蓝藻毒素对底栖动物的毒理学研究进展

近年,由于人类活动加剧,大量氮磷等营养物质流入湖泊等缓流水体,导致水体富营养化。而由此引起有害蓝藻水华的频繁爆发,使生态环境和人类健康受到严重威胁。相关研究表明,蓝藻水华的爆发不仅能够使水体水质恶化,其中一些产毒藻类还会产生大量蓝藻毒素,对水生生物产生重要影响。底栖动物作为水体生态系统的重要组成部分,在食物网中有重要作用,同时其中的许多种类又与人类息息相关,因此关于水华蓝藻毒素对淡水底栖动物的毒理学研究具有重要意义。在介绍蓝藻毒素概况的基础上,综述了蓝藻毒素的致毒机理和对底栖动物的影响,展望了研究方向。     

柴达木盆地荒漠土壤蓝藻群落的初步研究

本文分析了柴达木盆地东部和中部具有代表性地区的丘陵、戈壁和沙丘的蓝藻种类组成、生物量及主要的土壤化学成分;采用了模糊聚类、系统聚类及多元线性回归等方法分析藻类的群落及其与环境因子的关系。共鉴定出21种蓝藻,其中6种为国内首次报道。研究表明:土壤含磷量、总盐量及与粘性和湿度有关的土壤结构是决定柴达木盆地蓝藻群落组成的重要因素。     

加强蓝藻的研究

蓝藻属原核生物一大类,也有研究者把它列为蓝细菌（Cyanobacterium）,它与人类的关系非常密切,既有有益的一面,又有有害的一面。所谓害者,比如人们熟悉的造成湖泊水域“水华”的发生。它的疯长与繁衍,一是毒素蓝藻“水华”造成水域缺氧环境,使水产生物窒息而死;二是产毒素蓝藻,常见的有危害最重的微囊藻（Microcystisaeroginosa）;还有鱼腥藻（如Anabaenacireinalis及A．．flosaquae）、节球藻（Nodalaria）、鞘丝藻（Lyngbya）、水华束丝藻（Aphanizomenonflosaquae）、颤藻（Oscillatoria）等一些种类;三是水华藻体分解后产生大量恶臭有机物,污染环境。这一切会造成家畜、家禽、野生动物、鱼类等中毒致死,同时也给居民生活带来危害。为彻底解决有害水华蓝藻的问题,可以从以下几方面考虑：（1）首先要解决水环境富营养化即氮、磷等的污水流人问题。有关部门需采取综合防治措施,以防止污水流人,避免“水华”爆发。（2）就有害蓝藻本身而言,一是对产毒素蓝藻产毒产品和产毒机制作进一步研究,索取毒素产品以服务于民。     

大型底栖动物对淡水水质生物评价的研究进展

大型底栖动物作为淡水水域水质特征监测的指示生物越来越受到重视。底栖动物的采集主要分为定量和定性2种方法,利用底栖动物评价水质的生物学指标主要有三大类,分别是与群落结构和功能有关的指数、与种类耐污值有关的生物指数和与特定物种直接相关的生物指数。对水生昆虫、水生软体动物和水栖寡毛类对淡水水域的水质评价研究进行综述。     

蓝藻运动及其调控机制概述

蓝藻运动是蓝藻积极适应外部环境的体现。根据蓝藻种类及运动方式不同可将蓝藻运动概括为三类: 即蓝藻泳动、蓝藻蹭动、蓝藻滑动。文章综述了蓝藻运动的相关研究进展, 对蓝藻不同运动方式进行描述, 并对蓝藻各种运动方式可能产生机制进行了总结, 列举了未来研究蓝藻运动需要解答的问题。     

中国自然湿地底栖动物生态学研究进展

底栖动物是湿地生态系统中的一个重要组成部分,在能量流动和物质循环中起着承上启下的作用。其群落结构能反映出底质条件、水质状况、水温等非生物因子以及植被、物种间的影响、捕食压力等生物因子的情况。本文概括了底栖动物的概念、生活型和功能群的划分,探讨了底栖动物群落生态学研究的特点及目前中国底栖动物的研究重点和主要研究成果,重点讨论了底栖动物群落分布的时空差异、底栖动物与环境因子之间的关系以及底栖动物的生物指示作用,并展望了底栖动物研究的未来发展趋势。     

蓝藻堆积对河蚬N2O释放通量及其肠道细菌群落结构的影响

【背景】底栖动物是湖泊生态环境的重要组成部分,在泥水界面氮迁移转化中扮演着重要的角色,是一个潜在的N_2O释放源,其N_2O释放量与栖息环境有关。蓝藻堆积区通常是湖泊N_2O释放的热点区域,其水质环境不同于无藻区。【目的】为了解蓝藻堆积与无藻堆积时底栖动物河蚬N_2O释放情况。【方法】采用室内微宇宙实验,以河蚬为研究对象,通过气相色谱和现代分子生物学相结合的技术测定蓝藻堆积区域底栖动物N_2O释放特征及其内在微生物学机制。【结果】蓝藻堆积区河蚬N_2O释放通量为447.2pmol/(ind·h),相比无藻区河蚬减少63%左右。河蚬肠道内总细菌及反硝化细菌对蓝藻堆积有不同的响应。454测序结果显示,无藻区河蚬肠道内细菌以变形菌门(β-和δ-变形菌纲)、绿弯菌门和拟杆菌门为主,三者相对丰度为67.3%,而蓝藻堆积区河蚬肠道细菌优势类群为变形菌门(α-和β-变形菌纲),相对丰度达到85.8%。Chao1和Shannon指数表明,蓝藻堆积区河蚬肠道细菌丰富度和多样性低于无藻区河蚬。对河蚬肠道内具有反硝化功能细菌进一步分析发现,蓝藻堆积区河蚬肠道内反硝化菌相对丰度可达到22.6%,是无藻区河蚬的2.3倍,反硝化作用得到增强。【结论】蓝藻堆积导致河蚬肠道内细菌丰富度和多样性降低,反硝化功能菌丰度增加,完全反硝化作用得以强化,导致河蚬N_2O释放通量降低。研究结果有助于揭示富营养化中湖泊底栖动物的环境效应,为湖泊温室气体控制提供理论支撑,具有重要的理论和现实意义。     

徐州城市河流和湖泊的大型底栖动物群落结构及影响因子分析

对徐州市京杭运河市区段和市区湖泊云龙湖进行了大型底栖动物群落结构及影响因子的比较研究。结果显示:城市河流和湖泊生态系统中, 大型底栖动物种类较少、群落结构相对简单, 其中城市河流大型底栖动物的组成主要为水栖寡毛类和软体动物, 城市湖泊大型底栖动物主要组成为水栖寡毛类和摇蚊幼虫。除Margalef 物种丰富度指数外, 河流与湖泊的其他群落指数相差不大。聚类分析将两类生态系统中的大型底栖动物群落明显分为两组。CCA 结果显示云龙湖大型底栖动物群落的主要影响因子是pH 和溶解氧, 京杭运河徐州市区段大型底栖动物群落的主要影响因子是总磷和化学需氧量。     

蓝藻化感抑制作用研究进展

在蓝藻水华的众多危害中,对其他生物的化感抑制效应是一个重要的方面,相关研究也越来越受到生态学及环境科学领域研究者的广泛关注.系统阐述了蓝藻化感抑制作用的现象、机理及条件,总结和归纳了具有化感抑制效应的蓝藻种类、化感物质及其作用对象,讨论了蓝藻化感抑制作用的生理生态机制、影响因素、研究方法及应用前景.在此基础上提出了该领域尚未解决的问题及今后的研究方向.     

珠江口及邻近海域大型底栖动物多样性随盐度、水深的变化趋势

利用2006年7-8月(夏季)、2007年4-5月(春季)和2007年10-12月(秋季)珠江丰水期、平水期和枯水期3个航次在南中国海北部珠江口附近海域4条由河口、近岸到深水区调查断面的数据, 研究大型底栖动物多样性由河口-近岸-深水的变化趋势及与环境因子的关系。春季、夏季和秋季分别获得大型底栖动物273、256和148种, 各季节均以环节动物种类最多, 节肢动物次之。大型底栖动物种类数、丰度、生物量和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数均由河口向近岸海域升高, 再由近岸向外海深水区降低。Pielou均匀度深水区最高, 其次为近岸。河口和深水区大型底栖动物k-优势度曲线位于近岸浅水域曲线之上, 表明生物多样性由河口向近岸升高, 而由近岸向深水则降低。大型底栖动物与环境因子Pearson相关性分析表明, 春、秋季大型底栖动物种类数、丰度和生物量与水深呈显著的负相关, 秋季种类多样性指数和均匀度也与水深呈显著的负相关性, 而夏季仅生物量与水深呈显著的负相关; 春、秋季大型底栖动物种类数、生物量、丰度、多样性指数和种类均匀度与盐度的相关性不显著, 但是夏季大型底栖动物种类数、丰度、多样性指数和种类均匀度与盐度呈显著正相关。单位面积(0.2 m²)内, 珠江口及邻近海域大型底栖动物在近岸浅水区较深水区和河口生物多样性高, 且生物量丰富。     

Toxic benthic freshwater cyanobacterial proliferations: Challenges and solutions for enhancing knowledge and improving monitoring and mitigation

1. This review summarises knowledge on the ecology, toxin production, and impacts of toxic freshwater benthic cyanobacterial proliferations. It documents monitoring, management, and sampling strategies, and explores mitigation options.
2. Toxic proliferations of freshwater benthic cyanobacteria (taxa that grow attached to substrates) occur in streams, rivers, lakes, and thermal and meltwater ponds, and have been reported in 19 countries. Anatoxin- and microcystin-containing mats are most commonly reported (eight and 10 countries, respectively).
3. Studies exploring factors that promote toxic benthic cyanobacterial proliferations are limited to a few species and habitats. There is a hierarchy of importance in environmental and biological factors that regulate proliferations with variables such as flow (rivers), fine sediment deposition, nutrients, associated microbes, and grazing identified as key drivers. Regulating factors differ among colonisation, expansion, and dispersal phases.
4. New -omics-based approaches are providing novel insights into the physiological attributes of benthic cyanobacteria and the role of associated microorganisms in facilitating their proliferation.
5. Proliferations are commonly comprised of both toxic and non-toxic strains, and the relative proportion of these is the key factor contributing to the overall toxin content of each mat.
6. While these events are becoming more commonly reported globally, we currently lack standardised approaches to detect, monitor, and manage this emerging health issue. To solve these critical gaps, global collaborations are needed to facilitate the rapid transfer of knowledge and promote the development of standardised techniques that can be applied to diverse habitats and species, and ultimately lead to improved management.

     

Cyanobacterial bioactive molecules--an overview of their toxic properties

Allelopathic interactions involving cyanobacteria are being increasingly explored for the pharmaceutical and environmental significance of the bioactive molecules. Among the toxic compounds produced by cyanobacteria, the biosynthetic pathways, regulatory mechanisms, and genes involved are well understood, in relation to biotoxins, whereas the cytotoxins are less investigated. A range of laboratory methods have been developed to detect and identify biotoxins in water as well as the causal organisms; these methods vary greatly in their degree of sophistication and the information they provide. Direct molecular probes are also available to detect and (or) differentiate toxic and nontoxic species from environmental samples. This review collates the information available on the diverse types of toxic bioactive molecules produced by cyanobacteria and provides pointers for effective exploitation of these biologically and industrially significant prokaryotes.     

Phylogenetic Inferences Reveal a Large Extent of Novel Biodiversity in Chemically Rich Tropical Marine Cyanobacteria

Benthic marine cyanobacteria are known for their prolific biosynthetic capacities to produce structurally diverse secondary metabolites with biomedical application and their ability to form cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms. In an effort to provide taxonomic clarity to better guide future natural product drug discovery investigations and harmful algal bloom monitoring, this study investigated the taxonomy of tropical and subtropical natural product-producing marine cyanobacteria on the basis of their evolutionary relatedness. Our phylogenetic inferences of marine cyanobacterial strains responsible for over 100 bioactive secondary metabolites revealed an uneven taxonomic distribution, with a few groups being responsible for the vast majority of these molecules. Our data also suggest a high degree of novel biodiversity among natural product-producing strains that was previously overlooked by traditional morphology-based taxonomic approaches. This unrecognized biodiversity is primarily due to a lack of proper classification systems since the taxonomy of tropical and subtropical, benthic marine cyanobacteria has only recently been analyzed by phylogenetic methods. This evolutionary study provides a framework for a more robust classification system to better understand the taxonomy of tropical and subtropical marine cyanobacteria and the distribution of natural products in marine cyanobacteria.     

Microcystins in Cyanobacterial Biofilms from the Littoral Zone of Lake Baikal

Some species of cyanobacteria synthesize toxins whose concentration during water bloom can reach values dangerous for human and animal health. Planktonic cyanobacteria are the most common and well-studied microcystins producers, hepatotoxic cyclic heptapeptides, whereas microcystin-producing benthic cyanobacteria are less known. In recent years, the mass development of benthic cyanobacteria forming extensive fouling on different substrates has been detected in the littoral zone of Lake Baikal. We found microcystins produced by benthic cyanobacteria in the biofouling on different natural and artificial substrates, including diseased and dead endemic sponges Lubomirskia baicalensis and Baikalospongia spp. collected from the littoral area of Lake Baikal. Microscopic analysis of the biofouling revealed prevalence of representatives of Nostocales and Oscillatoriales with predominance of Tolypothrix distorta that is likely the main microcystin producer in Lake Baikal. According to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), microcystin concentrations in biofouling were 29.8–3050 μg/kg dry weight. We identified eight microcystin variants using MALDI-TOF/TOF; [Dha7]MC-YR was detected in most samples. The presence of microcystins in biofilms formed on the surface of the artificial substrate by Phormidium autumnale was also recorded. The data obtained demonstrated the necessity to monitor potentially toxic species and concentrations of cyanotoxins in plankton and benthos in the littoral zone of Lake Baikal, especially in the regions with intense tourist and recreational activities.     

Potent toxins in Arctic environments – Presence of saxitoxins and an unusual microcystin variant in Arctic freshwater ecosystems

Cyanobacteria are the predominant phototrophs in freshwater ecosystems of the polar regions where they commonly form extensive benthic mats. Despite their major biological role in these ecosystems, little attention has been paid to their physiology and biochemistry. An important feature of cyanobacteria from the temperate and tropical regions is the production of a large variety of toxic secondary metabolites. In Antarctica, and more recently in the Arctic, the cyanobacterial toxins microcystin and nodularin (Antarctic only) have been detected in freshwater microbial mats. To date other cyanobacterial toxins have not been reported from these locations. Five Arctic cyanobacterial communities were screened for saxitoxin, another common cyanobacterial toxin, and microcystins using immunological, spectroscopic and molecular methods. Saxitoxin was detected for the first time in cyanobacteria from the Arctic. In addition, an unusual microcystin variant was identified using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Gene expression analyses confirmed the analytical findings, whereby parts of the sxt and mcy operon involved in saxitoxin and microcystin synthesis, were detected and sequenced in one and five of the Arctic cyanobacterial samples, respectively. The detection of these compounds in the cryosphere improves the understanding of the biogeography and distribution of toxic cyanobacteria globally. The sequences of sxt and mcy genes provided from this habitat for the first time may help to clarify the evolutionary origin of toxin production in cyanobacteria.     

Biodegradation of the Pesticide Fenamiphos by Ten Different Species of Green Algae and Cyanobacteria

The degradation of an organophosphorus pesticide, fenamiphos, by different species of five green algae and five cyanobacteria was studied. All the species tested were able to transform fenamiphos to its primary oxidation product, fenamiphos sulfoxide (FSO), while the majority of these cultures were able to hydrolyze FSO to fenamiphos sulfoxide phenol (FSOP). Fenamiphos sulfone phenol, FSOP, and FSO were detected in the culture extracts of these algae and cyanobacteria. This is the first report on the biodegradation of a toxic pesticide, fenamiphos, by cyanobacteria. The ability of these algae and cyanobacteria to detoxify fenamiphos can be gainfully used in bioremediation of this pesticide and its toxic metabolites.     

Cytotoxic effects and changes in cytokine gene expression induced by microcystin-containing extract in fish immune cells – An in vitro and in vivo study

Blooms of cyanobacteria producing very toxic secondary metabolites (especially microcystins) are potent environmental stressors, hazardous not only to aquatic animals but also to public health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an extract containing microcystins on immune cells isolated from the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). In the present study it has been found that the extract induced apoptosis and inhibited in vitro lymphocyte proliferation. In addition, the results indicated the possible role of oxidative stress in this cytotoxicity and apoptosis. The in vivo investigations showed that the extract containing microcystins had greater suppressive effects on the essential functions of immune cells (intracellular reactive oxygen species production and lymphocyte proliferation) than the pure toxin alone. Moreover, immersion of fish in the toxic extract caused changes in the mRNA levels of various pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in carp leukocytes, while after exposure to the pure toxin, only IL1-β expression was markedly up-regulated. The observed modulatory effects on immune cells could have important implications for the health of planktivorous fish, which feed more frequently on toxic cyanobacteria.     

Benthic freshwater cyanobacteria as indicators of anthropogenic pressures

Freshwater cyanobacteria are hardly used as biological indicators of anthropogenic pressures, possibly for two main reasons: (a) their response to anthropogenic pressures is often poorly known; (b) reliably identifying cyanobacteria species is a challenge for technicians and researchers. We assessed the usefulness of cyanobacteria species as biological indicators of two human stressors: the high orthophosphate input from urban wastewaters; the high nitrate concentration produced by agricultural land use. We analysed variation in benthic cyanobacterial assemblages at 85 sites in South-Central Spain as a response to eight environmental variables: pH, conductivity, temperature, altitude, nitrate, orthophosphate, irrigation land use and non-irrigation land use.Results revealed that conductivity was the main environmental factor that contributed to differences between assemblages. Orthophosphate was more influential for community composition than nitrate. Changes in species composition related to human pressures suggested that some cyanobacteria species (e.g. Nostoc verrucosum, Phormidium autumnale, Plectonema tomasinianum, Rivularia haematites, Tolypothrix distorta) could be useful tools for the bioindication of anthropogenic pressures; while others species provide more information about natural physicochemical reference conditions (Nostoc caeruleum, Phormidium fonticola). Further research into cyanobacteria and macroalgae assemblages in different impacted scenarios could help improve macrophyte indices.     

Common evolutionary origin of planktonic and benthic nitrogen-fixing oscillatoriacean cyanobacteria from tropical oceans

The filamentous cyanobacteria belonging to the genus Hydrocoleum (Blennothrix) are among the most common mat-forming cyanobacteria in tropical oceans. We present here the evidence that these benthic cyanobacteria are morphologically and phylogenetically very close to the planktonic species of Trichodesmium. Genetic relationship was established independently with regard to sequences of the 16S rRNA gene, nifH gene, and phycocyanin and phycoerythrin intergenic spacers. The species of both genera formed a common distinct branch in phylogenetically reconstructed cyanobacterial trees, suggesting that the main constituents of cyanobacterial benthos and plankton have an early common origin and both represent major contributors to nitrogen budget of tropical oceans today as in the distant geological past.