Microplastics in sediments from the southern Gulf of Mexico: Abundance, distribution, composition, and adhered pollutants.

Approximately 23 Mt of plastics reaches the ocean each year, fragmented into microplastics (MP). MPs are widely dispersed in the sea, becoming deposited in sediments. MPs are considered carriers of pollutants such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and, when ingested by biota, pose a high health risk. This study determined metals and PAHs in sedimentary microplastics from the southern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). One hundred twenty-four sediment samples were collected, covering an area of 26,220 km2. The mean (±SD) of MPs in sediments was 16.46 ± 17.76 MPs/kg. The most abundant polymers were cellophane (CE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethylene (PE), polyamides (PA), and nylon (NYL). A strong correlation (r: 0.83) was found between MP density and sediment depth. PA and PE were found near shorelines and PVDF near oil platforms. Aluminum, arsenic, and tin had the highest concentration (89.6 ± 94.6, 23.1 ± 70.3, and 19 ± 29.2 µg g-1, respectively), and acenaphthylene was the PAH with the highest concentration (3.4 ± 12.6 µg g-1). This study shows that MP with a higher density is found at greater depths, and this research is one of the first to cover a large area of the Gulf of Mexico.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) Blood and Eggs Organochlorine Pesticides Concentrations and Embryonic Development in a Nesting Area (Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico).

Environmental contaminants with chemical origins, such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have major impacts on the health of marine animals, including sea turtles, due to the bioaccumulation of those substances by transference throughout the food chain. The effects of environmental pollution on the health of marine turtles are very important for management strategies and conservation. During recent decades, the south Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula have suffered from increasingly frequent disturbances from continental landmasses, river systems, urban wastewater runoff, port areas, tourism, industrial activities, pesticides from agricultural use, and other pollutants, such as metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and hydrocarbons (from the oil industry activities), which contaminate water and sediments and worsen the environmental quality of the marine ecosystem in this region. In this study, we assessed the concentrations of OCPs in the blood and eggs of 60 hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting at the Punta Xen turtle camp, and their effects on the nesting population's reproductive performance: specifically, maternal transfer and embryonic development were analyzed. Hematologic characteristics, including packed cell volume, white blood cell count, red blood cell count, and haemoglobin levels, and plasma chemistry values, including creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol and glucose, were also measured. The general health of the turtles in this study, as well as their levels of urea, serum creatinine, glucose, uric, acid, cholesterol, and triglyceride, fell within normal ranges and was similar to other normal values, which could indicate the turtles' good energy levels and body conditions for nest-building activity, with all of the turtles able to successfully come ashore to nest. All the same, the obtained results also indicate that OCPs affect the nesting and reproductive performance of the hawksbill turtles, as well as their fertility and the development of the population of eggs and reproductive performance, specifically in terms of maternal transference and embryonic development. There were significant differences in the concentrations of OCPs (ΣHCHs and ΣDienes) between maternal blood and eggs, indicating that these chemicals are transferred from nesting females to eggs and, ultimately, to hatchlings. OCPs may, therefore, have an effect on the health and reproductive performance of hawksbill turtles, both in terms of their fertility and egg development. Conservation strategies need to be species-specific, due to differences in feeding, and address the reasons for any decline, focusing on regional assessments. Thus, accurate and comparable monitoring data are necessary, which requires the standardization of monitoring protocols.

Chronological Trends and Mercury Bioaccumulation in an Aquatic Semiarid Ecosystem under a Global Climate Change Scenario in the Northeastern Coast of Brazil.

Due to global warming, in the northeastern semiarid coastal regions of Brazil, regional and global drivers are responsible for decreasing continental runoff and increasing estuarine water residence time, which promotes a greater mobilization of bioavailable mercury (Hg) and allows increasing fluxes and/or bioavailability of this toxic trace element and an acceleration of biogeochemical transformation of Hg. In this work, an application of dendrochemistry analysis (annular tree rings analysis) was developed for the reconstruction of the historical pattern of mercury contamination in a contaminated area, quantifying chronological Hg contamination trends in a tropical semiarid ecosystem (Ceará River Estuary, northeastern coast of Brazil) through registration of mercury concentration on growth rings in specimens of Rhizophora mangle L. and using the assessment in sediments as a support for the comparison of profiles of contamination. The comparison with sediments from the same place lends credibility to this type of analysis, as well as the relationship to the historical profile of contamination in the region, when compared with local data about industries and ecological situation of sampling sites. In order to evaluate the consequences of the described increase in Hg bioavailability and bioaccumulation in aquatic biota, and to assess the biological significance of Hg concentrations in sediments to fish and wildlife, muscle and liver from a bioindicator fish species, S. testudineus, were also analyzed. The results of this work reinforce the indicators previously described in the semiarid NE region of Brazil, which showed that global climate change and some anthropogenic factors are key drivers of Hg exposure and biomagnification for wildlife and humans. Considering the Hg concentration present in the top layers of sediment (~20 cm around 15 to 20 years) with the outer layers in the tree ring cores and in the sediment's cores from Pacoti estuary and the Ceará estuary, overall the data indicate an increase in mercury in recent years in the Hg surface sediments, especially associated with the fine sediment fraction, mainly due to the increased capacity of small particles to adsorb Hg. There was revealed a positive and significant correlation (p < 0.05) between Hg trends in sediments and Hg trends in annular tree rings. This shared Hg pattern reflects local environmental conditions. The Hg concentration values in S. testudineus from both study areas are not restrictive to human consumption, being below the legislated European limit for Hg in foodstuffs. The results from S. testudineus muscles analysis suggest a significant and linear increase in Hg burden with increasing fish length, indicating that the specimens are accumulating Hg as they grow. The results from both rivers show an increase in BSAF with fish growth. The [Hg] liver/[Hg] muscles ratio >1, which indicates that the S. testudineus from both study areas are experiencing an increase in Hg bioavailability. Possible climate-induced shifts in these aquatic systems processes are inducing a greater mobilization of bioavailable Hg, which could allow an acceleration of the biogeochemical transformation of Hg.

Effect of low power laser in biomodulation of cultured osteoblastic cells of Wistar rats1.

PURPOSE: To analyze aspects of the biomodulating effect of light in biological tissues, bone cells from surgical explants of the femur of rats were irradiated with low intensity laser. METHODS: Bone cells were cultured and irradiated with LASER light (GaAlAs). Growth, cell viability, mineralized matrix formation, total protein dosage, immunostimulatory properties, cytochemical analysis, gene expression of bone proteins were examined using live cell imaging and cell counting by colorimetric assay. The gene expression of: alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type 1 collagen, osteocalcin and osteopontin through the real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: At 8 days, the viability of the irradiated culture was 82.3% and 72.4% in non-irradiated cells. At 18 days, the cellular viability (with laser) was 77.42% and 47.62% without laser. At 8 days, the total protein concentration was 21.622 mg / mol in the irradiated group and 16, 604 mg / mol in the non-irradiated group and at 18 days the concentration was 37.25 mg / mol in the irradiated group and 24, 95 mg / mol in the non-irradiated group. CONCLUSION: The laser interfered in the histochemical reaction, cell viability, matrix mineralization, and maintained the cellular expression of proteins.

Effect of low power laser in biomodulation of cultured osteoblastic cells of Wistar rats

Purpose:To analyze aspects of the biomodulating effect of light in biological tissues, bone cells from surgical explants of the femur of rats were irradiated with low intensity laser.Methods:Bone cells were cultured and irradiated with LASER light (GaAlAs). Growth, cell viability, mineralized matrix formation, total protein dosage, immunostimulatory properties, cytochemical analysis, gene expression of bone proteins were examined using live cell imaging and cell counting by colorimetric assay. The gene expression of: alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type 1 collagen, osteocalcin and osteopontin through the real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results:At 8 days, the viability of the irradiated culture was 82.3% and 72.4% in non-irradiated cells. At 18 days, the cellular viability (with laser) was 77.42% and 47.62% without laser. At 8 days, the total protein concentration was 21.622 mg / mol in the irradiated group and 16, 604 mg / mol in the non-irradiated group and at 18 days the concentration was 37.25 mg / mol in the irradiated group and 24, 95 mg / mol in the non-irradiated group.Conclusion:The laser interfered in the histochemical reaction, cell viability, matrix mineralization, and maintained the cellular expression of proteins.(AU)

Organochlorines Contaminants in Eggs of Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) from Mexico coast.

The investigation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) levels in sea turtles is an important issue in conservation research, due to the harmful effects of these chemicals. In the present study, OCPs concentrations were determined in the eggs of two sea turtle species (Eretmochelys imbricata and Chelonia mydas) collected from the Punta Xen and Isla Aguada (Mexican coast) in 2014 and 2015. Concentrations of 20 OCPs were analysed, including isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane, aldrin, chlordanes, endosulfans, methoxychlor, DDTs, and heptachlor. From the group of contaminants considered (analysed as families), the results revealed higher concentrations of ΣHCH and ΣDienes on both selected species. We analysed the relationship between turtle size and the OCPs concentrations; no correlation was found between the size of the female and concentrations in the eggs. In addition, principal component analysis indicated pattern differences between species and years, in good agreement with concentrations differences.

Effect of low power laser in biomodulation of cultured osteoblastic cells of Wistar rats

Abstract Purpose: To analyze aspects of the biomodulating effect of light in biological tissues, bone cells from surgical explants of the femur of rats were irradiated with low intensity laser. Methods: Bone cells were cultured and irradiated with LASER light (GaAlAs). Growth, cell viability, mineralized matrix formation, total protein dosage, immunostimulatory properties, cytochemical analysis, gene expression of bone proteins were examined using live cell imaging and cell counting by colorimetric assay. The gene expression of: alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type 1 collagen, osteocalcin and osteopontin through the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: At 8 days, the viability of the irradiated culture was 82.3% and 72.4% in non-irradiated cells. At 18 days, the cellular viability (with laser) was 77.42% and 47.62% without laser. At 8 days, the total protein concentration was 21.622 mg / mol in the irradiated group and 16, 604 mg / mol in the non-irradiated group and at 18 days the concentration was 37.25 mg / mol in the irradiated group and 24, 95 mg / mol in the non-irradiated group. Conclusion: The laser interfered in the histochemical reaction, cell viability, matrix mineralization, and maintained the cellular expression of proteins

Plasma biochemistry values in wild female hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) during nesting in Mexican coast / Valores de bioquímica plasmática em tartaruga de pente (Eretmochelys imbricata) durante a época de desova na costa mexicana

To obtain plasma biochemistry values, blood was collected for 47 nesting females of apparently healthy Eretmochelys imbricata sea turtles using sodium heparin as an anticoagulant. Blood samples were collected in April-Jun for two years (nesting season). Hematologic characteristics, including packed cell volume, white blood cell counts, red blood cell count and hemoglobin level; and plasma chemistry values, including creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and glucose were measured. The data generated from this study may be useful for clinical assessment of health and disease of wild hawksbill sea turtles on nearshore habitats in the Gulf of Mexico, thus contributing to a conservation of this species.(AU)

Para obter valores da bioquímica plasmática, foram coletadas amostras de sangue durante a desova de 47 tartarugas marinhas fêmeas aparentemente saudáveis da espécie Eretmochelys imbricata, utilizando heparina sódica como anticoagulante. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas durante dois anos entre os meses de abril e junho (época de nidificação). Mediu-se os parâmetros hematológicos (incluindo hematócrito, contagem de glóbulos brancos e vermelhos e nível de hemoglobina) e os valores da bioquímica plasmática (incluindo creatinina, ureia, ácido úrico, triglicérides, colesterol total e glicose). Os dados gerados a partir deste estudo podem ser úteis para a avaliação clínica de saúde e de doença em tartarugas-de-pente em habitats próximos ao litoral no Golfo do México, contribuindo para a conservação dessa espécie.(AU)

Plasma biochemistry values in wild female hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) during nesting in Mexican coast / Valores de bioquímica plasmática em tartaruga de pente (Eretmochelys imbricata) durante a época de desova na costa mexicana

To obtain plasma biochemistry values, blood was collected for 47 nesting females of apparently healthy Eretmochelys imbricata sea turtles using sodium heparin as an anticoagulant. Blood samples were collected in April-Jun for two years (nesting season). Hematologic characteristics, including packed cell volume, white blood cell counts, red blood cell count and hemoglobin level; and plasma chemistry values, including creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and glucose were measured. The data generated from this study may be useful for clinical assessment of health and disease of wild hawksbill sea turtles on nearshore habitats in the Gulf of Mexico, thus contributing to a conservation of this species.(AU)

Para obter valores da bioquímica plasmática, foram coletadas amostras de sangue durante a desova de 47 tartarugas marinhas fêmeas aparentemente saudáveis da espécie Eretmochelys imbricata, utilizando heparina sódica como anticoagulante. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas durante dois anos entre os meses de abril e junho (época de nidificação). Mediu-se os parâmetros hematológicos (incluindo hematócrito, contagem de glóbulos brancos e vermelhos e nível de hemoglobina) e os valores da bioquímica plasmática (incluindo creatinina, ureia, ácido úrico, triglicérides, colesterol total e glicose). Os dados gerados a partir deste estudo podem ser úteis para a avaliação clínica de saúde e de doença em tartarugas-de-pente em habitats próximos ao litoral no Golfo do México, contribuindo para a conservação dessa espécie.(AU)

Oxidative stress biomarkers and organochlorine pesticides in nesting female hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata from Mexican coast (Punta Xen, Mexico).

Because of their vulnerable population status, assessing exposure levels and impacts of toxicants on the health status of Gulf of Mexico marine turtle populations is essential, and this study was aimed to obtain baseline information on oxidative stress indicators in hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). In order to evaluate the health status of sea turtles and the effect of organochlorine compounds (OC) in the southern part of the Gulf of Mexico, we searched for relationships between carapace size and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the blood of the hawksbill sea turtle. The level of oxidative stress biomarkers such as the enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and acetylcholinesterase (Ache) in the hawksbill sea turtle was analysed during nesting season in the years 2014-2015 at Punta Xen (Campeche, Mexico). The results of this study provide insight into data of antioxidant enzyme activities in relation to contaminant OCPs in hawksbill sea turtles and the possible health impacts of contaminant in sea turtles.

Plasma Biochemistry values in wild female hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) during nesting in Mexican coast / Valores de bioquímica plasmática em tartaruga de pente (Eretmochelys imbricata) durante a época de desova na costa mexicana

To obtain plasma biochemistry values, blood was collected for 47 nesting females of apparently healthy Eretmochelys imbricata sea turtles using sodium heparin as an anticoagulant. Blood samples were collected in April-Jun for two years (nesting season). Hematologic characteristics, including packed cell volume, white blood cell counts, red blood cell count and hemoglobin level; and plasma chemistry values, including creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and glucose were measured. The data generated from this study may be useful for clinical assessment of health and disease of wild hawksbill sea turtles on nearshore habitats in the Gulf of Mexico, thus contributing to a conservation of this species.

Para obter valores da bioquímica plasmática, foram coletadas amostras de sangue durante a desova de 47 tartarugas marinhas fêmeas aparentemente saudáveis da espécie Eretmochelys imbricata, utilizando heparina sódica como anticoagulante. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas durante dois anos entre os meses de abril e junho (época de nidificação). Mediu-se os parâmetros hematológicos (incluindo hematócrito, contagem de glóbulos brancos e vermelhos e nível de hemoglobina) e os valores da bioquímica plasmática (incluindo creatinina, ureia, ácido úrico, triglicérides, colesterol total e glicose). Os dados gerados a partir deste estudo podem ser úteis para a avaliação clínica de saúde e de doença em tartarugas-de-pente em habitats próximos ao litoral no Golfo do México, contribuindo para a conservação dessa espécie.

Plasma Biochemistry values in wild female hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) during nesting in Mexican coast / Valores de bioquímica plasmática em tartaruga de pente (Eretmochelys imbricata) durante a época de desova na costa mexicana

To obtain plasma biochemistry values, blood was collected for 47 nesting females of apparently healthy Eretmochelys imbricata sea turtles using sodium heparin as an anticoagulant. Blood samples were collected in April-Jun for two years (nesting season). Hematologic characteristics, including packed cell volume, white blood cell counts, red blood cell count and hemoglobin level; and plasma chemistry values, including creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and glucose were measured. The data generated from this study may be useful for clinical assessment of health and disease of wild hawksbill sea turtles on nearshore habitats in the Gulf of Mexico, thus contributing to a conservation of this species.

Para obter valores da bioquímica plasmática, foram coletadas amostras de sangue durante a desova de 47 tartarugas marinhas fêmeas aparentemente saudáveis da espécie Eretmochelys imbricata, utilizando heparina sódica como anticoagulante. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas durante dois anos entre os meses de abril e junho (época de nidificação). Mediu-se os parâmetros hematológicos (incluindo hematócrito, contagem de glóbulos brancos e vermelhos e nível de hemoglobina) e os valores da bioquímica plasmática (incluindo creatinina, ureia, ácido úrico, triglicérides, colesterol total e glicose). Os dados gerados a partir deste estudo podem ser úteis para a avaliação clínica de saúde e de doença em tartarugas-de-pente em habitats próximos ao litoral no Golfo do México, contribuindo para a conservação dessa espécie.

Plasma Biochemistry values in wild female hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) during nesting in Mexican coast / Valores de bioquímica plasmática em tartaruga de pente (Eretmochelys imbricata) durante a época de desova na costa mexicana

To obtain plasma biochemistry values, blood was collected for 47 nesting females of apparently healthy Eretmochelys imbricata sea turtles using sodium heparin as an anticoagulant. Blood samples were collected in April-Jun for two years (nesting season). Hematologic characteristics, including packed cell volume, white blood cell counts, red blood cell count and hemoglobin level; and plasma chemistry values, including creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and glucose were measured. The data generated from this study may be useful for clinical assessment of health and disease of wild hawksbill sea turtles on nearshore habitats in the Gulf of Mexico, thus contributing to a conservation of this species.

Para obter valores da bioquímica plasmática, foram coletadas amostras de sangue durante a desova de 47 tartarugas marinhas fêmeas aparentemente saudáveis da espécie Eretmochelys imbricata, utilizando heparina sódica como anticoagulante. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas durante dois anos entre os meses de abril e junho (época de nidificação). Mediu-se os parâmetros hematológicos (incluindo hematócrito, contagem de glóbulos brancos e vermelhos e nível de hemoglobina) e os valores da bioquímica plasmática (incluindo creatinina, ureia, ácido úrico, triglicérides, colesterol total e glicose). Os dados gerados a partir deste estudo podem ser úteis para a avaliação clínica de saúde e de doença em tartarugas-de-pente em habitats próximos ao litoral no Golfo do México, contribuindo para a conservação dessa espécie.