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Occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, microplastics and biofilms in Alqueva surface water at touristic spots

Publication . Raposo, Ana; Mansilha, Catarina; Veber, Alexander; Melo, Armindo; Rodrigues, Joao; Matias, Rui; Rebelo, Helena; Grossinho, José; Cano, Manuela; Almeida, Cristina; Nogueira, Isabel D.; Puskar, Ljiljana; Schade, Ulrich; Jordão, Luisa

Freshwater pollution is a huge concern. A study aiming to evaluate physico-chemical characteristics, microbiota, occurrence of two groups of persistent environmental pollutants with similar chemical properties (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons- PAHs and microplastics - MPs) in Alqueva's surface water was performed during 2021. Water samples were collected at three spots related to touristic activities (two beaches and one marina) during the Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn seasons. In addition, the presence of biofilms on plastic and natural materials (stone, wood/ vegetal materials) were assessed and compared. Water quality based on physicochemical parameters was acceptable with a low eutrophication level. PAHs concentration levels were lower than the standard limits established for surface waters by international organizations. However, carcinogenic compounds were detected in two sampling locations, which can pose a problem for aquatic ecosystems. PAHs profiles showed significant differences when comparing the dry seasons with the rainy seasons, with a higher number of different compounds detected in Spring. Low molecular weigh compounds, usually associated with the atmospheric deposition and petroleum contamination, were more prevalent. MPs were detected in all samples except one during the Winter season. The polymers detected were poly(methyl-2-methylpropenoate), polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, polypropylene, styrene butadiene, polyvinyl chloride and low /high density polyethylene with the last being the most frequent. Biofilms were more often detected on plastics than on natural materials. In addition, biofilms detected on plastics were more complex with higher microbial diversity (e.g., bacteria, fungi/yeast and phytoplancton organisms) and richer in extrapolymeric material. Based on morphological analysis a good agreement between microbiota and microorganism present in the biofilms was found. Among microbiota were identified microorganisms previously linked to plastic and PAHs detoxification suggesting the need for further studies to evaluate the viability of using biofilms as part of a green bioremediation strategy to mitigate water pollution.

2022-08-13Journal article

Restricted access

Exploring the interplay between microplastics and biofilms in freshwater

Publication . Jordão, Luisa; Nogueira, Isabel; Veber, Alexander; Schade, Ulrich; Puskar, Ljiljana

Plastic inevitably accumulates in the environment becoming a persistent. In the present work, we aim at documenting MPs occurrence in three collection spots of the biggest European artificial lake over one year period using infrared microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate MPs colonization by biofilms. PE was the most abundant polymer and biofilms were identified in all plastics.

2021-12-09Conference object

Restricted access

Occurrence of persistent organic pollutants at Alqueva's surface water at touristic spots

Publication . Raposo, Ana; Mansilha, Catarina; Veber, Alexander; Melo, Armindo; Rodrigues, Joao; Matias, Rui; Rebelo, Helena; Grossinho, José; Cano, Manuela; Almeida, Cristina; Nogueira, Isabel

Freshwater pollution is a huge concern. A study aiming to evaluate water quality and occurence of two groups of persistent environmental pollutants with similar chemical properties (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-PAHs and microplastics -MPs) in Alqueva’s surface water was performed during 2021. Samples were collected at three spots related to touristic activities (two beaches and one marina) once by season. In addition, we assessed and compared the presence of biofilms on plastic and natural materials. Water quality was acceptable with a low eutrophication level. PAHs concentration levels were lower than the standard limits established for surface waters. PAHs profiles showed significant differences when comparing the dry and rainy seasons, with a higher number of different compounds detected in Spring. Low molecular weight compounds, usually associated with the atmospheric deposition and petroleum contamination, were more prevalent. MPs were detected in all samples except one during Winter. Eight polymers were detected being polyethylene the most frequent. Plastics were more prone to biofilm colonization than natural materials. In addition, biofilms detected on plastics were more complex with higher microbial diversity and richer in EPS. Among microbiota were identified microorganisms previously linked to plastic and PAHs detoxification suggesting the need for further studies to evaluate the viability of using biofilms as part of a green bioremediation strategy to mitigate water pollution.

2023Conference object

Open access

Occurence of persistent environmental pollutants in freshwater

Publication . Jordão, Luisa; Mansilha, Catarina; Melo, Armindo; Nogueira, Isabel; Veber, Alexander; Puskar, Ljiljana; Schade, Ulrich

Freshwater pollution is a huge concern. Occurence of 2 groups of persistent pollutants with similar chemical properties (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and microplastics) in Alqueva’s surface water were evaluated during 2021. Samples were collected, once per season, at 3 spots related to touristic activities. Biofilm presence on plastic and natural materials was monitored and compared.

2022-12Conference object

Open access