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Surface waters are vulnerable to contamination by human and animal feces, posing risks to human health due to potential exposure to enteric pathogens. This research developed a colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (cLAMP) assay to detect sewage associated Bacteroides dorei HF183/BacR287 (HF183) marker in wastewater and environmental water samples. The host sensitivity and host specificity of the assay were evaluated, and their performance was compared to the Bacteroides HF183 qPCR assay using control materials (gBlocks), environmental water samples seeded with untreated sewage, and ambient environmental water samples. In serial dilutions of control materials, qPCR produced quantifiable data across all dilutions, while cLAMP detected the marker down to 0.001 pg/µL of control materials, which was two orders of magnitude less sensitive than qPCR. All untreated sewage samples (n = 12) tested positive for HF183 by both the qPCR and cLAMP assays, demonstrating a host sensitivity value of 1.00 (maximum value of 1.00). The host specificity by analysing 70 non-human fecal nucleic acid samples revealed cLAMP's specificity value of 0.81 compared to qPCR's 0.64. When testing sewage-seeded environmental water samples, both methods detected HF183 for the lowest amount of sewage, indicating similar detection sensitivity. The application of cLAMP for tracking sewage pollution in environmental waters showed promising results, with moderate agreement between cLAMP and qPCR (κ = 0.510). However, cLAMP occasionally missed detections compared to qPCR, particularly in low-concentration samples. Overall, the cLAMP HF183 assay demonstrated promising potential as a rapid and sensitive method for detecting sewage pollution, offering a viable alternative to qPCR in certain environmental monitoring scenarios.

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Although benthic microbial community offers crucial insights into ecosystem services, they are underestimated for coastal sediment monitoring. Sepetiba Bay (SB) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, holds long-term metal pollution. Currently, SB pollution is majorly driven by domestic effluents discharge. Here, functional prediction analysis inferred from 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding data reveals the energy metabolism profiles of benthic microbial assemblages along the metal pollution gradient. Methanogenesis, denitrification, and N2 fixation emerge as dominant pathways in the eutrophic/polluted internal sector (Spearman; p < 0.05). These metabolisms act in the natural attenuation of sedimentary pollutants. The methane (CH4) emission (mcr genes) potential was found more abundant in the internal sector, while the external sector exhibited higher CH4 consumption (pmo + mmo genes) potential. Methanofastidiosales and Exiguobacterium, possibly involved in CH4 emission and associated with CH4 consumers respectively, are the main taxa detected in SB. Furthermore, SB exhibits higher nitrous oxide (N2O) emission potential since the norB/C gene proportions surpass nosZ up to 4 times. Blastopirellula was identified as the main responsible for N2O emissions. This study reveals fundamental contributions of the prokaryotic community to functions involved in greenhouse gas emissions, unveiling their possible use as sentinels for ecosystem monitoring.

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The Brazilian National Plan to Combat Marine Litter was launched in March 2019 and in its context, 577 campaigns were carried out to clean up beaches, rivers, estuaries and mangroves, until January 2023, at an estimated cost of US$ 16,733,000.00. The volume collected in four years represented only 0.0041 % of the total solid waste discharged annually in the maritime waters under the country's jurisdiction. The direct benefit to society was only US$ 173,751.41 at market value for the litter collected. Litter lesser than 2.5 cm was left out, not been characterized. The results achieved deserve reflection and critical evaluation, in order to allow improvements, serving as reference. The participation of around 43,000 people in cleanup campaigns is an indication of environmental citizenship and an asset that cannot be overlooked by managers, demanding focus, tangible results and benefits in terms of environmental quality, well-being and savings on public cleaning services costs.

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Communities neighboring monoculture plantations are vulnerable to different forms of pollution associated with agro-industrial operations. Herein, we examine the case of El Tiple, a rural Afro descendant community embedded within one of the largest sugarcane plantations in the Americas. We implemented a participatory approach to assess water pollution, exposure via water ingestion, and non-carcinogenic health risks associated with the use of local water sources available to the community. We conducted household surveys to unveil demographic characteristics and family dynamics linked to water consumption. Additionally, we measured water quality parameters and assessed the concentration glyphosate, its major metabolite (aminomethylphosphonic acid) and metals and metalloids. Drinking water El Tiple households is sourced from three primary sources: the local aqueduct system, water delivery trucks, and private deep wells. Tests on water samples from both the local aqueduct and delivery trucks showed no traces of pesticides, metals, or metalloids surpassing regulatory limits set by Colombian or EPA standards. However, we found concentration of contaminants of primary concern, including mercury (up to 0.0052 ppm) and lead (up to 0.0375 ppm) that exceed the permissible regulatory thresholds in water from groundwater wells. Residents of the peripheric subdivisions of El Tiple are four times more reliant on well water extraction than residents of the central area of the town due to lack of access to public drinking water and sanitation infrastructure. Finally, adult women and school-age children have a higher health risk associated with exposure to local pollutants than adult men due to their constant presence in the town. We conclude that expanding the coverage of clean water and sanitation infrastructure to include all households of the community would be the most recommended measure to minimize exposure and risk via ingestion of water pollutants.

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The present study was conducted to measured heavy metals in cyprinid fishes in rivers of District Khuzdar Balochistan, Pakistan. In the present study, 25 fish samples were collected that belonged to 8 order of 13 families, The Cyprinidae family had the largest number of eight fish species. Present study is focused on Heavy metals in cyprinid fishes. Heavy metals accumulation like Zinc, Manganese, Copper, and Nickel was evaluated in water and various organs of fishes. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used for the identification of these heavy metals in fish species and water bodies. The average concentration (mg/L) of Zn 0.26-0.41, Mn 0.030- 0.073, Cu 0.017—0.080 and NI 0.14-0.79 were observed in water. The Concentration (mg/L), of Zn Conc 0.383-.028 Mn Conc .073- .030 Cu Conc 080-.017 NI Conc .79-.14. The concentration of heavy metals was found both similar and varied simultaneously across the whole research area. Zinc concentration was reported highest, whereas Copper was at the lowest concentration in all fish species .The concentration of heavy metals, in all the fish species under this study, was above the threshold of WHO limits.

O presente estudo foi realizado para medir metais pesados em peixes ciprinídeos em rios do Distrito Khuzdar Balochistan, Paquistão. No presente estudo, foram coletadas 25 amostras de peixes pertencentes a 8 ordens de 13 famílias. A família Cyprinidae apresentou o maior número de oito espécies de peixes. O presente estudo está focado em metais pesados em peixes ciprinídeos. O acúmulo de metais pesados como zinco, manganês, cobre e níquel foi avaliado na água e em vários órgãos dos peixes. A Espectroscopia de Absorção Atômica foi utilizada para a identificação desses metais pesados em espécies de peixes e corpos d'água. A concentração em água ((mg/L),) Zn Conc. 0,383-.028 Mn Conc. .073- .030 Cu Conc. 080-.017 NI Conc. 0,79-.14. A concentração de metais pesados foi considerada semelhante e variou simultaneamente em toda a área de pesquisa. A concentração de zinco foi relatada mais alta, enquanto o cobre estava na concentração mais baixa em todas as espécies de peixes. A concentração de metais pesados, em todas as espécies de peixes neste estudo, estava acima do limite dos limites da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS).

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The antioxidant enzyme system is an important defense mechanism to cope with Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) produced due to exposure to heavy metals. In the present study lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) in water and the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) was investigated in three species (Metrocoris communis, Limnogonus fossarum fossarum, and Aquarius adelaidis) of water striders collected from the industrial triangle of Punjab, Pakistan. The results of present study revealed that Pb, Cr, As, Cd and Ni were according to the permissible amount of WHO. The antioxidant activity of SOD, CAT and POD was found significantly different among species against oxidative stress, but found the highest activity of determining parameters in A. adelaidis. This is one of the pioneer studies in Pakistan reporting the role of water striders as a bioindicator of heavy metals present in the water through antioxidants enzyme variations. The current results supported that variant level of antioxidant enzyme activities in different species of water strider were reflective of heavy metal pollution in the Industrial triangle of Punjab, Pakistan and will be a useful ecotoxicological tools to evaluate the detrimental effects of heavy metal pollutants in aquatic organisms.

O sistema enzimático antioxidante é um importante mecanismo de defesa para lidar com Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio (EROs) produzidas por causa da exposição a metais pesados. No presente estudo, o chumbo (Pb), o cromo (Cr), o arsênio (As), o cádmio (Cd), o níquel (Ni) em água e a atividade antioxidante da superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) e peroxidase (POD) foram investigados em três espécies (Metrocoris communis, Limnogonus fossarum fossarum e Aquarius adelaidis) de gafanhotos coletados no triângulo industrial de Punjab, Paquistão. Os resultados do presente estudo revelaram que Pb, Cr, As, Cd e Ni estavam de acordo com a quantidade permitida pela OMS. A atividade antioxidante de SOD, CAT e POD foi significativamente diferente entre as espécies diante do estresse oxidativo, mas encontrou a maior atividade de determinação de parâmetros em A. adelaidis. Este é um dos estudos pioneiros no Paquistão que relatam o papel dos water striders como bioindicador de metais pesados ​​presentes na água por meio de variações de enzimas antioxidantes. Os resultados atuais indicaram que o nível variante de atividades de enzimas antioxidantes em diferentes espécies de water striders refletiu a poluição por metais pesados ​​no triângulo industrial de Punjab, Paquistão, e será uma ferramenta ecotoxicológica útil para avaliar os efeitos prejudiciais de poluentes de metais pesados ​​em organismos aquáticos.

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The presence of microplastics in aquatic environments has raised concerns about their abundance and potential hazards to aquatic organisms. This review provides insight into the problem that may be of alarm for freshwater fish. Plastic pollution is not confined to marine ecosystems; freshwater also comprises plastic bits, as the most of plastic fragments enter oceans via rivers. Microplastics (MPs) can be consumed by fish and accumulated due to their size and poor biodegradability. Furthermore, it has the potential to enter the food chain and cause health problems. Evidence of MPs s ingestion has been reported in >150 fish species from both freshwater and marine systems. However, microplastic quantification and toxicity in freshwater ecosystems have been underestimated, ignored, and not reported as much as compared to the marine ecosystem. However, their abundance, influence, and toxicity in freshwater biota are not less than in marine ecosystems. The interaction of MPs with freshwater fish, as well as the risk of human consumption, remains a mystery. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the impacts of MPs on freshwater fish is still very limited. This study detailed the status of the toxicity of MPs in freshwater fish. This review will add to our understanding of the ecotoxicology of microplastics on freshwater fish and give subsequent research directions.

A presença de microplásticos em ambientes aquáticos levantou preocupações sobre sua abundância e perigos potenciais para os organismos que vivem nesse meio. Esta revisão fornece informações sobre o problema que pode ser alarmante para os peixes de água doce. A poluição plástica não se limita aos ecossistemas marinhos; a água doce também contém pedaços de plástico, já que a maioria dos fragmentos de plástico entra nos oceanos por meio dos rios. Os microplásticos (MPs) podem ser consumidos pelos peixes e acumulados devido ao seu tamanho e baixa biodegradabilidade. Além disso, tem o potencial de entrar na cadeia alimentar e causar problemas de saúde. Evidências de ingestão de MPs foram relatadas em mais de 150 espécies de peixes de sistemas de água doce e marinhos. No entanto, a quantificação e a toxicidade de microplásticos em ecossistemas de água doce foram subestimadas, ignoradas e não relatadas tanto quanto em comparação com o ecossistema marinho. No entanto, sua abundância, influência e toxicidade na biota de água doce não são menores que nos ecossistemas marinhos. A interação de MPs com peixes de água doce, bem como o risco de consumo humano, permanece um mistério. Todavia, nosso conhecimento sobre os impactos das MPs em peixes de água doce ainda é muito limitado. Este estudo detalhou o status da toxicidade de MPs em peixes de água doce. Esta revisão aumentará nossa compreensão da ecotoxicologia de microplásticos em peixes de água doce e fornecerá direções de pesquisa subsequentes.

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As a result of intensive anthropogenic impact in the biosphere there is a rapid process of accumulation of heavy metal salts. They have led to the aggravation of problems associated with the pollution of ecosystems and basic food products of plant and animal origin. Environmental pollution by these compounds is caused by their persistence in environmental objects, migration ability, accumulation by plants. This contributes to their accumulation in the human environment. A number of studies have shown that heavy metals have mutagenic, toxic effects and affect the intensity of biochemical processes. Therefore, the presence of heavy metals in the environment is extremely undesirable. Moreover, the ecological state of the environment is directly related to changes in the human internal environment. Deficiency or excess of certain bioelements in soils and drinking water or non-compliance with its stable chemical composition causes the development of dysmicroelementosis. The ecological situation of the Carpathian region is closely related to the state of soils and water resources. In this regard, it is advisable to study and control the level of cadmium compounds in the environment of the region. The study of the effect of cadmium intoxication on the macro- and microelement composition of the brain and myocardium of experimental animals is also worthwhile. Materials and methods. Soils and drinking water of the plain, foothill and mountainous zones of the region, as well as organs and tissues of experimental animals served as the object of research. Cadmium levels in drinking water and myocardial tissues and brain of experimental animals have been measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results and discussion. The study of soils in the Prykarpattia region has revealed an increase in the toxic element cadmium. Its content is 1.1-1.5 times higher than background levels. The analysis of drinking water allowed to establish that a significant number of people living in the plain and foothill zone of the region consume water with a high content of cadmium. The main stages of cadmium intake and accumulation in plants have been analyzed. Significant disorders in the body of experimental animals under conditions of excessive intake of cadmium compounds have been revealed. It was accompanied by the accumulation of cadmium in the myocardium and brain, on the background of redistribution of vital macronutrients calcium and magnesium along with micronutrients copper and zinc. Thus, excessive intake of cadmium salts causes the development of dysmicroelementosis, which is accompanied by a violation of the homeostasis of a living organism. It is suggested to conduct continuous monitoring of the level of toxicants in the ecosystem as an integral component of environmental monitoring.

Como consequência do intenso impacto antrópico na biosfera, um rápido processo de acúmulo de sais de metais pesados ocorre. Esse processo tem é um agravante para os problemas associados à poluição dos ecossistemas e dos produtos alimentares básicos de origem vegetal e animal. A poluição ambiental por esses compostos é causada por sua persistência em objetos ambientais, capacidade de migração, acúmulo pelas plantas. Isso contribui para o seu acúmulo no ambiente humano. Vários estudos mostraram que os metais pesados têm efeitos mutagênicos, tóxicos e afetam a intensidade dos processos bioquímicos. Portanto, a presença de metais pesados no meio ambiente é extremamente indesejável. Além disso, o estado ecológico do meio ambiente está diretamente relacionado às mudanças no ambiente interno humano. A deficiência ou excesso de certos bioelementos nos solos e na água potável ou o não cumprimento de sua composição química estável provoca o desenvolvimento da dismicroelementose. A situação ecológica da região dos Cárpatos está intimamente relacionada com o estado dos solos e dos recursos hídricos. Nesse sentido, é aconselhável estudar e controlar o nível de compostos de cádmio no ambiente da região. O estudo do efeito da intoxicação por cádmio na composição de macro e microelementos do cérebro e miocárdio de indivíduos experimentais também devem ser analisados. Solos e água potável das zonas plana, sopé e montanhosa da região, bem como órgãos e tecidos de indivíduos experimentais serviram de objeto de pesquisa. Os níveis de cádmio na água potável e nos tecidos do miocárdio e cérebro de indivíduos experimentais foram medidos por espectroscopia de absorção atômica. Nesse sentido, o estudo dos solos da região de Prykarpattia revelou um aumento do elemento tóxico cádmio. Seu conteúdo é 1,1-1,5 vezes maior que os níveis de fundo. A análise da água potável permitiu constatar que um número significativo de pessoas residentes na zona de planície e sopé da região consome água com elevado teor de cádmio. As principais etapas da ingestão e acúmulo de cádmio nas plantas foram analisadas. Distúrbios significativos no corpo de indivíduos experimentais sob condições de ingestão excessiva de compostos de cádmio foram revelados, acompanhados pelo acúmulo desse elemento no miocárdio e no cérebro, no contexto da redistribuição dos macronutrientes cálcio e magnésio, juntamente com os micronutrientes cobre e zinco. Assim, a ingestão excessiva de sais de cádmio causa o desenvolvimento de dismicroelementose acompanhada por uma violação da homeostase de um organismo vivo. Sugere-se a realização de monitoramento contínuo do nível de tóxicos no ecossistema como um componente integral do monitoramento ambiental.

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