Earthworm resources of Benghazi, Libya

This study presents the first survey of earthworm species (Oligochaeta) from Benghazi, a Mediterranean coastal city in Libya. A total of three peregrine species were recorded: Allolobophora caliginosa trapezoides, Allolobophora rosea (Family: Lumbricidae), Microscolex dubius (Family: Microscolecidae). Their distribution and density in six habitats (vegetable garden, flower garden, green house, farmland, grassland, plain barren landscape) are discussed in relation to some of the physico-chemical parameters and composition of the soil.     

The possible role of the seaweed Ulva fasciata on ameliorating hyperthyroidism-associated heart inflammations in a rat model

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cardiovascular diseases are key complications primarily associated with hyperthyroidism disorders. The present study sought to ameliorate...     

COVID-19 pandemic: impacts on bees,beekeeping, and potential role of bee products as antiviral agents and immune enhancers

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - COVID-19 pandemic has passed to the front all the contradictions of the beekeeping sector: the valuable role of bee products as immune enhancers and...     

Behavioral and metabolic effects of sublethal doses of two insecticides,chlorpyrifos and methomyl,in the Egyptian cotton leafworm, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spodoptera littoralis</Emphasis> (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Insecticides have long been used as the main method in limiting agricultural pests, but their widespread use has resulted in environmental pollution, development of resistances, and biodiversity reduction. The effects of insecticides at low residual doses on both the targeted crop pest species and beneficial insects have become a major concern. In particular, these low doses can induce unexpected positive (hormetic) effects on pest insects, such as surges in population growth exceeding what would have been observed without pesticide application. Methomyl and chlorpyrifos are two insecticides commonly used to control the population levels of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis, a major pest moth. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of sublethal doses of these two pesticides, known to present a residual activity and persistence in the environment, on the moth physiology. Using a metabolomic approach, we showed that sublethal doses of methomyl and chlorpyrifos have a systemic effect on the treated insects. We also demonstrated a behavioral disruption of S. littoralis larvae exposed to sublethal doses of methomyl, whereas no effects were observed for the same doses of chlorpyrifos. Interestingly, we highlighted that sublethal doses of both pesticides did not induce a change in acetylcholinesterase activity in head of exposed larvae.     

Development of Eco-friendly Probiotic Edible Coatings Based on Chitosan,Alginate and Carboxymethyl Cellulose for Improving the Shelf Life of UF Soft Cheese

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - The objective of the current work was to evaluate the efficiency of novel antimicrobial edible coatings based on chitosan (CH), sodium alginate (SA), and...     

Field evaluation of a model for predicting nitrogen losses from drained lands

The N simulation model, DRAINMOD-N II, was field-tested using a 6-yr data set from an artificially drained agricultural site located in eastern North Carolina. The test site is on a nearly flat sandy loam soil which is very poorly drained under natural conditions. Four experimental plots, planted to a corn (Zea mays)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-soybean (Glycine max.) rotation and managed using conventional and controlled drainage, were used in model testing. Water table depth, subsurface drainage, and N concentration in drain flow were measured and meteorological data were recorded continuously. DRAINMOD-N II was calibrated using the data from one plot; data sets from the other three plots were used for model validation. Simulation results showed an excellent agreement between observed and predicted nitrate-nitrogen (NO(3)-N) losses in drainage water over the 6-yr period and a reasonable agreement on an annual basis. The agreement on a monthly basis was not as good. The Nash-Sutcliffe modeling efficiency (EF) for monthly predictions was 0.48 for the calibration plot and 0.19, 0.01, and -0.02 for the validation plots. The value of the EF for yearly predictions was 0.92 for the calibration plot and 0.73, 0.62, and -0.10 for the validation plots. Errors in predicting cumulative NO(3)-N losses over the 6-yr period were remarkably small; -1.3% for the calibration plot, -8.1%, -2.8%, and 4.0% for the validation plots. Results of this study showed the potential of DRAINMOD-N II for predicting N losses from drained agricultural lands. Further research is needed to test the model for different management practices and soil and climatological conditions.     

Metal accumulation by three Tilapia spp. from some Egyptian inland waters

Five trace metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cd) were determined in different tissues and organs (muscle, liver, brain, gills, gonads and intestines) of some Tilapia spp. (Oreochromis spp. and Sarotherodon galilaues) collected from two Egyptian Lakes (Edku and Mariut, exposed to different types of pollutants), El-Umum Drain, and from the fishing farm El-Nozha Hydrodrome. Our results indicate that metal accumulation in different organs vary considerably between the same and among different Tilapia spp. There is a preferential accumulation of metals by different organs. Liver is a target organ for Cu accumulation, whereas the brain and flesh tissues clearly accumulate more levels of Zn than the other studied elements. Amongst the studied elements, Cd concentrations in the different organs are the lowest. It was found that edible parts of Tilapia spp. collected from Lake Mariut accumulate the highest levels of the studied elements (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu for S. galilaues and Cd for Oreochromis niloticus), compared with those in the other studied areas. In general, the levels of Cd (0.0-0.11 ppm), Cu (0.25-1.85 ppm) and Zn (3.58-8.46 ppm) in the edible parts of studied fish cannot be considered as hazardous levels.