Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lorenzo Pin, Alexander Eiler, Stefano Fazi, Nikolai Friberg
Summary: Microbial communities play a crucial role in river ecosystems, but biomonitoring tools relying on prokaryotes are still lacking. This study compared the efficacy of metabarcoding and CARD-FISH techniques in detecting changes in microbial community structure in rivers. Metabarcoding showed higher accuracy in differentiating regions and river systems compared to CARD-FISH, making it a faster and more reliable option for large-scale bio-assessment.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Jiancao Gao, Lei Shen, Zhijuan Nie, Haojun Zhu, Liping Cao, Jinliang Du, Fei Dai, Gangchun Xu
Summary: This study provides important insights into the impact of harmful algal blooms in aquaculture ponds. The results demonstrate a close relationship between water quality parameters and the species composition of bacteria and zooplankton, and suggest baseline indicators for the prevention and control of algal blooms.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ivo Pinto, Rita Calisto, Claudia R. Serra, Olga M. Lage, Sara C. Antunes
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the use of bacterioplankton community as an indicator of water quality. Different reservoirs showed varying bacterial total abundance, with no clear trend in diversity and richness values. Negative correlations were found between certain nutrients and the bacterial community. Some reservoirs did not show any relationships with the bacterial community, possibly due to differences in water characteristics.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tan T. Nguyen, John E. Paulsen, Bjarne Landfald
Summary: By using a community-wide approach, the study explored the spatial extent and persistence of bacterial changes caused by deposition of water-based drill cuttings on the seafloor. The research found that locations heavily affected by drill cuttings showed significant deviations in bacterial community profiles, while microbiotas beyond 100 m from the boreholes appeared undisturbed. The extent of biological distortion indicated by the microbial study aligned with previously published surveys of macrofauna at the same drilling sites.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Laura Rodrigues da Conceicao, Lilian Elisa Demoner, Juliano Bicalho Pereira, Fernanda Perassoli, Renato David Ghisolfi, Alex Cardoso Bastos, Camilo Dias Junior, Georgette Cristina Salvador Lazaro, Kassia do Nascimento Lemos, Luiz Fernando Loureiro Fernandes
Summary: This study investigated the potential effects of iron ore tailings on the copepod community in the marine area adjacent to the Doce River mouth, with a focus on suspended particulate matter (SPM). The results showed a negative correlation between community composition and higher SPM concentrations, with specific indicator species identified. Water masses were found to be the main factor influencing community structure, with specific species dominating under certain conditions.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shengxin Sun, Yu Zhou, Haitao Yu, Weiying Li, Wenying Zhou, Guanyuan Luo, Wei Zhang
Summary: In this study, the impact of different pipe materials on water quality and microbial communities was investigated using static and dynamic devices. The results showed that steel plastic composite pipe, ductile iron pipe, and cast iron pipe had better water quality, while ductile iron pipe had the highest microbial diversity. Furthermore, various nitrate-reducing bacteria were identified, with nitrate-reducing bacteria being the most dominant in all pipe materials.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Masaaki Kitajima, Mercedes C. Cruz, Rohan B. H. Williams, Stefan Wuertz, Andrew J. Whittle
Summary: This study analyzed microbial communities in biofilm and water samples collected from a DWDS where monochloramine is used as a residual disinfectant. The study revealed differences in microbial species and abundance in different pipe sections representing different water ages, providing novel insights into the microbial ecology of DWDS.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yongji Zhang, Yingyu Zhang, Lina Liu, Lingling Zhou, Zhiling Zhao
Summary: Overuse of antibiotics accelerates the spread of resistance risk in the environment. The study investigated the effects of antibiotics on biofilm and bacteria in drinking water supply systems. Results showed that antibiotics can enhance bacterial resistance to chlorine and alter the biofilm community structure. Antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) were correlated with biofilm community structure, indicating the potential for enhanced resistance in effluent bacteria.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zebing Zhu, Lili Shan, Xinyun Zhang, Fengping Hu, Dan Zhong, Yixing Yuan, Jie Zhang
Summary: The study investigated the formation of multi-species biofilms in simulated DWDS and found that community-intrinsic properties could affect the formation of multi-species biofilms. The resistance of multi-species biofilms to chlorine was influenced by specific bacteria, with some promoting growth and others inhibiting it. The study concluded that community-intrinsic properties were maintained at low disinfectant concentrations but weakened at higher concentrations, affecting the resistance of microbial communities to disinfectants.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lei Yuan, Luyao Fan, Siqi Liu, Anderson S. Sant'Ana, Yanhe Zhang, Wenyuan Zhou, Xiangfeng Zheng, Guoqing He, Zhenquan Yang, Xinan Jiao
Summary: This study comprehensively investigated bacterial contamination in 22 baby foods using culture-dependent and high-throughput sequence methods, revealing Bacillus as the most prevalent genus. High-throughput sequencing identified significantly higher biodiversity and different bacterial communities in infant foods, expanding crucial information on bacterial contamination of baby foods.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Chiara M. Bertelli, James C. Bull, Leanne C. Cullen-Unsworth, Richard K. F. Unsworth
Summary: Seagrasses show strong phenotypic plasticity, enabling them to adapt to environmental changes and recover from disturbances. The study reveals that some seagrass meadows have been severely impacted, possibly due to long-term nutrient loading and wasting disease.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Shenqun An, Ying Song, Qiang Fu, Rong Qi, Zehao Wu, Feiyang Ge, Xiaoqian Lu, Wei An, Wenxuan Han
Summary: Reclaimed water is increasingly used to address the water resource crisis caused by accelerated urbanization worldwide. Although it enriches aquatic ecosystems with organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus, its impact on the self-purification capacity of receiving waters remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of reclaimed water use on water quality, sedimentary bacterial diversity, community structure, and function. The results showed that reclaimed water improved water quality, increased bacterial abundance, and enhanced the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal functions of polluted waters. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the ecological impact of reclaimed water on urban aquatic ecosystems and inform the rational use of reclaimed water in urban rivers.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Agnes Puspitasari Sudarmo, Muhammad Ali, Dian Pamularsih Anggraeni, Mirna Dwirastina, Yoga Candra Ditya, Safran Makmur, Siswanta Kaban
Summary: This study evaluates the aquatic health of Lake Semayang by collecting benthic samples, and the results show that the water quality is good with low dissolved oxygen levels, high organic matter content, and a high presence of suspended particles.
POLISH JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tuqiao Zhang, Pubin Liao, Lei Fang, Dongyang Zhang
Summary: The effect of booster disinfection on antibiotic resistance and bacterial community in water supply systems was investigated. Chlorine was more efficient in controlling microbes and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) than chloramine. After booster disinfection, the relative abundance of ARGs increased and then decreased along the pipeline. Pipe materials and disinfectant type affected antibiotic resistance and bacterial community.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Agnes Puspitasari Sudarmo, Muhammad Ali, Dian Pamularsih Anggraeni, Mirna Dwirastina, Yoga Candra Ditya, Makri, Safran Makmur, Siswanta Kaban, Samuel
Summary: This paper explores the presence of benthic macroinvertebrate communities as bioindicators of aquatic health in Lake Semayang. The study reveals the dominance of Tubificidae and Thiaridae, specifically the Branchiura sowerbyi and Melanoides sp, indicating a good condition of the waters.
POLISH JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Varsha Balu, Vanessa Messmer, Murray Logan, Alana L. Hayashida-Boyles, Sven Uthicke
Summary: The study revealed that the age and size of juvenile crown-of-thorns seastars play important roles in predation by peppermint shrimp, with younger individuals more likely to be completely consumed by the predators. Individuals over 4 months old were rarely consumed entirely but showed increased partial predation, with diet having no significant impact on predation. Peppermint shrimp were identified as predators of juvenile CoTS up to an age of 4 months post-settlement, highlighting potential consequences for population dynamics.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Carolina Castro-Sanguino, Juan Carlos Ortiz, Angus Thompson, Nicholas H. Wolff, Renata Ferrari, Barbara Robson, Marites M. Magno-Canto, Marji Puotinen, Katharina E. Fabricius, Sven Uthicke
Summary: This study investigates the impacts of multiple stressors on coral cover and performance in the Central and Southern Great Barrier Reef, finding that water quality metrics are better predictors of performance than state. Additionally, the response of different coral groups to stressors varies, highlighting the need to evaluate performance metrics to prioritize local management interventions.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sven Uthicke, Frances Patel, Chelsea Petrik, Sue-Ann Watson, Sam E. Karelitz, Miles D. Lamare
Summary: Long-term experimental investigations on the transgenerational plasticity (TGP) and transgenerational acclimatization to global change in marine invertebrates are sparse. The study revealed significant effects of ocean warming and acidification on sea urchins, with offspring from near-future climate conditions displaying smaller size and reduced physiological functions. The experiment also showed potential for genetic adaptation in surviving individuals after a pathogenic event, but raised concerns about negative parental effects and reduced population replenishment.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Sarah L. T. Kwong, Cecilia Villacorta-Rath, Jason Doyle, Sven Uthicke
Summary: The shedding rate of CoTS eDNA was influenced by feeding treatment but not temperature, with coral accessible treatment resulting in a significantly higher shedding rate. The presence of coral reduced the shedding rate by half. The degradation rate of CoTS eDNA was rapid and not affected by temperature, indicating that eDNA surveillance likely reflects recent and local occurrence of CoTS.
Correction
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Sven Uthicke, Miles Lamare, Jason R. Doyle
Article
Environmental Sciences
Florita Flores, Joseane A. Marques, Sven Uthicke, Rebecca Fisher, Frances Patel, Sarit Kaserzon, Andrew P. Negri
Summary: This study found that the Great Barrier Reef is negatively impacted by the combined effects of the contaminant diuron and climate change, particularly affecting the physiological responses of corals, with photosynthesis being significantly affected. It suggests that water quality guideline values may need to be adjusted as climate conditions change.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Biology
Peter C. Doll, Vanessa Messmer, Sven Uthicke, Jason R. Doyle, Ciemon F. Caballes, Morgan S. Pratchett
Summary: This study introduced an innovative method to measure crown-of-thorns sea star settlement and explored temporal and spatial patterns of settlement on the Great Barrier Reef from 2016 to 2020. The results revealed that the larvae of crown-of-thorns sea stars readily settle in shallow reef environments, with no preferential settlement detected between depths tested. Substantial variation in settlement between different regions of the Great Barrier Reef was also observed in 2019-2020.
BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Biology
Morgan S. Pratchett, Ciemon F. Caballes, Christopher Cvitanovic, Maia L. Raymundo, Russell C. Babcock, Mary C. Bonin, Yves-Marie Bozec, Deborah Burn, Maria Byrne, Carolina Castro-Sanguino, Carla C. M. Chen, Scott A. Condie, Zara-Louise Cowan, Dione J. Deaker, Amelia Desbiens, Lyndon M. Devantier, Peter J. Doherty, Peter C. Doll, Jason R. Doyle, Symon A. Dworjanyn, Katharina E. Fabricius, Michael D. E. Haywood, Karlo Hock, Anne K. Hoggett, Lone Hoj, John K. Keesing, Richard A. Kenchington, Bethan J. Lang, Scott D. Ling, Samuel A. Matthews, Hamish I. McCallum, Camille Mellin, Benjamin Mos, Cherie A. Motti, Peter J. Mumby, Richard J. W. Stump, Sven Uthicke, Lyle Vail, Kennedy Wolfe, Shaun K. Wilson
Summary: Crown-of-thorns sea stars are well-studied coral reef organisms known for major population irruptions causing significant coral loss in the Indo-Pacific. However, there are important knowledge gaps in their biology, ecology, and management. A study identified key research questions from experts to improve understanding and management of these sea stars on the Great Barrier Reef, focusing on themes like demography and management.
BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Rachel C. Neil, Maria Gomez Cabrera, Sven Uthicke
Summary: Two experiments were conducted to investigate the timing and size of transition from crustose coralline algae to coral diet in juvenile Crown-of-Thorns Seastar (COTS), as well as the potential modulating effects of different coral species. The results filled important knowledge gaps in understanding juvenile ecology and revealed an undescribed feedback mechanism between prey and predator.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Bethan J. Lang, Jennifer M. Donelson, Ciemon F. Caballes, Sven Uthicke, Peter C. Doll, Morgan S. Pratchett
Summary: The study found that 32 degrees Celsius exceeds the thermal optimum of the crown-of-thorns starfish, suggesting that prolonged exposure to temperatures exceeding this level, which are expected under near-future climate change, may be detrimental to this species.
Article
Ecology
Christopher A. Brunner, Gerard F. Ricardo, Sven Uthicke, Andrew P. Negri, Mia O. Hoogenboom
Summary: This study examined the independent and combined impacts of climate change and light attenuation on coral recruits. The results showed that light attenuation significantly decreased recruit survival, size, and Symbiodiniaceae densities, especially for older recruits. The study also indicated that future climate conditions and light attenuation had additive effects on recruit survival.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Claire E. Reymond, Frances Patel, Sven Uthicke
Summary: This study suggests that the surface-area growth of large benthic foraminifera is not reduced under future climate change conditions, but asexual reproduction is significantly reduced. The epiphytic association between foraminifera and primary producers can buffer the effects of ocean acidification, but it also requires additional energy, leading to reduced asexual reproduction.
JOURNAL OF EARTH SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Bethan J. Lang, Ciemon F. Caballes, Sven Uthicke, Peter C. Doll, Jennifer M. Donelson, Morgan S. Pratchett
Summary: Research has shown that ocean warming has negative impacts on the settlement and metamorphic success of crown-of-thorns starfish, and even cooler temperatures can affect their survival rates. In warmer ocean environments, metamorphic success and early post-settlement survival are significantly reduced, potentially presenting a bottleneck for recruitment in coral reefs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sven Uthicke, Barbara Robson, Jason R. Doyle, Murray Logan, Morgan S. Pratchett, Miles Lamare
Summary: The study demonstrates that eDNA monitoring can improve the detection probability of Crown-of-Thorns Seastar (CoTS), especially at intermediate to high densities. Both copy number and presence/absence methods have their advantages and disadvantages, but site-specific CoTS density has a more significant impact on eDNA copy numbers.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Sven Uthicke, Morgan S. Pratchett, Vanessa Messmer, Hugo Harrison
Summary: Population outbreaks of crown-of-thorns seastars (CoTS; Acanthaster spp.) are causing extensive coral loss and reef degradation in the Indo-Pacific. Recent studies suggest that in addition to sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction through larval fission and selfing may contribute to rapid increases in local abundance, but genetic analyses found limited evidence for cloning or selfing in the population. The slight heterozygote deficits observed are likely due to sampling artefacts rather than actual evidence of selfing. There is no evidence that these processes contribute to population structure or larval supply.