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Xu MD, Dong WJ, Long XZ, Yang XW, Han XY, Cui LY, Tong Q. Impact of wildfire ash on skin and gut microbiomes and survival of Rana dybowskii. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 474:134729. [PMID: 38805811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134729] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Climate change and human activities escalate the frequency and intensity of wildfires, threatening amphibian habitats and survival; yet, research on these impacts remains limited. Wildfire ash alters water quality, introduces contaminants, and may disrupt microbial communities, impacting gut and skin microbiota; however, the effects on gut and skin microbiota remain unclear. Rana dybowskii were exposed to five concentrations (0 g L-1, 1.25 g L-1, 2.5 g L-1, 5 g L-1, and 10 g L-1) of aqueous extracts of wildfire ashes (AEAs) for 30 days to assess AEAs' metal content, survival, and microbiota diversity via Illumina sequencing. Our results showed that the major elements in ash were Ca > K > Mg > Al > Fe > Na > Mn, while in AEA they were K > Ca > Na > Mg > As > Al > Cu. A significant decrease in amphibian survival rates with increased AEA concentration was shown. The beta diversity analysis revealed distinct shifts in microbiota composition. Notably, bacterial genera associated with potential health risks showed increased abundance in skin microbiota, emphasising the potential for ash exposure to affect amphibian health. Functional prediction analyses revealed significant shifts in metabolic pathways related to health and disease, indicating that wildfire ash exposure may influence amphibian health through changes in microbial functions. This study highlights the urgent need for strategies to mitigate wildfire ash impacts on amphibians, as it significantly alters microbiota and affects their survival and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-da Xu
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Wen-Jing Dong
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Xin-Zhou Long
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Xue-Wen Yang
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Han
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Li-Yong Cui
- Jiamusi Branch of Heilongjiang Academy of Forestry Sciences, Jiamusi 154002, China
| | - Qing Tong
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China; Jiamusi Branch of Heilongjiang Academy of Forestry Sciences, Jiamusi 154002, China.
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Dong WJ, Xu MD, Yang XW, Yang XM, Long XZ, Han XY, Cui LY, Tong Q. Rice straw ash and amphibian health: A deep dive into microbiota changes and potential ecological consequences. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171651. [PMID: 38490417 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171651] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Rice straw is burned as a result of agricultural practices and technical limitations, generating significant volumes of ash that might have environmental and ecological consequences; however, the effects on organisms have not been researched. Amphibians depend on their gut and skin microbiomes. Ash exposure may cause inflammation and changes in microbial diversity and function in frogs' skin and gut microbiota due to its chemical composition and physical presence, but the implications remain unclear. Rana dybowskii were exposed to five aqueous extracts of ashes (AEA) concentrations for 30 days to study survival, metal concentrations, and microbial diversity, analyzing the microbiota of the cutaneous and gut microbiota using Illumina sequencing. Dominant elements in ash: K > Ca > Mg > Na > Al > Fe. In AEA, K > Na > Ca > Mg > As > Cu. Increased AEA concentrations significantly reduced frog survival. Skin microbiota alpha diversity varied significantly among all treatment groups, but not gut microbiota. Skin microbiota differed significantly across treatments via Bray-Curtis and weighted UniFrac; gut microbiota was only affected by Bray-Curtis. Skin microbiota varied significantly with AEA levels in Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes, while the gut microbiota's dominant phyla, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria, remained consistent across all groups. Lastly, the functional prediction showed that the skin microbiota had big differences in how it worked and looked, which were linked to different health and environmental adaptation pathways. The gut microbiota, on the other hand, had smaller differences. In conclusion, AEA exposure affects R. dybowskii survival and skin microbiota diversity, indicating potential health and ecological impacts, with less effect on gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jing Dong
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Ming-da Xu
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Xue-Wen Yang
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Xiu-Mei Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Xin-Zhou Long
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Han
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Li-Yong Cui
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Qing Tong
- School of Biology and Agriculture, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China.
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Schuck LK, Neely WJ, Buttimer SM, Moser CF, Barth PC, Liskoski PE, Caberlon CDA, Valiati VH, Tozetti AM, Becker CG. Effects of grassland controlled burning on symbiotic skin microbes in Neotropical amphibians. Sci Rep 2024; 14:959. [PMID: 38200064 PMCID: PMC10781984 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50394-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate change has led to an alarming increase in the frequency and severity of wildfires worldwide. While it is known that amphibians have physiological characteristics that make them highly susceptible to fire, the specific impacts of wildfires on their symbiotic skin bacterial communities (i.e., bacteriomes) and infection by the deadly chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, remain poorly understood. Here, we address this research gap by evaluating the effects of fire on the amphibian skin bacteriome and the subsequent risk of chytridiomycosis. We sampled the skin bacteriome of the Neotropical species Scinax squalirostris and Boana leptolineata in fire and control plots before and after experimental burnings. Fire was linked with a marked increase in bacteriome beta dispersion, a proxy for skin microbial dysbiosis, alongside a trend of increased pathogen loads. By shedding light on the effects of fire on amphibian skin bacteriomes, this study contributes to our broader understanding of the impacts of wildfires on vulnerable vertebrate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K Schuck
- Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Biologia, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, 93022-750, Brazil.
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Wesley J Neely
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA
| | - Shannon M Buttimer
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and One Health Microbiome Center, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Camila F Moser
- Programa de Pos-Graduacão em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Priscila C Barth
- Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Biologia, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, 93022-750, Brazil
| | - Paulo E Liskoski
- Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Biologia, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, 93022-750, Brazil
| | - Carolina de A Caberlon
- Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Biologia, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, 93022-750, Brazil
| | - Victor Hugo Valiati
- Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Biologia, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, 93022-750, Brazil
| | - Alexandro M Tozetti
- Programa de Pós-Graduacão em Biologia, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, 93022-750, Brazil.
| | - C Guilherme Becker
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and One Health Microbiome Center, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
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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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Jesus F, Mesquita F, Virumbrales Aldama E, Marques A, Gonçalves AMM, Magalhães L, Nogueira AJA, Ré A, Campos I, Pereira JL, Gonçalves FJM, Abrantes N, Serpa D. Do Freshwater and Marine Bivalves Differ in Their Response to Wildfire Ash? Effects on the Antioxidant Defense System and Metal Body Burden. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1326. [PMID: 36674083 PMCID: PMC9859076 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Wildfires constitute a source of contamination to both freshwater and marine ecosystems. This study aimed to compare the antioxidant defense response of the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea and the marine cockle (Cerastoderma edule) to wildfire ash exposure and the concomitant metal body burden. Organisms were exposed to different concentrations (0%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100%) of aqueous extracts of Eucalypt ash (AEAs) from a moderate-to-high severity wildfire. The activity of various enzymes, as well as lipid peroxidation, protein content, and metal body burden, were determined after 96 h of exposure. A significant increase in the protein content of soft tissues was observed for C. edule at AEA concentrations ≥ 25%, unlike for C. fluminea. Similarly, significant effects on lipid peroxidation were observed for cockles, but not for clams. For both species, a significant effect in the total glutathione peroxidase activity was observed at AEA concentrations ≥ 25%. Relative to the control, AEAs-exposed clams showed higher Cd content, whereas AEAs-exposed cockles showed higher Cu content, thus exhibiting different responses to the exposure to wildfire ash. The susceptibility of bivalves to ashes, at environmentally relevant concentrations, raises concern about the effects of post-fire runoff to bivalve species.
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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
| | - Filipa Mesquita
- CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Elisa Virumbrales Aldama
- Faculty of Veterinary and Experimental Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, Calle Guillem de Castro 94, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Marques
- CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana M. M. Gonçalves
- CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- University of Coimbra, MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET—Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luísa Magalhães
- CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - António J. A. Nogueira
- CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana Ré
- CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, 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
| | - Joana Luísa Pereira
- 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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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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