Use of molecular and In Silico bioinformatic tools to investigate pesticide binding to insect (Lepidoptera) phenoloxidases (PO): Insights to toxicological aspects

In the present work, the promising bioinformatic tools, based on structure–affinity analysis, allowed to screen several pesticides supposed to bind to the insect immune Phenoloxidases (PO). First, the binding of aminoparathion, a reference compound, to the PO was structurally (3D) validated in accordance with previous reports. Second, using the same docking conditions, a range of pesticides was checked for their binding ability to the crystal 3D structure (PDB 3HSS) of the insect Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera) PO. The obtained data showed that many of the tested pesticides were able to bind, in silico, to M. sexta PO. The combination of in vitro (chemical and biochemical) and in silico (automated docking) approaches was found advantageous to elucidate the behavior of phenolic pesticides as substrate-analogues when binding to the active site of insect POs. Our findings emphasize new ecotoxicological aspects of pesticide residues in the agro-chemical and environmental circles.     

Agricultural Sustainability from a Societal View: An Analysis of Southern Spanish Citizens

Sustainable agriculture refers to farming systems with economic, social, and environmental viability that must respond to citizens’ interests and concerns. However, European citizens are not satisfied with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) due to misinterpretation of their preferences. Because of this, the European agricultural model’s long-term viability is being questioned, especially after the European Commission’s CAP proposals in 2011. This paper examines European agriculture’s potential sustainability with regard to citizens’ preferences. First, focus groups and the Analytic Hierarchy Process are used to identify and quantify southern Spanish citizens’ preferences for farming. Second, socio-demographic features and opinions that determine preferences towards agriculture are studied by a multinomial logit model and a cluster analysis. A comparison is made between citizens’ preferences and the CAP aims because the CAP aims address all European farming. The main results indicate that agricultural economic, environmental, and social functions are equally important to the respondents in our study, even though the CAP prioritizes the economic ones. However, some citizen groups agree with the agricultural model designed by the CAP.     

Converting Waste Polystyrene into Adsorbent: Potential Use in the Removal of Lead and Cadmium Ions from Aqueous Solution

Waste of polystyrene was converted into a cation exchange resin and was used for the removal of lead and cadmium metals from aqueous solution. Wastes consisting of coffee cups were crushed into small pieces and immersed into a solution of sulfuric acid in order to attach sulfonic group to polymer chain, these groups are responsible for the exchange properties of the modified plastic. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) was determined and was comparable to commercial exchangers. The adsorption isotherms of resin with synthetic wastewater containing lead and cadmium ions were tested. Adsorption analysis results obtained at various concentrations showed that the adsorption pattern on the resin followed Langmuir isotherms.     

Potential of Nassarius nitidus for monitoring organotin pollution in the lagoon of Bizerta （northern Tunisia）

Imposex and butyltin burden were assessed in Nassarius nitidus, Bolinus brandaris and Hexaplex trunculus collected at five stations in the Bizerta lagoon. Biological analysis showed that imposex followed type (a) in N nitidus (distal evolution), against type (d) in the two muricids (proximal evolution). Imposex indices were higher in sites located nearby sources of tributyltin and N nitidus was the least affected species of the five sites, followed by B. brandaris and H. trunculus. Butyltin analysis showed lower accumulation in N nitidus followed by H. trunculus and B. brandaris. This study has allowed the gathering of data on imposex in a snail studied for the first time in Tunisia (N. nitidus). It suggests the possibility of using such snail as a complementary species for organotin monitoring programs in the Mediterranean and further confirmed that H. trunculus is the most suitable species for such investigations.     

Seasonal ontogenetic colour plasticity in the adult striated shieldbug <Emphasis Type="Italic">Graphosoma lineatum</Emphasis> (Heteroptera) and its effect on detectability

Camouflage and warning colouration are two important forms of protective colouration. We have studied the detectability of two seasonal colourations in the aposematic striated shieldbug, Graphosoma lineatum. The typical colouration of this insect is red and black, which is also the colouration of the reproductive post-hibernation bugs in our study area in south central Sweden. However, the majority of newly eclosed adults in late summer exhibit a ‘pale’ (light brownish, non-red) and black striation, and these bugs appear quite cryptic to the human eye when sitting on the dried stems and umbels of their host plants. In experiments using photographs of prey in the late-summer habitat shown on a computer screen, we compared the time to detection by human subjects of bugs, which had been manipulated to show either of the two typical seasonal colourations. Time to detection was significantly longer for the pale and black than for the red-and-black striation in images with the bug photographed at two different distances. This indicates that the pale pre-hibernation striation may have a cryptic function. In a separate experiment, we tested detectability of striated and non-striated manipulations of bug pre-hibernation colouration against the late-summer background, and found that time to detection was significantly longer for the striated bugs. We discuss potential functional explanations for the seasonal ontogenetic colour plasticity and suggest that the epidermal pale colour in the late summer provides a benefit of increased camouflage.     

A universal design approach for in situ bioremediation developed from multiple project sites

This article describes a design approach that has been developed for bioremediation of chlorinated volatile organic compound–impacted groundwater that is based upon experience gained during the past 17 years. The projects described in the article generally involve large‐scale enhanced anaerobic dechlorination (EAD) and combined aerobic/anaerobic bioremediation techniques. Our design approach is based on three primary objectives: (1) selecting and distributing the proper additives (including bioaugmentation) within the targeted treatment zone; (2) maintaining a neutral pH (and adding alkalinity when needed); and (3) sustaining the desired conditions for a sufficient period of time for the bioremediation process to be fully completed. This design approach can be applied to both anaerobic and aerobic bioremediation systems. Site‐specific conditions of hydraulic permeability, groundwater velocity, contaminant type and concentrations, and regulatory constraints will dictate the best remedial approach and design parameters for in situ bioremediation at each site. The biggest challenges to implementing anaerobic bioremediation processes are generally the selection and delivery of a suitable electron donor and the proper distribution of the donor throughout the targeted treatment zone. For aerobic bioremediation processes, complete distribution of adequate concentrations of a suitable electron acceptor, typically oxygen or oxygen‐yielding compounds such as hydrogen peroxide, is critical. These design approaches were developed based on understanding the biological processes involved and the mechanics of groundwater flow. They have evolved based on actual applications and results from numerous sites. An EAD treatment system, based on our current design approach, typically uses alcohol as a substrate, employs groundwater recirculation to distribute additives, and has an operational period of two to four years. An aerobic in situ treatment system based on our current design approach typically uses pure oxygen or hydrogen peroxide as an electron acceptor, may involve enhancements to groundwater flow for better distribution, and generally has an operational period of one to four years. These design concepts and specific project examples are presented for 17 sites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Nutrient Abatement Potential and Abatement Costs of Waste Water Treatment Plants in the Baltic Sea Region

We assess the physical potential to reduce nutrient loads from waste water treatment plants in the Baltic Sea region and determine the costs of abating nutrients based on the estimated potential. We take a sample of waste water treatment plants of different size classes and generalize its properties to the whole population of waste water treatment plants. Based on a detailed investment and operational cost data on actual plants, we develop the total and marginal abatement cost functions for both nutrients. To our knowledge, our study is the first of its kind; there is no other study on this issue which would take advantage of detailed data on waste water treatment plants at this extent. We demonstrate that the reduction potential of nutrients is huge in waste water treatment plants. Increasing the abatement in waste water treatment plants can result in 70 % of the Baltic Sea Action Plan nitrogen reduction target and 80 % of the Baltic Sea Action Plan phosphorus reduction target. Another good finding is that the costs of reducing both nutrients are much lower than previously thought. The large reduction of nitrogen would cost 670 million euros and of phosphorus 150 million euros. We show that especially for phosphorus the abatement costs in agriculture would be much higher than in waste water treatment plants.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-013-0435-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.