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Tang Y, Chen X, Hou L, He J, Sha A, Zou L, Peng L, Li Q. Effects of uranium mining on the rhizospheric bacterial communities of three local plants on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-34335-1. [PMID: 39044055 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34335-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we used 16S high-throughput sequencing to investigate the effects of uranium mining on the rhizospheric bacterial communities and functions of three local plant species, namely, Artemisia frigida, Acorus tatarionwii Schott., and Salix oritrepha Schneid. The results showed that uranium mining significantly reduced the diversity of rhizospheric bacteria in the three local plant species, including the Shannon index and Simpson index (P < 0.05). Interestingly, we found that Sphingomonas and Pseudotrichobacter were enriched in the rhizosphere soil of the three local plants from uranium mining areas, indicating their important ecological role. The three plants were enriched in various dominant rhizospheric bacterial populations in the uranium mining area, including Vicinamidobacteriaceae, Nocardioides, and Gaiella, which may be related to the unique microecological environment of the plant rhizosphere. The rhizospheric bacterial community of A. tatarionwii plants from tailings and open-pit mines also showed a certain degree of differentiation, indicating that uranium mining is the main factor driving the differentiation of plant rhizosphere soil communities on the plateau. Functional prediction revealed that rhizospheric bacteria from different plants have developed different functions to cope with stress caused by uranium mining activities, including enhancing the translational antagonist Rof, the translation initiation factor 2B subunit, etc. This study explores for the first time the impact of plateau uranium mining activities on the rhizosphere microecology of local plants, promoting the establishment of effective soil microecological health monitoring indicators, and providing a reference for further soil pollution remediation in plateau uranium mining areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanmou Tang
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaodie Chen
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Liming Hou
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jing He
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ajia Sha
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Liang Zou
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lianxin Peng
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, Sichuan, China.
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Li Q, Xiong Z, Xiang P, Zhou L, Zhang T, Wu Q, Zhao C. Effects of uranium mining on soil bacterial communities and functions in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 347:140715. [PMID: 37979803 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
The microecological effects of plateau uranium mining are still unknown. In this study, we used 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing to analyze the impact of plateau uranium mining on the microbial diversity and community structure of tailings soil, tunnel soil, and soil at different depths in an open pit. The results showed that uranium mining significantly reduced soil microbial community richness and diversity indicators, including Chao1, Pielou evenness, and Shannon index (P < 0.05). Uranium mining activities significantly reduced the abundance of RB41, Vicinamidactaceae, and Nitrospira (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the abundance of Thiobacillus, Sphingomonas, and Sulfuriferula significantly increased in the soil samples from various environments and depths during uranium mining (P < 0.05). Beta diversity analysis found that uranium mining resulted in the differentiation of soil microbial communities. Functional enrichment analysis found that uranium mining resulted in the functional enrichment of DNA binding response regulator, DNA helicase, methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein, and Helicase conserved C-terminal domain, whereas cell wall synthesis, nonspecific serine/threonine protein kinase, RNA polymerase sigma-70 factor, and ATP binding cassette transporter were significantly affected by uranium mining (P < 0.05). In addition, we also found that different uranium mining environments and soil depths enriched diverse microbial populations and functions to cope with the environmental pressures that were elicited by uranium mining, including Gaiella, Gemmatimonas, Lysobacter, Pseudomonas, signal transformation histidine kinase, DNA-directed DNA polymerase, and iron complex outer membrane receptor protein functions (P < 0.05). The results have enhanced our understanding of the impact of uranium mining on plateau soil microecological stability and the mechanism of microbial response to uranium mining activities for the first time and aided us in screening microbial strains that can promote the environmental remediation of uranium mining in plateaus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhuang Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Peng Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qian Wu
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Changsong Zhao
- School of Public Health, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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Mrdakovic Popic J, Haanes H, Di Carlo C, Nuccetelli C, Venoso G, Leonardi F, Trevisi R, Trotti F, Ugolini R, Dvorzhak A, Escribano A, Perez Sanchez D, Real A, Michalik B, Pannecoucke L, Blanchart P, Kallio A, Pereira R, Lourenço J, Skipperud L, Jerome S, Fevrier L. Tools for harmonized data collection at exposure situations with naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 175:107954. [PMID: 37187003 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) contribute to the dose arising from radiation exposure for workers, public and non-human biota in different working and environmental conditions. Within the EURATOM Horizon 2020 RadoNorm project, work is ongoing to identify NORM exposure situations and scenarios in European countries and to collect qualitative and quantitative data of relevance for radiation protection. The data obtained will contribute to improved understanding of the extent of activities involving NORM, radionuclide behaviours and the associated radiation exposure, and will provide an insight into related scientific, practical and regulatory challenges. The development of a tiered methodology for identification of NORM exposure situations and complementary tools to support uniform data collection were the first activities in the mentioned project NORM work. While NORM identification methodology is given in Michalik et al., 2023, in this paper, the main details of tools for NORM data collection are presented and they are made publicly available. The tools are a series of NORM registers in Microsoft Excel form, that have been comprehensively designed to help (a) identify the main NORM issues of radiation protection concern at given exposure situations, (b) gain an overview of materials involved (i.e., raw materials, products, by-products, residues, effluents), c) collect qualitative and quantitative data on NORM, and (d) characterise multiple hazards exposure scenarios and make further steps towards development of an integrated risk and exposure dose assessment for workers, public and non-human biota. Furthermore, the NORM registers ensure standardised and unified characterisation of NORM situations in a manner that supports and complements the effective management and regulatory control of NORM processes, products and wastes, and related exposures to natural radiation worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Mrdakovic Popic
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), Grini Næringspark, 13, Østerås, Norway.
| | - Hallvard Haanes
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), Grini Næringspark, 13, Østerås, Norway
| | - Christian Di Carlo
- National Institute of Health (ISS), National Centre for Radiation Protection and Computational Physics, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Nuccetelli
- National Institute of Health (ISS), National Centre for Radiation Protection and Computational Physics, Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Venoso
- National Institute of Health (ISS), National Centre for Radiation Protection and Computational Physics, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Leonardi
- National Institute for Insurance Against Accidents at Work (INAIL), DiMEILA, Monteporzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosabianca Trevisi
- National Institute for Insurance Against Accidents at Work (INAIL), DiMEILA, Monteporzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavio Trotti
- Environmental Protection Agency of Veneto (ARPAV), Verona, Italy
| | | | - Alla Dvorzhak
- Research Centre on Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Alicia Escribano
- Research Centre on Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Danyl Perez Sanchez
- Research Centre on Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Almudena Real
- Research Centre on Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Boguslaw Michalik
- Central Mining Institute, Silesian Centre for Environmental Radioactivity (GIG), Plac Gwarków, 1, 40-166 Katowice, Poland
| | - Lea Pannecoucke
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, IRSN/PSE-ENV/SEDRE, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Pascale Blanchart
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, IRSN/PSE-ENV/SEDRE, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Antti Kallio
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, (STUK), Lähteentie 2, 96400 Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Ruth Pereira
- GreenUPorto - Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre/Inov4Agro, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua de Agrária, 747, Vila do Conde, Portugal
| | - Joana Lourenço
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitario de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Lindis Skipperud
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Environmental Chemistry Section, P. O. Box 5003, 1432 Aas, Norway
| | - Simon Jerome
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Environmental Chemistry Section, P. O. Box 5003, 1432 Aas, Norway
| | - Laureline Fevrier
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, IRSN/PSE-ENV/SRTE, 13115 Saint Paul-lez-Durance Cedex, France
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Razia S, Hadibarata T, Lau SY. Acidophilic microorganisms in remediation of contaminants present in extremely acidic conditions. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2023; 46:341-358. [PMID: 36602611 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-022-02844-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Acidophiles are a group of microorganisms that thrive in acidic environments where pH level is far below the neutral value 7.0. They belong to a larger family called extremophiles, which is a group that thrives in various extreme environmental conditions which are normally inhospitable to other organisms. Several human activities such as mining, construction and other industrial processes release highly acidic effluents and wastes into the environment. Those acidic wastes and wastewaters contain different types of pollutants such as heavy metals, radioactive, and organic, whose have adverse effects on human being as well as on other living organisms. To protect the whole ecosystem, those pollutants containing effluents or wastes must be clean properly before releasing into environment. Physicochemical cleanup processes under extremely acidic conditions are not always successful due to high cost and release of toxic byproducts. While in case of biological methods, except acidophiles, no other microorganisms cannot survive in highly acidic conditions. Therefore, acidophiles can be a good choice for remediation of different types of contaminants present in acidic conditions. In this review article, various roles of acidophilic microorganisms responsible for removing heavy metals and radioactive pollutants from acidic environments were discussed. Bioremediation of various acidic organic pollutants by using acidophiles was also studied. Overall, this review could be helpful to extend our knowledge as well as to do further relevant novel studies in the field of acidic pollutants remediation by applying acidophilic microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultana Razia
- Environmental Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, Miri, Malaysia
| | - Tony Hadibarata
- Environmental Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, Miri, Malaysia.
| | - Sie Yon Lau
- Department of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, Miri, Malaysia
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5
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Determination and distribution of 210Pb in plants using Liquid Scintillation Counting. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-023-08791-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Zhao B, Sun Z, Guo Y, Zhou Z, Wang X, Ke P. Occurrence characteristics of uranium mineral-related substances in various environmental media in China: A critical review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 441:129856. [PMID: 36115096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The high demand and extensive exploitation of uranium resources resulted in the ubiquity and high detection levels of uranium mineral-related substances in various environment media in China. The potential adverse effects of uranium mineral-related substances on environment and human health have received extensive attention. Therefore, we reviewed the occurrence and spatial distribution of uranium mineral-related substances in various basins and environmental media in China to obtain an overall understanding. We collected information from over 70 papers reporting the occurrence and distribution of uranium mineral-related substances in multiple environments and 183 articles on the genesis of uranium deposits in China from 2001 to 2021. Then the occurrence of uranium mineral-related substances and corresponding correlation in different basins, environmental media and depth ranges were compared in detail. And this review assessed the uranium mineral-related pollution in China based on various environmental quality standards of China, EPA and WHO, and proposed the priority uranium mineral-related heavy metals and radioactive substances based on cluster analysis. This review showed that there were obvious differences in the occurrence characteristics of various uranium mineral-related substances in different environmental media, especially in the surrounding environment of sandstone type and hard rock type uranium deposits. These results will guide us to tackle the challenge of uranium mineral-related pollution in China. The correlation analysis of uranium mineral-related pollutants in different environmental media and the identification of priority pollutants will also provide instructions for us to control uranium mineral-related pollution. Finally, we put forward a series of urgent and practical suggestions on risk management and control of uranium mining according to the current situation of uranium mining environment in China, which is of guiding significance for the realization of "green uranium mining".
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Zhao
- China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhanxue Sun
- China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China.
| | - Yadan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Zhongkui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Xuegang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Pingchao Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
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Peixoto S, Santos B, Lopes G, Dias-Pereira P, Lopes I. Differential sensitivity of aquatic life stages of Pelophylax perezi to an acidic metal-contaminated effluent. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:90259-90271. [PMID: 35864402 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22037-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Acid mine drainage (AMD) involves complex mixtures of metals and hydrogen ions that can be highly toxic to the biota. Assessing the effects of AMD to aquatic stages of amphibians is key, as this group constitutes the vertebrate class with the highest proportion of species considered as threatened. Thus, the present work aimed at assessing the sensitivity of two aquatic life stages of the green frog Pelophylax perezi to an AMD originated from a cupric-pyrite mine. Embryos (Gosner stages 10-11) and tadpoles (Gosner stages 20-21) of P. perezi were exposed, for 96 h, to six AMD dilutions (1.39% to 7.5%). Endpoints involving responses at different levels of biological organization were monitored: mortality, malformations, hatching rates, body length and growth rate, enzymatic activity related with detoxification metabolism (glutathione S-transferase), and histopathologies (anatomical structures of the digestive, respiratory, and excretory systems). Embryos presented high mortality and malformation rates at AMD levels equal or above 5.36%, as well as premature hatching at 1.95% of AMD or higher. A significant reduction in body length and growth rate occurred in embryos and tadpoles exposed to 1.95% or higher levels of AMD, respectively. At the histological level, several abnormalities were observed for AMD-exposed tadpoles in a variety of tissues. One of the most noticeable histological changes occurred in the intestine that exhibited papillary epithelial hyperplasia along with a yellowish content and was more pronounced in tadpoles exposed to higher AMD levels. FEmbryos were more sensitive to lethal levels of AMD than tadpoles, suggesting embryos as a useful model life stage when performing amphibian risk assessment of mine drainage. Furthermore, AMD was highly toxic for P. perezi aquatic life stages since levels as low as 1.95% induced lethal effects. These results emphasize the importance of implementing efficient remediation methodologies for AMD, given its high toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Peixoto
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Bárbara Santos
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Graça Lopes
- ICBAS, Institute for the Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Dias-Pereira
- ICBAS, Institute for the Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel Lopes
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
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Semi-IPN Alg/PAO microspheres for the efficient removal of U(VI) from alkaline solution by experimental and DFT study. Sep Purif Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2022.121369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Early Metabolomic Markers of Acute Low-Dose Exposure to Uranium in Rats. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12050421. [PMID: 35629925 PMCID: PMC9147032 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12050421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in metabolomics over time were studied in rats to identify early biomarkers and highlight the main metabolic pathways that are significantly altered in the period immediately following acute low-dose uranium exposure. A dose response relationship study was established from urine and plasma samples collected periodically over 9 months after the exposure of young adult male rats to uranyl nitrate. LC-MS and biostatistical analysis were used to identify early discriminant metabolites. As expected, low doses of uranium lead to time-based non-toxic biological effects, which can be used to identify early and delayed markers of exposure in both urine and plasma samples. A combination of surrogate markers for uranium exposure was validated from the most discriminant early markers for making effective predictions. N-methyl-nicotinamide, kynurenic acid, serotonin, tryptophan, tryptamine, and indole acetic acid associated with the nicotinate–nicotinamide and tryptophan pathway seem to be one of the main biological targets, as shown previously for chronic contaminations and completed, among others, by betaine metabolism. This study can be considered as a proof of concept for the relevance of metabolomics in the field of low-dose internal contamination by uranium, for the development of predictive diagnostic tests usable for radiotoxicological monitoring.
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Risk Assessment of Exposure to Natural Radiation in Soil Using RESRAD-ONSITE and RESRAD-BIOTA in the Cobalt-Nickel Bearing Areas of Lomié in Eastern Cameroon. RADIATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/radiation2020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nkamouna-Kongo is a cobalt–nickel deposit located in Lomié, Eastern Cameroon. Mining creates radiation exposure pathways that must be considered in risk management scenarios. RESRAD-ONSITE and RESRAD-BIOTA, developed by the US DOE, assess contaminated sites by deriving cleanup criteria and estimating the radiation dose and risk associated with residual radioactive materials using site-specific parameters. This paper evaluated the radiation dose in biota and the health risk from exposure to naturally occurring radionuclides. The activity of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K was determined by γ-spectrometry. The internal doses were 2.13 × 10−07, 1.42 × 10−06, and 8.38 × 10−05 Gy d−1 for animals and 2.38 × 10−07, 2.04 × 10−06, and 9.07 × 10−05 Gy d−1 for plants. The maximum total dose of 0.7234 mSv yr−1 was obtained at t = 1 year. The external dose contribution obtained at t = 1 year for all nuclides summed and all component pathways was 0.4 mSv yr−1, above the background radiation dose limit of 2.5 × 10−01 mSv yr−1. A maximum cancer risk of 1.36 × 10−03 was observed at t = 1 year. It was also shown in the RESRAD calculations that the total cancer morbidity risks from plant ingestion, radon (independent of water), and external gamma exposure pathways were greater than those from other exposure pathways. The high risk calculated for 226Ra relative to 232Th and 40K makes it the primary human health concern in the study area. The use of a 1 m cover thickness would remediate the contaminated site to a dose on the order of 10−5 mSv yr−1 for a period of 0 to 100 years. The values of these doses are below the US DOE recommended limits.
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11
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Carbon cloth as an important electrode support for the high selective electrosorption of uranium from acidic uranium mine wastewater. Sep Purif Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2021.119843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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12
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Yue Z, Dexin D, Guangyue L, Haitao Y, Kaige Z, Nan H, Hui Z, Zhongran D, Jianhong M, Feng L, Jing S, Yongdong W. Enhanced effects and mechanisms of Syngonium podophyllum-Peperomia tetraphylla co-planting on phytoremediation of low concentration uranium-bearing wastewater. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 279:130810. [PMID: 34134431 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
To improve the remediation efficiency of plants on low concentration uranium-bearing wastewater and clarify its strengthening mechanism, Syngonium podophyllum-Peperomia tetraphylla co-planting system was established, the enhanced effects of plants interaction on uranium removal were investigated, the chemical forms, valence states, and subcellular distribution of uranium in plants were confirmed, and the mechanisms of alleviating uranium stress by plants interaction were revealed. In Syngonium podophyllum-Peperomia tetraphylla co-planting system, the total amount of ethanol-extracted uranium and deionized water-extracted uranium with higher toxicity in their roots were reduced by 10.30% and 7.17%, respectively, which reduced the toxicity of uranium to plants. Plants interaction can inhibit the reduction of U(VI) in the root of Peperomia tetraphylla, which is conducive to the transport of uranium from roots to shoots. In addition, uranium in plants mainly existed in the cell wall (54.44%-66.52%) and the soluble fraction (23.85%-32.89%). These results indicated that Syngonium podophyllum and Peperomia tetraphylla co-planting can enhance their effects of uranium removal by alleviating uranium stress with the cell wall immobilization and vacuole compartmentation, improving biomass of plants, increasing bioaccumulation factor and translocation factor of uranium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Yue
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Heng Yang, 421001, Hunan, PR China
| | - Ding Dexin
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Heng Yang, 421001, Hunan, PR China
| | - Li Guangyue
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Heng Yang, 421001, Hunan, PR China
| | - Yi Haitao
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Heng Yang, 421001, Hunan, PR China
| | - Zhai Kaige
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Heng Yang, 421001, Hunan, PR China
| | - Hu Nan
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Heng Yang, 421001, Hunan, PR China
| | - Zhang Hui
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Heng Yang, 421001, Hunan, PR China
| | - Dai Zhongran
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Heng Yang, 421001, Hunan, PR China
| | - Ma Jianhong
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Heng Yang, 421001, Hunan, PR China
| | - Li Feng
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Heng Yang, 421001, Hunan, PR China
| | - Sun Jing
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Heng Yang, 421001, Hunan, PR China
| | - Wang Yongdong
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Heng Yang, 421001, Hunan, PR China.
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13
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Shankar P, Dashner-Titus EJ, Truong L, Hayward K, Hudson LG, Tanguay RL. Developmental toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to uranium: A comparison with lead, cadmium, and iron. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 269:116097. [PMID: 33246768 PMCID: PMC7785642 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.116097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Populations of plants and animals, including humans, living in close proximity to abandoned uranium mine sites are vulnerable to uranium exposure through drainage into nearby waterways, soil accumulation, and blowing dust from surface soils. Little is known about how the environmental impact of uranium exposure alters the health of human populations in proximity to mine sites, so we used developmental zebrafish (Danio rerio) to investigate uranium toxicity. Fish are a sensitive target for modeling uranium toxicity, and previous studies report altered reproductive capacity, enhanced DNA damage, and gene expression changes in fish exposed to uranium. In our study, dechorionated zebrafish embryos were exposed to a concentration range of uranyl acetate (UA) from 0 to 3000 μg/L for body burden measurements and developmental toxicity assessments. Uranium was taken up in a concentration-dependent manner by 48 and 120 h post fertilization (hpf)-zebrafish without evidence of bioaccumulation. Exposure to UA was not associated with teratogenic outcomes or 24 hpf behavioral effects, but larvae at 120 hpf exhibited a significant hypoactive photomotor response associated with exposure to 3 μg/L UA which suggested potential neurotoxicity. To our knowledge, this is the first time that uranium has been associated with behavioral effects in an aquatic organism. These results were compared to potential metal co-contaminants using the same exposure paradigm. Similar to uranium exposure, lead, cadmium, and iron significantly altered neurobehavioral outcomes in 120-hpf zebrafish without inducing significant teratogenicity. Our study informs concerns about the potential impacts of developmental exposure to uranium on childhood neurobehavioral outcomes. This work also sets the stage for future, environmentally relevant metal mixture studies. Summary Uranium exposure to developing zebrafish causes hypoactive larval swimming behavior similar to the effect of other commonly occurring metals in uranium mine sites. This is the first time that uranium exposure has been associated with altered neurobehavioral effects in any aquatic organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prarthana Shankar
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Erica J Dashner-Titus
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Lisa Truong
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Kimberly Hayward
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Laurie G Hudson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Robyn L Tanguay
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
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14
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Campos A, Pereira R, Vaz A, Caetano T, Malta M, Oliveira J, Carvalho FP, Mendo S, Lourenço J. Metals and low dose IR: Molecular effects of combined exposures using HepG2 cells as a biological model. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 396:122634. [PMID: 32304850 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Uranium mining sites produce residues rich in metals and radionuclides, that may contaminate all environmental matrices, exposing human and non-human biota to low doses of ionizing radiation (LDIR) and to the chemical toxicity of several metals. To date, experimental and radio-epidemiological studies do not provide conclusive evidence of LDIR induced cancer. However, co-exposures (LDIR plus other contaminants), may increase the risks. To determine the potential for genotoxic effects in human cells induced by the exposure to LDIR plus metals, HEPG2 cells were exposed to different concentrations of a uranium mine effluent for 96 h. DNA damage was evaluated using the comet assay and changes in the expression of tumor suppressor and oncogenes were determined using qPCR. Results show that effluent concentrations higher than 5%, induce significant DNA damage. Also, a significant under-expression of ATM and TP53 genes and a significant overexpression of GADD45a gene was observed. Results show that the exposure to complex mixtures cannot be disregarded, as effects were detected at very low doses. This study highlights the need for further studies to clarify the risks of exposure to LDIR along with other stressors, to fully review the IR exposure risk limits established for human and non-human biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Campos
- ICBAS & Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Pereira
- ICBAS & Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal; GreenUPorto- Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
| | - A Vaz
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - T Caetano
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - M Malta
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - J Oliveira
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - F P Carvalho
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - S Mendo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - J Lourenço
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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15
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Wiechert AI, Ladshaw AP, Kuo LJ, Pan HB, Strivens J, Schlafer N, Wood JR, Wai C, Gill G, Yiacoumi S, Tsouris C. Uranium Recovery from Seawater Using Amidoxime-Based Braided Polymers Synthesized from Acrylic Fibers. Ind Eng Chem Res 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.0c01573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I. Wiechert
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Austin P. Ladshaw
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Li-Jung Kuo
- Marine Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sequim, Washington 98382, United States
| | - Horng-Bin Pan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, United States
- LCW Supercritical Technologies, Moscow, Idaho 83843, United States
| | - Jonathan Strivens
- Marine Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sequim, Washington 98382, United States
| | - Nicholas Schlafer
- Marine Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sequim, Washington 98382, United States
| | - Jordana R. Wood
- Marine Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sequim, Washington 98382, United States
| | - Chien Wai
- Department of Chemistry, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, United States
- LCW Supercritical Technologies, Moscow, Idaho 83843, United States
| | - Gary Gill
- Marine Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sequim, Washington 98382, United States
| | - Sotira Yiacoumi
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
| | - Costas Tsouris
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
- Energy and Transportation Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
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16
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Reeves B, Beccia MR, Solari PL, Smiles DE, Shuh DK, Berthomieu C, Marcellin D, Bremond N, Mangialajo L, Pagnotta S, Monfort M, Moulin C, Den Auwer C. Uranium Uptake in Paracentrotus lividus Sea Urchin, Accumulation and Speciation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:7974-7983. [PMID: 31187628 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b06380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Uranium speciation and bioaccumulation were investigated in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Through accumulation experiments in a well-controlled aquarium followed by ICP-OES analysis, the quantification of uranium in the different compartments of the sea urchin was performed. Uranium is mainly distributed in the test (skeletal components), as it is the major constituent of the sea urchin, but in terms of quantity of uranium per gram of compartment, the following rating: intestinal tract > gonads ≫ test, was obtained. Combining both extended X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopic analysis, it was possible to identify two different forms of uranium in the sea urchin, one in the test, as a carbonato-calcium complex, and the second one in the gonads and intestinal tract, as a protein complex. Toposome is a major calcium-binding transferrin-like protein contained within the sea urchin. EXAFS data fitting of both contaminated organs in vivo and the uranium-toposome complex from protein purified out of the gonads revealed that it is suspected to complex uranium in gonads and intestinal tract. This hypothesis is also supported by the results from two imaging techniques, i.e., Transmission Electron Microscopy and Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy. This thorough investigation of uranium uptake in sea urchin is one of the few attempts to assess the speciation in a living marine organism in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Reeves
- Université Côte d'Azur , CNRS, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272 , 06108 Nice , France
- CEA, DAM, DIF , F-92297 Arpajon , France
| | - Maria Rosa Beccia
- Université Côte d'Azur , CNRS, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272 , 06108 Nice , France
| | - Pier Lorenzo Solari
- Synchrotron Soleil, L'Orme des Merisiers , Saint-Aubin, BP 48 , F-91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex , France
| | - Danil E Smiles
- Chemical Sciences Division , Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley , California 94720 , United States
| | - David K Shuh
- Chemical Sciences Division , Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Berkeley , California 94720 , United States
| | - Catherine Berthomieu
- CEA, CNRS , Aix Marseille Université , BIAM UMR7265, 13115 Saint Paul-Lez-Durance , France
| | - Didier Marcellin
- CEA, CNRS , Aix Marseille Université , BIAM UMR7265, 13115 Saint Paul-Lez-Durance , France
| | - Nicolas Bremond
- CEA, CNRS , Aix Marseille Université , BIAM UMR7265, 13115 Saint Paul-Lez-Durance , France
| | - Luisa Mangialajo
- Université Côte d'Azur , CNRS, UMR 7035 ECOSEAS , 06108 Nice , France
| | - Sophie Pagnotta
- Université Côte d'Azur , Centre Commun de Microscopie Appliquée , 06108 Nice , France
| | | | - Christophe Moulin
- Prime Minister Office, Secrétariat général de la défense et de la sécuritié nationale , 75007 Paris , France
| | - Christophe Den Auwer
- Université Côte d'Azur , CNRS, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272 , 06108 Nice , France
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17
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Grison S, Kereselidze D, Cohen D, Gloaguen C, Elie C, Lestaevel P, Legendre A, Manens L, Habchi B, Benadjaoud MA, Tarlet G, Milliat F, Martin JC, Lobaccaro JM, Souidi M. Applying a multiscale systems biology approach to study the effect of chronic low-dose exposure to uranium in rat kidneys. Int J Radiat Biol 2019; 95:737-752. [PMID: 30714840 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2019.1577567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: To examine the effects of low-dose exposure to uranium with a systems biology approach, a multiscale high-throughput multi-omics analysis was applied with a protocol for chronic exposure to the rat kidney. Methods: Male and female rats were contaminated for nine months through their drinking water with a nontoxic solution of uranyl nitrate. A multiscale approach enabled clinical monitoring associated with metabolomic and transcriptomic (mRNA and microRNA) analyses. Results: A sex-interaction effect was observed in the kidney, urine, and plasma metabolomes of contaminated rats. Moreover, urine and kidney metabolic profiles correlated and confirmed that the primary dysregulated metabolisms are those of nicotinate-nicotinamide and of unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. Upstream of the metabolic pathways, transcriptomic profiles of the kidney reveal gene activity focused on gene regulation mechanisms, cell signaling, cell structure, developmental processes, and cell proliferation. Examination of epigenetic post-transcriptional gene regulation processes showed significant dysregulation of 70 micro-RNAs. The multi-omics approach highlighted the activities of the cells' biological processes on multiple scales through analysis of gene expression, confirmed by changes observed in the metabolome. Conclusion: Our results showed changes in multi-omic profiles of rats exposed to low doses of uranium contamination, compared with controls. These changes involved gene expression as well as modifications in the transcriptome and the metabolome. The metabolomic profile confirmed that the main molecular targets of uranium in kidney cells are the metabolism of nicotinate-nicotinamide and the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. Additionally, gene expression analysis showed that the metabolism of fatty acids is targeted by processes associated with cell function. These results demonstrate that multiscale systems biology is useful in elucidating the most discriminative pathways from genomic to metabolomic levels for assessing the biological impact of this low-level environmental exposure, i.e. the exposome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Grison
- a Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, SESANE, LRTOX , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - Dimitri Kereselidze
- a Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, SESANE, LRTOX , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - David Cohen
- a Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, SESANE, LRTOX , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - Céline Gloaguen
- a Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, SESANE, LRTOX , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - Christelle Elie
- a Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, SESANE, LRTOX , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - Philippe Lestaevel
- a Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, SESANE, LRTOX , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - Audrey Legendre
- a Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, SESANE, LRTOX , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - Line Manens
- a Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, SESANE, LRTOX , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - Baninia Habchi
- b Aix Marseille Université (AMU), NORT, UMR INSERM 1062 , Marseille , France
| | - Mohamed Amine Benadjaoud
- c Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, SERAMED , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - Georges Tarlet
- d Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, SERAMED, LRMed , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - Fabien Milliat
- d Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, SERAMED, LRMed , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
| | - Jean-Charles Martin
- b Aix Marseille Université (AMU), NORT, UMR INSERM 1062 , Marseille , France
| | - Jean-Marc Lobaccaro
- e Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, UMR CNRS6293-INSERM U1103 , Aubière , France
| | - Maâmar Souidi
- a Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, PSE-SANTE, SESANE, LRTOX , Fontenay-aux-Roses , France
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18
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People and Post-Mining Environments: PPGIS Mapping of Landscape Values, Knowledge Needs, and Future Perspectives in Northern Finland. LAND 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/land7040151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Mining can have a notable environmental and social footprint both during the production phase and after the mine closure. We examined local stakeholders’ viewpoints on two post-mining areas in northern Finland, Hannukainen and Rautuvaara, using a public participation geographic information system (PPGIS) approach. Spatially explicit data on local residents’ and visitors’ values, knowledge needs, and future perspectives on mining landscapes were collected with an online map-based survey tool (Harava). The results show that post-mining sites were generally considered unpleasant places. A majority of respondents were of the opinion that areas would need better reclamation and landscaping measures. The landscape surrounding the post-mining sites contained a wide diversity of pleasant places with high nature and recreational value. Respondents addressed various environmental concerns related to the impacts of former mining activities on the quality of ground water and surface water, potential soil contamination, and the safety of natural products. Opinions on the planned mine reopening were strongly divided among the respondents. One of the key questions was whether a large open-pit mine and nature-based tourism can coexist in the same region. Our results highlight that “the shadow of the mine”—observed environmental impacts, uncertainties related to the spatial extent, duration, and magnitude of impacts, and knowledge gaps—can affect local stakeholders’ land use far outside the mining sites and long after the mine closure. Identifying and mapping stakeholder values, opinions, and knowledge needs could significantly improve post-mining land use planning and mitigate the loss of multifunctional landscapes.
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19
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Marques CR. Extremophilic Microfactories: Applications in Metal and Radionuclide Bioremediation. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1191. [PMID: 29910794 PMCID: PMC5992296 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Metals and radionuclides (M&Rs) are a worldwide concern claiming for resilient, efficient, and sustainable clean-up measures aligned with environmental protection goals and global change constraints. The unique defense mechanisms of extremophilic bacteria and archaea have been proving usefulness towards M&Rs bioremediation. Hence, extremophiles can be viewed as microfactories capable of providing specific and controlled services (i.e., genetic/metabolic mechanisms) and/or products (e.g., biomolecules) for that purpose. However, the natural physiological plasticity of such extremophilic microfactories can be further explored to nourish different hallmarks of M&R bioremediation, which are scantly approached in the literature and were never integrated. Therefore, this review not only briefly describes major valuable extremophilic pathways for M&R bioremediation, as it highlights the advances, challenges and gaps from the interplay of ‘omics’ and biological engineering to improve extremophilic microfactories performance for M&R clean-up. Microfactories’ potentialities are also envisaged to close the M&R bioremediation processes and shift the classical idea of never ‘getting rid’ of M&Rs into making them ‘the belle of the ball’ through bio-recycling and bio-recovering techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina R Marques
- Departamento de Biologia and Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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20
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Keatley AC, Martin PG, Hallam KR, Payton OD, Awbery R, Carvalho FP, Oliveira JM, Silva L, Malta M, Scott TB. Source identification of uranium-containing materials at mine legacy sites in Portugal. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 183:102-111. [PMID: 29331769 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Whilst prior nuclear forensic studies have focused on identifying signatures to distinguish between different uranium deposit types, this paper focuses on providing a scientific basis for source identification of materials from different uranium mine sites within a single region, which can then be potentially used within nuclear forensics. A number of different tools, including gamma spectrometry, alpha spectrometry, mineralogy and major and minor elemental analysis, have been utilised to determine the provenance of uranium mineral samples collected at eight mine sites, located within three different uranium provinces, in Portugal. A radiation survey was initially conducted by foot and/or unmanned aerial vehicle at each site to assist sample collection. The results from each mine site were then compared to determine if individual mine sites could be distinguished based on characteristic elemental and isotopic signatures. Gamma and alpha spectrometry were used to differentiate between samples from different sites and also give an indication of past milling and mining activities. Ore samples from the different mine sites were found to be very similar in terms of gangue and uranium mineralogy. However, rarer minerals or specific impurity elements, such as calcium and copper, did permit some separation of the sites examined. In addition, classification rates using linear discriminant analysis were comparable to those in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Keatley
- Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom.
| | - P G Martin
- Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
| | - K R Hallam
- Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
| | - O D Payton
- Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
| | - R Awbery
- AWE, Aldermaston, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4PR, United Kingdom
| | - F P Carvalho
- Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica, Instituto Superior Técnico, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139,7, 2695-066, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - J M Oliveira
- Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica, Instituto Superior Técnico, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139,7, 2695-066, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - L Silva
- Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica, Instituto Superior Técnico, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139,7, 2695-066, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - M Malta
- Laboratório de Protecção e Segurança Radiológica, Instituto Superior Técnico, Estrada Nacional 10, Km 139,7, 2695-066, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - T B Scott
- Interface Analysis Centre, HH Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
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21
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Lourenço J, Marques S, Carvalho FP, Oliveira J, Malta M, Santos M, Gonçalves F, Pereira R, Mendo S. Uranium mining wastes: The use of the Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity Test (FET) test to evaluate toxicity and risk of environmental discharge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 605-606:391-404. [PMID: 28672228 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Active and abandoned uranium mining sites often create environmentally problematic situations, since they cause the contamination of all environmental matrices (air, soil and water) with stable metals and radionuclides. Due to their cytotoxic, genotoxic and teratogenic properties, the exposure to these contaminants may cause several harmful effects in living organisms. The Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity Test (FET) test was employed to evaluate the genotoxic and teratogenic potential of mine liquid effluents and sludge elutriates from a deactivated uranium mine. The aims were: a) to determine the risk of discharge of such wastes in the environment; b) the effectiveness of the chemical treatment applied to the uranium mine water, which is a standard procedure generally applied to liquid effluents from uranium mines and mills, to reduce its toxicological potential; c) the suitability of the FET test for the evaluation the toxicity of such wastes and the added value of including the evaluation of genotoxicity. Results showed that through the FET test it was possible to determine that both elutriates and effluents are genotoxic and also that the mine effluent is teratogenic at low concentrations. Additionally, liquid effluents and sludge elutriates affect other parameters namely, growth and hatching and that water pH alone played an important role in the hatching process. The inclusion of genotoxicity evaluation in the FET test was crucial to prevent the underestimation of the risks posed by some of the tested effluents/elutriates. Finally, it was possible to conclude that care should be taken when using benchmark values calculated for specific stressors to evaluate the risk posed by uranium mining wastes to freshwater ecosystems, due to their chemical complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Lourenço
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - S Marques
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - F P Carvalho
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - J Oliveira
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - M Malta
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - M Santos
- Instituto Superior Técnico/Laboratório de Proteccão e Segurança Radiológica, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada Nacional 10, km 139, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
| | - F Gonçalves
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - R Pereira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto & CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research & GreenUP/CITAB-UP, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - S Mendo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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22
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Beccia MR, Matara-Aho M, Reeves B, Roques J, Solari PL, Monfort M, Moulin C, Den Auwer C. New insight into the ternary complexes of uranyl carbonate in seawater. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2017; 178-179:343-348. [PMID: 28947086 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Uranium is naturally present in seawater at trace levels and may in some cases be present at higher concentrations, due to anthropogenic nuclear activities. Understanding uranium speciation in seawater is thus essential for predicting and controlling its behavior in this specific environmental compartment and consequently, its possible impact on living organisms. The carbonato calcic complex Ca2UO2(CO3)3 was previously identified as the main uranium species in natural seawater, together with CaUO2(CO3)32-. In this work, we further investigate the role of the alkaline earth cation in the structure of the ternary uranyl-carbonate complexes. For this purpose, artificial seawater, free of Mg2+ and Ca2+, using Sr2+ as a spectroscopic probe was prepared. Combining TRLIF and EXAFS spectroscopy, together with DFT and theoretical thermodynamic calculations, evidence for the presence of Sr alkaline earth counter ion in the complex structure can be asserted. Furthermore, data suggest that when Ca2+ is replaced by Sr2+, SrUO2(CO3)32- is the main complex in solution and it occurs with the presence of at least one monodentate carbonate in the uranyl coordination sphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Beccia
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272, 06108 Nice, France.
| | - M Matara-Aho
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272, 06108 Nice, France; Laboratory of Radiochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, FI, 00014, Finland
| | - B Reeves
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272, 06108 Nice, France
| | - J Roques
- Institut de Physique Nucléaire d'Orsay, Université Paris XI Orsay, UMR8608, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - P L Solari
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin, BP 48, F-91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - M Monfort
- CEA, DAM, DIF, F-91297 Arpajon, France
| | - C Moulin
- CEA, DAM, DIF, F-91297 Arpajon, France
| | - C Den Auwer
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272, 06108 Nice, France.
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Sustainable Post-Mining Land Use: Are Closed Metal Mines Abandoned or Re-Used Space? SUSTAINABILITY 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/su9101705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Lourenço J, Mendo S, Pereira R. Radioactively contaminated areas: Bioindicator species and biomarkers of effect in an early warning scheme for a preliminary risk assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2016; 317:503-542. [PMID: 27343869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Concerns about the impacts on public health and on the natural environment have been raised regarding the full range of operational activities related to uranium mining and the rest of the nuclear fuel cycle (including nuclear accidents), nuclear tests and depleted uranium from military ammunitions. However, the environmental impacts of such activities, as well as their ecotoxicological/toxicological profile, are still poorly studied. Herein, it is discussed if organisms can be used as bioindicators of human health effects, posed by lifetime exposure to radioactively contaminated areas. To do so, information was gathered from several studies performed on vertebrates, invertebrate species and humans, living in these contaminated areas. The retrieved information was compared, to determine which are the most used bioindicators and biomarkers and also the similarities between human and non-human biota responses. The data evaluated are used to support the proposal for an early warning scheme, based on bioindicator species and on the most sensitive and commonly shared biomarkers, to perform a screening evaluation of radioactively contaminated sites. This scheme could be used to support decision-making for a deeper evaluation of risks to human health, making it possible to screen a large number of areas, without disturbing and alarming local populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Lourenço
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Sónia Mendo
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ruth Pereira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto & CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research & GreenUP/CITAB-UP, Porto, Portugal
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Favas PJC, Pratas J, Mitra S, Sarkar SK, Venkatachalam P. Biogeochemistry of uranium in the soil-plant and water-plant systems in an old uranium mine. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 568:350-368. [PMID: 27314898 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 06/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The present study highlights the uranium (U) concentrations in water-soil-plant matrices and the efficiency considering a heterogeneous assemblage of terrestrial and aquatic native plant species to act as the biomonitor and phytoremediator for environmental U-contamination in the Sevilha mine (uraniferous region of Beiras, Central Portugal). A total of 53 plant species belonging to 22 families was collected from 24 study sites along with ambient soil and/or water samples. The concentration of U showed wide range of variations in the ambient medium: 7.5 to 557mgkg(-1) for soil and 0.4 to 113μgL(-1) for water. The maximum potential of U accumulation was recorded in roots of the following terrestrial plants: Juncus squarrosus (450mgkg(-1) DW), Carlina corymbosa (181mgkg(-1) DW) and Juncus bufonius (39.9mgkg(-1) DW), followed by the aquatic macrophytes, namely Callitriche stagnalis (55.6mgkg(-1) DW) Lemna minor (53.0mgkg(-1) DW) and Riccia fluitans (50.6mgkg(-1) DW). Accumulation of U in plant tissues exhibited the following decreasing trend: root>leaves>stem>flowers/fruits and this confirms the unique efficiency of roots in accumulating this radionuclide from host soil/sediment (phytostabilization). Overall, the accumulation pattern in the studied aquatic plants (L. minor, R. fluitans, C. stagnalis and Lythrum portula) dominated over most of the terrestrial counterpart. Among terrestrial plants, the higher mean bioconcentration factor (≈1 in roots/rhizomes of C. corymbosa and J. squarrosus) and translocation factor (31 in Andryala integrifolia) were encountered in the representing families Asteraceae and Juncaceae. Hence, these terrestrial plants can be treated as the promising candidates for the development of the phytostabilization or phytoextraction methodologies based on the accumulation, abundance and biomass production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo J C Favas
- University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal; MARE, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - João Pratas
- MARE, Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Department of Earth Sciences, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal; Instituto de Geologia e Petróleo de Timor Leste, Timor-Leste
| | - Soumita Mitra
- University of Calcutta, Department of Marine Science, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Calcutta 700019, West Bengal, India
| | - Santosh Kumar Sarkar
- University of Calcutta, Department of Marine Science, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Calcutta 700019, West Bengal, India
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Luque CJ, Vaca F, García-Trapote A, Hierro A, Bolívar JP, Castellanos EM. Radionuclides transfer into halophytes growing in tidal salt marshes from the Southwest of Spain. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2015; 150:179-188. [PMID: 26334596 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Estuaries are sinks of materials and substances which are released directly into them or transported from rivers that drain the basin. It is usual to find high organic matter loads and fine particles in the sediments. We analyzed radionuclide concentrations ((210)Po, (230)Th, (232)Th, (234)U, (238)U, (226)Ra, (228)Th, (228)Ra, (40)K) in sediments and three different organs (roots, stems and leaves) of three species of halophytes plants (Spartina maritima, Spartina densiflora and Sarcocornia perennis). The study was carried out in two tidal salt marshes, one polluted by U-series radionuclides and another nearby that was unpolluted and was used as a control (or reference) area. The Tinto River salt marsh shows high levels of U-series radionuclides coming from mining and industrial discharges. On the contrary, the unperturbed Piedras River salt marsh is located about 25 km from the Tinto marsh, and shows little presence of contaminants and radionuclides. The results of this work have shown that natural radionuclide concentrations (specially the U-isotopes) in the Tinto salt marsh sediments are one order of magnitude higher than those in the Piedras marsh. These radionuclide enhancements are reflected in the different organs of the plants, which have similar concentration increases as the sediments where they have grown. Finally, the transfer factor (TF) of the most polluted radionuclides (U-isotopes and (210)Po) in the Tinto area are one order of magnitude higher than in the Piedras area, indicating that the fraction of each radionuclide in the sediment originating from the pollution is more available for the plants than the indigenous fraction. This means that the plants of the salt marshes are unhelpful as bioindicators or for the phytoremediation of radionuclides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Luque
- Departamento de Biología Ambiental y Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Huelva, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar CEIMAR y CEICAMBIO, 21071 Huelva, Spain.
| | - Federico Vaca
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Huelva, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar CEIMAR y CEICAMBIO, 21071 Huelva, Spain.
| | - Ana García-Trapote
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Huelva, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar CEIMAR y CEICAMBIO, 21071 Huelva, Spain.
| | - Almudena Hierro
- Department of Physics, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
| | - Juan P Bolívar
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Huelva, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar CEIMAR y CEICAMBIO, 21071 Huelva, Spain.
| | - Eloy M Castellanos
- Departamento de Biología Ambiental y Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad de Huelva, Campus de Excelencia Internacional del Mar CEIMAR y CEICAMBIO, 21071 Huelva, Spain.
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Madani S, Coors A, Haddioui A, Ksibi M, Pereira R, Paulo Sousa J, Römbke J. Effects of contaminated soils from a former iron mine (Ait Amar, Morocco) on enchytraeids (Enchytraeus bigeminus) and predatory mites (Hypoaspis aculeifer) in standard laboratory tests. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2015; 119:90-97. [PMID: 25985252 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Mining activity is an important economic activity in several North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and North African countries. Within their territory derelict or active mining explorations represent risks to surrounding ecosystems, but engineered-based remediation processes are usually too expensive to be an option for the reclamation of these areas. A project funded by NATO was performed, with the aim of finding a more eco-friendly solution for reclamation of these areas. As part of an overall risk assessment, the risk of contaminated soils to selected soil organisms was evaluated. The main question addressed was: Does the metal-contaminated soils from a former iron mine located at Ait Amar (Morocco),which was abandoned in the mid-Sixties, affect the reproduction of enchytraeids (Enchytraeus bigeminus) and predatory mites (Hypoaspis aculeifer)? Soil samples were taken at 20 plots along four transects covering the mine area and at a reference site about 15km away from the mine. The soils were characterized pedologically and chemically, which showed a heterogeneous pattern of metal contamination (mainly cadmium, copper, and chromium, sometimes at concentrations higher than European soil trigger values). The reproduction of enchytraeids (Enchytraeus bigeminus) and predatory mites (Hypoaspis aculeifer) was studied using standard laboratory tests according to OECD guidelines 220 (2004) and 226 (2008). The number of juveniles of E. bigeminus was reduced at several plots with high concentrations of Cd or Cu (the latter in combination with low pH values). There was nearly no effect of the metal contaminated soils on the reproduction of H. aculeifer. The overall lack of toxicity at the majority of the studied plots is probably caused by the low availability of the metals in these soils unless soil pH was very low. Different exposure pathways are likely responsible for the different reaction of mites and enchytraeids (hard-bodied versus soft-bodied organisms). The results of this study can be used not only for assessing the risk of contaminated soils but also could play a role for the identification of soil remediation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safoura Madani
- ECT Oekotoxikologie GmbH, D-65439 Flörsheim/Main, Germany
| | - Anja Coors
- ECT Oekotoxikologie GmbH, D-65439 Flörsheim/Main, Germany
| | | | - Mohamed Ksibi
- Laboratory of Water, Energy and Environment, LR3 (ENIS), 3038 Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Ruth Pereira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal & Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, P 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - José Paulo Sousa
- IMAR-CMA, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Jörg Römbke
- ECT Oekotoxikologie GmbH, D-65439 Flörsheim/Main, Germany.
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Barbosa SM, Lopes F, Correia AD, Barbosa S, Pereira AC, Neves LF. Temporal variability of radon in a remediated tailing of uranium ore processing--the case of Urgeiriça (central Portugal). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2015; 142:14-23. [PMID: 25618233 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Revised: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Radon monitoring at different levels of the cover of the Urgeiriça tailings shows that the sealing is effective and performing as desired in terms of containing the strongly radioactive waste resulting from uranium ore processing. However, the analysis of the time series of radon concentration shows a very complex temporal structure, particularly at depth, including very large and fast variations from a few tens of kBq m(-3) to more than a million kBq m(-3) in less than one day. The diurnal variability is strongly asymmetric, peaking at 18 h/19 h and decreasing very fast around 21 h/22 h. The analysis is performed for summer and for a period with no rain in order to avoid the potential influence of precipitation and related environmental conditions on the radon variability. Analysis of ancillary measurements of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and wind direction, as well as atmospheric pressure reanalysis data shows that the daily averaged radon concentration in the taillings material is anti-correlated with the atmospheric pressure and that the diurnal amplitude is associated with the magnitude of atmospheric pressure daily oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Barbosa
- University of Lisbon, Instituto Dom Luiz, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - F Lopes
- University of Lisbon, Instituto Dom Luiz, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A D Correia
- EDM, Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA, Portugal
| | - S Barbosa
- EDM, Empresa de Desenvolvimento Mineiro, SA, Portugal
| | - A C Pereira
- IMAR, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - L F Neves
- IMAR, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal
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Freitas AC, Rodrigues D, Rocha-Santos TAP, Gonçalves F, Duarte AC, Pereira R. The impact of uranium mine contamination of soils on plant litter decomposition. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2014; 67:601-616. [PMID: 24823679 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-014-0035-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
As part of a tier 3 risk assessment performed for a uranium mining area, the ability of soils with different degrees of metal contamination to degrade organic matter was assessed using litter bags filled with leaves of Quercus robur, Pinus pinaster, Salix atrocinerea, or a mixture of the three species. Litter bags were exposed at different sites within the mine area and at a reference area for 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Biomass loss, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), carbon (C) and total fatty acid, total phenolic, and ergosterol contents were assessed for each litter bag retrieved from the field. The decomposition of litter at each site seemed to be governed by a complex interaction of many different factors. After 12 months of exposure, leaves from the most contaminated sites were distinguishable from those from the reference site. In the reference site, the greatest percentages of biomass loss were attained by Q. robur and P. pinaster leaves. These species displayed the second highest and the lowest C-to-N ratios, respectively. In addition, the high P content of the litter from these two species may have favored microbial colonization. The results suggest that the decomposition of P. pinaster and Q. robur leaves may have been favored at the reference site by the high abundance of both species at this site and the subsequent adaptation of the microbial community to their litter. Our study shows that different species of leaf litter should be used to discriminate between contaminated sites with different levels of contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Freitas
- ISEIT/Viseu, Instituto Piaget, Estrada do Alto do Gaio, Galifonge, 3515-776, Lordosa, Viseu, Portugal,
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Caetano AL, Marques CR, Gavina A, Carvalho F, Gonçalves F, da Silva EF, Pereira R. Contribution for the derivation of a soil screening value (SSV) for uranium, using a natural reference soil. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108041. [PMID: 25353962 PMCID: PMC4212963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to regulate the management of contaminated land, many countries have been deriving soil screening values (SSV). However, the ecotoxicological data available for uranium is still insufficient and incapable to generate SSVs for European soils. In this sense, and so as to make up for this shortcoming, a battery of ecotoxicological assays focusing on soil functions and organisms, and a wide range of endpoints was carried out, using a natural soil artificially spiked with uranium. In terrestrial ecotoxicology, it is widely recognized that soils have different properties that can influence the bioavailability and the toxicity of chemicals. In this context, SSVs derived for artificial soils or for other types of natural soils, may lead to unfeasible environmental risk assessment. Hence, the use of natural regional representative soils is of great importance in the derivation of SSVs. A Portuguese natural reference soil PTRS1, from a granitic region, was thereby applied as test substrate. This study allowed the determination of NOEC, LOEC, EC20 and EC50 values for uranium. Dehydrogenase and urease enzymes displayed the lowest values (34.9 and <134.5 mg U Kg, respectively). Eisenia andrei and Enchytraeus crypticus revealed to be more sensitive to uranium than Folsomia candida. EC50 values of 631.00, 518.65 and 851.64 mg U Kg were recorded for the three species, respectively. Concerning plants, only Lactuca sativa was affected by U at concentrations up to 1000 mg U kg1. The outcomes of the study may in part be constrained by physical and chemical characteristics of soils, hence contributing to the discrepancy between the toxicity data generated in this study and that available in the literature. Following the assessment factor method, a predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) value of 15.5 mg kg−1dw was obtained for U. This PNEC value is proposed as a SSV for soils similar to the PTRS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luisa Caetano
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
- CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
- * E-mail:
| | - Catarina R. Marques
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
- CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana Gavina
- CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Fernando Carvalho
- Nuclear and Technological Institute (ITN) Department of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, Sacavém, Portugal
| | - Fernando Gonçalves
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
- CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Eduardo Ferreira da Silva
- Department of Geosciences, University of Aveiro, GeoBioTec Research Center, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ruth Pereira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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