scholarly journals Impacts of Microcystins on Morphological and Physiological Parameters of Agricultural Plants: A Review

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 639
Author(s):  
Alexandre Campos ◽  
El Mahdi Redouane ◽  
Marisa Freitas ◽  
Samuel Amaral ◽  
Tomé Azevedo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Physiological Parameters ◽  
World Health ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Regulatory Limits ◽  
Agricultural Plants ◽  
The Impact

Cyanobacteria are a group of photosynthetic prokaryotes that pose a great concern in the aquatic environments related to contamination and poisoning of wild life and humans. Some species of cyanobacteria produce potent toxins such as microcystins (MCs), which are extremely aggressive to several organisms, including animals and humans. In order to protect human health and prevent human exposure to this type of organisms and toxins, regulatory limits for MCs in drinking water have been established in most countries. In this regard, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed 1 µg MCs /L as the highest acceptable concentration in drinking water. However, regulatory limits were not defined in waters used in other applications/activities, constituting a potential threat to the environment and to human health. Indeed, water contaminated with MCs or other cyanotoxins is recurrently used in agriculture and for crop and food production. Several deleterious effects of MCs including a decrease in growth, tissue necrosis, inhibition of photosynthesis and metabolic changes have been reported in plants leading to the impairment of crop productivity and economic loss. Studies have also revealed significant accumulation of MCs in edible tissues and plant organs, which raise concerns related to food safety. This work aims to systematize and analyze the information generated by previous scientific studies, namely on the phytotoxicity and the impact of MCs especially on growth, photosynthesis and productivity of agricultural plants. Morphological and physiological parameters of agronomic interest are overviewed in detail in this work, with the aim to evaluate the putative impact of MCs under field conditions. Finally, concentration-dependent effects are highlighted, as these can assist in future guidelines for irrigation waters and establish regulatory limits for MCs.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak in Italy on the Sustainable Food Consumption Intention From a “One Health” Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greta Castellini ◽  
Mariarosaria Savarese ◽  
Guendalina Graffigna
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
One Health ◽  
Food Products ◽  
World Health ◽  
Italian Economy ◽  
Psychological Reactions ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Close Link ◽  
The Impact

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a transmissible illness that was recognized in December 2019 and World Health Organization (WHO) stated a pandemic on 11 March 2020. As no cure has been developed for COVID-19 disease yet, Italy has adopted restrictive measures to avoid the spread of the virus, causing different psychological reactions (e.g., stress, anxiety) that lead people to change lifestyle and in particular the consumer orientation toward food. In addition, the COVID-19 emergency had also affected the Italian economy, causing an 11.3% decrease in GDP (gross domestic product). All these changes gave rise to a sense of instability, but it is known that new possibilities may arise in these situations. In particular, the pandemic could be the turning point to make consumers aware of the close link between human health and the ecosystems, supporting the “One Health” perspective and enhancing the orientation to consumer sustainable food products. However, little is known about how the psychological reactions to COVID-19 emergency have affected the consumers' intention to purchase sustainable food products. In order to answer these questions, a representative sample of 1,004 Italian citizens, extracted by stratified sampling, answered an online survey between May the 12th and 18th 2020. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and contingency tables. The results show that during phase one of COVID-19 disease about 30% of the sample reported that have frequently (often and always) consumed the certified sustainable food products and about 20% of the sample have intention to increase the consumption of them in the next 6 months, percentages that increase among those who feel more vulnerable regarding the risk contagion. Moreover, the psychological impact of the COVID-19 emergency has led to a change in consumers' attitudes, increasing the interest in animal and environmental issues and in human health. These aspects seem to drive the future intention of purchasing sustainable food products. This research highlights how the psychological reactions to the health emergency have changed the consumers' attitudes toward sustainability issues, leading them to follow a more sustainable diet that is recognized as a way to preserve human health, environmental preservation, and animal welfare for present and future generations.

scholarly journals New Arsenate Reductase Gene (arrA) PCR Primers for Diversity Assessment and Quantification in Environmental Samples

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Babur S. Mirza ◽  
Darwin L. Sorensen ◽  
R. Ryan Dupont ◽  
Joan E. McLean
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Human Health ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
In Silico ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Gene Diversity ◽  
Pcr Primers ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Groundwater Samples ◽  
Reductase Gene

ABSTRACT The extent of arsenic contamination in drinking water and its potential threat to human health have resulted in considerable research interest in the microbial species responsible for arsenic reduction. The arsenate reductase gene (arrA), an important component of the microbial arsenate reduction system, has been widely used as a biomarker to study arsenate-reducing microorganisms. A new primer pair was designed and evaluated for quantitative PCR (qPCR) and high-throughput sequencing of the arrA gene, because currently available PCR primers are not suitable for these applications. The primers were evaluated in silico and empirically tested for amplification of arrA genes in clones and for amplification and high-throughput sequencing of arrA genes from soil and groundwater samples. In silico, this primer pair matched (≥90% DNA identity) 86% of arrA gene sequences from GenBank. Empirical evaluation showed successful amplification of arrA gene clones of diverse phylogenetic groups, as well as amplification and high-throughput sequencing of independent soil and groundwater samples without preenrichment, suggesting that these primers are highly specific and can amplify a broad diversity of arrA genes. The arrA gene diversity from soil and groundwater samples from the Cache Valley Basin (CVB) in Utah was greater than anticipated. We observed a significant correlation between arrA gene abundance, quantified through qPCR, and reduced arsenic (AsIII) concentrations in the groundwater samples. Furthermore, we demonstrated that these primers can be useful for studying the diversity of arsenate-reducing microbial communities and the ways in which their relative abundance in groundwater may be associated with different groundwater quality parameters. IMPORTANCE Arsenic is a major drinking water contaminant that threatens the health of millions of people worldwide. The extent of arsenic contamination and its potential threat to human health have resulted in considerable interest in the study of microbial species responsible for the reduction of arsenic, i.e., the conversion of AsV to AsIII. In this study, we developed a new primer pair to evaluate the diversity and abundance of arsenate-reducing microorganisms in soil and groundwater samples from the CVB in Utah. We observed significant arrA gene diversity in the CVB soil and groundwater samples, and arrA gene abundance was significantly correlated with the reduced arsenic (AsIII) concentrations in the groundwater samples. We think that these primers are useful for studying the ecology of arsenate-reducing microorganisms in different environments.

scholarly journals Opportunistic pathogens and faecal indicators in drinking water associated biofilms in Cluj, Romania

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Farkas ◽  
M. Drăgan-Bularda ◽  
D. Ciatarâş ◽  
B. Bocoş ◽  
Ş. Ţigan
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Water System ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Microbial Consortia ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Faecal Indicators

Biofouling occurs without exception in all water systems, with undesirable effects such as biocorrosion and deterioration of water quality. Drinking water associated biofilms represent a potential risk to human health by harbouring pathogenic or toxin-releasing microorganisms. This is the first study investigating the attached microbiota, with potential threat to human health, in a public water system in Romania. The presence and the seasonal variation of viable faecal indicators and opportunistic pathogens were investigated within naturally developed biofilms in a drinking water treatment plant. Bacterial frequencies were correlated with microbial loads in biofilms as well as with physical and chemical characteristics of biofilms and raw water. The biofilms assessed in the current study proved to be extremely active microbial consortia. High bacterial numbers were recovered by cultivation, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Aeromonas hydrophila, intestinal enterococci and Clostridium perfringens. There were no Legionella spp. detected in any biofilm sample. Emergence of opportunistic pathogens in biofilms was not significantly affected by the surface material, but by the treatment process. Implementation of a water safety plan encompassing measures to prevent microbial contamination and to control biofouling would be appropriate.

scholarly journals The Impact of Alcoholic Beverages on Human Health

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4417
Author(s):  
Peter Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
World Health ◽  
Status Report ◽  
The World ◽  
Global Status ◽  
The Impact

As summarized in the World Health Organization’s latest Global Status Report on Alcohol, the pleasure of alcohol is indicated by the fact that, worldwide, just over two-fifths of the population aged 15+ years drink alcohol; 2 [...]

scholarly journals A review of particulate matter emissions and impacts on human health: A focus on Canadian agricultural and rural emission sources

2018 ◽  
pp. 6.09-6.21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Spencer ◽  
Bill Van Heyst
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Inorganic Aerosols ◽  
Particulate Matter Emissions ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Particulate matter (PM) has been documented in an increasing number of research studies as having a known or suspected negative impact on human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 3.1 million deaths were caused by ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in 2010. While many Canadian studies focus on health impacts from PM2.5, there is a gap with respect to rural sourced PM2.5 and health impacts in these areas. This paper reviews the impact PM2.5 has on Canadians’ health, investigates where PM2.5 data is being gathered, and outlines the sources of PM2.5 reported. Secondary inorganic aerosols that are formed in and around animal production facilities due to the higher prevalence of ammonia gas is of particular interest. The conclusion drawn is that the reporting and gathering of rural sourced PM2.5 data is lacking, leading to a gap in the data used to determine the impacts on Canadian human health.

scholarly journals Emerging pollutants-a potential threat to the marine environment

2020 ◽  
Vol XXIII (1) ◽  
pp. 171-178
Author(s):  
Manuela Rossemary Apetroaei
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Pharmaceutical Formulations ◽  
Emerging Pollutants ◽  
Water Disinfection ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Guideline Values ◽  
The Impact ◽  
By Products

Development of physical-chemical analysis methods has led to detection many chemical compounds (microplastics, pesticides, steroids, hormones, contraceptives, fragrances, sunscreen agents, water disinfection by products, gasoline additives, pharmaceutical formulations used in the treatment of human and veterinary affections, corrosion inhibitors, biocides, UV-filters, etc.) into the marine environment, called emerging pollutants. Their release into the environment was caused by industrial overgrowth, an excessive modernization of agriculture and the development of maritime transport. The large number of chemicals and compounds from surface waters, soils, groundwaters, and sediments is seen as a potential threat to human health because their presence is not widely regulated or monitored by national and international legislation. The emergence of these compounds is due to the increase of concern degree due to the impact they produce on the environment, as a result of their presence in a wide types variety and at different concentrations. The present paper aims to compile available data about the occurrence, sources, and impact of emerging pollutants to improve the analytical methods for detecting more contaminants, to establish new guideline values useful for human health and marine environment protection.

scholarly journals Nitrate levels in drinking water and their impact on the risk of developing gynecological diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34
Author(s):  
Vasilios Pergialiotis ◽  
Dimitrios Loutradis
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gynecological Diseases ◽  
Fetal Malformations ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Nitrate And Nitrite ◽  
The Impact

Nitrate is a nitrogen oxoanion formed by loss of a proton from nitric acid. It is an important source of nitrogen which is essential for protein formation. Regular levels of nitrate in the environment do not exceed 2-5 mg/L. Fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides increase, however, the amount of nitrate in drinking water. In 2011 the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a revised document on nitrate and nitrite levels in drinking water to help establish a common guideline that will help countries. To date, the majority of guidelines on drinking water quality that is directly related to nitrate levels are based in its toxic effect in infants and neonates (primarily the occurrence of methemoglobinemia) and suggest as an arbitrary cut-off the existence of less than 10 mg/L as a measure of safety. Exposure to nitrate levels has been linked to adverse neurodevelopmental effects, fetal malformations and several forms of cancer. However, the associations remain scarce in several fields as the majority of available data is retrieved from articles that investigate the impact of nitrosatable drugs, rather than environmental exposure. In Greece, seven vulnerable regions have been recently identified, following the country`s referral to the Court of Justice by Commission. The aim of the present article is to summarize current evidence and provide recommendations for clinical practice and future research in the field.

scholarly journals Inequitable allocation of deep community wells for reducing arsenic exposure in Bangladesh

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. van Geen ◽  
K. M. Ahmed ◽  
E. B. Ahmed ◽  
I. Choudhury ◽  
M. R. Mozumder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Arsenic Exposure ◽  
World Health ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Deep Wells ◽  
Shallow Wells ◽  
The Government ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Private Wells

Community wells that extend deeper than most private wells are crucial for reducing exposure to groundwater arsenic (As) in rural Bangladesh. This study evaluates the impact on access to safe drinking water of 915 such intermediate (90–150 m) and deep (>150 m) wells across a 180 km2 area where a total of 48,790 tubewells were tested with field kits in 2012–13. Half the shallow private wells meet the Bangladesh standard of 50 μg/L for As in drinking water, whereas 92% of the intermediate and deep wells meet the more restrictive World Health Organization guideline for As in drinking water of 10 μg/L. As a proxy for water access, distance calculations show that 29% of shallow wells with >50 μg/L As are located within walking distance (100 m) of at least one of the 915 intermediate or deep wells. Similar calculations for a hypothetical more even distribution of deep wells show that 74% of shallow wells with >50 μg/L As could have been located within 100 m of the same number of deep wells. These observations and well-usage data suggest that community wells in Araihazar, and probably elsewhere in Bangladesh, were not optimally allocated by the government because of elite capture.

scholarly journals Manganese in potable water of nine districts, Bangladesh: Human health risk

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Aminur Rahman ◽  
Md. Abul Hashem ◽  
Md. Sohel Rana ◽  
Md. Rashidul Islam
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Potable Water ◽  
Hazard Quotient ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
World Health ◽  
Well Water ◽  
Tube Well ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Safe drinking water is directly linked to good human health. An excessive amount of manganese (Mn) in drinking water supplies causes people show symptoms of neurotoxicity. In this study, the level of Mn in potable water sourced from tube wells located in 9 (nine) districts of Bangladesh was monitored. In total 170 (one hundred and seventy) water samples were collected and Mn was quantified by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The levels of Mn found in the tube well water samples of Sirajganj, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, Magura, Faridpur, Jashore, Satkhira, and Khulna were 0.37–1.86, 0.10–4.11, 0.30–0.76, 0.26–0.94, 0.01–0.18, 0.21–1.78, 0.08–1.23, 0.05–0.27 and 0.01–2.11 mg/L, respectively. Results revealed that Mn level was beyond the highest contaminated levels of 0.1 mg/L and 0.4 mg/L, which are recommended by Bangladesh Drinking Standard (BDS) and World Health Organization (WHO), respectively. The maximum Mn contaminated level reached up to 4.11 mg/L (mean: 0.53 mg/L). The Mn level in tube well water exceeded 51.1% and 75.9% set by the recommended value of WHO and BDS, respectively. Furthermore, the calculated hazard quotient (HQ) value for Mn was observed to be greater than unity, indicating both children and adults risked potential non-carcinogenic health issues. The water supply authorities should take steps to provide Mn-free drinking water for communities.

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