Development of novel and ecological keratin/cellulose-based composites for absorption of oils and organic solvents

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Keratin/cellulose cryogels were successfully fabricated using chicken feathers (CF) and cardboard (C) from environmental waste for the first time, to...     

N-acyl homoserine lactone production by bacteria within the sponge Suberites domuncula (Olivi, 1792) (Porifera, Demospongiae)

Many bacteria live in close association with sponges. Within these consortia, molecules of communication such as quorum-sensing and hormone-like molecules may occur in order to regulate the partnership. Of particular interest, bacterial N-acyl-l-homoserine lactones (AHLs) were screened in supernatants from Suberites domuncula-associated bacteria using an E. coli bioluminescent reporter system. These sponge-associated bacteria were beforehand isolated on several media supplemented or not with a sponge extract to attempt to isolate sponge-specific bacteria. Out of 81 AHL-producing bacteria, three strains requiring sponge extract to grow were selected for AHL characterization. The in vitro produced AHLs, that is, in bacterial culture supernatants, were identified as N-(3-butanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone and N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone and quantified using LC–ESI–MS/MS. The in vivo production of AHLs by sponge-associated bacteria has also been demonstrated in a healthy host for the first time: N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone, N-(3-hexanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone, and N-(3-heptanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone. This AHL production in sponges may suggest a potential role of these molecules between sponge-associated bacteria and/or between sponge-associated bacteria and the sponge.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cytherella</Emphasis> as a tool to reconstruct deep-sea paleo-oxygen levels: the respiratory physiology of the platycopid ostracod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cytherella</Emphasis> cf. <Emphasis Type="Italic">abyssorum</Emphasis>

The reconstruction of past climates is a major challenge. One approach is the use of paleoceanography, which looks for clues to the past activity of deep-sea currents by associating them with the melting of the poles. In different sampling zones, fossil biomarkers are used to reconstruct the oxygenation levels of the sea bottom. Among the ostracods (crustaceans), the family Cytherellidae is considered to be resistant to significant decreases in oxygen and their fossil valves are used as biomarkers for oxygenation levels in the past. We studied the basic principles behind Cytherella cf. abyssorum’s ability to adapt to variations in water oxygenation levels in an attempt to determine what could differentiate it from other ostracods. Cytherella cf. abyssorum Sars 1866 has an activity level and ventilatory frequency only half that of ostracods studied previously. When subjected to a decrease in oxygenation, it demonstrates the beginnings of ventilatory adaptation which is unknown in the other studied ostracods. Some morpho-functional aspects are also remarkable, such as the presence of thick valves, which can close hermetically by means of powerful adductor muscles. Compared with already studied ostracods, Cytherella cf. abyssorum has, therefore, characteristics which suggest an ability to present increased resistance in hypoxia. We discuss these results in the paleoceanographical context by describing a scenario suggesting why an increased proportion of the ostracod population could indicate the existence of ocean bottoms with low oxygenation.     

A multi-step bioassay to assess the effect of the deltamethrin on the parasitic wasp Aphidius ervi

Insecticides are widely used for crop protection. Effectiveness of pesticides and beneficial arthropods in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program requires a full understanding of how specific pesticides alter natural enemy effectiveness. This may require evaluation of chemicals at different life stages of the insect considered, on different physiological and behavioural components, and also on population dynamic components such as recolonization capacities after a pesticide treatment. Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an aphid parasitoid commonly used for the biological control of aphid populations. In this work, our aim was to assess the effects of deltamethrin (pyrethroid) treatments on this parasitoid using a multi-step bioassay. We evaluated its effects on parasitoid emergence, adult survival and longevity, and host searching. Two exposure methods were used, topical and spray, to evaluate impact of the deltamethrin field rate (6.25ga.i./ha) and also to compare the methods of exposure. A four-armed olfactometer was used to investigate effect of deltamethrin on host searching behaviour. When applied at the rate of field exposure, deltamethrin reduced the adult longevity but not the rate of emergence from mummies. Effects varied between the two exposure methods. Two indices were defined: the "population survival index" to measure capacity of parasitoids to recolonize a treated field and the "reproductive potential" to estimate the reduction in reproduction as a function of longevity decrease. These indices predicted effects of deltamethrin on A. ervi in terms of mortality and reduction of recolonization capacities. However, adults that survived residual exposure to deltamethrin retained their ability to orient to host odours. The implications of results in IPM and interest of the methodology used are both discussed.     

Multi-elemental compound-specific isotope analysis of pesticides for source identification and monitoring of degradation in soil: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - The transfer of pesticides from agricultural soils to food and drinking water is a major health issue. There are actually few robust methods to identify,...     

A critical review of effect modeling for ecological risk assessment of plant protection products

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A wide diversity of plant protection products (PPP) is used for crop protection leading to the contamination of soil, water, and air, which can have...