Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
B. R. Evans, H. Brooks, C. Chirol, M. K. Kirkham, I Moller, K. Royse, K. Spencer, T. Spencer
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between the presence of different saltmarsh plants and the mechanical properties of the underlying substrate. The findings showed that vegetation can enhance sediment shear strengths, but the effect varies depending on the sediment type.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
H. E. Baranes, J. D. Woodruff, W. R. Geyer, B. C. Yellen, J. B. Richardson, Frances Griswold
Summary: The study reveals that marine sediment mobilized during coastal storms is a primary source to the estuaries of North and South Rivers in New England. The study also shows that sediment supply and marsh resilience in New England mesotidal salt marshes involves the interplay of coastal and estuarine processes, emphasizing the importance of considering both upstream and downstream factors in identifying key drivers of environmental change.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-EARTH SURFACE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
X. L. Otero, P. Guevara, M. Sanchez, I Lopez, H. M. Queiroz, A. Ferreira, T. O. Ferreira, G. N. Nobrega, R. Carballo
Summary: Galician Rias are highly productive ecosystems with salt marshes and sediments that promote pyrite synthesis and accumulation. This study examines the morphological variability and concentration of pyrites in the Ria de Ortigueira, finding that framboidal pyrites dominate in marsh soils and sediments in the inner and middle sections, while isolated crystals dominate in the outer section. Lower marsh soils show the highest pyrite synthesis, but lower amounts of framboidal pyrites compared to the inner and middle sections. Pyrite crystals in the sediments indicate degradation and derive from marsh collapse.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hengzhi Jiang, Chongxu Chai, Mingliang Zhang
Summary: Salt-marsh plants play important roles in hydrodynamics and sediment transport in coastal regions. A study using the Delft3D model quantified the influence of these plants on hydrodynamic characteristics and suspended sediment transport in a coastal wetland, and found that the plants contributed significantly to sediment trapping in the local area. The model results showed that salt marsh plants had little impact on tidal level, but had a significant effect on flow velocity and tidal flux, resulting in slow-flow zones in vegetated areas. Phragmites australis attenuated flow velocity more than Suaeda heteroptera. The study also found that salt marsh plants reduced suspended sediment concentration through interception and trapping, with a reduction of over 60%.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Birch Maxwell Lazo-Murphy, Samantha Larson, Sydney Staines, Heather Bruck, Julianne McHenry, Annie Bourbonnais, Xuefeng Peng
Summary: This study isolated four fungi capable of growth under sulfidic conditions from salt marsh sediments and measured their isotopomer signatures of N2O production using isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bernardo Duarte, Alexandra Baeta, Joao Carlos Marques, Isabel Cacador
Summary: Atmospheric CO2 enrichment, largely caused by human activities, affects sediment microbial communities in plant rhizospheres. This study aimed to evaluate this interaction in Spartina maritima rhizosediments and investigate the impacts of increased atmospheric CO2 on biogeochemical processes. Mesocosm trials were conducted using salt marsh cores exposed to 410 and 700 ppm CO2, and rhizosediment extracellular enzymatic activities were assessed. The results showed an increase in dehydrogenase and phosphatase activity under elevated CO2, indicating a priming effect and higher phosphate requirements for microbial activity. Sulphatase activity also increased, suggesting sulphur limitation due to elevated CO2. Protease activity decreased, possibly due to increased amino acid synthesis and acquisition needs. Carbon-related enzymes generally increased under higher CO2 levels. The altered recycling activity of organic compounds may disrupt biogeochemical cycles and affect rhizosphere ecosystem function and ecosystem services.
Article
Ecology
S. Rinehart, J. M. Dybiec, B. Mortazavi, J. A. Cherry
Summary: Burrowing animals, such as crabs, have significant impacts on sediment dynamics and edaphic conditions. However, the influence of burrowing crabs can vary depending on sediment properties and the vertical sediment profile. This study found that burrowing crabs have a greater effect on sediment homogenization and edaphic conditions in marshes with highly stratified vertical sediment profiles. Understanding the vertical sediment profile can provide important insights for managing salt marshes and predicting the effects of burrowing crabs on sediment properties.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nathan D. McTigue, Quentin A. Walker, Carolyn A. Currin
Summary: Coastal wetlands have sediments containing organic matter preserved for millennia, acting as a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide and potential source of greenhouse gases. By measuring the decomposition rates of carbon in wetland sediments under oxygenated conditions, it is estimated that eroded salt marsh sediment in the United States releases 62.90 +/- 2.81 Gg C . yr(-1) annually.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Erin Frates, Rachel Spietz, Michael Silverstein, Peter Girguis, Roland Hatzenpichler, Jeffrey Marlow
Summary: Salt marshes are highly productive ecosystems located at the interface between terrestrial and marine systems. This study investigated the effects of natural and anthropogenic carbon on sediment microbial ecology using bioorthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that both Spartina and diesel amendments led to changes in microbial diversity and activity, highlighting the importance of certain microbial lineages in carbon processing.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yiyang Xu, Tarandeep S. Kalra, Neil K. Ganju, Sergio Fagherazzi
Summary: This study used a 3D fully coupled modeling system to simulate the final vegetation cover and timescale of salt marshes under different forcing conditions. The simulations showed that sediment concentration, settling velocity, sea level rise, and tidal range each had different impacts on the equilibrium coverage and timescale of marshes.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marcella Roner, Massimiliano Ghinassi, Alvise Finotello, Adele Bertini, Nathalie Combourieu-Nebout, Sandra Donnici, Adrian Gilli, Martina Vannacci, Luigi Vigliotti, Luca G. Bellucci, Mariaelena Fedi, Lucia Liccioli, Laura Tommasini, Andrea D'Alpaos
Summary: Many salt-marsh systems are threatened by drowning and lateral erosion due to insufficient sediment supply. Contrary to expectations, changes in sediment availability may not significantly impact marsh dynamics in the vertical plane. A time lag exists between enhanced sediment input and its impact on salt-marsh succession, with sediment stocking along marsh margins playing a key role in horizontal expansion before vertical accretion occurs.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Brian Yellen, Jonathan D. Woodruff, Hannah E. Baranes, Simon E. Engelhart, W. Rockwell Geywer, Noa Randall, Frances R. Griswold
Summary: There is concern about rising sea levels drowning salt marshes faster than they can build elevation. Little attention has been paid to how changes in inlet geometry affect estuarine tides and marshes. A storm in 1898 created a new inlet, shortening one river and lengthening another. Measurements suggest that this caused increased high tides and frequent inundation. Sediment deposition and channel widening allowed the marshes to adjust to the increased inundation and survive rapid sea level rise.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-EARTH SURFACE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jie Ren, Zhan Wen, Guochun Lu
Summary: Heavy metal contamination in agroecosystems is a global concern due to industrialization and urbanization, with HMs entering the food chain and posing risks to public health. This study focused on a specific area, the Xijiang River Basin in Guangdong, China, and analyzed the pollution characteristics and ecological risks of five HMs. The results showed that natural sources and anthropogenic activities both contribute to the activation and migration of HMs, and Cu and Zn were identified as posing the greatest environmental risks. Integration of different assessment methods is recommended for more comprehensive risk evaluation.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chuang Jin, Zheng Gong, Lei Shi, Kun Zhao, Rafael O. Tinoco, Jorge E. San Juan, Liang Geng, Giovanni Coco
Summary: Salt marshes play a key role in attenuating wave energy and promoting sedimentation necessary to potentially adapt to sea level rise. The soil surface elevation in the marsh region varies spatially and temporally as a function of marsh topography, inundation frequency, and distance to the salt marsh edge. The sedimentation rate reduces linearly shoreward and is highest around the mean high-water level, moving towards the edge of the salt marsh with marsh extension and increasing soil surface elevation.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sinead M. Crotty, Daniele Pinton, Alberto Canestrelli, Hallie S. Fischman, Collin Ortals, Nicholas R. Dahl, Sydney Williams, Tjeerd J. Bouma, Christine Angelini
Summary: This study reveals that the mussel, Geukensia demissa, has a significant effect on saltmarsh accretion in the southeastern US, with deposition being 2.8-10.7 times higher on mussel aggregations compared to other marsh locations. The study also predicts that mussels drive substantial changes to the magnitude and spatial patterning of accretion at marsh domain scales. Moreover, a manipulative experiment involving over 200,000 mussels shows that the faunal engineer has a much larger impact on relative marsh accretion rates than expected. Therefore, there is a critical need for empirical, experimental, and modeling work to understand the importance of faunal engineers in modifying the persistence of coastal ecosystems globally.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Francisco N. Godinho, Carlos Alexandre, Pedro R. Almeida, Francisco Martinez-Capel, Rui M. Cortes, Bernardo R. Quintella, Javier Sanz-Ronda, Jose M. Santos, Antoni Palau, Antonio N. Pinheiro, Isabel Boavida
Summary: Hydropeaking negatively affects fish assemblages, and there is a lack of research on its impacts on Iberian Cypriniformes and Mediterranean rivers. This study adapted a tool developed for salmonids to assess hydropeaking impacts on Iberian Cypriniformes, incorporating factors related to hydromorphological effects and fish vulnerability. Experts ranked the timing and distribution of peaking events higher in effect factors, and the population size of barbel and smaller native Cypriniformes, as well as the degree of limitations in recruitment, higher in vulnerability factors. The study provided a comprehensive and systematic assessment tool for evaluating hydropeaking impacts on Iberian Cypriniformes.
RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Carlos M. Alexandre, Bernardo R. Quintella, Michael Ovidio, Isabel Boavida, Maria J. Costa, Arjan P. Palstra, Rui L. Pedroso de Lima, Maria Isabel P. de Lima, Joao L. M. P. de Lima, Pedro R. Almeida
Summary: Dam construction and streamflow regulation have increasing impacts on impounded aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Hydropower dams, especially those causing hydropeaking phenomena, have various effects on downstream aquatic biota, particularly fish and their habitats. Technological advances in the past decades have allowed for the development of innovative methods and techniques involving technology to evaluate the impacts of hydropeaking on downstream ecosystems from a fish perspective. This paper provides a review of these methods, discussing their fundamentals, advantages, and disadvantages, and presents practical examples and results. The limitations of these methods and potential future technological advancements are also discussed.
RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Irina A. Duarte, Patrick Reis-Santos, Jerker Fick, Henrique N. Cabral, Bernardo Duarte, Vanessa F. Fonseca
Summary: The contamination of surface waters by pharmaceuticals is a global issue caused by increased access and use of pharmaceuticals, which poses a threat to non-target species. Neuroactive pharmaceuticals, in particular, can bioaccumulate in fish and disrupt various processes, impacting fish populations and their ecosystems. This study investigates the presence and bioaccumulation of 33 neuroactive pharmaceuticals in multiple fish species from four different estuaries. The results show widespread occurrence and bioaccumulation of these pharmaceuticals in fish tissues, highlighting the urgent need for toxicity assessment in natural ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Maria Hasnain, Neelma Munir, Zainul Abideen, Faisal Zulfiqar, Hans Werner Koyro, Ali El-Naggar, Isabel Cacador, Bernardo Duarte, Jorg Rinklebe, Jean Wan Hong Yong
Summary: Unpredictable climatic changes and human activities are causing land degradation and reducing global food production. Biochar can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and degraded soils, improve soil quality, and enhance plant resilience. It can also immobilize pollutants in contaminated soils and improve crop cultivation under unfavorable conditions such as salinity, drought, flooding, and heavy metal stress.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Bernardo Duarte, Juliana Melo, Renato Mamede, Joao Carreiras, Andreia Figueiredo, Vanessa F. Fonseca, Miguel Leao de Sousa, Anabela B. Silva
Summary: Food fraud is a concern for consumers, and developing traceability and authenticity tools are crucial for depicting the certification status of PGI products. The research found that using pulp multielement signatures and VIP-PLS-DA method can effectively discriminate different apple varieties and origins, providing information about product authenticity and nutritional value to consumers.
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Yorgos Stratoudakis, Carlos Antunes, Claudia Correia, Ana Filipa Belo, Pedro R. Almeida
Summary: A questionnaire survey of small-scale estuarine and inland fisheries in the NW Iberian Peninsula reveals differences in governance and fisheries management, but similar patterns of exploitation. The importance of fishing revenue, professional exclusivity, and geographic mobility declines upstream. Intangible contact with nature is valued across rivers. Although there is a long tradition and generational continuity in the fishing profession, signs of diminishing hand-over to younger generations are detected. Fishers perceive environmental degradation and overexploitation.
REVIEWS IN FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bernardo Duarte, Vanessa Pires, Joao Carreiras, Ricardo Cruz de Carvalho, Renata Ferreira, Manuel F. C. Pereira, Antonio M. Mauricio, Susete Martins-Dias, Isabel Cacador
Summary: This study evaluated the influence of biochar amendments on metal-contaminated mine soils and their effects on metal uptake and physiological performance of Cistus ladanifer plants. The addition of biochar increased the bioavailability of metals, resulting in an increased metal burden in the plants. This led to a reduction in photochemical traits, but efficient energy dissipation mechanisms prevented irreversible photoinhibition. The plants exposed to 1% biochar concentration showed improved metal uptake and preserved metabolic activity, making it the most suitable amendment for phytoremediation purposes.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Bernardo Duarte, Renato Mamede, Irina A. Duarte, Isabel Cacador, Patrick Reis-Santos, Rita P. Vasconcelos, Carla Gameiro, Rui Rosa, Susanne E. Tanner, Vanessa F. Fonseca
Summary: There is a need to develop tools to confirm the capture location of cephalopods due to the high demand and economic relevance. By analyzing the elements and spectral features of octopus beaks, it is possible to accurately determine their harvest location.
JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana Rita Cavaco, Goncalo Laureano, Bernardo Duarte, Jorge Marques da Silva, Carla Gameiro, Jorge Cunha, Jose Eiras Dias, Ana Rita Matos, Andreia Figueiredo
Summary: Grapevine is susceptible to downy mildew caused by Plasmopara viticola, and current control strategies using pesticides at various developmental stages jeopardize viticulture sustainability. Understanding resistance molecular processes and identifying markers to differentiate between tolerant and susceptible genotypes is crucial. This study analyzed the constitutive lipid and fatty acid composition of four grapevine genotypes with contrasting behavior, and found that susceptible genotypes have higher content of plastidial lipids and unsaturated fatty acids, as well as higher expression levels of fatty acid desaturases (FAD) genes. Tolerant genotypes, on the other hand, have higher amounts of neutral lipids, phosphatidic acid, and saturated fatty acids.
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bernardo Duarte, Joao Carreiras, Bruno Fonseca, Ricardo Cruz de Carvalho, Ana Rita Matos, Isabel Cacador
Summary: The anticipated rise in heatwaves in the Mediterranean region poses a danger to crop production. This study investigates the physiological responses of S. ramosissima plants exposed to heatwave treatments, with and without marine PGPB inoculation, to evaluate potential thermal adaptation conditions. The results show that inoculated plants exhibit improved light-use efficiency, light harvesting, photoprotection, antioxidant activity, and membrane stability under heatwave conditions.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Vanessa M. M. Lopes, Melanie Court, Martim Costa Seco, Francisco O. O. Borges, Bernardo Vicente, Sandra Lage, Ana Catarina Braga, Bernardo Duarte, Catarina Frazao Santos, Ana Amorim, Pedro Reis Costa, Rui Rosa
Summary: Marine heatwaves (MHWs) have doubled in frequency since the 1980s and are projected to be exacerbated during this century. MHWs have been shown to trigger harmful algal blooms (HABs) and this study investigates the impact of MHWs on key parameters of the paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) producer Gymnodinium catenatum. The results suggest that MHWs can reduce the toxicity and production of PST compounds in G. catenatum.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bernardo Duarte, Renato Mamede, Isabel Cacador, Ricardo Melo, Vanessa F. Fonseca
Summary: Seafood traceability is important for producers and consumers to provide information on the origin, nutritional value, and safety of products. Using chemometric analysis of seaweed elemental signatures, it is possible to authenticate species and determine the harvest location and season. These models can be valuable for stakeholders in ensuring the safe and sustainable development of seaweed products.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sheila C. Oliveira-Alves, Fabio Andrade, Joao Sousa, Andreia Bento-Silva, Bernardo Duarte, Isabel Cacador, Miguel Salazar, Elsa Mecha, Ana Teresa Serra, Maria Rosario Bronze
Summary: The use of halophyte plants offers a potential solution to address issues such as degraded soil, food safety, freshwater scarcity, and coastal area utilization. This study evaluated the nutritional composition, volatile profile, phytochemical content, and biological activities of cultivated halophyte species using a soilless cultivation system. The results show that these species could serve as an alternative to conventional table salt due to their higher nutritional and phytochemical composition, with potential contributions to antioxidant and anti-hypertensive effects.
Article
Microbiology
Joao Carreiras, Ana Cruz-Silva, Bruno Fonseca, Ricardo C. Carvalho, Jorge P. Cunha, Joao Proenca Pereira, Catarina Paiva-Silva, Soraia A. Santos, Rodrigo Janeiro Sequeira, Enrique Mateos-Naranjo, Ignacio D. Rodriguez-Llorente, Eloisa Pajuelo, Susana Redondo-Gomez, Ana Rita Matos, Jennifer Mesa-Marin, Andreia Figueiredo, Bernardo Duarte
Summary: Amid climate change, heatwave events are expected to increase in frequency and severity. The present work aims to evaluate the physiological fitness improvement by two marine plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria consortia in Vitis vinifera cv. Antao Vaz under heatwave conditions. Bioaugmented grapevines exposed to heatwave stress presented a significantly enhanced photoprotection capability and higher thermo-stability, exhibiting a significantly lower dissipation energy flux than the non-inoculated plants. Additionally, one of the rhizobacterial consortia tested improved light-harvesting capabilities and osmoprotectant promotion, resulting in lower osmolyte concentration and maintained leaf turgidity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bernardo Duarte, Alexandra Baeta, Joao Carlos Marques, Isabel Cacador
Summary: Atmospheric CO2 enrichment, largely caused by human activities, affects sediment microbial communities in plant rhizospheres. This study aimed to evaluate this interaction in Spartina maritima rhizosediments and investigate the impacts of increased atmospheric CO2 on biogeochemical processes. Mesocosm trials were conducted using salt marsh cores exposed to 410 and 700 ppm CO2, and rhizosediment extracellular enzymatic activities were assessed. The results showed an increase in dehydrogenase and phosphatase activity under elevated CO2, indicating a priming effect and higher phosphate requirements for microbial activity. Sulphatase activity also increased, suggesting sulphur limitation due to elevated CO2. Protease activity decreased, possibly due to increased amino acid synthesis and acquisition needs. Carbon-related enzymes generally increased under higher CO2 levels. The altered recycling activity of organic compounds may disrupt biogeochemical cycles and affect rhizosphere ecosystem function and ecosystem services.
