Enzymatic and osmoregulative alterations in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei exposed to pesticides

Pesticide pollution in coastal ecosystems of Sinaloa, Mexico is considered to be a cause for slow growth, increase of diseases and sometimes massive mortality of shrimp. So it was necessary to develop fast techniques to detect pesticide pollution in shrimp habitats. Enzymatic and osmoregulation tests in shrimp exposed to DDT, Lindane, Chlordane, Lorsban, Gusathion, Folidol, Diazinon and Tamaron were carried out. Activity reductions from 11 to 2 units/ml in acetylcholinesterase and from 1 to 0 units/l in transaminases (GOT and GPT) were detected. Also increases in osmoregulation were observed in shrimp exposed to Folidol, Diazinon and Gusation, whereas decreases with DDT, Lindane and Lorsban at salinity 50/1000. We conclude that pesticides are causing alterations in these biochemical functions and this kind of tests represent a rapid and inexpensive method for pesticide pollution detection.     

Six interaction profiles for simple mixtures

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has a program for chemical mixtures that encompasses research on chemical mixtures toxicity, health risk assessment, and development of innovative computational methods. ATSDR prepared a guidance document that instructs users on how to conduct health risk assessment on chemical mixtures (Guidance Manual for the Assessment of Joint Toxic Action of Chemical Mixtures). ATSDR also developed six interaction profiles for chemical mixtures. Two profiles were developed for persistent environmental chemicals that are often found in contaminated fish and also can be detected in human breast milk. The mixture included chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, hexachlorobenzene, dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane, methyl mercury, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Two profiles each were developed for mixtures of metals and mixtures of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) that are frequently found at hazardous waste sites. The two metal profiles dealt with (a) lead, manganese, zinc, and copper; and (b) arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead; the two VOCs mixtures dealt with (a) 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene; and (b) benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTEX). Weight-of-evidence methodology was used to assess the joint toxic action for most of the mixtures. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling was used for BTEX. In most cases, a target-organ toxicity dose modification of the hazard index approach is recommended for conducting exposure-based assessments of noncancer health hazards.     

The utilization of the Antarctic environmental specimen bank (BCAA) in monitoring Cd and Hg in an Antarctic coastal area in Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea--Northern Victoria Land)

The first projects relating to levels of Cd and Hg on marine biota and sediments from Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea--Antarctica) and their bioaccumulation and biomagnification in this trophic web have been carried out by research programmes pertaining to the Italian Antarctic Research Program (PNRA) since 1989. Making use of this data, and checking the same metals after 10 years thanks to the samples stored in the BCAA, we have looked for the levels of Cd and Hg in a coastal marine ecosystem of Terra Nova Bay, and have proposed using some organisms to monitor the levels of these two heavy metals in this environment where the Italian Base is located, using the data determinate in this work as background levels. In our work, the amount of Hg and Cd concentrations have been determined in biota from the inner shelf of Terra Nova Bay (Adamussium colbecki, Laternula elliptica, Odontaster validus, Sterechinus neumayeri, Trematomus bernacchii, Iridaea cordata, Phyllophora antarctica, Parborlasia corrugatus), and in two different size fractions of sieved marine sediments (<2000 microm and <63 microm). To widen the distribution of Cd and Hg in this ecosystem we have also investigated the fraction of these metals bound to the labile phase of the marine sediments, and their presence in the particulate matter found in pack-ice cores, recent snow, water column and sea microlayer.     

Persistent organochlorine compounds in soils and sediments of European high altitude mountain lakes

The composition of persistent organochlorine compounds (OC) in soils and sediments from two high altitude European mountain lakes, Redon in the Pyrenees and Ladove in the Tatra mountains, has been studied. Sediment cores from two additional lakes in the Tatra mountains, Starolesnianske Pleso and Dlugi Staw, have also been examined. DDTs (1.7-13 ng g(-1)) were the most abundant OC in soils followed by total polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs; 0.41-1.5 ng g(-1)) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB; 0.15-0.91 ng g(-1)). In sediments, the dominant OC were also DDTs (3.3-28 ng g(-1)) and PCBs (2.3-15 ng g(-1)). These concentrations are low, involving absence of major pollution sources in these high mountain regions. The downcore OC profiles in soils and sediments were similar but higher concentrations and steeper vertical gradients were observed in the latter. Radiometric determinations showed absence of significant OC transport from catchment to lake. The sediment-soil difference points therefore to a better retention of the OC load in sediments than soils which may be related to the low temperatures that are currently encountered at the bottom of the lake water column and the depletion of sediment bioturbation in these cold environments. Significant qualitative changes in the soil PCB distributions are observed downcore. These involve a dominance of the high molecular weight congeners in the top core sections and those of lower weight (i.e. less chlorinated) in the bottom. Anaerobic dechlorination of higher molecular weight congeners occurring in microsites, e.g. as observed in flooded or poorly drained soils, could be responsible for these changes. This process could be concurrent to bioturbation.     

Estimation of PCDD/F distribution and fluxes in the Venice Lagoon,Italy: combining measurement and modelling approaches

The available experimental information on the occurrence of PCDD/Fs in the Venice Lagoon, Italy, was compiled and used to calculate fugacities for the environmental compartments of sediment, suspended particulate matter (SPM), water and air and then used to estimate fugacity ratios and assess the likely net direction of flux between media. The bottom sediment: SPM fugacity ratios for different PCDD/Fs indicate conditions close to equilibrium, suggestive of the close coupling of SPM with re-suspended sediment. Sediment/water and the sediment/air fugacity ratios suggest that net flux directions vary depending on the congener and the location within the lagoon. Net sediment-water-air movement (i.e. re-mobilisation/volatilisation) is suggested for the lighter congeners from the industrial canals, where the highest PCDD/F concentrations in the lagoon occur. The tendency to volatilise increases with decreasing congener molecular weight. In contrast, net deposition (air-water-sediment) appears to be occurring for the heaviest (hepta- and octa-) substituted PCDD/Fs. OCDF represents a marker of the industrial district of the lagoon, decreasing in concentration and as a fraction of total PCDD/Fs with increasing distance. The fugacity-based quantitative water air sediment interaction (QWASI) mass-balance model was applied to the central part of the lagoon. The key parameters for the determination of the model output, identified by a sensitivity analysis, were: the sediment active depth, the sediment re-suspension and deposition rates, and the total input of PCDD/Fs to the system. The QWASI model also indicates the tendency for the lighter PCDD/Fs to be released from surface sediment to the water column.     

First Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Shellfish and in Seawater from Production Areas in Southern Italy

Shellfish samples (n = 384) from production areas, water samples from the same areas (n = 39) and from nearby sewage discharge points (n = 29) were analyzed for hepatitis E virus (HEV) by real-time and nested RT-PCR. Ten shellfish samples (2.6%) and five seawater samples (12.8%) tested positive for HEV; all characterized strains were G3 and showed high degree of sequence identity. An integrated surveillance in seafood and waters is relevant to reduce the risk of shellfish-associated illnesses.     

Occurrence and Genetic Diversity of Human Cosavirus in Sewage in Italy

Human Cosavirus (HCoSV) is a newly discovered virus whose role in human enteric diseases is still unknown. In Italy, the prevalence and genetic diversity of HCoSV are unexplored. One hundred forty-one raw sewage samples collected throughout Italy were screened for HCoSV by RT-nested PCR. HCoSV was detected in 25.5% of samples. Species A, C, and D, and a potentially new species were detected. Our results show a significant circulation and heterogeneity of HCoSV in Italy.     

Molecular Detection of Human Salivirus in Italy Through Monitoring of Urban Sewages

Food and Environmental Virology - Salivirus (SalV) is a newly discovered virus associated to acute gastroenteritis in humans. In Italy, its prevalence and genetic diversity is unknown. To reduce...     

Living within fallen palm leaves: the discovery of an unknown Blommersia (Mantellidae: Anura) reveals a new reproductive strategy in the amphibians of Madagascar

We describe a new mantelline frog of the genus Blommersia found in rainforest in North East Madagascar, from the protected areas of Ambatovaky, Betampona, Masoala, and Zahamena. Blommersia angolafa n.sp. is a small frog, with a body size of 17–21 mm, expanded finger and toe tips, and colouration ranging from yellow to dark brown, with pale-bluish spots on the flanks and light tips of fingers and toes. A peculiar aspect characterising this new species is its novel life history and reproductive mode. Both sexes live and breed in a phytotelmic habitat of water accumulated within fallen prophylls and fallen leaf sheaths of at least three species of Dypsis palms. Within these phytotelmata, egg laying and complete larval development occur. Thus, B. angolafa n.sp. represents a new evolutionary lineage of Malagasy frogs in which phytotelmy is known. Up to now, reproduction in phytotelmata in Malagasy frogs has been reported for many cophyline microhylids, most species of Guibemantis, Mantella laevigata, and possibly in a still-undescribed species belonging to the genus Spinomantis. We consider the reproductive mode of B. angolafa as a derived character, having evolved from the more typical reproduction in lentic water bodies. The general scarcity of lentic habitats in Malagasy rainforests may have provided the conditions that favoured the evolution of this phytotelmic breeding strategy. The new species, being specialised to a habitat represented by a few selected Dypsis species, potentially suffers the selective exploitation of these palms.