scholarly journals Microplastics in Invasive Freshwater Mussels (Dreissena sp.): Spatiotemporal Variation and Occurrence With Chemical Contaminants

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Hoellein ◽  
Catherine Rovegno ◽  
Amy V. Uhrin ◽  
Ed Johnson ◽  
Carlie Herring

Invasive zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena spp.) in the Great Lakes of North America are biomonitors for chemical contaminants, but are also exposed to microplastics (<5 mm). Little research has examined in situ microplastic ingestion by dreissenid mussels, or the relationship between microplastics and chemical contaminants. We measured microplastics and chemical contaminants in mussel tissue from Milwaukee Harbor (Lake Michigan, United States) harvested from reference locations and sites influenced by wastewater effluent and urban river discharge. Mussels were deployed in cages in the summer of 2018, retrieved after 30 and 60 days, sorted by size class, and analyzed for microplastics and body burdens of three classes of contaminants: alkylphenols, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and petroleum biomarkers. Microplastics in mussels were higher in the largest mussels at the wastewater-adjacent site after 30 days deployment. However, there was no distinction among sites for microplastics in smaller mussels, and no differences among sites after 60 days of deployment. Microplastics and chemical contaminants in mussels were not correlated. Microplastics have a diversity of intrinsic and extrinsic factors which influence their ingestion, retention, and egestion by mussels, and which vary relative to chemicals. While dreissenid mussels may not serve as plastic pollution biomonitors like they can for chemical contaminants, microplastics in dreissenid mussels are widespread, variable, and have unknown effects on physiology, mussel-mediated ecosystem processes, and lake food webs. These data will inform our understanding of the spatial distribution of microplastics in urban freshwaters, the role of dreissenid mussels in plastic budgets, and models for the fate of plastic pollution.

Author(s):  
Ranjit Singh ◽  
Upasana Priya ◽  
Mahesh Chand Purvya

In today’s busy and fast life more people are living with conditions that increase their susceptibility to traumatic wounds, due to one or the other cause; thereby taking a heavy toll of life. As per Ayurveda, these type of wounds, which are caused by extrinsic factors are known as Sadyovrana. The major aspect of the management of the traumatic wounds is prevention of the infection, speedy healing, reducing pain, discharge and less discoloration after healing. In Ayurveda, various formulations for debridement are mentioned such as Kwaatha, Kalka, Churna, Rasakriya, Varti, Taila and Ghrita depending on the Avastha of Vrana. In the present study use of Vajraka Taila for external application, has been chosen. Total 30 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected and the treatment was given for 15 days. The study showed that Vajraka Taila is very effective in Vrana.


2010 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles P. Madenjian ◽  
David B. Bunnell ◽  
Owen T. Gorman

Author(s):  
Mohamed Benhima ◽  
Youssef Benabderrazik

The current study aims to investigate the role of using Information Communication Technology in motivating Moroccan English Department Students to learn during COVID-19 quarantine that lasted from the mid of March to the mid of July. Distance education or emergency remote instruction has become the standard way of teaching and learning during COVID-19. Hence, many universities have started uploading their lesson materials to different platforms. However, many students feel unmotivated to learn using ICT. To prove this hypothesis, a questionnaire in Google Forms was submitted to 114 students from some Moroccan English Department students to investigate the motivating and demotivating factors behind using ICT. Both open and closed-ended questions were used. Moreover, a focus group on the topic of motivation during distance education was conducted for more in-depth data. The results revealed that the most highly motivating factor behind using ICT to learn is attributed to extrinsic factors, whereas the demotivating factors are about lack and weakness of connection and lack of orientation. It is highly recommended that educational administrators and authorities respond to students’ needs.


Author(s):  
João Pinto da Costa ◽  
Catherine Mouneyrac ◽  
Mónica Costa ◽  
Armando C. Duarte ◽  
Teresa Rocha-Santos
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