The Potential of Constructed Wetland Systems and Photodegradation Processes for the Removal of Emerging Contaminants—A Review

This article belongs to the Topic Soil and Water Pollution Process and Remediation Technologies[Abstract] The presence of emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) in the environment is increasing and requires the development of technologies for their effective removal. Therefore, a literature review on the behavior of EOCs during municipal wastewater treatment, both in major treatment systems and particularly in constructed wetlands (CWs), was carried out. The study also reviewed the behavior of EOCs in anaerobic digesters (ADs) and advanced oxidation processes, particularly in TiO2-based photocatalysis, which are being proposed as promising pre- and post-treatments for combination with CW. The following ten compounds were screened: acetaminophen (ACE), ofloxacin (OFL), caffeine (CAF), carbamazepine (CBZ), ketoprofen (KET), ibuprofen (IBU), diclofenac (DCL), clofibric acid (ACB), bisphenol A (BPA), and sotalol (SOT). The degradation pathways of the selected EOCs are largely influenced by their physicochemical and biochemical properties. Sorption and biodegradation are the main elimination mechanisms found in AD and CW treatment systems, where the combination of anaerobic and aerobic environments improves the elimination efficiency of EOCs. However, various contaminants appear recalcitrant. In this sense, in combination with CWs, TiO2-based photocatalysis emerges as a promising post-treatment for advanced EOC removal from wastewater.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad through project CTQ2015-71238-R (MINECO/FEDER) and by the Xunta de Galicia through project GPC ED431B 2019/44Xunta de Galicia; ED431B 2019/4

Influence of Nutrients and pH on the Efficiency of Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands Treating Winery Wastewater

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade da Coruña/CISUG[Abstract] Winery wastewater is characterized by high organic content, low nutrient content and low pH at least during vintage periods. The effect of nutrient shortage and low pH on constructed wetlands (CWs) operation was scarcely studied, but early field studies indicate that some operational problems can arise. This work aims to determine the effect of nutrient shortage and acidic pH during the treatment of high organic load wastewater in one-step vertical subsurface flow (VF) CWs. Two lab scale VF units at hydraulic loading rates over 70 L/m2·d and surface loading rate in the range of 110−170 g COD/m2·d were operated for periods with and without nutrients in the influent as well as with influent pH of 7.0 and 4.5. The results showed that neither low nutrient nor low pH impair organic matter removal whilst low pH decreased nitrogen removal rates. At low pH, the effluent concentration of ammonia and nitrate increased, indicating deterioration in both nitrification and denitrification processes. The paper discuss the implications of these findings for a better strategy in the treatment of winery process wastewater, such as options for separate treatment or its combination with other nutrient-containing streams

Combining Constructed Wetlands and UV Photolysis for the Advanced Removal of Organic Matter, Nitrogen, and Emerging Pollutants from Wastewater

This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Technologies for Water and Wastewater Treatment[Abstract] This study reports the performance of a three-step lab-scale system including a hybrid digester (HD), a vertical flow (VF) constructed wetland, and a photodegradation (PD) lamp, with two different arrangements regarding the position of the recirculation point. In addition to total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and nitrogen compounds, removal of the following pollutants was investigated: paracetamol (ACE), ofloxacin (OFL), caffeine (CAF), ketoprofen (KET), ibuprofen (IBU), clofibric acid (ACB), bisphenol A (BPA), and sotalol (SOT). An excellent performance of HD was achieved on the elimination of TSS (82.2 ± 18.5% on average) and COD (63.9 ± 4.1%). TSS and COD removal increased to 91.2 ± 0.4% and 83.4 ± 2.9%, respectively, for the combined HD–VF system. Ammonia removal was 57.0 ± 7.8% in the VF unit while significant denitrification occurred in the HD. The overall HD–VF–PD system achieved mean removals of 100% for OFL, KET, SOT, and IBU, 98 ± 2% for ACE, 87 ± 8% for CAF, 81 ± 38% for ACB and 26 ± 9% for BPA. The removal of ACE, OFL, CAF, and IBU was mostly by biodegradation in the HD and VF units while the PD unit was responsible for the removal of KET, ACB, and SOT.This research is part of the project CTQ2015-71238-R (MINECO/FEDER, funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad), the project TED2021-132667B-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR, and projects GPC ED431B 2020/52 and GPC ED431B 2019/44 (funded by the Xunta de Galicia)Xunta de Galicia; ED431B 2020/52Xunta de Galicia; ED431B 2019/4

Removal of Emerging Pollutants by a 3-Step System: Hybrid Digester, Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland and Photodegradation Post-treatments

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade da Coruña/CISUG[Abstract] The removal of emerging pollutants from municipal wastewater was studied for the first time using a three-step pilot-scale system: 1) hybrid digester (HD) as first step, 2) subsurface vertical flow constructed wetland (VF) as second step, and 3) photodegradation (PD) unit as third step or post-treatment. The HD and VF units were built and operated in series with effluent recirculation at pilot scale. For the PD post-treatment, three alternatives were studied at lab-scale, i) UVC irradiation at 254 nm (0.5 h exposure time), ii) UVA irradiation at 365 nm using a TiO2-based photocatalyst and iii) sunlight irradiation using a TiO2-based photocatalyst, the last two for 1 and 2 h. Alternative iii) was also tested at pilot-scale. Degradation of nine compounds was evaluated: acetaminophen (ACE), caffeine (CAF), carbamazepine (CBZ), ketoprofen (KET), ibuprofen (IBU), diclofenac (DCL), clofibric acid (ACB), bisphenol A (BPA), and sotalol (SOT). Overall, the HD-VF-UVC system completely removed (>99.5 %) ACE, CAF, KET, IBU, DCL and ACB, and to a lesser extent SOT (98 %), BPA (83 %) and CBZ (51 %). On the other hand, the HD-VF-UVA/TiO2 system (at 2 h) achieved >99.5 % removal of ACE, CAF, KET, IBU and DCL while ACB, BPA, CBZ and SOT were degraded by 83 %, 81 %, 78 % and 68 %, respectively. Working also at 2 h of exposure time, in summer conditions, the HD-VF-Sol/TiO2 system achieved >99.5 % removal of ACE, CAF, KET, IBU, DCL and ACB, and to a minor extent BPA (80 %), SOT (74 %) and CBZ (69 %). Similar results, although slightly lower for SOT (60 %) and CBZ (59 %), were obtained in the pilot sunlight plus TiO2 catalyst unit. However, the use of sunlight irradiation with a TiO2-based photocatalyst clearly showed lower removal efficiency in autumn conditions (i.e., 47 % SOT, 31 % CBZ).This research was funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad through project CTQ2015-71238-R (MINECO/FEDER), and the Xunta de Galicia (project GPC ED431B 2020/52 and project GPC ED431B 2019/44), respectively. Funding for open access charge: Universidade da Coruña/CISUGXunta de Galicia; GPC ED431B 2020/52Xunta de Galicia; GPC ED431B 2019/4

Consumo de alimentos, composición corporal y rendimiento físico en hombres y mujeres jóvenes judadores de fútbol

Introduction: Few studies have analysed the nutritional habits, body composition and physical condition of young soccer players among different categories and further differentiating between males and females. Therefore, the aim was to analyze differences in food consumption habits, body composition parameters and physical performance among young soccer players. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed during the 2019-2020 competitive season. Forty-eight soccer players (16-18 years) were classified by age and sex into three groups: under 16 and under 18 years males (U16 and U18), and under 16 years females (U16 female). Food habits, anthropometry, body composition and physical performance variables were collected. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with least significant difference post hoc comparison (Bonferroni correction) was used. Results: We found that U16 females consumed lower pork and bread and higher mollusk and shellfish than males (p<0.05). U16 males consumed less fruits (p<0.05) and more olive oil (p<0.05) than U16 females and had lower muscle mass in lower limbs than U18 male (p<0.05, ES=0.80-0.96); males showed higher muscle mass in lower limbs (p<0.01, ES=1.80-2.59) and lower %fat than females (p<0.01, ES=1.73); and U18 males presented higher weight than females (p<0.01, ES=1.64). U18 males showed better performances (p<0.05-0.01, ES=0.90-1.38) in maximal sprint trials (40-m length), counter movements jumps (CMJ) and CMJ with dominant leg, maximal bilateral horizontal jumps (HJ), HJ with dominant and non-dominant leg than U16 males. Males showed better results in linear straight sprint test (LSST, p<0.05; ES=1.66-5.16), change of direction ability (CODA, p<0.05; ES=2.82-5.46) and jumping (p<0.05; ES=1.60-4.12) performances. Conclusion: In conclusion, sex- and age- specific differences were detected in the healthier dietary practices and body composition parameter in youth of soccer players. Also, better physical performances were found as age increases, except for CODA, and males exhibited higher performances in LSST, CODA and jumping than females.Introducción: Pocos estudios han sido encontrados donde se analicen los hábitos nutricionales, la composición corporal y la condición física de jóvenes futbolistas entre diferentes categorías y diferenciando entre chicos y chicas. Por tanto, el objetivo fue analizar las diferencias en los hábitos de consumo de alimentos, los parámetros de composición corporal y el rendimiento físico en jóvenes futbolistas. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal durante la temporada competitiva 2019-2020. Cuarenta y ocho futbolistas (16-18 años) fueron clasificados por edad y sexo en tres grupos: menores de 16 y menores de 18 años masculinos (U16 y U18), y menores de 16 años féminas (U16 femenino). Se recogieron variables de hábitos alimentarios, antropometría, composición corporal y rendimiento físico. Se utilizó un análisis de varianza de (ANOVA) de un factor con post hoc de Bonferroni. Resultados: Observamos que las chicas U16 consumieron menos carne de cerdo y pan y más moluscos y mariscos que los chicos (p<0,05). Los chicos U16 consumieron menos frutas (p<0,05) y más aceite de oliva (p<0,05) que las chicas U16 y tuvieron menor masa muscular en miembros inferiores que los chicos U18 (p <0,05, ES=0,80-0,96); los chicos mostraron mayor masa muscular en miembros inferiores (p <0,01, ES=1,80-2,59) y menor porcentaje de grasa que las chicas (p<0,01, ES=1,73); y los chicos U18 presentaron mayor peso que las chicas (p<0,01, ES=1,64). Los chicos U18 mostraron mejores rendimientos (p<0,05-0,01, ES=0,90-1,38) en pruebas de sprint máximo (40 m de longitud), salto en contramovimiento (CMJ) y CMJ con pierna dominante, saltos horizontales bilaterales máximos (HJ), HJ con pierna dominante y no dominante que los chicos U16. Los chicos mostraron mejores resultados en los esprints (LSST, p<0,05; ES=1,66-5,16), el cambio de dirección (CODA, p<0,05; ES = 2,82-5,46) y los saltos (p<0,05; ES=1,60-4,12). Conclusión: En conclusión, se observaron diferencias por sexo y edad en las prácticas dietéticas y los parámetros de composición corporal en los jóvenes futbolistas. Además, mejor rendimiento físico a medida que aumentaba la edad, excepto para el CODA. Los chicos exhibieron mejores rendimientos en LSST, CODA y saltos que las chicas

Long term oscillations of Mediterranean sardine and anchovy explained by the combined effect of multiple regional and global climatic indices

This study is a contribution to the PELWEB project (“Winners, losers and shifts of PELagic food WEB changes in the western Mediterranean Sea: from ecosystem consequences to future projections”, CTM2017-88939-R,2018–2020), and to “Fostering the capacity of marine ecosystem models to PROject the cumulative effects of global change and plausible future OCEANS” (PROOCEANS): Funding by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Proyectos de I+D+I (RETOS-PID2020-118097RB-I00).It is widely known that the abundance and distribution dynamics of populations of small pelagic clupeid fish, such as sardines and anchovies, are affected by large-scale climate variability, which may lead to changeovers to new regimes of small pelagics. However, long-distance climatic oscillations, such as El Niño/La Niña and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, have been little explored in the Western Mediterranean Sea. We investigated the possible effects of the South Oscillation Index (i.e. the atmospheric oscillation coupled with the El Niño/La Niña) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation on fluctuations in catches of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in the Western Mediterranean Sea, and their association with regional climate oscillations (i.e. the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, the North Atlantic Oscillation, the Western Mediterranean Oscillation index, and the Arctic Oscillation)

Heteromerization between α2A adrenoceptors and different polymorphic variants of the dopamine D4 receptor determines pharmacological and functional differences. Implications for impulsive-control disorders.

Polymorphic alleles of the human dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) have been consistently associated with individual differences in personality traits and neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly between the gene encoding dopamine D4.7 receptor variant and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The α2A adrenoceptor gene has also been associated with ADHD. In fact, drugs targeting the α2A adrenoceptor (α2AR), such as guanfacine, are commonly used in ADHD treatment. In view of the involvement of dopamine D4 receptor (D4R) and α2AR in ADHD and impulsivity, their concurrent localization in cortical pyramidal neurons and the demonstrated ability of D4R to form functional heteromers with other G protein-coupled receptors, in this study we evaluate whether the α2AR forms functional heteromers with D4R and weather these heteromers show different properties depending on the D4R variant involved. Using cortical brain slices from hD4.7R knock-in and wild-type mice, here, we demonstrate that α2AR and D4R heteromerize and constitute a significant functional population of cortical α2AR and D4R. Moreover, in cortical slices from wild-type mice and in cells transfected with α2AR and D4.4R, we detect a negative crosstalk within the heteromer. This negative crosstalk is lost in cortex from hD4.7R knock-in mice and in cells expressing the D4.7R polymorphic variant. We also show a lack of efficacy of D4R ligands to promote G protein activation and signaling only within the α2AR-D4.7R heteromer. Taken together, our results suggest that α2AR-D4R heteromers play a pivotal role in catecholaminergic signaling in the brain cortex and are likely targets for ADHD pharmacotherapy

Araztegi-lokatzak jasotako lurzoruaren analisi toxikologikoa zizare eta landareak erabiliz

Urtetik urtera areagotzen diren giza populazioak eta jarduera industrialak zabortegi, isuri-puntu eta betetze guneen emendioa eragin du. Zabortegi horien artean, 48046-00181 kodearekin, "17-zabortegia" dago, Gernika-Lumon kokatua (43°19’28,9”N 2°40’30,9”W.). Zabortegi horretan, Gernikako araztegiko arazketa-lokatzak isuri izan ziren ongarri gisa urteetan zehar; eta, horrela, Gernikako industrian sortutako hainbat kutsatzaile (metal astunak, PAHak, pestizidak, etab.) bertan lurperatu ziren. Isurketaren eraginez gehien kaltetutako espezieen artean, azpimarratzekoak dira landareak eta zizareak edo antzeko lurzoruko ornogabeak; batez ere, berorien eta lurzoru-matrizearen arteko kontaktu estuagatik. Testuinguru horretan, lan honen helburua da lokatz horien isurketak eragindako efektuen ebaluazio bat gauzatzea, lurzoruari beste erabilera bat emate aldera; eta, horretarako, zabalki ezagunak diren test estandarizatu eta biomarkatzaileak erabiliko dira: organismo (uraza eta zizare), denbora (3, 7, 28 eta 56 egunera) eta konplexutasun biologiko desberdinetan (zelula-mailatik populazio-mailara arte). Besteak beste, OECD-204 (toxikotasun akutuaren testa), OECD-222 (ugalketa-testa) eta kaltzeina AM bideragarritasun-testak aplikatu ziren Eisenia fetida zizarean, paraleloki, Lactuca sativa landareetan ernetze- eta elongazio-testak gauzatu ziren heinean. Azterketa toxikologikoen ostean, kontrolarekiko desberdintasun esanguratsuak ikusi ziren: erauzitako zelomozito kantitatean, bideragarritasun zelularrean, ehunetan metatutako metal-kontzentrazioetan, hazkuntza-parametroetan (pisu-galeran) eta ugalketa-parametroetan, kutsatzaileek lurzoru biotan eragindako afekzioa berretsiz. L. sativa espeziarekin egindako frogetan, aldiz, ez zen desberdintasun nabarmenik preziatu talde esperimentalen artean.; Increasing global population, along with a rising industrial activity and soil scarceness led to landfill, spill and filling point extension. Among this landfills, “Landfill 17” can be found with 48046-00181 code; located in Gernika-Lumo (43°19'28,9"N 2°40'30,9"W, Basque Country). There, sewage sludges coming from Gernika waste water treatment plant were poured with a hose with agricultural purposes; thus, many pollutants with industrial origin (heavy metals, PAHs and pesticides among others) ended up in the mentioned soils. Among the species mostly affected by the contamination, plants and earthworms must be highlighted due to their close relation with soil matrix; and therefore, soil pollution. In this context, the aim of this work is to evaluate the effects exerted by pollutants in the spilling in order to assess potential Landfill future uses; using for that widely known biomarkers and standardized tests in different organisms (lettuce and earthworms), exposure times (3, 7, 28 and 56 days) and complexity levels (from cellular level to populational level) for that. Indeed, OECD-204 (acute toxicity test), OECD-222 (reproduction test) and calcein AM tests were applied in Eisenia fetida earthworms; while, germination and elongation tests were applied on Lactuca sativa plants. After carrying out ecotoxicological assays, significant differences respect to the control were observed in: extruded coelomocyte quantity, cell viability, tissue metal accumulations, growth (weight loss) parameters or reproductive parameters; proving pollutants affection upon soil biota. However, no significant differences were observed between experimental groups in those tests carried out with L. sativa

First results of the140ce(N,ү)141ce cross-section measurement at n_tof

An accurate measurement of the140Ce(n,ү) energy-dependent cross-section was performed at the n_TOF facility at CERN. This cross-section is of great importance because it represents a bottleneck for the s-process nucleosynthesis and determines to a large extent the cerium abundance in stars. The measurement was motivated by the significant difference between the cerium abundance measured in globular clusters and the value predicted by theoretical stellar models. This discrepancy can be ascribed to an overestimation of the140Ce capture cross-section due to a lack of accurate nuclear data. For this measurement, we used a sample of cerium oxide enriched in140Ce to 99.4%. The experimental apparatus consisted of four deuterated benzene liquid scintillator detectors, which allowed us to overcome the difficulties present in the previous measurements, thanks to their very low neutron sensitivity. The accurate analysis of the p-wave resonances and the calculation of their average parameters are fundamental to improve the evaluation of the140Ce Maxwellian-averaged cross-section. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland