We monitor pollutant accumulation and investigate associated changes at the physiological level within the population of an obligate avian scavenger, the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), from Catalonia (NE Spain). This population is expanding its range, presumably because of the use of human waste disposal sites as food resource. We hypothesized that habitat urbanization, presumably associated with feeding from human wastes, could influence the accumulation of persistent organic pollutants and metals. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between accumulated pollutants and biochemical parameters in nestling blood. We used the proportion of urban surface within an 8 km radius of each nest as a proxy to study the relationship between anthropic influence and pollutant accumulation. Observed blood levels of metals, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were relatively low, as expected for nestling individuals due to short-term exposures. CB-180 and PBDEs were associated with variations in blood biochemistry parameters; hexa-BDEs appeared positively associated with activities of the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase, whereas CB-180 accumulation was associated with an increased activity of creatine phosphokinase and elevated glutathione levels. Increased CB-180 levels were also related to decreased blood concentrations of calcium, cholesterol, α-tocopherol and lutein. A proportion of urban surfaces as low as 6.56% within a radius of 8 km around the nest appears related to the accumulation of CB-180, the majority of analysed PFAS and of PBDE congeners 99 and 209, and increased urbanization was also associated with decreased plasma levels of α-tocopherol and carotenoids. These associations suggest that changes in blood profiles of vitamins, carotenoids or other analytes, despite related to increased plasma levels of CB-180, would be consequence of exploitation of artificial food sources rather than of a direct effect of the pollutants.

Exposure to metal pollution negatively affects animal physiology, including nutrient metabolism, but in the wild an effect can seldom be attributed to a single metal. Moreover, little is known about how the metabolism of vitamins, essential micronutrients for developing juveniles, is affected by toxic metals. Therefore we experimentally investigated the effects of lead (Pb), a widespread toxic metal, on four fat-soluble vitamins A (total and retinol), D3, E (total and α-tocopherol) and K and carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin and unidentified) in great tit (Parus major) nestlings. In addition to a control group where no Pb was provided, two Pb-dosed groups were compared to a metal exposed group in the vicinity of a Ni–Cu smelter. We examined whether Pb treatment affects vitamin homeostasis and how the response of Pb-treated birds relates to that of a population under industrial exposure of Pb and other metals. For this purpose, vitamin and carotenoid levels were quantified with UPLC-MS from plasma of 7 days-old nestlings. All metal exposed groups showed increased vitamin A and retinol levels. However, vitamin levels were not directly associated with fecal Pb levels, with the exception of retinol, which was positively correlated with fecal Pb. Alpha-tocopherol, lutein and zeaxanthin levels were positively associated with body mass and wing growth rate. To conclude, Pb exposure increased plasma vitamin A and retinol levels while the levels of other vitamins and carotenoids rather reflected secondary pollution effects via differences in habitat and diet quality at the smelter site. Our findings suggest Pb exposed nestlings may allocate the vitamins needed for growth and development to fight the physiological stress thus compromising their fitness.

We tested antioxidant responses of the green microalga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata exposed to different concentrations of the three antibiotics erythromycin (ETM), ciprofloxacin (CPF) and sulfamethoxazole (SMZ). Measurements included the level of lipid peroxidation, the total antioxidative capacity and three major antioxidant mechanisms: the ascorbate–glutathione cycle, the xanthophyll cycle and the enzyme activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Three antibiotics significantly affect the antioxidant system of P. subcapitata, but in different ways the alga was more tolerant to CPF and SMZ exposures than to ETM exposure. ETM caused reductions in AsA and GSH biosynthesis, ascorbate–glutathione cycle, xanthophylls cycle and antioxidant enzyme activities. The toxicity of CPF seems to be mainly overcome via induction of the ascorbate–glutathione cycle and CAT, SOD and GPX activities, while the toxicity of SMZ on the photosynthetic apparatus is predominantly reduced by the xanthophyll cycle and GST activity.

High O3 levels, driving uptake and challenging defense, prevail on the Canary Islands, being associated with the hot and dry summers of the Mediterranean-type climate. Pinus canariensis is an endemic conifer species that forms forests across these islands. We investigated the effects of ozone on photosynthesis and biochemical parameters of P. canariensis seedlings exposed to free-air O3 fumigation at Kranzberg Forest, Germany, where ambient O3 levels were similar to those at forest sites in the Canary Islands. The twice-ambient O3 regime (2xO3) neither caused visible injury-like chlorotic or necrotic spots in the needles nor significantly affected violaxanthin, antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin levels and the de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle. In parallel, stomatal conductance for water vapour, net photosynthesis, intercellular CO2 concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, as well as antioxidant levels were hardly affected. It is concluded that presently prevailing O3 levels do not impose severe stress on P. canariensis seedlings.

Investigation of nutrients in the water column and phytoplankton pigments in recently formed modern sediments (0–5 cm) was carried out in Cochin estuary. The anthropogenic impacts were assessed using nutrients, nitrate, and phosphate in combination with phytopigments in sediments. The nitrate and phosphate concentration during the study ranged from 0.81 to 42.53 μmol/L and from 0.1 to 5.81 μmol/L, respectively. The mean values of the pigment showed the following order: zeaxanthin (791.53 ng/g) > lutein (347.57 ng/g) > fucoxanthin (335.30 ng/g) > pheophytin (308.84 ng/g) > pheophorbide (172.06 ng/g) > chlorophyll a (161.63 ng/g). The increase in the concentration of zeaxanthin indicated the presence of cyanobacteria, associated with eutrophication. Correlation analysis revealed that water column nutrients have a strong relationship between fucoxanthin and lutein, indicating the coexistence of diatoms and prasinophytes in the sampling sites. The principal component analysis showed positive loading of nutrients concomitant with pigment fucoxanthin and lutein, thus establishing that nutrient input controls the phytoplankton biomass of this estuary.

Sediment cores were used to establish past environmental impacts associated with eutrophication, erosion and metal contamination in the subtropical Atibainha reservoir (São Paulo State, Brazil). We hypothesize that: (1) the levels of nutrients, determined by a spectrophotometric method, reflect the contributions of these elements over time and (2) changes in sedimentation rates, determined by ²¹⁰Pb geochronology, and metal flows, determined by ICP-AEOS, are related to anthropic activities. Stratigraphic changes in the analysed variables were used to divide the sediment cores into three intervals, according to PCA and cluster analysis (Euclidian distances, Ward’s method). Interval I, composed by the period prior to operation of the reservoir, was influenced by organic matter levels. Interval II, between 1967 and 1993 (PC2: 14.94% of the total variability), a period of minor impacts, was mainly influenced by Mn (eigenvalue of 0.71) and Zn (0.74). Interval III, which included sediment deposited between 1993 and 2015 (PC1: 60.28% of the total variability), was influenced by the highest levels of the pigments lutein (0.86), zeaxanthin (0.90) and fucoxanthin (0.65), together with total nitrogen (0.78) and sedimentation rate (0.91), suggesting changes in the phytoplankton community composition probably associated to the intensification of eutrophication and erosion processes. Despite the limitations of applying paleolimnological techniques in reservoirs and the use of pigments as proxies in regions with higher temperatures, it was observed that the anoxic conditions and the aphotic environment in the hypolimnion acted to preserve pigments associated with the groups Chlorophyta (lutein), Cyanobacteria (zeaxanthin) and Bacillariophyta (fucoxanthin). The isolated analysis of nutrients was not sufficient to make conclusive inferences regarding the eutrophication history, since the levels of TP tended to decrease over time, in contrast to an increase in the levels of TN. Despite intensification of eutrophication and erosion, associated to anthropic activities, no signs of metal contamination were recorded.

Copper (Cu) is one of the toxic elements that cause environmental pollution. As a result of excessive accumulation of copper in the organism, it causes damage in various organs and tissues and hemolysis in erythrocytes. Astaxanthin (ATX) is a pigment belonging to the xanthophyll family, which is an oxygenated derivative of carotenoids. Thanks to its powerful antioxidant properties, ATX has an extraordinary potential to protect the organism against various diseases, especially cancer. The main objective of this study was to investigate the toxic effect of copper ions on the glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phospho-gluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) enzymes and the role of astaxanthin in reducing this effect. In in vivo study, Wistar Albino male rats (n=28) were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group, copper (Cu2+) group, astaxanthin (ATX) group, and copper + astaxanthin (Cu2++ATX) group. The results show that G6PD enzyme activity in Cu2+ group was strongly inhibited (p ˂ 0.05), while in other groups, there were no significant effects compared to the control group (p ⩾ 0.05). 6PGD enzyme activity was significantly reduced in Cu2+ group compared to that in the control group (p ˂ 0.05), and GR enzyme activity was lower in Cu2+ group compared to that in the control group (p ˂ 0.05). Similarly, when GST enzyme activity was evaluated, a strong decrease was observed in the Cu2+ group compared to that in the control group (p ˂ 0.05), while the enzyme activity in the Cu2++ATX group approached the control group (p ⩾ 0.05). When TrxR enzyme activity level was examined, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the Cu2+ and Cu2++ATX groups (p ˂ 0.05), and the enzyme activity in the ATX group was found to be close to that in the control group. When in vitro results were evaluated, it was observed that copper ions inhibited G6PD enzyme purified from rat erythrocyte tissues with IC50=1.90 μM value and Ki = 0.97 μM ± 0.082 value and the inhibition was non-competitive. From the results, it can be concluded that Cu2+ ions have an inhibitory effect on rat erythrocyte pentose phosphate pathway and antioxidant system enzymes both in vivo and in vitro, and astaxanthin reduces this effect.

There is evidence that water-soluble fraction (WSF) from fuel oil/diesel mixture affects marine microbiota. In order to establish a sequence of WSF effects during microalgal growth, this work aimed to monitor Dunaliella tertiolecta exposed to WSF during 15 days. Three different pigments (chlorophyll a, lutein, and β-carotene) and four metabolites (protein, lipids, fatty acids, and phenols) were studied, and FTIR spectroscopy was used to determine the biomolecular transitions of lipids and their accumulation. The results show that D. tertiolecta triggered a physiological and biochemical response with changes in growth rate, pigments, phenols, lipids, and proteins of the microalga, although fatty acid profile was unaltered. For all the biochemical parameters altered, there were significant differences with the controls. At the end of the assay, exposed D. tertiolecta showed similar values with the control on all the compounds analyzed, except lipids. FTIR absorbance showed an increase in unsaturated acyl chains within the exposed microalgae, giving support for a possible uptake of hydrocarbons from WSF. Variation in pigments and phenol contents is presented as an integrated antioxidant response to the stress imposed by WSF. Overall, this research provides information about the effects of WSF on D. tertiolecta, and the ability of this microalga to recover after long-term exposure to the water-soluble fraction of fuel oil/diesel.

Arsenic (As) in groundwater severely harms global economic development by affecting growth and productivity of agricultural crops that causes human health risk. The comparative influence of silicon (Si) and selenium (Se) to modulate pigments levels, photosynthetic parameters using LI-6400XT Portable Photosynthesis System and carbohydrate metabolism under arsenate (As-V) stress in rice cv. MTU-1010 were evaluated. As(V) stress significantly decreased chlorophyll-a (32% on an average), chlorophyll-b (58% on an average), total chlorophyll (46% on an average), fluorescence intensity (31% on an average), carotene (39% on an average), xanthophyll (33% on an average), Hill activity (47% on an average) and the photosynthetic parameters, viz. intercellular CO₂ concentration (52% on an average), net photosynthesis (54% on an average), transpiration rate (36% on an average) and stomatal conductance (38% on an average) in the test seedlings. As(V) + Si treatments enhanced the stated occurrences more than As(V) + Se treatments in rice seedlings. Sugar contents, viz. reducing (85% on an average) and non-reducing sugar (61% on an average), were increased, but starch content (57% on an average) was decreased in only As(V)-treated rice seedlings. The activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes were increased, while sucrose synthase activity was decreased due to As(V) toxicity in the test seedlings. Co-application of Si and As(V) as well as Se and As(V) showed ameliorative effects on sugar and starch contents along with the activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes, but more potential effect was observed under combined application of Si and As(V) in rice seedlings. Thus, it is an important purpose of this paper to compare the ability of Se and Si to alleviate As(V) toxicity in rice seedlings which will be an effective approach to develop possible strategies in As-contaminated agricultural soil to improve normal growth and productivity of rice plants.

Pontederia cordata is a heavy metal accumulator, while the heavy metal tolerance mechanisms of this plant are not well understood. Hydroponic experiments were used to assess the effects of Cd²⁺ on antioxidative activities, osmoregulatory substances and photosynthesis in leaves. Exposure of 5 mg L⁻¹ Cd²⁺ for 7 days, the photosynthetic apparatus functioned normally and sustained a relatively high photosynthetic rate, and good growth was observed. Under 50 and 75 mg L⁻¹ Cd²⁺, accelerated lipid peroxidation and increased peroxidase activity (POD; E.C.1.11.1.7) were detected, while no significant differences were observed in superoxide dismutase (SOD; E.C.1.15.1.1) and catalase (CAT; E.C.1.11.1.6) activities, as well as in lutein, ascorbic acid, and glutathione contains of leaves. Proline content increased, while soluble sugar and soluble protein contents decreased under 75 mg L⁻¹ Cd²⁺. Cd²⁺ at different concentrations induced a reduction in carotenoid, total carotenoid, and ascorbic acid-dehydroascorbate contents. A significant increase in phytochelatin content was induced by 75 mg L⁻¹. Chlorophyll content decreased under Cd stress and disturbed photosynthesis, causing dramatic reductions in photosynthetic parameters. Stomatal closure was responsible for a reduced photosynthetic rate under Cd²⁺ exposure. Cd²⁺ concentrations of no less than 25 mg L⁻¹ disorganized the photosynthetic apparatus, induced the partial closure, and decreased activity of the photosystem II (PS II) reaction center, thus disturbing light conversion and utilization, thereby decreasing the photosynthetic efficiency in PS II.