TY - JOUR A1 - Kuhn, Eugênia Carla A1 - Tavares Jacques, Maurício A1 - Teixeira, Daniela A1 - Meyer, Sören A1 - Gralha, Thiago A1 - Roehrs, Rafael A1 - Camargo, Sandro A1 - Schwerdtle, Tanja A1 - Bornhorst, Julia A1 - Ávila, Daiana Silva T1 - Ecotoxicological assessment of Uruguay River and affluents pre- and biomonitoring JF - Environmental science and pollution research : ESPR N2 - Uruguay River is the most important river in western Rio Grande do Sul, separating Brazil from Argentina and Uruguay. However, its pollution is of great concern due to agricultural activities in the region and the extensive use of pesticides. In a long term, this practice leads to environmental pollution, especially to the aquatic system. The objective of this study was to analyze the physicochemical characteristics, metals and pesticides levels in water samples obtained before and after the planting and pesticides' application season from three sites: Uruguay River and two minor affluents, Mezomo Dam and Salso Stream. For biomonitoring, the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used, which were exposed for 24 h. We did not find any significant alteration in physicochemical parameters. In the pre- and post-pesticides' samples we observed a residual presence of three pesticides (tebuconazole, imazethapyr, and clomazone) and metals which levels were above the recommended (As, Hg, Fe, and Mn). Exposure to both pre- and post-pesticides' samples impaired C. elegans reproduction and post-pesticides samples reduced worms' survival rate and lifespan. PCA analysis indicated that the presence of metals and pesticides are important variables that impacted C. elegans biological endpoints. Our data demonstrates that Uruguay River and two affluents are contaminated independent whether before or after pesticides' application season. In addition, it reinforces the usefulness of biological indicators, since simple physicochemical analyses are not sufficient to attest water quality and ecological safety. KW - Heavy metals KW - Pesticides KW - Contamination KW - Arsenic KW - Environmental KW - pollution KW - Uruguay River Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11986-4 SN - 0944-1344 SN - 1614-7499 VL - 28 IS - 17 SP - 21730 EP - 21741 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ; Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Allroggen, Niklas Robin A1 - Booth, Adam D. A1 - Baker, Sandra E. A1 - Ellwood, Stephen A. A1 - Tronicke, Jens T1 - High-resolution imaging and monitoring of animal tunnels using 3D ground-penetrating radar JF - Near surface geophysics N2 - Ground-penetrating radar is widely used to provide highly resolved images of subsurface sedimentary structures, with implications for processes active in the vadose zone. Frequently overlooked among these structures are tunnels excavated by fossorial animals (e.g., moles). We present two repeated ground-penetrating radar surveys performed a year apart in 2016 and 2017. Careful three-dimensional data processing reveals, in each data set, a pattern of elongated structures that are interpreted as a subsurface mole tunnel network. Our data demonstrate the ability of three-dimensional ground-penetrating radar imaging to non-invasively delineate the small animal tunnels (similar to 5 cm diameter) at a higher spatial and geolocation resolution than has previously been achieved. In turn, this makes repeated surveys and, therefore, long-term monitoring possible. Our results offer valuable insight into the understanding of the near-surface and showcase a potential new application for a geophysical method as well as a non-invasive method of ecological surveying. KW - Ground-penetrating radar KW - Shallow subsurface KW - Environmental Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/nsg.12039 SN - 1569-4445 SN - 1873-0604 VL - 17 IS - 3 SP - 291 EP - 298 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER -