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Miller C, Neidhart A, Hess K, Ali AMS, Benavidez A, Spilde M, Peterson E, Brearley A, Wang X, Dhanapala BD, Cerrato JM, Gonzalez-Estrella J, El Hayek E. Uranium accumulation in environmentally relevant microplastics and agricultural soil at acidic and circumneutral pH. Sci Total Environ 2024; 926:171834. [PMID: 38521258 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
The co-occurrence of microplastics (MPs) with potentially toxic metals in the environment stresses the need to address their physicochemical interactions and the potential ecological and human health implications. Here, we investigated the reaction of aqueous U with agricultural soil and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) through the integration of batch experiments, microscopy, and spectroscopy. The aqueous initial concentration of U (100 μM) decreased between 98.6 and 99.2 % at pH 5 and between 86.2 and 98.9 % at pH 7.5 following the first half hour of reaction with 10 g of soil. In similar experimental conditions but with added HDPE, aqueous U decreased between 98.6 and 99.7 % at pH 5 and between 76.1 and 95.2 % at pH 7.5, suggesting that HDPE modified the accumulation of U in soil as a function of pH. Uranium-bearing precipitates on the cracked surface of HDPE were identified by SEM/EDS after two weeks of agitation in water at both pH 5 and 7.5. Accumulation of U on the near-surface region of reacted HDPE was confirmed by XPS. Our findings suggest that the precipitation of U was facilitated by the weathering of the surface of HDPE. These results provide insights about surface-mediated reactions of aqueous metals with MPs, contributing relevant information about the mobility of metals and MPs at co-contaminated agricultural sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Miller
- Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Andrew Neidhart
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, MSC03 2060, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Kendra Hess
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, EN0059, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 740784, USA
| | - Abdul-Mehdi S Ali
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Angelica Benavidez
- Center for Micro-Engineered Materials, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Michael Spilde
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Eric Peterson
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Adrian Brearley
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Xuewen Wang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, EN0059, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 740784, USA
| | - B Dulani Dhanapala
- College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 740784, USA
| | - José M Cerrato
- Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Jorge Gonzalez-Estrella
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, EN0059, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 740784, USA
| | - Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
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Garcia MA, Liu R, Nihart A, El Hayek E, Castillo E, Barrozo ER, Suter MA, Bleske B, Scott J, Forsythe K, Gonzalez-Estrella J, Aagaard KM, Campen MJ. Quantitation and identification of microplastics accumulation in human placental specimens using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Toxicol Sci 2024; 199:81-88. [PMID: 38366932 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The exponential increase in global plastic usage has led to the emergence of nano- and microplastic (NMP) pollution as a pressing environmental issue due to its implications for human and other mammalian health. We have developed methodologies to extract solid materials from human tissue samples by saponification and ultracentrifugation, allowing for highly specific and quantitative analysis of plastics by pyrolysis-gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS). As a benchmark, placenta tissue samples were analyzed using fluorescence microscopy and automated particle count, which demonstrated the presence of >1-micron particles and fibers, but not nano-sized plastic particles. Analyses of the samples (n = 10) using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated presence of rayon, polystyrene, polyethylene, and unclassified plastic particles. By contrast, among 62 placenta samples, Py-GC-MS revealed that microplastics were present in all participants' placentae, with concentrations ranging widely from 6.5 to 685 µg NMPs per gram of placental tissue, averaging 126.8 ± 147.5 µg/g (mean±SD). Polyethylene was the most prevalent polymer, accounting for 54% of total NMPs and consistently found in nearly all samples (mean 68.8 ± 93.2 µg/g placenta). Polyvinyl chloride and nylon each represented approximately 10% of the NMPs by weight, with the remaining 26% of the composition represented by 9 other polymers. Together, these data demonstrate advancements in the unbiased quantitative resolution of Py-GC-MS applied to the identification and quantification of NMP species at the maternal-fetal interface. This method, paired with clinical metadata, will be pivotal to evaluating potential impacts of NMPs on adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus A Garcia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, USA
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, USA
| | - Alex Nihart
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, USA
| | - Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, USA
| | - Eliseo Castillo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, USA
| | - Enrico R Barrozo
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Melissa A Suter
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Barry Bleske
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, USA
| | - Justin Scott
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA
| | - Kyle Forsythe
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA
| | - Jorge Gonzalez-Estrella
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA
| | - Kjersti M Aagaard
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Matthew J Campen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, USA
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Garcia MM, Romero AS, Merkley SD, Meyer-Hagen JL, Forbes C, Hayek EE, Sciezka DP, Templeton R, Gonzalez-Estrella J, Jin Y, Gu H, Benavidez A, Hunter RP, Lucas S, Herbert G, Kim KJ, Cui JY, Gullapalli RR, In JG, Campen MJ, Castillo EF. In Vivo Tissue Distribution of Polystyrene or Mixed Polymer Microspheres and Metabolomic Analysis after Oral Exposure in Mice. Environ Health Perspect 2024; 132:47005. [PMID: 38598326 PMCID: PMC11005960 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global plastic use has consistently increased over the past century with several different types of plastics now being produced. Much of these plastics end up in oceans or landfills leading to a substantial accumulation of plastics in the environment. Plastic debris slowly degrades into microplastics (MPs) that can ultimately be inhaled or ingested by both animals and humans. A growing body of evidence indicates that MPs can cross the gut barrier and enter into the lymphatic and systemic circulation leading to accumulation in tissues such as the lungs, liver, kidney, and brain. The impacts of mixed MPs exposure on tissue function through metabolism remains largely unexplored. OBJECTIVES This study aims to investigate the impacts of polymer microspheres on tissue metabolism in mice by assessing the microspheres ability to translocate across the gut barrier and enter into systemic circulation. Specifically, we wanted to examine microsphere accumulation in different organ systems, identify concentration-dependent metabolic changes, and evaluate the effects of mixed microsphere exposures on health outcomes. METHODS To investigate the impact of ingested microspheres on target metabolic pathways, mice were exposed to either polystyrene (5 μ m ) microspheres or a mixture of polymer microspheres consisting of polystyrene (5 μ m ), polyethylene (1 - 4 μ m ), and the biodegradability and biocompatible plastic, poly-(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (5 μ m ). Exposures were performed twice a week for 4 weeks at a concentration of either 0, 2, or 4 mg / week via oral gastric gavage. Tissues were collected to examine microsphere ingress and changes in metabolites. RESULTS In mice that ingested microspheres, we detected polystyrene microspheres in distant tissues including the brain, liver, and kidney. Additionally, we report on the metabolic differences that occurred in the colon, liver, and brain, which showed differential responses that were dependent on concentration and type of microsphere exposure. DISCUSSION This study uses a mouse model to provide critical insight into the potential health implications of the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. These findings demonstrate that orally consumed polystyrene or mixed polymer microspheres can accumulate in tissues such as the brain, liver, and kidney. Furthermore, this study highlights concentration-dependent and polymer type-specific metabolic changes in the colon, liver, and brain after plastic microsphere exposure. These results underline the mobility within and between biological tissues of MPs after exposure and emphasize the importance of understanding their metabolic impact. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13435.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus M. Garcia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Aaron S. Romero
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Seth D. Merkley
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Jewel L. Meyer-Hagen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Charles Forbes
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - David P. Sciezka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Rachel Templeton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jorge Gonzalez-Estrella
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Yan Jin
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Haiwei Gu
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Angelica Benavidez
- Center for Micro-Engineered Materials, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Russell P. Hunter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Selita Lucas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Guy Herbert
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Kyle Joohyung Kim
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Julia Yue Cui
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rama R. Gullapalli
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Julie G. In
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Matthew J. Campen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Eliseo F. Castillo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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Quiambao J, Hess KZ, Johnston S, El Hayek E, Noureddine A, Ali AMS, Spilde M, Brearley A, Lichtner P, Cerrato JM, Howe KJ, Gonzalez-Estrella J. Interfacial Interactions of Uranium and Arsenic with Microplastics: From Field Detection to Controlled Laboratory Tests. Environ Eng Sci 2023; 40:562-573. [PMID: 37981952 PMCID: PMC10654655 DOI: 10.1089/ees.2023.0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
We studied the co-occurrence of microplastics (MPs) and metals in field sites and further investigated their interfacial interaction in controlled laboratory conditions. First, we detected MPs in freshwater co-occurring with metals in rural and urban areas in New Mexico. Automated particle counting and fluorescence microscopy indicated that particles in field samples ranged from 7 to 149 particles/L. The urban location contained the highest count of confirmed MPs, including polyester, cellophane, and rayon, as indicated by Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy analyses. Metal analyses using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) revealed that bodies of water in a rural site affected by mining legacy contained up to 332.8 μg/L of U, while all bodies of water contained As concentrations below 11.4 μg/L. These field findings motivated experiments in laboratory conditions, reacting MPs with 0.02-0.2 mM of As or U solutions at acidic and neutral pH with poly(methyl-methacrylate), polyethylene, and polystyrene MPs. In these experiments, As did not interact with any of the MPs tested at pH 3 and pH 7, nor U with any MPs at pH 3. Experiments supplied with U and MPs at pH 7 indicated that MPs served as substrate surface for the adsorption and nucleation of U precipitates. Chemical speciation modeling and microscopy analyses (i.e., Transmission Electron Microscopy [TEM]) suggest that U precipitates resemble sodium-compreignacite and schoepite. These findings have relevant implications to further understanding the occurrence and interfacial interaction of MPs and metals in freshwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Quiambao
- Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Kendra Z. Hess
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Sloane Johnston
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Achraf Noureddine
- Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Abdul-Mehdi S. Ali
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Michael Spilde
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Adrian Brearley
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Peter Lichtner
- Center for the Water and the Environment, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - José M. Cerrato
- Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
- Center for the Water and the Environment, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Kerry J. Howe
- Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
- Center for the Water and the Environment, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Jorge Gonzalez-Estrella
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
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Garcia MM, Romero AS, Merkley SD, Meyer-Hagen JL, Forbes C, Hayek EE, Sciezka DP, Templeton R, Gonzalez-Estrella J, Jin Y, Gu H, Benavidez A, Hunter RP, Lucas S, Herbert G, Kim KJ, Cui JY, Gullapalli R, In JG, Campen MJ, Castillo EF. In Vivo Tissue Distribution of Microplastics and Systemic Metabolomic Alterations After Gastrointestinal Exposure. bioRxiv 2023:2023.06.02.542598. [PMID: 37398080 PMCID: PMC10312509 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.02.542598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Global plastic use has consistently increased over the past century with several different types of plastics now being produced. Much of these plastics end up in oceans or landfills leading to a substantial accumulation of plastics in the environment. Plastic debris slowly degrades into microplastics (MPs) that can ultimately be inhaled or ingested by both animals and humans. A growing body of evidence indicates that MPs can cross the gut barrier and enter into the lymphatic and systemic circulation leading to accumulation in tissues such as the lungs, liver, kidney, and brain. The impacts of mixed MPs exposure on tissue function through metabolism remains largely unexplored. To investigate the impact of ingested MPs on target metabolomic pathways, mice were subjected to either polystyrene microspheres or a mixed plastics (5 µm) exposure consisting of polystyrene, polyethylene and the biodegradability and biocompatible plastic, poly-(lactic-co-glycolic acid). Exposures were performed twice a week for four weeks at a dose of either 0, 2, or 4 mg/week via oral gastric gavage. Our findings demonstrate that, in mice, ingested MPs can pass through the gut barrier, be translocated through the systemic circulation, and accumulate in distant tissues including the brain, liver, and kidney. Additionally, we report on the metabolomic changes that occur in the colon, liver and brain which show differential responses that are dependent on dose and type of MPs exposure. Lastly, our study provides proof of concept for identifying metabolomic alterations associated with MPs exposure and adds insight into the potential health risks that mixed MPs contamination may pose to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus M. Garcia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Aaron S. Romero
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Seth D. Merkley
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Jewel L. Meyer-Hagen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Charles Forbes
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - David P. Sciezka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Rachel Templeton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Yan Jin
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL, USA
| | - Haiwei Gu
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL, USA
| | - Angelica Benavidez
- Center for Micro-Engineered Materials, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Russell P. Hunter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Selita Lucas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Guy Herbert
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Kyle Joohyung Kim
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle WA, USA
| | - Julia Yue Cui
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle WA, USA
| | - Rama Gullapalli
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Julie G. In
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Matthew J. Campen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Eliseo F. Castillo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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El Hayek E, Castillo E, In JG, Garcia M, Cerrato J, Brearley A, Gonzalez-Estrella J, Herbert G, Bleske B, Benavidez A, Hsiao H, Yin L, Campen MJ, Yu X. Photoaging of polystyrene microspheres causes oxidative alterations to surface physicochemistry and enhances airway epithelial toxicity. Toxicol Sci 2023; 193:90-102. [PMID: 36881996 PMCID: PMC10176241 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Microplastics represent an emerging environmental contaminant, with large gaps in our understanding of human health impacts. Furthermore, environmental factors may modify the plastic chemistry, further altering the toxic potency. Ultraviolet (UV) light is one such unavoidable factor for airborne microplastic particulates and a known modifier of polystyrene surface chemistry. As an experimental model, we aged commercially available polystyrene microspheres for 5 weeks with UV radiation, then compared the cellular responses in A549 lung cells with both pristine and irradiated particulates. Photoaging altered the surface morphology of irradiated microspheres and increased the intensities of polar groups on the near-surface region of the particles as indicated by scanning electron microscopy and by fitting of high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy C 1s spectra, respectively. Even at low concentrations (1-30 µg/ml), photoaged microspheres at 1 and 5 µm in diameter exerted more pronounced biological responses in the A549 cells than was caused by pristine microspheres. High-content imaging analysis revealed S and G2 cell cycle accumulation and morphological changes, which were also more pronounced in A549 cells treated with photoaged microspheres, and further influenced by the size, dose, and time of exposures. Polystyrene microspheres reduced monolayer barrier integrity and slowed regrowth in a wound healing assay in a manner dependent on dose, photoaging, and size of the microsphere. UV-photoaging generally enhanced the toxicity of polystyrene microspheres in A549 cells. Understanding the influence of weathering and environmental aging, along with size, shape, and chemistry, on microplastics biocompatibility may be an essential consideration for incorporation of different plastics in products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Eliseo Castillo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
- Clinical and Translational Science Center, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Julie G In
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Marcus Garcia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Jose Cerrato
- Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Adrian Brearley
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | | | - Guy Herbert
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Barry Bleske
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Angelica Benavidez
- Center for Micro-Engineered Materials, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Hsuan Hsiao
- ReproTox Biotech, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Lei Yin
- ReproTox Biotech, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Matthew J Campen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
- Clinical and Translational Science Center, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Xiaozhong Yu
- College of Nursing, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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7
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Portman TA, Granath A, Mann MA, El Hayek E, Herzer K, Cerrato JM, Rudgers JA. Characterization of root-associated fungi and reduced plant growth in soils from a New Mexico uranium mine. Mycologia 2023; 115:165-177. [PMID: 36857605 PMCID: PMC10089371 DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2022.2156746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Characterizing the diverse, root-associated fungi in mine wastes can accelerate the development of bioremediation strategies to stabilize heavy metals. Ascomycota fungi are well known for their mutualistic associations with plant roots and, separately, for roles in the accumulation of toxic compounds from the environment, such as heavy metals. We sampled soils and cultured root-associated fungi from blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis) collected from lands with a history of uranium (U) mining and contrasted against communities in nearby, off-mine sites. Plant root-associated fungal communities from mine sites were lower in taxonomic richness and diversity than root fungi from paired, off-mine sites. We assessed potential functional consequences of unique mine-associated soil microbial communities using plant bioassays, which revealed that plants grown in mine soils in the greenhouse had significantly lower germination, survival, and less total biomass than plants grown in off-mine soils but did not alter allocation patterns to roots versus shoots. We identified candidate culturable root-associated Ascomycota taxa for bioremediation and increased understanding of the biological impacts of heavy metals on microbial communities and plant growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor A Portman
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
| | - Abigail Granath
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
| | - Michael A Mann
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
| | - Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
| | - Kelsie Herzer
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
| | - José M Cerrato
- Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
| | - Jennifer A Rudgers
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
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El Hayek E, Medina S, Guo J, Noureddine A, Zychowski KE, Hunter R, Velasco CA, Wiesse M, Maestas-Olguin A, Brinker CJ, Brearley A, Spilde M, Howard T, Lauer FT, Herbert G, Ali AM, Burchiel S, Campen MJ, Cerrato JM. Uptake and Toxicity of Respirable Carbon-Rich Uranium-Bearing Particles: Insights into the Role of Particulates in Uranium Toxicity. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:9949-9957. [PMID: 34235927 PMCID: PMC8413144 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Particulate matter (PM) presents an environmental health risk for communities residing close to uranium (U) mine sites. However, the role of the particulate form of U on its cellular toxicity is still poorly understood. Here, we investigated the cellular uptake and toxicity of C-rich U-bearing particles as a model organic particulate containing uranyl citrate over a range of environmentally relevant concentrations of U (0-445 μM). The cytotoxicity of C-rich U-bearing particles in human epithelial cells (A549) was U-dose-dependent. No cytotoxic effects were detected with soluble U doses. Carbon-rich U-bearing particles with a wide size distribution (<10 μm) presented 2.7 times higher U uptake into cells than the particles with a narrow size distribution (<1 μm) at 100 μM U concentration. TEM-EDS analysis identified the intracellular translocation of clusters of C-rich U-bearing particles. The accumulation of C-rich U-bearing particles induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity as indicated by the increased phosphorylation of the histone H2AX and cell death, respectively. These findings reveal the toxicity of the particulate form of U under environmentally relevant heterogeneous size distributions. Our study opens new avenues for future investigations on the health impacts resulting from environmental exposures to the particulate form of U near mine sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, MSC03 2060, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Sebastian Medina
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- Department of Biology, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, New Mexico 87701, United States
| | - Jimin Guo
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, MSC01 1120, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Molecular Medicine, MSC08 4720, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Achraf Noureddine
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, MSC01 1120, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Katherine E Zychowski
- Department of Biobehavioral Health and Data Sciences, MSC09 5350, University of New Mexico College of Nursing, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, United States
| | - Russell Hunter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Carmen A Velasco
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- Chemical Engineering Faculty, Central University of Ecuador, Ciudad Universitaria, Ritter s/n & Bolivia, P.O. Box 17-01-3972, Quito 170129, Ecuador
| | - Marco Wiesse
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Angelea Maestas-Olguin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, MSC01 1120, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - C Jeffrey Brinker
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, MSC01 1120, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Adrian Brearley
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Michael Spilde
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Tamara Howard
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, MSC08 4750, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Fredine T Lauer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Guy Herbert
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Abdul Mehdi Ali
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Scott Burchiel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Matthew J Campen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - José M Cerrato
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
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DeVore CL, Hayek EE, Busch T, Long B, Mann M, Rudgers JA, Ali AMS, Howard T, Spilde MN, Brearley A, Ducheneaux C, Cerrato JM. Arsenic Accumulation in Hydroponically Grown Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) Amended with Root-Colonizing Endophytes. ACS Earth Space Chem 2021; 5:1278-1287. [PMID: 34308092 PMCID: PMC8302048 DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.0c00302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
We integrated microscopy, spectroscopy, culturing and molecular biology, and aqueous chemistry techniques to evaluate arsenic (As) accumulation in hydroponically grown Schizachyrium scoparium inoculated with endophytic fungi. Schizachyrium scoparium grows in historically contaminated sediment in the Cheyenne River Watershed and was used for laboratory experiments with As(V) ranging from 0 to 2.5 mg L-1 at circumneutral pH. Arsenic accumulation in regional plants has been a community concern for several decades, yet mechanisms affecting As accumulation in plants associated with endophytic fungi remain poorly understood. Colonization of roots by endophytic fungi supported better external and vascular cellular structure, increased biomass production, increased root lengths and increased P uptake, compared to noninoculated plants (p value <0.05). After exposure to As(V), an 80% decrease of As was detected in solution and accumulated mainly in the roots (0.82-13.44 mg kg-1) of noninoculated plants. Endophytic fungi mediated intracellular uptake into root cells and translocation of As. Electron microprobe X-ray mapping analyses detected Ca-P and Mg-P minerals with As on the root surface of exposed plants, suggesting that these minerals could lead to As adsorption on the root surface through surface complexation or coprecipitation. Our findings provide new insights regarding biological and physical-chemical processes affecting As accumulation in plants for risk assessment applications and bioremediation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherie L DeVore
- Department of Civil, Construction, Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States; Present Address: Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States; Present Address: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Taylor Busch
- Department of Civil, Construction, Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Benson Long
- Department of Civil, Construction, Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Michael Mann
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Jennifer A Rudgers
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Abdul-Mehdi S Ali
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Tamara Howard
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Michael N Spilde
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Adrian Brearley
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Carlyle Ducheneaux
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Eagle Butte, South Dakota 57625, United States
| | - Josée M Cerrato
- Department of Civil, Construction, Environmental Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
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Rodriguez-Freire L, DeVore CL, El Hayek E, Berti D, Ali AMS, Lezama Pacheco JS, Blake JM, Spilde MN, Brearley AJ, Artyushkova K, Cerrato JM. Emerging investigator series: entrapment of uranium-phosphorus nanocrystals inside root cells of Tamarix plants from a mine waste site. Environ Sci Process Impacts 2021; 23:73-85. [PMID: 33325952 PMCID: PMC8479813 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00306a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the mechanisms of uranium (U) uptake by Tamarix (salt cedars) growing along the Rio Paguate, which flows throughout the Jackpile mine near Pueblo de Laguna, New Mexico. Tamarix were selected for this study due to the detection of U in the roots and shoots of field collected plants (0.6-58.9 mg kg-1), presenting an average bioconcentration factor greater than 1. Synchrotron-based micro X-ray fluorescence analyses of plant roots collected from the field indicate that the accumulation of U occurs in the cortex of the root. The mechanisms for U accumulation in the roots of Tamarix were further investigated in controlled-laboratory experiments where living roots of field plants were macerated for 24 h or 2 weeks in a solution containing 100 μM U. The U concentration in the solution decreased 36-59% after 24 h, and 49-65% in two weeks. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses detected U precipitation in the root cell walls near the xylems of the roots, confirming the initial results from the field samples. High-resolution TEM was used to study the U fate inside the root cells, and needle-like U-P nanocrystals, with diameter <7 nm, were found entrapped inside vacuoles in cells. EXAFS shell-by-shell fitting suggest that U is associated with carbon functional groups. The preferable binding of U to the root cell walls may explain the U retention in the roots of Tamarix, followed by U-P crystal precipitation, and pinocytotic active transport and cellular entrapment. This process resulted in a limited translocation of U to the shoots in Tamarix plants. This study contributes to better understanding of the physicochemical mechanisms affecting the U uptake and accumulation by plants growing near contaminated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Rodriguez-Freire
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA.
| | - Cherie L DeVore
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Chemistry, MSC03 2060, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Debora Berti
- Oceanography Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77845, USA
| | - Abdul-Mehdi S Ali
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Juan S Lezama Pacheco
- Department of Environmental Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Johanna M Blake
- Department of Chemistry, MSC03 2060, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA and U.S. Geological Survey, 6700 Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113, USA
| | - Michael N Spilde
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Adrian J Brearley
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Kateryna Artyushkova
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, MSC01 1120, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - José M Cerrato
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
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Hayek EE, Brearley AJ, Howard T, Hudson P, Torres C, Spilde MN, Cabaniss S, Ali AMS, Cerrato JM. Calcium in Carbonate Water Facilitates the Transport of U(VI) in Brassica juncea Roots and Enables Root-to-Shoot Translocation. ACS Earth Space Chem 2019; 3:2190-2196. [PMID: 31742240 PMCID: PMC6859903 DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.9b00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The role of calcium (Ca) on the cellular distribution of U(VI) in Brassica juncea roots and root-to-shoot translocation was investigated using hydroponic experiments, microscopy, and spectroscopy. Uranium accumulated mainly in the roots (727-9376 mg kg-1) after 30 days of exposure to 80 μM dissolved U in water containing 1 mM HCO3 - at different Ca concentrations (0-6 mM) at pH 7.5. However, the concentration of U in the shoots increased 22 times in experiments with 6 mM Ca compared to 0 mM Ca. In the Ca control experiment, transmission electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectroscopy analyses detected U-P-bearing precipitates in the cortical apoplast of parenchyma cells. In experiments with 0.3 mM Ca, U-P-bearing precipitates were detected in the cortical apoplast and the bordered pits of xylem cells. In experiments with 6 mM Ca, U-P-bearing precipitates aggregated in the xylem with no apoplastic precipitation. These results indicate that Ca in carbonate water inhibits the transport and precipitation of U in the root cortical apoplast and facilitates the symplastic transport and translocation toward shoots. These findings reveal the considerable role of Ca in the presence of carbonate in facilitating the transport of U in plants and present new insights for future assessment and phytoremediation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2060, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Adrian J. Brearley
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2040, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Tamara Howard
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of New Mexico, MSC08 4750, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Patrick Hudson
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2020, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Chris Torres
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of New Mexico, MSC01 1120, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Michael N. Spilde
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2040, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Stephen Cabaniss
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2060, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Abdul-Mehdi S. Ali
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2040, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - José M. Cerrato
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of New Mexico, MSC01 1070, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
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12
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Hayek EE, Torres C, Rodriguez-Freire L, Blake JM, De Vore CL, Brearley AJ, Spilde MN, Cabaniss S, Ali AMS, Cerrato J. Effect of Calcium on the Bioavailability of Dissolved Uranium(VI) in Plant Roots under Circumneutral pH. Environ Sci Technol 2018; 52:13089-13098. [PMID: 30412391 PMCID: PMC6341987 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
We integrated field measurements, hydroponic experiments, microscopy, and spectroscopy to investigate the effect of Ca(II) on dissolved U(VI) uptake by plants in 1 mM HCO3- solutions at circumneutral pH. The accumulation of U in plants (3.1-21.3 mg kg-1) from the stream bank of the Rio Paguate, Jackpile Mine, New Mexico served as a motivation for this study. Brassica juncea was the model plant used for the laboratory experiments conducted over a range of U (30-700 μg L-1) and Ca (0-240 mg L-1) concentrations. The initial U uptake followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The initial U uptake rate ( V0) ranged from 4.4 to 62 μg g-1 h-1 in experiments with no added Ca and from 0.73 to 2.07 μg g-1 h-1 in experiments with 12 mg L-1 Ca. No measurable U uptake over time was detected for experiments with 240 mg L-1 Ca. Ternary Ca-U-CO3 complexes may affect the decrease in U bioavailability observed in this study. Elemental X-ray mapping using scanning transmission electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectrometry detected U-P-bearing precipitates within root cell walls in water free of Ca. These results suggest that root interactions with Ca and carbonate in solution affect the bioavailability of U in plants. This study contributes relevant information to applications related to U transport and remediation of contaminated sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, MSC03 2060, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- Phone: (001) (505) 582-1362,
| | - Chris Torres
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, MSC01 1120, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Lucia Rodriguez-Freire
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States
| | - Johanna M. Blake
- U.S. Geological Survey, 6700 Edith Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87113, United States
| | - Cherie L. De Vore
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Adrian J. Brearley
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Michael N. Spilde
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Stephen Cabaniss
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, MSC03 2060, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Abdul-Mehdi S. Ali
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - JoséM. Cerrato
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- Corresponding Authors Phone: (001) (505) 277-0870; fax: (001) (505) 277-1918;
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Rahman A, El Hayek E, Blake JM, Bixby RJ, Ali AM, Spilde M, Otieno AA, Miltenberger K, Ridgeway C, Artyushkova K, Atudorei V, Cerrato JM. Metal Reactivity in Laboratory Burned Wood from a Watershed Affected by Wildfires. Environ Sci Technol 2018; 52:8115-8123. [PMID: 30020776 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b00530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We investigated interfacial processes affecting metal mobility by wood ash under laboratory-controlled conditions using aqueous chemistry, microscopy, and spectroscopy. The Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico experiences catastrophic wildfires of devastating effects. Wood samples of Ponderosa Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce, and Quaking Aspen collected from this site were exposed to temperatures of 60, 350, and 550 °C. The 350 °C Pine ash had the highest content of Cu (4997 ± 262 mg kg-1), Cr (543 ± 124 mg kg-1), and labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC, 11.3 ± 0.28 mg L-1). Sorption experiments were conducted by reacting 350 °C Pine, Spruce, and Aspen ashes separately with 10 μM Cu(II) and Cr(VI) solutions. Up to a 94% decrease in Cu(II) concentration was observed in solution while Cr(VI) concentration showed a limited decrease (up to 13%) after 180 min of reaction. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses detected increased association of Cu(II) on the near surface region of the reacted 350 °C Pine ash from the sorption experiments compared to the unreacted ash. The results suggest that dissolution and sorption processes should be considered to better understand the potential effects of metals transported by wood ash on water quality that have important implications for postfire recovery and response strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asifur Rahman
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070 , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131 , United States
| | - Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Chemistry, MSC03 2060 , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131 , United States
| | - Johanna M Blake
- U.S. Geological Survey , 6700 Edith Blvd. NE , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87113 , United States
| | - Rebecca J Bixby
- Department of Biology and Museum of Southwestern Biology, MSC03 2020 , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131 , United States
| | - Abdul-Mehdi Ali
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040 , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131 , United States
| | - Michael Spilde
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040 , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131 , United States
| | - Amanda A Otieno
- Water Resources Program, MSC05 3110 , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131 , United States
| | - Keely Miltenberger
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040 , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131 , United States
| | - Cyrena Ridgeway
- Department of Civil Engineering , New Mexico State University , Las Cruces , New Mexico 88001 , United States
| | - Kateryna Artyushkova
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, MSC01 1120 , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131 , United States
| | - Viorel Atudorei
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC03 2040 , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131 , United States
| | - José M Cerrato
- Department of Civil Engineering, MSC01 1070 , University of New Mexico , Albuquerque , New Mexico 87131 , United States
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14
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El Hayek E, El Samrani A, Lartiges B, Kazpard V, Aigouy T. Lead bioaccumulation in Opuntia ficus-indica following foliar or root exposure to lead-bearing apatite. Environ Pollut 2017; 220:779-787. [PMID: 27816295 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The contamination of edible leafy vegetables by atmospheric heavy metal-bearing particles is a major issue in environmental toxicology. In this study, the uptake of lead by cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica (Ofi), traditionally used in Mexican cuisine and in livestock fodder, is investigated after a 4-months exposure of either cladodes or roots to synthetic Pb-fluorapatite particles. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) for the quantitative analysis of Pb levels, Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) for the examination of the cladode surface and fate of particles, and Micro-X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) measurements for elemental mapping of Pb in cladodes, were used. The results evidence that foliar contamination may be a major pathway for the transfer of Pb within Ofi cladodes. The stomata, areoles, and cuticle of cladode surface, play an obvious role in the retention and the incorporation of lead-bearing apatite, thus revealing the hazard of eating contaminated cladodes. The possibility of using series of successive cladodes for biomonitoring the atmospheric pollution in arid and semi-arid regions is also rapidly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane El Hayek
- University of Toulouse (Paul Sabatier), Laboratoire Geosciences Environment Toulouse (UMR CNRS-UPS 5563 IRD 234), 14 Av. Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France; Lebanese University, Plateforme de Recherche et d'Analyses en Sciences de l'Environnement, Ecole Doctorale des Sciences et Technologies, Hadath, Lebanon.
| | - Antoine El Samrani
- Lebanese University, Plateforme de Recherche et d'Analyses en Sciences de l'Environnement, Ecole Doctorale des Sciences et Technologies, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Bruno Lartiges
- University of Toulouse (Paul Sabatier), Laboratoire Geosciences Environment Toulouse (UMR CNRS-UPS 5563 IRD 234), 14 Av. Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Veronique Kazpard
- Lebanese University, Plateforme de Recherche et d'Analyses en Sciences de l'Environnement, Ecole Doctorale des Sciences et Technologies, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Thierry Aigouy
- University of Toulouse (Paul Sabatier), Laboratoire Geosciences Environment Toulouse (UMR CNRS-UPS 5563 IRD 234), 14 Av. Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
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15
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El Hayek E, El Samrani A, Lartiges B, Kazpard V, Benoit M, Munoz M. Potential of Opuntia ficus-indica for air pollution biomonitoring: a lead isotopic study. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2015; 22:17799-17809. [PMID: 26160126 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-4998-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Opuntia ficus-indica (Ofi) is a long-domesticated cactus that is widespread throughout arid and semiarid regions. Ofi is grown for both its fruits and edible cladodes, which are flattened photosynthetic stems. Young cladodes develop from mother cladodes, thus forming series of cladodes of different ages. Therefore, successive cladodes may hold some potential for biomonitoring over several years the local atmospheric pollution. In this study, cladodes, roots, dust deposited onto the cladodes, and soil samples were collected in the vicinity of three heavily polluted sites, i.e., a fertilizer industry, the road side of a highway, and mine tailings. The lead content was analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) was used to characterize the cladode surfaces and the nature of dust deposit, and the lead isotopes were analyzed to identify the origin of Pb. The results show that (i) Ofi readily bioaccumulates Pb, (ii) the lead isotopic composition of cladodes evidences a foliar pathway of lead into Ofi and identifies the relative contributions of local Pb sources, and (iii) an evolution of air quality is recorded with successive cladodes, which makes Ofi a potential biomonitor to be used in environmental and health studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane El Hayek
- Laboratoire Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (UMR CNRS-UPS 5563 IRD 234), University of Toulouse (Paul Sabatier), 14 Av. Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France.
- Plateforme de Recherche et d'Analyses en Sciences de l'Environnement, Ecole Doctorale des Sciences et Technologies, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon.
| | - Antoine El Samrani
- Plateforme de Recherche et d'Analyses en Sciences de l'Environnement, Ecole Doctorale des Sciences et Technologies, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Bruno Lartiges
- Laboratoire Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (UMR CNRS-UPS 5563 IRD 234), University of Toulouse (Paul Sabatier), 14 Av. Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Veronique Kazpard
- Plateforme de Recherche et d'Analyses en Sciences de l'Environnement, Ecole Doctorale des Sciences et Technologies, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Mathieu Benoit
- Laboratoire Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (UMR CNRS-UPS 5563 IRD 234), University of Toulouse (Paul Sabatier), 14 Av. Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Marguerite Munoz
- Laboratoire Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (UMR CNRS-UPS 5563 IRD 234), University of Toulouse (Paul Sabatier), 14 Av. Edouard Belin, 31400, Toulouse, France
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