Hypersaline water from desalinization plants causes oxidative damage in Posidonia oceanica meadows.

Posidonia oceanica is an endemic marine phanerogam of the Mediterranean Sea for that is very sensitive to the environmental changes, especially those related to human activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress status of P. oceanica meadows exposed to spillage of hypersaline water from a desalination station by using biomarkers. Leaf samples of P. oceanica were obtained from 4 different points exposed to different levels of salinity water. Samples from the area with the highest salinity conditions were 75% shorter than the samples from the control area. Exposure to high salinity induced an increase in the levels of oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyls). Interestingly, in the area with the highest salinity the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-s-transferase were significantly induced respect to the other studies areas, while catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were lower. In addition, salinity induced a progressive increase in non-enzymatic antioxidants (polyphenols and glutathione) and in total antioxidant capacity reaching the highest concentrations in samples directly affected by the saline discharge. In conclusion chronic exposure to high salinity induced an increase in total antioxidant capacity in P. oceanica. However, this increase was not enough to protect the plant against oxidative stress as it is evidenced by the raise in oxidative stress markers. The obtained data suggest that high salinity conditions deactivated CAT and SOD antioxidant enzymes and caused an increase in non-enzymatic antioxidants (polyphenols and glutathione) and in glutathione-related enzymes.

Assessment of the invasion process of the common raccoon Procyon lotor (Carnivora: Procyonidae) on a Mediterranean island a decade after its introduction.

The common raccoon, Procyon lotor was introduced at the Balearic Islands (Spain) in 2006. Since then, a colonization process has been carried out, with captures of specimens in 24.30% of the surface of the whole Mallorca Island. For the first time, information has been provided on the invasive process of P. lotor in an insular ecosystem. 257 specimens of P. lotor were captured during the period 2007-2018, of them 104 were analysed to estimate population parameters. Demographic data showed that the population had a sex ratio of 1.00:1.21 (males:females), high BMI values and up to 40% of females were lactating when captured. Related to diet data, the composition was mainly the same as previous studies around its natural and introduced distribution area. Plant residues represented the 53.25 ±â€¯38.66% followed by invertebrates with 12.22 ±â€¯22.54%, inorganic remains with 11.9 ±â€¯22.07% and finally the vertebrates with 4.94 ±â€¯18.27%. Thus, it is shown how an opportunistic omnivorous species has adapted to the resources provided by the island. Cultivated plants' remains and plastic content in diet evidence that P. lotor is entering in contact with human settlements and agricultural areas. As occurred in other islands where P. lotor was introduced, it is expected that it could become a future problem for the conservation biodiversity in insular ecosystems, as well as for agriculture and human activity. Due to the potential impact on native biodiversity it is necessary to reinforce the implementation of control actions and prevent its expansion to the rest of the island.