20 research outputs found
Ticks and tick-borne diseases in the city: Role of landscape connectivity and green space characteristics in a metropolitan area.
No full textGreen spaces in the city are important for human wellbeing, but are also zones in which humans can become infected with zoonotic diseases. Therefore, there is a need to understand how infection risk is related to green space characteristics, wildlife communities and connectivity with rural areas hosting reservoir populations of hosts. Our hypothesis is that wildlife hosts in urban green spaces, and thereby the prevalence of questing ticks and their Lyme disease causing pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.), can be partly predicted based on green space characteristics as well as measures of connectivity to known source areas. We sampled ticks in twenty-two green spaces during Spring (2014 and 2016) and Autumn 2016, located along an urbanization gradient in Antwerp (Belgium). More than 18,000
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in private gardens : factors affecting accumulation in homegrown food and characterization of human exposure risk
No full textAbstract: In the past decade, homegrown food consumption has surged in rural, urban, and industrial areas. However, organic pollutants in private gardens, including per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS), pose health risks by entering the food chain through bioaccumulation. Very little is known about the driving factors of PFAS accumulation in homegrown food. Therefore, this thesis project aimed to assess PFAS accumulation in various homegrown food categories and related human exposure risks, exploring factors affecting PFAS bioavailability. The results showed that multiple PFAS are omnipresent in homegrown food and can accumulate to concentrations that frequently exceed available health guidelines, even under modest consumption scenarios, especially with regard to egg intake. Within the crop category, higher accumulation was noticed in annual crops in comparison to perennial crops, potentially linked with differences in terms of life-history strategies between these two plant taxa. Large spatial and temporal differences in soil PFAS profile and concentrations were found within private gardens, suggesting that site-specific characteristics and functional usage play a major role in shaping local PFAS contamination. Predictive models could be constructed for some major PFAS in eggs, which show promising potential for applicability in risk assessment by policy makers. Moreover, mitigation and remediation measures could be formulated that should be readily usable for private gardeners to ultimately lower PFAS exposure via homegrown food. PFAS pollution in gardens within \ub1 4 km from the fluorochemical plant in Antwerp could be strongly linked with both historical and recent fluorochemical emissions. On the other hand, diffusive mechanisms (e.g. atmospheric transport) and site-specific soil management may be mainly affecting levels at gardens further away from point sources. The accumulation in chicken eggs was generally higher closer to the major fluorochemical plant, although soil characteristics (e.g. organic matter, clay content and pH) could strongly affect this pattern. Conversely, the PFAS accumulation in the crops was not affected by the distance from the plant site and soil characteristics played only a minor role in governing crop accumulation. Long-term declining concentrations in soil and eggs could be observed for some PFAS, although this trend stagnated over recent years. Short-term increases of short-chain and long-chain PFAS concentrations could be observed, mainly in the soil from the chicken enclosure. These findings underpin that homegrown food cannot be neglected as a relevant human exposure source to PFAS and show the urgent necessity for further regulation steps and monitoring efforts
Are Feathers of a Songbird Model Species (The Great Tit, Parus major) Suitable for Monitoring Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) in Blood Plasma?
No full textAbstract: Feathers have been shown to be useful in the biomonitoring of environmental contaminants, such as 20 metals and persistent organic pollutants. However, little is known regarding the levels of perfluoroalkyl 21 acids (PFAAs) in feathers and the applicability of these structures for the biomonitoring of these 22 compounds. In the present study, we report the extent to which feathers are suitable for monitoring PFAA 23 concentrations in the blood plasma of an insectivorous songbird model species, the great tit (Parus major), 24 settled at and in the vicinity of a fluorochemical plant in Antwerp, Belgium. For most of the target analytes 25 (out of the 15 investigated), the feather PFAA concentrations near the plant are the highest ever reported 26 in free-living birds. As PFAA concentrations did not differ in the adjacent sites, no pollution gradient with 27 distance from the plant was observed. In addition, the PFAA concentrations were not associated with the 28 age and sex of the birds. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) concentrations were significantly higher in P. 29 major feathers than in blood plasma, but for most other PFAAs, these differences were not observed. The 30 concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and PFOA in P. major feathers and plasma were 31 significantly and positively correlated when combining data from all sites but often not at individual sites. 32 This result was likely caused by lower sample sizes at the individual sites and the use of matrices that 33 represent different time periods. Our results suggest that P. major feathers cannot be used to estimate 34 PFOA and PFOS concentrations in blood plasma, except when there is a great deal of variation in pollutant 35 concentrations among sites/individual birds. Both matrices represent different time frames, providing 36 complementary information on environmental PFAA concentrations, as illustrated by the observation that 37 more PFAA compounds could be detected in P. major feathers than in blood plasma
El después de la pirotecnia: una reflexión sobre traducción de poesía
No full textBased on the translation of poems written by the Belgian author Ruth Lasters, we reflect about a mode in which to approach this specific literary genre, more precisely, in the contemporary poetry, and we propose a poetic of the Literary translation. We work mainly with some concepts developed by the Argentinian Delfina Muschietti (2013) who postulates that a "suspendig listenig" is necessary to perceive and then transmit the rhythm and “fluctuating indices” (Tinianov, 2010) of the poem, to conform in the target language a mosaic of fragments similar to the one that exists in the original poem. From the Spain Jordi Doce (2015) we take the concept of the dramaturgical in the translation of poetry, the tracing of the author\u27s gesture as a lever to construct the poem in the target language. From the analysis of some specific poems we propose strategies for reading contemporary poetry for the purpose of translation.A partir de la traducción de una serie de poemas de la autora belga Ruth Lasters, pensamos el modo en que abordar este género literario tan específico, más precisamente, en la poesía contemporánea, y proponemos una poética de la traducción literaria. Nos basamos principalmente en la propuesta desarrollada por la argentina Delfina Muschietti (2013) quien postula que es necesaria una «escucha flotante» para percibir y transmitir luego el ritmo y los «indicios fluctuantes» (Tinianov, 2010) del poema, para conformar en la lengua de llegada un mosaico de fragmentos similar al que existe en el poema original. Del español Jordi Doce (2015), tomamos el concepto de lo dramatúrgico de la traducción de poesía, del rastreo del gesto del autor como palanca para construir el poema en la lengua de destino. A partir del análisis de algunos poemas concretos proponemos pensar modos de leer poesía contemporánea con el fin de la traducción.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in homegrown crops : accumulation and human risk assessment
No full textAbstract: Homegrown crops can present a significant exposure source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to humans. Field studies studying PFAS accumulation in multiple vegetable food categories and examining the potential influence of soil characteristics on vegetable bioavailability under realistic exposure conditions are very scarce. Crop PFAS accumulation depends on a complex combination of factors. The physicochemical differences among the numerous PFAS makes risk assessment very challenging. Thus, simplification of this complexity into key factors that govern crop PFAS accumulation is critical. This study analyzed 29 targeted legacy, precursor and emerging PFAS in the vertical soil profile (0\u201345 cm depth), rainwater and edible crop parts of 88 private gardens, at different distances from a major fluorochemical plant. Gardens closer to the plant site showed higher soil concentrations which could be linked with historical and recent industrial emissions. Most compounds showed little variation along the soil depth profile, regardless of the distance from the plant site, which could be due to gardening practices. Annual crops consistently accumulated higher sum PFAS concentrations than perennials. Highest concentrations were observed in vegetables, followed by fruits and walnuts. Single soil-crop relationships were weak, which indicated that other factors (e.g., porewater) may be better measures of bioavailability in homegrown crop accumulation. Regression models, which additionally considered soil characteristics showed limited predictive power (all R2 64 35%), possibly due to low variability in crop concentrations. Human intake estimations revealed that the PFAS exposure risk via crop consumption was similar nearby and remotely from the plant site, although the contribution to the overall dietary exposure can be relatively large. The tolerable weekly intake was frequently exceeded with respect to fruit and vegetable consumption, thus potential health risks cannot be ruled out
Waarom kwam PFAS-vervuiling niet sneller in de aandacht?
No full textAbstract: \u2018Wie wist wat wanneer?\u2019 is een vraag die de parlementaire onderzoekscommissie naar de PFAS-ver\uadvuiling wil beantwoorden. Maar wat wisten wetenschappers wanneer
Perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) profile and concentrations in two co-occurring tit species : distinct differences indicate non-generalizable results across passerines
No full textAbstract: Eggs of terrestrial bird species have often been used to biomonitor both legacy and emerging anthropogenic contaminants, such as perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). However, few, if any, studies have examined whether results obtained in a given model species can be generalized across bird species. Therefore, we compared potential differences in egg PFAA profile and concentrations between two widely studied passerine species, great tit (Parus major) and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), which are similar in many aspects of their ecology and life history. Whole clutches of both species were collected from the same breeding season and at the same place (Antwerp, Belgium), enabling us to study laying order effects. Additionally, we evaluated how egg PFAA concentrations for both species changed along a distance gradient from a PFAA point source. Although the sum PFAA concentrations did not significantly differ between great tits and blue tits, large differences in PFAA profile and laying order effects were observed. Great tits showed a more diverse PFAA detection profile, including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and various long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) but no short-chain compounds. Contrarily, short-chain PFCAs (perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)) were only detected in blue tit eggs. The variation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) concentrations within clutches was large in both species, although laying order effects on PFOA concentrations were only found in blue tits. Although egg PFOA concentrations of both species decreased similarly from the fluorochemical point source onwards, more variation in egg PFOA concentrations could be explained by distance from the fluorochemical plant in great tits (60%) than in blue tits (15%). Results showed that both species markedly differed in terms of egg PFAA profile and concentrations, most likely reflecting differences in diet, foraging habits and egg protein composition. Finally, biomonitoring results of PFAAs in eggs are likely not generalizable across bird species
Dynamic spatiotemporal changes of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soil and eggs of private gardens at different distances from a fluorochemical plant
No full textAbstract: Homegrown food serves as an important human exposure source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), yet little is known about their spatiotemporal distribution within and among private gardens. This knowledge is essential for more accurate site-specific risk assessment, identification of new sources and evaluating the effectiveness of regulations. The present study evaluated spatiotemporal changes of legacy and emerging PFAS in surface soil from vegetable gardens (N = 78) and chicken enclosures (N = 102), as well as in homegrown eggs (N = 134) of private gardens, across the Province of Antwerp (Belgium). Hereby, the potential influence of the wind orientation and distance towards a major fluorochemical plant was examined. The 11short-chain PFAS and precursor concentrations were higher in vegetable garden soil (8.68 ng/g dry weight (dw)) compared to chicken enclosure soil (4.43 ng/g dw) and homegrown eggs (0.77 ng/g wet weight (ww)), while long-chain sulfonates and C11 1214 carboxylates showed the opposite trend. Short-term (2018/2019\u20132022) changes were mostly absent in vegetable garden soil, while changes in chicken enclosure soils oriented S-SW nearby (<4 km) the fluorochemical plant were characterized by a local, high-concentration plume. Moreover, soil from chicken enclosures oriented SE and remotely from the plant site was characterized by a widespread, diffuse but relatively low-concentration plume. Long-term data (2010\u20132022) suggest that phaseout and regulatory measures have been effective, as PFOS concentrations nearby the fluorochemical plant in soil and eggs have declined from 25.8 to 2.86 ng/g dw and from 528 to 39.4 ng/g ww, respectively. However, PFOS and PFOA concentrations have remained largely stable within this timeframe in gardens remotely from the plant site, warranting further rapid regulation and remediation measures. Future monitoring efforts are needed to allow long-term comparison for multiple PFAS and better distinction from potential confounding variables, such as variable emission outputs and variability in wind patterns
Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in marine biota from the Belgian North Sea : distribution and human health risk implications
No full textAbstract: Per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are highly persistent chemicals, which pose a potential risk for aquatic wildlife due to their bioaccumulative behaviour and toxicological effects. Although the distribution of PFAS in marine environments has been studied worldwide, little is known on the contamination of PFAS in the southern North Sea. In the present study, the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) was studied in liver and muscle tissue of seven fish species and in whole-body tissue of two crustacean species, collected at 10 sites in the Belgian North Sea. Furthermore, the human and ecological health risks were examined. Overall, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was predominant in all matrices and other long-chain PFAS were frequently detected. Mean PFOS concentrations ranged from < LOQ to 107 ng/g (ww) in fish liver, from < LOQ to 24 ng/g ww in fish muscle and from 0.29 to 5.6 ng/g ww in crustaceans. Elevated perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) concentrations were detected in fish liver from the estuarine and coastal region (< LOQ-116 ng/g ww), indicating a specific point source of this compound. Based on stable isotope analysis, no distinctive trophic transfer patterns of PFAS could be identified which implies that the bioconcentration of PFAS from the surrounding abiotic environment is most likely dominating over the biomagnification in the studied biota. The consumption of commercially important species such as the brown shrimp (Crangon crangon), plaice (Pleuronecta platessa), sole (Solea solea) and whiting (Merlangus merlangus) might pose potential health risks if it exceeds 17 g/ day, 18 g/day, 26 g/day and 43 g/day respectively. Most PFOS measurements did not exceed the QS(biota,hh) of 9.1 ng/g ww, however, the benchmark of 33 ng/g ww targeting the protection of wildlife from secondary poisoning was exceeded for 43% and 28% of the samples in plaice and sole
Prediction of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in homegrown eggs : insights into abiotic and biotic factors affecting bioavailability and derivation of potential remediation measures
No full textAbstract: Homegrown eggs from free-ranging laying hens often contain elevated concentrations of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). However, it is unclear which factors contribute to these relatively large exposure risk scenarios. Moreover, existing bioavailability and modeling concepts of conventional organic pollutants cannot be gener- alized to PFAAs due to their different physicochemical soil interactions. Therefore, there is an urgent need for empirical models, based on real-world data, to provide insights into how (a)biotic factors affect the bioavail- ability to eggs. To this end, 17 targeted analytes were analyzed in abiotic (i.e. rainwater, soil; both N = 101) matrices and homegrown eggs (N = 101), which were sampled in 101 private gardens across Flanders (Belgium) in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Various soil characteristics were measured to evaluate their role in affecting PFAA bioavailability to the eggs. Finally, PFAAs were measured in potential feed sources (i.e. homegrown vegetable and earthworm pools; respectively N = 49 and N = 34) of the laying hens to evaluate their contribution to the egg burden. Modeling suggested that soil was a major exposure source to laying hens, accounting for 16\u201355% of the total variation in egg concentrations for dominant PFAAs. Moreover, concentrations in vegetables and earthworms for PFBA and PFOS, respectively, were significantly positively related with corresponding egg concentrations. Predictive models based on soil concentrations, total organic carbon (TOC), pH, clay content and exchangeable cations were successfully developed for major PFAAs, providing possibilities for time- and cost- effective risk assessment of PFAAs in homegrown eggs. Among other soil characteristics, TOC and clay con- tent were related with lower and higher egg concentrations for most PFAAs, respectively. This suggests that bioavailability of PFAAs to the eggs is driven by complex physicochemical interactions of PFAAs with TOC and clay. Finally, remediation measures were formulated that are readily applicable to lower PFAA exposure via homegrown eggs
