Interspecific differences in the response of autotrophic microorganisms to atrazine and S-metolachlor exposure.

Atrazine and S-metolachlor are herbicides widely used on corn and soybean crops where they are sometimes found in concentrations of concern in nearby aquatic ecosystems, potentially affecting autotrophic organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of the green algae Enallax costatus, the diatom Gomphonema parvulum and a culture of the cyanobacteria Phormidium sp. and Microcystis aeruginosa, to atrazine and S-metolachlor alone and in mixture (0, 10, 100 and 1000 µg.

The effect of environmental factors on transepithelial potential in a model Amazonian teleost, the tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum): Implications for sodium balance in harsh environments.

The tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum, G. Cuvier 1818) thrives both in the ion-poor waters of the Amazon and in commercial aquaculture. In both, environmental conditions can be harsh due to low ion levels, occasional high salt challenges (in aquaculture), low pH, extreme PO levels (hypoxia and hyperoxia), high PCO levels (hypercapnia), high ammonia levels (in aquaculture), and high and low temperatures.

Mercury and Arctic Char Gill Microbiota Correlation in Canadian Arctic Communities.

Arctic char is a top predator in Arctic waters and is threatened by mercury pollution in the context of changing climate. Gill microbiota is directly exposed to environmental xenobiotics and play a central role in immunity and fitness. Surprisingly, there is a lack of literature studying the effect of mercury on gill microbiota.

High photothermal conversion efficiency of RF sputtered TiO Magneli phase thin films and its linear correlation with light absorption capacity.

RF-sputtering is used to deposit TiO-Magneli-phase films onto various substrates at deposition temperatures (T) ranging from 25 to 650 °C. Not only the structural, but also electrical conductivity, optical absorbance and photothermal properties of the TiO films are shown to change significantly with T. A T of 500 °C is pointed out as the optimal temperature that yields highly-crystalized pure-TiO-Magneli phase with a densely-packed morphology and a conductivity as high as 740 S/cm.

Quantifying the Interactions and Cumulative Effects of Multiple Stressors on Salmonids.

The cumulative effects of human activities and natural pressures pose significant threats to ecosystem functioning and global biodiversity. Assessing the cumulative impact of multiple stressors-whether acting simultaneously or sequentially and directly or indirectly-is challenging due to their complex interactions. Consequently, these interactions may be unintentionally overlooked or disregarded in management decisions.

Mobilization of DNAPL lenses in heterogeneous aquifers using shear-thinning PEO polymers: Experimental and numerical study.

Polymer solution injection has emerged as a promising method for the remediation of NAPL (non-aqueous phase liquids)-contaminated aquifers. This technique enhances recovery efficiency by modifying viscous forces, stabilizing the displacement front, and minimizing channeling effects. However, there remains a significant gap in understanding the behavior of polymer solutions, particularly those with different molecular weights (MW), for mobilizing DNAPL (dense non-aqueous phase liquids) trapped in heterogeneous aquifers, especially within low-permeability layers.

An estrogenic municipal effluent decreased fathead minnow reproduction to a near stop.

Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) release endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which can impact aquatic species' reproduction (e.g., decrease fecundity).

Novel LCA-centric mix design approach for alkali-activated EAF slag with hybrid optimization techniques.

This study presents an innovative life cycle assessment (LCA)-centric approach for optimizing the mix design of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) as sustainable alternatives to ordinary portland cement (OPC). The AAMs are developed using electric arc furnace slag (EAFS) and fly ash as precursors. The environmental performance is evaluated using the ReCiPe midpoint methodology, considering both mass and economic allocation methods.

Projecting the overall heat-related health burden and associated economic costs in a climate change context in Quebec, Canada.

Extreme heat represents a major health risk for the world's population, that is amplified by climate change. However, the health costs associated with these heat events have only been little studied. To stimulate the implementation of effective interventions against extreme heat, a more comprehensive economic valuation of these health impacts is crucial.

Application of central composite design for commercial laundry wastewater treatment by packed bed electrocoagulation using sacrificial iron electrodes.

This research paper deals with a novel method utilizing packed bed electrocoagulation (PBEC) comprising of sacrificial iron electrodes and coupled with extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) used as flocculent agents for the treatment of commercial laundry wastewater (LWW). The study employs stainless steel cathodes, graphite anodes, and scrap iron pieces as sacrificial electrodes, ensuring efficient treatment in dynamic batch mode operation with enhanced contact time facilitated by serpentine flow. The initial characteristics of LWW were COD 579 ± 30 mg/L, TSS of 60 ± 10 mg/L, TS of 622 ± 20 mg/L, turbidity of 110 ± 5 NTU, pH of 9 ± 0.

Selective leaching of rare earths, base metals and precious metals from used smartphones.

Discarded smartphones represent a valuable source of rare earths (REE), base metals and precious metals. This study focussed on the optimisation of three-stage selective leaching conditions for REE, copper and precious metals (Au and Ag), respectively, contained in printed circuit boards (PCBs) found in end-of-life smartphones. The effects of several leaching conditions, such as sulphuric acid and thiourea concentrations, were investigated using a statistical approach based on a design of experiments using Box-Behnken methodology.

Exploring the depuration of metals in the green shore crab (Carcinus maenas): Studies with radiolabelled calcium, zinc, and nickel.

The depuration of newly accumulated metal from the crab Carcinus maenas (inter-moult stage) was studied, with a particular focus on the carapace, in light of recent findings that it is a major site for direct uptake and incorporation of Ca, Zn, and Ni from the external sea water. Crabs were exposed for 24 h to calcium ([Ca] = 389 mg L or 9.7 mmol L), zinc ([Zn] = 82 μg L or 1.

Prediction of heatwave related mortality magnitude, duration and frequency with climate variability and climate change information.

Unlabelled: Given the link between climatic factors on one hand, such as climate change and low frequency climate oscillation indices, and the occurrence and magnitude of heat waves on the other hand, and given the impact of heat waves on mortality, these climatic factors could provide some predictive skill for mortality. We propose a new model, the Mortality-Duration-Frequency (MDF) relationship, to relate the intensity of an extreme summer mortality event to its duration and frequency. The MDF model takes into account the non-stationarities observed in the mortality data through covariates by integrating information concerning climate change through the time trend and climate variability through climate oscillation indices.

Spatiotemporal insights of phytoplankton dynamics in a northern, rural-urban lake using a 3D water quality model.

Lake St. Charles, located north of Quebec City, Canada, is a shallow fluvial lake with two distinct basins bridging rural and urban landscapes. Mainly used as a source of drinking water for 300,000 residents, the lake has faced a steady degradation in water quality due to urbanization and the discharge of domestic wastewater.

Is Seven Days Enough? Comparing A 7-Day Exposure to the Classical 21-Day OECD TG 229 Fish Short-Term Reproduction Assay in Fathead Minnow.

The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) test guidelines (TG) 229-fish short-term reproduction assay (FSTRA) is one of the gold standard methods used to identify endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). While informative, the FSTRA's 5-6 week duration makes it difficult to use routinely. Prior studies have shown that EDCs' impact on fecundity, vitellogenin (VTG) and steroid levels can be detected after less than 1 week of exposure suggesting the FSTRA could be shortened.

The effects of winter cold on acute copper bioaccumulation and toxicity in brook char (Salvelinus fontinalis).

Freshwater fish that are acutely exposed to copper (Cu) can experience disturbances of ion regulation and ammonia excretion. Temperature has been shown to affect Cu bioaccumulation and toxicity in fish, but the focus has largely been on warm temperature effects. Yet, acclimation of freshwater fish to near-freezing temperatures encountered during the winter of temperate regions can challenge fish condition and physiology, including ion regulation.

Rooting for success: Evolutionary enhancement of Bacillus for superior plant colonization.

Many strains from the Bacillus subtilis species complex exert strong plant growth-promoting activities. However, their efficacy in relevant conditions is variable, due in part to their inability to establish a strong interaction with roots in stressful environmental conditions. Adaptative laboratory evolution (ALE) is a powerful tool to generate novel strains with traits of interest.

Mass balance and economic study of a treatment chain for nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements recovery from Ni-MH batteries.

The aim of this project is to develop and evaluate the economic performance of a complete process for recovering nickel, cobalt, and rare earths (REEs) from nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery waste. The main elements contained in the battery powder are Ni (523 g/kg), La (58 g/kg), Co (39 g/kg), Zn (21 g/kg), Nd (19 g/kg), Sm (19 g/kg) and Ce (14 g/kg). Metal leaching was carried out with 2 M sulfuric acid, solubilising 100% of Ni, 93% of Co and 94% of REEs.

Hybrid process combining ultrafiltration and electro-oxidation for COD and nonylphenol ethoxylate removal from industrial laundry wastewater.

Laundry wastewater is a significant source of nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPEO) at wastewater treatment plants, where its breakdown forms persistent nonylphenol (NP). NP poses risks as an endocrine disruptor in wildlife and humans. This study investigates the degradation of NPEO and COD in industrial laundry wastewater (LWW) using a two-stage process combining ultrafiltration (UF) and electro-oxidation (EO).

Non-pathogenic microbiome associated to aquatic plants and anthropogenic impacts on this interaction.

The microbiota associated with aquatic plants plays a crucial role in promoting plant growth and development. The structure of the plant microbiome is shaped by intricate interactions among hosts, microbes, and environmental factors. Consequently, anthropogenic pressures that disrupt these interactions can indirectly impact the ecosystem services provided by aquatic plants, such as CO fixation, provision of food resources, shelter to animals, nutrient cycling, and water purification.

Modeling the geochemical evolution of mine waters during mixing.

This study focuses on assessing the hydrogeochemical processes influencing the mobility of dissolved metal and metalloid species during mine effluent mixing. Field samples were collected to characterize effluents at an active gold mine located in the Abitibi Greenstone belt in western Québec, Canada. Controlled laboratory mixing experiments were further performed with real effluents.