Potential of Nassarius nitidus for monitoring organotin pollution in the lagoon of Bizerta （northern Tunisia）

Imposex and butyltin burden were assessed in Nassarius nitidus, Bolinus brandaris and Hexaplex trunculus collected at five stations in the Bizerta lagoon. Biological analysis showed that imposex followed type (a) in N nitidus (distal evolution), against type (d) in the two muricids (proximal evolution). Imposex indices were higher in sites located nearby sources of tributyltin and N nitidus was the least affected species of the five sites, followed by B. brandaris and H. trunculus. Butyltin analysis showed lower accumulation in N nitidus followed by H. trunculus and B. brandaris. This study has allowed the gathering of data on imposex in a snail studied for the first time in Tunisia (N. nitidus). It suggests the possibility of using such snail as a complementary species for organotin monitoring programs in the Mediterranean and further confirmed that H. trunculus is the most suitable species for such investigations.     

Seasonal ontogenetic colour plasticity in the adult striated shieldbug <Emphasis Type="Italic">Graphosoma lineatum</Emphasis> (Heteroptera) and its effect on detectability

Camouflage and warning colouration are two important forms of protective colouration. We have studied the detectability of two seasonal colourations in the aposematic striated shieldbug, Graphosoma lineatum. The typical colouration of this insect is red and black, which is also the colouration of the reproductive post-hibernation bugs in our study area in south central Sweden. However, the majority of newly eclosed adults in late summer exhibit a ‘pale’ (light brownish, non-red) and black striation, and these bugs appear quite cryptic to the human eye when sitting on the dried stems and umbels of their host plants. In experiments using photographs of prey in the late-summer habitat shown on a computer screen, we compared the time to detection by human subjects of bugs, which had been manipulated to show either of the two typical seasonal colourations. Time to detection was significantly longer for the pale and black than for the red-and-black striation in images with the bug photographed at two different distances. This indicates that the pale pre-hibernation striation may have a cryptic function. In a separate experiment, we tested detectability of striated and non-striated manipulations of bug pre-hibernation colouration against the late-summer background, and found that time to detection was significantly longer for the striated bugs. We discuss potential functional explanations for the seasonal ontogenetic colour plasticity and suggest that the epidermal pale colour in the late summer provides a benefit of increased camouflage.     

A universal design approach for in situ bioremediation developed from multiple project sites

This article describes a design approach that has been developed for bioremediation of chlorinated volatile organic compound–impacted groundwater that is based upon experience gained during the past 17 years. The projects described in the article generally involve large‐scale enhanced anaerobic dechlorination (EAD) and combined aerobic/anaerobic bioremediation techniques. Our design approach is based on three primary objectives: (1) selecting and distributing the proper additives (including bioaugmentation) within the targeted treatment zone; (2) maintaining a neutral pH (and adding alkalinity when needed); and (3) sustaining the desired conditions for a sufficient period of time for the bioremediation process to be fully completed. This design approach can be applied to both anaerobic and aerobic bioremediation systems. Site‐specific conditions of hydraulic permeability, groundwater velocity, contaminant type and concentrations, and regulatory constraints will dictate the best remedial approach and design parameters for in situ bioremediation at each site. The biggest challenges to implementing anaerobic bioremediation processes are generally the selection and delivery of a suitable electron donor and the proper distribution of the donor throughout the targeted treatment zone. For aerobic bioremediation processes, complete distribution of adequate concentrations of a suitable electron acceptor, typically oxygen or oxygen‐yielding compounds such as hydrogen peroxide, is critical. These design approaches were developed based on understanding the biological processes involved and the mechanics of groundwater flow. They have evolved based on actual applications and results from numerous sites. An EAD treatment system, based on our current design approach, typically uses alcohol as a substrate, employs groundwater recirculation to distribute additives, and has an operational period of two to four years. An aerobic in situ treatment system based on our current design approach typically uses pure oxygen or hydrogen peroxide as an electron acceptor, may involve enhancements to groundwater flow for better distribution, and generally has an operational period of one to four years. These design concepts and specific project examples are presented for 17 sites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Uptake and elimination,and effect of estrogen-like contaminants in estuarine copepods: an experimental study

Background, aim, and scope  

In recent years, anthropogenic chemicals which can disrupt the hormonal systems of both humans and wildlife have been raised to a major cause of concern. The aim of the present work was to determine the bioconcentration factors of the two major alkylphenols (AP) of the Seine Estuary [4-nonylphenol (4 NP) and nonylphenol acetic acid (NP1EC)] and of the synthetic estrogen, estrogen ethinylestradiol (EE2), in Eurytemora affinis after exposure in a continuous flow-through system under environmental realistic conditions. Moreover, the elimination of these compounds in copepods from the Seine Estuary has been investigated by measuring concentrations after 1 week in clean water in comparison to background levels.     

Effect of phosphogypsum addition in the composting process on the physico-chemical proprieties and the microbial diversity of the resulting compost tea

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Phosphoric acid production and olive oil production are among the most important economical sectors in Tunisia. However, they generate huge amounts of...     

Seasonal variation of hydrophobic organic contaminant concentrations in the water-column of the Seine Estuary and their transfer to a planktonic species Eurytemora affinis (Calanoïd, copepod). Part 2: Alkylphenol-polyethoxylates

The occurrence and fate of alkylphenols in various matrices of the Seine River Estuary were studied. Nonylylphenols (NP) and nonylphenol polethoxylates (NPEs) were monitored in surface dissolved water, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and in a copepod, Eurytemora affinis from November 2002 to January 2004. NPs, nonylphenol mono and diethoxylates (NP1EO, NP2EO) and nonylphenol-ethoxy-acetic-acid (NP1EC) were detected and measured in all dissolved water and SPM samples whereas nonylphenoxy-acetic-acid (NP2EC) was only found sporadically in dissolved water samples. Seasonal variation of total concentrations of NPs and NPEs, ranging, respectively from 399 to 2214ngl(-1) and from 405 to 9636ngg(-1), were measured in the dissolved water and in the SPM. Significant decreases were observed in the water-column during the maximum biological activity periods in spring and autumn. Furthermore, increasing levels were observed in the SPM during the winter period. High concentrations of NP1EO and NP were detected in all copepod samples, ranging from 3423 to 6406ngg(-1). This study is the first to report high levels of endocrine disruptors in estuarine copepods.     

Cytotoxic effect of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate on human intestinal Caco-2 cells: associated biomarkers for risk assessment

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) is a synthetic anionic surfactant widely present in the environment due to its intensive production and use in the detergency field. Admitting that current procedure of risk assessment has limits in providing realistic risk assessment data and predicting the cumulative effect of the toxicant mixtures, the incorporation of information regarding the mode of action and cell response mechanism seems to be a potential solution to overcome these limits. In this regard, we investigated in this study the LAS cytotoxicity on human intestinal Caco-2 cells, trying to unveil the protein actors implicated in the cell response using proteomics approach in order to give a better understanding of the toxicological effect and allow the identification of appropriate biomarkers reflecting the mode of action associated with LAS. As results, we demonstrated that LAS induces a time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity in Caco-2 cells accompanied by an induction of oxidative stress followed by an excessive increase of intracellular calcium level. Proteomics approach helped in discovering three informative biomarkers of effect associated with LAS cytotoxic effect, reported for the first time: calreticulin, thioredoxin, and heat shock cognate 71 (HSP7C), confirmed by real-time PCR and western blot analysis. These biomarkers could serve for more reliable future risk assessment studies that consider the toxicants mode of action in order to help in the prediction of potential cumulative effects of environmentally coexisting contaminants.     

Tidal influence on the distribution of hydrophobic organic contaminants in the Seine Estuary and biomarker responses on the copepod Eurytemora affinis

To elucidate tidally related variations of hydrophobic organic contaminant (HOC) bioavailability and the impact of these contaminants on estuarine ecosystems, both PCB and PAH concentrations were investigated in the dissolved phase and in the suspended particulate material (SPM) of the Seine Estuary. Both PAH and PCB highest levels were observed in surface and bottom water when SPM remobilizations were maximum, in relation to higher speed currents. In parallel, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were investigated in the copepod Eurytemora affinis. Significant decreasing AChE levels were measured during the tidal cycle and between surface and bottom copepods related to salinity and to HOC concentration variations. Significant increasing GST levels were also observed when HOC concentrations in the water column were the highest. This study underlined the need to standardize sampling procedures for biomonitoring studies in order to avoid interfering factors that could modify biomarker responses to chemical exposure.