Effect of Aluminum Concentration in Water on Its Toxicity and Bioaccumulation in Zooplankton (Chaoborus and Chironomus) and Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Roe.

An attempt to evaluate aluminum toxicity to living organisms was undertaken in the study. A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine aluminum bioaccumulation and toxicity in Chironomus and Chaoborus larvae and in Cyprinus carpio L. roe depending on aluminum concentration in water reflecting natural chemical composition. Water was examined for temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, color, nitrate nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen, sulfates by spectrophotometric method; total hardness and chlorides by titration method; and calcium, magnesium, sodium by flame atomic absorption spectrometry, total aluminum by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Determination of aluminum levels in water, roe, and zooplankton was carried out after mineralization using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Aluminum bioaccumulation factor in roe was determined with respect to concentration in water. Moreover, acute toxicity (LC50) was calculated. In the roe experiment, aluminum concentration in water at the end of the experiment was 0.0635-0.1283 mgAl∙dm-3. The lowest values were noted for the control sample and the highest for water with 0.03 mgAl∙dm-3 aluminum content. The final aluminum level in roe was, like in water, the highest in roe treated with 0.03 mgAl∙dm-3 (18.95 mgAl∙kg-1), and the lowest in roe treated with 3.00 mgAl∙dm-3 (6.96 mgAl∙kg-1). Aluminum bioaccumulation in roe was the strongest in the control. Survival rate ranged from 2.00 to 97.00%, which shows higher sensitivity of roe to aluminum concentration. LC50 value for Chaoborus was 0.6464 mgAl⋅dm-3, and for Chironomus 0.2076 mgAl⋅dm-3 indicating that Chironomus is more sensitive to aluminum toxic effects. Concentration of 3.0 mgAl∙dm-3 caused the highest mortality. Aluminum in both species at each concentration reached the highest levels after one day (24 h), 254.58 mg⋅kg-1 for Chaoborus and 3107 mg⋅kg-1 for Chironomus. After another day, aluminum levels decreased. This demonstrated the differential accumulation of aluminum depending on the species, which predisposes Chironomus as a better indicator organism. This type of research is important from the point of view of aquaculture, which is a targeted activity with a high degree of economic importance, but is also important for aquatic organisms living in natural conditions. Fish reproduction takes place in both types of waters, so all these reservoirs regardless of their source of destination should be inspected.

Emergent (branched bur-reed-Sparganium erectum L.) and submergent (river water-crowfoot-Ranunculus fluitans Wimm., 1841) aquatic plants as metal biosorbents under varying water pH conditions in laboratory conditions.

A laboratory experiment was performed to find out the potential bioaccumulation of metals (Al, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mn) in aquatic plants acting as natural biosorbents in the environment depending on the variation of water pH. Two plants were selected for the study: branched bur-reed-Sparganium erectum L., as a representative of emergent plants; and river water-crowfoot-Ranunculus fluitans Wimm., 1841, as a representative of submergent plants. The bioaccumulation of metals in plants relative to water (BCFW) was determined, and the metal pollution index (MPI) was calculated. The metal content in water and plants before the experiment was arranged in the following series of increasing values: Cd = Ni < Cu < Pb < Mn < Al < Fe (water) and Cd < Cu < Ni < Pb < Al < Fe < Mn (in both plants). The lowest concentration of cadmium was found in water both at the end and beginning of the experiment. In turn, aluminum level increased, and its concentration was the highest in both acidic and alkaline water. This suggests that aluminum is definitely more available to the organisms living in it under such conditions, and in higher concentrations may be a limiting factor for them. Bioaccumulation of metals (BCFW) in neutral and alkaline environments was higher in branched bur-reed, and in acidic conditions in river water-crowfoot. This may provide a basis for using specific plant species to selectively accumulate metals depending on the range of water pH. This is also supported by the MPI values, which indicate that they have a very high and often the highest impact on metal pollution levels. The observed variability of metals bioaccumulation against the condition of hydromacrophytes makes it possible to consider these plants as biosorbents used in constructed biological treatment plants, which, depending on the species placed there, can selectively absorb particular trace elements. The plants used in the experiment are common hydromacrophytes of Europe, so they can be used in the construction of artificial wetlands across the continent. The apparent diversity of metal accumulation in relation to hydromacrophytes indicates that this type of site can be inhabited by specific species, which can significantly improve the purification of natural or anthropogenic water reservoirs, i.e., those that are intended to perform a filtering function.

The effect of nanosilver-based preparation on microbiological quality of poultry litter.

The study aimed to examine an effect of the preparation based on nanosilver suspension on mineral carrier on poultry litter microbiological profile. The study was conducted on Ross 308 broiler chickens. Three groups were formed, 84 birds in each. Preparation used in the study was composed of aqueous nanosilver suspension sprayed on mineral sorbent. Birds were maintained on straw-sawdust litter; the groups were differentiated due to preparation application (C - control without preparation, I - preparation applied once at the beginning, II - preparation added each week). Pooled litter samples were collected from the top layer of the litter (six samplings) in order to determine mesophilic bacteria count. Additionally, on the last day of the experiment litter samples were collected from three points (by drinker, feeder, pen corner) to analyze the total number of microorganisms, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Enterococci, and molds. In the case of mesophilic bacteria count, the highest decrease was noted for group II. Total number of microorganisms determined in various points of the pen did not give clear relationship; in some cases even an increase was found. Salmonella spp. decreased as a result of preparation addition; the highest decrease was noted for samples collected by feeders. The results for Escherichia coli are not unequivocal. However, a decrease was found in the case of drinkers and feeders compared to control, especially in group II. An addition of preparation caused a decrease in Enterococci, especially for samples collected by feeders in group II. Similar tendency was found for molds. The study demonstrated that the preparation exhibits bactericidal properties. However, its effect varies depending on microorganism kind and sample collection point.

Total Mercury and Fatty Acids in Selected Fish Species on the Polish Market: A Risk to Human Health.

The muscles of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush Walbaum, 1792), crucian carp (Carassius carassius Linnaeus, 1758), flounder (Platichthys flesus Linnaeus, 1758), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758), mackerel (Scomber scombrus Linnaeus, 1758) and tench (Tinca tinca Linnaeus, 1758) were examined. The total mercury (THg) was processed using the Milestone DMA-80 and the fatty acids were analyzed using the 7890A Agilent Technologies chromatograph. The THg content in analyzed fish ranged from 0.024 (lake trout) to 0.092 mg/kg wet weight (gilthead seabream). The muscles of fish examined had lower amounts of SFAs, and n-3 and n-6 PUFAs than MUFAs. The ratio of n-3/n-6 was higher in muscles of mackerel than other fish (p < 0.05). Due to the fact that both the THQ and HI are below 1, the tested fish are safe for the consumer from a nutritional point of view. Similarly, fatty acid indices indicate the safe consumption of selected fish species, and the daily consumption of the recommended dose of EPA + DHA (250 mg/day) and the concentration of mercury in fish calculations showed a hazard quotient for the benefit−risk ratio HQEFA below 1, suggesting that the intake of EPA + DHA poses no evident risk to human health. The ratio was calculated for a person weighing 60 kg. Therefore, it is important to monitor the fish, not only bought in the store, but also caught in various aquatic environments.

Possibility of Metal Accumulation in Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) in the Aquatic Environment of South-Western Polish Rivers.

A four-year research study was conducted on aquatic plants (reed canary grass) growing in the beds of three rivers and their tributaries in Lower Silesia, Poland. Metal contents (Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe, Mn) were determined in plant samples, metal accumulation in water (BCFw) and sediment (BCFB), Metal Pollution Index (MPI) and Enrichment Factor (EF) were calculated. The highest contents of copper, lead, nickel and cadmium were found in reed canary grass sampled from the Nysa Szalona River. The highest values were recorded for zinc in the Bystrzyca River, and for iron and manganese in the Strzegomka River. The series of metals were as follows: Nysa Szalona and Strzegomka: Cd < Ni < Pb < Cu < Zn < Mn < Fe, Bystrzyca: Cd < Ni < Cu < Pb < Zn < Mn < Fe. Throughout the study period, the lowest values of metals in plants were recorded in 2015 and 2018, and the highest in 2017. The general picture of MPI in aquatic plants is arranged in the series Bystrzyca < Strzegomka < Nysa Szalona. These values classify the studied material at a high level of pollution in all rivers. In the comparison of the two extreme sites, i.e., source−mouth, higher values were found at the mouth of the reservoir, which suggests that metals move with the water current and accumulate more with the direction of the river flow, which is most likely a consequence of the influence of the catchment area as the source of metals. The series of EF enrichment factor values were as follows: Bystrzyca­Ni < Cd < Fe < Cu < Zn < Mn < Pb, Nysa Szalona­Ni < Fe < Zn < Cd < Mn < Cu < Pb, Strzegomka­Ni < Cd < Fe < Zn < Cu < Pb < Mn. For all the samples studied, the values found in spring were much higher than in autumn, which indicates the great importance for research in that area. The levels of copper and iron were within the range of moderate values, lead and manganese reached very high and exceptionally high values, and the remaining metals were within the values described as significant. Bioaccumulation of metals determined relative to bottom sediments was highest in 2017 and lowest in 2018, while bioaccumulation relative to water was highest in 2018 and lowest in 2016. The four-year study found that the metal content in reed canary grass was mostly within the range of mean values presented in the literature from moderately polluted areas. Also, no significant deviation was found from levels that have been recorded for the same rivers for more than two decades.

Aluminum Bioaccumulation in Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) from Rivers in Southwestern Poland.

This study aimed to determine aluminum levels in reed canary grass Phalaris arundinacea L.) in rivers in southwestern Poland­Bystrzyca, Strzegomka, and Nysa Szalona, together with their tributaries. The samples were collected in spring and autumn 2015−2018. The highest amounts of aluminum were recorded in the Nysa Szalona, and the lowest in the Bystrzyca. During the four-year cycle of studies, the highest values were recorded in the last year, and the lowest in the first year. The highest amounts of aluminum were found in all three rivers in the lowland tributaries. In the main rivers, higher amounts of aluminum were found at the mouth of the Nysa Szalona and Strzegomka reservoirs, while the opposite situation was found for the Bystrzyca. Higher aluminum contents were recorded in autumn than in spring, and the values of BCFW (aluminum bioaccumulation factor in relation to water) and BCFB (aluminum bioaccumulation factor in relation to bottom sediments) coefficients were also higher. The MPI (metal pollution index) was arranged in a series: Bystrzyca < Strzegomka < Nysa Szalona, while the degree of pollution was high for Bystrzyca and very high for the other two rivers. The variability in Al levels may be attributed to pollution level in the catchments, but also to successive modernization works carried out in the beds of the main rivers and their tributaries. All these works were carried out in a variable way and often covered only a fragment of the riverbed; therefore, the consequences of activity may have been visible in the catchment but not necessarily in the same vegetation cycles.

Aluminum in Bottom Sediments of the Lower Silesian Rivers Supplying Dam Reservoirs vs. Selected Chemical Parameters.

The study was carried out on sediments collected from three rivers: Nysa Szalona, Strzegomka and Bystrzyca flowing in southwestern Poland. The content of Al in sediments and in bottom water was determined in relation to chemical conditions. The study was carried out in a four-year cycle, during spring and autumn. The aim of the study was to determine the level and accumulation of aluminum in sediments of rivers supplying dam reservoirs storing water for consumption. The sediments studied were mineral in nature, with neutral pH and moderate sulfate content. The level of Al and heavy metals in the sediments was the highest in the Nysa Szalona River and the lowest in the Strzegomka River, which was also evident in the concentration factor (CF). In terms of season, higher Al contents were recorded in sediments in autumn than in spring, which was also reflected in the concentration factor (CF). Along the course of the river, a gradual decrease in Al levels was observed in successive tributaries in the Nysa Szalona and Strzegomka Rivers, while there was no apparent regularity for the Bystrzyca. Against this background, a comparison of extreme sites below the springs and at the reservoir outlet shows that values were higher in the Nysa Szalona below the springs, and lower in the Strzegomka and Bystrzyca below the reservoir outlet. The general picture of Al and heavy metal loading of the studied sediments shows the lowest loading for the Strzegomka, only the enrichment factor (EF) was the lowest for the Nysa Szalona: metal pollution index (MPI)-S < B < NS, contamination factor (Cf)-S < B < NS, degree of contamination (DC)-S < NS < B, EF-NS < B < S, geoaccumulation index (Igeo)-S < B < NS, CF-S < NS < B. There was no effect of catchment size and river length on Al levels in sediments.

Effects of the Ionic and Nanoparticle Forms of Cu and Ag on These Metals' Bioaccumulation in the Eggs and Fry of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss W.).

Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field of science, and an increasing number of nanoproducts, including nanometals, can be found on the market. Various nanometals and the products that are manufactured based on them can help to fight bacteria and fungi, but they can also penetrate organisms and accumulate in them. This study aimed to compare the effects of two metals, silver (Ag) and copper (Cu), with known antibacterial and fungicidal properties in their ionic (AgNO3, CuSO4·5H2O) and nanoparticle (AgNPs, CuNPs) forms on rainbow trout eggs and fry. Concentrations of metals ranging from 0 to 16 mg/L were used during egg swelling for 2 h. The swelling of eggs in Cu solutions resulted in an increase in Cu content in the eggs (just like in the case of Ag); however, the changes in fry were not significant in the case of both Ag and Cu. The concentrations of these metals in eggs was greatly affected by the applied form of Ag and Cu. Because CuNPs penetrated the embryo in fish eggs at lower concentrations compared to AgNPs, it would be worth considering them for antibacterial applications during egg incubation.

The Influence of Available Cu and Au Nanoparticles (NPs) on the Survival of Water Fleas (Daphnia pulex).

Applications of nanotechnologies in different sectors and everyday items are very promising and their popularity continues to grow. The number of products containing nanoparticles makes environmental exposure to nanoparticles inevitable. The current understanding of the relationships between nanoparticles and the environment is inadequate despite the fast growth of nanotechnologies. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of copper and gold nanoparticles on Daphnia pulex survival. Our study included 48-hour acute toxicity tests and determination of median lethal concentration values (LC50s) for Cu-NPs and Au-NPs. For nano-copper, 24 h LC50 was assumed > 1 mg/L, and 48 h LC50 = 0.5117 mg/L. For nano-gold the LC50 value after 24 h was 0.4027 mg/L, and after 48 h 0.1007 mg/L. The toxicity of nano -gold solutions was thus found to be higher than that of nano-copper. The addition of Cu-NPs at 0.0625 mg/L and 0.125 mg/L caused an increased multiplication of daphnia, while Au-NPs at 1 mg/L was an inhibitor of reproduction.

The Impact of Land Use Transformations on Zooplankton Communities in a Small Mountain River (The Corgo River, Northern Portugal).

Transformation of the river catchment and the river bed cause significant changes in the functioning of river ecosystems. The main effects of anthropogenic transformations are hydrological changes, such as lower current velocity or an increase of nutrient content, and higher temperature. Zooplankton reacts rapidly to the new environmental conditions in rivers, increasing its richness and abundance. We tried to answer two questions: what type of catchment use has a greater influence on the zooplankton communities in a river and how do dam impoundments influence the zooplankton communities downstream? The study was conducted in the Corgo river (drainage of the Douro river, Northern Portugal) at 17 sampling sites in the lotic, free-flowing sections. Crustaceans present in the Corgo can attain relatively high densities in the rural section, which offers them better trophic conditions. The urban catchment use and the presence of dams have a greater impact on the rotifer density and the increase of zooplankton density downstream. The results of this study confirm that zooplankton properties allow for the evaluation of the degree of river-bed transformation.