Spatiotemporal characterization of the isotopic composition of meteoric waters in Cuba.

The stable isotope composition of meteoric water has been widely used to understand hydrological processes worldwide. We present a unique dataset, with the isotopic composition (δO and δH) of meteoric waters, derived from a nationwide study in Cuba. It includes monthly composite and event-based precipitations, from January 2017 to December 2021 (N = 526 and N = 111 respectively).

Stable isotope tempestology of tropical cyclones across the North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Ocean basins.

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are one of the major natural hazards to island and coastal communities and ecosystems. However, isotopic compositions of TC-derived precipitation (P) in surface water (SW) and groundwater (GW) reservoirs are still lacking. We tested the three main assumptions of the isotope storm "spike" hypothesis (sudden spikes in isotopic ratios).

Accelerating microplastic contamination in Pb dated sediment cores from an urbanized coastal lagoon (NW Mexico) since the 1990s.

The ubiquity of microplastics (MP) across all ecosystems raises concerns about their potential harm to the environment and living organisms. Sediments are a MP sink, reflecting long-term accumulation and historical anthropogenic impacts. Three Pb-dated sediment cores were used to understand the temporal variations of MP abundances (particles kg) and fluxes (particles m year) within the past century in Estero de Urías Lagoon, an urbanized coastal lagoon in the Mexican Pacific.

Antarctic wastewater: A local source of microplastic pollution.

Microplastic (MP) particles can be found all around the planet, even in Antarctica where they can be locally originated or transported by marine currents and winds. In this communication, we identify and report for the first time the contribution of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) as a local source of MP particles in the region. The analysis of the entire sample using micro-Raman spectroscopy revealed an MP concentration that ranged from 64 to 159 particles per liter of wastewater.

Proposed validation stages for MPs extraction from edible mussels ().

The potential presence of microplastics (MPs) in seafood products presents significant health concerns, demanding the adoption of standardized and validated methodologies. In this study, we introduce a validated method and an innovative technique for extracting MPs from mussels using an oxidizing agent, Corolase enzyme, and a surfactant, thus eliminating the need for mechanical agitation. Evaluation of the extraction process focused on three critical parameters: recovery percentage, repeatability, and chemical integrity, along with color stability.

Regional assessment of the historical trends of mercury in sediment cores from Wider Caribbean coastal environments.

Spatial and temporal variations of mercury (Hg) concentrations, enrichment, and potential ecological risks were studied in a suite of lead-210 (Pb) dated sediment cores from 13 Wider Caribbean Region coastal environments. Broad variability of Hg concentrations (19-18761 ng g) was observed, encompassing even background levels (38-100 ng g). Most Hg concentration profiles exhibited a characteristic upward trend, reaching their peak values in the past two decades.

Establishing a Receptor Binding Assay for Ciguatoxins: Challenges, Assay Performance and Application.

Ciguatera, a global issue, lacks adequate capacity for ciguatoxin analysis in most affected countries. The Caribbean region, known for its endemic ciguatera and being home to a majority of the global small island developing states, particularly needs established methods for ciguatoxin detection in seafood and the environment. The radioligand receptor binding assay (r-RBA) is among the in vitro bioassays currently used for ciguatoxin analysis; however, similarly to the other chemical-based or bioassays that have been developed, it faces challenges due to limited standards and interlaboratory comparisons.

Chemical and C and N stable isotope compositions of three species of epiphytic in a Caribbean coastal zone: air pollution sources and biomonitoring implications.

We characterized the elemental and C and N stable isotope compositions of Sw., Schult. & Schult.

Variation of 210-polonium in the cephalopod community from the Bay of Biscay, North-East Atlantic.

Among natural radionuclides, Po is the major contributor to the radiation dose received by marine organisms. In cephalopods, Po is concentrated in the digestive gland, which contains over 90% of the whole-body burden of the nuclide. Although previous studies showed that Po was taken up independently of Pb, its parent nuclide, very little is known about the factors influencing its levels in cephalopods.

Microplastic-sorbed persistent organic pollutants in coastal Mediterranean Sea areas of Tunisia.

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants of global concern due to their pervasiveness, high sorption ability for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and direct and indirect toxicity to marine organisms, ecosystems, as well as humans. As one of the major coastal interfaces, beaches are considered among the most affected ecosystems by MPs pollution. The morphological characteristics of MPs (pellets and fragments) collected from four beaches along the Tunisian coast and sorbed POPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), were investigated in this study.

Trends of legacy and emerging organic contaminants in a sediment core from Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba, from 1990 to 2015.

Legacy and emerging organic pollutants pose an ever-expanding challenge for the marine environment. This study analysed a dated sediment core from Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba, to assess the occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), alternative halogenated flame retardants (aHFRs), organophosphate esters (OPEs), and phthalates (PAEs) from 1990 to 2015. The results evidence the continuing presence of historical regulated contaminants (PCBs, OCPs, and PBDEs) in the southern basin of Cienfuegos Bay.

10-Years assessment of Be and Pb in atmospheric bulk depositions in Cienfuegos (Cuba).

10-years records of monthly bulk atmospheric fluxes of Be and Pb (wet + dry, n = 119 samples) at a coastal station in Cienfuegos (Cuba) between 2010 and 2019 were reported and assessed in function of their temporal variability and meteorological influence. Fluxes of Be and Pb ranged from 120 to 15617 and from 29 to 911 mBq m day, respectively. Both radionuclides exhibited a similar seasonal trend with highest values during wet months and minimum values during dry months.

Sedimentary record of the impact of management actions on pollution of Cartagena bay, Colombia.

The reconstruction of pollution in aquatic ecosystems is a useful tool to evaluate the effectiveness of management actions. Cartagena Bay (Colombia, Caribbean Sea) is one of the most impacted coastal zones in Colombia by a wide variety of human activities. A sediment core was dated using Pb and used to reconstruct the historical input of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and organochlorinated pesticides to the bay.

Summer bloom of Vulcanodinium rugosum in Cienfuegos Bay (Cuba) associated to dermatitis in swimmers.

The marine dinoflagellate Vulcanodinium rugosum produces powerful paralyzing and cytotoxic compounds named pinnatoxins (PnTX) and portimines. Even though, no related human intoxication episodes following direct exposure in seawater or the ingestion of contaminated seafood have been documented so far. This study aimed at investigating a dinoflagellate bloom linked to acute dermatitis cases in two recreational beaches in Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba.

Carbon and nitrogen isotopes to distinguish sources of sedimentary organic matter in a Caribbean estuary.

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions (δ13C and δ15N) of organic matter (OM) and total organic carbon to total nitrogen ratio (Corg/TN) in a sediment core collected in Sagua estuary (Cuba), were investigated to elucidate the origin of the Sedimentary OM (SOM) and changes in its main sources, over the last 100 years. Results showed almost constant values in the elemental and isotope composition of SOM from 1908 to 1970 with an abrupt change after 1970. From 1970 to 2005, δ13C increased from -21.

Pb-derived sediment accumulation rates across the Wider Caribbean Region.

The Wider Caribbean Region is an important tourist destination where agricultural, industrial and shipping activities are also carried on. Coastal zones are heavily populated and receive a high human pressure; however, few monitoring programmes allow assessing long-term anthropogenic impact trends in these areas, which are especially useful for integrated management programs. Through the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (project RLA/7/012), sediment core activities of Pb and Cs were used to evaluate changes in sedimentation rates in 11 relevant coastal areas of the region, where environmental information is scarce, but needed to support national environmental policies.

Trace elements contamination assessment in marine sediments from different regions of the Caribbean Sea.

Trace elements (TEs), rare earth elements (REEs), and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations as well as mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) isotope compositions in sediment samples collected from strategic locations along the Caribbean Sea were determined. The analyzed sediment samples were collected at different core depths from localities in Colombia, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The evaluation of pollution assessment indices i.

Ciguatoxin Occurrence in Food-Web Components of a Cuban Coral Reef Ecosystem: Risk-Assessment Implications.

In Cuba, ciguatera poisoning associated with fish consumption is the most commonly occurring non-bacterial seafood-borne illness. Risk management through fish market regulation has existed in Cuba for decades and consists of bans on selected species above a certain weight; however, the actual occurrence of ciguatoxins (CTXs) in seafood has never been verified. From this food safety risk management perspective, a study site locally known to be at risk for ciguatera was selected.

Levels, spatial distribution, risk assessment, and sources of environmental contamination vectored by road dust in Cienfuegos (Cuba) revealed by chemical and C and N stable isotope compositions.

Road dust is an indicator widely used when monitoring contamination and evaluating environmental and health risks in urban ecosystems. We conducted an exhaustive characterization of road dust samples coupling their chemical characteristics and stable isotope compositions (C and N) with the aim of evaluating the levels and spatial distribution of local contamination as well as to identify its main source(s) in the coastal city of Cienfuegos (Cuba). Results indicate that the concentrations of several elements (total nitrogen, S, Ca, V, Cu, Zn, Mo, Sn, Hg, and Pb) exceed the background values reported for both Cuban soils and the upper continental crust (UCC) and showed a high variability among the sampling sites.

Deciphering key processes controlling rainfall isotopic variability during extreme tropical cyclones.

The Mesoamerican and Caribbean (MAC) region is characterized by tropical cyclones (TCs), strong El Niño-Southern Oscillation events, and climate variability that bring unique hazards to socio-ecological systems. Here we report the first characterization of the isotopic evolution of a TC (Hurricane Otto, 2016) in the MAC region. We use long-term daily rainfall isotopes from Costa Rica and event-based sampling of Hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017), to underpin the dynamical drivers of TC isotope ratios.

Morphology, toxicity and molecular characterization of Gambierdiscus spp. towards risk assessment of ciguatera in south central Cuba.

Ciguatera poisoning is caused by the consumption of reef fish or shellfish that have accumulated ciguatoxins, neurotoxins produced by benthic dinoflagellates of the genera Gambierdiscus or Fukuyoa. Although ciguatera constitutes the primary cause of seafood intoxication in Cuba, very little information is available on the occurrence of ciguatoxins in the marine food web and the causative benthic dinoflagellate species. This study conducted on the south-central coast of Cuba reports the occurrence of Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa genera and the associated benthic genera Ostreopsis and Prorocentrum.

NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY AND EVALUATION OF RADIATION HAZARDS IN SOILS FROM GRANITOIDE-GRANITE GEOLOGICAL FORMATION IN CUBA.

The natural radioactivity and the associated radiation hazards of soils from the Cumanayagua Granitoide-Granitic massif in the central south of Cuba have been studied. Mass activities of the natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K varied in the ranges 10.4-33, 4.

A radioligand receptor binding assay for ciguatoxin monitoring in environmental samples: Method development and determination of quality control criteria.

Ciguatoxins are algal toxins responsible for tens of thousands of human intoxications yearly, both in tropical and subtropical endemic regions as well as worldwide through fish exportation. Previously developed methods for biotoxin surveillance in the environment and seafood include analytical methods and in vivo and in vitro bioassays. The radioligand receptor binding assay (r-RBA) is among the in vitro methodologies currently used for the detection and quantification of marine biotoxins.