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Pharmaceutical and personal care products are released in watercourses due to the inefficiency of conventional wastewater treatment and photocatalytic oxidation has been pointed out as an alternative. Thus, this study aimed at gaining an insight on the mechanism of reaction using different radiation sources (solar and visible) and catalysts (Ag-TiO2 and Pd-TiO2) for the abatement of a mixture of pharmaceutical contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) – Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), Carbamazepine (CBZ) and Lorazepam (LRZ). Moreover, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of these treatments to improve their environmental friendliness, an ecotoxicological evaluation was carried out by assessing the responses of several indicator organisms (fish, cladocerans, plants, microalgae and bacteria). The hydroxyl radical had a major role on photocatalytic oxidation. 90% of CBZ degradation was achieved after 60 min using sunlight and Ag-TiO2 whereas this removal was reduced to 15% with hydroxyl radical scavengers. Concerning the ecotoxicological evaluation, the untreated mixture was mildly toxic to these organisms (approximately 30% depression in the assessed endpoints), except for microalgae, where a pronounced toxicity (85% of growth inhibition). Treated solutions achieving lower concentrations of the parent compounds, were generally found to be more toxic than the untreated mixture. For example, after solar photocatalytic oxidation using Ag-TiO2 the toxicity of the mixture to the microalgae and Daphnia magna increased or remained unaffected. This suggests the formation of toxic by-products during the treatments, highlighting that effective treatments do not always translate into improved environmental friendliness. These results raise concern on the environmental safety of the water treatment technologies.
João Gomes; Fátima Jesus; Eva Domingues; Fernando Gonçalves; Joana Luísa Pereira; Rui C. Martins. Photocatalytic oxidation of pharmaceutical contaminants of emerging concern using sunlight and visible radiation: Mechanism and ecotoxicological evaluation. Journal of Water Process Engineering 2021, 43, 102204 .
AMA StyleJoão Gomes, Fátima Jesus, Eva Domingues, Fernando Gonçalves, Joana Luísa Pereira, Rui C. Martins. Photocatalytic oxidation of pharmaceutical contaminants of emerging concern using sunlight and visible radiation: Mechanism and ecotoxicological evaluation. Journal of Water Process Engineering. 2021; 43 ():102204.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJoão Gomes; Fátima Jesus; Eva Domingues; Fernando Gonçalves; Joana Luísa Pereira; Rui C. Martins. 2021. "Photocatalytic oxidation of pharmaceutical contaminants of emerging concern using sunlight and visible radiation: Mechanism and ecotoxicological evaluation." Journal of Water Process Engineering 43, no. : 102204.
Biosorption is a sustainable biological treatment for remediating environmental hazardous matrices. The shells of the invasive bivalve Corbicula fluminea were tested for their potential as a natural, abundant sorption material to cope with extremely toxic olive oil mill wastes (OOMW). Shells of C. fluminea were exposed for 14 days to OOMW and variations in the chemical composition of the waste and the shells were monitored by FTIR analysis. In general, the results showed the inefficacy of the shells in adsorbing chemicals from OOMW, namely regarding predominant aromatic structures. A significant slight increase in the 1750–1180 cm−1 region was found, relating to a mild reduction of the peak areas in the same FTIR region noted in shells, which suggests partial shell dissolution; this trend was further supported by the parallel increase of the levels of both pH and Chemical Oxygen Demand. Although the shells of C. fluminea were found inadequate as a sink for the organic components present in OOMW, the abundance of the resource and previous evidence of its absorption capacity for different contaminants support the need for extended research on the use of this biomaterial as a sorption agent in bioremediation.
A. Domingues; J. P. da Costa; T. A. P. Rocha-Santos; F. J. M. Gonçalves; R. Pereira; J. L. Pereira. Biosorption potential of the shell of Corbicula fluminea towards olive oil mill waste. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 2021, 1 -8.
AMA StyleA. Domingues, J. P. da Costa, T. A. P. Rocha-Santos, F. J. M. Gonçalves, R. Pereira, J. L. Pereira. Biosorption potential of the shell of Corbicula fluminea towards olive oil mill waste. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 2021; ():1-8.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Domingues; J. P. da Costa; T. A. P. Rocha-Santos; F. J. M. Gonçalves; R. Pereira; J. L. Pereira. 2021. "Biosorption potential of the shell of Corbicula fluminea towards olive oil mill waste." International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology , no. : 1-8.
Wildfires are an environmental concern due to the loss of forest area and biodiversity, but also because their role as drivers of freshwater systems contamination by metals. In this context, the fish Gambusia holbrooki was used as a model, deployed for in situ exposure in watercourses standing within a recently burnt area and further assessment of toxic effects. The fish were exposed during 4 days at four different sites: one upstream and another downstream the burnt area and two within the burnt area. Biochemical biomarkers for oxidative stress and damage were assessed. The extent of lipoperoxidative damage was monitored by quantifying malondialdehyde and DNA damage evaluated through erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities observation. Chemical analysis revealed higher metal levels within the burnt area, and exposed fish consistently showed pro-oxidative responses therein, particularly an increase of gill glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activity, the records doubling compared to samples from sites in the unburnt area; also the activity of glutathione-S-transferases comparatively increased (by 2-fold in the liver) in samples from the burnt area, and malondialdehyde was produced twice as much therein and in samples downstream the burnt area reflecting oxidative damage. Consistently, the frequency of erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities was higher at sites within and downstream the burnt area. This study supports the use of sensitive oxidative stress and genotoxicity biomarkers for an early detection of potentially noxious ecological effects of wildfires runoff.
Ana Ré; Ana Teresa Rocha; Isabel Campos; Sérgio M. Marques; Jan Jacob Keizer; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Joana Luísa Pereira; Nelson Abrantes. Impacts of wildfires in aquatic organisms: biomarker responses and erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities in Gambusia holbrooki exposed in situ. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2021, 1 -12.
AMA StyleAna Ré, Ana Teresa Rocha, Isabel Campos, Sérgio M. Marques, Jan Jacob Keizer, Fernando J. M. Gonçalves, Joana Luísa Pereira, Nelson Abrantes. Impacts of wildfires in aquatic organisms: biomarker responses and erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities in Gambusia holbrooki exposed in situ. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2021; ():1-12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Ré; Ana Teresa Rocha; Isabel Campos; Sérgio M. Marques; Jan Jacob Keizer; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Joana Luísa Pereira; Nelson Abrantes. 2021. "Impacts of wildfires in aquatic organisms: biomarker responses and erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities in Gambusia holbrooki exposed in situ." Environmental Science and Pollution Research , no. : 1-12.
Global warming and the anthropogenic degradation of water quality are pointed out as main causes of the worldwide increase in frequency, severity, and duration of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Cyanobacteria, major constituents of HABs, can cause ecological, economic, and human health problems, configuring a “dark side” requiring management attention. Their growth can be potentiated by climate change consequences, highlighting further the urgency of improving HABs management strategies to ensure water quality. An innovative perspective for cyanobacteria management is the exploitation of their “bright side”. Several exploitable products produced by cyanobacteria (e.g., bioactive pigments, lipids, proteins) present high market value. Thus, this work provides a critical perspective on how HABs management may be connected with biotechnology in the future. We propose the use of the biomass of cyanobacteria blooms physically removed in traditional control actions (much needed to ensure environmental and even human health safety) as a feedstock for future valorization, thus allying profit to water quality management, in a win-win relationship between economics and environmental sustainability. Such a proposal was validated with an economic analysis, which evidenced a relevant potential for a positive return (hence rendering profit likely to occur), both considering only the delivery of harvested biomass to production units and the full valuation route from harvesting to the selling of the extracted/purified product using phycocyanin as a model.
Inês P. E. Macário; Sónia P. M. Ventura; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Mario A. Torres-Acosta; Joana L. Pereira. The “Bright Side” of Cyanobacteria: Revising the Nuisance Potential and Prospecting Innovative Biotechnology-Based Solutions to Integrate Water Management Programs. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2021, 9, 7182 -7197.
AMA StyleInês P. E. Macário, Sónia P. M. Ventura, Fernando J. M. Gonçalves, Mario A. Torres-Acosta, Joana L. Pereira. The “Bright Side” of Cyanobacteria: Revising the Nuisance Potential and Prospecting Innovative Biotechnology-Based Solutions to Integrate Water Management Programs. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2021; 9 (21):7182-7197.
Chicago/Turabian StyleInês P. E. Macário; Sónia P. M. Ventura; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Mario A. Torres-Acosta; Joana L. Pereira. 2021. "The “Bright Side” of Cyanobacteria: Revising the Nuisance Potential and Prospecting Innovative Biotechnology-Based Solutions to Integrate Water Management Programs." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 9, no. 21: 7182-7197.
Wildfires are a complex environmental problem worldwide. The ashes produced during the fire bear metals and PAHs with high toxicity and environmental persistence. These are mobilized into downhill waterbodies, where they can impair water quality and human health. In this context, the present study aimed at assessing the toxicity of mimicked wildfire runoff to human skin cells, providing a first view on the human health hazardous potential of such matrices. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were exposed to aqueous extracts of ashes (AEA) prepared from ash deposited in the soil after wildfires burned a pine or a eucalypt forest stand. Cytotoxicity (MTT assay) and changes in cell cycle dynamics (flow cytometry) were assessed. Cell viability decreased with increasing concentrations of AEA, regardless of the ash source, the extracts preparation method (filtered or unfiltered to address the dissolved or the total fractions of contaminants, respectively) or the exposure period (24 and 48 h). The cells growth was also negatively affected by the tested AEA matrices, as evidenced by a deceleration of the progress through the cell cycle, namely from phase G0/G1 to G2. The cytotoxicity of AEA could be related to particulate and dissolved metal content, but the particles themselves may directly affect the cell membrane. Eucalypt ash was apparently more cytotoxic than pine ash due to differential ash metal burden and mobility to the water phase. The deceleration of the cell cycle can be explained by the attempt of cells to repair metal-induced DNA damage, while if this checkpoint and repair pathways are not well coordinated by metal interference, genomic instability may occur. Globally, our results trigger public health concerns since the burnt areas frequently stand in slopes of watershed that serve as recreation sites and sources of drinking water, thus promoting human exposure to wildfire-driven contamination.
Ana Ré; Ana Teresa Rocha; Isabel Campos; Jan Jacob Keizer; Fernando J.M. Gonçalves; Helena Oliveira; Joana Luísa Pereira; Nelson Abrantes. Cytotoxic effects of wildfire ashes: In-vitro responses of skin cells. Environmental Pollution 2021, 285, 117279 .
AMA StyleAna Ré, Ana Teresa Rocha, Isabel Campos, Jan Jacob Keizer, Fernando J.M. Gonçalves, Helena Oliveira, Joana Luísa Pereira, Nelson Abrantes. Cytotoxic effects of wildfire ashes: In-vitro responses of skin cells. Environmental Pollution. 2021; 285 ():117279.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Ré; Ana Teresa Rocha; Isabel Campos; Jan Jacob Keizer; Fernando J.M. Gonçalves; Helena Oliveira; Joana Luísa Pereira; Nelson Abrantes. 2021. "Cytotoxic effects of wildfire ashes: In-vitro responses of skin cells." Environmental Pollution 285, no. : 117279.
Zwitterionic compounds are less ecotoxic than their analogous ionic liquids.
Fátima Jesus; Helena Passos; Ana M. Ferreira; Kosuke Kuroda; Joana Luísa Pereira; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; João A. P. Coutinho; Sónia P. M. Ventura. Zwitterionic compounds are less ecotoxic than their analogous ionic liquids. Green Chemistry 2021, 23, 3683 -3692.
AMA StyleFátima Jesus, Helena Passos, Ana M. Ferreira, Kosuke Kuroda, Joana Luísa Pereira, Fernando J. M. Gonçalves, João A. P. Coutinho, Sónia P. M. Ventura. Zwitterionic compounds are less ecotoxic than their analogous ionic liquids. Green Chemistry. 2021; 23 (10):3683-3692.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFátima Jesus; Helena Passos; Ana M. Ferreira; Kosuke Kuroda; Joana Luísa Pereira; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; João A. P. Coutinho; Sónia P. M. Ventura. 2021. "Zwitterionic compounds are less ecotoxic than their analogous ionic liquids." Green Chemistry 23, no. 10: 3683-3692.
Natura 2000 is the European Union’s key strategy to address the current sharp decline in biodiversity. However, according to a recent survey, most Europeans have never heard about it. The present study intended to further explore the perceptions of residents in Portugal about this network of protected areas through the nationwide implementation of a survey. Overall, 232 questionnaires were fulfilled, which showed that most respondents (n = 126, 54%) had never heard of Natura 2000. Furthermore, even the respondents who knew what Natura 2000 is were not well-informed about it. For instance, on average, they were only able to name 2.8 ± 2.2 sites within Portugal; plus, 66% (n = 65) could not correctly name any wild species that inhabited their favourite site. Surprisingly, literacy levels were not significantly correlated with the number of visits to the network (rs = 0.181, p = 0.082), and they were only weakly correlated with the frequency that the respondents engaged in ecological behaviours (rs = 0.277, p = 0.007). Overall, the current findings are in agreement with similar studies carried out in Poland that revealed that the population was poorly informed about this important network of protected areas. This scenario is especially worrisome, considering that public participation is regarded as a key factor for successful nature conservation initiatives.
Sofia Oliveira; Joana Pereira; Paulo Santos; Ruth Pereira. Awareness and Knowledge of Portugal Residents about Natura 2000. Sustainability 2020, 12, 9663 .
AMA StyleSofia Oliveira, Joana Pereira, Paulo Santos, Ruth Pereira. Awareness and Knowledge of Portugal Residents about Natura 2000. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (22):9663.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSofia Oliveira; Joana Pereira; Paulo Santos; Ruth Pereira. 2020. "Awareness and Knowledge of Portugal Residents about Natura 2000." Sustainability 12, no. 22: 9663.
Knowledge on the molecular basis of ionic liquids’ (ILs) ecotoxicity is critical for the development of these designer solvents as their structure can be engineered to simultaneously meet functionality performance and environmental safety. The molecular effects of ILs were investigated by using RNA-sequencing following Daphnia magna exposure to imidazolium- and cholinium-based ILs: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C2mim]Cl), 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C12mim]Cl) and cholinium chloride ([Chol]Cl)-; the selection allowing to compare different families and cation alkyl chains. ILs shared mechanisms of toxicity focusing e.g. cellular membrane and cytoskeleton, oxidative stress, energy production, protein biosynthesis, DNA damage, disease initiation. [C2mim]Cl and [C12mim]Cl were the least and the most toxic ILs at the transcriptional level, denoting the role of the alkyl chain as a driver of ILs toxicity. Also, it was reinforced that [Chol]Cl is not devoid of environmental hazardous potential regardless of its argued biological compatibility. Unique gene expression signatures could also be identified for each IL, enlightening specific mechanisms of toxicity.
Guilherme Jeremias; Fátima Jesus; Sónia P.M. Ventura; Fernando J.M. Gonçalves; Jana Asselman; Joana L. Pereira. New insights on the effects of ionic liquid structural changes at the gene expression level: Molecular mechanisms of toxicity in Daphnia magna. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2020, 409, 124517 .
AMA StyleGuilherme Jeremias, Fátima Jesus, Sónia P.M. Ventura, Fernando J.M. Gonçalves, Jana Asselman, Joana L. Pereira. New insights on the effects of ionic liquid structural changes at the gene expression level: Molecular mechanisms of toxicity in Daphnia magna. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2020; 409 ():124517.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGuilherme Jeremias; Fátima Jesus; Sónia P.M. Ventura; Fernando J.M. Gonçalves; Jana Asselman; Joana L. Pereira. 2020. "New insights on the effects of ionic liquid structural changes at the gene expression level: Molecular mechanisms of toxicity in Daphnia magna." Journal of Hazardous Materials 409, no. : 124517.
The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessment scheme has been putting in force the evaluation of freshwater ecosystems in Europe, including a new paradigm of ecological status. After almost 20 years since the WFD implementation, it is imperative to evaluate the efficiency of its standard assessment scheme and to explore the possibility of learning how to improve its effectiveness. That is the spirit of this review, aiming (i) to explore the existing literature on the WFD bioassessment scheme for assessing freshwater ecosystem health, particularly in lotic ecosystems (where the WFD scheme is most consolidated); (ii) to document which paths are suggested by the scientific community to improve the efficiency of the bioassessment in tackling current challenges. In the specific arena of bioassessment, we first identify the major constraints to the WFD full implementation in rivers. Second, we analyse retrospective Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) as an evaluation approach supporting management actions that could inspire improvements in the WFD bioassessment scheme. Third, we review the advances and debate on complementary metrics to improve WFD evaluation protocols and/or the feasibility of the evaluation outcome. Fourth, a conceptual scheme for an improved evaluation strategy is presented. Our proposal essentially merges the WFD bioassessment scheme with the ERA philosophy, proposing a tiered approach of increasing complexity and spatial resolution, where expert judgement is included surgically at all decision stages. This scheme requires true integration of chemical, ecological and ecotoxicological LoE for a quantitative estimation of risks, and provides a comprehensive framework that accommodates tools and perspectives already suggested by other authors. Besides providing a literature review on the strengths and weaknesses of the current WFD bioassessment scheme, we wish to open way for the scientific discussion towards an improved conceptual scheme for the evaluation of ecosystem health.
Joana Isabel Santos; Tânia Vidal; Fernando J.M. Gonçalves; Bruno Branco Castro; Joana Luísa Pereira. Challenges to water quality assessment in Europe – Is there scope for improvement of the current Water Framework Directive bioassessment scheme in rivers? Ecological Indicators 2020, 121, 107030 .
AMA StyleJoana Isabel Santos, Tânia Vidal, Fernando J.M. Gonçalves, Bruno Branco Castro, Joana Luísa Pereira. Challenges to water quality assessment in Europe – Is there scope for improvement of the current Water Framework Directive bioassessment scheme in rivers? Ecological Indicators. 2020; 121 ():107030.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJoana Isabel Santos; Tânia Vidal; Fernando J.M. Gonçalves; Bruno Branco Castro; Joana Luísa Pereira. 2020. "Challenges to water quality assessment in Europe – Is there scope for improvement of the current Water Framework Directive bioassessment scheme in rivers?" Ecological Indicators 121, no. : 107030.
Integrative toxicological approaches are crucial to understand the “whole picture” regarding the environmental hazardous potential of the solvents to license.
Beatriz Mano; Fátima Jesus; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Sónia P. M. Ventura; Joana Luísa Pereira. Applicability of heuristic rules defining structure–ecotoxicity relationships of ionic liquids: an integrative assessment using species sensitivity distributions (SSD). Green Chemistry 2020, 22, 6176 -6186.
AMA StyleBeatriz Mano, Fátima Jesus, Fernando J. M. Gonçalves, Sónia P. M. Ventura, Joana Luísa Pereira. Applicability of heuristic rules defining structure–ecotoxicity relationships of ionic liquids: an integrative assessment using species sensitivity distributions (SSD). Green Chemistry. 2020; 22 (18):6176-6186.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBeatriz Mano; Fátima Jesus; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Sónia P. M. Ventura; Joana Luísa Pereira. 2020. "Applicability of heuristic rules defining structure–ecotoxicity relationships of ionic liquids: an integrative assessment using species sensitivity distributions (SSD)." Green Chemistry 22, no. 18: 6176-6186.
Among the various environmental disturbances caused by wildfires, their impacts within burnt areas and on the downhill aquatic ecosystems has been receiving increased attention. Post-fire rainfalls and subsequent runoffs play an important role in transporting ash and soil to aquatic systems within the burnt areas. These runoffs can be a diffuse source of toxic substances such as metals. The present work aims at assessing the effects of ash-loaded runoff on feeding rates of three representative aquatic invertebrates (Daphnia magna, Corbicula fluminea and Atyaephyra desmarestii) and the mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki, through post-exposure feeding inhibition bioassays carried out in-situ and in the laboratory using water collected from the experimental field sites. Four sites were selected in a partially burnt basin for bioassay deployment and sample collection: one site upstream of the burnt area (RUS); three sites receiving runoff directly from the burnt area, one immediately downstream of the burnt area (RDS) and two in permanent tributary streams within the burnt area (BS1 and BS2). The in-situ exposure lasted four days and began following the first post-fire major rain events. At sites affected by the wildfire, post-exposure feeding rates for D. magna, A. desmarestii and G. holbrooki were lower, which is consistent with the highest levels of metals found at these sites compared to the unaffected site, although the individual concentrations of each metal were generally below corresponding ecological safety benchmarks. Thus, interactions between metals and/or between metals and other environmental parameters certainly played a role in modulating the ecotoxic effects of the runoffs; this was further supported by a Toxic Units Summation exercise. Even if direct causal links between the ecotoxicological effects observed in D. magna, A. desmarestii and G. holbrooki and the physicochemical parameters of the water samples could not be established, the results suggest an important role of major and trace elements in explaining post-exposure feeding rate variation.
Ana Ré; Isabel Campos; João Puga; Jan Jacob Keizer; Fernando J.M. Gonçalves; Joana Luísa Pereira; Nelson Abrantes. Feeding inhibition following in-situ and laboratory exposure as an indicator of ecotoxic impacts of wildfires in affected waterbodies. Aquatic Toxicology 2020, 227, 105587 .
AMA StyleAna Ré, Isabel Campos, João Puga, Jan Jacob Keizer, Fernando J.M. Gonçalves, Joana Luísa Pereira, Nelson Abrantes. Feeding inhibition following in-situ and laboratory exposure as an indicator of ecotoxic impacts of wildfires in affected waterbodies. Aquatic Toxicology. 2020; 227 ():105587.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Ré; Isabel Campos; João Puga; Jan Jacob Keizer; Fernando J.M. Gonçalves; Joana Luísa Pereira; Nelson Abrantes. 2020. "Feeding inhibition following in-situ and laboratory exposure as an indicator of ecotoxic impacts of wildfires in affected waterbodies." Aquatic Toxicology 227, no. : 105587.
In this paper, a modified version of the bat algorithm (BA), called enhanced Lévy flight bat algorithm (ELBA), is proposed for accurate and efficient parameter extraction of different photovoltaic (PV) models from experimental data. Typically, it is formulated as a multimodal nonlinear optimization problem in which the objective function is to minimize the root mean square error verified between the real data and the simulated ones by the PV model at hand, considering certain values for its parameters. In addition, the constraints are associated to the lower and upper bounds of these parameters. From the computational perspective, the main innovations of ELBA lies in the: (i) introduction of a specific mathematical expression to enhance the diversification of new solutions; (ii) adoption of a mathematical expression based on the Lévy flight to perform an effective local search; and (iii) selection of new equations for updating certain control parameters, which provide a better balance between the exploration and exploitation mechanisms of the algorithm. Simulation results comprehensively demonstrate that ELBA has a very competitive performance in terms of effectiveness, robustness, stability, convergence speed and time of simulation, in relation to other state-of-the-art metaheuristic algorithms. Therefore, the major contribution of this paper is the ELBA, a modified metaheuristic algorithm which proves to be a promising tool for parameter extraction of different PV models from experimental data.
Lucas Meirelles Pires Deotti; José Luiz Rezende Pereira; Ivo Chaves Da Silva Júnior. Parameter extraction of photovoltaic models using an enhanced Lévy flight bat algorithm. Energy Conversion and Management 2020, 221, 113114 .
AMA StyleLucas Meirelles Pires Deotti, José Luiz Rezende Pereira, Ivo Chaves Da Silva Júnior. Parameter extraction of photovoltaic models using an enhanced Lévy flight bat algorithm. Energy Conversion and Management. 2020; 221 ():113114.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucas Meirelles Pires Deotti; José Luiz Rezende Pereira; Ivo Chaves Da Silva Júnior. 2020. "Parameter extraction of photovoltaic models using an enhanced Lévy flight bat algorithm." Energy Conversion and Management 221, no. : 113114.
“Sustainability” is a concept guiding contemporary scientific research in the design, manufacture, and use of more efficient, effective and safer, more benign, and environmentally friendly products...
Inês P. E. Macário; Telma Veloso; Joana L. Pereira; Sónia P. M. Ventura; João A. P. Coutinho. Potential Threats of Ionic Liquids to the Environment and Ecosphere. Encyclopedia of Ionic Liquids 2020, 1 -17.
AMA StyleInês P. E. Macário, Telma Veloso, Joana L. Pereira, Sónia P. M. Ventura, João A. P. Coutinho. Potential Threats of Ionic Liquids to the Environment and Ecosphere. Encyclopedia of Ionic Liquids. 2020; ():1-17.
Chicago/Turabian StyleInês P. E. Macário; Telma Veloso; Joana L. Pereira; Sónia P. M. Ventura; João A. P. Coutinho. 2020. "Potential Threats of Ionic Liquids to the Environment and Ecosphere." Encyclopedia of Ionic Liquids , no. : 1-17.
Cyanobacteria can cause ecological, economic and human health problems, climate change trends giving them advantage over other phytoplanktonic groups. Management strategies exist to deal with the nuisance, but many are not effective due to the likelihood of cell lysis and toxin release. This study explores the suitability of the use of the invasive and widespread bivalve Corbicula fluminea for cyanobacterial control. The capacity of clams to filter and ingest cyanobacteria was evaluated using a set of bloom-forming strains comprising different morphological features potentially affecting edibility and palatability. Results generally showed limited filtration of the majority of cyanobacteria, compared with green microalgae used as the reference for optimal filtration (ca. 60 μg Chl a removed in 120 min), except for Pseudanabaena (ca. 90 μg Chl a removed) and Anabaena (ca. 120 μg Chl a removed). The specific attention given to the binomial filtration-ingestion exposed that filtration often directly relates to the deposit of cyanobacteria as pseudofaeces rather than reflects assimilation through effective ingestion. Allocation to pseudofaeces accounted for more than 50% of the Chl a removed from water for all cyanobacteria tested. Adding to effective filtration by the clam, the related accumulation of cyanobacterial biomass in pseudofaeces has the potential for further exploitation since it can be functionally paralleled with the use of synthetic flocculants for cyanobacterial (villain) removal in settings where a natural treatment alternative using an (bad) invasive bivalve could be suitable yet controlled to avoid side ecosystem effects.
Carlos Silva; António Anselmo; Inês P.E. Macário; Daniela de Figueiredo; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Joana Luísa Pereira. The bad against the villain: Suitability of Corbicula fluminea as a bioremediation agent towards cyanobacterial blooms. Ecological Engineering 2020, 152, 105881 .
AMA StyleCarlos Silva, António Anselmo, Inês P.E. Macário, Daniela de Figueiredo, Fernando J. M. Gonçalves, Joana Luísa Pereira. The bad against the villain: Suitability of Corbicula fluminea as a bioremediation agent towards cyanobacterial blooms. Ecological Engineering. 2020; 152 ():105881.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarlos Silva; António Anselmo; Inês P.E. Macário; Daniela de Figueiredo; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Joana Luísa Pereira. 2020. "The bad against the villain: Suitability of Corbicula fluminea as a bioremediation agent towards cyanobacterial blooms." Ecological Engineering 152, no. : 105881.
Mediterranean forests are highly susceptible to wildfires, which can cause several impacts not only within burnt areas but also on downstream aquatic ecosystems. The ashes’ washout from burnt areas by surface runoff can be a diffuse source of toxic substances, such as metals, when reaching the nearby aquatic systems, and can be noxious to aquatic organisms. The present work aimed at assessing the ecotoxicological effects of post-fire contamination on two aquatic producers (the microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata and the macrophyte Lemna minor) through in-situ bioassays, validating the obtained results with the outcomes of laboratory bioassays with surface water collected simultaneously. Four distinct sites were selected in a basin partially burnt (Ceira river basin; Coimbra district, Portugal) for bioassay deployment: one site upstream the burnt area in the Ceira river (RUS); three sites located under the influence of the burnt area, one immediately downstream of the burnt area in the Ceira river (RDS) and the other two in tributary streams within the burnt area (BS1 and BS2). The in-situ bioassays lasted for 13 days and began following the first post-fire major rain events. Results showed that the microalgae growth rate was able to distinguish the three sites within and downstream of the burnt area (BS1, BS2, RDS) from the site upstream (RUS). By contrast, the macrophytes growth rate only allowed to differentiate between the sites within the burnt area (BS1 and BS2) and those up- and downstream of the burnt area (RUS and RDS). The in-situ results for both species were corroborated with the results of the laboratory experiments, supporting the use of laboratory surrogates for a screening assessment of wildfire impacts in aquatic ecosystems. Direct causal relationships between the observed ecotoxicological effects on R. subcapitata and L. minor and the physical-chemical parameters of the water samples were difficult to establish, although the results suggest (i) a role of differential major and trace metal load in explaining species growth variation; (ii) interaction between metals and/or between metals and other field parameters are likely to modulate the biological responses to the challenges deriving from wildfire runoff.
Ana Ré; Isabel Campos; Maria J. Saraiva; João Puga; Jan Jacob Keizer; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Joana Pereira; Nelson Abrantes. Wildfire effects on two freshwater producers: Combining in-situ and laboratory bioassays. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2020, 194, 110361 .
AMA StyleAna Ré, Isabel Campos, Maria J. Saraiva, João Puga, Jan Jacob Keizer, Fernando J. M. Gonçalves, Joana Pereira, Nelson Abrantes. Wildfire effects on two freshwater producers: Combining in-situ and laboratory bioassays. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2020; 194 ():110361.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Ré; Isabel Campos; Maria J. Saraiva; João Puga; Jan Jacob Keizer; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Joana Pereira; Nelson Abrantes. 2020. "Wildfire effects on two freshwater producers: Combining in-situ and laboratory bioassays." Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 194, no. : 110361.
Epigenetic mechanisms have gained relevance in human health and environmental studies, due to their pivotal role in disease, gene × environment interactions and adaptation to environmental change and/or contamination. Epigenetic mechanisms are highly responsive to external stimuli and a wide range of chemicals has been shown to determine specific epigenetic patterns in several organisms. Furthermore, the mitotic/meiotic inheritance of such epigenetic marks as well as the resulting changes in gene expression and cell/organismal phenotypes has now been demonstrated. Therefore, epigenetic signatures are interesting candidates for linking environmental exposures to disease as well as informing on past exposures to stressors. Accordingly, epigenetic biomarkers could be useful tools in both prospective and retrospective risk assessment but epigenetic endpoints are currently not yet incorporated into risk assessments. Achieving a better understanding on this apparent impasse, as well as identifying routes to promote the application of epigenetic biomarkers within environmental risk assessment frameworks are the objectives of this review. We first compile evidence from human health studies supporting the use of epigenetic exposure‐associated changes as reliable biomarkers of exposure. Then, specifically focusing on environmental science, we examine the potential and challenges of developing epigenetic biomarkers for environmental fields, and discuss useful organisms and appropriate sequencing techniques to foster their development in this context. Finally, we discuss the practical incorporation of epigenetic biomarkers in the environmental risk assessment of chemicals, highlighting critical data gaps and making key recommendations for future research within a regulatory context.
Guilherme Jeremias; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Joana L. Pereira; Jana Asselman. Prospects for incorporation of epigenetic biomarkers in human health and environmental risk assessment of chemicals. Biological Reviews 2020, 95, 822 -846.
AMA StyleGuilherme Jeremias, Fernando J. M. Gonçalves, Joana L. Pereira, Jana Asselman. Prospects for incorporation of epigenetic biomarkers in human health and environmental risk assessment of chemicals. Biological Reviews. 2020; 95 (3):822-846.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGuilherme Jeremias; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Joana L. Pereira; Jana Asselman. 2020. "Prospects for incorporation of epigenetic biomarkers in human health and environmental risk assessment of chemicals." Biological Reviews 95, no. 3: 822-846.
Bioremediation has been arising as a successful wastewater treatment concerning contamination events. Olive oil mill wastewaters (OOMW) are amongst the most concerning industrial wastewaters in the Mediterranean region mainly due to its seasonally intense production volumes, leading to numerous problems in recipient freshwater systems and soils. Bivalves present one of the most attractive solutions to integrate remediation strategies owing to their notable filtration capabilities and often their extensive tolerance to several chemical contaminants. The aim of this study was to explore the potential of Corbicula fluminea, a freshwater invasive bivalve, as a bioremediation agent towards OOMW. In this way, C. fluminea was exposed to a sample of this wastewater, and untreated and biotreated fractions were compared in terms of (i) their chemical composition; (ii) bioaccumulation in bivalve soft tissues and shells; and, finally, (iii) ecotoxicity, using standard organisms (bacteria, microalgae, macrophytes and cladocerans). The clam operated significant removal from OOMW of compounds holding OH and NH groups (e.g. phenols and amides) or CO, CC and CN groups (e.g. protein contents), as well as aliphatic compounds by more than half of the initial levels, as read by FTIR analysis. Corresponding transference into clams’ soft tissues can be suggested especially regarding proteins and phosphate groups, with metabolic transformation possibly explaining inconsistencies to some extent; the clam shells were also enriched in compounds bearing carboxyl, hydroxyl and phenol groups, to a lower extent in aliphatic compounds, proteins and polysaccharides, supporting that soft tissues and shells are proper recipients for the olive oil contaminants. Consistently, COD content was reduced by 89% and OOMW toxicity was generally reduced with the biotreatment, remarkably in tests with Lemna minor, where growth rate inhibition decreased from 100% to 60%. Overall, this study presents the first approach linking OOMW with C. fluminea as a potential bioremediation agent, with promising results regarding the use of this bivalve in remediation strategies.
Ana Domingues; Inês Correia Rosa; João Pinto da Costa; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Ruth Pereira; Joana Luísa Pereira. Potential of the bivalve Corbicula fluminea for the remediation of olive oil wastewaters. Journal of Cleaner Production 2019, 252, 119773 .
AMA StyleAna Domingues, Inês Correia Rosa, João Pinto da Costa, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Fernando J. M. Gonçalves, Ruth Pereira, Joana Luísa Pereira. Potential of the bivalve Corbicula fluminea for the remediation of olive oil wastewaters. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2019; 252 ():119773.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Domingues; Inês Correia Rosa; João Pinto da Costa; Teresa Rocha-Santos; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Ruth Pereira; Joana Luísa Pereira. 2019. "Potential of the bivalve Corbicula fluminea for the remediation of olive oil wastewaters." Journal of Cleaner Production 252, no. : 119773.
Earth has been experiencing profound changes throughout the last few centuries. Since the Industrial Revolution in the XVIII century, humanity continues to witness great and fast technological development, in parallel with a substantial improvement in their lifespan and living standards. Consequently, the world population has been increasing exponentially in the last years, and the subsequent environmental impacts are becoming each day more evident. Agricultural and industrial activities represent major routes of pollution that are threatening the normal functioning and structure of ecosystems. Since some biological and chemical processes required to maintain and preserve life have already overcome their resilience capacity (Rockström et al. 2009), it is urgent to develop solutions and more sustainable practices to mitigate these problems and to restore the multifunctionality of ecosystems.
Ana Filipa Domingues; Inês Correia Rosa; Ruth Pereira; Joana Pereira. The Cross-Talk between Bioremediation and Valuation of Residues of the Olive-Oil Production Chain. Bioremediation 2019, 125 -152.
AMA StyleAna Filipa Domingues, Inês Correia Rosa, Ruth Pereira, Joana Pereira. The Cross-Talk between Bioremediation and Valuation of Residues of the Olive-Oil Production Chain. Bioremediation. 2019; ():125-152.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Filipa Domingues; Inês Correia Rosa; Ruth Pereira; Joana Pereira. 2019. "The Cross-Talk between Bioremediation and Valuation of Residues of the Olive-Oil Production Chain." Bioremediation , no. : 125-152.
Ionic Liquids (ILs) are generically regarded as environmentally “harmless” and thus, assumed as “non-toxic”. However, due to the endless design possibilities, their ecotoxicological profile is still poorly known. An accurate knowledge on the toxicity of a substance is required, under the scope of environmental regulation worldwide, before their application and commercialization. Knowledge on the relationship between the chemical structure and toxic effects is essential for the future design of more biocompatible solvents. Focusing on the use of ILs as base lubricants, lubricant additives, or even as potential working fluids for absorption heat pumps, the knowledge on its environmental impact is of great importance, due to the possibility of spills. In this specific context, four analogues of glycine-betaine-based ILs (AGB-ILs) and four glycine-betaine based ILs (GB-ILs) were synthesized and characterized. Their ecotoxicity was assessed using representatives of two trophic levels in aquatic ecosystems, the bacteria Allivibrio fischeri (commonly used as a screening test organism) and the microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata (as an alternative test organism that has been proven very sensitive to several IL families). The microalgae were more sensitive than the bacteria, hence, following a precautionary principle, we recommend considering the toxicity towards microalgae as an indicator in future studies regarding the focused ILs. Although four of the studied ILs were derived from a natural amino acid, all were considered hazardous for the aquatic environment, disproving the primary theory that all ILs derived from natural compounds are benign. Furthermore, the modification in the structure of anion and the cation can lead to the increase of toxicity.
Juan José Parajó; Inês P.E. Macário; Yannick De Gaetano; Laurent Dupont; Josefa Salgado; Joana Pereira; Fernando J.M. Gonçalves; Aminou Mohamadou; Sónia P.M. Ventura. Glycine-betaine-derived ionic liquids: Synthesis, characterization and ecotoxicological evaluation. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2019, 184, 109580 .
AMA StyleJuan José Parajó, Inês P.E. Macário, Yannick De Gaetano, Laurent Dupont, Josefa Salgado, Joana Pereira, Fernando J.M. Gonçalves, Aminou Mohamadou, Sónia P.M. Ventura. Glycine-betaine-derived ionic liquids: Synthesis, characterization and ecotoxicological evaluation. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2019; 184 ():109580.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJuan José Parajó; Inês P.E. Macário; Yannick De Gaetano; Laurent Dupont; Josefa Salgado; Joana Pereira; Fernando J.M. Gonçalves; Aminou Mohamadou; Sónia P.M. Ventura. 2019. "Glycine-betaine-derived ionic liquids: Synthesis, characterization and ecotoxicological evaluation." Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 184, no. : 109580.
Beatriz Sales Bandarra; Luciano De Andrade Gomes; Joana Luísa Pereira; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Rui Martins; Margarida J. Quina. Characterization of Ecotoxicological Effects of Green Liquor Dregs from the Pulp and Paper Industry. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 2019, 7, 14707 -14715.
AMA StyleBeatriz Sales Bandarra, Luciano De Andrade Gomes, Joana Luísa Pereira, Fernando J. M. Gonçalves, Rui Martins, Margarida J. Quina. Characterization of Ecotoxicological Effects of Green Liquor Dregs from the Pulp and Paper Industry. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 2019; 7 (17):14707-14715.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBeatriz Sales Bandarra; Luciano De Andrade Gomes; Joana Luísa Pereira; Fernando J. M. Gonçalves; Rui Martins; Margarida J. Quina. 2019. "Characterization of Ecotoxicological Effects of Green Liquor Dregs from the Pulp and Paper Industry." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 7, no. 17: 14707-14715.