Temperature influence on silver nanoparticles inhibitory effect on photosystem II photochemistry in two green algae, Chlorella vulgaris and Dunaliella tertiolecta

Purpose

In this study, the effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the photosynthetic performance of two green algae, Chlorella vulgaris and Dunaliella tertiolecta, was investigated at 25°C and 31°C.

Methods

To induce AgNPs effect, algal cells were exposed for 24?h to concentrations varying from 0 to 10?mg/L. The polyphasic OJIP fluorescence transient was used to evaluate photosystem II (PSII).

Results

We show that growth media and temperature had different effects in AgNPs agglomerates formation and Zeta potential. When temperature conditions change, inhibitory effect of AgNPs also undergoes changes. Increase of temperature induced higher altering effects to PSII quantum yield, primary photosynthetic electron transport, and consequently higher decrease of total photosynthetic performance if compared to AgNPs effect alone. AgNPs has a negative effect on D. tertiolecta compared to C. vulgaris.

Conclusion

We conclude that temperature tends to enhance the toxic effects on aquatic alga and these alterations might have serious consequences on ecosystem equilibrium and aquatic plant communities.     

Effects of sewage sludge fertilizer on heavy metal accumulation and consequent responses of sunflower (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus annuus</Emphasis>)

Use of sewage sludge, a biological residue produced from sewage treatment processes in agriculture, is an alternative disposal technique of waste. To study the usefulness of sewage sludge amendment for Helianthus annuus, a pot experiment was conducted by mixing sewage sludge at 2.5, 5, and 7.5 % (w/w) amendment ratios to the agricultural soil. Soil pH decreased whereas electrical conductivity, organic matter, total N, available P, and exchangeable Na, K, and Ca increased in soil amended with sewage sludge in comparison to unamended soil. Sewage sludge amendment led to significant increase in Pb, Ni, Cu, Cr, and Zn concentrations of soil. The increased concentration of heavy metals in soil due to sewage sludge amendment led to increases in shoot and root concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in plant as compared to those grown on unamended soil. Accumulation was more in roots than shoots for most of the heavy metals. Moreover, high metal removal for the harvestable parts of the crops was recorded. Sewage sludge amendment increased root and shoot length, leaves number, biomass, and antioxidant activities of sunflower. Significant increases in the activities of antioxidant enzymes and in the glutathione, proline, and soluble sugar content in response to amendment with sewage sludge may be defense mechanisms induced in response to heavy metal stress.

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Graphical abstract Origin, fate and behavior of sewage sludge fertilizer

     

Cross-sectional biomonitoring study of pesticide exposures in Queensland,Australia, using pooled urine samples

A range of pesticides are available in Australia for use in agricultural and domestic settings to control pests, including organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides, herbicides, and insect repellents, such as N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). The aim of this study was to provide a cost-effective preliminary assessment of background exposure to a range of pesticides among a convenience sample of Australian residents. De-identified urine specimens stratified by age and sex were obtained from a community-based pathology laboratory and pooled (n = 24 pools of 100 specimens). Concentrations of urinary pesticide biomarkers were quantified using solid-phase extraction coupled with isotope dilution high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Geometric mean biomarker concentrations ranged from <0.1 to 36.8 ng/mL for organophosphate insecticides, <0.1 to 5.5 ng/mL for pyrethroid insecticides, and <0.1 to 8.51 ng/mL for all other biomarkers with the exception of the DEET metabolite 3-diethylcarbamoyl benzoic acid (4.23 to 850 ng/mL). We observed no association between age and concentration for most biomarkers measured but noted a “U-shaped” trend for five organophosphate metabolites, with the highest concentrations observed in the youngest and oldest age strata, perhaps related to age-specific differences in behavior or physiology. The fact that concentrations of specific and non-specific metabolites of the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos were higher than reported in USA and Canada may relate to differences in registered applications among countries. Additional biomonitoring programs of the general population and focusing on vulnerable populations would improve the exposure assessment and the monitoring of temporal exposure trends as usage patterns of pesticide products in Australia change over time.     

Speciation of Trace Metals in Coastal Sediments of El-Mex Bay South Mediterranean Sea–West of Alexandria (Egypt)

Sediments of El-Mex Bay estuary on the southern Mediterranean Sea have been analyzed for trace metals after sediment fractionation by sequential leaching. A sequential extraction procedure was applied to identify forms of Mn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn and Fe. The five steps of the sequential extraction procedure partitioned metals into: CH₃COONH₄ extractable (F1); NaOAC carbonate extractable (F2); NH₂OH.HCl/CH₃COOH reducible extractable (F3); H₂O₂–HNO₃ organic extractable (F4) and NHO₃/HClO₄/HF acid soluble residue (F5). Extracted concentrations of trace metals analyzed after all five steps, were found to be (μg/g) for Mn: 1930.2, Cu: 165.3, Cd: 60.9, Cr: 386.3, Zn: 2351.3 and Fe: 10895. Most of elements were found in reducible fraction except Fe found in acid soluble residue, characterizing stable compounds in sediments. Labile (non-residual) fractions of trace elements (sum of the first four fractions) were analyzed because they are more bioavailable than the residual amount. Correlation analysis was used to understand and visualize the associations between the labile fractions of trace metals and certain forms, since Fe-and Mn-oxides play an important role in trace metals sorption within aquatic systems, especially within El-Mex Bay sediments that characterized by varying metal bioavailability.     

Does foreign direct investment asymmetrically influence carbon emissions in sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from nonlinear panel ARDL approach

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In recent decades, the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and carbon emissions has garnered the extensive attention by researchers...     

The front basitarsal brush in Pachycondyla apicalis and its role in hydrocarbon circulation

Summary. Worker postpharyngeal gland (PPG) chemistry of Pachycondyla apicalis constitutes a blend of hydrocarbons including alkanes, alkenes, and alkadienes, with 5,9-pentacosadiene, 5,9-heptacosadiene and 5,9-nonacosadiene as the major products as well as fatty acids. There is a large congruency between the PPG and cuticular hydrocarbons, however the latter had higher proportion of tricosane and pentacosane, but only traces of fatty acids. These ants have a well-developed cuticular hair brush on the front legs that they frequently pass through the mouth while grooming. Since these brushes have higher amounts of hydrocarbons than either the middle or hind legs, we hypothesized that they are involved in hydrocarbon circulation. We assessed the role of the front basitarsal brush in hydrocarbon circulation by isolating them from the buccal cavity, either by restraining the front legs or by blocking the mouth with glue. In both experiments, preventing contacts between the basitarsal brushes and the mouth for 24 hrs resulted in a considerable increase in hydrocarbon amounts in the brushes with a parallel decrease in the PPG. When the ants were kept alive for an additional 24 hrs after their legs were freed, hydrocarbon amounts in both the PPG and the front legs returned to normal. Analyses of crop content revealed the same hydrocarbons profile as in the PPG, but their amounts were very variable and there were no differences in amounts between the treatment and the control. We assume that part of the PPG hydrocarbons are cleared via the alimentary canal. Grooming behavior of ants restrained for 24 hrs and then freed was followed for four hours thereafter. There was a significant increase in total grooming during the first third and fourth hour, but not during the second. Grooming involving the front legs-mouth, and front legs-antennae, and the front and hind legs was especially intensive during the first hour. Grooming involving the hind legs - body was more intensive in the treated ants during the third hour following their release. We conclude that the front basitarsal brush is a site of hydrocarbon accumulation and that the PPG receives frequent charging during self-grooming.     

Biomonitoring study of heavy metals in biota and sediments in the South Eastern coast of Mediterranean sea, Egypt

Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Co, Zn, Mn and Fe were determined in biota and sediment samples collected from the Eastern Harbour and El-Mex Bay in the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt. The levels of Cu, Co, Zn, Mn and Fe in the macroalgae, Ulva lactuca, Enteromorpha compressa (green algae) and Jania rubens (red algae), recorded high concentrations except for Cd. Moreover, Fe was the most predominant metal in the seaweed. The two species of bivalves, Donax trunculus and Paphia textile, showed different amounts of metals in their tissue. The abundance of heavy metal concentrations in the mussel samples was found in the order Fe> Zn> Mn> Cu> Co> Cd and Fe> Zn> Mn> Cu> Cd> Co, respectively for the two species. The metals concentrations were generally higher compared with the previous studies in mussels from the same area. The levels of metals accumulated in the investigated fish samples, Saurida undosquamis, Siganus rivulatus, Lithognathus mormyrus and Sphyraena sphyraena, were higher than those of Marmara Sea (Turkey), for Co and Cd and lower for Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe. El-Mex Bay having the highest metals concentration in sediments as their order of abundance were Fe> Zn> Mn> Cu> Cd> Co. Nevertheless, a high variability in the metal levels occurs among the studied algae and biota and also between the investigated Harbour. A significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found for each of Zn and Fe in P. textile and of Co in D. trunculus relative to their concentrations in surficial sediments.     

Tetrabromobisphenol-A, hexabromocyclododecane and its degradation products in UK human milk: relationship to external exposure

Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and its degradation products were determined in 34 human milk samples from Birmingham, UK. TBBP-A was detected in 36% of samples (average=0.06 ng g(-1) lw), with HBCDs detected in all samples (average ΣHBCDs=5.95 ng g(-1) lw). α-HBCD comprised 62-95% ΣHBCDs while β- and γ-HBCD constituted 2-18% and 3-33% respectively. Enantioselective enrichment of (-)-α-HBCD (average enantiomer fraction=0.29) was observed indicating potential enantioselectivity associated with HBCD absorption, metabolism and/or excretion. The degradation products pentabromocyclododecenes (average=0.04 ng g(-1) lw; n=9) and tetrabromocyclododecadienes (average=0.15 ng g(-1) lw; n=25) were detected for the first time in human tissues. Average exposures of a nursing infant to ΣHBCDs and TBBP-A (35 and 1 ng kg(-1) bw day(-1) respectively) via breast milk exceeded upper-bound dietary intakes of both UK adults and toddlers. Using a simple pharmacokinetic model, intakes of UK adults via inhalation, diet and dust ingestion were converted to predicted body burdens. Predictions compared well with those observed for HBCDs but observed body burdens of TBBP-A exceeded predictions. This may indicate the human half-life of TBBP-A is greater than observed previously, that intakes may be underestimated, or that concentrations reported here reflect recent elevated episodic exposure.     

Contents of heavy metals in marine seaweeds from the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea

Seaweeds belonging to 14 different genera of Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta, and Rhodophyta were analysed to determine the levels of heavy metals in two areas of the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Among the trace metals analysed, Mn and Zn showed the highest mass concentrations in the surface sea waters of the two studied areas. However, algae obtained from the Suez area had higher concentrations of the investigated heavy metals than those collect in the Mars Alam area. Nevertheless, a high variability of the metal levels occurs among the studied algae and also between the investigated areas. Moreover, Zn was the most abundant metal in the seaweeds of the Suez area, while Pb was predominant in the Mars Alam area in red and brown algae. Liagora spp. had the highest average concentration factor of Zn in Suez (29 161-fold), while the average concentration factor in Enteromorpha spp. at Mars Alam was 20 091-fold. The highest Metal Pollution Index (MPI) value was recorded in Liagora spp. (22.0) at Suez. This represents a 4.6-fold higher value than that recorded in Liagora spp. at Mars Alam. Among green, brown, and red algae in Suez, the highest values of MPI were recorded in Cladophora spp. and Halimeda spp. (18.2 and 18.3), Padina spp. (16.2), and Liagora spp. (22.1), respectively; while at Mars Alam, the highest values of MPI were recorded in Cladophora spp. (6.6), Padina spp. (3.4) and Liagora spp. (4.8), respectively.