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Ecotoxicoproteomic assessment of the functional alterations caused by chronic metallic exposures in gammarids Full text
2017
Gismondi, Eric | Thomé, Jean-Pierre | Urien, Nastassia | Uher, Emmanuelle | Baiwir, Dominique | Mazzucchelli, Gabriel | De Pauw, Edwin | Fechner, Lise | Lebrun, Jérémie | FOCUS - Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch - ULiège
Ecotoxicoproteomic assessment of the functional alterations caused by chronic metallic exposures in gammarids Full text
2017
Gismondi, Eric | Thomé, Jean-Pierre | Urien, Nastassia | Uher, Emmanuelle | Baiwir, Dominique | Mazzucchelli, Gabriel | De Pauw, Edwin | Fechner, Lise | Lebrun, Jérémie | FOCUS - Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch - ULiège
peer reviewed | Very few ecotoxicological studies have been performed on long-term exposure under controlled conditions, hence limiting the assessment of the impact of chronic and diffuse chemical pressures on the health of aquatic organisms. In this study, an ecotoxicoproteomic approach was used to assess the integrated response and possible acclimation mechanisms in Gammarus fossarum following chronic exposures to Cd, Cu or Pb, at environmentally realistic concentrations (i.e. 0.25, 1.5 and 5 µg/L respectively). After 10-week exposure, changes in protein expression were investigated in caeca of control and exposed males. Gel-free proteomic analyses allowed for the identification of 35 proteins involved in various biological functions, for which 23 were significantly deregulated by metal exposures. The protein deregulation profiles were specific to each metal, providing evidence for metal-specific action sites and responses of gammarids. Among the tested metals, Cu was the most toxic in terms of mortality, probably linked with persistent oxidative stress. Moulting and osmoregulation were the major biological functions affected by Cu in the long-term. In Pb-exposed gammarids, significant deregulations of proteins involved in immune response and cytoskeleton were observed. Reproduction appears to be strongly affected in gammarids chronically exposed to Cd or Pb. Besides, modified expressions of several proteins involved in energy transfer and metabolism highlighted important energetic reshuffling to cope with chronic metal exposures. These results support the fact that metallic pressures induce a functional and energetic cost for individuals of G. fossarum with potential repercussions on population dynamics. Furthermore, this ecotoxicoproteomic study offers promising lines of enquiry in the development of new biomarkers that could make evidence of long-term impacts of metals on the health of organisms.
Show more [+] Less [-]Ecotoxicoproteomic assessment of the functional alterations caused by chronic metallic exposures in gammarids Full text
2017
Gismondi, E. | Thomé, J.-P. | Urien, N. | Uher, E. | Baiwir, D. | Mazzucchelli, G. | De Pauw, E. | Fechner, L.C. | Lebrun, J.D.
Very few ecotoxicological studies have been performed on long-term exposure under controlled conditions, hence limiting the assessment of the impact of chronic and diffuse chemical pressures on the health of aquatic organisms. In this study, an ecotoxicoproteomic approach was used to assess the integrated response and possible acclimation mechanisms in Gammarus fossarum following chronic exposures to Cd, Cu or Pb, at environmentally realistic concentrations (i.e. 0.25, 1.5 and 5 μg/L respectively). After 10-week exposure, changes in protein expression were investigated in caeca of control and exposed males. Gel-free proteomic analyses allowed for the identification of 35 proteins involved in various biological functions, for which 23 were significantly deregulated by metal exposures. The protein deregulation profiles were specific to each metal, providing evidence for metal-specific action sites and responses of gammarids. Among the tested metals, Cu was the most toxic in terms of mortality, probably linked with persistent oxidative stress. Moulting and osmoregulation were the major biological functions affected by Cu in the long-term. In Pb-exposed gammarids, significant deregulations of proteins involved in immune response and cytoskeleton were observed. Reproduction appears to be strongly affected in gammarids chronically exposed to Cd or Pb. Besides, modified expressions of several proteins involved in energy transfer and metabolism highlighted important energetic reshuffling to cope with chronic metal exposures. These results support the fact that metallic pressures induce a functional and energetic cost for individuals of G. fossarum with potential repercussions on population dynamics. Furthermore, this ecotoxicoproteomic study offers promising lines of enquiry in the development of new biomarkers that could make evidence of long-term impacts of metals on the health of organisms.
Show more [+] Less [-]Ecotoxicoproteomic assessment of the functional alterations caused by chronic metallic exposures in gammarids Full text
2017
Gismondi, E. | Thomé, J.-P. | Urien, N. | Uher, E. | Baiwir, D. | Mazzucchelli, G. | de Pauw, E. | Fechner, L.C. | Lebrun, Jérémie, D. | Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of reSearch (FOCUS) ; Laboratory of Oceanology ; Université de Liège-Université de Liège | Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Ecotoxicity (LEAE-CART) ; Université de Liège | Université de Liège | Hydrosystèmes et Bioprocédés (UR HBAN) ; Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA) | Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (MS LAB) ; Université de Liège-Centre d'Analyse des Résidus en Traces-Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliquée
Ecotoxicoproteomic assessment of the functional alterations caused by chronic metallic exposures in gammarids Full text
2017
Gismondi, Éric | Thomé, Jean-Pierre | Urien, Nastassia | Uher, Emmanuelle | Baiwir, Dominique | Mazzucchelli, Gabriel | de Pauw, Edwin | Fechner, Lise, C. | Lebrun, Jérémie, D. | Laboratoire des Interactions Ecotoxicologie, Biodiversité, Ecosystèmes (LIEBE) ; Université Paul Verlaine - Metz (UPVM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) | Hydrosystèmes et Bioprocédés (UR HBAN) ; Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA) | Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique [Québec] (INRS) | Fédération Île-de-France de Recherche sur l'Environnement (FIRE) ; Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-AgroParisTech-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Paris Cité (UPCité)-Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE) | Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (MS LAB) ; Université de Liège = University of Liège = Universiteit van Luik = Universität Lüttich (ULiège)-Centre d'Analyse des Résidus en Traces-Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliquée | Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER) | ANR-12-ADAP-0003,SequAdapt,Conséquences et mécanismes de l'adaptation à la contamination chimique en Seine(2012)
International audience
Show more [+] Less [-]Computational toxicology: Physiologically based pharmacokinetic models (PBPK) for lifetime exposure and bioaccumulation of polybrominated dephenyl ethers (PBDEs) in marine mammals Full text
2012
Weijs, Liesbeth | Covaci, Adrian | Yang, Raymond S H | Das, Krishna | Blust, Ronny
peer reviewed | Due to migration of harbour porpoises towards more polluted areas like the North Sea and their sensitivity towards pollution, there is a need for proper conservation measures for this species. As a consequence, knowledge about the pollutant’s kinetics is required. The present study is the first to investigate the kinetics of PBDEs in marine mammals using PBPK modeling as a non-destructive tool for describing the chemical’s kinetics in a protected animal species. The models were developed and parameterized using data from the literature and Black Sea harbour porpoises through computer opti- mization. The predictability of these models in time was assessed by reverse dosimetry modeling using data from North Sea porpoises (1990e2008). From these predictions, PBDE 99 levels were found to decrease the fastest, followed by PBDE 153, 47 and 100. Results show that the PBPK models can be applied for harbour porpoises from different regions and also simulate time trends.
Show more [+] Less [-]An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisherie | An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisherie Full text
2022
Carroll, JoLynn | Frøysa, Håvard Guldbrandsen | Vikebø, Frode Bendiksen | Broch, Ole Jacob | Nepstad, Raymond | Augustine, Starrlight | Skeie, Geir Morten | Bockwoldt, Mathias
An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisherie | An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisherie Full text
2022
Carroll, JoLynn | Frøysa, Håvard Guldbrandsen | Vikebø, Frode Bendiksen | Broch, Ole Jacob | Nepstad, Raymond | Augustine, Starrlight | Skeie, Geir Morten | Bockwoldt, Mathias
We simulate the combined natural and pollutant-induced survival of early life stages of NEA cod and haddock, and the impact on the adult populations in response to the time of a major oil spill in a single year. Our simulations reveal how dynamic ocean processes, controlling both oil transport and fate and the frequency of interactions of oil with drifting fish eggs and larvae, mediate the magnitude of population losses due to an oil spill. The largest impacts on fish early life stages occurred for spills initiated in Feb–Mar, concomitant with the initial rise in marine productivity and the earliest phase of the spawning season. The reproductive health of the adult fish populations was maintained in all scenarios. The study demonstrates the application of a simulation system that provides managers with information for the planning of development activities and for the protection of fisheries resources from potential impacts. | An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisherie | publishedVersion
Show more [+] Less [-]An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisherie Full text
2022
Carroll, JoLynn | Frøysa, Håvard Guldbrandsen | Vikebø, Frode Bendiksen | Broch, Ole Jacob | Nepstad, Raymond | Augustine, Starrlight | Skeie, Geir Morten | Bockwoldt, Mathias | Howell, Daniel
We simulate the combined natural and pollutant-induced survival of early life stages of NEA cod and haddock, and the impact on the adult populations in response to the time of a major oil spill in a single year. Our simulations reveal how dynamic ocean processes, controlling both oil transport and fate and the frequency of interactions of oil with drifting fish eggs and larvae, mediate the magnitude of population losses due to an oil spill. The largest impacts on fish early life stages occurred for spills initiated in Feb–Mar, concomitant with the initial rise in marine productivity and the earliest phase of the spawning season. The reproductive health of the adult fish populations was maintained in all scenarios. The study demonstrates the application of a simulation system that provides managers with information for the planning of development activities and for the protection of fisheries resources from potential impacts.
Show more [+] Less [-]An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisheries Full text
2022
Carroll, JoLynn | Frøysa, Håvard Guldbrandsen | Vikebø, Frode Bendiksen | Broch, Ole Jacob | Howell, Daniel | Nepstad, Raymond | Augustine, Starrlight | Skeie, Geir Morten | Bockwoldt, Mathias
We simulate the combined natural and pollutant-induced survival of early life stages of NEA cod and haddock, and the impact on the adult populations in response to the time of a major oil spill in a single year. Our simulations reveal how dynamic ocean processes, controlling both oil transport and fate and the frequency of interactions of oil with drifting fish eggs and larvae, mediate the magnitude of population losses due to an oil spill. The largest impacts on fish early life stages occurred for spills initiated in Feb–Mar, concomitant with the initial rise in marine productivity and the earliest phase of the spawning season. The reproductive health of the adult fish populations was maintained in all scenarios. The study demonstrates the application of a simulation system that provides managers with information for the planning of development activities and for the protection of fisheries resources from potential impacts.
Show more [+] Less [-]An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisheries | An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisheries Full text
2022
Carroll, JoLynn | Frøysa, Håvard Guldbrandsen | Vikebø, Frode Bendiksen | Broch, Ole Jacob | Howell, Daniel | Nepstad, Raymond | Augustine, Starrlight | Skeie, Geir Morten | Bockwoldt, Mathias
We simulate the combined natural and pollutant-induced survival of early life stages of NEA cod and haddock, and the impact on the adult populations in response to the time of a major oil spill in a single year. Our simulations reveal how dynamic ocean processes, controlling both oil transport and fate and the frequency of interactions of oil with drifting fish eggs and larvae, mediate the magnitude of population losses due to an oil spill. The largest impacts on fish early life stages occurred for spills initiated in Feb–Mar, concomitant with the initial rise in marine productivity and the earliest phase of the spawning season. The reproductive health of the adult fish populations was maintained in all scenarios. The study demonstrates the application of a simulation system that provides managers with information for the planning of development activities and for the protection of fisheries resources from potential impacts | An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisheries | publishedVersion
Show more [+] Less [-]An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisherie | An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisherie Full text
2022
Carroll, JoLynn | Frøysa, Håvard Guldbrandsen | Vikebø, Frode Bendiksen | Broch, Ole Jacob | Howell, Daniel | Nepstad, Raymond | Augustine, Starrlight | Skeie, Geir Morten | Bockwoldt, Mathias
We simulate the combined natural and pollutant-induced survival of early life stages of NEA cod and haddock, and the impact on the adult populations in response to the time of a major oil spill in a single year. Our simulations reveal how dynamic ocean processes, controlling both oil transport and fate and the frequency of interactions of oil with drifting fish eggs and larvae, mediate the magnitude of population losses due to an oil spill. The largest impacts on fish early life stages occurred for spills initiated in Feb–Mar, concomitant with the initial rise in marine productivity and the earliest phase of the spawning season. The reproductive health of the adult fish populations was maintained in all scenarios. The study demonstrates the application of a simulation system that provides managers with information for the planning of development activities and for the protection of fisheries resources from potential impacts. | publishedVersion
Show more [+] Less [-]An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisheries | An annual profile of the impacts of simulated oil spills on the Northeast Arctic cod and haddock fisheries Full text
2022
Carroll, JoLynn | Frøysa, Håvard Guldbrandsen | Vikebø, Frode Bendiksen | Broch, Ole Jacob | Howell, Daniel | Nepstad, Raymond | Augustine, Starrlight | Skeie, Geir Morten | Bockwoldt, Mathias
We simulate the combined natural and pollutant-induced survival of early life stages of NEA cod and haddock, and the impact on the adult populations in response to the time of a major oil spill in a single year. Our simulations reveal how dynamic ocean processes, controlling both oil transport and fate and the frequency of interactions of oil with drifting fish eggs and larvae, mediate the magnitude of population losses due to an oil spill. The largest impacts on fish early life stages occurred for spills initiated in Feb–Mar, concomitant with the initial rise in marine productivity and the earliest phase of the spawning season. The reproductive health of the adult fish populations was maintained in all scenarios. The study demonstrates the application of a simulation system that provides managers with information for the planning of development activities and for the protection of fisheries resources from potential impacts | publishedVersion
Show more [+] Less [-]Distribution of pesticides and some of their transformation products in a small lentic waterbody: Fish, water, and sediment contamination in an agricultural watershed Full text
2021
Slaby, Sylvain | Le Cor, François | Dufour, Vincent | Auger, Lucile | Pasquini, Laure | Cardoso, Olivier | Curtet, Laurence | Baudoin, Jean-Marc | Wiest, Laure | Vulliet, Emmanuelle | Feidt, Cyril | Dauchy, Xavier | BANAS, Damien
Cadmium distribution in mature durum wheat grains using dissection, laser ablation-ICP-MS and synchrotron techniques * Full text
2020
Yan, Bofang | Isaure, Marie-Pierre | Mounicou, Sandra | Castillo-Michel, Hiram | De Nolf, Wout | Nguyen, Christophe | Cornu, Jean-Yves
Understanding how essential and toxic elements are distributed in cereal grains is a key to improving the nutritional quality of cereal-based products. The main objective of this work was to characterize the distribution of Cd and of nutrients (notably Cu, Fe, Mn, P, S and Zn) in the durum wheat grain. Laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry and synchrotron micro X-ray fluorescence were used for micro-scale mapping of Cd and nutrients. A dissection approach was used to quantitatively assess the distribution of Cd and nutrients among grain tissues. Micro X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy was used to identify the Cd chemical environment in the crease. Cadmium distribution was characterized by strong accumulation in the crease and by non-negligible dissemination in the endosperm. Inside the crease, Cd accumulated most in the pigment strand where it was mainly associated with sulfur ligands. High-resolution maps highlighted very specific accumulation areas of some nutrients in the germ, for instance Mo in the root cortex primordia and Cu in the scutellum. Cadmium loading into the grain appears to be highly restricted. In the grain, Cd co-localized with several nutrients, notably Mn and Zn, which challenges the idea of selectively removing Cd-enriched fractions by dedicated milling process.
Show more [+] Less [-]The 2016 red tide crisis in southern Chile: Possible influence of the mass oceanic dumping of dead salmons Full text
2020
Armijo, Julien | Oerder, Vera | Auger, Pierre-Amaël | Bravo Lizana, Angela | Molina, Ernesto
The 2016 red tide crisis in southern Chile: Possible influence of the mass oceanic dumping of dead salmons Full text
2020
Armijo, Julien | Oerder, Vera | Auger, Pierre-Amaël | Bravo Lizana, Angela | Molina, Ernesto
In 2016, a massive harmful algal bloom (HAB) of Alexandrium catenella around Chiloe island caused one of the major socio-ecological crisis in Chilean history. This red tide occurred in two distinct pulses, the second, most anomalous, bursting with extreme toxicity on the Pacific coast, weeks after the highly controversial dumping off Chiloe of 4,700 t of rotting salmons, killed by a previous HAB of Pseudochattonella verruculosa. We study the transport of this pollution, analyzing the physical oceanographic conditions during and after the dumping. We find that a cyclonic gyre was present between the dumping site and the coast, visible in satellite altimetry and sea surface temperature data. Using Lagrangian simulations, we confirm that near-surface currents could have brought part of the pollution to the coast, and fueled the bloom. This scenario explains also the anomalous later finding of ammonium near Chiloe. Finally we discuss the mismanagement of risk throughout the events. | Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT) CONICYT FONDECYT 3150587
Show more [+] Less [-]The 2016 red tide crisis in southern Chile: Possible influence of the mass oceanic dumping of dead salmons Full text
2020
Armijo, Julien | Oerder, Vera | Auger, Pierre-Amaël | Bravo, Angela | Molina, Ernesto
In 2016, a massive harmful algal bloom (HAB) of Alexandrium catenella around Chiloé island caused one of the major socio-ecological crisis in Chilean history. This red tide occurred in two distinct pulses, the second, most anomalous, bursting with extreme toxicity on the Pacific coast, weeks after the highly controversial dumping off Chiloé of 4,700 t of rotting salmons, killed by a previous HAB of Pseudochattonella verruculosa. We study the transport of this pollution, analyzing the physical oceanographic conditions during and after the dumping. We find that a cyclonic gyre was present between the dumping site and the coast, visible in satellite altimetry and sea surface temperature data. Using Lagrangian simulations, we confirm that near-surface currents could have brought part of the pollution to the coast, and fueled the bloom. This scenario explains also the anomalous later finding of ammonium near Chiloé. Finally we discuss the mismanagement of risk throughout the events.
Show more [+] Less [-]The 2016 red tide crisis in southern Chile: Possible influence of the mass oceanic dumping of dead salmons Full text
2020
Armijo, Julien | Oerder, Vera | Auger, Pierre-amaël | Bravo, Angela | Molina, Ernesto
In 2016, a massive harmful algal bloom (HAB) of Alexandrium catenella around Chiloé island caused one of the major socio-ecological crisis in Chilean history. This red tide occurred in two distinct pulses, the second, most anomalous, bursting with extreme toxicity on the Pacific coast, weeks after the highly controversial dumping off Chiloé of 4,700 t of rotting salmons, killed by a previous HAB of Pseudochattonella verruculosa. We study the transport of this pollution, analyzing the physical oceanographic conditions during and after the dumping. We find that a cyclonic gyre was present between the dumping site and the coast, visible in satellite altimetry and sea surface temperature data. Using Lagrangian simulations, we confirm that near-surface currents could have brought part of the pollution to the coast, and fueled the bloom. This scenario explains also the anomalous later finding of ammonium near Chiloé. Finally we discuss the mismanagement of risk throughout the events.
Show more [+] Less [-]Occurrence of chlorpyrifos in the atmosphere of the Araucania Region in Chile using polyurethane foam-based passive air samplers Full text
2016
Pozo, Karla | Llanos, Yasna | Estellano, Victor H. | Cortes, Sandra | Jorquera, Hector | Gerli, Lorena | Pozo, Katerine | Encina Montoya, Francisco | Palma, Rodrigo | Focardi, Silvano
Little is known regarding the use and ambient levels of pesticides in Chilean agricultural regions. Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the most used active ingredients in Chile and in the world. However, few investigations have been conducted to understand its environmental distribution and fate. In this study, PUF disk passive air samples were deployed during similar to one year in two areas, Angol (5 sites) and Villarrica (2 sites), in the Araucania Region. The concentration in air of CPF ranged from ten to thousands of pg m(-3) (similar to 20-14 600). The highest CPF concentrations were detected at the Angol sites (similar to 14 600 pg m(3)) during period 2 (August-December 2008). These results were higher by a factor of similar to 10-15 than those detected in Villarica sites (similar to 2000 pg m(3)) in period 1 (April-July 2008). Seasonal CPF variations were observed, at both sites, within the sampling periods. Air back trajectory analyses showed that air masses from nearby agricultural zones contributed most of the CPF detected in Angol sites when the wind speed was low and at Villarrica when those sources were likely located north of the VMA site. These results provide initial data for CPF in the Chilean atmosphere and contribute new information to understanding distribution of CPF in Chilean environments. Copyright (C) 2016 Turkish National Committee for Air Pollution Research and Control. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Show more [+] Less [-]Temporal changes in environmental health risks and socio-psychological status in areas affected by the 2011 tsunami in Ishinomaki, Japan Full text
2013
Makita, K. | Inoshita, K. | Kayano, T. | Uenoyama, K. | Hagiwara, K. | Asakawa, M. | Ogawa, K. | Kawamura, S. | Noda, J. | Sera, K. | Sasaki, H. | Nakatani, N. | Higuchi, H. | Ishikawa, N. | Iwano, H. | Tamura, Y.
On March 11 2011, a tsunami caused by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake devastated the northeastern coast of Honshu, Japan.The present study was conducted to assess environmental health risks of the areas affected and socio-psychological status of the dislocated people in Ishinomaki. Samples of sludge, water, flies and rodents were collected in 20 urban neighborhood associations affected by the tsunami in July and August 2011, and in August 2012. A socio-psychological survey was conducted in two urban and one rural temporary housing complexes in 2012. Animal feed concentrates and fish from damaged factories were scattered along the coast which caused a strong odor and great number of flies. Removal of fish and feed along with spraying insecticides reduced the odor and the number of flies by August 2011. The sludge and water samples contained potentially hazardous bacteria, but none were highly pathogenic. Heavy metals in sludge were not in alarming quantities. A rodent was captured in one unit in August 2011, and monitoring in two units found that the log number of rodents captured increased significantly over time (slope=0.08, p = 0.005). In temporary housing complexes, those who originally lived in rural fishing villages wished to return to their homes more (64.2%, 9/14) than in urban areas (30.6%, 11/36, p = 0.06). Risk factors for depression included absence of friends (p = 0.011) or trusted person to counsel in the housing complexes (p = 0.003) and illness of the respondent or a family member (p = 0.003). In conclusion, overall environmental health risk was acceptable for living, and monitoring of rodents population was recommended. In addition, psychological and economical support was needed for evacuees in temporary housing complexes.
Show more [+] Less [-]An ex ante life cycle assessment of wheat with high biological nitrification inhibition capacity Full text
2022
Leon, Ai | Guntur Venkata Subbarao | Kishii, Masahiro | Naruo Matsumoto | Kruseman, Gideon K.
It is essential to increase food production to meet the projected population increase while reducing environmental loads. Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI)-enabled wheat genetic stocks are under development through chromosome engineering by transferring chromosomal regions carrying the BNI trait from a wild relative (Leymus racemosus (Lam.) Tzvelev) into elite wheat varieties; field evaluation of these newly developed BNI-wheat varieties has started. Ten years from now, BNI-enabled elite wheat varieties are expected to be deployed in wheat production systems. This study aims to evaluate the impacts of introducing these novel genetic solutions on life cycle greenhouse gas (LC-GHG) emissions, nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates and N-use efficiency (NUE). Scenarios were developed based on evidence of nitrification inhibition and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission reduction by BNI crops and by synthetic nitrification inhibitors (SNIs), as both BNI-wheat and SNIs slow the nitrification process. Scenarios including BNI-wheat will inhibit nitrification by 30% by 2030 and 40% by 2050. It was assumed that N fertilizer application rates can potentially be reduced, as N losses through N2O emissions, leaching and runoff are expected to be lower. The results show that the impacts from BNI-wheat with 40% nitrification inhibition by 2050 are assessed to be positive: a 15.0% reduction in N fertilization, a 15.9% reduction in LC-GHG emissions, and a 16.7% improvement in NUE at the farm level. An increase in ammonia volatilization had little influence on the reduction in LC-GHG emissions. The GHG emissions associated with N fertilizer production and soil N2O emissions can be reduced between 7.3 and 9.5% across the wheat-harvested area worldwide by BNI-wheat with 30% and 40% nitrification inhibition, respectively. However, the present study recommends further technological developments (e.g. further developments in BNI-wheat and the development of more powerful SNIs) to reduce environmental impacts while improving wheat production to meet the increasing worldwide demand.
Show more [+] Less [-]Do soil and water conservation practices influence crop productivity and household welfare? Evidence from rural Nigeria Full text
2023
Ogunniyi, A.I. | Omotayo, A.O. | Olagunju, K.O. | Motunrayo, O. | Awotide, B.A. | Mavrotas, G. | Aremu, A.O.
One of the most serious challenges threatening agricultural sustainability in Nigeria is land degradation. Although this issue has received little attention, soil and water conservation practices have been identified as a possible pathway out of the potential problems posed by land degradation. Therefore, the central research question that this paper tries to address is the following: Do adoption of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices affect crop productivity and household welfare? This paper uses data collected by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) from maize farmers in rural Nigeria. We usedemploy the propensity score matching (PSM), inverse probability weighting adjusted regression model (IPWRA) approach, and the linear regression with endogenous treatment effect (LRETE) model to incorporate the typologies of SWC practices, and tested how the model affects crop productivity and household welfare. Additionally, multinomial logit was used to estimate the factors influencing the decision to adopt single and multiple SWC practices. The estimates show that education, age of the household head, access to credit, experience of drought, soil fertility, and occupational stress contribute to the decision to adopt SWC practices. The casual effect estimates reveal that both single and multiple adoptions of SWC practices had a positive and significant relationship with the crop productivity and welfare of the adopters. The results show that the adoption of combined SWC practices has a higher impact on crop productivity and welfare than single SWC practices. For instance, the adoption of a combination of three SWC practices was found to increase crop productivity and household welfare by 27.55% and 38.23%, respectively versus 13.91% and 15.11% in the case of single SWC practices. The study suggests that profile-raising agenda and efforts that focus on promoting the adoption of combination of SWC practices should be designed and implemented to enhance crop productivity and hence the welfare of the maize farming households in rural Nigeria.
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