Tool For Biomonitoring Studies Research Articles

Multivariate approach to determine the ecological preferences of phytoplankton in Uppanar estuary, southeast coast of India

In the present study, the phytoplankton diversity and distribution was studied in relation seasonal variation of environmental parameters in the Uppanar estuary. Samples were seasonally collected (i.e., pre-monsoon: July-2018 and summer: June-2019) from six stations. A total of 62 phytoplankton species belonging to three classes, 20 orders, 26 families and 36 genera were and among the three phytoplankton taxa, diatoms topped the list with 41 species followed by Dinoflagellates (17 species) and blue green algae (4 species). The maximum number of phytoplankton species (36) and diversity value (H’) 3.976 was recorded in the stations near river mouth (UE-6) during summer and minimum species number (21) and maximum species richness (d) 6.923 was recorded in stations close to industrialr zone (UE-1) during monsoon. The maximum species evenness (J') 0.928 was recorded at stations near river mouth (UE-6). BIO-ENV (Biota-Environmental matching) and CCA results confirmed that the environmental parameters such as Dissolved oxygen, Turbidity, Salinity, Water pH, Chlorophyll, Silicate, TN and TP as best match (ρω = 0.968) in determining phytoplankton distributions. The results of present study helps to develop an understanding on the phytoplankton distribution based on physico-chemical parameters, which will form a reliable tool in bio-monitoring studies.

Electrochemical Determination of Metallothioneins by the Modified Brdička Procedure as an Analytical Tool in Biomonitoring Studies

Present study aims to improve the modified Brdicka procedure of metallothionein (MT) quantification in a way to reduce the analysis duration. Therefore, scan rate of the voltammetric sweep was increased from 0.0052 V s–1 to 0.013 V s–1 by lowering the duration of one step potential from 0.5 s to 0.2 s, which resulted in 2.5 times faster voltammetric sweep. Research confirmed high accuracy and reliability of MT measurements, in both standard sample and samples of heat-treated cytosols of liver, gills and the intestine of European chub and liver of brown trout. The method was confirmed as fast and reliable electrochemical technique for quantification of MTs and this time- saving improvement is especially useful and applicable in different biomonitoring studies which require the analyses of numerous biological samples and high sample throughput.

The FOBIMO (FOraminiferal BIo-MOnitoring) initiative—Towards a standardised protocol for soft-bottom benthic foraminiferal monitoring studies

The European Community Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) was established to provide guidelines for monitoring the quality of marine ecosystems. Monitoring the status of marine environments is traditionally based on macrofauna surveys, for which standardised methods have been established. Benthic foraminifera are also good indicators of environmental status because of their fast turnover rates, high degree of specialisation, and the preservation of dead assemblages in the fossil record. In spite of the growing interest in foraminiferal bio-monitoring during the last decades, no standardised methodology has been proposed until today. The aim of the FOraminiferal BIo-MOnitoring (FOBIMO) expert workshop, held in June 2011 at Fribourg, Switzerland, which assembled 37 scientists from 24 research groups and 13 countries, was to develop a suite of standard methods. This paper presents the main outcome of the workshop, a list of motivated recommendations with respect to sampling devices, sample storage, treatment, faunal analysis and documentation. Our recommendations fulfil the criteria imposed both by scientific rigour and by the practical limitations of routine studies. Hence, our aim is to standardise methodologies used in bio-monitoring only and not to limit the use of different methods in pure scientific studies. Unless otherwise stated, all recommendations concern living (stained) benthic foraminiferal assemblages. We have chosen to propose two types of recommendations. Mandatory recommendations have to be followed if a study wants to qualify as sound and compatible to the norms. The most important of these recommendations are the interval from 0 to 1 cm below the sediment surface has to be sampled, and an interface corer or box corer that keeps the sediment surface intact is to be used for offshore surveys. A grab sampler must not be deployed in soft sediments. Three replicate samples are to be taken and analysed separately. Samples are to be washed on a 63-μm screen, and the living benthic foraminiferal fauna of the > 125 μm fraction is to be analysed. Splits are to be picked and counted entirely, and all counted foraminifera from at least one replicate per station have to be stored in micropalaeontological slides. Census data, supplementary laboratory data and microslides have to be archived. Advisory recommendations are to sample in autumn, to have a sample size of 50 cm 2 or a tube of 8 cm inner diameter, to use > 70% ethanol as a preservative, rose Bengal at a concentration of 2 grams per litre for staining, and a staining time of at least 14 days. The split size should be defined by a target value of 300 specimens, heavy liquid separation should be avoided, and the 63–125 μm fraction or deeper sediment levels may be considered in some environments. We are convinced that the application of this protocol by a large number of scientists is a necessary first step to a general acceptance of benthic foraminifera as a reliable tool in bio-monitoring studies. ► Benthic foraminifera are proposed for monitoring the quality of marine ecosystems. ► No standardised methodology has been proposed until today. ► The FOBIMO initiative developed a suite of standard methods. ► They concern sampling devices, storage, treatment, faunal analysis and documentation. ► The application will help to establish foraminifera as a tool in bio-monitoring.