Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TOXICROP (Cyanotoxins in Irrigation Waters: Surveillance, Risk Assessment, and Innovative Remediation proposals)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2019-02-01 al 2022-07-31
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.
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.