Monitoring the effect of chemicals on biological communities. The biofilm as an interface

Sabater, Sergi; Guasch, Helena; Ricart, Marta; Romaní, Anna M.; Vidal, Gemma; Klünder, Christina; Schmitt‐Jansen, Mechthild

doi:10.1007/s00216-006-1051-8

Cited by 335 publications

(188 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…Since phototrophic biofilms are directly in contact with the flowing water and relatively sessile, they are potentially good indicators of water quality in the streams at a given place and time. These may therefore be affected and subsequently used to detect the early effects of disturbances in the ecosystem that may arise, integrating these effects over extended periods of time (50,51). Cyanobacteria, as primary producers with a key role in the N and C cycles, can be useful bioindicators, given that any detrimental effect on this phototrophic community may have a negative effect on nutrient availability to organisms at higher trophic levels.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Fingerprinting of Cyanobacteria from River Biofilms as a Water Quality Monitoring Tool

Loza

Perona

Mateo

2013

Appl Environ Microbiol

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Benthic cyanobacterial communities from Guadarrama River (Spain) biofilms were examined using temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE), comparing the results with microscopic analyses of field-fixed samples and the genetic characterization of cultured isolates from the river. Changes in the structure and composition of cyanobacterial communities and their possible association with eutrophication in the river downstream were studied by examining complex TGGE patterns, band extraction, and subsequent sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments. Band profiles differed among sampling sites depending on differences in water quality. The results showed that TGGE band richness decreased in a downstream direction, and there was a clear clustering of phylotypes on the basis of their origins from different locations according to their ecological requirements. Multivariate analyses (cluster analysis and canonical correspondence analysis) corroborated these differences. Results were consistent with those obtained from microscopic observations of field-fixed samples. According to the phylogenetic analysis, morphotypes observed in natural samples were the most common phylotypes in the TGGE sequences. These phylotypes were closely related to Chamaesiphon, Aphanocapsa, Pleurocapsa, Cyanobium, Pseudanabaena, Phormidium, and Leptolyngbya. Differences in the populations in response to environmental variables, principally nutrient concentrations (dissolved inorganic nitrogen and soluble reactive phosphorus), were found. Some phylotypes were associated with low nutrient concentrations and high levels of dissolved oxygen, while other phylotypes were associated with eutrophic-hypertrophic conditions. These results support the view that once a community has been characterized and its genetic fingerprint obtained, this technique could be used for the purpose of monitoring rivers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Fingerprinting of Cyanobacteria from River Biofilms as a Water Quality Monitoring Tool

Loza

Perona

Mateo

2013

Appl Environ Microbiol

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“…Although habitat characterization (sediment grain size) showed slight differences in the studied sites, little is known about the other parameters. Therefore, our results should be taken as indicative and require further experimental testing in controlled conditions such as mesocosms [38][39][40].…”

Section: Relationships Between Chemical and Biological Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bridging levels of pharmaceuticals in river water with biological community structure in the llobregat river basin (northeast spain)

Muñoz

López-Doval

Ricart

et al. 2009

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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174

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Abstract-A wide range of human pharmaceuticals are present at low concentrations in freshwater systems, particularly in sections of polluted river. These compounds show high biological activity, often associated with a high stability. These characteristics imply a potential impact of these substances on aquatic biota even when present at low environmental concentrations. Low flow conditions in Mediterranean rivers, most of which flow through densely populated areas and are subjected to intensive water use, increase the environmental risk of these emergent compounds. Here, we studied whether pharmaceuticals in river water affect the local benthic community structure (diatoms and invertebrates). For this purpose, we analyzed the occurrence of pharmaceuticals along the Llobregat River and examined the benthic community structure (diatoms and invertebrates) of this system. Some pharmaceutical products in the Llobregat River registered concentrations greater than those cited in the literature. Multivariate analyses revealed a potential causal association between the concentrations of some anti-inflammatories and b-blockers and the abundance and biomass of several benthic invertebrates (Chironomus spp. and Tubifex tubifex). Further interpretation in terms of cause-and-effect relationships is discussed; however, it must be always taken with caution because other pollutants also may have significant contributions. Combined with further community experiments in the laboratory, our approach could be a desirable way to proceed in future risk management decisions.

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“…a few micrograms per liter) can affect freshwater microbial communities, including the autotrophic (see for review, Pesce et al, 2011a) and heterotrophic (Pesce et al, 2008b, Tlili et al, 2008, Ricart et al, 2009and Tadonléké et al, 2009 compartments. In lotic ecosystems, benthic microbial assemblages are now considered as useful potential indicators of ecological status because they integrate the effects of multiple anthropogenic disturbances and have strong capacities to adapt to novel environmental conditions (Burns andRyder, 2001 andSabater et al, 2007). Field studies have thus revealed that in situ diuron exposure can induce microbial adaptation leading to an increase in diuron tolerance in phototrophic biofilm communities (Dorigo et al, 2007, Pesce et al, 2010aand Roubeix et al, 2011 and an increase in diuron biodegradation potential of heterotrophic biofilm and sediment communities (Pesce et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Freshwater sediment pesticide biodegradation potential as an ecological indicator of microbial recovery following a decrease in chronic pesticide exposure: A case study with the herbicide diuron

Pesce¹,

Margoum²,

Rouard³

et al. 2013

Ecological Indicators

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of freshwater sediment biodegradation potential as an ecological indicator for monitoring microbial recovery following a decrease in chronic pesticide exposure. For this purpose, a four-year case study (2008)(2009)(2010)(2011) was conducted in a small stream (Morcille river) long exposed to high diuron concentrations, increasing from upstream to downstream. Our results show that the ban on diuron in December 2008 resulted in a progressive decrease in its concentrations in the Morcille river over the survey period. However, diuron remained present in the water three years after the ban. The spatio-temporal variations in the sediment biodegradation potential were assessed by radiorespirometry using [ring-U-14C] diuron to estimate diuron mineralization potentials. Between autumn 2008 and autumn 2011, mean diuron mineralization percentage after 15 weeks of incubation decreased by 65% downstream and by 82% in the intermediate sector, and mean 10% diuron dissipation time values increased between 143% (downstream) and 210% (intermediate). Thus the decrease in the level of chronic diuron exposure in the river also caused a fall in sediment diuron-mineralizing capacities, revealing a corresponding recovery of microbial communities. Our results show that the use of freshwater sediment biodegradation potential may be useful for assessing microbial recovery after a decrease in chronic exposure to pollutants, opening prospects for developing a new class of ecological indicator to monitor the recovery of biological quality of water resources. In this way, the use of molecular approaches based on direct extraction of nucleic acids from environmental matrices and their subsequent analysis by PCR-based approaches to quantify the abundance of pesticide-degrading communities could represent a promising alternative. Highlights► We performed a 4-year survey in a river long exposed to diuron. ► The ban on diuron resulted in a gradual fall in its concentrations in the river. ► Sediment diuron biodegradation potential decreased throughout the survey. ► Degradation capacities can be an ecological indicator to gauge microbial recovery.

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Monitoring the effect of chemicals on biological communities. The biofilm as an interface

Cited by 335 publications

References 77 publications

Molecular Fingerprinting of Cyanobacteria from River Biofilms as a Water Quality Monitoring Tool

Molecular Fingerprinting of Cyanobacteria from River Biofilms as a Water Quality Monitoring Tool

Bridging levels of pharmaceuticals in river water with biological community structure in the llobregat river basin (northeast spain)

Freshwater sediment pesticide biodegradation potential as an ecological indicator of microbial recovery following a decrease in chronic pesticide exposure: A case study with the herbicide diuron

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