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Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been at the forefront of environmental contamination research even before their ban in 2001 at the Stockholm Convention. Their relation to different compartments of the environment (biotic and abiotic) has been thoroughly investigated. This article aims to identify whether the benthos could represent a reliable indicator of environmental contamination with POPs and to highlight its potential transfer role between abiotic and upper trophic compartments—benthos feeders. In this regard, we determined that the Ephemeroptera samples have higher concentrations (p< 0.05) of ΣPCB, ΣHCH, and ΣDDT than sediment samples while Trichoptera samples have higher concentrations (p< 0.05) only in the case of ΣPCB and ΣDDT. This, along with the fact that the frequency of detection for POPs is similar between the sample types (sediments, Trichoptera, and Ephemeroptera), makes the benthos samples valuable indicators of contamination with sediment samples working as complementary information about how recent the contamination is.
Angela Curtean-Bănăduc; Alexandru Burcea; Claudia-Maria Mihuţ; Doru Bănăduc. The Benthic Trophic Corner Stone Compartment in POPs Transfer from Abiotic Environment to Higher Trophic Levels—Trichoptera and Ephemeroptera Pre-Alert Indicator Role. Water 2021, 13, 1778 .
AMA StyleAngela Curtean-Bănăduc, Alexandru Burcea, Claudia-Maria Mihuţ, Doru Bănăduc. The Benthic Trophic Corner Stone Compartment in POPs Transfer from Abiotic Environment to Higher Trophic Levels—Trichoptera and Ephemeroptera Pre-Alert Indicator Role. Water. 2021; 13 (13):1778.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAngela Curtean-Bănăduc; Alexandru Burcea; Claudia-Maria Mihuţ; Doru Bănăduc. 2021. "The Benthic Trophic Corner Stone Compartment in POPs Transfer from Abiotic Environment to Higher Trophic Levels—Trichoptera and Ephemeroptera Pre-Alert Indicator Role." Water 13, no. 13: 1778.
Background: The Mureș River Basin is a long-term heavily polluted watershed, in a situation of climate changes with increasing water flow and related decreasing dilution capacity. Here, a mixture of emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals were targeted to reveal potential risks regarding the natural lotic ecosystems. Due to the continuous discharge into the environment, pharmaceuticals are gaining persistent organic pollutant characteristics and are considered emerging pollutants. Based on the hazard quotient, this research highlights the dangerous concentrations of carbamazepine, ibuprofen, furosemide, and enalapril in river water. Results: High levels of four pharmaceutical compounds (carbamazepine, ibuprofen, furosemide, and enalapril) and some of their derived metabolites (enalaprilat, carboxyibuprofen, 1-hydroxyibuprofen, and 2-hydroxyibuprofen) were reported in our study in the Mureș River Basin. Overall, pharmaceutical concentrations were found to be highest in the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent, median downstream of the WWTP, and lowest upstream of the WWTP, as was expected. For all pharmaceutical compounds tested, we recorded concentrations above the limit of quantification (LOQ) in at least one of the sites tested. Carbamazepine exhibited the highest mean values upstream, downstream, and at the WWTP. As expected, the highest concentrations for all the studied pharmaceutical compounds were detected in the WWTP effluent. All Hazard Quotient (HQ) values were below one (on a logarithmic scale in base 10), with the highest values in the WWTP and the lowest in the river upstream of the WWTP. The HQ intervals were in the same range for furosemide, carbamazepine, and ibuprofen at each of the three different sites: upstream WWTP effluent, and downstream. The interval for enalapril stands out as having the lowest HQ at all three sites. Conclusions: Based on these results, the large and complex hydrographical system Mureș River Basin was transformed from a grey area, with little information about pharmaceutical contamination, to a hotspot in terms of contamination with emerging pollutants. Pharmaceutical compound concentrations were found to be the highest in WWTP effluents. The WWTP effluent concentrations were among the highest in Europe, indicating that treatment plants are the primary source of water pollution with pharmaceuticals compounds. The detected levels were higher than the safety limit for carbamazepine and ibuprofen. The determined HQ values imply that the measured levels do pose a threat to the environment for the studied pharmaceuticals. Based on the obtained results, human communities can assess, monitor, predict, and adapt in time to these already-present regional challenges and risks for sustainable use of natural resources, including water and associated products and services.
Alexandru Burcea; Ioana Boeraş; Claudia-Maria Mihuţ; Doru Bănăduc; Claudiu Matei; Angela Curtean-Bănăduc. Adding the Mureş River Basin (Transylvania, Romania) to the List of Hotspots with High Contamination with Pharmaceuticals. Sustainability 2020, 12, 10197 .
AMA StyleAlexandru Burcea, Ioana Boeraş, Claudia-Maria Mihuţ, Doru Bănăduc, Claudiu Matei, Angela Curtean-Bănăduc. Adding the Mureş River Basin (Transylvania, Romania) to the List of Hotspots with High Contamination with Pharmaceuticals. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (23):10197.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlexandru Burcea; Ioana Boeraş; Claudia-Maria Mihuţ; Doru Bănăduc; Claudiu Matei; Angela Curtean-Bănăduc. 2020. "Adding the Mureş River Basin (Transylvania, Romania) to the List of Hotspots with High Contamination with Pharmaceuticals." Sustainability 12, no. 23: 10197.
Maps with grey or even white spaces are still present in spite of the fact that persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are at the forefront of research in aquatic toxicology and environmental safety. This is also the case for the Mureș River basin. The intensive use of industrial substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides such as organochlorine compounds (OCPs) has caused global contamination of the aquatic environment. In our study we have found very high concentrations of both PCBs (2110–169,000 ng/g lipid weight ΣPCB, 1950–166,000 ng/g lipid weight ΣPCB7) and OCPs (1130–7830 ng/g lipid weight ΣDDT, 47.6–2790 ng/g lipid weight ΣHCH, 5.53–35.6 ng/g lipid weight ΣChlordane, and 6.74–158 ng/g lipid weight HCB) in the gonad tissue of Barbus barbus (Linnaeus, 1758) males and females. Contrary to most studies where the weight, length, and lipid percentage are positively correlated with the concentration of POPs from different tissue types, we observed a downward trend for the lipid normalized concentrations of some pollutants in gonads while these indices were actually increasing. The decrease of lipid normalized POPs with the increase of CF and lipid percentage may be due to the fact that individuals are eliminating hard and soft roes every year during reproduction which could mean that some quantities of pollutants are also eliminated along with the hard and soft roes. The high POPs concentrations found in our study should be a needed wakeup call for environmentalists and a starting point in developing monitoring and management measures for these pollutants.
Angela Curtean-Bănăduc; Alexandru Burcea; Claudia-Maria Mihuţ; Vidar Berg; Jan Ludvig Lyche; Doru Bănăduc. Bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in the gonads of Barbus barbus (Linnaeus, 1758). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2020, 201, 110852 .
AMA StyleAngela Curtean-Bănăduc, Alexandru Burcea, Claudia-Maria Mihuţ, Vidar Berg, Jan Ludvig Lyche, Doru Bănăduc. Bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in the gonads of Barbus barbus (Linnaeus, 1758). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2020; 201 ():110852.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAngela Curtean-Bănăduc; Alexandru Burcea; Claudia-Maria Mihuţ; Vidar Berg; Jan Ludvig Lyche; Doru Bănăduc. 2020. "Bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in the gonads of Barbus barbus (Linnaeus, 1758)." Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 201, no. : 110852.
Dana Cătălina Popa; Andreea Dudu; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Alexandru Burcea; Răzvan Alexandru Popa; Livia Vidu. Analysis of genetic diversity of Romanian buffalo – a preliminary study. Romanian Biotechnological Letters 2020, 25, 1418 -1423.
AMA StyleDana Cătălina Popa, Andreea Dudu, Sergiu Emil Georgescu, Alexandru Burcea, Răzvan Alexandru Popa, Livia Vidu. Analysis of genetic diversity of Romanian buffalo – a preliminary study. Romanian Biotechnological Letters. 2020; 25 (2):1418-1423.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDana Cătălina Popa; Andreea Dudu; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Alexandru Burcea; Răzvan Alexandru Popa; Livia Vidu. 2020. "Analysis of genetic diversity of Romanian buffalo – a preliminary study." Romanian Biotechnological Letters 25, no. 2: 1418-1423.
The Carpathian Mountains are one of the most complex orogenetic areas of Europe, with unique fauna, including the brown trout (Salmo trutta). In this study we performed population genetic analysis of 12 different S. trutta populations using two types of molecular markers: nine microsatellites and mitochondrial D-loop sequences. The following working hypothesis was considered: the Romanian Carpathians and their surrounding lowlands can be key relief units based on which the S. trutta genetic diversity, spread, distribution, connectivity, relative isolation and genetic divergence can be at least partially explained. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the majority of sequences were grouped in the Danubian clade. The high haplotype diversity of the 12 analyzed brown trout populations can be explained by the high nucleotide diversity. The microsatellite analysis revealed an inbreeding event for all the loci and for the populations analyzed. The Romanian Carpathians' shape and geographic orientation play a zoogeographical key role driving force in respect to the S. trutta populations.
Gina-Oana Popa; Andreea Dudu; Doru Bănăduc; Angela Curtean-Bănăduc; Alexandru Burcea; Dorel Ureche; Ramona Nechifor; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Marieta Costache. Genetic analysis of populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) from the Romanian Carpathians. Aquatic Living Resources 2019, 32, 23 .
AMA StyleGina-Oana Popa, Andreea Dudu, Doru Bănăduc, Angela Curtean-Bănăduc, Alexandru Burcea, Dorel Ureche, Ramona Nechifor, Sergiu Emil Georgescu, Marieta Costache. Genetic analysis of populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) from the Romanian Carpathians. Aquatic Living Resources. 2019; 32 ():23.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGina-Oana Popa; Andreea Dudu; Doru Bănăduc; Angela Curtean-Bănăduc; Alexandru Burcea; Dorel Ureche; Ramona Nechifor; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Marieta Costache. 2019. "Genetic analysis of populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) from the Romanian Carpathians." Aquatic Living Resources 32, no. : 23.
Em>Acipenser stellatus (stellate sturgeon) that has been intensively captured for decades represents a sturgeon species of great importance for the scientific community and fishermen. Besides overfishing and poaching, their reproduction sites have been destroyed and their natural habitats were affected by pollution. In consequence, wild populations of stellate sturgeon have decreased dramatically and this species is being considered critically endangered. In order to conserve this species, efforts have been made to artificially reproduce native sturgeons and restock natural habitats with the broodstock. The analysis of genetic diversity of the future breeders is of great importance in order to avoid the inbreeding depression and genetic drift. Six aquaculture strains of A. stellatus reared in fish farms from the South of Romania were genetically analyzed. The assessment of the genetic diversity was made by using DNA markers, such as cytochrome b mitochondrial gene and microsatellite nuclear loci. The results showed a moderate genetic variability within the strains and a moderate genetic diversity between the strains. One strain was slightly inbred and is recommended not to be included in the reproduction programs. In conclusion, five out of six aquaculture strains were genetically distinct and can be used in selective breeding programs aimed to conserve stellate sturgeon from the Lower Danube River.
Iulia Elena Florescu; Alexandru Burcea; Gina Oana Popa; Andreea Dudu; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Marieta Costache. Genetic diversity analysis of aquaculture strains of Acipenser stellatus (Pallas, 1771) using DNA markers. 2019, 1 .
AMA StyleIulia Elena Florescu, Alexandru Burcea, Gina Oana Popa, Andreea Dudu, Sergiu Emil Georgescu, Marieta Costache. Genetic diversity analysis of aquaculture strains of Acipenser stellatus (Pallas, 1771) using DNA markers. . 2019; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIulia Elena Florescu; Alexandru Burcea; Gina Oana Popa; Andreea Dudu; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Marieta Costache. 2019. "Genetic diversity analysis of aquaculture strains of Acipenser stellatus (Pallas, 1771) using DNA markers." , no. : 1.
Acipenser stellatus represents a species of great economical interest due to its roe used for caviar production. Therefore, it has been intensively captured for decades and nowadays, this species is on the verge of extinction. As a consequence, Acipenser stellatus is intensively raised in fish farms. Aquaculture is focused on optimizing the feeding regime of juveniles. The aim of this study was to investigate if Acipenser stellatus can adapt to a starvation/refeeding regime by assessing the effects of this regime on growth performance, oxidative stress biomarkers and heat shock protein (hsp) gene expression in juveniles raised under aquaculture conditions. The juveniles were subjected to two starvation/refeeding regimes: a 7-day starvation period followed by 21 days of refeeding, and a14-day starvation period followed by 21 days of refeeding. The results had shown that the juveniles subjected to 7/21-day starvation/refeeding regime presented a complete compensatory growth, they were able to counteract the oxidative stress by enhancing activities of the antioxidant enzymes and they presented no significant changes in hsp gene expression. In contrast, 14/21-day starvation/refeeding regime negatively influenced growth performance, it induced a high level of oxidative stress that was impossible to counteract and it determined major changes in the hsp gene expression level in the liver of Acipenser stellatus. Thus, Acipenser stellatus seems to be able to adapt only to the 7/21-day starvation/refeeding regime that does not threaten the growth performance and the welfare of juveniles. Therefore, it could be useful to optimize the feeding practice in aquaculture production.
Iulia Elena Florescu (Gune); Alexandru Burcea; Gina Oana Popa; Andreea Dudu; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Mihaela Balas; Sorina Dinescu; Sorina Voicu; Iulia Grecu; Lorena Dediu; Anca Dinischiotu; Marieta Costache. Effects of starvation and refeeding on growth performance and stress defense mechanisms of stellate sturgeon Acipenser stellatus juveniles from aquaculture. Acta Biochimica Polonica 2019, 66, 47 -59.
AMA StyleIulia Elena Florescu (Gune), Alexandru Burcea, Gina Oana Popa, Andreea Dudu, Sergiu Emil Georgescu, Mihaela Balas, Sorina Dinescu, Sorina Voicu, Iulia Grecu, Lorena Dediu, Anca Dinischiotu, Marieta Costache. Effects of starvation and refeeding on growth performance and stress defense mechanisms of stellate sturgeon Acipenser stellatus juveniles from aquaculture. Acta Biochimica Polonica. 2019; 66 (1):47-59.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIulia Elena Florescu (Gune); Alexandru Burcea; Gina Oana Popa; Andreea Dudu; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Mihaela Balas; Sorina Dinescu; Sorina Voicu; Iulia Grecu; Lorena Dediu; Anca Dinischiotu; Marieta Costache. 2019. "Effects of starvation and refeeding on growth performance and stress defense mechanisms of stellate sturgeon Acipenser stellatus juveniles from aquaculture." Acta Biochimica Polonica 66, no. 1: 47-59.
The scope of this study is to investigate the expression of dmrt1, foxl2, ar, star and sox9 genes in the context of the gonad development stage of 21 month‐old Best Beluga individuals. No significant difference was observed between males and females but the cyp17a1 gene showed higher expression in male than in female gonads. The results suggest that during sampling the females were in perinucleolar stage and the males in early spermatogenesis stage which led to specific patterns of expression for the investigated genes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Alexandru Burcea; Gina‐Oana Popa; Iulia E. Florescu (Gune); Sami Gharbia; Gisela Gaina; Andreea Dudu; Marilena Maereanu; Anca Hermenean; Sergiu E. Georgescu; Marieta Costache. Gene expression involved in the sexual development of Best Beluga hybrid sturgeons. Journal of Fish Biology 2018, 93, 1021 -1026.
AMA StyleAlexandru Burcea, Gina‐Oana Popa, Iulia E. Florescu (Gune), Sami Gharbia, Gisela Gaina, Andreea Dudu, Marilena Maereanu, Anca Hermenean, Sergiu E. Georgescu, Marieta Costache. Gene expression involved in the sexual development of Best Beluga hybrid sturgeons. Journal of Fish Biology. 2018; 93 (5):1021-1026.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlexandru Burcea; Gina‐Oana Popa; Iulia E. Florescu (Gune); Sami Gharbia; Gisela Gaina; Andreea Dudu; Marilena Maereanu; Anca Hermenean; Sergiu E. Georgescu; Marieta Costache. 2018. "Gene expression involved in the sexual development of Best Beluga hybrid sturgeons." Journal of Fish Biology 93, no. 5: 1021-1026.
Nowadays, in sturgeon’s aquaculture, there is a necessity for sex identification at early stages in order to increase the efficiency of this commercial activity. The basis for a correct identification is studying the different factors that influence the gonad development. The research has been directed towards molecular methods that have been employed with various degrees of success in identifying genes with different expression patterns between male and female sturgeons during their development stages. For the purpose of understanding the sexual development of 4-year-old stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) individuals, we have selected six genes (foxl2, cyp17a1, ar, dmrt1, sox9, and star). We analysed the gene expression of the selected genes for gonads, anal fin, liver, body kidney, and white muscle. The cyp17a1, ar, dmrt1, and sox9 genes have a significant higher expression in male gonads than in female gonads, while the data shows no significant differences in the expression of the investigated genes in the other organs. We investigate these genes to shed light on aquaculture sturgeon sexual development.
Alexandru Burcea; Gina-Oana Popa; Iulia Elena Florescu (Gune); Marilena Maereanu; Andreea Dudu; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Marieta Costache. Expression Characterization of Six Genes Possibly Involved in Gonad Development for Stellate Sturgeon Individuals (Acipenser stellatus, Pallas 1771). International Journal of Genomics 2018, 2018, 1 -10.
AMA StyleAlexandru Burcea, Gina-Oana Popa, Iulia Elena Florescu (Gune), Marilena Maereanu, Andreea Dudu, Sergiu Emil Georgescu, Marieta Costache. Expression Characterization of Six Genes Possibly Involved in Gonad Development for Stellate Sturgeon Individuals (Acipenser stellatus, Pallas 1771). International Journal of Genomics. 2018; 2018 ():1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlexandru Burcea; Gina-Oana Popa; Iulia Elena Florescu (Gune); Marilena Maereanu; Andreea Dudu; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Marieta Costache. 2018. "Expression Characterization of Six Genes Possibly Involved in Gonad Development for Stellate Sturgeon Individuals (Acipenser stellatus, Pallas 1771)." International Journal of Genomics 2018, no. : 1-10.
DNA barcoding is a molecular technique frequently used either for biodiversity monitoring and fish conservation or in the identification of the species of origin for raw and processed food from restaurants or fish markets. The most important aspect of this technique is that it works for all stages of life and can be used to distinguish between closely related taxa. Also, the technique has been used to unmask attempts of frauds in fish markets where more desirable and expensive fish are sometimes substituted with lower valued species. Our study aims to test the utility of the COI barcoding gene in the correct identification of several economically and ecologically valuable fish species, and interspecies hybrids, from Romanian wild fauna, aquaculture and fish markets. By combining the 122 COI sequences generated here with additional barcodes downloaded from GenBank and BOLD we screened several members of Acipenseriformes and Salmoniformes. While COI was able to correctly classify the majority of Salmoniformes, the identification process for Acipenseriformes proved more difficult, especially in the case of hybrids. Although the results show that DNA barcodes present a low degree of interspecies variation making classification possible only at the genus level, this technique is still relatively cheap, fast, and useful in the identification of incorrectly labelled market products.
Gina-Oana Popa; Angela Curtean-Bănăduc; Teodora Barbălată; Alexandru Burcea; Iulia Elena (Gune) Florescu; Andreea Dudu; Doru Bănăduc; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Marieta Costache. Use of DNA barcoding in the assignment of commercially valuable fish species from Romania. Aquatic Living Resources 2017, 30, 20 .
AMA StyleGina-Oana Popa, Angela Curtean-Bănăduc, Teodora Barbălată, Alexandru Burcea, Iulia Elena (Gune) Florescu, Andreea Dudu, Doru Bănăduc, Sergiu Emil Georgescu, Marieta Costache. Use of DNA barcoding in the assignment of commercially valuable fish species from Romania. Aquatic Living Resources. 2017; 30 ():20.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGina-Oana Popa; Angela Curtean-Bănăduc; Teodora Barbălată; Alexandru Burcea; Iulia Elena (Gune) Florescu; Andreea Dudu; Doru Bănăduc; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Marieta Costache. 2017. "Use of DNA barcoding in the assignment of commercially valuable fish species from Romania." Aquatic Living Resources 30, no. : 20.
Alexandru Burcea; Gina-Oana Popa; Iulia Elena Florescu; Andreea Dudu; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Marieta Costache. Genetic profile analysis of aquaculture Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) – implications for restocking measures. Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 2017, 63, 361 -376.
AMA StyleAlexandru Burcea, Gina-Oana Popa, Iulia Elena Florescu, Andreea Dudu, Sergiu Emil Georgescu, Marieta Costache. Genetic profile analysis of aquaculture Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) – implications for restocking measures. Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae. 2017; 63 (3):361-376.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlexandru Burcea; Gina-Oana Popa; Iulia Elena Florescu; Andreea Dudu; Sergiu Emil Georgescu; Marieta Costache. 2017. "Genetic profile analysis of aquaculture Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) – implications for restocking measures." Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 63, no. 3: 361-376.
Alexandru Burcea. Molecular markers reveal reduced genetic diversity in Romanian populations of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., 1758 (Salmonidae). 2016, 1 .
AMA StyleAlexandru Burcea. Molecular markers reveal reduced genetic diversity in Romanian populations of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., 1758 (Salmonidae). . 2016; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlexandru Burcea. 2016. "Molecular markers reveal reduced genetic diversity in Romanian populations of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., 1758 (Salmonidae)." , no. : 1.