No abstract

No abstract

Background Mycofiltration is an environment friendly technology which involves the treatment of contaminated water by passing it through a network of fungal mycelium. This technology has gained momentum over the years, and the systematic review chartered in this protocol will compile and synthesise literature on mycofiltration studies, paying special attention to the types and levels of contaminants removed. The systematic review should provide insight into the removal efficiency of mycofiltration by synthesising the mycofiltration knowledge base. Moreover, the proposed contribution will inform further research and provide comprehensive information to relevant stakeholders, such as municipalities, which might be in need of interventions for alleviating wastewater-related pollution in surrounding water bodies. Methods This systematic review protocol is based on the question, “What is the effectiveness of mycofiltration for removal of contaminants from water?” A thorough search of peer reviewed journal articles and grey literature sources will be conducted on academic journal databases, websites, specialist sources such as environmental organisations as well social and networking sources. A supplemental search will also be performed by forward and backward citation tracing. A two-stage screening process at title, abstract and full text level, will be conducted, against predefined inclusion criteria. Studies that meet inclusion criteria will be subjected to quality assessment. Data will be extracted and compiled into a narrative synthesis and summarised into tables and figures. Meta-analysis will be performed where sufficient evidence-base allows.

Pesticides extensively used in agricultural fields to ensure high quality crop yields indirectly find their way to aquatic bodies where they affect aquatic biota. We investigated the effects of pesticides in different dam waters on esterase enzyme activity of the freshwater snail species Lymnaea natalensis. Groups of adult snails were exposed to 0.006 ppm chlorpyrifos and 0.003 ppm aldicarb in polluted water from Umguza dam and relatively pristine water from Hillside dam for 14 days. Carboxylesterase, acetylcholinesterase and arylesterase activities were measured. Both pesticides caused significant inhibition of esterase activity after the 14 day exposure period, with exposures to Umguza dam water showing higher inhibition as compared to exposures to Hillside dam water. Aldicarb and chlorpyrifos both showed a time-dependent inhibition of enzyme activity, the former causing a higher inhibitory effect as compared to the latter. Acetylcholinesterase was inhibited up to 80% following exposure to aldicarb while exposure to chlorpyrifos in Umguza water caused only 40% inhibition. Carboxylesterases were similarly inhibited with higher inhibition observed in snails exposed to Umguza dam water when compared to snails exposed to Hillside dam water, while arylesterases were inhibited in the range 80-90%, with an exception of chlorpyrifos spiked Hillside dam water which caused 45% inhibition. Contaminated Umguza dam water also appeared to enhance the effects of pesticides when compared to the relatively pristine Hillside dam water. Alteration of esterase activity can be used as an early warning signal indicating exposure to environmental pollutants. The results of this study therefore, highlight the adverse effects of pesticides on non-target aquatic organisms, evidenced by the inhibition of esterase activity.