Indirect Life Cycle Research Articles

Feline Troglostrongylosis: Current Epizootiology, Clinical Features, and Therapeutic Options.

Parasitic bronchopneumonia plays an important role in feline respiratory medicine, thus it is receiving growing attention by researchers and practitioners. In recent years, Troglostrongylus brevior, a lungworm usually infecting wild felids, has been recognized as an agent of the lower respiratory tract in domestic cats. In particular, as a likely consequence of a spill-over from wild reservoirs (e.g., the European wildcat), T. brevior infection is increasingly reported in cats from Mediterranean and Balkan countries. This parasitic nematode has an indirect life cycle, and its biology overlaps that of the better known “cat lungworm” Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. In fact, cases of co-infections caused by both lungworms are not infrequent in domestic cats. Knowledge on clinical features of troglostrongylosis is still incomplete. Available data indicates that clinical signs and radiographic evidence are severe especially in kittens and young cats, are non-specific and often overlap with those of other feline respiratory diseases, such as feline bronchial disease/asthma, or infectious pneumonia. These characteristics make a definitive diagnosis of troglostrongylosis challenging, this disease requires a timely ancillary therapy and an appropriate anthelminthic treatment. As feline troglostrongylosis is an emerging parasitic disease of domestic cats, it should be included in differential diagnosis for lower respiratory tract disease in cats from regions where this parasite is present but also where it is unexpected. This article reviews current knowledge on the pathogenic role of T. brevior in domestic cats and resulting respiratory illness, with a special focus on clinical aspects, diagnosis, and management of the disease.

An update on sarcocystosis in one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius).

Sarcocystis spp. are intracellular coccidian parasites which infect domestic and wild animals and birds, resulting in considerable economic losses in production animals, and public health concerns worldwide. Sarcocystis spp. have an indirect life cycle where wild and/or domestic canine species primarily serve as definitive hosts and several domestic and wild animals (such as camels) act as intermediate hosts. In Northern Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and China, camel meat is preferred due to cultural and religious traditions as well as its lower cholesterol/fat content than other red meat. However, camel meat quality could be downgraded by the presence of sarcocysts. To date, two Sarcocystis spp. have been reported from camels, including Sarcocystis ippeni (forms microscopic sarcocysts) and Sarcocystis cameli (forms both macroscopic and microscopic sarcocysts). Sarcocystosis is usually asymptomatic, though significant pathogenic effects have also been reported in camels. Despite the high occurrence of sarcocystosis in camels, little is known about various aspects of the disease in these animals. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the existing knowledge on the taxonomy, pathogenesis, epidemiology and diagnosis of Sarcocystis spp. infecting camels and it also highlights areas for further research that could enhance our understanding about sarcocystosis in camels.

Unusual cases of Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis in naturally infected animals in the Czech Republic

The tapeworm Taenia crassiceps has an indirect life cycle. Occasionally, metacestode stages have been reported from aberrant hosts as dogs, cats, lemurs and humans. This study describes an unusual series of serious cysticercosis cases: an 18-month-old male Yorkshire terrier dog with pleural cysticercosis accompanied by a cough, a 10-year-old male Shih Tzu dog with subcutaneous cysticercosis as well as a Cape ground squirrel and a Senegal bushbaby, both with generalised cysticercosis. Surgery was successful only in the Shih Tzu. The Yorkshire terrier died a few hours after surgery, while the Cape ground squirrel was euthanised and the Senegal bushbaby died before surgery. Cysticerci from the four cases were identified morphologically and using molecular methods. Fragments of genes coding for cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 were sequenced for each of the four isolates. Their affiliation to T. crassiceps was confirmed by comparison with the sequence data of other isolates available in the GenBank database. In general, the comparison of sequences of all isolates showed low variability in nucleotide composition (at most five positions). The cases from captive zoo animals represent the first findings of T. crassiceps in the Cape ground squirrel and Senegal bushbaby. The optimal treatment of cysticercosis caused by T. crassiceps remains unclear. Successful attempts usually include extensive surgical interventions and prolonged anthelmintic treatment. Chemotherapeutic options are limited. Although regular deworming targeting intestinal helminths of dogs is not effective against T. crassiceps cysticerci, it may help to prevent contamination of the environment by tapeworm eggs contained in dog faeces and reduce the risk of infection for susceptible animals and humans.

Helminth community from Azara's grass mouse (Akodon azarae) in three habitats with different land use in farming systems of Argentina.

In the Pampa region of Argentina, farming activities have been performed since the beginning of the 20th century, but in the 1990s, land-use patterns rapidly changed towards intensive agriculture and poultry breeding. This study compares the helminth community of Akodon azarae (Rodentia) among three habitats with different land use in pampean agroecosystems: poultry farms, mono-cultivated fields and abandoned fields (not used for 35 years), under the prediction that there will be greater helminth richness and diversity in mice from abandoned fields compared to those from the other habitats. Nevertheless, the highest abundance of A. azarae occurred on poultry farms, the habitat most disturbed by human activity, while cultivated fields showed the lowest. Helminth richness and diversity were significantly higher on poultry farms than in the other habitats, due to the presence of Trichuris laevitestis, Protospirura numidica criceticola and cysts of Taenia taeniaeformis. We suggest that the helminth fauna of A. azarae can survive on poultry farms despite disturbance from farming activities, because rodents can move and get shelter within farm perimeter fences, where dense and high vegetation grows. This farm area could offer good conditions for geohelminth development, while chicken sheds could attract insects that are intermediate hosts of helminths with indirect life cycles. On the contrary, agrochemicals applied in cultivated fields would negatively influence helminth diversity and composition, by decreasing host populations (arthropods and rodents) and affecting free larval stages of geohelminths.

Extracellular Matrix Components in Bivalvia: Shell and ECM Components in Developmental and Adult Tissues

The Extracellular matrix (ECM) is a vital trigger of molecular events in development, homeostasis, cell phenotypes, and evolution. Annotated genome databases and their comparative analyses enable the assessment of the most conservative representation of the ECM components among the Metazoa. Bivalves are widely distributed animals present in various ecological niches. They have shells, indirect developmental life cycles, and highly diverse adaptations and habitat reflected by their ECM repertoire. Only recently, researchers began to characterize the conservation among invertebrates and unique species-specific ECM components involved in biomineralization, development, and cell-cell communications. Here, I discuss the most recent data for the dynamic expression of ECM proteins based on transcriptome data during larval oyster development and in adult organs. Using developmental and cell biology approaches along with confocal microscopy, I showed the expression of certain ECM components in the larvae, adult tissues, and cell cultures. A similar methodology is required to understand the molecular mechanisms and dynamic ECM expression in organisms with very complex life cycles, metamorphosis, indirect development via adaptive larvae, and biomineralization during development.

Is the optimal decarbonization pathway influenced by indirect emissions? Incorporating indirect life-cycle carbon dioxide emissions into a European TIMES model

Energy system optimization models (ESOMs) such as MARKAL/TIMES are used to support energy policy analysis worldwide. ESOMs cover the full life-cycle of fuels from extraction to end-use, including the associated direct emissions. Nevertheless, the life-cycle emissions of energy equipment and infrastructure are not modelled explicitly. This prevents analysis of questions relating to the relative importance of emissions associated with the build-up of infrastructure and other equipment required for decarbonization.We have soft-linked an environmentally-extended input-output (EEIO) model to a European TIMES Model (ETM-UCL) with the aim of addressing the following questions:-In what ways does the inclusion of indirect emissions change the optimal technology pathway for decarbonizing the European energy system?-How much does the present value of key low-carbon technologies change when indirect emissions are accounted for in a decarbonization scenario for Europe?We show that, although indirect emissions are a relatively small portion of overall power sector emissions (<10% in 2050), including them in the model leads to changes in the optimal power sector portfolio. Renewable energy technologies become relatively less attractive once indirect emissions are included within the optimization framework, and we quantify this effect, showing that it is not large. Changes to the relative attractiveness of specific renewable energy technologies are more pronounced than the reduction in attractiveness of renewable energy as a whole: in our main scenarios wind energy saw increased relative deployment in 2050 when indirect emissions are accounted for, since it displaced other technologies with higher life-cycle emissions (notably solar PV). Optimal cumulative installed capacity of PV in the EU 2050 is at least 7% lower when indirect emissions are included. We conclude that policy advice derived from ESOMs that focuses on the roles of specific technologies should ensure that it is robust to the possible effects of indirect emissions.

Life cycle assessment of a future central receiver solar power plant and autonomous operated heliostat concepts

Abstract Up-scaling in power plant size and new innovative concepts in the solar field design are among the most promising ways to reduce the costs of future concentrated solar tower power plants. Besides the economic benefits, the knowledge about the ecological impacts of new concepts is of increased interest in view of the climate targets set. This paper aims to assess the ecological impacts of two autonomous operated heliostat concepts within a future solar tower power plant. Both concepts include a photovoltaic (PV) energy supply for the heliostats, combined with either an LiFPO4 or an LiNMC battery system. Both are compared with a conventional energy supply system. The analysis for comparing the different heliostat concepts is embedded in a life-cycle assessment (LCA) of a 440 MW solar tower plant with a 12,166 MWhth molten salt thermal storage. For the solar tower power plant and the autonomous operated heliostat concepts new LCA inventories were developed. The environmental impacts assessed include the Global Warming Potential (GWP), which is found between 15 and 105 gCO2eq/kWhel, for the entire solar plant depending on the share of fossil fuel co-firing. Indirect life cycle emissions excluding fossil fuel co-firing and thus associated with the life-cycle of the power plant components show, that the conventional solar field is the main contributor to GWP with 9.5 gCO2eq/kWhel. Results for both autonomous concepts demonstrate, that reductions in the impact on climate change are at about 10% compared to the solar field with conventional heliostats. Thus it is demonstrated, that heliostat concepts with an autonomous renewable energy supply lead to considerable reductions in life cycle emissions.

Occurrence of dioctophymosis in canines within a riparian zone of the Río de La Plata watercourse, in Ensenada, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

Dioctophymosis is a parasitic disease occasioned by the so-called "giant kidney worm", Dioctophyme renale, a nematode with an indirect life cycle. This parasite's definitive host is the mink, Mustela vison, though numerous wild and domestic mammals as well as man can serve as final hosts. The worms also can be in ectopic locations in the body. We surveyed 692 canines by ecography, urine sampling, surgery, necropsy, and clinical examination and diagnosed 244 cases of dioctophymosis (35.3%). Of the cases of dioctophymosis identified, 30.7% were obtained by ecography, 45.9% by urinalysis, and 17.6% by both those techniques -in addition to positive findings through surgery (2.5%), necropsy (2.5%), and the spontaneous elimination of the parasites (0.8%). Cases of dioctophymosis were observed in animals as young as 4months of age up to 15years. The frequency of D. renale diagnosis throughout the sampling period varied significantly. There was a statistically significant association between risk factors (swimming in the river, eating frogs, fish or eels, drinking ditch water) and the prevalence of infection. It was discussed the period missing after infection in canines.

Gut Helminth Composition in Newly Comigrating Light Geese (Lesser Snow GooseChen caerulescens caerulescensand Ross’ GooseChen rossii)

Light geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens and Chen rossii) have recently come into contact along a shared migration route. Parasite burdens were compared by examining the digestive tracts of 48 newly comigrating light geese (38 lesser snow geese and 10 Ross’ geese) collected from 4 February to 3 March, 2012 during spring migration through central Illinois. Eight helminth taxa, including four species of Nematoda (Amidostomum sp., Epomidiostomum sp., Heterakis dispar, Trichostrongylus tenuis), two species of Trematoda (Echinostoma revolutum, Zygocotyle lunata), and two species of Cestoda (Cestoda sp. A, Cestoda sp. B), were recovered. Five of the eight helminth taxa were common in both species of host while Cestoda sp. B, Z. lunata, and E. revolutum were only found in lesser snow geese. Nematodes dominated assemblages, and all had a direct life cycle. Prevalences ranged from 22% (Amidostomum sp., C. rossii) to 100% (Epomidiostomum sp., C. c. caerulescens, T. tenuis, and C. rossii). Trematodes, which use an indirect life cycle, were relatively rare with a prevalence less than 10%. Host species and age showed significant effects on nematode composition whereas host sex had no effect. The prevalence of H. dispar was higher in adults than in juveniles for both species. Prevalence and mean intensity of T. tenuis was higher in Ross’ geese than in lesser snow geese, and mean intensity was higher in juvenile than in adult Ross’ geese. Patterns generally followed historic records, but infection levels were lower than previous reports from wintering and breeding ground surveys. While comigrating Ross’ geese and lesser snow geese share similar parasite assemblages overall, multivariate analysis showed clear discrimination between species and with age, indicating that the recent shift in migration patterns has not resulted in a homogenization of their parasite communities.

Parasitic Eyeworm (Oxyspirura Petrowi) in Northern Bobwhites from the Rolling Plains of Texas, 2007–2011

The eyeworm Oxyspirura petrowi is an indirect life cycle nematode that occurs under the nictitating membrane on the eye surface of certain bird species. Previous studies from western or northwestern regions of Texas reported O. petrowi from northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), scaled quail (Callipepla squamata), and Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae). We examined 173 bobwhites from the Rolling Plains of Texas collected during the 2007–2008 (n 1⁄4 33), 2009–2010 (n 1⁄4 86), and 2010–2011 (n 1⁄4 54) hunting seasons, respectively. Overall, 99 (57%) bobwhites were infected with 596 individual O. petrowi; the mean (6 SD) eyeworm intensity was 6.0 6 6.4 (range 1⁄4 1–40) and mean abundance was 3.4 6 5.7. Thus, this eyeworm is a commonly occurring parasite of bobwhites in the Rolling Plains of Texas. Additional surveys are needed to learn more about the geographic distribution of O. petrowi and to assess the possible negative effects on individual bobwhites and their populations.

Reduced helminth parasitism in the introduced bank vole (Myodes glareolus): More parasites lost than gained.

Introduced species are often less parasitised compared to their native counterparts and to ecologically similar hosts in the new environment. Reduced parasitism may come about due to both the loss of original parasites and low acquisition of novel parasites. In this study we investigated the intestinal helminth parasites of the introduced bank vole (Myodes glareolus) in Ireland. Results were compared to data from other European studies and to the intestinal helminth fauna of an ecologically similar native rodent in Ireland, the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). The helminth fauna of introduced bank voles exhibited low diversity with only 3 species recovered: Aspiculuris tianjinensis; Aonchotheca murissylvatici and Taenia martis larvae. In particular, no adult parasites with indirect life-cycles were found in bank voles suggesting that indirectly transmitted parasites are less likely to establish in invasive hosts. Also, the results of this study add support to the enemy release hypothesis.

Larval development of the cat lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in the tropical freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata

SUMMARYAelurostrongylus abstrususis a worldwide occurring lungworm affecting felids. This metastrongyloid nematode has an indirect lifecycle relying on slugs and snails as intermediate hosts. In the present study the development of first-stage (L1) to third-stage larvae (L3) in the tropical freshwater pulmonate snailBiomphalaria glabratawas assessed. A total of 306 snails were individually exposed to 300A. abstrususL1, which were obtained from a naturally infected stray cat. The species was confirmed by biomolecular analysis. Second stage larvae (L2) and L3 were first isolated by artificial digestion of snails in the second and fourth week post exposure (wpe), respectively. From 8 wpe onwards, all larvae had developed into L3. Snails remained infected for up to 26 wpe. Only 0.4% of the L1 had pursued their development into L3, indicating low suitability of this artificial intermediate host for production of infectiveA. abstrususL3.

Cross-fertilization as a reproductive strategy in a tissue flukes Didymosulcus katsuwonicola (Platyhelmintes: Didymozoidae) inferred by genetic analysis.

Mitochondrial DNA locus cytochrome oxidase I was used to asses intraspecific genetic diversity of a didymozoid species Didymosulcus katsuwonicola. Adult forms of this species live encapsulated in pairs in the gills of the reared Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). The life cycle of this food-borne parasites and its migration in the host tissues after releasing from the digestive tract to the definitive site in the gills are unknown. Our goal was to assess whether two encysted didymozoids share the same haplotype, indicative of a common maternal origin, as well as the extent of cross- in respect to self-fertilization strategy. Intraspecific comparison showed high haplotype diversity, while the presence of two matching haplotypes within a single cyst encompassed only 17% of sampled individuals. This infers that cross-fertilization between paired individuals within the cyst is more common mechanism than self-fertilization. Such hermaphroditic parasite's trait suggests the existence of intricate infection and reproduction mechanisms, presumably as an adaptation for successful fulfillment of their indirect life cycle through dissemination of genetically more diverse and consequently more fit offspring.

Sustainable supply chain management and the transition towards a circular economy: Evidence and some applications

In the last decades, green and sustainable supply chain management practices have been developed, trying to integrate environmental concerns into organisations by reducing unintended negative consequences on the environment of production and consumption processes. In parallel to this, the circular economy discourse has been propagated in the industrial ecology literature and practice. Circular economy pushes the frontiers of environmental sustainability by emphasising the idea of transforming products in such a way that there are workable relationships between ecological systems and economic growth. Therefore, circular economy is not just concerned with the reduction of the use of the environment as a sink for residuals but rather with the creation of self-sustaining production systems in which materials are used over and over again.Through two case studies from different process industries (chemical and food), this paper compares the performances of traditional and circular production systems across a range of indicators. Direct, indirect and total lifecycle emissions, waste recovered, virgin resources use, as well as carbon maps (which provide a holistic visibility of the entire supply chain) are presented. The paper asserts that an integration of circular economy principles within sustainable supply chain management can provide clear advantages from an environmental point view. Emerging supply chain management challenges and market dynamics are also highlighted and discussed.

Lungworm disease in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management.

Cardiopulmonary nematodes are emerging parasites of cats in Europe. A number of helminth parasites may be involved. The most prevalent lungworm in domestic cats is Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. Oslerus rostratus and Troglostrongylus species are found mainly in wild cats. The trichurid Capillaria aerophila has a low host specificity and is not uncommon in cats. Additionally the lung flukes Paragonimus species are reported in many species outside of Europe, including cats. Lungworm infections may be asymptomatic, or cause mild to severe respiratory signs, dependent on the worm species and burden; mixed infections are observed. Kittens can be vertically infected and may develop a more severe disease. Affected cats show a productive cough, mucopurulent nasal discharge, tachypnoea, dyspnoea and, in severe cases, respiratory failure and death. Early diagnosis and treatment greatly improves the prognosis. First-stage larvae can be easily detected in fresh faecal samples; the Baermann migration method is the enrichment technique of choice, but takes 24 h. Lungworm larvae can be found in tracheal swabs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, but with less sensitivity than in faeces. Molecular methods have been developed that exhibit high specificity and sensitivity, and allow diagnosis in the prepatent phase. Treatment options include fenbendazole paste, milbemycin oxime/praziquantel and various spot-on formulations. Severe cases should receive prompt medical care in an intensive care unit. Avoiding predation is at present the only preventive measure for pulmonary worms with indirect life cycles. C aerophila has zoonotic potential, causing severe pulmonary disease in humans. Some Paragonimus species are also of zoonotic concern.

Multi level ecological fitting: indirect life cycles are not a barrier to host switching and invasion.

Many invasive species are able to escape from coevolved enemies and thus enjoy a competitive advantage over native species. However, during the invasion phase, non-native species must overcome many ecological and/or physiological hurdles before they become established and spread in their new habitats. This may explain why most introduced species either fail to establish or remain as rare interstitials in their new ranges. Studies focusing on invasive species have been based on plants or animals where establishment requires the possession of preadapted traits from their native ranges that enables them to establish and spread in their new habitats. The possession of preadapted traits that facilitate the exploitation of novel resources or to colonize novel habitats is known as 'ecological fitting'. Some species have evolved traits and life histories that reflect highly intimate associations with very specific types of habitats or niches. For these species, their phenological windows are narrow, and thus the ability to colonize non-native habitats requires that a number of conditions need to be met in accordance with their more specialized life histories. Some of the strongest examples of more complex ecological fitting involve invasive parasites that require different animal hosts to complete their life cycles. For instance, the giant liver fluke, Fascioloides magna, is a major parasite of several species of ungulates in North America. The species exhibits a life cycle whereby newly hatched larvae must find suitable intermediate hosts (freshwater snails) and mature larvae, definitive hosts (ungulates). Intermediate and definitive host ranges of F.magna in its native range are low in number, yet this parasite has been successfully introduced into Europe where it has become a parasite of native European snails and deer. We discuss how the ability of these parasites to overcome multiple ecophysiological barriers represents an excellent example of 'multiple-level ecological fitting'.

Pulmonary and intestinal parasites in colony cats as markers for biodiversity in an urban area

Urban colony cats are part of the vertebrate community in urban ecosystems in the metropolitan area of Milan, Lombardy, Italy (45° 27′ N, 9° 11′ E) their management is mainly based on the practice of their capture/sterilization/release. Aims of this research, performed from May 2013 to March 2014, were to determine the qualitative and quantitative composition of endoparasitic infections in urban colony cats, the spatial distribution of infected colony cats, and the likelihood that parasites of colony cats act as markers for biodiversity in an urban ecosystem. Pulmonary and intestinal parasites were detected in feces of 35.92 % of colony cats specifically, four intestinal nematodes (Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostomatidae and Trichuris vulpis), two intestinal cestodes (Dipylidium caninum and Spirometra sp.), one intestinal protozoan (Cystoisospora sp.) and one pulmonary nematode (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus) were isolated. Infected and non-infected colony cats did not show any statistically significant difference as to their distances from the center of the city. However, in urban colony cats infected and non-infected by A. abstrusus, in cats infected and non-infected by parasites presenting an indirect life cycle (ILC) and in cats with or without multiparasitic infections were detected appreciable differences in their distances from the edges of the nearest green urban areas having different sizes. For A. abstrusus, parasites with an indirect life cycle (ILC), and multiparasitic infections, significant differences in distance from green urban areas were detected for infected vs. non-infected urban colony cats particularly, shorter distances for infected cats were observed, suggesting that cats living closer to green urban areas with higher biodiversity were more likely to be infected.

PREVALENCIA DE UN PARÁSITO ZOONÓTICO, DIOCTOPHYMA RENALE (GOEZE, 1782), EN CANINOS MACHOS DE UNA ZONA RIVEREÑA AL RÍO DE LA PLATA, PROVINCIA DE BUENOS AIRES, REPÚBLICA DE ARGENTINA.

Dioctophymosis is an helminthiasis with an indirect life cycle caused by Dioctophyma renale. It mayaffect both humans and other mammals. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalenceof the parasite in male canines of different ages, living in a wild riverside area of La Plata Riverwith favourable characteristics for the development of eggs, intermediate or paratenic hosts andcompletionof the life cycle of D. renale. 171 animals were surveyed and samples were collectedthrough urethral catheterization. The samples were processed by means of centrifugation at a relativecentrifugal force of 700 g and microscopic observation of sediments. 42.1% of canines exhibitedpatent Dioctophymosis in their kidneys. Male canines between the ages of 2 and 5 showed thehighest frequency of positive results. Several epidemiological risk factors are discussed that, whenassociated, might favour the high prevalence of this parasite in the area. The need for equipmentfor the indirect diagnosis of the disease in canines and other animals prone to infection is clearlydemonstrated.

Parasite specificity in Podarcis bocagei and P. carbonelli (Lacertidae) from NW Portugal: a host-parasite history

Host parasite specificity is related to several factors including the type of life cycle of the parasite, the habitat occupied by both parasites and hosts, and the food habits of the hosts. In this work, gastrointestinal helminths in two congeneric lacertid lizards, Podarcis bocagei and Podarcis carbonelli living in sintopy, have been analysed. Out of four helminth species found, three of them, the trematode Brachylaima sp., the cestode Oochoristica gallica and the nematode Skrjabinelazia hoffmanni, have indirect life cycles while the nematode Spauligodon carbonelli has a direct life cycle. Heteroxenous helminths showed low host specificity whereas S. carbonelli may be placed at an intermediate position in a continuum of the degree of specificity.

Real Time Monitoring of Environmental Efficiency of Power Plants

Abstract Today total environmental impacts of power production are a subject of emerging interest. Operation of power plants presents direct and indirect impacts to the environment. Direct impacts consist of instant emissions due to the operation of power plants and indirect impacts are originated from the production and transportation of fuels and waste handling. The direct emissions are monitored with Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) but indirect Life Cycle Impacts (LCI) are typically assessed only once during the design phase of process properties such as applied combustion technology and fuels. This paper introduces a procedure for a real time monitoring of total environmental impacts of power plants. The monitoring system aggregates direct and indirect impacts as a total environmental efficiency of the power plant. The procedure can be used e.g. for designing the environmentally friendly operation strategy for the power plant and sustainable purchasing of fuels. This project is a part of the MMEA (Measurement Monitoring and Environmental Assessment) research program coordinated by CLEEN Ltd and funded by the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation TEKES.