Salinity Levels Research Articles

Impact of salinity on PAH and halogenated PAH contamination and risks during the pickling of Chinese pickles

In this study, solid-phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was used for analyzing PAHs and XPAHs in pickles. The concentrations were 43.0±3.9 μg/kg for PAH24 (including EPA PAH 16 and EU PAH15+1) and 0.52±0.07 μg/kg for XPAH18 (including 11 chlorinated PAHs and 7 brominated PAHs) in commercially available xuecai, and 28.3±8.7 μg/kg for PAH24 and 0.25±0.11 μg/kg for XPAH18 in laboratory-pickled radish. Throughout the pickling process, concentrations of PAHs generally decreased, while XPAHs in xuecai and chlorinated PAHs (ClPAHs) in radish initially increased before declining. The elevated ClPAH levels in fermented radish compared to their unfermented counterparts, along with the newly formed 1-chlorinated pyrene in xuecai, highlighted the generation of ClPAHs during pickling. At lower salinity levels, the greater reduction in concentrations of PAHs corresponds with the largest increase in ClPAHs, suggesting potential chlorination of some PAHs into ClPAHs via microbial activity. Although concentrations of ClPAHs rose after pickling, the toxic equivalent quotients of PAH42 (including PAH24 and XPAH18) in pickles after fermentation were lower than those in both unfermented and fermenting samples, indicating that mature pickles did not increase the overall toxicity risk associated with PAHs and XPAHs.

Synthesis of carboxyl group functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane for fabricating ultrastable foams driven by high temperature and salinity

Aqueous foams are thermodynamically unstable systems, and their instability increases with temperature and salinity. In this study, we successfully synthesized an amphiphilic polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, POSS-NH2-BTCA, featuring phenyl and carboxyl groups, through a substitution reaction. Highly stable foams were prepared under temperatures conditions ranging from 50 to 90 °C and salinity levels between 20 and 80 g/L. Rheological tests and scanning electron microscopy analysis show that the interactions between divalent ions and carboxyl groups improve the film strength. However, the half-life of the drainage only increased from 38 s to 55 s. Therefore, the enhancement in foam stability is believed to be caused by the inhibition of coarsening and coalescence rather than the suppression of drainage. The strategy for fabricating amphiphilic nanoparticles can serve as a reference for designing new foam stabilizers for high temperature and salinity conditions.

Influence of Organic Loading Rates on the Treatment Performance of Membrane Bioreactors Treating Saline Industrial Wastewater

This study investigated the efficacy of membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology in treating saline industrial wastewater, focusing on the impact of the organic loading rate (OLR) and the food-to-microorganism (F/M) ratio on treatment performance. This research utilized saline industrial wastewater from Al-Hasa, which had salinity levels ranging from 5000 to 6900 mg/L. It explored treatment processes at varying Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) concentrations of 800, 1400, and 2000 mg/L, corresponding to an OLR of 0.80 ± 0.05, 1.41 ± 0.07, and 1.98 ± 0.12 g COD/L, respectively. The average F/M ratios used were 0.20, 0.36, and 0.50 g COD/g MLSS·d, maintaining a constant Sludge Residence Time (SRT) of 12 days, a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 24 h (hrs.), and a flux of 10 L/m2·h. The MBR system demonstrated high COD removal efficiencies, averaging 95.7 ± 1.6%, 95.5 ± 0.4%, and 96.1 ± 0.3%, alongside Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) removal rates of 98.3 ± 0.2%, 99.8 ± 0.1%, and 98.5 ± 0.1%, respectively. However, an increased OLR led to elevated residual COD and BOD levels in the treated effluent, with COD concentrations reaching 34.2 ± 12.8, 63.3 ± 5.9, and 76.5 ± 5.4 mg/L, respectively. This study also reveals a significant decline in ammonia and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) removal efficiencies as OLR increases, dropping from 96.1 ± 0.5% to 80.2 ± 0.9% for ammonia and from 83.8 ± 3.4% to 65.8 ± 2.3% for TKN. Furthermore, higher OLRs significantly contribute to membrane fouling and elevate the transmembrane pressure (TMP), indicating a direct correlation between OLRs and operational challenges in MBR systems. The findings suggest that for optimal performance within the Saudi disposal limits for industrial wastewater, the MBR system should operate at an F/M ratio of ≤0.33 g COD/g of Mixed Liquor Suspended Solid (MLSS)·d. This study underscores the critical role of the OLR and F/M ratio in treating saline industrial wastewater using MBR technology, providing valuable insights for enhancing treatment efficiency and compliance with environmental standards.

Using Pseudo-Color Maps and Machine Learning Methods to Estimate Long-Term Salinity of Soils

Soil salinity assessment methods based on remote sensing data are a common topic of scientific research. However, the developed methods, as a rule, estimate relatively small areas of the land surface at certain moments of the season, tied to the timing of ground surveys. Considerable variability of weather conditions and the state of the earth surface makes it difficult to assess the salinity level with the help of remote sensing data and to verify it within a year. At the same time, the assessment of salinity on the basis of multiyear data allows reducing the level of seasonal fluctuations to a considerable extent and revealing the statistically stable characteristics of cultivated areas of land surface. Such an approach allows, in our opinion, the processes of mapping the salinity of large areas of cultivated lands to be automated considerably. The authors propose an approach to assess the salinization of cultivated and non-cultivated soils of arid zones on the basis of long-term averaged values of vegetation indices and salinity indices. This approach allows revealing the consistent relationships between the characteristics of spectral indices and salinization parameters. Based on this approach, this paper presents a mapping method including the use of multiyear data and machine learning algorithms to classify soil salinity levels in one of the regions of South Kazakhstan. Verification of the method was carried out by comparing the obtained salinity assessment with the expert data and the results of laboratory tests of soil samples. The percentage of “gross” errors of the method, in other words, errors when the predicted salinity class differs by more than one position compared to the actual one, is 22–28% (accuracy is 0.78–0.72). The obtained results allow recommending the developed method for the assessment of long-term trends of secondary salinization of irrigated arable land in arid areas.

Dissolved inorganic nutrients in a reef lagoon influenced by submarine groundwater discharge in the Mexican Caribbean

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) worldwide has been considered an important source of dissolved inorganic nutrients, pathogens, and terrestrial materials transported from land to sea. However, nutrient behavior associated with SGD in the Mexican Caribbean has long been ignored. Here, we investigate the variability in nutrient and pathogen distribution during a neap-spring diurnal cycle in the Nohoch-Teek fringing reef influenced by SGD during the “nortes” season. The spatio-temporal behavior of nitrate and silicate followed three patterns during a neap-spring diurnal cycle: 1) An increasing trend from the beginning to the end of the day; 2) A spatial gradient with decreasing values from SGD-Teek towards the coral reef; and 3) The highest concentrations in the SGD-Teek and southwest of SGD-Teek. No significant differences were recorded in the temporal behavior (p > 0.05); however, the highest concentrations were observed during the lowest spring tide. The ammonium exhibited an increasing trend from the beginning to the end of the day. Significant differences were recorded regarding temporal behavior, with variations during the morning and afternoon of both spring and neap tides, with the highest concentrations recorded in the afternoon. The spatial distribution of phosphate was more homogeneous. The presence of pathogens was evidenced in addition to the variation in the spatial and temporal behavior of nutrient input through SGD. The correlation between salinity and water level suggests that sea level variations influenced the flow. Silicate as tracers proved efficient, showing a predominant flow towards the southwest during both neap and spring tides, with the maximum extent recorded during the spring tide.

Calibration of Low-Cost Moisture Sensors in a Biochar-Amended Sandy Loam Soil with Different Salinity Levels.

With the increasing focus on irrigation management, it is crucial to consider cost-effective alternatives for soil water monitoring, such as multi-point monitoring with low-cost soil moisture sensors. This study assesses the accuracy and functionality of low-cost sensors in a sandy loam (SL) soil amended with biochar at rates of 15.6 and 31.2 tons/ha by calibrating the sensors in the presence of two nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) commercial fertilizers at three salinity levels (non/slightly/moderately) and six soil water contents. Sensors were calibrated across nine SL-soil combinations with biochar and N and K fertilizers, counting for 21 treatments. The best fit for soil water content calibration was obtained using polynomial equations, demonstrating reliability with R2 values greater than 0.98 for each case. After a second calibration, low-cost soil moisture sensors provide acceptable results concerning previous calibration, especially for non- and slightly saline treatments and at soil moisture levels lower than 0.17 cm3cm-3. The results showed that at low frequencies, biochar and salinity increase the capacitance detected by the sensors, with calibration curves deviating up to 30% from the control sandy loam soil. Due to changes in the physical and chemical properties of soil resulting from biochar amendments and the conductive properties influenced by fertilization practices, it is required to conduct specific and continuous calibrations of soil water content sensor, leading to better agricultural management decisions.

Synergistic effect of Pseudomonas putida and endomycorrhizal inoculation on the physiological response of onion (Allium cepa L.) to saline conditions

Salinity stress negatively affects the growth and yield of crops worldwide. Onion (Allium cepa L.) is moderately sensitive to salinity. Beneficial microorganisms can potentially confer salinity tolerance. This study investigated the effects of endomycorrhizal fungi (M), Pseudomonas putida (Ps) and their combination (MPs) on onion growth under control (0 ppm), moderate (2000 ppm) and high (4000 ppm) NaCl salinity levels. A pot experiment was conducted with sandy loam soil and onion cultivar Giza 20. Results showed that salinity reduced growth attributes, leaf pigments, biomass and bulb yield while increasing oxidative stress markers. However, individual or combined inoculations significantly increased plant height, bulb diameter and biomass production compared to uninoculated plants under saline conditions. MPs treatment provided the highest stimulation, followed by Pseudomonas and mycorrhizae alone. Overall, dual microbial inoculation showed synergistic interaction, conferring maximum benefits for onion growth, bulbing through integrated physiological and biochemical processes under salinity. Bulb yield showed 3.5, 36 and 83% increase over control at 0, 2000 and 4000 ppm salinity, respectively. In conclusion, combined application of mycorrhizal-Pseudomonas inoculations (MPs) effectively mitigate salinity stress. This approach serves as a promising biotechnology for ensuring sustainable onion productivity under saline conditions.

Investigating the impacts of a recirculation sedimentation application on microalgae biomass cultivation in wastewater treatment

Commercial microalgae production is often interrupted by contamination, leading to short production cycles, reinoculation needs, and culture collapses, significantly increasing costs. This study focuses on investigating Recirculated Sedimentation Application (RSA) to control contamination in microalgae culture systems used for wastewater treatment. Chlorella vulgaris culture was grown in an unsterilized mixture of tertiary treatment effluent and centrate of anaerobic digestion wastewater sludge over a 90-day experimental period. 60 L raceway reactor was operated under a light intensity of 275 μM m−2.s−1 with a 16:8 h light-dark photoperiod. To evaluate the effect of RSA on biological-based problems, the experiment was conducted in three phases. The benefits of utilizing RSA were established through the following observations: effective removal of contaminants at an acceptable level without releasing the culture; extension of the biofilm formation time on the inner walls; inhibition of heterotrophic bacteria and nitrification; enhancement of the suspended solids retention capacity of the raceway tank (up to 770 mg.L−1); and improvement in ammonium removal rate to approximately 30 mg.L−1d−1. The ideal salinity level for both ammonium removal and biomass concentration in RSA should be below 0.02%. These findings demonstrate the potential of phycoremediation for sustainable wastewater treatment and contribute to environmental bioremediation strategies.

Hermetic effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract mitigates salinity stress in maize by modulating photosynthetic efficiency, and antioxidant activities

Salinity poses a significant constraint to cereal productivity particularly in arid and semiarid regions. The application of allelochemical has shown promising results in mitigating the intensity of abiotic stresses. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of different concentrations of aqueous allelopathic extract derived from moringa leaves in mitigating the adverse impacts of salinity on the germination and growth of maize cultivars via seed priming. The study involved three variables: two cultivars of maize, ‘Pioneer 30Y87’ (salt tolerant) and ‘Pioneer 30T60’ (salt sensitive) e seed priming with moringa leaf extract (MLE) at varying concentrations of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, 3.0%, and hydro-priming as control; and different salinity levels of 0, 6, and 12 dS m-1. Salinity had a negative impact on the germination process, leading to delayed and suboptimal growth of seedlings. Additionally, salinity reduced the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments (20-50%), photosynthesis, transpiration, internal carbon, and stomatal conductance. Further, MLE also improved the antioxidant activities (catalase: CAT and peroxidase: POD) by 22-56% which reduced the hydrogen peroxide production. Moreover, ‘P-30Y87’ exhibited favorable performance in terms of better germination, growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant activities. The application of moringa leaf extract (3%) resulted in a more notable hermetic effect in elevating salinity stress thereby enhancing germination, growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant activities. In the conclusion, application of MLE (3%) is a promising approach to mitigate the adverse impacts of salinity by improving germination, growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant activities.

Studies on the influence of water quality on community assemblage of immature mosquitoes in different ecosystems along the Vaigai river, Tamil Nadu, South India

BackgroundOver the last few decades, river ecosystem is highly modified through various anthropogenic activities which are resulted to alter ecosystem functions and services. This modified ecosystem rendering conducive environment to mosquitoes through various ecological links for the self-sustaining populations. However, deciphering the community assemblage of immature mosquitoes with reference to water quality at modified ecosystem is very essential to make suitable control measure to curtail mosquito populations. In order to understand how the water quality influences the larval density, habitat specificity and community assemblage of immature mosquito populations, a study was conducted at different ecosystems (urban, semi-urban and rural) along the Vaigai river. The physicochemical parameters such as pH, TDS, salinity, conductivity, turbidity, DO, were analyzed at each study site.ResultsOur results clearly revealed that Anopheline species were highly preferred to breed less polluted habitat than Culicine species. Community assemblage by Anopheline and Culicine mosquitoes were found to be higher at all the studies whilst community assemblage by Anopheline were maximum at rural and semi-urban sites. Among the Anopheline species, Anopheles subpictus able to breed at high polluted habitat, particularly higher turbid level (28.49 ± 2.18 NTU) than other Anopheles species. Cx. gelidus mostly breed at sewage disposal habitats with high salinity level (1.01 ± 0.08) whilst Cx. bitaeniorhynchus bred in only fresh water bodies particularly low turbid habitats (3.97 ± 0.40 NTU). Grouping of immature mosquitoes based on the habitat similarity, An. subpictus, Cx. vishnui, An. vagus, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. gelidus and Cx. quinquefasciatus were able to breed in highly polluted habitats which are resulted fell in group A than group B mosquitoes. Cx. vishnui and An. subpictus have strong habitat similarity (0.96) and can able to share their habitats with more number of Anopheline and Culicine mosquitoes.ConclusionsFrom the study we concluded that, Cx. vishnui and An. subpictus were most prevalent species and strong habitats similarity along the Vaigai river basin. An. subpictus and An. vagus can adapt to breed in polluted habitats and this may be adequate to extend the vectorial capacity and disease outbreak along the Vaigai river basin.

Pomegranate-Quinoa-Based Agroforestry System: An Innovative Strategy to Alleviate Salinity Effects and Enhance Land Use Efficiency in Salt-Affected Semiarid Regions.

Salinity is a major problem, impeding soil productivity, agricultural sustainability, and food security, particularly in dry regions. This study integrates quinoa, a facultative halophyte, into a pomegranate-based agroforestry with saline irrigation in northeast Morocco. We aim to explore this agroforestry model's potential in mitigating salinity's effects on quinoa's agronomic and biochemical traits and evaluate the land equivalent ratio (LER). Field experiments in 2020 and 2021 used a randomized block design with three replicates, including monocropping and agroforestry systems, two salinity levels (1.12 and 10.5 dS m-1), four quinoa genotypes (Titicaca, Puno, ICBA-Q4, ICBA-Q5), and a pomegranate control. Salinity significantly decreased total dry matter (40.5%), root dry matter (50.7%), leaf dry matter (39.2%), and root-to-shoot ratio (7.7%). The impact was more severe in monoculture than in agroforestry, reducing dry matter (47.6% vs. 30.7%), grain yield (46.3% vs. 26.1%), water productivity (47.5% vs. 23.9%), and total sugar (19.2% vs. 5.6%). LER averaged 1.86 to 2.21, indicating 86-121% higher productivity in agroforestry. LER averaged 1.85 at 1.12 dS m-1 and 2.18 at 10.5 dS m-1, reaching 2.21 with pomegranate-ICBA-Q5 combination. Quinoa-pomegranate agroforestry emerges as an innovative strategy, leveraging quinoa's salt resistance and agroforestry's potential to mitigate salinity impacts while enhancing land use efficiency.

Chemical and Physical Characterization of Three Oxidic Lithological Materials for Water Treatment

Water treatment necessitates the sustainable use of natural resources. This paper focuses on the characterization of three oxidic lithological materials (OLMs) with the aim of utilizing them to prepare calcined adsorbent substrates for ionic adsorption. The three materials have pH levels of 7.66, 4.63, and 6.57, respectively, and organic matter contents less than 0.5%. All of the materials are sandy loam or loamy sand. Their electric conductivities (0.18, 0.07, and 0.23 dS/m) show low levels of salinity and solubility. Their CEC (13.40, 13.77, and 6.76 cmol(+)kg) values are low, similar to those of amphoteric oxides and kaolin clays. Their aluminum contents range from 7% up to 12%, their iron contents range from 3% up to 7%, their titanium contents range from 0.3% to 0.63%, and their manganese contents range from 0.007% up to 0.033%. The amphoteric oxides of these metals are responsible for their ionic adsorption reactions due to their variable charge surfaces. Their zirconium concentrations range from 100 to 600 mg/g, giving these materials the refractory properties necessary for the preparation of calcined adsorbent substrates. Our XRD analysis shows they share a common mineralogical composition, with quartz as the principal component, as well as albite, which leads to their thermal properties and mechanical resistance against abrasion. The TDA and IR spectra show the presence of kaolinite, which is lost during thermal treatments. The results show that the OLMs might have potential as raw materials to prepare calcined adsorbent substrates for further applications and as granular media in the sustainable treatment of both natural water and wastewater.

Promoting salt tolerance, growth, and phytochemical responses in coriander (Coriandrum sativum L. cv. Balady) via eco-friendly Bacillus subtilis and cobalt

In plant production, evaluation of salt stress protectants concerning their potential to improve growth and productivity under saline stress is critical. Bacillus subtilis (Bs) and cobalt (Co) have been proposed to optimize salt stress tolerance in coriander (Coriandrum sativum L. cv. Balady) plants by influencing some physiological activities. The main aim of this work is to investigate the response of (Bs) and (Co) as eco-safe salt stress protectants to resist the effect of salinity, on growth, seed, and essential oil yield, and the most important biochemical constituents of coriander produced under salt stress condition. Therefore, in a split-plot factorial experiment design in the RCBD (randomized complete block design), four levels of salinity of NaCl irrigation water (SA) were assigned to the main plots; (0.5, 1.5, 4, and 6 dS m−1); and six salt stress protectants (SP) were randomly assigned to the subplots: distilled water; 15 ppm (Co1); 30 ppm (Co2); (Bs); (Co1 + Bs); (Co2 + Bs). The study concluded that increasing SA significantly reduced coriander growth and yield by 42.6%, which could be attributed to ion toxicity, oxidative stress, or decreased vital element content. From the results, we recommend that applying Bs with Co (30 ppm) was critical for significantly improving overall growth parameters. This was determined by the significant reduction in the activity of reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and non-enzyme: proline by 5, 11.3, 14.7, and 13.8% respectively, while increasing ascorbic acid by 8% and preserving vital nutrient levels and enhancing plant osmotic potential to buffer salt stress, seed yield per plant, and essential oil yield increased by 12.6 and 18.8% respectively. The quality of essential oil was indicated by highly significant quantities of vital biological phytochemicals such as linalool, camphor, and protein which increased by 10.3, 3.6, and 9.39% respectively. Additional research is suggested to determine the precise mechanism of action of Bs and Co's dual impact on medicinal and aromatic plant salt stress tolerance.

MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF DIFFERENT COTTON GENOTYPES UNDER NORMAL AND SALT STRESS CONDITIONS

Salinity is a major abiotic stress that badly affects the growth and production of cotton worldwide. This scenario is not different in the case of Pakistan. This research was conducted to examine the effects of different salinity levels on the morpho-physiological characters of six cotton genotypes i.e. shoot and root length, fresh shoot and root weight, photosynthesis rate, and transpiration rate. A pot experiment was arranged with three salinity treatments of NaCl i.e. control (0 dS/m), T1 (4.5 dS/m), and T2 (8.5 dS/m) with three replications of each treatment. Highly significant decreases in shoot length, fresh shoot weight, fresh root weight, photosynthesis rate, and transpiration rate were observed with increasing salinity levels across all genotypes. The genotype MNH-786 showed the highest reduction in all morpho-physiological characters, indicating it was highly sensitive to salinity stress. On the other hand, FH-87 and FH-142 maintained relative performance for all discussed morpho-physiological traits under both moderate and high salinity, demonstrating that these are relatively more tolerant. These findings provided valuable insights into the salinity tolerance of cotton genotypes and highlighted the potential of FH-87 and FH-142 for cultivation in saline-prone areas and for use in breeding programs to improve salinity tolerance in cotton.

The survival and growth of adult and juvenile hard clam Meretrix meretrix exposed to variable estuarine salinities in aquarium settings

Salinity fluctuations in estuaries can significantly impact marine organisms, leading to economic losses through mass mortalities of commercially important species. The effects of varying estuarine salinities on the survival, daily mortality, and growth of adult and juvenile hard clam Meretrix meretrix under controlled aquarium conditions were investigated. Adults (shell length ~45 mm) and juveniles (shell length ~30 mm) were collected from an 18 ppt estuarine habitat in Chowfaldondi, southeast Bangladesh, and exposed to six salinity levels (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 ppt) with three replications at ambient temperature. Adults were monitored for 51 days and juveniles for 23 days. Survival was significantly higher (≥80%) at 15–30 ppt for adults and 10–20 ppt for juveniles, with the lowest survival at 35 ppt. Analysis of co-variance showed that salinity had a greater effect on survival than the combined salinity*size model (p<0.05). While adult clams exhibited no mortality in first 15 days, juvenile mortality (~10%) began on day two across all salinities with a dose-dependent mortality exceeding 50–80% in 25–35 ppt. Adults were more tolerant to high salinities while juveniles to low salinities. Shell length and width did not vary significantly across salinities, likely due to insufficient plankton in the supplied seawater. This study has implications for potential site selection for coastal clam aquaculture along the Bay of Bengal. The sudden changes and combined effects of multi-stressors on bivalves can be assessed for better understanding how near future climate change can impact bivalve fishery and blue economy. Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 11, No. 2, August 2024: 239-254

Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Antioxidant Properties of Traditionally Fermented Thai Vegetables: A Promising Functional Plant-Based Food.

Fermented plant-based products were gathered from various regions in Thailand and categorized into 10 types of traditional commercial vegetables. Different vegetable materials and natural fermentation methods influence the diverse physical, chemical, nutritional, and functional attributes of the products. All the traditionally fermented Thai vegetable samples collected showed physicochemical properties associated with the fermentation process, contributing to the nutritional and functional quality of the final products. Achieving consistent research results is challenging due to the intricate nature of food matrices and biochemical processes during fermentation. The roles of microorganisms, especially probiotics, are crucial in delivering health benefits through fermented foods. Traditionally fermented Thai vegetable foods contain high levels of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and salinity in pickled shallot and ginger as a result of the natural fermentation process and the ingredients used. The research findings were confirmed using a hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA)-derived dendrogram pattern. The nutritional compositions, total phenolic contents, and antioxidant activities varied among the different types of vegetables. The correlations among lipid, protein, fiber, total soluble solid (TSSs), total titratable acidity (TTA), and salinity as potential biomarkers in fermented vegetable products were examined. The results suggest that traditionally fermented Thai vegetable products significantly impacted food research by enhancing the quality and preserving the authenticity of traditionally fermented Thai vegetables.

Lifetime of forage cactus submitted to different water and saline levels

Forage cactus is mostly grown in hot climates, where water deficit is quite common, consequently they end up suffering from saline stress, as the waters of these regions have high concentrations of salts. The buildup of salts in the soil promotes an unfavorable environment for the development of plants, as it negatively alters the growth of crops, reducing the productivity of forage plants in agricultural areas. The objective was then to evaluate the lifetime of Nopalea cochenillifera cactus under water and saline stress conditions. This research was conducted from September 2021, to August 2022, in the forage farming sector of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco. The design used was completely randomized, in a factorial scheme, being composed of two clones of cactus (Clones Giant and Little Sweet), two levels of water irrigation (0.5 and 1L weekly), five levels of saline stress (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 dS m-1), with four replications. The lifetime of forage cactus was evaluated using the statistical methodology of survival analysis by Kaplan-Meier method. The plant mortality rate of N. cochenillifera clone Giant Sweet at 257 days after planting was of 20%, while the clone Little Sweet showed a mortality rate of 15%. When irrigated with 0.5 liter of water, the plants of the clone Giant Sweet presented a mortality rate of 5.0%, whereas the clones Little Sweet showed no mortality. When using 1.0 liter of irrigation water, the clones Giant and Little Sweet showed a mortality rate of 35.0 and 30.0%, respectively.

Molecular analysis of the reactions in Salicornia europaea to varying NaCl concentrations at various stages of development to better exploit its potential as a new crop plant.

Freshwater scarcity demands exploration of alternative resources like saline water and soils. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind NaCl regulation in potential crop plants becomes increasingly important for promoting saline agriculture. This study investigated the euhalophyte Salicornia europaea, analyzing its gene expression, yield, and total phenolic compounds under hydroponic cultivation. We employed five salinity levels (0, 7.5, 15, 22.5, and 30 g/L NaCl) across five harvests at 15-day intervals, capturing plant development. Notably, this design deviated from conventional gene expression studies by recording organ-specific responses (shoots and roots) in plants adapted to long-term salinity treatments at various developmental stages. The highest fresh mass of S. europaea was observed four months after germination in 15 g/L NaCl. Identifying a reliable set of reference genes for normalizing gene expression data was crucial due to comparisons across shoots, roots, developmental stages, and salinity levels. A set of housekeeping genes - ubiquitin c (SeUBC), actin (SeActin) and dnaJ-like protein (SeDNAJ) - was identified for this purpose. Interestingly, plants grown without NaCl (0 g/L) displayed upregulation of certain genes associated with a NaCl deficiency related nutritional deprivation. These genes encode a tonoplast Na+/H+-antiporter (SeNHX1), a vacuolar H+-ATPase (SeVHA-A), two H+-PPases (SeVP1, SeVP2), a hkt1-like transporter (SeHKT), a vinorine synthase (SeVinS), a peroxidase (SePerox), and a plasma membrane Na+/H+-antiporter (SeSOS1). Other genes encoding an amino acid permease (SeAAP) and a proline transporter (SeProT) demonstrated marginal or dispersing salinity influence, suggesting their nuanced regulation during plants development. Notably, osmoregulatory genes (SeOsmP, SeProT) were upregulated in mature plants, highlighting their role in salinity adaptation. This study reveals distinct regulatory mechanisms in S. europaea for coping with varying salinity levels. Identifying and understanding physiological reactions and sodium responsive key genes further elucidate the relationship between sodium tolerance and the obligate sodium requirement as a nutrient in euhalophytes.

Influence of cephalexin on cadmium adsorption onto microplastic particles in water: Human health risk evaluation

This paper explores the impact of environmental factors on the adsorption of cadmium (Cd) and cephalexin (CEX) onto polyethylene (PE) microplastics. The study focused on Cd adsorption behavior on microplastics (MPs) of various sizes, revealing that particles sized 30–63 μm exhibited the highest adsorption capacity compared to other sizes. Cd sorption was significantly influenced by initial pH and salinity levels. Experimental data closely matched both the Langmuir (R2 > 0.91) and Freundlich (R2 > 0.92) isotherms. Cd adsorption onto PE particles was greater than CEX adsorption, with the maximum Cd uptake capacity measured at 1.8 mg/g. FTIR analysis indicated that Cd and CEX adsorption onto MPs was likely governed by physical interactions, as no new functional groups were detected post-uptake. The desorption rates of Cd and CEX from PE microplastics were evaluated in various liquids, including aqueous solution, tap water, seawater, and synthetic gastric juice. The health risks associated with Cd, in combination with MPs and CEX, for both children and adults were assessed in groundwater and aqueous solutions. This study offers scientific insights and guidelines for examining the environmental behavior, migration, and transformation of microplastics and their related ecological risks in scenarios of combined pollution.

Sample Preservation Solution Increases Nucleic Acid Yield and Environmental RNA Quality in Sediments Across an Estuarine Salinity Gradient

ABSTRACTEnvironmental nucleic acid‐based assessments are powerful tools for understanding microbial ecology, and environmental degradation in aquatic environments. This approach is particularly useful in guiding restoration in estuaries, some of the most degraded ecosystems in the world. The recent popularity of this approach has been accompanied by a parallel increase in the diversity of applied methods. A range of best practice methods exist across the field that can be employed and are selected based on environmental considerations such as physicochemical gradients, maximizing yield, and quality of nucleic acids sampled across sites within a study area. A consistent approach to intra‐study nucleic acid sampling also ensures accurate comparison between those sites. This study evaluates environmental nucleic acid (eNA) sampling methods across salinity gradients in aquatic ecosystems, focusing on the impact of preservation techniques on environmental DNA (eDNA) yield and environmental RNA (eRNA) yield and quality. Fieldwork was conducted at three sites within the Coorong estuary system in South Australia, representing low salinity, marine, and hypersaline conditions. Snap freezing and LifeGuard preservation solution treatments were applied in situ to compare their effects on nucleic acid yields and eRNA integrity. Snap freezing enhanced eDNA yield in low salinity sediments but negatively impacted eRNA integrity in marine and hypersaline conditions. Conversely, treatment with preservation solution consistently improved both eDNA and eRNA recovery across all salinity levels, which makes this approach a good candidate for preserving eNA molecules across environmental gradients. The study underscores the necessity of tailoring sample preservation methods to specific environmental conditions for accurate eNA‐based microbial community assessments in coastal ecosystems. These findings contribute to the development of robust eNA sampling protocols for benthic communities under varying salinity conditions.