Environmental exposure to common pesticide induces synaptic deficit and social memory impairment driven by neurodevelopmental vulnerability of hippocampal parvalbumin interneurons.

Environmental exposure to pesticides at levels deemed safe by regulatory agencies has been linked to increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Yet, the mechanisms linking exposure to these disorders remain unclear. Here, we show that maternal exposure to the pesticide deltamethrin (DM) at the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) disrupts long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus of adult male offspring three months after exposure, a phenotype absent in female offspring.

Climate change accelerates water and biogeochemical cycles in temperate agricultural catchments.

Climate change is expected to significantly deteriorate water quality in heavily managed agricultural landscapes, however, the exact mechanisms of these impacts are unknown. In this study we adopted a modelling approach to predict the multiple effects of climate change on hydrological and biogeochemical responses for dominant solutes and particulates in two agriculture-dominated temperate headwater catchments. We used climatic projections from three climatic models to simulate future flows, mobilisation and delivery of solutes and particulates.

Trade-offs between nitrogen and phosphorus removal with floodplain remediation in agricultural streams.

To improve water quality and reduce instream erosion, floodplain remediation along agricultural streams can provide multiple ecosystem services through biogeochemical and fluvial processes. During floodplain inundation, longer water residence time and periodic anoxic conditions can lead to increased nitrogen (N) removal through denitrification but also mobilization of phosphorus (P), impeding overall water quality improvements. To investigate the capacity for N and P processing in remediated streams, we measured potential denitrification and nitrous oxide production and yields together with potential P desorption and P fractions in floodplain and stream sediments in ten catchments in Sweden.

Recognizing Agricultural Headwaters as Critical Ecosystems.

Agricultural headwaters are positioned at the interface between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and, therefore, at the margins of scientific disciplines. They are deemed devoid of biodiversity and too polluted by ecologists, overlooked by hydrologists, and are perceived as a nuisance by landowners and water authorities. While agricultural streams are widespread and represent a major habitat in terms of stream length, they remain understudied and thereby undervalued.