Phylogenetic diversity of epibiotic bacteria in the accessory nidamental glands of squids (Cephalopoda: Loliginidae and Idiosepiidae)

Bacterial communities were identified from the accessory nidamental glands (ANGs) of European and Western Pacific squids of the families Loliginidae and Idiosepiidae, as also in the egg capsules, embryo and yolk of two loliginid squid species, and in the entire egg of one idiosepiid squid species. The results of phylogenetic analyses of 16S RNA gene (rDNA) confirmed that several phylotypes of α-proteobacteria, γ-proteobacteria and Cytophaga–Flavobacteria–Bacteroides phylum were present as potential symbiotic associations within the ANGs. Several identified clones were related to reference strains, while others had no known close relatives. Gram positive strains were rare in loliginid squids. Several bacterial groups may play important roles in the function of the ANGs, such as production of the toxic compounds involved in egg protection and carotenoid pigments. Within the eggs, no bacteria were associated with embryo or yolk of Loligo vulgaris and Sepioteuthis lessoniana, but α- and γ-proteobacteria were present in the egg capsules. Most bacterial strains detected in the egg capsules were the same as those found in the ANGs. The cephalopods of temperate regions (European cuttlefishes and the squid L. vulgaris) appear to be associated with one Agrobacterium strain (Agro2) while tropical-subtropical strains (Asian and Australian loliginids) are associated with Silicibacter-related strains, suggesting a biogeographic clustering for the Agrobacterium-like strains.     

Genotoxicity of gold nanoparticles functionalized with indolicidin towards Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The toxic effects of gold nanoparticles surface-functionalized with the antimicrobial peptide indolicidin(Au NPs-indolicidin) towards the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, one of the major eukaryotic model organisms, have been evaluated. Growth and survival,genotoxicity, as measured by comet assay, and expression of the YCA1, an apoptosis indicating gene, following 72 hr exposure of yeast to Au NPs-indolicidin, and to Au NPs and indolicidin alone have been examined. The gold nanoparticles exerted toxicity with DNA damage, accompanied by reactive oxygen species production(ROS), but they do not inhibit yeast growth and viability. Genotoxicity was less pronounced for surface-functionalized nanoparticles, showing that S. cerevisiae is quite resistant to the complex Au NPs-indolicidin.A progressive reduction of the genotoxic effect was observed along 72 hr exposure,presumably due to the activation of DNA repair mechanisms. These findings suggest the occurrence of a physiological protective response of S. cerevisiae towards nanoparticles,thereby providing useful information to the assessment of the environmental impact of metal nanoparticles.     

Instrumental and bio-monitoring of heavy metal and nanoparticle emissions from diesel engine exhaust in controlled environment

In the present article we characterized the emissions at the exhaust of a Common Rail (CR) diesel engine, representative of lightduty class, equipped with a catalyzed diesel particulate filter (CDPF) in controlled environment. The downstream exhausts were directly analyzed (for PM, CO, CO2, O2, HCs, NOx) by infrared and electrochemical sensors, and SEM-EDS microscope; heavy metals were chemically analyzed using mosses and lichens in bags, and glass-fibre filters all exposed at the engine exhausts. The highest particle emission value was in the 7–54 nm size range; the peak concentration rose until one order of magnitude for the highest load and speed. Particle composition was mainly carbonaceous, associated to noticeable amounts of Fe and silica fibres. Moreover, the content of Cu, Fe, Na, Ni and Zn in both moss and lichen, and of Al and Cr in moss, was significantly increased. Glass-fibre filters were significantly enriched in Al, B, Ba, Cu, Fe, Na, and Zn. The role of diesel engines as source of carbonaceous nanoparticles has been confirmed, while further investigations in controlled environment are needed to test the catalytic muffler as a possible source of silica fibres considered very hazardous for human health.     

Long-term changes in phytoplankton phenology and community structure in the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina

The phytoplankton of the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina, has been surveyed since 1978. Chlorophyll a, phytoplankton abundance, species composition and physico-chemical variables have been fortnightly recorded. From 1978 to 2002, a single winter–early spring diatom bloom has dominated the main pattern of phytoplankton interannual variability. Such pattern showed noticeable changes since 2006: the absence of the typical winter bloom and changes in phenology, together with the replacement of the dominant blooming species, i.e. Thalassiosira curviseriata, and the appearance of different blooming species, i.e. Cyclotella sp. and Thalassiosira minima. The new pattern showed relatively short-lived diatom blooms that spread throughout the year. In addition, shifts in the phytoplankton size structure toward small-sized diatoms, including the replacement of relatively large Thalassiosira spp. by small Cyclotella species and Chaetoceros species have been noticed. The changes in the phenology and composition of the phytoplankton are mainly attributed to warmer winters and the extremely dry weather conditions evidenced in recent years in the Bahía Blanca area. Changing climate has modified the hydrological features in the inner part of the estuary (i.e. higher temperatures and salinities) and potentially triggered the reorganization of the phytoplankton community. This long-term study provides evidence on species-specific and structural changes at the bottom of the pelagic food web likely related to the recent hydroclimatic conditions in a temperature estuary of the southwestern Atlantic.     

Mapping and quantifying habitat fragmentation in small coastal areas: a case study of three protected wetlands in Apulia (Italy)

In the Mediterranean Region, habitat loss and fragmentation severely affect coastal wetlands, due to the rapid expansion of anthropogenic activities that has occurred in the last decades. Landscape metrics are commonly used to define landscape patterns and to evaluate fragmentation processes. This investigation focuses on the performance of a set of landscape pattern indices within landscapes characterized by coastal environments and extent below 1,000 ha. The aim is to assess the degree of habitat fragmentation for the monitoring of protected areas and to learn whether values of landscape metrics can characterize fine-resolution landscape patterns. The study areas are three coastal wetlands belonging to the Natura 2000 network and sited on the Adriatic side of Apulia (Southern Italy). The Habitat Maps were derived from the Vegetation Maps generated integrating phytosociological relevés and Earth Observation data. In the three sites, a total of 16 habitat types were detected. A selected set of landscape metrics was applied in order to investigate their performance in assessing fragmentation and spatial patterns of habitats. The final results showed that the most significant landscape patterns are related to highly specialized habitat types closely linked to coastal environments. In interpreting the landscape patterns of these highly specialized habitats, some specific ecological factors were taken into account. The shape indices were the most useful in assessing the degree of fragmentation of habitat types that usually have elongated morphology along the shoreline or the coastal lagoons. In all the cases, to be meaningful, data obtained from the application of the selected indices were jointly assessed, especially at the class level.     

A screening model for fate and transport of biodegradable polyesters in soil

A numerical model for predicting the fate and transport of biodegradable polyester residues in soil, following successive applications of mulch film, was developed and applied. The polymer, applied on surface soil, was assumed to be converted into by-products (monomers), according to a first order kinetics with constant K(1deg). The monomers released were assumed to sorb on soil organic matter (according to a first-order kinetics with constant K(s)), to be leached with the seepage water, through vertical advection and hydrodynamic dispersion, and biodegraded (according to a first-order kinetics with constant K(b)). Results suggested that, to assess a possible build-up of mulch film (as a polymer) on the surface soil, the degradation constant K(1deg) relating the polymer conversion to by-products should be known, whereas the biodegradation constant K(b) indicates there is no danger of groundwater pollution. Likewise, on the basis of by-product concentration in deep soil, soil pollution should not occur.     

Effect of hydrocarbon pollution on the microbial properties of a sandy and a clay soil

The aim of this work was to ascertain the effects of different types of hydrocarbon pollution on soil microbial properties and the influence of a soil's characteristics on these effects. For this, toxicity bioassays and microbiological and biochemical parameters were studied in two soils (one sandy and one clayey) contaminated at a loading rate of 5% and 10% with three types of hydrocarbon (diesel oil, gasoline and crude petroleum) differing in their volatilisation potential and toxic substance content. Soils were maintained under controlled conditions (50-70% water holding capacity, and room temperature) for six months and several microbiological and toxicity parameters were monitored 1, 60, 120 and 180 days after contamination. The toxic effects of hydrocarbon contamination were greater in the sandy soil. Hydrocarbons inhibited microbial biomass, the greatest negative effect being observed in the gasoline-polluted sandy soil. In both soils crude petroleum and diesel oil contamination increased microbial respiration, while gasoline had little effect on this parameter, especially in the sandy soil. In general, gasoline had the highest inhibitory effect on the hydrolase activities involved in N, P or C cycles in both soils. All contaminants inhibited hydrolase activities in the sandy soil, while in the clayey soil diesel oil stimulated enzyme activity, particularly at the higher concentration. In both soils, a phytotoxic effect on barley and ryegrass seed germination was observed in the contaminated soils, particularly in those contaminated with diesel or petroleum.     

Effects of copper on early developmental stages of Lessonia nigrescens Bory (Phaeophyceae)

Copper effects on the early developmental gametophytic and sporophytic stages of the kelp Lessonia nigrescens were tested in gradients of increasing concentrations of ASV-labile copper. The results demonstrated a high sensitivity to copper of all life-history stages of the alga, where even the lowest tested concentration affected spore release as well as their subsequent settlement. More significant, concentrations higher than 7.87 microg L(-1) totally interrupted the development of the spores after they settle. This effect led to a failure in the formation of male and female gametophytes and, as a consequence, to a complete disruption of the normal life cycle of the kelp. Thus, we suggest that the absence of L. nigrescens from copper-enriched environments results from the high sensitivity of its early life cycle stages, which limits growth and maturation of the gametophytic microscopic phase and, as a consequence, prevents development of the macroscopic sporophytic phase.