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Peternel A, Gaberščik A, Zelnik I, Holcar M, Germ M. Long-Term Changes in Macrophyte Distribution and Abundance in a Lowland River. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:401. [PMID: 35161382 PMCID: PMC8840756 DOI: 10.3390/plants11030401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to reveal the changes of macrophyte community over time and along the course of the Ižica River. In 1996, 2000, and 2016, we surveyed the distribution and abundance of macrophyte species in the lowland Ižica River, which originates in the town of Ig and then flows through an agricultural landscape. We calculated the River Macrophyte Index (RMI), which reflects the ecological status of the river. In 2016, ecomorphological conditions of the river, using the Riparian, Channel and Environmental inventory, were also assessed. In just 10.5 km of the river, we identified 27 taxa of macrophytes, among which Potamogeton natans, Sagittaria sagittifolia, and P. perfoliatus were the most abundant. Detrended correspondence analysis showed that, in 1996, the surveyed stretches differed more according to macrophyte composition than in the following years. The assessed environmental parameters explained 43% of the variability of the macrophyte species; riverbank stability explained 20%, riverbed structure 10%, while vegetation type of the riparian zone and bottom type explained 7 and 5%, respectively. The species composition of the macrophyte community revealed significant changes over the years of the riverine ecosystem. Comparison of RMIs in 1996 revealed better conditions in the upper and middle part of the river, while in 2016, the situation was the opposite, since the conditions in the upper part deteriorated significantly over time, while the lower part of the river had the best ecological status. These changes may be due to a considerable increase in the population of the settlement Ig, while better status in the lower course of the river may be a consequence of improvements in the infrastructure and the use of sustainable agricultural practices in the catchment due to the establishment of a formal area of protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrej Peternel
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (A.G.); (M.H.); (M.G.)
- Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia, Vojkova 1b, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alenka Gaberščik
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (A.G.); (M.H.); (M.G.)
| | - Igor Zelnik
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (A.G.); (M.H.); (M.G.)
| | - Matej Holcar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (A.G.); (M.H.); (M.G.)
| | - Mateja Germ
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.P.); (A.G.); (M.H.); (M.G.)
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Favas PJC, Pratas J, Rodrigues N, D'Souza R, Varun M, Paul MS. Metal(loid) accumulation in aquatic plants of a mining area: Potential for water quality biomonitoring and biogeochemical prospecting. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 194:158-170. [PMID: 29202268 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.11.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic bryophytes can accumulate extremely high levels of chemical elements because of their unique morphology and physiology which is markedly different from vascular plants. Four aquatic mosses-Fontinalis squamosa, Brachythecium rivulare, Platyhypnidium riparioides, Thamnobryum alopecurum-and a freshwater red alga Lemanea fluviatilis along with water samples from the streams of Góis mine region in Central Portugal were analyzed for 46 elements. Despite being below detection levels in the water samples, the elements Zr, V, Cr, Mo, Ru, Os, Rh, Ir, Pt, Ag, Ge and Bi were obtained in the plant samples. The moss T. alopecurum had the highest mean concentrations of 19 elements followed by B. rivulare (15 elements). Maximum accumulation of Rb, Ta and Au, however, was seen in the alga L. fluviatilis. Bioconcentration factors > 106 were obtained for a few metals. The investigation confirms that aquatic bryophytes can be suitable for water quality biomonitoring and biogeochemical prospecting in fresh water bodies owing to their high accumulative capacity of multi-elements from their aquatic ambient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo J C Favas
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal; University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - João Pratas
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3001-401, Coimbra, Portugal; Instituto do Petróleo e Geologia (Institute of Petroleum and Geology), Rua Delta 1, Aimutin Comoro, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Nelson Rodrigues
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3001-401, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rohan D'Souza
- Department of Botany, St. John's College, Agra, 282 002, India
| | - Mayank Varun
- Department of Botany, St. John's College, Agra, 282 002, India
| | - Manoj S Paul
- Department of Botany, St. John's College, Agra, 282 002, India
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Sharma VK, McDonald TJ, Sohn M, Anquandah GAK, Pettine M, Zboril R. Assessment of toxicity of selenium and cadmium selenium quantum dots: A review. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 188:403-413. [PMID: 28892773 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.08.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
This paper reviews the current understanding of the toxicity of selenium (Se) to terrestrial mammalian and aquatic organisms. Adverse biological effects occur in the case of Se deficiencies, associated with this element having essential biological functions and a narrow window between essentiality and toxicity. Several inorganic species of Se (-2, 0, +4, and +6) and organic species (monomethylated and dimethylated) have been reported in aquatic systems. The toxicity of Se in any given sample depends not only on its speciation and concentration, but also on the concomitant presence of other compounds that may have synergistic or antagonistic effects, affecting the target organism as well, usually spanning 2 or 3 orders of magnitude for inorganic Se species. In aquatic ecosystems, indirect toxic effects, linked to the trophic transfer of excess Se, are usually of much more concern than direct Se toxicity. Studies on the toxicity of selenium nanoparticles indicate the greater toxicity of chemically generated selenium nanoparticles relative to selenium oxyanions for fish and fish embryos while oxyanions of selenium have been found to be more highly toxic to rats as compared to nano-Se. Studies on polymer coated Cd/Se quantum dots suggest significant differences in toxicity of weathered vs. non-weathered QD's as well as a significant role for cadmium with respect to toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virender K Sharma
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA; Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University in Olomouc, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
| | - Thomas J McDonald
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Mary Sohn
- Department of Chemistry, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University, Boulevard, Melbourne, FL, 32901, USA
| | - George A K Anquandah
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, St Mary's University, 1 Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX, 78228, USA
| | - Maurizio Pettine
- Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque (IRSA)/Water Research Institute (IRSA), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)/National Research Council, Via Salaria km 29,300 C.P. 10, 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - Radek Zboril
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University in Olomouc, 771 46, Olomouc, Czech Republic
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Mechora Š, Kanduč T. Environmental assessment of freshwater ecosystems of the Sava River watershed and Cerkniško Lake, Slovenia, using the bioindicator species Fontinalis antipyretica: insights from stable isotopes and selected elements. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2016; 52:239-257. [PMID: 26758230 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2016.1114933] [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: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ten locations in the Notranjska region, Slovenia, with different land use in the catchment (town, village and agricultural areas), including reference points with different geological composition considered as unpolluted sites, were sampled for water and aquatic moss to evaluate environmental assessment in fresh water systems of the Sava River watershed. Samples of fresh water and Fontinalis antipyretica were taken in all four seasons during the years 2010 and 2012. The water chemistry of the investigated locations was dominated by [Formula: see text], while concentrations of [Formula: see text] seasonally ranged from 2.1 to 6.4 mg L(-1) and at one of the reference sites did not exceed 1.3 mg L(-1). δ(13)CDIC values seasonally ranged from -13.3 to -8.1 ‰ and indicated waters dominated by degradation of organic matter and dissolution of carbonates. δ(13)Cplant values of F. antipyretica seasonally ranged from -45 to -32.9 ‰ and of δ(15)Nplant from -0.2 to 6.5 ‰. The higher δ(15)N value of 6.5 ‰ found in F. antipyretica was related to agricultural activity in the watershed. The content of minor and trace elements in F. antipyretica ranged from 4-38 µg g(-1) for Ni, 17-105 µg g(-1) for Zn, 2-28 µg g(-1) for Pb, 0.26-1.95 µg g(-1) for Cd, 4-27 µg g(-1) for Cu, 4-49 µg g(-1) for Cr, 1-6 µg g(-1) for As and 0.33-3.24 µg g(-1) for Se. The most polluted watershed was the Pšata stream (agricultural area, cattle farm with the highest concentration of nitrate in water) also with highest values for Ni, Cr, Pb, Zn and As.
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Affiliation(s)
- Špela Mechora
- a Biotechnical Faculty , University of Ljubljana , Ljubljana , Slovenia
| | - Tjaša Kanduč
- b Department of Environmental Sciences , Jožef Stefan Institute , Ljubljana , Slovenia
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Kroflič A, Germ M, Mechora Š, Stibilj V. Selenium and its compounds in aquatic plant Veronica anagallis-aquatica. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 151:296-302. [PMID: 26946117 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.12.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The uptake, distribution and determination of Se and its compounds in macrophyte Veronica anagallis-aquatica were investigated. V. anagallis-aquatica and sediments were sampled in years 2009-2011 and in 2013 in three Slovenian watercourses flowing through an agricultural area, where addition of Se in feedstuffs has been performed for about 25 years. Se content in sediments were up to 0.86 μg g(-1) and in whole plant varied from 0.186 to 1.535 μg g(-1), all on dry weight basis. Se content were measured also in different plant parts; highest content were found in roots and lowest in stems. Separation of extractable Se compounds was performed by ion exchange chromatography and for on-line detection inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was used. The results showed that only approximately 24% of Se in the macrophyte was extracted using enzyme Protease XIV. Extractable Se in plant parts varied from 10.5% in roots to 29.6% in leaves. Identification of Se(IV) and Se(VI) was achieved but no Se-amino acids were detected even at highest Se content. According to our results, we assume that 25 years of Se addition in feedstuff shows minimal impact on Se content in the selected agricultural area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Kroflič
- "Jožef Stefan" Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mateja Germ
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Špela Mechora
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vekoslava Stibilj
- "Jožef Stefan" Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Mechora Š, Germ M, Stibilj V. Monitoring of selenium in macrophytes - the case of Slovenia. CHEMOSPHERE 2014; 111:464-470. [PMID: 24997953 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.03.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2012] [Revised: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This paper examines macrophytes from various locations in Slovenian streams for selenium (Se) content in an attempt to discover if Se contamination is present and if Se uptake varies between sampling sites. For this purpose, macrophytes and water from ten locations in the Notranjska and Central regions (Slovenia) with different land use in the catchment were sampled. To assess the environmental conditions of the streams the Riparian, Channel, and Environment (RCE) inventory was applied, which revealed that investigated stretches of streams fall into RCE classes III, IV and V. The concentration of Se in water at all locations was less than 1μgSeL(-1). The Se content in macrophytes differed between sampling sites, with the highest content of Se in samples from Žerovniščica stream and the lowest in samples from Lipsenjščica stream. The content of Se was the highest in moss samples (3038ngSeg(-1) DM) and in the amphibious species Veronica anagallis-aquatica (1507ngSeg(-1) DM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Špela Mechora
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mateja Germ
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vekoslava Stibilj
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Favas PJC, Pratas J, Varun M, D'Souza R, Paul MS. Accumulation of uranium by aquatic plants in field conditions: prospects for phytoremediation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 470-471:993-1002. [PMID: 24239820 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.10.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2013] [Revised: 09/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A study was undertaken to determine Uranium concentrations in water and aquatic plants in the uraniferous region of Beiras, Central Portugal. Samples were collected from running water (n=200) at places where aquatic species were observed. Plant samples were collected from 28 species of submerged, free-floating and rooted emergent plants including 2 bryophytes and 1 pteridophyte. Uranium concentrations in surface waters ranged from 0.23 to 1,217 μg L(-1). The aquatic plant species studied, including several previously untested species, exhibited the ability to accumulate U in concentrations many times that of the ambient water. In general submerged plants exhibited higher U content followed by rooted emergent and free floating species. The highest U concentrations were observed in the bryophyte Fontinalis antipyretica (up to 4,979 mg kg(-1)) followed by Callitriche stagnalis (1963mgkg(-1)), Callitriche hamulata (379 mg kg(-1)), Ranunculus peltatus subsp. saniculifolius (243 mg kg(-1)), Callitriche lusitanica (218 mg kg(-1)), and Ranunculus trichophyllus (65.8 mg kg(-1)). In two out of three rooted emergent species U seemed to be preferentially partitioned in rhizome/roots with highest rhizome U content recorded in Typha latifolia (380 mg kg(-1)). Among the free-floating species, the highest U content (42.5 mg kg(-1)) was seen in Lemna minor. The bryophyte F. antipyretica and Callitrichaceae members seem to be promising candidates for the development of phytofiltration methodologies based on U accumulation, abundance and biomass production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo J C Favas
- School of Life Sciences and the Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal; IMAR-CMA Marine and Environmental Research Centre, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - João Pratas
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal; IMAR-CMA Marine and Environmental Research Centre, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3001-401 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Mayank Varun
- Department of Botany, St. John's College, Agra 282 002, India
| | - Rohan D'Souza
- Department of Botany, St. John's College, Agra 282 002, India
| | - Manoj S Paul
- Department of Botany, St. John's College, Agra 282 002, India
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