) as capping agent using polyol process. Shape, size and optical properties of the particles could be tuned by changing the molar ratio of PVP K30 to metal salts. The anisotropy in nanoparticles shape shows strong localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) in the near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Environmental impact of Oct-AuNPs was determined in the marine bivalve, Ruditapes decussatus exposed to different concentrations of Au_0.03 and Au_0.045. The dynamic light scattering showed the stability and resistance of Au_0.03 and Au_0.045 in the natural seawater. No significant modification in vg-like proteins, MDA level and enzymatic activities were observed in treated clams with Au_0.03 even at high concentration. In contrast, Au_0.045 induced superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione transferase (GST) activities, in a concentration dependent manner indicating defense against oxidative stress. Enhanced lipid peroxidation represented by malondialdehyde content confirmed oxidative stress of Au_0.045 at high concentration. These results highlight the importance of the physical form of nanomaterials on their interactions with marine organisms and provide a useful guideline for future use of Oct-AuNPs. In addition, Vitellogenin is shown not to be an appropriate biomarker for Oct-AuNPs contamination even at high concentration. We further show that Oct-AuNPs exhibit an important antioxidant response without inducing estrogenic disruption

Enhanced pilot bioremediation of oily sludge from petroleum refinery disposal under hot-summer Mediterranean climate

Large pilot scale bioremediation approaches were implemented for the treatments of oily sludge (OS) characterised by alkaline pH (pH > 9), high concentration of metals (3% dry weight) and high total petroleum hydrocarbons content (TPH) rangingbetween 22,000 and 67,300 mg kg −1 from a Tunisian petroleum refinery. The treatments included bioaugmentation and biostimulation approaches with autochthonous isolated bacterial strains and consortia. Chemical, microbial, and ecotoxicological analyses were performed over a period of 180 days incubation. The bioremediation treatments favoured the development of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes following an ecological succession of specialist bacterial groups, first associated to hydrocarbon degradation (e.g. Marinobacter and Alcanivorax) that resulted in a greater extent of TPH-degradation (up to 80%), and the selection of metal resistant bacteria including Hyphomonas, Phaeobacter, and Desulfuromusa. The best performances were obtained when bioaugmentation and biostimulation were combined. Over 90% of the TPH initial concentration was degraded over 180 days, which was accompanied with a 3-fold reduction of ecotoxicity. Our study demonstrates the efficacy of large pilot scale bioremediation of highly contaminated oily sludge, providing the evidence that the management of autochthonous microbial communities is of paramount importance for the success of the bioremediation process

An experimental protocol to select nematode species from an entire community using progressive sedimentary enrichment.

The purpose of this study was to introduce free-living marine nematodes to the ‘world of biomarkers’.Biomarkers are still not used in the monitoring and assessment of this highly diverse phylum, becausethe technique needs to be applied at the single species level. This incurs high costs and involves time-consuming procedures, which are currently the main pitfalls when it comes to the application of thesetechniques to marine nematodes. Consequently, this work proposes an innovative protocol for selectinga single species from an entire community of nematodes using two independent selection processeswhereby the sediment of the microcosms is progressively and separately enriched with fine and coarsesediment fractions. During our experiment, the abundance and number of nematode species decreaseddiscernibly with exposure to both finer and coarser sediment. Multivariate analyses revealed that deposit-and epigrowth-feeders were the most tolerant feeding guilds, probably due to their deposit-feedingand microvore behaviours. At the end of the experiment, Terschellingia longicaudata and Ptycholaimellusponticus became the unique members of the community when the sediment was enriched with fine andcoarse sediment particles, respectively. After the complete alteration of the community, and when themono-species level had been achieved, it was possible to maintain these two species alive, and withoutany drop in numbers, under the same laboratory conditions considered during the selection process.Accordingly, the protocol adopted here lays new foundations for the study of nematodes in the biomarkerfield

Bats of the Tunisian Desert: Preliminary Data Using Acoustic Identification and First Record of <i>Taphozous nudiventris</i> in the Country

Increasing aridity usually results in decreasing bat abundance and species richness, and the Saharan desert is an example of such impoverishment. Moreover, the harsh climatic and field conditions in this area restrict the feasibility of surveys. Therefore, the bat fauna of the Tunisian Sahara was unstudied until an expedition was conducted in May 2021. A total of seven species were recorded using passive bat detectors set mainly at water bodies, which concentrate bat activity. Echolocation calls of these species did not depart from published records for the Mediterranean area. Our data failed to identify the two ecomorphotypes of Pipistrellus kuhlii but confirmed the adaptability of this species to local conditions. For the first time in Tunisia, we recorded echolocation calls of Taphozous nudiventris, a species that has been rarely reported in North Africa. The highest species richness was identified at the largest wetlands of Oued Daghsen (Oued Dkouk Nature Reserve) and at Bordj el Khadra (only six and four species, respectively). Most Mediterranean species were recorded in the northern locality, while desert species were more active in the most southern one. The importance of water bodies for bats was confirmed once more. No sign of competition among species was detected, as the Mediterranean and desert-dwelling bat species were active at the same time. Additional surveys should be planned in order to enlarge the list of seven species recorded in only one week

Endocrine Disruptor Impact on Zebrafish Larvae: Posterior Lateral Line System as a New Target

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), bisphenol A (BPA), pharmaceutical drugs, and pesticides, affect a variety of hormone-regulated physiological pathways in humans and wildlife. The occurrence of these EDCs in the aquatic environment is linked with vertebrates’ health alteration. EDCs exhibit lipophilic characteristics and bind to hydrophobic areas of steroid receptors, such as the estrogen receptor, which are involved in vertebrate developmental regulation. Mainly, EDCs modify the transcription of several genes involved in individual homeostasis. Zebrafish conserve many developmental pathways found in humans, which makes it an appreciated model system for EDCs research studies, especially on early organ development. In the current chapter, we emphasize on latest published papers of EDCs effects on lateral line regeneration in zebrafish larvae. Similarly, we describe other special impacts of EDCs exposure. In conclusion, we make the case that the zebrafish lateral line exposed to EDCs can provide important insights into human health