Amitraz induced cytotoxic effect on bovine cumulus cells and impaired oocyte maturation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The aim of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of amitraz (AMZ) on the primary culture of bovine cumulus cells (CC) and...     

Anaerobic digestion of the liquid fraction of dairy manure in pilot plant for biogas production: residual methane yield of digestate

The performance of the only dairy manure biogas plant in Cantabria (Northern coast of Spain) was evaluated in terms of liquid-solid separation and anaerobic digestion of the liquid fraction. Screened liquid fraction was satisfactorily treated in a CSTR digester at HRTs from 20 to 10 days with organic loading rates ranging from 2.0 to 4.5 kg VS/(m(3)d). Stable biogas productions from 0.66 to 1.47 m(3)/(m(3)d) were achieved. Four anaerobic effluents collected from the digester at different HRTs were analyzed to measure their residual methane potentials, which ranged from 12.7 to 102.4 L/gVS. These methane potentials were highly influenced by the feed quality and HRT of the previous CSTR anaerobic digestion process. Biomethanization of the screened liquid fraction of dairy manure from intensive farming has the potential to provide up to 2% of total electrical power in the region of Cantabria.     

Microbenthic community structure and trophic status of sediments in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Mediterranean,Ionian Sea)

This study aimed to assess the benthic ecosystem trophic status in a heavily polluted marine area and the response of the microbenthic community to multiple and diffuse anthropogenic impacts, integrating information coming from the active and resting (plankton’s cysts) components of microbenthos. Two sampling campaigns were carried out in the period 2013–2014 and four sampling sites at different levels of industrial contamination were chosen within the first and second inlet of the Mar Piccolo of Taranto. The chemical contamination affected to a higher extent the active microbenthos than the resting one. In the central part of the first inlet, characterised by more marine features, thrives a very rich and biodiverse microbenthic community. In contrast, at the polluted site near the military navy arsenal, extremely low densities (9576?±?1732 cells cm^?3) were observed for active microbenthos, but not for the resting community. Here, the high level of contamination selected for tychopelagic diatom species, i.e., thriving just above the surface sediments, while the other life forms died or moved away. Following the adoption of a 10 μm mesh, for the first time, resting spores produced by small diatoms of the genus Chaetoceros were found. Our results further indicate that although the Mar Piccolo is very shallow, the benthic system is scarcely productive, likely as a consequence of the accumulated contaminants in the surface sediments that probably interfere with the proper functioning of the benthic ecosystem.     

Doramectin induced cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on bovine peripheral lymphocytes and cumulus cells in vitro

The effect of doramectin (DOR) was tested on two experimental somatic bovine cells in vitro: peripheral lymphocytes (PL) and cumulus cells (CC). The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of DOR were assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, single cell gel electrophoresis assay (SCGE) and cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN Cyt) assay. Both cells were treated with three concentrations of DOR (20, 40, 60?ng?mL^–1) for 24?h. The results obtained from PL demonstrated that DOR was able to induce cytotoxic effect and DNA damage with all concentrations tested. Additionally, DOR increased micronuclei (MNi) frequency and nuclear buds (NBuds) with 20, 40, 60?ng?mL^–1, and nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) only with 40?ng?mL^–1. On the other hand, the three concentrations of DOR were not able to induce cytotoxic effect and DNA damage using SCGE in the bovine CC. Nevertheless, the two higher concentrations of DOR (20, 40?µg mL^–1) significantly increased the frequency of micronucleus formation in bovine CC. These results represent the first experimental evidence of genotoxic and cytotoxic effects exerted by DOR on bovine PL and CC.     

Anthropogenic contaminants in freshwater from the northern Antarctic Peninsula region

This study aimed to evaluate the presence of ultraviolet filters (UV-Fs), benzotriazoles, pyrethroids and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in freshwater and wastewater from the northern Antarctic Peninsula region. All water samples analyzed contained UV-Fs residues and high concentrations were detected in anthropogenic impacted sites (< LOD up to 1300 ng/L). Likewise, benzotriazoles were detected in all water samples (< LOQ–920 ng/L). Regarding suspended particulate matter, almost all UV-Fs and all benzotriazoles were measured at concentrations ranging from < LOQ to 33 µg/g dry weight. Pyrethroids were also detected (< LOQ–250 ng/L) and their presence implies the existence of a gateway to the Antarctica Peninsula from other regions. The data confirmed the presence of PFASs (< LOD–7500 ng/L) in this area, in agreement with previous studies. In light of these results, extended monitoring in Antarctica should be carried out to perform a reliable environmental risk assessment leading to propose recommendations to minimize the anthropic impact.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-020-01404-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.