Temporal changes of Collembola population and alterations of life history parameters and acetylcholinesterase and superoxide dismutase activities in Cyphoderus javanus (Collembola) as biomarkers of fly ash pollution in lateritic soil

Fly ash is applied in agricultural fields to improve soil quality and crop yield; however, there are concerns regarding environmental hazards and toxicity to ecologically important soil organisms. The soil microarthropod fauna is a vital component of detritus food web, and major groups like Collembola are sensitive indicators of soil quality; however, information is scanty on their biomarker potentials against xenobiotics in tropical soils. The present study was aimed to evaluate temporal changes of Collembola population in fly ash amended field plots, and assess the biomarker potentials of life history parameters and biochemical responses such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in Cyphoderus javanus Borner (Collembola, Insecta), exposed to fly ash treated soil in microcosms. The field study using 5% (50 t ha^?1) and 20% (200 t ha^?1) doses of fly ash revealed dose-dependent and persistent decline in the density and relative abundance of Collembola population in sandy loam lateritic soil. The microcosm experiments showed negligible lethal effect of fly ash on C. javanus, but major life history parameters namely survival success, fecundity, and molting were significantly inhibited by fly ash treatments. The activity of AChE was downregulated, whereas activity of SOD was upregulated within 7 days of exposure of C. javanus to fly ash treated soil. These biological and biochemical parameters in Collembola are potential biomarkers, and therefore, the effects of fly ash are significant in C. javanus, an ecologically relevant species in the tropical soils of India.     

不同土地利用方式下土壤有机质分子组成变化的整合分析

利用生物标志物研究土壤有机质（SOM）分子组成可用于分析有机质的来源及降解,从分子层面揭示土壤有机碳（SOC）的稳定机制.为了进一步明确不同土地利用方式对土壤有机质分子组成的影响,通过对已发表的研究数据进行整合分析,研究了全球尺度上农田、草地和森林这3种土地利用方式下有机质分子组成（游离脂质、角质、木栓质和木质素）的变化.结果表明,不同土地利用方式下有机质分子组成有明显差异,森林土壤游离态脂类（烷烃、烷酸、烷醇和环脂）、角质和木质素酚含量显著高于草地和农田,草地和森林土壤的木栓质含量无显著差异,草地木栓质与角质的比值最高,平均为2.96,农田和森林平均分别为1.68和2.21.农田土壤的丁香基的酸醛比（Ad/Al）_S和香草基的酸醛比（Ad/Al）_V最大,分别为1.25和1.58,显著高于草地（0.46和0.69）和森林（0.78和0.7）.且相关性分析结果表明,农田土壤中,木栓质与年均降雨量（MAP）和黏粒呈显著相关,角质与黏粒呈显著相关,木质素与年均温度（MAT）、MAP、砂粒和容重呈显著相关;草地土壤中,总游离脂质与MAP和容重呈显著相关,木栓质和角质均与MAT和MAP呈显著相关,木质素与MAP、pH、砂粒和容重呈显著相关;森林土壤中,仅木质素与MAP和砂粒呈显著相关.总体而言,3种土地利用方式下,森林土壤中有机碳和各分子组分含量均较高,草地土壤中植物根系对于土壤有机质的贡献更大,农田土壤中,由于人为耕作活动而加速了木质素的降解.未来研究应进一步关注土壤理化性质和气候条件对于有机质分子组成的调控.     

Phytoremediation potential of weed plants’ oxidative biomarker and antioxidant responses

The purpose of this study was to assess the oxidative biomarkers responses, antioxidant potential and metal accumulation tendency of weed plants collected from the control and metal-contaminated site. The metal contamination was found to be higher in soil and plant parts collected from contaminated site and the most serious problem seemed to be metal elevations above than the safe limit for Cd, Pb and Ni in the aerial parts of weed plants. There were variations in metal accumulation in different weed plants that was justified by principal component analysis. The enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were found to be higher in plant parts collected from contaminated site. Based upon metal accumulation tendency, weed plants showed a translocation ratio (>1) that reflect their potential for metal remediation. The values of metal pollution index also showed higher tendency of metal accumulation in weed plants, particularly in Solanum nigrum, Euphorbia hirta, Amaranthus hybridus and Xanthium strumarium, and they can also flourish at contaminated sites with more production of antioxidants. So, it suggests that studied weed species can be classified as phytoremediation plants and can be used as eco-friendly and economically feasible technique for restoring the land contaminated with toxic metals.     

Influence of anthropogenic stress on fitness and behaviour of a key-species of estuarine ecosystems, the ragworm Nereis diversicolor

Fitness, (biometric measurements, reproduction) and behaviour that are ecologically relevant biomarkers in assessing the quality of estuarine sediments were studied by comparing the responses of the polychaete worm Nereis diversicolor - a key species in estuaries - along a pollution gradient. Intersite differences were shown for all the measured parameters: size-weight relationships, energy reserves as glycogen and lipids, sexual maturation patterns, total number of oocytes per female, total and relative fecundity, burrowing behaviour. The physiological and behavioural status of N. diversicolor was consistently disturbed in the larger, most contaminated estuaries (Loire and Seine, Fr.) compared to reference sites (Bay of Bourgneuf, Goyen estuary, Fr.). Many classes of potentially toxic chemicals present in these estuaries most likely contribute to these impairments but food availability may act as a confounding factor, interfering with the potential impact of contaminants.     

Inhalation of two putative Gulf War toxins by mice

We employed our inhalation methodology to examine whether biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress would be produced in mice following inhalation of aerosols containing carbonaceous particles or the vapor of pesticides prevalent during the first Gulf War. Exposure to two putative Gulf War Illness toxins, fine airborne particles and the pesticide malathion, increased biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in Friend virus B (FVB) female mice. Mice inhaling particles 24 h before had increased lung lavage and plasma Leukotriene B4 (LTB₄) (a biomarker of inflammation) and PGF_2α (a biomarker of oxidative stress) levels, lung lavage protein and lung lavage lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. These changes were a function of particle density and exposure time. Compared to particle inhalation, mice inhaling malathion 24 h before had small increase in plasma LTB₄ and PGF_2α levels but no increase in lung lavage LTB₄, lung lavage protein, lung lavage LDH, and lung lavage alveolar macrophage (AM) levels compared to unexposed control mice. AM from particle-exposed mice contained phagocytosed particles, while AM from malathion-exposed mice showed no abnormalities. Our results indicate that inhaling particles or malathion can alter inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers in mice and raise the possibility that these toxins may have altered inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers in Gulf War-exposed individuals.     

Antioxidant response versus selenium accumulation in the liver and kidney of the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri)

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of selenium on concentrations of metabolites and enzyme activities acting as antioxidant markers in liver and kidney of Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baeri. Sturgeons were fed selenium cysteine for 30 and 60 d at 1.25, 5, 20 mg Se kg⁻¹. Selenium level in the control feed was 0.32 mg kg⁻¹. Se concentration was measured in liver, kidney and muscle of every specimen. Sturgeon accumulated Se in tissues with a clear dose-response relationship and the highest Se concentration was recorded in liver. This outcome is lined up with the findings obtained on the antioxidant markers evaluated in both tissues, and in which a dose-response for several biomarkers was recorded in liver. The superoxide dismutase activity in Se-treated fish was generally induced, while catalase activity was lower in liver or unaltered in kidney. The concentrations of glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase and total glutathione responded differently for both tissues and were induced in a different way at both endpoints. No changes of glyoxalase I activity were noted for both Se-treated tissues, while for glyoxalase II enzyme in liver a dose-related pattern was found showing a reversible effect (decreased and increased counteractive response) only in the 5 mg kg⁻¹ group. Moreover, the highest Se concentrations did not cause marked changes in malondialdehyde levels of liver and kidney. The enhancement of glutathione peroxidase activity in Se-treated sturgeon might have prevented the lipid peroxidation in both tissues, providing to the Siberian sturgeon a great defense ability versus the prooxidant effect of selenium.     

Faecal sterols as sewage markers in the Langat River, Malaysia: Integration of biomarker and multivariate statistical approaches

The Langat River in Malaysia has been experiencing anthropogenic input from urban, rural and industrial activities for many years. Sewage contamination, possibly originating from the greater than three million inhabitants of the Langat River Basin, were examined. Sediment samples from 22 stations (SL01-SL22) along the Langat River were collected, extracted and analysed by GC-MS. Six different sterols were identified and quantified. The highest sterol concentration was found at station SL02 (618.29 ng/g dry weight), which situated in the Balak River whereas the other sediment samples ranged between 11.60 and 446.52 ng/g dry weight. Sterol ratios were used to identify sources, occurrence and partitioning of faecal matter in sediments and majority of the ratios clearly demonstrated that sewage contamination was occurring at most stations in the Langat River. A multivariate statistical analysis was used in conjunction with a combination of biomarkers to better understand the data that clearly separated the compounds. Most sediments of the Langat River were found to contain low to mid-range sewage contamination with some containing `significant' levels of contamination. This is the first report on sewage pollution in the Langat River based on a combination of biomarker and multivariate statistical approaches that will establish a new standard for sewage detection using faecal sterols.     

Biochemical and Ultrastructural Changes in Plant Foliage Exposed to Auto-Pollution

Auto-pollution is the by-product of our mechanized mobility, which adversely affects both plant and human life. However, plants growing in the urban locations provide a great respite to us from the brunt of auto-pollution by absorbing the pollutants at their foliar surface. Foliar surface configuration and biochemical changes in two selected plant species, namely Ficus religiosa L. and Thevetia nerifolia L., growing at IT crossing (highly polluted sites), Picup bhawan crossing (moderately polluted site) and Kukrail Forest Picnic Spot (Low polluted site) were investigated. It was observed that auto-exhaust pollution showed marked alterations in photosynthetic pigments, protein and cysteine contents and also in leaf area and foliar surface architecture of plants growing at HP site as compared to LP site. The changes in the foliar configuration reveal that these plants can be used as biomarkers of auto-pollution.     

生物检测标志物和分析方法

有四种分子水平的生物检测标志物在当前研究环境因素－基因变异－疾病之间相关性的分子生物学领域中起着重要的作用，它们是生物大分子样品的ＤＮＡ加合物，蛋白质加合物、８－羟基脱氧鸟苷、生物排泄筘的烷基化脱氧嘌呤，因为ＤＮＡ的特殊作用，ＤＮＡ加合物作为生物标志物倍受重视，ＤＮＡ加合物的分析方法有荧光法（灵敏度达１加合物／１０＾５－６正常核酸），免疫法（灵敏度达１加合物／１０＾６－８正常核酸），＾３２Ｐ后标记     

布洛芬对黄颡鱼I相代谢酶及其抗氧化系统的影响

使用环境相关浓度水平(0.05、0.5、5、50 μg· L-1)的布洛芬(Ibuprofen,IBU)对黄颡鱼进行水体暴露,研究IBU对黄颡鱼Ⅰ相代谢酶及其抗氧化系统的影响.结果表明,随着暴露时间的延长,IBU对黄颡鱼肝脏Ⅰ相代谢P450酶系的氨基比林-N-脱甲基酶(APND)、红霉素-N-脱甲基酶(ERND)、7-乙氧基-异吩噁唑酮-脱乙基酶(EROD)和Ⅱ相代谢谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)均表现出先诱导后抑制的作用.暴露24 h时,IBU浓度为5 μg· L-1实验组对Ⅰ相代谢酶APND和ERND的诱导程度最大.当暴露时间达到168 h时,0.5 μg·L-1浓度组中APND和ERND活性均受到极显著抑制.Ⅰ相代谢酶EROD活性在暴露24 h后,除0.05 μg· L-1浓度组无明显变化外,其它浓度组皆受到显著诱导,随着暴露时间延长到168 h时,逐渐恢复到初始水平.GST活性在暴露24 h后,除0.05 μg·L-1浓度组外,其它浓度组均受到最大程度的诱导,过氧化氢酶(CAT)在暴露168 h时被显著诱导.各浓度组丙二醛(MDA)含量在暴露24 h时较对照组显著下降,72 h时其含量达到最高值.其中,ERND响应较为敏感,适合作为布洛芬暴露的生物标记物.