Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raphael Gollnisch, Joel Wallenius, Kristin E. Gribble, Dag Ahren, Karin Rengefors
Summary: Sequencing of reduced representation libraries allows for genotyping of many individuals in population genomic studies. However, it cannot be applied directly on single cells and requires high amounts of DNA, which limits its use on most microbes. To address this limitation, we developed a method called single amplified genomes followed by restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing, which avoids labor-intensive culturing and culturing bias, enabling population genomic studies on unicellular eukaryotes and providing insights into genetic diversity, gene flow, adaptation, dispersal, and biogeography of previously unexplored species.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sunisa Pansook, Aran Incharoensakdi, Saranya Phunpruch
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of simazine for enhancing dark fermentative H-2 production by A. halophytica.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Sophie Rabouille, Benjamin Randall, Amelie Talec, Patrick Raimbault, Thierry Blasco, Amel Latifi, Andreas Oschlies
Summary: Experimental findings show that the marine diazotroph Crocosphaera watsonii WH8501 has minimal NO3- uptake and is not affected by the presence of NO3- in terms of nitrogen fixation rate and cell metabolism. This suggests that assumptions and models regarding N-2 fixation should be reconsidered, as diazotrophy appears to be insensitive to NO3-.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Karina Yew-Hoong Gin, Zhi Yang Sim, Kwan Chien Goh, Jerome Wai Kit Kok, Shu Harn Te, Ngoc Han Tran, Wenxuan Li, Yiliang He
Summary: Picocyanobacteria are small cyanobacteria found in freshwater environments worldwide, known to cause harmful algal blooms. This study discovered that Synechococcus sp. can produce toxins, raising concerns about its toxicity in freshwater systems globally.
Article
Fisheries
Taciana Onesorge Miranda Lopes, Ernani Pinto, Larissa Souza Passos, Fabiane Dorr, Christiane Mileib Vasconcelos, Clarisse Arpini, Marli Oliveira Silva, Tatiana Miura Pereira, Gabriel Carvalho Coppo, Julia Mercon, Levy Carvalho Gomes
Summary: This study evaluated the influence of tilapia production in cages on the presence of GSM and MIB in water and sediment. The findings suggest that eutrophication caused by fish farming and inadequate governmental policies lead to off-flavors in fish products.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amauris Hechavarria-Hernandez, Jose Lucas Martins Viana, Laurent Barbiero, Ary Tavares Rezende-Filho, Celia Regina Montes, Adolpho Jose Melfi, Anne Helene Fostier
Summary: The presence of high arsenic concentrations in the soda lakes of the Pantanal wetland is a unique case of natural arsenic contamination in South America. This study investigates the speciation of arsenic in these lakes, particularly regarding changes related to the trophic status and seasonality. The results show that the speciation of arsenic varies seasonally according to the wet or dry periods and water levels, with different distribution patterns in eutrophic and oligotrophic soda lakes. Cyanobacteria or macrophytes/algae play a role in the biotransformation of arsenic through their metabolic and detoxification processes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Paolo Pastorino, Serena Anselmi, Giuseppe Esposito, Marco Bertoli, Elisabetta Pizzul, Damia Barcelo, Antonia Concetta Elia, Alessandro Dondo, Marino Prearo, Monia Renzi
Summary: In this study, the presence of microplastics (MPs) was assessed in different compartments of two high-mountain lakes in Italy. MPs were found in sediment samples, tadpoles, and fish, but not in water and zooplankton samples. The abundance of MPs was higher in the lower lake compared to the upper lake. The use of a certain fish species was suggested as an indicator of MP pollution in high-mountain lakes.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Grace M. Wilkinson, Jonathan A. Walter, Cal D. Buelo, Michael L. Pace
Summary: This study found that intensification of algal blooms in US waterbodies is not widespread, with only a small percentage showing significant increasing trends. Conversely, some waterbodies exhibited significant declining trends during the same period. Therefore, continued efforts towards protection and restoration of aquatic ecosystems are crucial for maintaining ecosystem services into the future.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Manuel Ebner, Veronika Fontana, Uta Schirpke, Ulrike Tappeiner
Summary: This study examines the key ecosystem services of mountain lakes and explores stakeholder perceptions on their importance and contributions to human well-being in the Central European Alps region of South Tyrol, Italy. The results show that stakeholders prioritize habitat maintenance and aesthetic value, with varying perspectives on the benefits of these services, as well as notions of care and stewardship. The study highlights the potential of participatory and socio-cultural assessment approaches in understanding context-specific ecosystem services and presents initial steps towards the integrative assessment of mountain lakes.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Aysha Kamran, Kathrin Sauter, Andreas Reimer, Theresa Wacker, Joachim Reitner, Michael Hoppert
Summary: The study investigated the structure and composition of microbial communities in ultrabasic serpentinite springs of the Voltri Massif in Italy. Results indicate the importance of carbonate precipitation, the presence of alkaliphilic cyanobacterial communities, and the distinct adaptation of cyanobacteria to these environments compared to creek water sediment.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yunhan Jiang, Ying Liu, Jian Zhang
Summary: Mixed antibiotics can stimulate the growth and microcystin synthesis of Microcystis aeruginosa by activating photosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and other pathways to enhance resistance to oxidative stress. This study provides insights into the mechanisms underlying the hormetic stimulation of harmful cyanobacterial blooms by antibiotic contaminants.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Concha Cano-Diaz, Fernando T. Maestre, Juntao Wang, Jing Li, Brajesh K. Singh, Victoria Ochoa, Beatriz Gozalo, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
Summary: Photoautotrophic soil cyanobacteria play essential ecological roles and their diversity and abundance remain relatively stable during soil development, while vegetation change has a significant impact on the composition of soil cyanobacterial communities.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rajesh P. Rastogi, Anu Shree, Hiral M. Patel, Smita Chaudhry, Datta Madamwar
Summary: This study investigates the occurrence, UV-induction, free radical scavenging potential, and photoprotective function of MAAs in Euhalothece sp.WR7. The results show the presence of two different UV-absorbing compounds, M2G and E-362, which have significant roles in UV protection and free radical scavenging. Furthermore, MAAs could be used as important UV absorbers in cosmetic sunscreens.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Geology
Enrico Bonamini, Fabrizio Berra
Summary: The Norian succession in the Southern Alps of Italy contains thick deposits of resedimented carbonates that were deposited in fault-controlled basins. Detailed analysis of stratigraphic logs provides valuable information on the distribution of different depositional processes and helps interpret basin morphology.
SEDIMENTARY GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Spectroscopy
Neha Mehta, Juliette Gaetan, Paola Giura, Thierry Azais, Karim Benzerara
Summary: While the formation of intracellular amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) by organisms is common, it is challenging to detect ACC in prokaryotes due to its susceptibility to transformation or dissolution during sample preparation. This study identifies diagnostic spectral markers of ACC-forming prokaryotes that enable their detection in the environment.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Donald F. Charles, Martyn G. Kelly, R. Jan Stevenson, Sandra Poikane, Susanna Theroux, Aleksandra Zgrundo, Marco Cantonati
Summary: This review compares concepts, approaches, and methods of benthic algal-based assessments between the EU and US, focusing on the Water Framework Directive in the EU and the Clean Water Act in the US, as well as differences in sampling design and laboratory methods. Commonalities such as the focus on diatoms and key differences like the more widespread use of multimetric indices in the US emerged during the process.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marco Cantonati, Raffaella Zorza, Marco Bertoli, Paolo Pastorino, Gianguido Salvi, Giulia Platania, Marino Prearo, Elisabetta Pizzul
Summary: Studying diatoms in high-mountain lakes provides insights into their response to factors such as fish introduction, cattle grazing, and global warming. It helps understand the complex interaction patterns among different stressors and supports adaptive and sustainable management of high-mountain lakes for nature conservation.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marco Cantonati, Gabriele Hofmann, Daniel Spitale, Marcus Werum, Horst Lange-Bertalot
Summary: Freshwater biodiversity is facing serious threats and lack of attention. The literature on algal Red Lists, especially for diatoms, is limited. This study analyzed the new diatom Red List and compared it to the previous edition. The results showed that the data on diatom microalgae threat status can provide insights into the ecological integrity and diversity of inland-water ecosystems, as well as tracking the effects of stressors and environmental change. The study also revealed the distribution patterns of threatened and tolerant diatom taxa in different types of ecosystems. Nitrates were found to have a significant negative association with the threat status of diatom taxa. The findings highlight the importance of diatom-Red-List based approaches for conservation purposes, especially tailored for different biogeographic and climatic ecoregions.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marco Cantonati, Olena Bilous, Daniel Spitale, Nicola Angeli, Stefano Segadelli, Dimitri Bernabe, Kurt Lichtenwoehrer, Reinhard Gerecke, Abdullah A. Saber
Summary: This study examined diatoms in springs in the Berchtesgaden National Park to track climate-change effects. A total of 162 species were found, with 43% belonging to the threatened category. The study revealed that discharge variability significantly influenced diatom assemblages, and increased nitrate concentrations led to the occurrence of eutraphentic diatom species. The older data showed segregation in non-parametric diatom-based ordinations, suggesting the potential use of spring diatoms in tracking climate and environmental change effects.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bart Van de Vijver, David M. Williams, Tanja M. Schuster, Wolf-Henning Kusber, Marco Cantonati, Carlos E. Wetzel, Luc Ector
Summary: In this study, the former Synedra rumpens complex was investigated, and it was concluded that all infraspecific taxa should be split from Fragilaria rumpens. New combinations and new species were proposed based on the observations of various diatom taxa.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Takako Masuda, Keisuke Inomura, Jan Mares, Ondrej Prasil
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abdullah A. Saber, Sami Ullah Bhat, Aadil Hamid, Jacopo Gabrieli, Hassan Garamoon, Alessandro Gargini, Marco Cantonati
Summary: The El-Farafra Oasis in Egypt relies on groundwater for land reclamation, and the water is suitable for human consumption and irrigation. The chemistry of the groundwater is mainly influenced by rock-water interactions, and high nutrient concentrations are likely due to agricultural activities.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Aurelien Jamoneau, Janne Soininen, Juliette Tison-Rosebery, Sebastien Boutry, William R. Budnick, Siwen He, Julien Marquie, Jenny Jyrkankallio-Mikkola, Virpi Pajunen, Anette Teittinen, Vilja Tupola, Beixin Wang, Jianjun Wang, Saul Blanco, Alex Borrini, Marco Cantonati, Adelaide Clode Valente, Cristina Delgado, Gerald Dorflinger, Vitor Goncalves, Bryan Kennedy, Helena Marques, Athina Papatheodoulou, Pedro Miguel Raposeiro, Catarina Ritter, Antonio Serafim, Bart Van de Vijver, Sophia Passy
Summary: The study found that richness in islands is related to productivity, while richness in continental area equivalents is mainly dependent on area and climate, rather than directly on environmental heterogeneity. Species richness within different guilds exhibited inconsistent relationships with island isolation and area in both islands and continental area equivalents.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Marco Cantonati, Kurt Lichtenwoehrer, Gabi Leonhardt, Linda Seifert, Andrea Mustoni, Ralf Hotzy, Eva Schubert, Lucas Blattner, Olena Bilous, Annette Lotz, Benjamin Poschlod, Reinhard Gerecke
Summary: This article discusses the characteristics and vulnerability of spring ecosystems and the impact of climate change on them. To establish long-term spring monitoring programs, a uniform methodology and comparable data series are required. The authors propose recommendations for spring monitoring, including site selection criteria and climate-sensitive parameters, and suggest the establishment of a database system to integrate all monitoring parameters. Analyzing the data from the new holistic spring monitoring methodology can provide critical knowledge about changing spring ecosystems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tomas Besta, Jan Mares, Katerina Capkova, Emil Janecek, Lenka Stenclova, Andreja Kust, Milan Riha, Eliska Konopacova, Klara Rehakova
Summary: Hydric recultivation by flooding abandoned mining pits creates a new habitat for aquatic organisms. The periphyton in the littoral zone of post-mining lakes showed a high diversity, with different species compositions and successional patterns. Calcium ions were found to be correlated with the periphytic mats and should be investigated further.
Review
Plant Sciences
Otakar Strunecky, Anna Pavlovna Ivanova, Jan Mares
Summary: Cyanobacterial taxonomy is undergoing rapid changes due to advancements in 16S rRNA gene sequencing and new classification workflows. A study has reconstructed a robust phylogenomic tree using genomic sequences and established a polyphasic classification system for Cyanobacteria. This system incorporates both phylogenomic and phenotypic data to provide useful information for professionals in the field. However, the study also highlights the need for integrating genomic data to conclusively classify a large number of cyanobacterial genera in the future.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Katerina Capkova, Tomas Besta, Jan Mares, Petr Capek, Klara Rehakova
Summary: Measuring in situ primary productivity of periphyton during the growing season gradient can provide insights into the quantitative effect of environmental drivers and species composition. Using noninvasive oxygen sensors for real-time measurement allows for accurate monitoring and understanding of primary productivity dynamics.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Olena P. P. Bilous, Inna Nezbrytska, Vladyslav Zhezherya, Serhii Dubniak, Svitlana Batoh, Taras Kazantsev, Oleksandr Polishchuk, Tetyana Zhezherya, Tetyana Leontieva, Marco Cantonati
Summary: Climate change and nutrient pollution have led to increasing frequency, duration, and toxicity of cyanobacterial blooms worldwide. This study investigates whether aquatic vascular plants can inhibit or reduce the massive development of cyanobacteria in reservoirs. The results indicate that floating-leaf plants and free-floating plants may not be statistically effective in controlling cyanobacterial blooms in reservoir ecosystems.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Marco Cantonati, Nicola Angeli, Elena Arnaud, Matteo Galbiati, Eva Soroczki-Pinter, Horst Lange-Bertalot
Summary: Brachysira chiaruccii is a newly discovered faintly heteropolar diatom species found in two lakes in northern Italy and Corsica. This species can be differentiated from similar species by valve outline, symmetry, shape of apices and central area, striation density, size, anchor-shaped terminal raphe endings, and ecology, and is known to colonize oligotrophic, circumneutral mountain lakes in the region.
Article
Plant Sciences
Abdullah A. Saber, Mostafa El-Sheekh, Arthur Yu Nikulin, Marco Cantonati, Hani Saber
Summary: The study discusses the diversity and distribution of cyanoprokaryotes and algae in Egypt, identifying new records and highlighting the tolerance of identified taxa to increased nutrient concentrations. It emphasizes the need for further research to discover hidden algal and cyanobacterial taxa, especially in unexplored desert habitats, in order to better estimate the Egyptian biodiversity and establish efficient algae-based assessment systems for Egyptian habitats.
EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2021)
