Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TOXICROP (Cyanotoxins in Irrigation Waters: Surveillance, Risk Assessment, and Innovative Remediation proposals)
Berichtszeitraum: 2019-02-01 bis 2022-07-31
Water scarcity and food production are some of the greatest challenges of our times. Freshwater resources in many countries are vulnerable due to their biogeographical and climatic characteristics. Moreover higher water consumption and higher human impacts in the downstream water bodies is leading to a higher eutrophication with increased incidence and intensity of cyanobacteria blooms and their toxins. The scarcity of clean water resources leads to the compulsory use of water containing cyanobacteria and their toxins in agriculture. This project aims through Research and Innovation Staff Exchange to map agricultural risk areas of cyanotoxin occurrence in consortium member countries, to access the fate of cyanotoxins in crops as also bioaccumulation in crops and food contamination related to the use of eutrophic waters in irrigation. Environment-friendly, low-cost techniques of water treatment will also be developed, and methods to detect and assess toxicity of cyanotoxins improved. This project seeks to integrate the activities already developed by the partners, and develop new multidisciplinary activities which could lead to the maximization of the research and foster the production of knowledge in the domains of water toxicology, food safety and eco-technologies for water treatment. The main innovation aspect of this project rely on the multidisciplinary approach to the subject under study, which is expected to contribute to the elucidation of the quality standards to irrigation waters. The participation of countries with different weather regimes and agricultural practices in one single project will constitute a unique approach to this subject and to consolidate the transnational collaborations. The expected results will be delivered as guidelines for water management and treatment and will contribute to the implementation of a more sustainable and safe agriculture in Europe and worldwide.
In the field of environmental monitoring of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins (WP3), the activities developed by the consortium in Portugal, Morocco, Peru, Egypt, have contributed to increase the understanding of the presence of microbiological and chemical pollution in some important water resources for agriculture and production of drinking water in these countries. In Peru, the consortium has carried out monitoring and field prospecting work. This research allowed to obtain new biological material which has been used for toxicological studies and identification of sources of contamination in reservoirs in the Arequipa region such as the toxic cyanobacterium Dolychosporum. Similar studies are being carried out in Egypt and Morocco.
Concerning WP4, important activities and scientific advances have also been recorded. The diversified scientific studies were carried out and included laboratory and field experiments. The experimental work carried out was important to clarify the susceptibility of plants to different types of toxins and respective exposure doses; and to clarify the functions of the rhizosphere in protecting plants from these water contaminants (works published in 10.3390/toxins13020118 and 10.3390/microorganisms9081747 ).
In the field of bioremediation and control of toxic cyanobacterial blooms (WP6) several lines of work have been developed by the consortium, some considered highly innovative and promising. In this field of research, it stands out the work done on the valorization of compounds/biomolecules produced by microorganisms such as actinobacteria and fungi, but also by macroalgae and terrestrial plants, as alternative materials applied for the control of cyanobacterial blooms. The work of Zerrifi et al (2019, 2020, 2021) (10.1007/s11356-019-04921-9; 10.3390/toxins12080527) revealed for example that compounds extracted from the species Bifurcaria tuberculata, Codium elongatum, and Bornetia secundiflora have very significant anti-algal activity. The authors also reported that extracts of Streptomyces sp isolated from sediment samples collected from Moroccan salt river hold Anti-cyanobacterial activity (10.1007/s11356-020 -10439-2). The consortium is currently working towards the characterization of the various bioactive compounds with a view to developing new products based on these compounds. Other nature-based solutions such as MSL and CW have been the focus of the research of the consortium. The work already concluded allowed to conclude that these technologies have the potential to reduce or eliminate microbiological contamination in water and also the toxins produced by cyanobacteria. CW systems, for example, have shown toxic cyanobacteria clearance rates on the order of 94% and about 99% removal rates of the toxin microcystins (10.3390/w12010010). On the same note, the MSL technology built with alternated permeable layers (pozzolan) and soil mixture layers arranged in a brick-layer-like pattern, operating with a hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 200 L m−2 day−1 lead also to similar removal rates of microcystins (10.3390/w13101403). Ongoing work tackles the optimization of the technology for the removal of different cyanotoxins, and full characterization of the biological functions underlying the removal and degradation of this kind of water contaminant.
Concerning WP4, important activities and scientific advances have also been recorded. The diversified scientific studies were carried out and included laboratory and field experiments. The experimental work carried out was important to clarify the susceptibility of plants to different types of toxins and respective exposure doses; and to clarify the functions of the rhizosphere in protecting plants from these water contaminants (works published in 10.3390/toxins13020118 and 10.3390/microorganisms9081747 ).
In the field of bioremediation and control of toxic cyanobacterial blooms (WP6) several lines of work have been developed by the consortium, some considered highly innovative and promising. In this field of research, it stands out the work done on the valorization of compounds/biomolecules produced by microorganisms such as actinobacteria and fungi, but also by macroalgae and terrestrial plants, as alternative materials applied for the control of cyanobacterial blooms. The work of Zerrifi et al (2019, 2020, 2021) (10.1007/s11356-019-04921-9; 10.3390/toxins12080527) revealed for example that compounds extracted from the species Bifurcaria tuberculata, Codium elongatum, and Bornetia secundiflora have very significant anti-algal activity. The authors also reported that extracts of Streptomyces sp isolated from sediment samples collected from Moroccan salt river hold Anti-cyanobacterial activity (10.1007/s11356-020 -10439-2). The consortium is currently working towards the characterization of the various bioactive compounds with a view to developing new products based on these compounds. Other nature-based solutions such as MSL and CW have been the focus of the research of the consortium. The work already concluded allowed to conclude that these technologies have the potential to reduce or eliminate microbiological contamination in water and also the toxins produced by cyanobacteria. CW systems, for example, have shown toxic cyanobacteria clearance rates on the order of 94% and about 99% removal rates of the toxin microcystins (10.3390/w12010010). On the same note, the MSL technology built with alternated permeable layers (pozzolan) and soil mixture layers arranged in a brick-layer-like pattern, operating with a hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 200 L m−2 day−1 lead also to similar removal rates of microcystins (10.3390/w13101403). Ongoing work tackles the optimization of the technology for the removal of different cyanotoxins, and full characterization of the biological functions underlying the removal and degradation of this kind of water contaminant.
The characterization of cyanobacteria communities from Peru and Egypt, and Portugal (Alqueva), constitute important progress in the state of the art of water bodies ecology and quality of water bodies in these countries and worldwide. The knowledge gathered is being employed to conduct risk assessment related to the water use in these regions. The consortium is in contact with the local water management entities in Peru towards sharing the new knowledge and improving water management towards securing water quality for the local populations. Knowledge gathered from this experience can be employed in other regions, increasing the impact of this action in the society.
Furthermore, the consortium is being collecting and integrating (and reviewing) all toxicological data on cyanotoxins in terrestrial plants published so far. This work aims to attain comprehensive knowledge on the subject to further enable to raise recommendations on future measures/actions to implement concerning the use of eutrophic waters, and particularly waters contaminated with toxic cyanobacteria in agriculture. The recommendations aim to clarify the institutions, regulators and private entities operating in this sector, on the procedures to put in place to monitor toxic cyanobacteria, control and treat contaminated water, and how to use water resources based on quality parameters.
The research carried out by the consortium has allowed significant advances in the field of cyanobacterial bloom control, water decontamination, and disinfection, looking for new solutions and or approaches, environmental-friendly and low-cost. Some of the most innovative approaches refer to biocontrol, application of natural algaecides or bioremediation technologies. The consortium expects, by the end of the project, to be able to transfer or place in the market any of the products or molecules discovered, and/or carry out proof-of-concept bioremediation tests for stakeholders. Some of the technologies or solutions may have a comprehensive application in the treatment and recovery of low-quality waters with a high organic load, thus being of general interest and broad applications.
Furthermore, the consortium is being collecting and integrating (and reviewing) all toxicological data on cyanotoxins in terrestrial plants published so far. This work aims to attain comprehensive knowledge on the subject to further enable to raise recommendations on future measures/actions to implement concerning the use of eutrophic waters, and particularly waters contaminated with toxic cyanobacteria in agriculture. The recommendations aim to clarify the institutions, regulators and private entities operating in this sector, on the procedures to put in place to monitor toxic cyanobacteria, control and treat contaminated water, and how to use water resources based on quality parameters.
The research carried out by the consortium has allowed significant advances in the field of cyanobacterial bloom control, water decontamination, and disinfection, looking for new solutions and or approaches, environmental-friendly and low-cost. Some of the most innovative approaches refer to biocontrol, application of natural algaecides or bioremediation technologies. The consortium expects, by the end of the project, to be able to transfer or place in the market any of the products or molecules discovered, and/or carry out proof-of-concept bioremediation tests for stakeholders. Some of the technologies or solutions may have a comprehensive application in the treatment and recovery of low-quality waters with a high organic load, thus being of general interest and broad applications.