[Departement_IRSTEA]Eaux [ADD1_IRSTEA]Dynamique et fonctionnement des écosystèmes | International audience | Since the end of the 1980s, white shrimps (Palaemon longirostris) from the Gironde estuary have exhibited exoskeletal malformations, mainly involving cephalothorax, rostrum, scaphocerites and uropods. An 8-month study was carried out in 2015. Each month, 200 individuals were sampled and examined for exoskeletal malformations. Temporal variations in malformationfrequency were noted,particularlyduringthebreedingperiod, along withdecreases in the sizeof non-deformedshrimps related to the appearance of juveniles in breeding sites, and high mortality among deformed shrimps. A significant increase in proportions of deformed shrimp was observed, relating particularly to the size (and therefore the age) of individuals. No significant difference was found between shrimp proportions with different numbers of malformations (one to four) for a fixed size class, nor was there any variation in proportions within different size classes for a fixed number of malformations. This would appear toindicate thatthe number ofmalformations isacquiredand new malformations donot seemto appearduringthe lifecycle,exceptforthesmallest(youngest)shrimps.Themalformationspectrumshowednosignificantdifferencesbetweenthe biggest and smallest individuals for the different malformation associations, except for those involving cephalothorax, rostrum and uropods. This would suggest that some malformation associations lead to a higher mortality rate in shrimps subjected to them, due to greater impairment of feeding and/or swimming behaviour. Multiple component analysis of the different types of malformation showed correlations between exoskeletal pieces (rostrum and cephalothorax) and appendixes (scaphocerites and uropods). Regarding metal contamination in shrimp, no significant difference was highlighted between deformed and nondeformed shrimps. Organic pollutants were not measured in tissues. Certain herbicides such as metolachlore and chlortoluron.

Since the end of the 1980s, white shrimps (Palaemon longirostris) from the Gironde estuary have exhibited exoskeletal malformations, mainly involving cephalothorax, rostrum, scaphocerites and uropods. An 8-month study was carried out in 2015. Each month, 200 individuals were sampled and examined for exoskeletal malformations. Temporal variations in malformation frequency were noted, particularly during the breeding period, along with decreases in the size of non-deformed shrimps related to the appearance of juveniles in breeding sites, and high mortality among deformed shrimps. A significant increase in proportions of deformed shrimp was observed, relating particularly to the size (and therefore the age) of individuals. No significant difference was found between shrimp proportions with different numbers of malformations (one to four) for a fixed size class, nor was there any variation in proportions within different size classes for a fixed number of malformations. This would appear to indicate that the number of malformations is acquired and new malformations do not seem to appear during the life cycle, except for the smallest (youngest) shrimps. The malformation spectrum showed no significant differences between the biggest and smallest individuals for the different malformation associations, except for those involving cephalothorax, rostrum and uropods. This would suggest that some malformation associations lead to a higher mortality rate in shrimps subjected to them, due to greater impairment of feeding and/or swimming behaviour. Multiple component analysis of the different types of malformation showed correlations between exoskeletal pieces (rostrum and cephalothorax) and appendixes (scaphocerites and uropods). Regarding metal contamination in shrimp, no significant difference was highlighted between deformed and non-deformed shrimps. Organic pollutants were not measured in tissues. Certain herbicides such as metolachlore and chlortoluron were detected at high concentrations in the Gironde estuary during the breeding period corresponding to the higher occurrence of exoskeletal malformations.

Biochemical indicators are potent tools to assess ecosystem functioning under anthropic and global pressures. Nevertheless, additional work is needed to improve the methods used for the measurement of these indicators, and for a more relevant interpretation of the obtained results. To face these challenges, the platform Biochem-Env aims at providing innovative and standardized measurement protocols, as well as database and information system favoring result interpretation and opening. Its skills and tools are also offered for expertise, consulting, training, and standardization. In addition, the platform is a service of a French Research Infrastructure for Analysis and Experimentation on Ecosystems, for research in environmental and agricultural sciences.

Biochemical indicators are potent tools to assess ecosystem functioning under anthropic and global pressures. Nevertheless, additional work is needed to improve the methods used for the measurement of these indicators, and for a more relevant interpretation of the obtained results. To face these challenges, the platform Biochem-Env aims at providing innovative and standardized measurement protocols, as well as database and information system favoring result interpretation and opening. Its skills and tools are also offered for expertise, consulting, training, and standardization. In addition, the platform is a service of a French Research Infrastructure for Analysis and Experimentation on Ecosystems, for research in environmental and agricultural sciences.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Ecotechnologies [TR1_IRSTEA]TED [ADD1_IRSTEA]Valoriser les effluents et déchets organiques | International audience | This study provides an alternative solution for the bioremediation of a recalcitrant pharmaceutical micropollutant. Clofibric acid (CLA) was chosen as target molecule, because of its environmental persistence and resistance to wastewater treatment technologies. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of a phenol-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain isolated from the activated sludge to degrade CLA. In order to evaluate the effect of acclimation process with glucose as carbon co-substrate, two protocols were performed, in which the transfer of the inoculum is carried out either in the exponential growth phase or in the decline phase. The results showed a removal efficiency of CLA of 35% when cells in the decline phase were used for inoculation. In contrast, a very low removal yield (10%) was achieved when cells harvested in the exponential phase were used as inoculum. This work is the first one reporting on the capability of this bacterium to remove this drug. The obtained data showed that the isolated strain is able to degrade target molecule and might be a promising agent for the elimination of this refractory compound.

This study provides an alternative solution for the bioremediation of a recalcitrant pharmaceutical micropollutant. Clofibric acid (CLA) was chosen as target molecule, because of its environmental persistence and resistance to wastewater treatment technologies. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of a phenol-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain isolated from the activated sludge to degrade CLA. In order to evaluate the effect of acclimation process with glucose as carbon co-substrate, two protocols were performed, in which the transfer of the inoculum is carried out either in the exponential growth phase or in the decline phase. The results showed a removal efficiency of CLA of 35% when cells in the decline phase were used for inoculation. In contrast, a very low removal yield (10%) was achieved when cells harvested in the exponential phase were used as inoculum. This work is the first one reporting on the capability of this bacterium to remove this drug. The obtained data showed that the isolated strain is able to degrade target molecule and might be a promising agent for the elimination of this refractory compound.

International audience

The rhizosphere hosts a considerable microbial community. Among that community, bacteria called plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can promote plant growth and defense against diseases using diverse distinct plant-beneficial functions. Crop inoculation with PGPR could allow to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agrosystems. However, microbial crop protection and growth stimulation would be more efficient if cooperation between rhizosphere bacterial populations was taken into account when developing biocontrol agents and biostimulants. Rhizospheric bacteria live in multi-species biofilms formed all along the root surface or sometimes inside the plants (i.e., endophyte). PGPR cooperate with their host plants and also with other microbial populations inside biofilms. These interactions are mediated by a large diversity of microbial metabolites and physical signals that trigger cell–cell communication and appropriate responses. A better understanding of bacterial behavior and microbial cooperation in the rhizosphere could allow for a more successful use of bacteria in sustainable agriculture. This review presents an ecological view of microbial cooperation in agrosystems and lays the emphasis on the main microbial metabolites involved in microbial cooperation, plant health protection, and plant growth stimulation. Eco-friendly inoculant consortia that will foster microbe–microbe and microbe–plant cooperation can be developed to promote crop growth and restore biodiversity and functions lost in agrosystems.