Sperm quality assessment in Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923): Effects of selected organic and inorganic chemicals across salinity levels

Contamination by organic and inorganic compounds remains one of the most complex problems in both brackish and marine environments, causing potential implications for the reproductive success and survival of several broadcast spawners. Ficopomatus enigmaticus is a tubeworm polychaete that has previously been used as a model organism for ecotoxicological analysis, due to its sensitivity and ecological relevance. In the present study, the effects of five trace elements (zinc, copper, cadmium, arsenic and lead), one surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) and one polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (benzo(a)pyrene, B(a)P) on the sperm quality of F. enigmaticus were investigated. Sperm suspensions were exposed in vitro to different concentrations of each selected contaminant under four salinity conditions (10, 20, 30, 35). Possible adverse effects on sperm function were assessed by measuring oxidative stress, membrane integrity, viability and DNA damage. Sperm quality impairments induced by organic contaminants were more evident than those induced by inorganic compounds. SDS exerted the largest effect on sperm. In addition, F. enigmaticus sperm showed high tolerance to salinity variation, supporting the wide use of this species as a promising model organism for ecotoxicological assays. Easy and rapid methods on polychaete spermatozoids were shown to be effective as integrated sperm quality parameters or as an alternative analysis for early assessment of marine and brackish water pollution

The effect of temperature on Triclosan and Lead exposed mussels

Interest on the effects of emerging contaminants over aquatic organisms has increased in the last years. Nonetheless, the toxic action of classical natural and anthropogenically-driven metals has also to be monitored, especially because they reflect real environmental situations. For that, in the present study we focused on the effects on the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis of the personal care product Triclosan (TCS) and Lead (Pb), as toxic metal, under separate and co-exposure situations at environmentally relevant concentrations: TCS (1 μg/L) and Pb (50 μg/L). The consideration of an additional factor such as an increase in ambient temperature was also included to provide a forecasted scenario of climate change: from the ambient temperature at actual conditions (17 °C) to a predicted warming situation (22 °C). Water chemical characterization and some physical properties and bioaccumulation of TCS and Pb in mussels at the end of the experiment (28 days) was considered. The parameters followed up comprise the energy related system production (electron transport system) and glycogen and protein reserves. Antioxidant enzymatic defences towards reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the consequences of ROS damage over endogenous lipids (LPO) and proteins (PC). Overall the results suggested only particular responses to chemical exposures at 17 °C whereas at 22 °C the detoxification machinery was set up and this prevented the occurrence of LPO. Nonetheless, PC formation occurred under Pb and TCS + Pb co-exposure at the highest temperature. Due to the complexity of the study: 4 chemical conditions, 2 temperatures and 10 biomarkers considered, a principal component ordination (PCO) analysis was included. The results of this integrative analysis confirmed a clear effect of the temperature, more responsiveness to drugs at 22 °C and in all likelihood due to Pb presence.publishe

Development and characterization of microsatellite loci for Tabebuia cassinoides (Bignoniaceae)

Tabebuia cassinoides (Lam.) DC., popularly known as caxeta, is a tree species that belongs to the plant family Bignoniaceae. This species is endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and is widely exploited commercially. To date, little is known about its genetic structure, preventing the establishment of adequate management plans for this taxon. The objective of this study was to construct a microsatellite-enriched genomic library for T. cassinoides to select polymorphic loci, and standardize polymerase chain reaction amplification conditions. Of the 15 loci examined, 5 were polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 8, with a mean of 4.4. The microsatellite loci described here represent the basis for detailed population genetic studies of this species, which will greatly contribute for the development of better conservation strategies for this taxon. Tabebuia cassinoides (Lam.) DC., popularly known as caxeta, is a tree species that belongs to the plant family Bignoniaceae. This species is endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and is widely exploited commercially. To date, little is known about its genetic structure, preventing the establishment of adequate management plans for this taxon. The objective of this study was to construct a microsatellite-enriched genomic library for T. cassinoides to select polymorphic loci, and standardize polymerase chain reaction amplification conditions. Of the 15 loci examined, 5 were polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 8, with a mean of 4.4. The microsatellite loci described here represent the basis for detailed population genetic studies of this species, which will greatly contribute for the development of better conservation strategies for this taxon13356015605CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP142040/2009-6; 305102/2010-9sem informação2010/20548-

Development And Characterization Of Microsatellite Loci For Tabebuia Cassinoides (bignoniaceae).

Tabebuia cassinoides (Lam.) DC., popularly known as caxeta, is a tree species that belongs to the plant family Bignoniaceae. This species is endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and is widely exploited commercially. To date, little is known about its genetic structure, preventing the establishment of adequate management plans for this taxon. The objective of this study was to construct a microsatellite-enriched genomic library for T. cassinoides to select polymorphic loci, and standardize polymerase chain reaction amplification conditions. Of the 15 loci examined, 5 were polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 8, with a mean of 4.4. The microsatellite loci described here represent the basis for detailed population genetic studies of this species, which will greatly contribute for the development of better conservation strategies for this taxon.135601-

The influence of salinity on sodium lauryl sulfate toxicity in Mytilus galloprovincialis

The influence of salinity on the effects of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) was evaluated using the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, exposed for 28 days to SLS (control-0.0 and 4.0 mg/L) under three salinity levels (Control-30, 25 and 35). The effects were monitored using biomarkers related to metabolism and energy reserves, defence mechanisms (antioxidant and biotransformation enzymes) and cellular damage. The results revealed that non-contaminated mussels tended to maintain their metabolic capacity regardless of salinity, without activation of antioxidant defence strategies. On the contrary, although contaminated mussels presented decreased metabolic capacity at salinities 25 and 35, they were able to activate their antioxidant mechanisms, preventing cellular damage. Overall, the present findings indicate that SLS, especially under stressful salinity levels, might potentially jeopardize population survival and reproduction success since reduced metabolism and alterations on mussels' antioxidant mechanisms will impair their biochemical and, consequently, physiological performance.publishe

The influence of temperature on the effects induced by Triclosan and Diclofenac in mussels

Little is known about the consequences of exposure to pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in elevated temperatures associated with climate change. To increase the knowledge on this topic, Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels were exposed to 1.0 µg/L of either the antimicrobial Triclosan (TCS) or the pharmaceutical drug Diclofenac (DIC), at control (17ºC) and 4ºC raised (21ºC) temperatures for 28 days. Triclosan and DIC concentrations in the water and tissues were subsequently measured and related to biomarker responses including: energy metabolism (electron transport system (ETS) activity, glycogen and protein reserves), oxidative stress markers, glutathione balance between the reduced and the oxidised form (GSH/GSSG), and damage to proteins and lipids. Mussels responded to the increase in temperature and drug exposure by lowering their metabolic rate (decreased ETS), increasing their endogenous reserves and antioxidant defences, thus preventing oxidative stress damage, with the exception of DIC exposure at the higher temperature. In all cases, GSH/GSSG ratio was reduced in detriment of the antioxidant form at both PPCPs exposures and elevated temperature with no additive effect due to combined stressors. Overall, either drug exposure or increased temperature could compromise the ability of mussels to withstand further insults.publishe

Engineered nanomaterials: from their properties and applications, to their toxicity towards marine bivalves in a changing environment

As a consequence of their unique characteristics, the use of Engineered Nanomaterials (ENMs) is rapidly increasing in industrial, agricultural products, as well as in environmental technology. However, this fast expansion and use make likely their release into the environment with particular concerns for the aquatic ecosystems, which tend to be the ultimate sink for this type of contaminants. Considering the settling behaviour of particulates, benthic organisms are more likely to be exposed to these compounds. In this way, the present review aims to summarise the most recent data available from the literature on ENMs behaviour and fate in aquatic ecosystems, focusing on their ecotoxicological impacts towards marine and estuarine bivalves. The selection of ENMs presented here was based on the OECD's Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN), which involves the safety testing and risk assessment of ENMs. Physical-chemical characteristics and properties, applications, environmental relevant concentrations and behaviour in aquatic environment, as well as their toxic impacts towards marine bivalves are discussed. Moreover, it is also identified the impacts derived from the simultaneous exposure of marine organisms to ENMs and climate changes as an ecologically relevant scenario.publishe

approach to a water safety plan for recreational waters disinfection of a drainage pumping station as an unconventional point source of fecal contamination

Abstract In the context of the management of bathing water quality, the intermittent contamination of rainwater drainage pumps (unconventional point sources) could be controlled by peracetic acid disinfection. Thus, a field experimental study was carried out to set up a water safety plan, determining the monitoring parameters and the critical limit for corrective actions. With a 0.5 mg/l dosage, the average logarithmic microbial reduction was 0.50 ± 0.48 for Escherichia coli (EC) and 0.43 ± 0.54 for intestinal enterococci. Among the chemical and physical parameters that could be monitored in real time, the oxidation–reduction potential was the only one able to predict the microbial concentration discharged from a drainage pump and the logarithmic abatement of EC. Considering the possible impact of this source on bathing waters in terms of additional risk of gastrointestinal infections, the critical limit for continuous monitoring was established using a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model

Anisakid and Raphidascaridid parasites in Trachurus trachurus: infection drivers and possible effects on the host’s condition

This study investigated the distribution of nematode larvae of Anisakidae and Raphidascarididae (genera Anisakis and Hysterothylacium) in Trachurus trachurus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Ligurian and central-northern Tyrrhenian Seas. The relationship between the number of parasites and the length and weight parameters of the fish was assessed, and the possible effect of the parasites on the condition factor was evaluated. A total of 190 T. trachurus specimens were collected in July 2019. Parasites were found in 70 individuals. A total of 161 visible larvae were collected in the viscera. Morphological analysis revealed the presence of Anisakis spp. in 55 fish and Hysterothylacium spp. in 15 fish, while 5 fish showed coinfection with both genera. The specimens subjected to PCR (n = 67) showed that 85% of the Anisakis larvae analyzed belonged to the species A. pegreffii, while the remaining 15% belonged to hybrids of A. pegreffii-A. simplex (s.s.). A total of 58% (n = 7) of the Hysterothylacium larvae analyzed belonged to the species H. fabri, while 42% belonged to the species H. aduncum. Our results support the hypothesis that infection with these parasites does not affect the condition of the fish host analyzed, and that body size and depth are major drivers in determining infection levels with Anisakid and Raphidascaridid nematodes

Effects of multi-walled carbon nanotube materials on Ruditapes philippinarum under climate changes: the case of salinity shifts

The toxicity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is closely related to their physico-chemical characteristics as well as the physico-chemical parameters of the media where CNTs are dispersed. In a climate change scenario, changes in seawater salinity are becoming a topic of concern particularly in estuarine and coastal areas. Nevertheless, to our knowledge no information is available on how salinity shifts may alter the sensitivity (in terms of biochemical responses) of bivalves when exposed to different CNTs. For this reason, a laboratory experiment was performed exposing the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum, one of the most dominant bivalves of the estuarine and coastal lagoon environments, for 28 days to unfunctionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube MWCNTs (Nf-MWCNTs) and carboxylated MWCNTs (f-MWCNTs), maintained at control salinity (28) and low salinity 21. Concentration-dependent toxicity was demonstrated in individuals exposed to both MWCNT materials and under both salinities, generating alterations of energy reserves and metabolism, oxidative status and neurotoxicity compared to non-contaminated clams. Moreover, our results showed greater toxic impacts induced in clams exposed to f-MWCNTs compared to Nf-MWCNTs. In the present study it was also demonstrated how salinity shifts altered the toxicity of both MWCNT materials as well as the sensitivity of R. philippinarum exposed to these contaminates in terms of clam metabolism, oxidative status and neurotoxicity.publishe