Different Levels Of Anthropogenic Pollution Research Articles

Influence of growing up in the city or near an airport on the physiological stress\xa0of tree sparrow nestlings (Passer montanus)

Urbanization constitutes one of the major transformations of natural habitats, creating new areas characterized by multiple potential wildlife stressors. Birds that live in highly anthropized zones are confronted with physiological and behavioural challenges caused by these stressors. Here, we investigated if several health parameters differed between three subpopulations of tree sparrow nestlings subjected to different levels of anthropogenic pollution, and particularly noise pollution: a quiet rural area, a noisy rural area adjacent to an airport and a heavily urbanized area. We compared body condition, oxidative stress markers and baseline corticosterone levels, expecting urban nestlings to be in overall worse condition as compared to rural (rural and rural airport) birds. In addition, we expected nestlings exposed to aircraft noise to show intermediate stress levels. We found that rural-airport nestlings had the highest levels of antioxidant capacity of plasma and did not differ from rural counterparts in the rest of the parameters. By contrast, urban nestlings were in slightly worse body condition and had lower antioxidant capacity than rural and rural-airport individuals. Our results suggest that aircraft noise does not constitute a significant stressor for nestlings. In contrast, urban conditions constitute a more challenging situation, negatively impacting different physiological systems. Although nestlings seem able to buffer these challenges in the short-term, further research should explore the long-term potential consequences of early exposure to these conditions.

Variations in the Heavy Metal Contents in Tissues of the Sea Cucumber Eupentacta fraudatrix in the Coastal Waters of the Sea of Japan: the Influence of Physiological and Anthropogenic Factors

Data on temporal (July and September) and interannual variations in the content of several heavy metals are presented for the body wall, gonad, and gut of the sea cucumber Eupentacta fraudatrix from coastal waters of two inlets of Peter the Great Bay (Sea of Japan) with different levels of anthropogenic pollution. The gonads mostly accumulate Zn, Fe, Cu and Cd, while the body wall, presumably, Mn and Pb. Moreover, an increase in the heavy metal content in the gut below a certain threshold is asynchronous with changes in the content of most of them in the body wall and/or gonads, which are caused mainly by physiological factors during the spawning period. However, the influence of environmental pollution is significant during the postspawning period. When the heavy metal content in the gut exceeds a certain limit, synchronous variations in concentrations of heavy metals in the gut and tissues were recorded, which highlight impaired control of the heavy metal distribution in the organism. A correlation between the lead content in the gut and gonad indicates the possibility of determining this metal in the gonads as a bioindicator of environmental pollution.

Accumulation of Potentially Toxic Elements in Invasive Ambrosia artemisiifolia on Sites with Different Levels of Anthropogenic Pollution

This study investigated invasive Ambrosia artemisiifolia from five localities with different levels of anthropogenic pollution in order to determine the potential for accumulation of trace metals and metaloids. Physical characteristics of the soil are presented, together with concentrations of As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, and Zn in both plant and soil. The tested samples displayed considerable differences in element concentrations, depending on the level of anthropogenic activities, with the highest concentrations of elements observed in samples from Stolice and Piskanja, the sites with most intensive human influence. A trend of shoot accumulation can be observed in A. artemisiifolia, but without hyperaccumulation, along with lower root concentrations in almost all analyzed samples. This may pose an additional environmental risk, as accumulated elements can spread to other components of the ecosystem. While A. artemisiifolia acumulates a high and even toxic rate of B in shoots regardless of boron concentration in soil, there is a high correlation of Ba, Pb, and Zn concentrations in species shoots with their respective concentration in the soil. Successful colonization of both natural and anthropogenically polluted habitats indicates high tolerance of A. artemisiifolia, which complements its wide environmental amplitude.

Accumulation of trace elements in Tussilago farfara colonizing post-flotation tailing sites in Serbia.

The purpose of this study was to examine the accumulation potential of spontaneously developed Tussilago farfara populations colonizing sites with different levels of anthropogenic pollution. Physical characteristics of the soil are presented, together with the concentrations of macroelements and microelements (Ca, Mg, Fe, S, Al, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn, As, Sb, Ag, Ti, and Sr) in both soil and plants. The biological concentration, accumulation, and translocation factors were used to assess the potential for heavy metal accumulation. Considerable differences were found among assessions from unevenly contaminated habitats, particularly in comparison with an unpolluted site. In line with the ore's characteristics, substrate samples from polluted sites were heavily contaminated with Pb, Zn, As, and Sb. Increased levels of microelements were also detected in plant samples from flotation tailings. Despite active absorption of Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn, and Sr by the plants from mining sites, the detected quantities of these elements in all samples were below the hyperaccumulation threshold. However, the obtained results indicate that the use of T. farfara from such sites in traditional medicine could pose a risk to human health due to accumulation of several toxic elements in the plant's aboveground tissues. Additionally, as a successful primary colonizer and stabilizer of technogenic substrates, T. farfara has an important role in the initial phases of revegetation of highly contaminated sites.

Role of Water-Soluble Forms of Toxicants in the Formation of Toxic Properties of Natural and Waste Water

Cytogenetic methods based on the analysis of chromosome changes in somatic mammalian cells are promising techniques for the early recognition of toxic effects arising from anthropogenic pollution of environmental objects. The genetic changes in somatic cells are an integral parameter of the mutagenic effect of the environment and the effectiveness of the immune system of organisms. In this work, the method of analysis of toxic properties based on determining the frequency and types of chromosomal aberrations during the short-term (within 2 h) exposure of mammalian cell cultures to a test water sample is used to study the toxic properties of natural and waste water with different levels of anthropogenic pollution. It is shown that the contribution to the genotoxicity of the analyzed native water samples from water-soluble substances that cannot be extracted with a mixture of hexane and ethyl ether can reach 50–75%, while the contribution of organic substances extracted with organic solvents can be only 2–3%. Water-soluble compounds of reduced sulfur play a key role in the formation of toxic properties of natural and waste waters. Using benzo[a]pyrene and 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 77) as an example, it is found that the genotoxic properties of even the most hydrophobic toxicants are determined by their dissolved form and can manifest themselves starting from a concentration of 10 ng/L. A comparative analysis with the Ames test, which is widely used in the study of the mutagenic activity of various toxicants, indicates that the cytogenetic method is a much more informative and sensitive method for monitoring the chemical safety of water bodies.

USE OF PHYSIOLOGICAL-BIOCHEMICAL, CELLULAR AND SUB-CELLAR CHARACTERISTICS OF BETULA PENDULA AS MARKERS OF SEED GERMINATION AND MONITORING TERRITORY POLLUTION

The amount of total soluble protein cytogenetic indices, germination ability in the seed progeny of Betula pendula in areas with different levels of anthropogenic pollution was studied. The seed progeny of Betula pendula has an increased germination ability and total protein in areas with low pollution levels as compared to the control group (seeds collected in the ecologically clean territory) and to the same parameters for the areas with high levels of anthropogenic pressure. A high positive correlation was established between seed germination and the amount of total soluble protein. The parameter “amount of total protein” is characterized as a marker of seed germination, which determines the possibility of their germination. Cytogenetic parameters (mitotic activity, percentage ratio of cell number at mitosis stages, level of mitosis pathologies, level of cells with persistent nucleoli at metaphase - anaphase mitosis stage) of seed seedlings of weeping birch were studied as marker signs of anthropogenic pollution of territories. Relations between cytogenetic and biochemical characteristics were found. The impact of the environment, caused mainly by heavy metal pollution, on birch trees and their seed progeny, can be defined as hormesis by biochemical and cytogenetic indices. A comprehensive study of cytogenetic and biochemical parameters can allow a quick and adequate evaluation of the seed quality of unknown origin which is especially important for plant industry and forestry as it allows selecting stable planting material and for the collection of material for pharmacognostic purposes in areas with different ecological pressure. Determining cytogenetic indices and the amount of total protein allows forecasting the germination capacities and germination abilities of the seeds of the weeping birch.

Anthropogenic environmental pressure influence on oak forest biodiversity and Quercus robur mithosis pathologies

The significant reduction of shrubs and grass plants biodiversity between urban and reserved territory could be a biomarker of human impact and effect of urbanisation. We could conclude that trees are more resistant to climate change and anthropogenic pressure.The research of cytogenetic parameters for English oak seed progeny in the areas with different levels of anthropogenic pollution was carried out. High level of mitotic pathologies and mitotic activities of seed progeny plantlets from trees growing near freeway was observed. Also high level of variability indices, such as percentage of prophase cells, metaphase cells, mitotic pathologies were seen.

Indicators of innate immunity and oxidizing processes in the blood serum and liver in roach Rutilus rutilus L. from the Kuban River

Antimicrobial properties of the blood serum and the content of immune complexes, lipid peroxidation products, and antioxidants in the blood serum and liver have been analyzed in roach living in areas of the Kuban River with different levels of anthropogenic pollution. The relationship between the studied parameters and fish habitats is shown.

Heavy metal accumulation in invasive Reynoutria × bohemica Chrtek & Chrtková in polluted areas

This study was carried out in order to determine the chemical composition and accumulation potential of invasive alien knotweed Reynoutria × bohemica from five habitats exposed to different levels of anthropogenic pollution. To estimate the potential for trace element accumulation, accumulation and translocation factors were used, as well as Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients. The concentrations of major and trace elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Al, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr, Co, Cd, Pb, V) in soil samples and plant tissues (roots, stems, leaves) are presented. The results indicate that Reynoutria × bohemica accumulates macronutrients very effectively. In regard to accumulation of heavy metals, increased values were recorded for Fe, Ni, Cr and Co. Weak heavy metal accumulation accompanied by exclusion seems to be the survival and expansion strategy of Reynoutria × bohemica.

Cytogenetic polymorphism of english oak (Quercus robur L.) seedlings from areas with different levels of anthropogenic pollution

Abstract Cytogenetic polymorphism of English oak seedlings from areas with different levels of anthropogenic pollution was studied. In each studied area, groups of seedlings with low, intermediate, and high level of mutations have been identified. Mutable groups were characterised by a high level of mitotic pathologies, broad spectrum of such pathologies (e.g., chromosome agglutination, asymmetric and tripolar mitoses). Impact of trees location near the freeway leads to variability increase of cytogenetic properties and domination of intermediate-mutable groups of seedlings.

Phosphate status and acid phosphatase activity in soil and ectomycorrhizas in two mature stands of scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) exposed to different levels of anthropogenic pollution

The relations between anthropogenic environmental pollution and the level of inorganic phosphorus in soil, enzyme activities of extracellular soil acid phosphatase and the surface acid phosphatase of excised ectomycorrhizas of Scots pine (<em>Pinus sylvestris</em> L.) were studied. Soil and root samples were taken from two Scots pine stands in central Poland: a polluted site exposed to long-term pollution from a steelworks and the city of Warsaw and a reference plot (control) free from direct impact of pollution. The polluted site was characterised by high concentration of trace elements (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr) and low level of inorganic phosphate in soil. This site had significantly lower enzyme activities of soil acid phosphatase (0.54 µmoles <em>p</em>-nitrophenol released g<sup>-1</sup> dry weight h<sup>-1</sup>) and surface acid phosphatase of pine ectomycorrhizas (3.37 µmoles <em>p</em>-nitrophenol released g<sup>-1</sup> fresh weight h<sup>-1</sup>) than the control site (1.36 µmoles <em>p</em>-nitrophenol released g<sup>-1</sup> dry weight h<sup>-1</sup> and 12.46 µmoles <em>p</em>-nitrophenol released g<sup>-1</sup> fresh weight h<sup>-1</sup>, respectively). The levels of phosphate, carbon and nitrogen in pine fine roots were also analysed. Low concentrations of P0<sub>4</sub>-P and high N: P ratio in pine fine roots from polluted site were found. The results suggest that soil pollutants may have a negative effect on the extracellular acid phosphatase of soil and Scots pine ectomycorrhizas and on the phosphorus status in fine roots of the plant.

Technogenic stress and its effect on deciduous trees (an example from parks in Yaroslavl)

A comparative analysis of several morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of leaves has been performed in birch (Betula pendula Roth), linden (Tilia cordata Mill.), and poplar (Populus nigra L.) trees growing in industrial areas of Yaroslavl with different levels of anthropogenic pollution. The results show that high concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere suppress the growth of leaves, and the number and severity of necrotic lesions in them increase. Water content in leaves becomes lower, whereas ash content increases. The contents of photosynthetic pigments change as well: the leaves contain smaller amounts of chlorophylls a and b, whereas the accumulation of carotenoids increases. Judging from changes in the test parameters, P. nigra is more resistant to pollution than B. pendula and T. nordata.

Cytogenetic Damage of Human Somatic Cells and Weeping Birch Cells in Voronezh Districts with Different Levels of Anthropogenic Pollution

Cytogenetic parameters (the mitotic rate and the frequency of pathological mitoses) of the seed offspring of weeping birch (Betula pendula Roth.) and the frequency of micronuclei in the buccal epithelium of children living in several raions (districts) of the city of Voronezh differing in environmental conditions were studied. Judging from these parameters, the environmental situation was the worst in the Sovetskii raion. A correlation was found between the frequency of pathological mitoses in the roots of birch seedlings and the frequency of micronuclei in the buccal epithelial cells of children. This indicates that the cytogenetic monitoring data obtained in plants may be extrapolated to man.