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Palmer N, Reichelt-Brushett A, Hall J, Cagnazzi D, Rose K, March D. Contaminant assessment of stranded and deceased beaked whales (Ziphiidae) on the New South Wales coast of Australia. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 204:116520. [PMID: 38815472 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116520] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Metal and organic pollutants are prominent marine contaminants that disperse widely throughout the environment. Some contaminants biomagnify, leaving long-lived apex predators such as cetaceans at risk of toxicity. Various tissues collected post-mortem from 16 Ziphiidae individuals that stranded on the New South Wales (NSW) coast, Australia, over ∼15 years were investigated for 16 metals/metalloids and 33 organic contaminants. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) were commonly detected in blubber and liver tissues. Mercury, cadmium and silver exceeded reported toxicity thresholds in several individuals. The liver tissue of a Mesoplodon layardii specimen had the highest mercury (386 mg/kg dry weight). Liver tissue of a Mesoplodon grayi specimen had the highest silver concentration (19.7 mg/kg dry weight), and the highest cadmium concentration was in Ziphius cavirostris kidney (478 mg/kg dry weight). This study provides important new information for rare Ziphiidae species globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Palmer
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Military Road, East Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
| | - Amanda Reichelt-Brushett
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Military Road, East Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
| | - Jane Hall
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4222, Australia; Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
| | - Daniele Cagnazzi
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Military Road, East Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
| | - Karrie Rose
- Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
| | - Duane March
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, 4/32 Edgar St, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia
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2
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Feyrer LJ, Stanistreet JE, Moors-Murphy HB. Navigating the unknown: assessing anthropogenic threats to beaked whales, family Ziphiidae. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240058. [PMID: 38633351 PMCID: PMC11021932 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
This review comprehensively evaluates the impacts of anthropogenic threats on beaked whales (Ziphiidae)-a taxonomic group characterized by cryptic biology, deep dives and remote offshore habitat, which have challenged direct scientific observation. By synthesizing information published in peer-reviewed studies and grey literature, we identified available evidence of impacts across 14 threats for each Ziphiidae species. Threats were assessed based on their pathways of effects on individuals, revealing many gaps in scientific understanding of the risks faced by beaked whales. By applying a comprehensive taxon-level analysis, we found evidence that all beaked whale species are affected by multiple stressors, with climate change, entanglement and plastic pollution being the most common threats documented across beaked whale species. Threats assessed as having a serious impact on individuals included whaling, military sonar, entanglement, depredation, vessel strikes, plastics and oil spills. This review emphasizes the urgent need for targeted research to address a range of uncertainties, including cumulative and population-level impacts. Understanding the evidence and pathways of the effects of stressors on individuals can support future assessments, guide practical mitigation strategies and advance current understanding of anthropogenic impacts on rare and elusive marine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Feyrer
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, Nova ScotiaB2Y 4A2, Canada
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova ScotiaB3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Joy E. Stanistreet
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, Nova ScotiaB2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - Hilary B. Moors-Murphy
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, Nova ScotiaB2Y 4A2, Canada
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3
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Bjørneset J, Blévin P, Bjørnstad PM, Dalmo RA, Goksøyr A, Harju M, Limonta G, Panti C, Rikardsen AH, Sundaram AYM, Yadetie F, Routti H. Establishment of killer whale (Orcinus orca) primary fibroblast cell cultures and their transcriptomic responses to pollutant exposure. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 174:107915. [PMID: 37031518 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107915] [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: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Populations of killer whale (Orcinus orca) contain some of the most polluted animals on Earth. Yet, the knowledge on effects of chemical pollutants is limited in this species. Cell cultures and in vitro exposure experiments are pertinent tools to study effects of pollutants in free-ranging marine mammals. To investigate transcriptional responses to pollutants in killer whale cells, we collected skin biopsies of killer whales from the Northern Norwegian fjords and successfully established primary fibroblast cell cultures from the dermis of 4 out of 5 of them. Cells from the individual with the highest cell yield were exposed to three different concentrations of a mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that reflects the composition of the 10 most abundant POPs found in Norwegian killer whales (p,p'-DDE, trans-nonachlor, PCB52, 99, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180, 187). Transcriptional responses of 13 selected target genes were studied using digital droplet PCR, and whole transcriptome responses were investigated utilizing RNA sequencing. Among the target genes analysed, CYP1A1 was significantly downregulated in the cells exposed to medium (11.6 µM) and high (116 µM) concentrations of the pollutant mixture, while seven genes involved in endocrine functions showed a non-significant tendency to be upregulated at the highest exposure concentration. Bioinformatic analyses of RNA-seq data indicated that 13 and 43 genes were differentially expressed in the cells exposed to low and high concentrations of the mixture, respectively, in comparison to solvent control. Subsequent pathway and functional analyses of the differentially expressed genes indicated that the enriched pathways were mainly related to lipid metabolism, myogenesis and glucocorticoid receptor regulation. The current study results support previous correlative studies and provide cause-effect relationships, which is highly relevant for chemical and environmental management.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bjørneset
- UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | - P Blévin
- Akvaplan-niva AS, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - R A Dalmo
- UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - A Goksøyr
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - M Harju
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - C Panti
- University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - A H Rikardsen
- UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - F Yadetie
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - H Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway.
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Tenan S, Moulins A, Tepsich P, Bocconcelli A, Verga A, Ballardini M, Nani B, Papi D, Motta G, Aguilar AS, Rosso M. Immigration as the main driver of population dynamics in a cryptic cetacean. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9806. [PMID: 36789337 PMCID: PMC9919498 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Empirical evidence about the role and interaction of immigration with local demographic processes in shaping population dynamics is still scarce. This knowledge gap limits our capability to derive a conceptual framework that can be used to inform conservation actions. Populations exposed to nonstationary environment do not converge to a stable stage distribution, implying the need for evaluating the demographic role of both vital rates and stage distribution using appropriate tools. This is particularly important for species with larger generation times like cetaceans. We explored the relative demographic role of vital rates and population structure of a poorly known cetacean, the Mediterranean Cuvier's beaked whale, while accounting for the exposure to nonstationary environments. We performed a retrospective analysis through transient life table response experiments (tLTRE) using demographic rates and population structure of both sexes obtained from an integrated population model. The contribution of immigration to variation in realized population growth rates was 4.2, 7.6, and 12.7 times larger than that of female apparent survival, proportional abundance of breeding females with a 2-year-old calf, and proportional abundance of breeding females with a 3-year-old calf, respectively. Immigration rate and proportional abundance of breeding females with a 2- or 3-year-old calf explained, respectively, 65% and 20% of total temporal variability in realized population growth rates. Changes in realized population growth rate between successive years were mainly driven by changes in immigration and population structure, specifically the proportional abundance of breeding females with a 2-year-old calf. Our study provides insight into the demographic processes that affect population dynamics and in a cryptic cetacean. We presented an analytical approach for maximizing the use of available data through the integration of multiple sources of information for individuals of different distinctiveness levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Tenan
- Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR‐ISMAR)National Research CouncilVeneziaItaly
| | | | | | - Alessandro Bocconcelli
- Advanced Ocean Physics EngineeringWoods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionWoods HoleMassachusettsUSA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ana Sanz Aguilar
- Animal Demography and Ecology Unit, GEDA ‐ IMEDEA (CSIC‐UIB)EsporlesSpain
- Applied Zoology and Conservation GroupUniversity of the Balearic IslandsPalmaSpain
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Sun Y, Zeng Y, Rajput IR, Sanganyado E, Zheng R, Xie H, Li C, Tian Z, Huang Y, Yang L, Lin J, Li P, Liang B, Liu W. Interspecies differences in mammalian susceptibility to legacy POPs and trace metals using skin fibroblast cells. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120358. [PMID: 36228850 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120358] [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: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The susceptibility to trace metals and legacy POPs is different between terrestrial and marine mammals. In this study, we established the first cell line from Indo-Pacific finless porpoises and compared the cellular responses of skin fibroblast cells from Pygmy killer whales, Pantropic spotted dolphins, Indo-Pacific finless porpoises, mice, and humans following exposure to copper, methylmercury, cadmium, PCB126, PCB153, and BDE47 to better understand the interspecies sensitivities of mammals to chemical pollutants. We conducted a risk assessment by comparing no-observed effect concentrations (NOEC), lowest-observed effect concentrations (LOEC), and half maximal effective concentrations (EC50) from cell viability assays and previously reported pollutant body burdens in mammals. Based on the in vitro data, Indo-Pacific finless porpoises were more sensitive to copper and methylmercury than other mammals. PCB153 exposure reduced cell viability in all mammals except humans, while PCB126 was more potent, with 13.33 μg/mL exposure reducing cell viability in all mammals. In contrast, BDE47 exposure reduced cell viability only in terrestrial mammals in addition to pantropic spotted dolphin. Based on the in vitro data and the natural context of metal concentrations, both methylmercury and cadmium posed a higher risk to cetaceans than human, while copper posed a lower risk to cetaceans. All three legacy POPs (PCB126, PCB153, and BDE47) posed minor risk to cetaceans for short-term exposure. This study demonstrated that a species-specific in vitro model may provide more accurate information on the potential risk of pollutants to mammals. However, due to the bioamplification of POPs and their potential impact on the endocrine system and immune system of cetaceans, risk assessment with long-term exposure with more in vitro models should be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Ying Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Imran Rashid Rajput
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Science, Department of Biotechnology, Lasbela University of Agriculture Water and Marine Science, 89250, Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan
| | - Edmond Sanganyado
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE2 4PB, UK
| | - Ruiqiang Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; China Blue Sustainability Institute, Haikou, Hainan, 570208, China
| | - Huiying Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Chengzhang Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Ziyao Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Liangliang Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Jianqing Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Ping Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
| | - Bo Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China.
| | - Wenhua Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511458, China
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Du M, Li X, Cai D, Zhao Y, Li Q, Wang J, Gu W, Li Y. In-silico study of reducing human health risk of POP residues' direct (from tea) or indirect exposure (from tea garden soil): Improved rhizosphere microbial degradation, toxicity control, and mechanism analysis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 242:113910. [PMID: 35917712 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of potentially harmful substances in tea garden soils and tea leaves, especially persistent organic pollutants (POPs), is a special concern for tea consumers worldwide. However, their potential health and ecological risks in tea gardens have rarely been investigated. This study proposed measures to improve the degradation ability of POPs by the tea rhizosphere and to reduce the human health risks caused by POPs after tea consumption. In this study, the binding energy values of six types of POPs and the degraded protein were used to reflect the degradation ability and calculated using molecular dynamic simulations. The main root secretions (i.e., catechin, glucose, arginine, and oxalic acid) were selected and applied with a combination of tea fertilizer and trace element combination (i.e., urea, straw, and copper element), leading to an improved degradation ability (49.59 %) of POPs. To investigate the mechanisms of the factors that affect the degradation ability, molecular docking, tensor singular value decomposition methods, multivariate correlation analysis and 2D-QSAR model were used. The results showed that the solvation energy and solvent accessible surface area are the main forces, and the molecular weight, boiling point, and topological radius of the POPs were the key molecular features affecting their degradation ability. Based on the three key characteristics, a diet avoidance scheme (i.e., avoiding lysine, maslinic acid, ethanol, perfluorocaproic acid, and cholesterol with tea), which can reduce the binding ability of POP residues to aromatic hydrocarbon receptors by 506.13 %. This work will provide theoretical strategies to improve the quality and safety of tea production and reduce the potential risks of harmful substance residues in tea garden soils and tea leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijin Du
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xixi Li
- Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollution Control (NRPOP) Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada
| | - Dongshu Cai
- Institute of Information Engineering, CAS, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Qing Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Jianjun Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Wenwen Gu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China.
| | - Yu Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
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7
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Coomber FG, Falcone EA, Keene EL, Cárdenas-Hinojosa G, Huerta-Patiño R, Rosso M. Multi-regional comparison of scarring and pigmentation patterns in Cuvier’s beaked whales. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00226-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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8
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Negrete-Bolagay D, Zamora-Ledezma C, Chuya-Sumba C, De Sousa FB, Whitehead D, Alexis F, Guerrero VH. Persistent organic pollutants: The trade-off between potential risks and sustainable remediation methods. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 300:113737. [PMID: 34536739 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) have become a very serious issue for the environment because of their toxicity, resistance to conventional degradation mechanisms, and capacity to bioconcentrate, bioaccumulate and biomagnify. In this review article, the safety, regulatory, and remediation aspects of POPs including aromatic, chlorinated, pesticides, brominated, and fluorinated compounds, are discussed. Industrial and agricultural activities are identified as the main sources of these harmful chemicals, which are released to air, soil and water, impacting on social and economic development of society at a global scale. The main types of POPs are presented, illustrating their effects on wildlife and human beings, as well as the ways in which they contaminate the food chain. Some of the most promising and innovative technologies developed for the removal of POPs from water are discussed, contrasting their advantages and disadvantages with those of more conventional treatment processes. The promising methods presented in this work include bioremediation, advanced oxidation, ionizing radiation, and nanotechnology. Finally, some alternatives to define more efficient approaches to overcome the impacts that POPs cause in the hydric sources are pointed out. These alternatives include the formulation of policies, regulations and custom-made legislation for controlling the use of these pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Negrete-Bolagay
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, 100119, Urcuquí, Ecuador.
| | - Camilo Zamora-Ledezma
- Tissue Regeneration and Repair: Orthobiology, Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering Research Group, UCAM - Universidad Católica de Murcia, Avda. Los Jerónimos 135, Guadalupe, 30107, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Cristina Chuya-Sumba
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, 100119, Urcuquí, Ecuador.
| | - Frederico B De Sousa
- Laboratório de Sistemas Poliméricos e Supramoleculares, Physics and Chemistry Institute, Federal University of Itajubá, 37500-903, Itajubá, Brazil.
| | - Daniel Whitehead
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA.
| | - Frank Alexis
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, 100119, Urcuquí, Ecuador.
| | - Victor H Guerrero
- Department of Materials, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Ladrón de Guevara E11-253, Quito, 170525, Ecuador.
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Pollution Biomarkers in the Framework of Marine Biodiversity Conservation: State of Art and Perspectives. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13131847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Marine biodiversity is threatened by several anthropogenic pressures. Pollution deriving from the discharge of chemical contaminants in the sea represents one of the main threats to the marine environment, influencing the health of organisms, their ability to recover their homeostatic status, and in turn endangering biodiversity. Molecular and cellular responses to chemical pollutants, known as biomarkers, are effect-based methodologies useful for detecting exposure and for assessing the effects of pollutants on biota in environmental monitoring. The present review analyzes and discusses the recent literature on the use of biomarkers in the framework of biodiversity conservation. The study shows that pollution biomarkers can be useful tools for monitoring and assessment of pollution threat to marine biodiversity, both in the environmental quality monitoring of protected areas and the assessment of the health status of species at risk. Moreover, key areas of the research that need further development are suggested, such as the development of omics-based biomarkers specifically addressed to conservation purposes and their validation in the field, the extension of the biomarker study to a wider number of endangered species, and the development of organic guidelines for the application of the biomarker approach in support to conservation policies and management.
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