Study of the presence and environmental risk of organic contaminants policed by the European Union and other organic compounds in the water resources of a region overlapping protected areas: The Guadiaro River basin (southern Spain)

The study presented here is a first qualitative assessment of the occurrence of organic contaminants contemplated and not yet contemplated in European Union environmental legislation in water resources in the little anthropized Guadiaro River basin (70% of its area is covered by natural vegetation), in southern Spain. Water samples were collected from four carbonate aquifers, two detrital aquifers and four surface water courses and were analyzed for (i) 171 organic contaminants, (ii) major ions and (iii) stable isotopes (δ18OH2O, δ2HH2O, δ13CDIC). An environmental risk assessment was conducted through calculation of risk quotients comparing measured concentrations with ecotoxicological data found in the literature. Twenty-five organic contaminants were detected, at least once, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, drugs of abuse and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Cocaine and its main metabolite were detected in 85% and 95% of water samples, respectively (0.001–0.18 μg/L and 0.004–0.6 μg/L, respectively). Pyrene (PAH) was found in all water samples (0.001–0.015 μg/L) and forest fires were pointed out as a potential diffuse source. Relationship between rivers and aquifers is reflected by the distribution of organic contaminants, essentially the drugs of abuse. Concentration of contaminants were generally higher in groundwater samples, especially from detrital aquifers, potentially due to an accumulation process promoted by irrigation-return flows and by its slow dynamic compared to that of karstic systems. Pyrene concentration was also higher in some springs from karstic aquifers. Hence, calculated risk quotients were in general higher in groundwater, meaning that the threat to surface aquatic systems can grow as aquifers increase their influence on the water courses as the dry season progresses. The relationship between δ13CDIC and most organic contaminants (especially pyrene) reveal the role of the soil as storage media.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Hydrogeological, hydrodynamic and anthropogenic factors affecting the spread of pharmaceuticals and pesticides in water resources of the Granada plain (Spain)

The anthropogenic organic contaminants contemplated in the environmental legislation, as well as those of emerging concern, threaten the quality of water resources to a degree that remains largely unknown. Contaminant exposure in the aquatic environment is a crucial element if a full understanding of the risk is pursued. There are still many uncertainties about the occurrence of organic pollutants and behavior in the hydro(geo)logical media in large scale areas. The case study of the unconfined aquifer of the Granada Plain (approximately 200 km2) is presented here. Two surface and groundwater monitoring campaigns were conducted (March 2017 and June 2018). In total, 41 out of 171 target organic pollutants were detected, at least once: 17 pharmaceuticals or drugs of abuse, 21 pesticides or their metabolites and three polyaromatic hydrocarbons. In addition, physico-chemical parameters were measured during the monitoring campaigns and hydrochemical parameters and stable isotopes (δ2H, δ18O, δ13C) were analyzed. Statistical tests confirmed the significance of seasonal changes for some of these parameters (e.g., EC, Cl-, F-, δ18O, δ13C), revealing the influence from snowmelt water input on streams and the intensification of irrigation. In March 2017, the group of pesticides (largely represented by triazines) predominated, whereas the frequency of detection of pharmaceuticals increased substantially in June 2018. Results suggest four main factors affecting the spatial and seasonal variation of organic pollutants in the aquifer: the anthropogenic factor determining the period of contaminant release throughout the year (pesticide application period and growth of tourism) along with irrigation practices that include reclaimed wastewater; unsaturated zone thickness; [...]This article is a contribution to the Research Groups RNM-308 and RNM 128 of the “Junta de Andalucía” and the project “Study, detection and behavior of emerging contaminants in anthropized watersheds in Andalusia-EMAN (P20_397)”. We are grateful to technical translation specialists GeoTranslations for proofreading the English version. We would also like to thank the Associate Editor, and the anonymous reviewers, who largely contributed to the improvement of the manuscript. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

NON-SMOKY GLYCOSIDE GLYCOSYL TRANSFERASE prevents the release of smoky aroma from Tomato Fruit

[EN] Phenylpropanoid volatiles are responsible for the key tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum) aroma attribute termed "smoky." Release of these volatiles from their glycosylated precursors, rather than their biosynthesis, is the major determinant of smoky aroma in cultivated tomato. Using a combinatorial omics approach, we identified the NON-SMOKY GLYCOSYLTRANSFERASE1 (NSGT1) gene. Expression of NSGT1 is induced during fruit ripening, and the encoded enzyme converts the cleavable diglycosides of the smoky-related phenylpropanoid volatiles into noncleavable triglycosides, thereby preventing their deglycosylation and release from tomato fruit upon tissue disruption. In an nsgt1/nsgt1 background, further glycosylation of phenylpropanoid volatile diglycosides does not occur, thereby enabling their cleavage and the release of corresponding volatiles. Using reverse genetics approaches, the NSGT1-mediated glycosylation was shown to be the molecular mechanism underlying the major quantitative trait locus for smoky aroma. Sensory trials with transgenic fruits, in which the inactive nsgt1 was complemented with the functional NSGT1, showed a significant and perceivable reduction in smoky aroma. NSGT1 may be used in a precision breeding strategy toward development of tomato fruits with distinct flavor phenotypes.We thank Syngenta Seeds, Seminis, Enza Zaden, Rijk Zwaan, Vilmorin, and de Ruiter Seeds for providing seeds of the 94 tomato cultivars. We acknowledge financial support from the Center for BioSystems Genomics, provided under the auspices of the Netherlands Genomics Initiative. R.C.H.d.V. and R.D.H. thank the Netherlands Metabolomics Centre for additional funding. We also thank the Metabolomics lab for assistance in volatile determination and Rafael Martinez at the Instituto de Biologia Molecular y Celular de Plantas for excellent plant management. We thank Gerco Angenent for discussions on the research and Ruud de Maagd for critical reading of the article. We also thank Fien Meijer-Dekens and A.W. van Heusden for excellent greenhouse management and plant cultivation. Finally, we thank Harry Jonker and Bert Schipper for preparation and analyses of the samples for LC-QTOF-MS.Tikunov, Y.; Molthoff, J.; De Vos, R.; Beekwilder, J.; Van Houwelingen, A.; Van Der Hooft, JJJ.; Nijenhuis-De Vries, M.... (2013). NON-SMOKY GLYCOSIDE GLYCOSYL TRANSFERASE prevents the release of smoky aroma from Tomato Fruit. Plant Cell. 25(8):3067-3078. doi:10.1105/tpc.113.114231S3067307825