Browsing by Author "Bebianno, Maria"
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- Aquaculture in the crossroad of microplastic contaminationPublication . Bebianno, Maria; Manthopoulos, Michael; Nathan, Justine; Cristina, Sónia; Ribeiro, Laura; Luna-Araújo, Ravi; Icely, John; Dias Duarte Fragoso, Bruno; Moura, DelmindaPlastic pollution threatens life and human health, with microplastics (MP) linked to seafood consumption. MPs enter aquaculture through the environment and from aquaculture gear. During aquaculture production, plastic is used in nets and sacks for the growth process and in collecting and processing so it becomes important to expand the knowledge about how much MPs are present in seafood. The aim was to investigate the presence of MPs in three bivalve’s species; oysters (Crassostrea gigas), clams (Ruditapes decussatus), and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) produced in offshore and intertidal aquaculture in two different climate conditions. Water, bivalves and sediments were collected from each site and abundance size, colour, type and composition of the MPs polymers analysed. The most common colour in offshore aquaculture was blue while in intertidal was black, and the type was fragments. Sixty per cent of bivalves did not have MPs in their tissues Bivalves from offshore aquaculture was less impacted by MPs probably due to the hydrographic conditions and distance from the coast. Most of MPs ingested by bivalves were related to the plastic type used in aquaculture materials. Transformative solutions and/or procedures to eliminate plastic from aquaculture equipment are needed, and depuration might be a practical solution.
- Aquaculture in the crossroad of microplastic contaminationPublication . Bebianno, Maria; Manthopoulos, Michael; Nathan, Justine; Cristina, Sónia; Ribeiro, Laura; Luna-Araújo, Ravi; Icely, John; Dias Duarte Fragoso, Bruno; Moura, DelmindaPlastic pollution threatens life and human health, with microplastics (MP) linked to seafood consumption. MPs enter aquaculture through the environment and from aquaculture gear. During aquaculture production, plastic is used in nets and sacks for the growth process and in collecting and processing so it becomes important to expand the knowledge about how much MPs are present in seafood. The aim was to investigate the presence of MPs in three bivalve's species; oysters (Crassostrea gigas), clams (Ruditapes decussatus), and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) produced in offshore and intertidal aquaculture in two different climate conditions. Water, bivalves and sediments were collected from each site and abundance, size, colour, type and composition of the MPs polymers analysed. The most common colour in offshore aquaculture was blue while in intertidal was black, and the type was fragments. Sixty per cent of bivalves did not have MPs in their tissues. Bivalves from offshore aquaculture was less impacted by MPs probably due to the hydrographic conditions and distance from the coast. Most of MPs ingested by bivalves were related to the plastic type used in aquaculture materials. Transformative solutions and/ or procedures to eliminate plastic from aquaculture equipment are needed, and depuration might be a practical solution.
- Are mixtures of micro/nanoplastics more toxic than individual micro or nanoplastic contamination in the clam ruditapes decussatus?Publication . Ventura, Emma; Ribeiro Gonçalves, Joanna Melissa; Vilke, Juliano Marcelo; d'Errico, Giuseppe; Benedetti, Maura; Regoli, Francesco; Bebianno, MariaThe abundance of micro (MPs) and nano (NPs) sized plastic particles in the ocean is concerning due to their harmful effects on marine life. The interactions between MPs and NPs in the marine environment and their impact on marine biota remain not fully understood. This study contributes with new insights into the interaction between polystyrene NPs (PSNPs) and polyethylene MPs (PEMPs) on the clam Ruditapes decussatus . Results showed ingestion of MPs and NPs by clams, with PSNPs demonstrating higher toxicity in hemolymph. While no genotoxicity was observed, clams treated with MPs and the mixture showed increased acetylcolinesterase (AchE) activity over time. Additionally, the antioxidant defense system mitigated oxidative stress, suggesting effective neutralization of reactive oxygen species. Hazard assessment indicated the greatest impact on clam digestive glands after ten days of exposure, with an antagonistic interaction between MPs and NPs noted.
- Are native microalgae consortia able to remove microplastics from wastewater effluents?Publication . Afonso, Valdemira; Borges, Rodrigo; Rodrigues, Brígida; Barros, Raúl; Bebianno, Maria; Raposo, SaraWastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) are potential sources of microplastics (MPs) in the aquatic environment. This study aimed to investigate the potential of wastewater-native microalgae consortia to remove MPs from the effluent of two different types of WWTPs as a dual-purpose solution for MPs mitigation and biomass production. For that purpose, the occurrence of MPs from two types of WWTP effluents was analysed over one year. MPs were characterized in terms of morphology (microbead, foam, granule, irregular, filament and film), colour and size. The wastewater characterisation was followed by the removal of MP loads, using native microalgae consortia, pre-adapted to the wastewater effluent. Microalgae consortia evolved naturally through four mitigation assays, adapted to seasonal conditions, such as temperature, photoperiod, and wastewater composition. MPs were present in all the effluent samples, ranging from 52 to 233 MP L− 1 . The characterisation of MPs indicated a predominance of white and transparent particles, with irregular and filament shapes, mainly under 500 μm in size. The μFTIR analysis revealed that 43% of the selected particles were plastic, with a prevalence of poly propylene (PP) (34%) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (30 %). In the mitigation experiments, substantial biomass production was achieved (maximum of 2.6 g L− 1 (d.w.)), with successful removal of MPs, ranging from 31 ± 25% to 82 ± 13%. These results show that microalgae growth in wastewater effluents efficiently promotes the removal of MPs, reducing this source of contamination in the aquatic environment, while generating valuable biomass. Additionally, the strategy employed, requires minimal control of culture conditions, simplifying the integration of these systems in real-world WWTP facilities for improved wastewater management.
- Assessing the effects of the cytostatic drug 5-Fluorouracil alone and in a mixture of emerging contaminants on the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialisPublication . Gonçalves, Joanna M.; Beckmann, Clara; Bebianno, MariaThe assessment of contaminants of emerging concern, alone and in mixtures, and their effects on marine biota requires attention. 5-Fluorouracil is a cytostatic category 3 anti-cancer medication (IARC) that is used to treat a variety of cancers, including colon, pancreatic, and breast cancer. In the presence of other pollutants, this pharmaceutical can interact and form mixtures of contaminants, such as adhering to plastics and interaction with metal nanoparticles. This study aimed to comprehend the effects of 5-Fluorouracil (5FU; 10 ng/L) and a mixture of emerging contaminants (Mix): silver nanoparticles (nAg; 20 nm; 10 mu g/L), polystyrene nanoparticles (nPS; 50 nm; 10 mu g/L) and 5FU (10 ng/L), in an in vivo (21 days) exposure of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. A multibiomarker approach namely genotoxicity, the antioxidant defence system (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidases (GPx), glutathione - S - transferases (GST) activities), and oxidative damage (LPO) was used to assess the effects in gills and digestive gland of mussels. Both treatments cause genotoxicity in mussel's haemolymph, and antagonism between contaminants was observed in the Mix. Genotoxicity observed confirms 5FU's mode of action (MoA) by DNA damage. The antioxidant defence system of mussels exposed to 5FU kicked in and counter balanced ROS generated during the exposure, though the same was not seen in Mix-exposed mussels. Mussels were able to withstand the effects of the single compound but not the effects of the Mix. For oxidative stress and damage, the interactions of the components of the mixture have a synergistic effect.
- Chronic toxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialisPublication . Gonçalves, Joanna M.; Sousa, Vânia Serrão; Teixeira, Margarida Ribau; Bebianno, MariaNanoplastics (NP) (1–100 nm) are a growing global concern, and their adverse effects in marine organisms are still scarce. This study evaluated the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (10 μg/L; 50 nm nPS) in the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis after a 21 – day exposure. The hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of nPS were analysed, over time, in seawater and ultrapure water. A multibiomarker approach (genotoxicity (the comet assay) was assessed in mussel haemocytes, and the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)), biotransformation enzyme (glutathione – S – transferase (GST)), and oxidative damage (LPO)) was assessed in gills and digestive glands to evaluate the toxicity of nPS towards mussels. In seawater, aggregation of nPS is favoured and consequently the hydrodynamic diameter increases. Genotoxicity was highly noticeable in mussels exposed to nPS, presenting a higher % tail DNA when compared to controls. Antioxidant enzymes are overwhelmed after nPS exposure, leading to oxidative damage in both tissues. Results showed that mussel tissues are incapable of dealing with the effects that this emerging stressor pursues towards the organism. The Integrated Biomarker Response index, used to summarise the biomarkers analysed into one index, shows that nPS toxicity towards mussels are both tissue and time dependent, being that gills are the tissue most compromised.
- CICTA2021 conference: advances in environmental toxicology in the face of emerging challenges from global contaminationPublication . de Almeida, Eduardo Alves; Bebianno, Maria; Soto, Manuel; de Souza Abessa, Denis ModeloThe increasing levels of environmental pollutants in combination with global climate change has been a matter of great concern due to the negative impacts caused to natural environments. Studies on these topics are important to predict the environmental risks of pollutants, enabling decision-making towards the development of more efficient laws for the protection and preservation of natural environments against contamination by compounds derived from human activity.
- Cytotoxic responses of the anticancer drug cyclophosphamide in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and comparative sensitivity with human cells linesPublication . Fernandes, Elna; Fonseca, Tainá; Carriço, Tania; Mestre, Nélia; Tavares, Alvaro; Bebianno, Mariathe rise of cancer cases worldwide led to an increase in production and consumption of anticancer drugs, that ultimately end up in the marine environment and are accumulated in aquatic organisms. Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a cytotoxic alkylating agent frequently prescribed in cancer treatments. This study assess ecotoxicological effects of CP on mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis, through in vivo and ex vivo approaches and compares the sensitivity of mussel haemocytes with well-established human cell lines (RPE and HeLa). Mussels were exposed in vivo to CP (1000 ng L-1) and several biomarkers analysed in gills and digestive glands namely neurotoxicity (AChE activity), oxidative stress (GPx activity), biotransformation (GST activity), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and apoptosis (caspase activity), whereas genotoxicity was determined in mussels' haemocytes. Cytotoxicity was also assessed in haemocytes (in vivo and ex vivo) and human cell lines (in vitro) exposed to a range of CP concentrations (50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 ng L-1) over 24 h, via neutral red assay. In in vivo exposure, detoxification of CP did not efficiently occur in the gills while in digestive glands GPx and GST activities were induced, jointly with a decrease in lipid peroxidation, indicating a potential outcome of the protective antioxidant mechanisms, whereas no apoptosis was noted. Moreover, cytotoxicity and DNA damage were detected in haemocytes. the ex vivo exposure haemocytes to CP caused cytotoxicity (from 100 ng L-1), whereas no effects occurred in human cell lines. This suggests that, at relevant environmental concentrations, CP cause subtle and irreversible impacts on M. galloprovincialis. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Delivering scientific evidence for global policy and management to ensure ocean sustainabilityPublication . Evans, K.; Schmidt, J. O.; Addo, K. Appeaning; Bebianno, Maria; Campbell, D.; Fan, J.; Gonzalez-Quiros, R.; Mohammed, E. Y.; Shojaei, M. G.; Smolyanitsky, V.; Zhang, C.-I.Life depends on the ocean, with societal health, cultural systems and national economies reliant on ocean processes and resources. As ocean resources are used, and humans continue to drive climate change, the benefts from the ocean to society are being diminished. Science must meet the needs of policy and deliver to decision makers the information and tools for iden tifying pathways that support continued delivery of the benefts society derives from the ocean, whilst minimising impacts. This is crucial if the world’s nations are to meet the goals and targets they have set under international agreements. Here, we outline how a global assessment that focuses specifcally on the ocean, the World Ocean Assessment, is linking science to the governments of the world and their policies within an internationally mandated framework. In doing so, we identify key elements that are needed for facilitating engagement by decision makers and uptake of knowledge, and the pathways taken by the assessment in implementing them. We also provide insights into the evolution that the World Ocean Assessment has undertaken over its frst three cycles to progress its goal of enhancing the scientifc basis of policymaking. We identify the challenges in delivering science to policy at a global scale and the work that still needs to be done in flling gaps to achieve a coordinated, comprehensive mechanism for connecting science with policy and ensuring future sustainability of the ocean.
- Delivering scientific evidence for global policy and management to ensure ocean sustainabilityPublication . Evans, K.; Schmidt, J. O.; Addo, K. Appeaning; Campbell, D.; Bebianno, Maria; Fan, J.; Gonzalez-Quiros, R.; Mohammed, E. Y.; Shojaei, M. G.; Smolyanitsky, V.; Zhang, C.-I.Life depends on the ocean, with societal health, cultural systems and national economies reliant on ocean processes and resources. As ocean resources are used, and humans continue to drive climate change, the benefits from the ocean to society are being diminished. Science must meet the needs of policy and deliver to decision makers the information and tools for identifying pathways that support continued delivery of the benefits society derives from the ocean, whilst minimising impacts. This is crucial if the world's nations are to meet the goals and targets they have set under international agreements. Here, we outline how a global assessment that focuses specifically on the ocean, the World Ocean Assessment, is linking science to the governments of the world and their policies within an internationally mandated framework. In doing so, we identify key elements that are needed for facilitating engagement by decision makers and uptake of knowledge, and the pathways taken by the assessment in implementing them. We also provide insights into the evolution that the World Ocean Assessment has undertaken over its first three cycles to progress its goal of enhancing the scientific basis of policymaking. We identify the challenges in delivering science to policy at a global scale and the work that still needs to be done in filling gaps to achieve a coordinated, comprehensive mechanism for connecting science with policy and ensuring future sustainability of the ocean.