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McCaig ML, Kidd KA, Smenderovac EE, Perrotta BG, Emilson CE, Stastny M, Venier L, Emilson EJS. Response of stream habitat and microbiomes to spruce budworm defoliation: New considerations for outbreak management. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2024; 34:e3020. [PMID: 39155464 DOI: 10.1002/eap.3020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Defoliation by eastern spruce budworm is one of the most important natural disturbances in Canadian boreal and hemi-boreal forests with annual area affected surpassing that of fire and harvest combined, and its impacts are projected to increase in frequency, severity, and range under future climate scenarios. Deciding on an active management strategy to control outbreaks and minimize broader economic, ecological, and social impacts is becoming increasingly important. These strategies differ in the degree to which defoliation is suppressed, but little is known about the downstream consequences of defoliation and, thus, the implications of management. Given the disproportionate role of headwater streams and their microbiomes on net riverine productivity across forested landscapes, we investigated the effects of defoliation by spruce budworm on headwater stream habitat and microbiome structure and function to inform management decisions. We experimentally manipulated a gradient of defoliation among 12 watersheds during a spruce budworm outbreak in the Gaspésie Peninsula, Québec, Canada. From May through October of 2019-2021, stream habitat (flow rates, dissolved organic matter [DOM], water chemistry, and nutrients), algal biomass, and water temperatures were assessed. Bacterial and fungal biofilm communities were examined by incubating six leaf packs for five weeks (mid-August to late September) in one stream reach per watershed. Microbiome community structure was determined using metabarcoding of 16S and ITS rRNA genes, and community functions were examined using extracellular enzyme assays, leaf litter decomposition rates, and taxonomic functional assignments. We found that cumulative defoliation was correlated with increased streamflow rates and temperatures, and more aromatic DOM (measured as specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm), but was not correlated to nutrient concentrations. Cumulative defoliation was also associated with altered microbial community composition, an increase in carbohydrate biosynthesis, and a reduction in aromatic compound degradation, suggesting that microbes are shifting to the preferential use of simple carbohydrates rather than more complex aromatic compounds. These results demonstrate that high levels of defoliation can affect headwater stream microbiomes to the point of altering stream ecosystem productivity and carbon cycling potential, highlighting the importance of incorporating broader ecological processes into spruce budworm management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison L McCaig
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen A Kidd
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- School of Earth, Environment and Society, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emily E Smenderovac
- Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Caroline E Emilson
- Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Stastny
- Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Atlantic Forestry Centre, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Lisa Venier
- Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erik J S Emilson
- Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
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Gutiérrez-Barral A, Teira E, Díaz-Alonso A, Justel-Díez M, Kaal J, Fernández E. Impact of wildfire ash on bacterioplankton abundance and community composition in a coastal embayment (Ría de Vigo, NW Spain). MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 194:106317. [PMID: 38160575 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Wildfire ash can have an impact on coastal prokaryotic plankton. To understand the extent to which community composition and abundance of coastal prokaryotes are affected by ash, two ash addition experiments were performed. Ash from a massive wildfire that took place in the Ría de Vigo watershed in October 2017 was added to natural surface water samples collected in the middle sector of the ría during the summer of 2019 and winter of 2020, and incubated for 72 h, under natural water temperature and irradiance conditions. Plankton responses were assessed through chlorophyll a and bacterial abundance measurements. Prokaryotic DNA was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene partial sequencing. In summer, when nutrient concentrations were low in the ría, the addition of ash led to an increase in phytoplankton and bacterial abundance, increasing the proportions of Alteromonadales, Flavobacteriales, and the potentially pathogenic Vibrio, among other taxa. After the winter runoff events, nutrient concentrations in the Ría de Vigo were high, and only minor changes in bacterial abundance were detected. Our findings suggest that the compounds associated with wildfire ash can alter the composition of bacterioplanktonic communities, which is relevant information for the management of coastal ecosystems in fire-prone areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Gutiérrez-Barral
- Centro de Investigación Mariña da Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Eva Teira
- Centro de Investigación Mariña da Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Galicia, Spain
| | - Alexandra Díaz-Alonso
- Centro de Investigación Mariña da Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Galicia, Spain
| | - Maider Justel-Díez
- Centro de Investigación Mariña da Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Galicia, Spain
| | - Joeri Kaal
- Pyrolyscience, 15707, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Emilio Fernández
- Centro de Investigación Mariña da Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Galicia, Spain
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3
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Monteiro LC, Vieira LCG, Bernardi JVE, Bastos WR, de Souza JPR, Recktenvald MCNDN, Nery AFDC, Oliveira IADS, Cabral CDS, Moraes LDC, Filomeno CL, de Souza JR. Local and landscape factors influencing mercury distribution in water, bottom sediment, and biota from lakes of the Araguaia River floodplain, Central Brazil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168336. [PMID: 37949140 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a chemical element widely present in the Earth's crust. However, its high toxicity and ability to accumulate in organisms and biomagnify through food chains characterize it as a global pollutant of primary control. We assessed total mercury concentrations ([THg]) in abiotic and biotic compartments from 98 floodplain lakes associated with the Araguaia River and six tributaries (Midwest Brazil). [THg] quantification in water was performed by cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. [THg] in bottom sediment was assessed using cold vapor generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while [THg] in macrophyte, periphyton, and plankton were quantified by thermal decomposition atomic absorption spectrometry. Hotspots of [THg] in water, bottom sediment, and macrophytes were determined in areas impacted by pasture and urban areas. In contrast, hotspots of [THg] in periphyton and forest fires were determined in preserved areas downstream. [THg] in plankton did not show a clear spatial distribution pattern. The mean bioaccumulation factor order was plankton (2.3 ± 1.8) > periphyton (1.3 ± 0.9) > macrophytes (0.7 ± 0.4) (KW = 55.09, p < 0.0001). Higher [THg] in water and bottom sediment were associated with high pH (R2adj = 0.118, p = 0.004) and organic matter (R2adj = 0.244, p < 0.0001). [THg] in macrophytes were positively influenced by [THg] in water (R2adj = 0.063, p = 0.024) and sediment (R2adj = 0.105, p = 0.007). [THg] in periphyton are positively related to forest fires (R2adj = 0.156, p = 0.009) and [THg] in macrophytes (R2adj = 0.061, p = 0.03) and negatively related to lake depth (R2adj = 0.045, p = 0.02). The transfer of Hg from water and sediment to the biota is limited. However, the progressive increase of the bioaccumulation factor between macrophyte, periphyton, and plankton may indicate Hg biomagnification along the food chain of the Araguaia River floodplain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Cabrera Monteiro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
| | - Ludgero Cardoso Galli Vieira
- Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisas Ambientais e Limnológicas, Faculdade UnB Planaltina, Universidade de Brasília, Planaltina, DF, Brazil
| | - José Vicente Elias Bernardi
- Laboratório de Geoestatística e Geodésia, Faculdade UnB Planaltina, Universidade de Brasília, Planaltina, DF, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Cássio da Silva Cabral
- Laboratório de Biogeoquímica Ambiental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Lilian de Castro Moraes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Faculdade UnB Planaltina, Universidade de Brasília, Planaltina, DF, Brazil
| | - Cleber Lopes Filomeno
- Central Análítica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Jurandir Rodrigues de Souza
- Laboratório de Química Analítica e Ambiental, Instituto de Química, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
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Rao JN, Parsai T. Trends and patterns of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in forest fire-affected soils and water mediums with implications on human health risk assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:166682. [PMID: 37659553 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Forest fires are extreme natural/artificial events releasing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogenic. Most of the released PAHs are trapped in burnt ash, a part of which is transported and settle on different mediums like soil and water. After strong rainfall events, PAHs enter into surface water bodies through surface runoff, thereby deteriorating water quality. Changes in PAHs levels during the post-fire duration and human health risks due to PAHs released from forest fires need attention. This study aim to explain the trends and patterns of PAHs and health risks due to exposure to soil and water contaminated with PAHs. Forest fires release a higher percentage of low molecular weight PAHs (LMW PAHs) than high molecular weight PAHs (HMW PAHs). Ash and burnt soils contain a higher percentage of LMW PAHs since biomass burning releases huge amounts of LMW PAHs. Whereas, sediments contain a higher percentage of HMW PAHs since most of the LMW PAHs are already degraded. HMW PAHs were causing higher risk to humans (both cancer and non-cancer) due to their higher oxidation potential. Exposure to water contaminated by PAHs resulted in higher health risks for both BaP equivalent and a mixture of PAHs. Exposure to sediment produced the highest health risk due to a higher percentage of HMW PAHs, followed by surface water, burnt soil, ash, and unburnt soil. Cancer and non-cancer risk due to dermal exposure was more elevated than oral exposure. The mixture of PAHs in sediment produced a higher average dermal risk for children (2.21E+00 for cancer and 7.69E+03 for non-cancer risk) and oral cancer risk for adults (7.11E-03). However, exposure to BaP equivalent in sediment produced higher oral non-cancer risk (7.01E+02) for children. Thus, effective PAHs monitoring is required in both soil and surface water mediums for ensuring proper treatment in water supply systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakki Narasimha Rao
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, Kamand, Himachal Pradesh 175005, India
| | - Tanushree Parsai
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600036, India.
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Santos D, Abrantes N, Campos I, Domingues I, Lopes I. Impacts of aqueous extracts of wildfire ashes on aquatic life-stages of Xenopus laevis: Influence of plant coverage. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 262:106664. [PMID: 37639824 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires have emerged as a global ecological concern due to their wide-ranging off-site effects. One particular consequence is the adverse impact on aquatic environments, as wildfires are acknowledged as a significant source of aquatic contamination through ash runoffs containing toxic compounds. Yet, amphibian response to this source of contamination remains largely undocumented. This study assessed how ash runoffs from Eucalyptus sp. and Pinus sp. affect early aquatic life-stages of Xenopus laevis. Embryos and tadpoles were exposed, respectively, for 96 h and 14 days to serial concentrations (26.9% - 100%) of aqueous extracts of ashes (AEAs; 10 gL-1) composed of eucalypt (ELS) and pine (PLS) ashes. Mortality and development were monitored, and biometric data (snout-to-vent, tail and total length, and weight) measured. Sub-individual endpoints regarding oxidative stress (catalase-CAT; total glutathione-TG; lipid peroxidation-TBARS), neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase-AChE), transformation metabolism (glutathione-S-transferase-GST) and energetic metabolism (carbohydrate, lipid and protein content and O2 consumption), were also measured. The two AEAs induced no significant lethal effects on embryos or tadpoles. However, in general, AEAs caused a developmental delay in both life stages. Effects of AEAs on biometric endpoint were only reported for tadpoles, which showed a decreased body length (snout-to-vent, tail and total) and weight (embryos were not weighed), with PLS exerting higher effect than ELS. As for the sub-individual endpoints, embryos showed mostly no alterations on the activity of the monitored parameters, except for PLS, which reduced embryos' carbohydrate content (at ≥59.2%) and increased O2 consumption (at ≥35.0%). Regarding tadpoles, AEA exposure decreased the activity of CAT and GST (at ≥26.0%) and decreased carbohydrate (at ≥26.0%) and lipid (at ≥45.5%), whereas oxygen consumption increased (at ≥26.0%) only on PLS. Overall, the tested AEAs differentially affected amphibians across life-stages, indicating that plant coverage might affect ash toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Santos
- CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - N Abrantes
- CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - I Campos
- CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - I Domingues
- CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - I Lopes
- CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Muñiz González AB, Campos I, Re A, Martínez-Guitarte JL, Abrantes N. Effects of wildfire ashes on aquatic invertebrates: First molecular approach on Chironomus riparius larvae. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159899. [PMID: 36336062 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The wildfire magnification in recent years has raised increasing concern about their adverse impacts on the environment. Wildfires are recognized as an important source of diffuse pollution for the nearby aquatic systems being potentially toxic to aquatic life. Albeit previous studies with wildfire runoff/ashes observed effects in aquatic organisms, to date, different severity origins of ashes and their impact at the sub-organismal level on aquatic biota have not been assessed. In this work, the molecular response of Chironomus riparius exposed to wildfire with low (LS) and high (HS) severity ashes from burnt Pine plantations was evaluated by employing an array of 42 genes related to crucial metabolic pathways by Real time-PCR. IV instar larvae were exposed for 72 h to aqueous extract of ashes (12.5 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and 100 %) prepared from LS and HS ashes. Mn, Zn, and Pb were the metals found at highest concentration in both ash extracts, for HS notable Cd, Mn and Cr presence. From the 42 genes studied only 4 were not altered (22 genes modulated their response by LS and 38 genes in the case of HS) showing the opposite response at 100% with downregulated by LS and upregulated by HS. The 12.5 %, 25 %, 100 % HS and 25 % LS were the main modulators, confirmed by the integrative biomarkers response (IBR). Remarkable genotoxicity was generated by ashes even activating the apoptosis response, and endocrine disruption observed could modify the development. Moreover, detoxification and stress response were strongly activated, limiting the organism's future response to external aggressions. The employment of this novelty approach with molecular tools act as early alarm signal preventing greater damages. Overall, wildfire ashes showed to be a significant environmental disruptor to C. riparius even at lower concentration and the short exposure time employed, emphasizing the strong impact of wildfires on aquatic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Belén Muñiz González
- Biology & Toxicology Group, Department of Physics, Mathematics, and Fluids, National Distance Education University (UNED), Madrid, Spain; Department of Environment and Planning & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Isabel Campos
- Department of Environment and Planning & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana Re
- Department of Environment and Planning & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - José-Luis Martínez-Guitarte
- Biology & Toxicology Group, Department of Physics, Mathematics, and Fluids, National Distance Education University (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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Santos D, Abrantes N, Campos I, Domingues I, Lopes I. Effects of aqueous extracts of wildfire ashes on tadpoles of Pelophylax perezi: Influence of plant coverage. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 854:158746. [PMID: 36116652 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires have been pointed out as an important source of diffuse contamination to aquatic ecosystems, namely through the input of toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals. However, amphibians' responses to this disturbance have been largely ignored. Hence, this study intended to assess how ashes from Pinus sp. and Eucalyptus sp. plantation forests affect tadpoles of Pelophylax perezi. Tadpoles were exposed 14 days to serial concentrations (26.9 %-100 %) of aqueous extracts of ashes (AEA, with 10 g L-1 of ashes) containing Eucalypt (ELS) and Pine (PLS) ashes. The following endpoints were measured: mortality, malformations, developmental stage, body length and weight. Effects at sub-individual level were also monitored for oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and energetic metabolism. Chemical characterization of the AEA of ELS showed higher concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Pb and V, while PLS showed higher concentrations of Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn. Concerning the lethal effects of AEAs on tadpoles, both extracts were able to induce mortality at high concentrations (76.9 and/or 100 % of AEA), although a high variability in the response was found. A significant mortality in tadpoles exposed to ELS was observed at the concentration of 76.9 %. For organisms exposed to PLS, though a mortality above 20 % was registered at the two highest tested concentrations, it was not significantly different from the control. No significant sub-lethal effects were observed in the ELS treatments. Contrasting, exposure to PLS induced a decrease in body length, weight, glutathione-S-transferase activity and an increase in oxygen consumption. Overall, the distinct effects of ELS and PLS suggest an influence of vegetation cover in ash toxicity. In conclusion, exposure to both ash extracts negatively affected sublethal responses of tadpoles of P. perezi. Future research is needed to assess how these effects at individual level may translate into effects at population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Santos
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Campos
- Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Inês Domingues
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Lopes
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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Bracewell SA, Barros TL, Mayer-Pinto M, Dafforn KA, Simpson SL, Johnston EL. Contaminant pulse following wildfire is associated with shifts in estuarine benthic communities. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120533. [PMID: 36341829 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Novel combinations of climatic conditions due to climate change and prolonged fire seasons have contributed to an increased occurrence of "megafires". Such large-scale fires pose an unknown threat to biodiversity due to the increased extent and severity of burn. Assessments of wildfires often focus on terrestrial ecosystems and effects on aquatic habitats are less documented, particularly in coastal environments. In a novel application of eDNA techniques, we assessed the impacts of the 2019-2020 Australian wildfires on the diversity of estuarine benthic sediment communities in six estuaries in NSW, Australia, before and after the fires. Estuaries differed in area of catchment burnt (0-92%) and amount of vegetative buffer that remained post-fire between burnt areas and waterways. We found greater dissimilarities in the composition and abundance of eukaryotic and bacterial sediment communities in estuaries from burnt catchments with no buffer compared to those with an intact buffer or from unburnt catchments. Shifts in composition in highly burnt catchments were associated with increased concentrations of nutrients, carbon, including fire-derived pyrogenic carbon, and copper, which was representative of multiple highly correlated trace metals. Changes in the relative abundances of certain taxonomic groups, such as sulfate-reducing and nitrifying bacterial groups, in the most impacted estuaries indicate potential consequences for the functioning of sediment communities. These results provide a unique demonstration of the use of eDNA to identify wildfire impacts on ecological communities and emphasize the importance of vegetative buffers in limiting wildfire-associated impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A Bracewell
- Applied Marine and Estuarine Ecology Laboratory, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Thayanne L Barros
- Applied Marine and Estuarine Ecology Laboratory, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mariana Mayer-Pinto
- Applied Marine and Estuarine Ecology Laboratory, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katherine A Dafforn
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart L Simpson
- CSIRO Land and Water, Tharawal Country, Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, NSW, 2232, Australia
| | - Emma L Johnston
- Applied Marine and Estuarine Ecology Laboratory, Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Jesus F, Patrício Silva AL, Pereira JL, Ré A, Campos I, Gonçalves FJM, Nogueira AJA, Abrantes N, Serpa D. Do sediment-bound nickel and lead affect chironomids life-history? Toxicity assessment under environmentally relevant conditions. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 253:106347. [PMID: 36343614 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems translates into increased concentrations of sediment-bound metals, representing a risk for benthic species. This risk might be enhanced in soft and moderately hard waters, world widely distributed, due to the protective role of hardness against metal toxicity. As lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) are amongst the more abundant metals in aquatic systems, and since their combined effects to benthic species have been overlooked, in this study we aimed to investigate the life-cycle toxicity of Pb and Ni (using spiked sediment) to the benthic species Chironomus riparius, considering both single and mixture exposures, in moderately hard water. Environmentally relevant concentrations of each metal were used (25 and 75 mg kg-1, based on a scenario of pollution by runoff waters from burnt forests), following a full factorial design. Effects of the mixture with the highest metal concentrations (Pb 75 mg kg-1 dw + Ni 75 mg kg-1 dw) were also assessed in the second generation. In the first generation, exposure to Pb increased emergence and the weight of males, and decreased time to emergence of both males and females. Conversely, exposure to Ni delayed female emergence and decreased the weight of imagoes. Summarizing, Pb affected more endpoints but showed an apparent positive effect, whereas Ni affected less endpoints but exhibited adverse effects. Reproduction was not affected by these metals. In the second generation, the mixture Pb 75 mg kg-1 + Ni 75 mg kg-1 dw delayed emergence and reduced the emerged female fraction and their weight. These results highlight that Pb and Ni can alter the structure of C. riparius populations at environmentally relevant concentrations, which signals potential repercussions in the dynamics and functioning of freshwater ecosystems under these contamination scenarios. The findings of the present study are relevant not only for metal-polluted environments, in general, but also for fire-affected ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fátima Jesus
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal.
| | - Ana Luísa Patrício Silva
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Joana L Pereira
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Ana Ré
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Isabel Campos
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - António J A Nogueira
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Dalila Serpa
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
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10
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Coelho L, Afonso M, Jesus F, Campos I, Abrantes N, Gonçalves FJM, Serpa D, Marques SM. Effects of Eucalypt ashes from moderate and high severity wildfires on the skin microbiome of the Iberian frog (Rana iberica). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 313:120065. [PMID: 36055453 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Forest fires can threaten amphibians because ash-associated contaminants transported by post-fire runoff impact both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Still, the effects of these contaminants on the skin microbiome of amphibians have been overlooked. Thus, the main objective of this study was to assess the effects of ash from different severity wildfires (moderate and high) on the skin microbiome of the Iberian frog (Rana iberica). Bacterial isolates sampled from R. iberica skin microbiome were tested for their antimicrobial activity against the pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida. The isolates with antimicrobial activity were identified and further exposed to several concentrations (0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) of Eucalypt (Eucalyptus globulus) aqueous extracts (AAEs) of ash from both a moderate and a high severity wildfire. The results showed that 53% of the bacterial isolates presented antimicrobial activity, with Pseudomonas being the most common genus. Exposure to AAEs had diverse effects on bacterial growth since a decrease, an increase or no effects on growth were observed. For both ash types, increasing AAEs concentrations led to an increase in the number of bacteria whose growth was negatively affected. Ash from the high severity fire showed more adverse effects on bacterial growth than those from moderate severity, likely due to the higher metal concentrations of the former. This study revealed that bacteria living in Iberian frogs' skin could be impaired by ash-related contaminants, potentially weakening the individual's immune system. Given the foreseen increase in wildfires' frequency and severity under climate change, this work raises awareness of the risks faced by amphibian communities in fire-prone regions, emphasising the importance of a rapid implementation of post-fire emergency measures for the preservation and conservation of this group of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Coelho
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Mariana Afonso
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fátima Jesus
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Campos
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Dalila Serpa
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sérgio M Marques
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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11
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Afonso M, Coelho L, Jesus F, Campos I, Abrantes N, Gonçalves FJM, Marques S, Serpa D. Effects of Pine and Eucalypt ashes on bacterial isolates from the skin microbiome of the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 841:156677. [PMID: 35710008 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination influences the diversity of the resident skin microbial community of amphibians, ultimately affecting the individual's immune system. Wildfires are expected to impact the skin microbiome, since post-fire runoff typically transports hazardous substances, that can affect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The present study is the first to assess the effects of Eucalypt and Pine wildfire ash on cultivable bacterial isolates from the skin microbiome of amphibians, in particular the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra), a common species in fire-prone Mediterranean ecosystems. To achieve this goal, samples of skin bacteria of adult individuals of S. salamandra were collected at a site without influence of wildfires. The bacterial isolates were tested against the pathogenic agent Aeromonas salmonicida for assessing their antimicrobial activity, before exposing them to a series of dilutions of aqueous extracts of Eucalypt and Pine ashes (AAEs) from high severity wildfires. From the 80 bacterial isolates collected, 48 (mostly Pseudomonas spp.) showed antimicrobial activity. Exposure of bacteria with antimicrobial activity to the Eucalypt and Pine AAEs at concentrations of 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 75, and 100%, revealed that bacterial growth could be significantly inhibited, stimulated or unaffected by ash. Growth inhibition was found for Pine and Eucalypt AAEs at concentrations as low as 6.25% and 12.5%, respectively, but were more expressive at concentrations equal or above 50%. Eucalypt AAEs had a higher negative impact on bacterial growth than Pine AAEs, likely due to differences in metal concentrations between ash types. These findings raise concern about the future of amphibians in fire-prone regions since the foreseen increase in fire frequency and severity owing to climate changes are likely to alter the skin microbiome of amphibians, weaken the immune system and consequently increasing the incidence of infections or diseases, further contributing to the decline of the populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Afonso
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Laura Coelho
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fátima Jesus
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Campos
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Marques
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Dalila Serpa
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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12
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Mesquita AF, Abrantes N, Campos I, Nunes C, Coimbra MA, Gonçalves FJM, Marques JC, Gonçalves AMM. Effects of wildfire ash on the growth and biochemical profiles of the aquatic macrophyte Lemna minor. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 250:106245. [PMID: 35907386 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2022.106245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires are a social and environmental concern to the world due to their many adverse effects, including risk to the public health and security, economic damages in prevention and fight, ecosystems pollution, land usage sustainability, and biodiversity. In the Mediterranean region, these events have increased in the last years. Although several studies evaluated the impacts of the wildfires on the structure and function of the ecosystems and their communities, there is a lack of information at the biochemical level beyond the toxicological effects to the organisms. So, aiming to evaluate the potential toxic and biochemical effects of pine and eucalypt ash from high and low severity burned areas in the aquatic environments, L. minor growth, fatty acid and carbohydrate profiles were studied. Data showed that the wildfires ash from high severity burned areas are more toxic, with a higher growth inhibition than when exposed to ash from low severity burned areas. Considering the ash from low severity burned areas, eucalypt ash revealed to be more noxious to the macrophyte than pine ash. Furthermore, it was observed a decrease in the diversity and abundance of fatty acids content, comparing with the control. An opposite trend was observed in carbohydrates which increased with the organisms' exposure to almost all ash types, except in case of the organisms exposed to eucalypt ash from high severity burned areas, where carbohydrate content decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia F Mesquita
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Campos
- Department of Environment and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Nunes
- CICECO, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Manuel A Coimbra
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João C Marques
- University of Coimbra, MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre / ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, 3001-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana M M Gonçalves
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; University of Coimbra, MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre / ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, 3001-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
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13
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Netshituni VT, Cuthbert RN, Dondofema F, Dalu T. Effects of wildfire ash from native and alien plants on phytoplankton biomass. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 834:155265. [PMID: 35439519 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires are natural or anthropogenic phenomena increasing at alarming rates globally due to land-use alterations, droughts, climatic warming, hunting and biological invasions. Whereas wildfire effects on terrestrial ecosystems are marked and relatively well-studied, ash depositions into aquatic ecosystems have often remained overlooked, but have the potential to significantly impact bottom-up processes. This study assessed ash-water-phytoplankton biomass dynamics using six plant species [i.e., three natives (apple leaf Philenoptera violacea, Transvaal milk plum Englerophytum magalismontanum, quinine tree Rauvolfia caffra) and three aliens (lantana Lantana camara, gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis, guava Psidium guajava)] based on a six-week mesocosm experiment with different ash concentrations (1 and 2 g L-1). We assessed concentrations of chemical elements, i.e., N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and B from ash collected, and examined potential differences among the species. High concentrations of P, K, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and B were recorded from Transvaal milk plum ash and low concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu and Zn were recorded from apple leaf. An increase in phytoplankton biomass (using chlorophyll-a concentration as a proxy) for all treatments i.e., 1 and 2 g L-1 and plant species was observed one week after, followed by decreases in the following weeks, with the exception of 2 g L-1 for lantana, gum and control groups. Silicate concentrations (i.e., used as a proxy for diatom abundance) showed increasing patterns among all ash treatments, with the exception of controls. However, no clear patterns were observed between native and alien plant ash for both chl-a and silicate concentrations. We found that ash has notable effects on water chemistry, particularly nitrate, which increased throughout the weeks, whereas, pH and conductivity were high at low ash concentrations. The impacts of ash on water chemistry, chl-a and silicate concentrations vary with individual species and the amount of ash deposited into the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent T Netshituni
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
| | - Ross N Cuthbert
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, United Kingdom; South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
| | - Farai Dondofema
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
| | - Tatenda Dalu
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda 6140, South Africa; Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa; Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin - Institute for Advanced Study, Wallotstraße 19, Berlin 14193, Germany.
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14
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Trabulo J, Pradhan A, Pascoal C, Cássio F. Can microplastics from personal care products affect stream microbial decomposers in the presence of silver nanoparticles? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 832:155038. [PMID: 35390375 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants of great concern due to their abundance and persistence over time in aquatic environments. However, studies on their impacts on freshwater organisms are scarce. In resemblance, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are incorporated into textiles and personal care products and are also classified as emerging contaminants. We used the leaf litter decomposition model system to investigate the effects of MPs from a commercially used personal care product, alone or in mixture with Ag-NPs, on the diversity and activities of freshwater microbial decomposers. We exposed stream microbial communities associated with leaf litter to increasing concentrations of MPs (polyethylene extracted from a personal care product; 100 μg L-1 up to 1 g L-1 5 concentrations plus 1 control) for 27 days in the absence or presence of Ag-NPs (0.1 mg L-1 and 1 mg L-1). The exposure to MPs, alone or in mixture with Ag-NPs, negatively affected fungal diversity and sporulation, with a reduction in leaf litter decomposition (Cohen's d > 1.5; r> 0.8; Bonferroni, P < 0.01). Shifts in community structure of sporulating fungi were observed, and effects were more pronounced in mixtures with Ag-NPs at the highest concentration. Mixtures of MPs with Ag-NPs (at the higher concentration) had the strongest impacts on extracellular enzymatic (β-glucosidase, Cohen's d > 1; r > 0.5; phenol oxidase, Cohen's d > 1; r > 0.4) activities (ANOVAs, P < 0.05). Apart from sporulation rates, observed toxicity in mixtures was lower than that expected based on individual toxicity effects, mainly for higher concentrations (Bonferroni, P < 0.05). Our study provided evidence of the potential harmful effects of MPs, alone or in mixtures with Ag-NPs, on the activities of aquatic fungi and on a key ecosystem process, determinant to organic matter turnover in streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Trabulo
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Biology Department, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; IB-S - Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
| | - Arunava Pradhan
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Biology Department, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; IB-S - Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Pascoal
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Biology Department, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; IB-S - Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Cássio
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Biology Department, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; IB-S - Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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15
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Cooke CA, Emmerton CA, Yi Y, Levesque L, Glozier N. Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds in Rivers Dominated by Petrogenic Sources after a Boreal Megafire. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:9408-9416. [PMID: 35709477 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) threaten the health of aquatic ecosystems. In northeastern Alberta, Canada, decades of oil sands mining and upgrading activities have increased PAC delivery into freshwaters. This PAC pollution adds to natural inputs from river erosion of bitumen-bearing McMurray Formation outcrops and wildfire inputs. Quantifying these petrogenic and pyrogenic PAC inputs, which is key for understanding industrial impacts, remains a challenge. To distinguish petrogenic from pyrogenic inputs, we characterized river water PACs before and after the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, one of the largest natural disasters in Canadian history. Samples of wildfire ash and outcropping bitumen allow us to distinguish between these important PAC sources. River PAC concentrations ranged over multiple orders of magnitude (10s-10 000s ng/L). Petrogenic PACs dominated most of the postfire period with only short-term episodes of pyrogenic signatures in burned watersheds due to the wash-in of ash from the watershed. Wildfire PAC inputs during these events resulted in exceptional increases in concentrations that met or exceeded high (petrogenic) background concentrations, driven by the natural erosion of outcropping bitumen. Our dataset offers the first quantification of these two important PAC sources in this industrialized region and provides new insight into the impacts of increasing wildfire frequency and severity across the Boreal Forest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin A Cooke
- Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C6, Canada
- Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - Craig A Emmerton
- Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C6, Canada
- Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada
| | - Yi Yi
- Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5C6, Canada
- Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Lucie Levesque
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Blvd, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - Nancy Glozier
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, 11 Innovation Blvd, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3H5, Canada
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16
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Jesus F, Pereira JL, Campos I, Santos M, Ré A, Keizer J, Nogueira A, Gonçalves FJM, Abrantes N, Serpa D. A review on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons distribution in freshwater ecosystems and their toxicity to benthic fauna. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 820:153282. [PMID: 35066033 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic compounds, found ubiquitously in all environmental compartments. PAHs are considered hazardous pollutants, being of concern to both the environmental and human health. In the aquatic environment, PAHs tend to accumulate in the sediment due to their high hydrophobicity, and thus sediments can be considered their ultimate sink. Concurrently, sediments comprise important habitats for benthic species. This raises concern over the toxic effects of PAHs to benthic communities. Despite PAHs have been the subject of several reviews, their toxicity to freshwater benthic species has not been comprehensively discussed. This review aimed to provide an overview on PAHs distribution in freshwater environments and on their toxicity to benthic fauna species. The distribution of PAHs between sediments and the overlying water column, given by the sediment-water partition coefficient, revealed that PAHs concentrations were 2 to 4 orders of magnitude higher in sediments than in water. The sediment-water partition coefficient was positively correlated to PAHs hydrophobicity. Toxicity of PAHs to benthic fauna was addressed through Species Sensitivity Distributions. The derived hazardous concentration for 5% of the species (HC5) decreased as follows: NAP (376 μg L-1) > PHE > PYR > FLT > ANT (0.854 μg L-1), varying by 3 orders of magnitude. The hazardous concentrations (HC5) to benthic species were inversely correlated to the hydrophobicity of the individual PAHs. These findings are pertinent for environmental risk assessment of these compounds. This review also identified future challenges regarding the environmental toxicity of PAHs to freshwater benthic communities, namely the need for updating the PAHs priority list and the importance of comprehensively and more realistically assess the toxicity of PAHs in combination with other stressors, both chemical and climate-related.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fátima Jesus
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Joana L Pereira
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Campos
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Martha Santos
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana Ré
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jacob Keizer
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - António Nogueira
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Dalila Serpa
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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17
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Gomez Isaza DF, Cramp RL, Franklin CE. Fire and rain: A systematic review of the impacts of wildfire and associated runoff on aquatic fauna. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:2578-2595. [PMID: 35038772 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Climate and land-use changes are expected to increase the future occurrence of wildfires, with potentially devastating consequences for freshwater species and ecosystems. Wildfires that burn in close proximity to freshwater systems can significantly alter the physicochemical properties of water. Following wildfires and heavy rain, freshwater species must contend with complex combinations of wildfire ash components (nutrients, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and metals), altered light and thermal regimes, and periods of low oxygen that together can lead to mass mortality events. However, the responses of aquatic fauna to wildfire disturbances are poorly understood. Here we provide a systematic review of available evidence on how aquatic animals respond to and recover from wildfire disturbance. Two databases (Web of Science and Scopus) were used to identify key literature. A total of 83 studies from across 11 countries were identified to have assessed the risk of wildfires on aquatic animals. We provide a summary of the main ecosystem-level changes associated with wildfires and the main responses of aquatic fauna to such disturbances. We pay special focus to physiological tools and biomarkers used to assess how wildfires impact aquatic animals. We conclude by providing an overview of how physiological biomarkers can further our understanding of wildfire-related impacts on aquatic fauna, and how different physiological tools can be incorporated into management and conservation plans and serve as early warning signs of wildfire disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca L Cramp
- The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Craig E Franklin
- The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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18
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Vidal T, Pereira JL, Moreira F, Silva J, Santos M, Campos I, Benoliel MJ, Paiva JM, Cardoso VV, Barreto R, Neto AQ, Gonçalves FJM, Abrantes N. Responses of benthic diatoms to waters affected by post-fire contamination. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 800:149473. [PMID: 34392214 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149473] [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: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Wildfire effects go beyond direct impact in terrestrial ecosystems. Specifically, the periphytic communities of aquatic ecosystems standing within and downstream the burnt areas are relevant ecological receptors of post-fire runoff contamination. Nevertheless, the off-site impacts of wildfires in these communities are limitedly studied so far. The present study aimed to assess the effects of river water contaminated with ash-loaded runoff in the growth benthic diatom Navicula libonensis (Schoeman 1970). Four surface water samples were collected approximately one year after the wildfire for laboratory testing with the diatom: one was collected from a site upstream the burnt area, within the Unhais river (UU); three were collected from sites standing within the burnt area, one in the Unhais river (UB) and two in the Zêzere river (Z1 and Z2), reflecting different hydrological regimes. N. libonensis was proven able to discriminate among river sites affected and unaffected by wildfire runoff, reflecting, in general, the expected trends considering the physico-chemical characterization of the water samples. The water samples from the sites standing within the burnt area inhibited the biomass yield and growth rate of the tested diatom, ranking the samples regarding toxicity as follows: Z1 > UB > Z2 > UU. However, UB rather than Z1 presented the highest contaminant burden, namely metal elements, and some were found above widely accepted safety benchmarks (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were not detected). This inconsistency can be linked to unknown interactions among metals within each water sample, to differential nutrient enrichment of samples, as well as hydrological factors. Overall, our results suggest that monospecific laboratory assays with sensitive diatoms can be valuable as cost-effective screening tools to prioritize sites affected by wildfires runoff requiring in-depth monitoring of negative effects in benthic producer communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Vidal
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Portugal.
| | - Joana Luísa Pereira
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Portugal
| | | | - Júlia Silva
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Martha Santos
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Campos
- Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Portugal
| | - Maria J Benoliel
- EPAL - Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres, S.A., Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João M Paiva
- EPAL - Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres, S.A., Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Vitor V Cardoso
- EPAL - Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres, S.A., Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui Barreto
- EPAL - Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres, S.A., Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Q Neto
- EPAL - Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres, S.A., Lisboa, Portugal
| | - F J M Gonçalves
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Portugal
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Portugal
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19
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Ré A, Rocha AT, Campos I, Marques SM, Keizer JJ, Gonçalves FJM, Pereira JL, Abrantes N. Impacts of wildfires in aquatic organisms: biomarker responses and erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities in Gambusia holbrooki exposed in situ. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:51733-51744. [PMID: 33987727 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14377-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires are an environmental concern due to the loss of forest area and biodiversity, but also because their role as drivers of freshwater systems contamination by metals. In this context, the fish Gambusia holbrooki was used as a model, deployed for in situ exposure in watercourses standing within a recently burnt area and further assessment of toxic effects. The fish were exposed during 4 days at four different sites: one upstream and another downstream the burnt area and two within the burnt area. Biochemical biomarkers for oxidative stress and damage were assessed. The extent of lipoperoxidative damage was monitored by quantifying malondialdehyde and DNA damage evaluated through erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities observation. Chemical analysis revealed higher metal levels within the burnt area, and exposed fish consistently showed pro-oxidative responses therein, particularly an increase of gill glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activity, the records doubling compared to samples from sites in the unburnt area; also the activity of glutathione-S-transferases comparatively increased (by 2-fold in the liver) in samples from the burnt area, and malondialdehyde was produced twice as much therein and in samples downstream the burnt area reflecting oxidative damage. Consistently, the frequency of erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities was higher at sites within and downstream the burnt area. This study supports the use of sensitive oxidative stress and genotoxicity biomarkers for an early detection of potentially noxious ecological effects of wildfires runoff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ré
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | | | - Isabel Campos
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sérgio M Marques
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jan Jacob Keizer
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana Luísa Pereira
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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20
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Ré A, Rocha AT, Campos I, Keizer JJ, Gonçalves FJM, Oliveira H, Pereira JL, Abrantes N. Cytotoxic effects of wildfire ashes: In-vitro responses of skin cells. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 285:117279. [PMID: 33971424 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires are a complex environmental problem worldwide. The ashes produced during the fire bear metals and PAHs with high toxicity and environmental persistence. These are mobilized into downhill waterbodies, where they can impair water quality and human health. In this context, the present study aimed at assessing the toxicity of mimicked wildfire runoff to human skin cells, providing a first view on the human health hazardous potential of such matrices. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were exposed to aqueous extracts of ashes (AEA) prepared from ash deposited in the soil after wildfires burned a pine or a eucalypt forest stand. Cytotoxicity (MTT assay) and changes in cell cycle dynamics (flow cytometry) were assessed. Cell viability decreased with increasing concentrations of AEA, regardless of the ash source, the extracts preparation method (filtered or unfiltered to address the dissolved or the total fractions of contaminants, respectively) or the exposure period (24 and 48 h). The cells growth was also negatively affected by the tested AEA matrices, as evidenced by a deceleration of the progress through the cell cycle, namely from phase G0/G1 to G2. The cytotoxicity of AEA could be related to particulate and dissolved metal content, but the particles themselves may directly affect the cell membrane. Eucalypt ash was apparently more cytotoxic than pine ash due to differential ash metal burden and mobility to the water phase. The deceleration of the cell cycle can be explained by the attempt of cells to repair metal-induced DNA damage, while if this checkpoint and repair pathways are not well coordinated by metal interference, genomic instability may occur. Globally, our results trigger public health concerns since the burnt areas frequently stand in slopes of watershed that serve as recreation sites and sources of drinking water, thus promoting human exposure to wildfire-driven contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ré
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | | | - Isabel Campos
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jan Jacob Keizer
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Helena Oliveira
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana Luísa Pereira
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Environment and Planning, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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21
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Ré A, Campos I, Keizer JJ, Gonçalves FJM, Pereira JL, Abrantes N. Effects of post-fire contamination in sediment-dwelling species of riverine systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:144813. [PMID: 33736160 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144813] [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: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires are an important environmental problem in forested watersheds and can significantly alter water quality. Besides the reported ecotoxicological effects on pelagic species, the accumulation of post-fire contaminants in river sediments can also impair the benthic species. In this study, three sediment-dwelling species, Chironomus riparius, Atyaephyra desmarestii and Echinogammarus meridionalis, with different sensitivities, habitats, behaviours and/or feeding strategies, were exposed to water and sediments, in in-situ and in laboratory. Four sites were selected in a partially burnt basin (Alfusqueiro river basin), within and upstream the burnt area. The sites within the burnt area showed higher metal burden in both water and sediment, as well as changes in water physico-chemistry, consistently with the typical effects of incoming post-fire runoff. Both in-situ and laboratory exposures to water and sediments affected by the wildfire induced post-exposure feeding inhibition in the three tested macroinvertebrates. In fact, laboratory and field bioassays have produced generally consistent post-exposure feeding inhibition responses, but the most impactful response could be recognised after in-situ bioassays at the river site within the burnt area, where the species respond to the physico-chemical fluctuations during the exposure period. This comparative perspective supports the importance of using in-situ bioassays as a more realistic approach when dealing with complex and intermittent natural samples such as those affected by post-fire runoff. Overall, our results reinforce the awareness about the negative effects of wildfires on benthic biota, with significant feeding depression and consequent reduction in the available energy budget to ensure successful detoxification, growth and reproduction signalling potential trophic and functional disruption at the ecosystem level. In addition, the duality conditions of sediments as a sink and source of contaminants reinforce concerns, as the exposure of benthic organisms may persist in the long term, even after runoff income ceases due to the resuspension of contaminated sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ré
- Department of Biology and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Campos
- Department of Environment and Planning and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jan Jacob Keizer
- Department of Environment and Planning and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- Department of Biology and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana L Pereira
- Department of Biology and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- Department of Environment and Planning and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
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Pradhan A, Carvalho F, Abrantes N, Campos I, Keizer JJ, Cássio F, Pascoal C. Biochemical and functional responses of stream invertebrate shredders to post-wildfire contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 267:115433. [PMID: 32866871 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Forests in Mediterranean Europe including Portugal are highly susceptible to wildfires. Freshwaters are often exposed to post-wildfire contamination that contains several toxic substances, which may impose risk to freshwater organisms and ecosystem functions. However, knowledge on the impacts of post-wildfire runoffs from different origins on freshwater biota is scarce. In forest streams, invertebrate shredders have a major contribution to aquatic detrital-based food webs, by translocating energy and nutrients from plant-litter to higher trophic levels. We investigated the leaf consumption behaviour and the responses of oxidative and neuronal stress enzymatic biomarkers in the freshwater invertebrate shredder Allogamus ligonifer after short-term exposure (96 h) to post-wildfire runoff samples from Pinus and Eucalyptus plantation forests and stream water from a burnt catchment in Portugal. Chemical analyses indicated the presence of various metals and PAHs at considerable concentrations in all samples, although the levels were higher in the runoff samples from forests than in the stream water. The shredding activity was severely inhibited by exposure to increased concentrations of post-wildfire runoff samples from both forests. The dose-response patterns of enzymatic biomarkers suggest oxidative and neuronal stress in the shredders upon exposure to increasing concentrations of post-wildfire runoffs. The impacts were more pronounced for the runoffs from the burnt forests. Moreover, the response patterns suggest that the energy from the feeding activity of shredders might have contributed to alleviate the stress in A. ligonifer. Overall, the outcomes suggest that the post-wildfire contamination can induce sublethal effects on invertebrate shredders with impacts on key ecological processes in streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunava Pradhan
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; IB-S - Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
| | - Francisco Carvalho
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; IB-S - Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nélson Abrantes
- CESAM - Center for Environment and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus of Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Campos
- CESAM - Center for Environment and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus of Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jan Jacob Keizer
- CESAM - Center for Environment and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Campus of Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Cássio
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; IB-S - Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Pascoal
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; IB-S - Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
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23
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Silva LGM, Doyle KE, Duffy D, Humphries P, Horta A, Baumgartner LJ. Mortality events resulting from Australia's catastrophic fires threaten aquatic biota. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:5345-5350. [PMID: 32677160 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The consequences of the 2019-2020 bushfires in Australia were also devastating for the aquatic biota. Following abnormal rainfall events in burnt areas, widespread mortality events including fish and invertebrates were recorded in estuarine and freshwater systems. Such negative impacts on aquatic resources highlight the need to include these ecosystems in bushfire recovery plans. Management should prioritise catchments at higher risks of further negative impacts and research must be conducted to understand the efficacy of actions post-fire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz G M Silva
- Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
- Stocker Lab, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katherine E Doyle
- Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
| | - Deanna Duffy
- Spatial Data Analysis Unit, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
| | - Paul Humphries
- Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
| | - Ana Horta
- Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
| | - Lee J Baumgartner
- Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
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Ré A, Campos I, Puga J, Keizer JJ, Gonçalves FJM, Pereira JL, Abrantes N. Feeding inhibition following in-situ and laboratory exposure as an indicator of ecotoxic impacts of wildfires in affected waterbodies. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 227:105587. [PMID: 32841885 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2020.105587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Among the various environmental disturbances caused by wildfires, their impacts within burnt areas and on the downhill aquatic ecosystems has been receiving increased attention. Post-fire rainfalls and subsequent runoffs play an important role in transporting ash and soil to aquatic systems within the burnt areas. These runoffs can be a diffuse source of toxic substances such as metals. The present work aims at assessing the effects of ash-loaded runoff on feeding rates of three representative aquatic invertebrates (Daphnia magna, Corbicula fluminea and Atyaephyra desmarestii) and the mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki, through post-exposure feeding inhibition bioassays carried out in-situ and in the laboratory using water collected from the experimental field sites. Four sites were selected in a partially burnt basin for bioassay deployment and sample collection: one site upstream of the burnt area (RUS); three sites receiving runoff directly from the burnt area, one immediately downstream of the burnt area (RDS) and two in permanent tributary streams within the burnt area (BS1 and BS2). The in-situ exposure lasted four days and began following the first post-fire major rain events. At sites affected by the wildfire, post-exposure feeding rates for D. magna, A. desmarestii and G. holbrooki were lower, which is consistent with the highest levels of metals found at these sites compared to the unaffected site, although the individual concentrations of each metal were generally below corresponding ecological safety benchmarks. Thus, interactions between metals and/or between metals and other environmental parameters certainly played a role in modulating the ecotoxic effects of the runoffs; this was further supported by a Toxic Units Summation exercise. Even if direct causal links between the ecotoxicological effects observed in D. magna, A. desmarestii and G. holbrooki and the physicochemical parameters of the water samples could not be established, the results suggest an important role of major and trace elements in explaining post-exposure feeding rate variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ré
- Department of Biology and CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Campos
- Department of Environment and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João Puga
- Department of Environment and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Jan Jacob Keizer
- Department of Environment and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- Department of Biology and CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana Luísa Pereira
- Department of Biology and CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- Department of Environment and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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