The effect of seasonal and human pressure on macrobenthic fauna in the Caroni Swamp Ramsar Site, Trinidad and Tobago / Efecto de la presión estacional y humana en la fauna macrobentónica del sitio Ramsar pantano Caroní, Trinidad y Tobago

Abstract Human pressures have placed many tropical estuaries in developing countries under increased levels of stress. The Caroni Swamp Ramsar Site, the largest mangrove swamp along the west coast of Trinidad, has been subjected to high levels of anthropogenic impacts including hydrological alteration and pollution from land-based sources since the 1920's. While most of these impacts have been well documented, limited information exists on the macrobenthic communities in the swamp. This study addresses the paucity of information. The macrobenthic fauna in the main waterways of Caroni Swamp was sampled at 12 locations using a Van Veen 0.025 m2 grab, once in the dry (April) and wet (August) season of 2015 with a total of 144 samples. The samples were sorted, counted and species were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. A total of 55 taxa were identified with polychaetes being the most abundant taxa. The ecological status of the macrobenthos was assessed using AZTI's Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) and the multivariate-AMBI (M-AMBI). Physicochemical parameters were measured with a YSI multiparameter metre. Chemical analyses were also conducted on nitrates, nitrites, ammonia and reactive phosphates using standard methods. Overall, AMBI characterised the Caroni Swamp as "slightly disturbed" with a macrobenthic community of "poor" ecological status according to M-AMBI. Generally, the quality of the environment improves from the dry season to the wet season. However, seasonal variations in AMBI and M-AMBI were found to be site specific as some showed improvement in ecological status and macrozoobenthos quality while others showed degradation from the dry season to the wet season. The stations to the North of the swamp showed improvement from the dry season to the wet season while the opposite was observed in the more Southern stations. One notable characteristic of the swamp was the high levels of pollutants, particularly ammonia, recorded in one of its major waterways, the Caroni River. This is in contrast to the other waterways within the swamp which experience much lower levels of pollutant input from land-based sources. The assessment of the Caroni Swamp using AMBI and M-AMBI may be useful for informing management strategies to conserve the wetland and improve environmental quality. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(3): 1101-1117. Epub 2018 September 01.

Resumen Los estuarios tropicales de países en desarrollo han experimentado un aumento en los niveles de estrés debido a la presión humana. El sitio Ramsar pantano Caroní, el manglar más grande de la costa oeste de Trinidad, ha estado sujeto a altos niveles de impacto antropogénico, incluyendo alteraciones hidrológicas y contaminación de fuentes terrestres desde la década de 1920. Aunque la mayoría de estos impactos han sido bien documentados, existe información limitada sobre las comunidades macrobentónicas en el pantano. Este estudio aborda esta escasez de información. Se muestreó la fauna macrobentónica en el canal principal del pantano Caroní en 12 localidades utilizando una draga Van Veen de 0.025 m2, una vez durante la época seca (Abril) y la época lluviosa (Agosto) 2015, con un total de 144 muestras. Las muestras fueron ordenadas, contadas y las especies se identificaron al menor nivel taxonómico posible. Se identificaron un total de 55 taxa, siendo los poliquetos el taxa más abundante. El estatus ecológico del macrobentos se evaluó utilizando el Índice Marino Biótico de AZTI (AMBI) y el AMBI-multivariado (M-AMBI). Los parámetros fisicoquímicos se midieron con un multiparámetro YSI. Los análisis químicos también se realizaron para nitratos, nitritos, amonio y fostatos activos utilizando métodos estándar. En conjunto, el índice AMBI caracterizó el pantano Caroní como "levemente alterado" con una comunidad macrobentónica de categoría "pobre" de acuerdo al M-AMBI. Generalmente, la calidad de los ambientes incrementa desde la época seca hasta la época lluviosa. Sin embargo, las variaciones estacionales en los índices AMBI y M-AMBI fueron específicas a la localidad, mostrando algunas un incremento en el estatus ecológico y calidad del macrozoobentos, mientras que otros mostraron una degradación de la época seca a la época lluviosa. Las estaciones al norte del pantano mostraron una mejora de la época seca a la época lluviosa, mientras que se presentó lo contrario en las estaciones más al sur. Una característica notable del pantano fueron los altos niveles de contaminantes, particularmente amonio, registrado en uno de los canales principales del río Caroní. Esto contrasta con los otros canales del pantano que experimentan niveles menores de aporte de contaminantes de fuentes terrestres. La evaluación del pantano Caroní utilizando los índíces AMBI y M-AMBI puede ser una base útil de información para las estrategias de manejo y conservación del humedal y mejorar su calidad ambiental.

Carcinomatosis múltiple de localización bucal en un paciente de zona de hidroarsenicismo crónico regional endémico (HACRE) / Oral multiple carcinomatosis in a patient from an area with endemic regional chronica hydroarsenicism (ERCH)

Antecedentes: La acción nociva del arsénico (As) y sus compuestos sobre el organismo humano es múltiple, afectando procesos biológicos de gran importancia. En extensas zonas de la República Argentina se consume agua de pozo contaminada con As, lo que produce una enfermedad denominada"Hidroarsenicismo Crónico Regional Endémico (HACRE), en cuyo cuadro clínico se han observado pacientes con múltiples lesiones carcinomatosas de la piel. coexistentes o sucesivas en largos periodos de tiempo. Objetivo: presentar el caso clínico de una paciente residente en la zona arsenical de la Provincia de Córdoba con lesiones carcinomatosas orales. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó Historia Clínica, iconografía, eliminación quirúrgica de lesiones de labio, estudios anatomopatológicos de los especimenes obtenidos y control evolutivo. Resultados: Por los datos obtenidos de la Historia Clínica, y por el seguimiento realizado, se pudo comprobar la existencia de múltiples y sucesivas lesiones carcinomatosas en la mucosa bucal. Conclusión: Del estudio de este caso se concluye que el AS presente en el agua de bebida en cantidades superiores a las aceptadas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (0,05 ppm), puede producir, al igual que en la piel, múltiples lesiones carcinomatosas en la mucosa oral.

Background: Arsenic (As) and its compounds may cause multiple harmful effects on the human rganism, interfering with biological processes of vital importance. It is known that the inhabitants of vast areas of the Argentine Republic drink well water contaminated with AS, which results in a disease known as Endemic Regional Chronic Hydroarsenicism (ERCH). It has been observed that these patients present a clinical picture characterized by multiple carcinomatous skin lesions which occur concurrently or successively along long periods of time. Purpose: To present the clinical case of a female patient from the arsenical area of Cordoba Province, who had multiple carcinomatous oral lesions. Materials and method: The patient's history was written and iconographies, surgical excision of the lip lesions, pathological studies of the samples, and evolution observations were done. Results: Based on both the patient’s history and follow-upstudies, it was possible to preve the presence of multiple successive carcinomatous lesions in the oral mucose. Conclusion: it is conclude that drinking water containing more AS than the quantity accepted by the WHO (0,05 ppm) can cause multiples carcinomatous lesions on the oral mucosa as on the skin.

Presença de metais na água do Rio Formoso, PE, Brasil / Metal presence in the water of the Rio Formoso, PE, Brazil

Os metais em quantidade excessiva na água são tóxicos para o homem e para todos os seres vivos. Chumbo, cádmio, cobre e outros metais podem causar doenças, tais como: disfunção renal, depressão, arteriosclerose, câncer. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar metais nas águas superficiais do rio Formoso, localizado no município do Rio Formoso, zona da Mata, sul do Estado de Pernambuco. As determinações dos elementos: alumínio, bário, cádmio, chumbo, cobre, cromo, ferro, manganês, prata e zinco, foram realizadas por espectrofotometria de emissão atômica. As amostras de água foram coletadas em nove estações distribuídas ao longo do curso do rio, durante o período de novembro de 1999 a setembro de 2000, totalizando vinte e sete amostras. A prata não foi detectada nas amostras de água do rio Formoso, enquanto bário, cádmio, chumbo, cobre, manganês e zinco foram detectados dentro dos limites oficiais de 100 por cento da amostras investigadas. Alumínio, cromo e ferro foram detectados acima dos valores máximos permitidos em 28, 18 e 15 por cento das amostras, respectivamente. A presença de metais na água do rio Formoso, em valores acima da legislação vigente comprovada a necessidade de maior fiscalização por órgãos oficiais para garantir a qualidade dos recursos hídricos.

Is environmental degradation the root cause for communicable diseases in kerala? A case study.

In Kerala (India), environmental degradation, consequent to urbanization, industrialization and skewed agricultural practices, is on the rise. The urban area has acute land and water pollution due to these activities. In Thiruvananthapuram district, especially in certain pockets of squalor and poor environmental quality, communicable diseases are being reported frequently. The present study aims to highlight the causes of environmental degradation which are directly related to the health issues of Thiruvananthapuram district. Based on this study some recommendations are also made for enhancing the environmental quality of the region.

Mutagenicity of the drinking water supply in Bangkok.

Seventeen samples of tap water in Bangkok and 2 neighboring provinces were collected in winter and summer, concentrated and tested for mutagenic activity using the Ames Salmonella mutagenesis assay. Preliminary results demonstrated that concentrated tap water exhibited clear mutagenicity towards S. typhimurium TA100 and YG1029, but not towards TA98 and YG1024, in the absence of S9 mix, and the addition of S9 mix markedly decreased the mutagenicity to both tester strains. Amberlite( ) XAD-2 resin, but not blue rayon, was able to adsorb mutagens from water at pH 2. Our data clearly demonstrated that all tap water samples prepared by chlorination of Chao Phraya River water were mutagenic to strain TA100 without S9 mix, inducing 3,351 + 741 and 2,216 + 770 revertants/l, in winter and summer, respectively. On the other hand, however, tap water samples prepared from ground water were not mutagenic. Furthermore, it was found that boiling for only 5 min and filtration through home purifying system containing activated charcoal and mixed resin units were very effective to abolish the mutagenicity of water. Storage of water also significantly decreased the mutagenicity, however, it took 2-3 weeks to totally abolish it. Additionally, we also found 1 out of 6 brands of commercially available bottled drinking water to be mutagenic, with about 26 % of the average mutagenicity of tap water. The results in the present study clearly demonstrated that chlorinated tap water in Bangkok and neighboring provinces contain direct-acting mutagens causing capable of causing base-pair substitution. Boiling and filtration of tap water through home purifying systems may be the most effective means to abolish the mutagenicity. Some brands of commercial bottled waters may also contain mutagens which may be derived from tap water.

Fecundity of the freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch) from three aquatic bodies.

The fecundity studies on Channa punctatus revealed that there is a relationship between length of the fish with fecundity, weight of the fish and ovary with fecundity. The length and fecundity exhibit curvilinear relationship and a straight line relationship is observed between fecundity and body weight. Fecundity and ovary weight also exhibited linear relationship. The comparative degree of fecundity of the fish is Jagat tank > Kadaganchi tank > Kagina river. Although fish collected from Jagat tank exhibits higher fecundity, all the other three aquatic bodies provide proper environmental conditions for the growth and reproductive activity of the fish.

Nematodes as indicators of wetland pollution.

Since diversity suggests that changes in nematode populations or communities may be useful indicators of environmental changes including anthropogenic disturbances, in this study the following measurements were done: pH, predominant plant taxa, nematode density and diversity at different wetland points along La Tapera creek. A random sampling was carried out and data were subject to analysis t-test. In this work, neither the diversity nor the pH changed, however the latter was high and nematode density and taxa were small but without significative oscillations between stations. However, other population indices showed consistent differences between sites, which are pointing out environmental alteration throughout the creek. These preliminary results from the wetland present a description of nematode communities existing under a particular set of conditions that have not been reported previously.

Mercury induced architectural alterations in the gill surface of a fresh water fish, Channa punctatus.

An air-breathing fresh waterfish Channa punctatus was exposed chronically to sublethal concentrations of mercuric chloride and the respiratory surface was found to exhibit lesions, lifting of lamellar epithelium and increased number of mucus gland openings. The damage increased with increase in the concentrations. The gill surface was studied using scanning electron microscope.

Assessment of the pulp and paper mill effluent on growth, yield and nutrient quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Assessment of agropotentiality of the effluent coming out from century pulp and paper mill, Ghanshyamdham, Lalkua (Uttaranchal) has been made on wheat (Triticum aestivum var. UP-2329) crop grown in two soils differing in texture with different effluent concentrations. Diluted effluent increased the chlorophyll content, plant height, shoot and root biomass, grain yield, protein, carbohydrate and lipid contents in wheat grains, while undiluted effluent caused inhibition in plant growth resulting in a sharp decline of yield. Pure soil provided better growth and yield results than those soil mixed with sand.

Toxicological effects on some biochemical parameters of fresh water fish Channa punctatus (Bloch.) under the stress of nickel.

Toxicological effects of some biochemical parameters of freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch), under the stress of Nickel (NiSO4. 6H2O), at various concentrations of 10, 20, 30 and 40 ppm for 30 days were observed. Gradual decrease in the levels of liver protein and liver ascorbic acid due to proteolysis and liver glucose breakdown respectively was observed. Contradictorily, high liver cholesterol level, may be due to hepatic disfunctioning and accumulation in brain. There was also gradual decrease in the brain protein level showing significant alterations but the brain ascorbic acid level showed no significant alterations. Decrease in the protein and ascorbic acid level and increase of cholesterol level thus indicates stressful condition of the fish.

The toxicity of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to the fish, Catla catla (Hamilton).

The acute toxicity of unionized ammonia; nitrite and nitrate to the Indian major carp Catla catla (Hamilton) was determined using static and continuous flow through systems for 24 hours. The median lethal concentration (LC50) values for 24 h of ammonia (NH3-N), nitrite (NO2-N) and nitrate (NO3-N) were 0.045 mg/l, 120.84 mg/l and 1565.43 mg/l in static test respectively and were 0.036 mg/l, 117.43 mg/l and 1484.08 mg/l in continuous flow through test respectively.

Study on the gill of field crab, Paratelphusa hydrodromus (Herbst.) exposed to nickel.

Paratelphusa hydrodromus (Herbst.) was exposed to 50 ppm nickel chloride solution for a period of 10 days under laboratory conditions. The gills of the treated and non-treated animals were sectioned, stained and examined under a compound microscope and noticed significant changes such as enlargement of gill lamellae, lifting up and rupture of epithelial cells, enlargement of mid rachis, hyperplasia and hypertrophy, appearance of pyknotic nuclei and a general necrosis in the treated gills. Results suggest that a comparatively low concentration of nickel (50 ppm) is enough to elicit pathological changes in Paratelphusa hydrodromus.

Impact of cadmium on food utilization of the Indian major carp, Catla catla (Ham).

Catla catla, under the sublethal stress of cadmium exhibited depletion in food utilization parameters and it was concentration dependent. Heavy metal intoxication was found to exhibit reduction in biomass.

Ovarian changes in response to heavy metal exposure to the fish, Notopterus notopterus (Pallas).

The ovarian and hepatic protein, lipid and cholesterol content were estimated in the fish, N. notopterus after exposing it to heavy metals at sublethal concentrations. The protein, lipid and cholesterol content of ovary and liver got reduced and amongst the three exposures (mercuric chloride, cadmium chloride and their combination) it was significantly reduced in the order of (HgCl2>HgCl2>+CdCl2>CdCl2>control). The above results indicated that HgCl2 is highly toxic and its toxicity gets reduced in combination.

Effects of Hg and Cu on hemocytes-mediated functions in the prawn, Macrobrachium malcolmsonii.

Sublethal effects of Hg (9.6, 14.5 and 24.1 microg/l) and Cu (60.5, 90.8 and 150.5 microg/l) on the hemocytes-mediated functions in the juveniles of the economically important freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium malcolmsonii were investigated. The population of total hemocytes, percentile phagocytosis and superoxide anion production were found to be increased in test prawns exposed to the lowest sublethal concentration of these two metals in comparison to controls. This indicates the fact that a mechanism of host-defence was in an active state to encounter metal toxicity. The total hemocytes population, percentile phagocytosis and superoxide anion production were found to be decreased in test prawns exposed to intermediate as well as the highest sublethal concentrations of Hg and Cu when compared with controls. This suggests that high concentrations of both Hg and Cu have inhibitory effects on the immune functions of the hemocytes in the prawn, M. malcolmsonii.

Distillery effluent effect on seed germination, early seedling growth and pigment content of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris Linn. var. mezzanau-poly).

Bioassay studies were carried out to assess the toxicity of distillery effluent on seed germination, seedling growth and pigment contents. Higher concentrations (> 5%) of effluent were found to be toxic but however, can be used for irrigational purpose after proper dilution.

Net primary productivity of some aquatic macrophytes in sewage-sullage mixture.

Sewage-sullage mixture from Raipur city is spread over a vast area surrounding the city. This mixture has a pH always above neutrality with high turbidity. Transparency was nil with the absence of phenolphthalein alkalinity and dissolved oxygen. Hardness was high with low nitrogen and phosphorus concentration. Human consumable. acquatic macrophytes are cultivated in such waste water. Net primary productivity of three macrophytes: Ipomoea aquatica, Marsilea quadrifolia and Nelumbo nucifera were evaluated while being cultivated in such sewage-sullage mixture. Productivity was determined either with periodic biomass removal (I. aquatica and M. quadrifolia) or through removing the biomass only once at the time of growing season (N. nucifera). Growing season productivity of up to 27.48. 19.81 and 9.49 g m(-2) and day(-1) and extrapolated productivity of up to 100.30, 72.31 and 34.64 mt. ha(-1) yr(-1) was recorded for I. aquatica. M. quadrifolia and N. nucifera respectively. Thus, these macrophytes are yielding a high amount of human consumable biomass from an area which neither be a useless wetland.

Effect of slaughter house pollution on the biochemical composition of Channa orientalis.

The present study deals with the biochemical composition of Channa orientalis from a habitat polluted by slaughter house wastes in comparison to an unpolluted habitat of Mudasarlova stream of Visakhapatnam. The total proteins, carbohydrates and lipids were found to be less in the organisms collected from the polluted habitat. The probable reasons for these variations are discussed in detail.

Parasite search in strawberries from Irapuato, Guanajuato and Zamora, Michoacan (Mexico)

A seasonal research was carried out in Irapuato, Guanajuato and Zamora, Michaocan, Mexico, the location of the most important producers of strawberries, in order to assess fecal contamination through the findig of protozoan cysts and helminth eggs, specifically of Taenia sp eggs. Three techniques were used: direct observation, flotation and sedimentation. Low numbers of protozoan cysts and only one Ascaris egg were found. What is most interesting is that no Taenia eggs were identified. Results indicate that although strawberries are contaminated with human feces, contamination is minimal

Air and water as sources of bacterial contamination of beef carcasses

Specimens swabs [75] were obtained from the surface of cattle carcasses after evisceration. Also 50 samples from each of air and water were collected from different location of slaughter halls at Alexandria abattoirs. Total bacterial count, enterobacteriaceas, coliform [MPN], enterococci count [MPN] and staphylococcus aureus were carried out in the examined samples. In addition, the obtained results revealed the isolation of various kinds of bacteria. The role of air and water as a source for bacterial contamination of beef carcasses as well as the public hazard of each isolate were discussed