Acid mine drainage (AMD) due to the mining of sulfide deposits is one of the most important causes of water pollution worldwide. Remediation measures, especially in historical abandoned mines, ...require a deep knowledge of the geochemical characteristics of AMD effluents and metal fluxes, considering their high spatial and temporal evolution, and the existence of point and diffuse sources with a different response to rainfall events. This study investigates the temporal variations and hydrogeochemical processes affecting the composition of main AMD sources from the Tharsis mines (SW Spain), one of most important historical metal mining districts in the world. To address this, a fortnightly-monthly sampling was performed during two years in the main AMD sources and streams within the mine site covering different hydrological conditions. A seasonal pattern was observed linked to hydrological variations; higher pollutant concentrations were observed during the dry season (maximum values of 4,6 g/L of Al, 11,8 g/L of Fe, and 67 g/L of sulfate) and lower ones were observed during the rainy periods. Stream samples exhibited a negative correlation between electrical conductivity (EC) and flow, while positive values were observed in AMD sources, where groundwater fluxes were predominant. High flow also seems to be the main driver of Pb fluxes from AMD sources, as the concentration of Pb in waters increased notably during these events. The precipitation of secondary Fe minerals may limit the mobility of As and V, being retained in the proximity of mine sites. The concentration of Zn in waters seems to be controlled by the original grade in the metal deposit from which the waste is generated, together with the age of these wastes. The pollutant load delivered by the Tharsis mines to the surrounding water courses is very high; e.g., mean of 733 ton/yr of Al or 2757 ton/yr of Fe, deteriorating the streams and reservoirs downstream.
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•A high-resolution geochemical study was performed on extreme acid mine leachates.•Hydrological drivers control metal transport from mining wastes.•Extreme concentrations (e.g. 4,6 g/L of Al, and 11,8 g/L of Fe) were recorded.•High-flow events lead to intense release of Pb from mine wastes.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The understanding of factors affecting pesticide transfers to catchment outlet is still at a very early stage in tropical context, and especially on tropical volcanic context. We performed on-farm ...pesticide use surveys during 87 weeks and monitored pesticides in water weekly during 67 weeks at the outlet of a small catchment in Martinique. We identified three types of pollution. First, we showed long-term chronic pollution by chlordecone, diuron and metolachlor resulting from horticultural practices applied 5–20 years ago (quantification frequency higher than 80%). Second, we showed peak pollution. High amounts of propiconazole and fosthiazate applied at low frequencies caused river pollution peaks for weeks following a single application. Low amounts of diquat and diazinon applied at low frequencies also caused pollution peaks. The high amounts of glyphosate applied at high frequency resulted into pollution peaks by glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in 6 and 20% of the weeks. Any intensification of their uses will result in higher pollution levels. Third, relatively low amounts of glufosinate-ammonium, difenoconazol, spinosad and metaldehyde were applied at high frequencies. Unexpectedly, such pesticides remained barely detected (<1.5%) or undetected in water samples. We showed that AMPA, fosthiazate and propiconazole have serious leaching potential. They might result in future chronic pollution of shallow aquifers alimenting surface water. We prove that to avoid the past errors and decrease the risk of long-term pollution of water resources, it is urgent to reduce or stop the use of pesticides with leaching potential by changing agricultural practices.
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•We monitored pesticides uses with catchment outlet pollution for 67 weeks.•Outlet polluted by 16 pesticides: 4 forbidden, 2 metabolites and 10 authorized.•Risk of chronic pollution by AMPA, fosthiazate, propiconazole and dithiocarbamates.•Several pesticides frequently applied on the catchment remain barely or undetected.•Requirement to change cropping systems to less dependent on identified pesticides.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Objective
These were two folds: at first, to develop an automatic grading system specifically dedicated to some facial signs of men, similar to the one previously validated on women of different ...ethnic ancestry and second, to assess its potential in detecting and grading the possible impacts of a severe aerial urban pollution on some facial signs of Chinese men.
Methods
In both studies, selfie images were obtained from differently aged men. Nine facial signs were automatically graded through a specific A.I‐based algorithm and clinically assessed by a panel of experts and dermatologists. Selfie pictures were taken from individual smartphones of variable optical properties. The first study, designed for developing an automatic grading system, involved three comparable cohorts of men from three different regional ancestries (African, Asian, Caucasian, 110 each) the selfie images of which were acquired under four different lighting conditions. As a second use case study, the facial signs of two cohorts of Chinese men (101 and 100, each), differently aged, regularly exposed to very different aerial urban pollution conditions (UP) were analysed by the same algorithm, selfies being taken under only one lighting condition.
Results
‐The new automatic grading system of facial signs suits well to men, showing comparable results than that the one dedicated to women and provides data in close agreement with experts’ assessments.
‐In both cases (expert’s or automatic methodology), the accuracy of the scores appeared ethnic‐dependent.
‐The applied case confirmed previous results obtained clinically, that is, that many facial signs were found of an increased severity among men exposed to a severe urban pollution, as compared to those living in a less polluted city.
‐In both studies, statistical agreements between the automatic grading system and expert’s assessments were reached. In some facial signs, the automatic grading system seems offering a slightly better accuracy than the assessments made by the experts.
Conclusion
Apart from some minor limitations, this A.I‐based automatic grading system, free from human intervention, performed as well as the one previously developed in women, in close agreement with expert’s assessments. In epidemiological studies, this system offers an easy, fast, affordable and confidential approach in the detection and quantification of male facial signs.
Résumé
Objectif
Il était double: (i) de développer d’un système automatique de scorage spécifique de plusieurs signes faciaux pour les hommes, similaire à celui précédemment validé sur des femmes de différentes origines. Et (ii), de jauger ses capacités pour la détection et l’évaluation des possibles impacts d’une pollution aérienne urbaine sévère sur le visage d’hommes chinois.
Méthodes
Dans chacune des deux études des images de type selfies d’hommes de différents âges ont été obtenues. Neuf signes faciaux ont été automatiquement évalués grâce à un algorithme spécifique basé sur l’Intelligence Artificielle (IA) puis scorés cliniquement par un panel d’experts et de dermatologues. Des selfies ont été acquis à partir de téléphones portables individuels possédants des optiques et des résolutions différentes. L’étude N°1, conçue pour développer un système de scorage automatique du visage, a regroupé trois cohortes comparables d’hommes d’origines géographiques différentes (Africain, Asiatique et Caucasien, 110 volontaires par ethnies) et a requis l’acquisition sous 4 conditions d’éclairage. L’étude N°2, comme cas pratique, a nécessité le recrutement de deux cohortes d’hommes chinois d’âges différents (101 et 101 volontaires chacune) exposés régulièrement à de très différentes conditions de pollution aérienne urbaine et pour lesquels des selfies ont été enregistrés sous une seule condition d’éclairage.
Résultats
‐Le nouveau système de scorage automatique de signes faciaux des hommes performe de manière satisfaisante et montre des résultats comparables à celui précédemment conçu pour les femmes et donne des mesures très proches des évaluations cliniques des experts et dermatologues.
‐Dans les deux cas (experts ou mesures automatiques), l’acuité des scores apparaît dépendante à l’origine ethnique.
‐Le cas pratique confirme nos résultats précédents obtenues cliniquement, c’est à dire que de nombreux signes faciaux ont été trouvés d’amplitude plus importante pour les hommes exposés à une pollution aérienne urbaine sévère en comparaison de ceux vivant dans une ville moins polluée.
‐Les deux études ont démontré l’adéquation statistique entre le système automatique et les évaluations des experts et dermatologues. Pour certains signes, une certaine supériorité de système automatique a pu être observée vis‐à‐vis de l’évaluation des experts.
Conclusion
A l’exception de quelques limitations mineures, le nouveau système de scorage automatique, basé sur l’IA, du visage des hommes – ne nécessitant aucune intervention humaine – fonctionne aussi bien que celui dédié aux femmes et toujours en parfaite adéquation avec les dermatologues. Pour des études épidémiologiques, ce système offre une approche rapide, aisée, confidentielle et d’un coût très abordable pour la détection et la quantification des signes faciaux masculins.
Examples of four selfie images self‐taken by an Asian man under 4 different lighting conditions.
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Background
The impact of a chronic outdoor urban pollution on skin aging‐related facial signs is a poorly referenced topic.
Objective
To assess, through visual grading and referential photographic ...atlas, possible differences in some facial signs between Chinese women, of comparable ages, living in two close cities very differently exposed to urban pollution.
Methods
The faces of two cohorts of 204 Chinese women (2 × 102) of same age‐groups (25–45 years), living in Baoding (a highly polluted city) and Dalian (a less polluted city), for at least 15 years, have been analyzed. Standardized facial photographs (full face and lateral views) were taken and examined, focusing on 26 signs that belong to 3 different clusters (wrinkles and skin texture, pigmentation disorders, and skin pores/skin redness). The severity of each facial sign was graded by 15 trained experts with the help of an Asian skin referential photographic Atlas that illustrates various scales of clinical severity (0–5, 0–8…). In addition, a naïve panel of 80 Chinese non‐expert women was asked, while viewing all photographs, to answer to 4 questions regarding skin radiance, dullness, healthy appearance, and perceived age.
Results
The increased severity of almost all facial signs was mostly observed in the older group (40–45 years) living in Baoding. In particular, the clinical severity of eight facial signs (five related to skin structure and three related to pigmentation) was found strongly and significantly enhanced by a regular exposure to a severe chronic urban pollution. The naïve panel judged the facial appearance of women from Baoding less radiant, duller, less healthy, and found them older than their Dalian counterparts. The monthly‐recorded weather conditions (UV radiance, temperature, wind, precipitations) of the two cities (of same latitude) show that these only differ by their very different Air Quality Indexes (AQI). The daily life conditions of all women (UV exposure, use of cosmetic facial products, intake of sweet or spicy food…) were found similar in all age‐groups.
Conclusion
As compared to a moderately polluted region, a severe chronic outdoor urban pollution favors the aggravation of some facial signs in Chinese women. In short, a highly polluted environment can be viewed as an additional accelerating factor of the skin aging process, when compared to a moderately polluted area.
Résumé
Contexte
L'impact d'une forte pollution urbaine chronique sur certains signes faciaux liés au vieillissement cutané est un sujet très peu étudié.
Objectif
Déterminer, par scores visuels basés sur un Atlas photographique de référence, de possibles différences cliniques sur le visage de femmes chinoises, de mêmes âges, vivant depuis plus de 15 ans dans deux villes voisines ayant un degré de pollution très différent.
Méthodes
Les visages de 2 groupes égaux de 204 femmes Chinoises (2 × 102) et d'âges comparables (25–45 ans), vivant à Baoding (une ville très polluée) et Dalian (une ville modérément polluée) depuis plus de 15 ans, ont été analysés. L'étude s'est focalisée sur 26 signes faciaux de 3 différentes natures (texture/rides, pigmentation, pores ou rougeur de la peau), à partir de photographies standardisées du visage (vues frontales et latérales). La sévérité clinique de chaque signe a été attribuée par 15 experts selon un atlas photographique de peau asiatique de référence qui offre différentes échelles selon les signes considérés (0–5, 0–8…). De plus, un panel naïf de 80 femmes Chinoises, non expertes, a été questionné, à la vue de toutes les photographies, sur l'aspect « santé », l'éclat du teint du visage, son homogénéité et sa perception de l'âge de chacune des 204 femmes étudiées.
Résultats
Une augmentation de la sévérité clinique de pratiquement tous les signes faciaux a été observée chez le groupe de femmes le plus âgé (40–45 ans) vivant à Baoding. En particulier, la sévérité de 8 signes (5 relatifs à la structure cutanée et 3 à la pigmentation) a été trouvée augmentée de manière importante et significative chez ces femmes exposées à une forte pollution chronique urbaine. Le panel naïf a jugé le teint du visage des femmes de Baoding moins éclatant, moins homogène, en moins « bonne santé » et les a jugées plus âgées, comparativement à leurs homologues de Dalian. Les données météorologiques de ces deux villes de même latitude (UV, température, vents, pluies…) ne permettent pas de les différencier, à l'exception de leurs indices de qualité de l'air (IQA), très différents. De la même manière, les conditions de vie des femmes des deux villes (exposition aux UV, utilisation de produits cosmétiques, cuisine douce ou épicée…) ont été trouvées similaires dans tous les groupes d'âge considérés.
Conclusion
Comparée à une ville modérément polluée, une pollution urbaine sévère favorise l'aggravation de signes faciaux chez des femmes Chinoises. En bref, l'exposition à un environnement aérien pollué peut être considérée comme un facteur additionnel d'accélération du vieillissement cutané.
Assessments from the naïve panel on full‐face pictures (Mean scores 95% CI) and their differences (D) observed between high and less polluted environments for each age cluster. In red and bold red: highly significant differences.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
•A biomonitoring study was carried out in Brest harbor using native and caged mussels.•Moderate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination was measured in Brest harbor.•Chronic exposure induced ...biotransformation, antioxidants and gluconeogenesis in mussels.•One month caging induced bioaccumulation but weak biomarker responses in mussels.•Condition index indicated absence of acute physiological stress in exposed mussels.
Brest harbor (Bay of Brest, Brittany, France) has a severe past of anthropogenic chemical contamination, but inputs tended to decrease, indicating a reassessment of its ecotoxicological status should be carried out. Here, native and caged mussels (Mytilus spp.) were used in combination to evaluate biological effects of chronic chemical contamination in Brest harbor. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination was measured in mussel tissues as a proxy of harbor and urban pollution. Biochemical biomarkers of xenobiotic biotransformation, antioxidant defenses, generation of reducing equivalents, energy metabolism and oxidative damage were studied in both gills and digestive glands of native and caged mussels. In particular, activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDP), pyruvate kinase (PK) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) were measured and lipid peroxidation was assessed by malondialdehyde (MDA) quantification. In addition, a condition index was calculated to assess the overall health of the mussels. Moderate PAH contamination was detected in digestive glands of both native and caged individuals from the exposed site. Modulations of biomarkers were detected in digestive glands of native harbor mussels indicating the presence of a chemical pressure. In particular, results suggested increased biotransformation (GST), antioxidant defenses (CAT), NADPH generation (IDP) and gluconeogenesis (PEPCK), which could represent a coordinated response against chemically-induced cellular stress. Lipid peroxidation assessment and condition index indicated an absence of acute stress in the same mussels suggesting metabolic changes could, at least partially, offset the negative effects of contamination. In caged mussels, only GR was found modulated compared to non-exposed mussels but significant differences in oxidative stress and energy-related biomarkers were observed compared to native harbor mussels. Overall, these results suggested mussels chronically exposed to contamination have set up metabolic adaptation, which may contribute to their survival in the moderately contaminated harbor of Brest. Whether these adaptive traits result from phenotypic plasticity or genetic adaptation needs to be further investigated.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Human activities such as agriculture and mining are leading causes of water pollution worldwide. Individual contaminants are known to negatively affect microbial communities. However, the effect of ...multifaceted pollution on these communities is less well understood. We investigated, using next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes, the effects of multisource (i.e., fertilizer industry and mining) chronic pollution on bacterial and archaeal communities in water and sediments from the Olifants River catchment, South Africa. Water samples showed less microbial species diversity than sediments and both habitats displayed different microbial communities. Within each of these habitats, pollution had no effect on alpha diversity but shaped the microbial composition and taxonomy-based predicted functions. Certain prokaryotic taxa and functional groups were indicative of different degrees of pollution. Heterotrophic taxa (e.g.,
Flavobacterium
sp.) and sulphur-oxidizing bacteria (i.e.,
Thiobacillus
sp.) were indicators of pollution in water and sediments, respectively. Ultimately, this information could be used to develop microbial indicators of water quality degradation.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The results of long-term satellite monitoring of oil pollution of the sea surface in the southeastern Baltic Sea (SEB) are discussed in this paper. From June 2004 to December 2020, in total, 2780 ...Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images from different satellites were received and analyzed. There were 788 oil spills detected in the study area. The oil spills were concentrated along the main shipping routes in the SEB. The volume of the detected oil spills was estimated. The average size of the spill was about 2 km2 or 0.8 m3. Seasonal variability of oil pollution shows a decrease in the number of oil detections in the autumn–winter period, which is associated with the prevalence of unfavorable wind conditions that limit the use of SAR technology for oil spill detection and navigation for small ships. In situ measurements show that seasonal variation in the concentration of oil products in seawater is characterized by a maximum in April and a minimum in July. Since 2007, a decrease in oil detections has been observed for the entire Baltic Sea, including the study area. The interannual variability also shows a decrease in the concentration of oil products in the water column. In the southeastern Baltic Sea, the volume of oil products released yearly to the sea surface from ships does not exceed 0.1% of the average instantaneous presence of oil products in the water column.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Coastal waters corresponding to macrotidal systems are among the most variable marine biotopes. Sessile animals as bivalve mollusks may however be found forming intertidal beds at high densities, as ...allowed by full adaptation to local conditions. A better knowledge of adaptive responses to environmental factors is required to foresee possible adverse effects of global change. At the sub-cellular level, transcriptional responses are among the earliest signals of environmental disturbances and they can reveal subtle and meaningful changes in organism exposed to stress. Three blue mussel (Mytilus spp.) populations inhabiting the Bay of Brest (France) in sites exposed to different levels of chronic pollution, from low to moderate, were surveyed upon a seasonal schedule, with special attention to the reproductive cycle. Major seawater parameters were monitored over a full-year in the framework of the S!RANO project, based on an automatic high frequency acquisition system installed aboard a ship of opportunity. The health status of mussels has been assessed by measuring a condition index and gametogenesis has been followed by histology. Selected biological responses to environmental stress were detected using a multimarker approach including expression of genes involved in chemical stress response and energetic metabolism, and cellular immune parameters. Environmental parameters showed deep seasonal variations which differed among sites. Most biological responses followed a seasonal pattern. Late winter and spring corresponded to an active reproduction period in the Bay of Brest. Earlier spawning was observed in harbor areas compared to the oceanic site and an altered physiological state was assumed in commercial harbor mussels during the reproductive period, suggesting that their health is compromised at this time of year. However, no signs of severe chemical stress were detected in both harbor mussel populations, which could reflect adaptive responses to adverse environmental conditions.
•A ship of opportunity provided measurements of natural environmental conditions in sampling sites.•Blue mussel health was investigated in moderately chronically polluted areas at different seasons.•Immune responses and gene expressions followed seasonal patterns.•Health was compromised during the active reproduction period at a harbor site.•Mussels expressed adaptive responses to chronic exposure to moderate contamination levels.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Stimulation of indigenous degraders with suitable nutrients can significantly enhance bioremediation rates of marine environments polluted with petroleum hydrocarbons. Biostimulation is emerging as ...the best strategy for combating oil spills following first response actions. This mini review is focused on the conditions under which biostimulation leads to increased effectiveness and strategies for successful biostimulation to fresh and chronically polluted sites are suggested. Copyright
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
•Polluted fish (PF) & moderately polluted fish (MPF) are submitted to thermal stress.•Thermal stress decreases the energetic metabolism in PF vs. MPF.•Thermal stress decreases the condition factor in ...PF vs. MPF.•The PF could display a reduced thermal tolerance compared to MPF.
Juvenile flounders (Platichthys flesus), collected in two estuaries with similar temperature regimes (the heavily polluted Seine and the moderately contaminated Vilaine), were submitted to a common garden experiment. After an acclimation period, both populations were challenged by a thermal stress (9–24°C for 15days, then maintenance at 24°C for 19days). The condition factor of the Vilaine fish increased in both conditions, while it decreased for the heated Seine flounders after 34days. The expression of genes related to the energetic metabolism was measured in the liver. The expression levels for ATP-F0 and COII were significantly reduced for heated vs. standard fish from both estuaries, while a decrease of the 12S expression was detected only in heated vs. standard fish from the Seine estuary. Thus, it is suggested that highly contaminated fish from Seine could display a lower tolerance to thermal stress, compared to moderately contaminated fish from Vilaine.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
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