How life history contributes to stress response in the Manila clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis>

Introduction  

Within the last decade, numerous studies have investigated the role of environmental history on tolerance to stress of many organisms. This study aims to assess if Manila clams Ruditapes philippinarum may react differently to cadmium exposure and trematode parasite infection (Himasthla elongata) depending on their origin and environmental history in Arcachon Bay (France).     

Interactive effects of metal contamination and pathogenic organisms on the introduced marine bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum in European populations

In natural environment, marine organisms are concomitantly exposed to pollutants and multiple disease agents resulting in detrimental interactions. The present study evaluated interactive effects of metal contamination (cadmium) and pathogenic organisms (trematode parasites Himasthla elongata and pathogenic bacteria Vibrio tapetis) singularly and in combination on the bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum, an introduced species to Europe, under laboratory controlled conditions. After 7 days, metal bioaccumulation and pathogen load were analyzed as well as metallothionein (MT) response and hemocyte concentrations and activities. Results showed that infection by opportunistic pathogens affects metal accumulation, leading to maximal Cd accumulation in co-infected clams. Among stressors only V. tapetis induced significant effects on immune parameters whereas a particular interaction “trematode-bacteria” was shown on MT responses. Despite low trematode infection in agreement with the resistant status of R. philippinarum to these macroparasites, significant interaction with bacteria and metal occurred. Such results highlight the necessity of taking pathogens into account in ecotoxicological studies.     

The impact of gender-blindness on social-ecological resilience: The case of a communal pasture in the highlands of Ethiopia

We studied how the failure to take into account gendered roles in the management of a communal pasture can affect the resilience of this social-ecological system. Data were collected using qualitative methods, including focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and participant observations from one community in the highlands of Ethiopia. The results show that women are excluded from the informal institution that defines the access and use rules which guide the management of the communal pasture. Consequently, women’s knowledge, preferences, and needs are not taken into account. This negatively affects the resilience of the communal pasture in two ways. Firstly, the exclusion of women’s knowledge leads to future adaptation options being overlooked. Secondly, as a result of the failure to address women’s needs, they start to question the legitimacy of the informal institution. The case study thus shows how excluding women, i.e., side-lining their knowledge and needs, weakens social learning and the adaptiveness of the management rules. Being blind to gender-related issues may thus undermine the resilience of a social-ecological system.     

Effect of in-situ formed Al hydrates through long-term aging on enhanced particle destabilization by PACl coagulation

Aging of polyaluminum chloride (PACl) coagulants could significantly influence hydrolyzed Al speciation ruling coagulation performance. The goal of this study was to investigate Al species transformation through long-term aging and its impact on coagulation performance. Two kinds of commercial coagulants (PACl-1 and PACl-2) were stored for in-situ aging tests in six months to evaluate Al species variation with time and the performance of coagulation with natural turbid waters. The results showed that CaSO₄ precipitation easily occur in a commercial PACl coagulant with time as it contains SO₄^2? and Ca²⁺. It also activates the precipitation of gibbsite Al(OH)₃ in PACl with aging. Through 180 days aging, both monomeric Al (Al_a) and polymeric Al (Al_b) substantially transform into colloidal Al (Al_c) and precipitated for both PACl coagulants. At low turbidity (10 NTU), PACl-1 has a superior turbidity reduction rate than PACl-2, while PACl-2 performs a little better turbidity reduction at high turbidity (1000 NTU) regardless of aging time. With aging time, an obvious decrease in turbidity reduction for PACl-1 coagulation is observed at low turbidity of 10 NTU, while the improvement in turbidity reduction for PACl-2 coagulation by enhanced sweep flocculation can be achieved as Al_b mostly transform into Al_c after 150 days aging. It is concluded that dominant in-situ formed Al_c after a long time hydrolysis can improve PACl coagulation efficiency in turbidity reduction by enhanced sweep flocculation, especially for low turbidity water, but the increase in preformed Al_c in PACl would worsen particle destabilization after aging.