When nets meet environmental DNA metabarcoding:integrative approach to unveil invertebrate community patterns of hypersaline lakes

Saline and hypersaline wetlands account for almost half of the volume of inland water globally.They provide pivotal habitat for a vast range of species,including crucial ecosystem services for humans such as carbon sink storage and extractive resource reservoirs.Despite their importance,effective ecological assessment is in its infancy compared to current conventional surveys carried out in freshwater ecosystems.The integration of environmental DNA(eDNA)analysis and traditional techniques has the potential to transform biomonitoring processes,particularly in remote and understudied saline environments.In this context,this preliminary study aims to explore the potential of eDNA coupled with conventional approaches by targeting five hypersaline lakes at Rottnest Island(Wadjemup)in Western Australia.We focused on the invertebrate community,a widely accepted key ecological indicator to assess the conservational status in rivers and lakes.The combination of metabarcoding with morphology-based taxonomic analysis described 16 taxa belonging to the orders Anostraca,Diptera,Isopoda,and Coleoptera.DNA-based diversity assessment revealed more taxa at higher taxonomic resolution than the morphology-based taxonomic analysis.However,certain taxa(i.e.,Ephydridae,Stratyiomidae,Ceratopogonidae)were only identified via net surveying.Overall,our results indicate that great potential resides in combining conventional net-based surveys with novel eDNA approaches in saline and hypersaline lakes.Indeed,urgent and effective conservational frameworks are required to contrast the enormous pressure that these ecosystems are increasingly facing.Further investigations at larger spatial temporal scales will allow consolidation of robust,reliable,and affordable biomonitoring frameworks in the underexplored world of saline wetlands.

Geochemistry of Sediments from the Lopare Basin(Bosnia and Herzegovina):Implications for Paleoclimate,Paleosalinity,Paleoredox and Provenance

A combined inorganic and organic geochemical study was carried out on marls and mudstones collected from the Lower Miocene Lopare Basin,Bosnia and Herzegovina.A total of 46 samples collected from two boreholes,Pot 1(depth of 193 m)and Pot 3(depth of 344 m),showed that element abundances like boron(B),lithium(Li),strontium(Sr),uranium(U),chromium(Cr),nickel(Ni),magnesium(Mg),sodium(Na)and calcium(Ca)are much higher than average than in the upper continental crust(UCC).Chemical composition indicates at least two sources:(i)Mesozoic ophiolites occurring in the north of the investigated area,and(ii)dacito-andesitic pyroclastics(Mesozoic to Cenozoic).Lopare Basin sedimentation was influenced by strong evaporation resulting in a partly hypersaline lake,which formed during a warm climatic period,probably during the Miocene Climatic Optimum.A brief episode of humid climate conditions resulted in the basin fillingup and deposition of felsic sediments enriched in thorium(Th).Organic geochemistry shows that the majority of studied sediments contains predominantly immature to marginally mature algal organic matter(OM).The biomarker patterns are generally in agreement with the geological history of the Lopare Basin and inorganic and mineralogical data.Conversely,the molecular distribution of n-alkanes as reliable climatic andδ-MTTC as paleosalinity indicators do not support this conclusion.

Cladophora mats in a Crimean hypersaline lake:structure,dynamics,and inhabiting animals

Filamentous green algae play an important functional role in element cycling and productivity in the diff erent water bodies. In hypersaline lakes and lagoons of the Crimea, filamentous green algae are present and form bottom and floating mats that occupy large areas with high biomass, up to 4–5 kg(wet biomass)/m2. Cladophora spp. dominated in those mats. Five species of filamentous green algae(Chlorophyta) in Lake Chersonesskoye: C ladophora vadorum(Aresch.) Kütz., C. siwaschensis C. Meyer, C. echinus(Biasol.) Kütz., Ulothrix implexa(Kütz.) Kütz., Rhizoclonium tortuosum(Dillw.) Kütz., and seagrass(Angiospermae) R uppia cirrhosa(Petagna) Grande were found. Cladophora spp. and R. cirrhosa were found in the lake throughout the year, other types of algae were encountered episodically. In most cases the biomass of bottom mat exceeded that of the floating mat. In general, the total biomass of the bottom and floating mats in the lake areas at depths up to 30 cm was in a stable range of values from 100 to 290 mg(dry weight)/cm2. Animal and infusorian average abundance in mats reach high values: infusorians—up to 15 000 000 ind./m2, Cletocamptus retrogressus(Copepoda, Harpacticoida)—up to 730 000 ind./m2, Eucypris mareotica(Ostracoda)—up to 91 000 ind./m2 and Chironomidae larvae(Insecta, Diptera)—up to 140 ind./m2. Those values were much higher than in the plankton.

Acclimatory responses to high-salt stress in Chlamydomonas (Chlorophyta, Chlorophyceae) from Antarctica

Antarctic ice microalga can survive and thrive in channels or pores containing high salinity in Antarctic ice layer. In this study, it was found that cell membrane permeability of green microalga Chlaraydomonas sp. L4 from Antarctic sea ice was high in cells treated with hypersalinity due to the induction of active oxygen and radicals. However, increased super oxide dismutase （SOD） scavenged harmful free radicals effectively to keep cell membrane integrity. Also, the analysis of membrane fatty acids demonstrated the content of saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids in- creased and polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased under the high-salt treatment for 14 d, which effectively reduced the membrane fluidity and minimized the injury to cell membrane. The morpho- logical changes showed that hypersalinity induced the increase of cell volume and the consumption of starch granules. However, because of the increase in detoxification of vacuoles, electron-dense deposits and SOD activity under high-salt stress, the complete noninterference thylakoids, mito- chondria and cell nucleus maintained cellular fundamental metabolism. Global-expression profiling of proteins showed eight protein spots disappeared, 18 protein spots decreased and 18 protein spots were enhanced after the high-salt shock obviously （P 〈0.05）. One new peptide （pI 6.90; MW 51 kDa） was primarily confirmed as the processor of light reaction center protein CP43 in photosystem II, which increased photosynthesis ability of Chlamydomonas sp. L4 treated with high salinity.

Effects of natural mineral-rich water consumption on the expression of sirtuin 1 and angiogenic factors in the erectile tissue of rats with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome

Consuming a high-fructose diet induces metabolic syndrome （MS）-Iike features, including endothelial dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is an early manifestation of endothelial dysfunction and systemic vascular disease. Because mineral deficiency intensifies the deleterious effects of fructose consumption and mineral ingestion is protective against MS, we aimed to characterize the effects of 8weeks of natural mineral-rich water consumption on the structural organization and expression of vascular growth factors and receptors on the corpus cavernosum （CC） in 10% fructose-fed Sprague-Dawley rats （FRUCT）. Differences were not observed in the organization of the CC either on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） or the components of the angiopoietins/Tie2 system. However, opposing expression patterns were observed for VEGF receptors （an increase and a decrease for VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, respectively） in FRUCT animals, with these patterns being strengthened by mineral-rich water ingestion. Mineral-rich water ingestion （FRUCTMIN） increased the proportion of smooth muscle cells compared with FRUCT rats and induced an upregulatory tendency of sirtuin I expression compared with the control and FRUCT groups. Western blot results were consistent with the dual immunofluorescence evaluation. Plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein and plasma testosterone levels were similar among the experimental groups, although a tendency for an increase in the former was observed in the FRUCTMIN group. The mineral-rich water-treated rats presented changes similar to those observed in rats treated with MS-protective polyphenol-rich beverages or subjected to energy restriction, which led us to hypothesize that the effects of mineral-rich water consumption may be more vast than those directly observed in this study.

Taxonomic and metabolic shifts in the Coorong bacterial metagenome driven by salinity and external inputs

The Coorong estuary lies at the terminus of Australia's largest river system, the Murray-Darling; both are strongly influenced by human activities; including farming and extensive flow modification. Metagenomic approaches were used to determine the planktonic bacterial community composition and potential metabolic function at two extremes in the Coorong, the river mouth which exhibits marine-like salinity, and the hypersaline upper-reaches of the estuary. Significant shifts in taxa and metabolic function were seen between the two sites. The river mouth exhibited an increase in abundance of R hodobacteriaceae and Alteromonadaceae; families readily able to adapt to change in nutrient conditions; and the potentially pathogenic families B rucellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Vibrionaceae. Metabolisms over-represented include motility and chemotaxis, RNA metabolism and membrane transport, all of which are involved in actively searching for and obtaining nutrients. Also over-represented were metabolisms involved in population succession and stress response. An over-representation of taxa and metabolisms indicative of environmental change is reflective of anthropogenically af fected riverine input. In the hypersaline upper reaches of the estuary, the halophilic family Ectothiorhodospiraceae was over-represented, as were the families Flavobacteriaceae, Cytophagaceae and Nocardioidaceae, members of which are able to survive over a wide salinity range. Metabolisms over-represented here were reflective of increased bacterial growth, characteristic of hypersaline environments, and included DNA metabolism, nucleotide and nucleoside synthesis and cell cycle. Coorong metagenomes clustered taxonomically and metabolically with other planktonic metagenomes, but remained an outlier of this group with only 71% and 84% similarity, respectively. This indicates that the Coorong exhibits a unique planktonic bacterial community that is influenced by riverine input at the river mouth and salinity in the upper-reaches.

Chemical composition and Pb(II)binding of dissolved organic matter in a hypersaline lake in China

Dissolved organic matter(DOM)plays a vital role in promoting carbon and nutrient cycling.It is a food source for organisms and controls the migration and transformation of trace metals and other contaminants in aquatic systems.The contributions of aquatic DOM to the environment and ecology of a system are closely related to its abundance and chemical structure.In this study,the chemical composition and binding properties of DOM in a hypersaline lake watershed were investigated for the fi rst time using dissolved organic carbon(DOC)analysis,absorption spectroscopy,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,pyrolysis-GC-MS(Py-GC-MS),and fl uorescence parallel factor(PARAFAC)analysis combined with Pb(II)titration techniques.The results showed that DOM from the tributaries that fl owed into the lake had a lower DOC content,higher molecular weight,and higher specifi c UV absorbance than the DOM in lake water.Protein-like fl uorophores were mainly found in tributary and lake surface water DOM(LSDOM)and humic-like substances were abundant in lake groundwater DOM(LGDOM).Using this multi-methodological approach,we found that the DOM from the hypersaline lake watershed was mainly from microbial origins,and consisted of aromatics,carbohydrates,and aliphatics.The results from quantitative analysis showed that DOM from the infl owing tributaries contained more aromatics,lower carbohydrates,and lower aliphatics than DOM in the lake.Monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and carbohydrates were more abundant in LSDOM than LGDOM.The results from the Pb(II)titration technique coupled with PARAFAC analysis suggested that PARAFAC-derived components had relatively low condition stability constants(log K_(M)<2).Of the two types of lake DOM,the LGDOM had a higher Pb(II)binding potential than the LSDOM.From this study we have improved our understanding of how DOM within a hypersaline lake watershed varies in its composition and potential to bind with metals.

Copepods in Hypersaline Waters Worldwide:Diversity,Environmental,Social,and Economic Roles

1 Introduction Copepods are a group of small crustaceans,which play an important ecological role in aquatic ecosystems.They occupy different ecological niches in aquatic food webs,contributes to biogenic element cycles,and transfer of organic matter from primary producers to higher secondary consumers.Copepods also have the potential to

Paracremonium moubasheri,a new species from an alkaline sediment of Lake Hamra in Wadi-El-Natron,Egypt with a key to the accepted species

During surveys of extremophilic fungi in hypersaline,alkaline lakes of Wadi-El-Natron,Egypt,an interesting fungus was recovered from a mud sample collected from Lake Hamra in Wadi-El-Natron,Egypt.Maximum likelihood analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer(ITS)gene along with morphological comparisons of related taxa revealed a novel taxon,Paracremonium moubasheri which is described and illustrated in the current study.Paracremonium moubasheri can be distinguished from the known species of the genus by its large conidia,in addition to the presence of chlamydospores.

Study on Corrosion Resistance of Ni-W-P Coating in Hypersaline Brine

Brine resource is rich in China,but its exploitation has been a problem.Hypersaline brine will corrode equipment and materials seriously during the brine exploitation and transportation.The corrosion problem can cause great

A Fresh Look at the Geobiology & Sedimentary Environments of the Hypersaline Great Salt Lake,USA

1 Introduction The Great Salt Lake(GSL)is the defining hydrological feature of the Great Basin,North America’s largest desert--and it is the largest waterbody in the western USA.Despite the early(Eardley,1938)recognition of"bioherms,"algal layers,and mats covering hundreds of square km of lake area,these features have not been the

Hydrodynamic Study of Lake Enriquillo in Dominican Republic

This study presents an analysis of the hydrochemical characteristics of Lake Enriquillo in the southwestern region of the Dominican Republic. This lake is hypersaline and endorheic. The climatology of the region is influenced by the Caribbean Regulator Climate Centers (CRCCs). Due to the endorheic nature of the basin, evaporation plays an extremely important role in its dynamics [1]. During the study period, in November 2002, the water level of Lake Enriquillo was 42 m below sea level (BLS), and the salinity level was 104.2‰. By 2014, the water level of the lake rose to 29 m below sea level, and the salinity decreased to 23.4‰, as a result of the high cyclonic activity in the Caribbean region.

Preliminary Characterization of a Cellulase Producing Bacterial Strain Isolated from a Romanian Hypersaline Lake

Cellulases are a group of enzymes that are used in many biotechnological processes. Since most of the enzymes synthesised by mesophilic microorganisms are unstable in industrial environments, it is necessary to direct research towards extremophile cellulolytic microorganisms because the enzymes synthesised by them are stable and active even in harsh physicochemical conditions. In the present investigation, our aim was to isolate and identify some microbial cellulolytic strains from a hypersaline lake located in Romania and to determine their optimal growth conditions. Of a total of 25 microbial strains isolated, only one extreme halotolerant bacterial strain was able to produce an endoglucanase. Based on molecular identification, we identified this cellulolytic strain as a species of Bacillus genus, most closely related to Bacillus zhangzhouensis. Optimal growth conditions were found to be at 15&deg;C, pH 7.5 and 2 M NaCl. Endoglucanase activity of this bacterial strain is influenced by both salinity and temperature. The most significant endoglucanase activity was detected in the presence of 3 M NaCl, after 72 h of incubation at 15&deg;C. In this situation, the amount of glucose released from a volume of 0.5 mL of 2% (w/v) carboxymethyl cellulose substrate is equivalent to 2.05 mg. In conclusion, this study represents the first preliminary characterization of a B. zhangzhouensis strain that has the ability to degrade cellulose and that demonstrates tolerance to high salt concentrations.

Investigation of Miocene Methane Hydrate Generation Potential in the Transylvanian Basin, Romania

In geology we often revise theoretical models;upon finding new evidence,such as the discovery of methane hydrates,the initial model will be challenged immediately.Hereby the authors put forward two postulates:1)There is a third,previously unexplored source of methane in the Transylvanian Basin,based on a new theoretical approach on methane hydrate formation;2)The dissociation of methane hydrates creates a strong chlorinity anomaly.Based on a recent analogy with the Black Sea basin model,we apply our statements to the Transylvanian Basin.Using direct and indirect indicators and the published system tract analysis,we claim that there are substantial grounds to believe that this model of methane hydrate formation applies to the Miocene Transylvanian Basin.Due to the increase of the geothermal gradient as a result of the volcanic activity from the Eastern Carpathians,the clathrates dissociated into methane and freshwater.This process of dilution resulted in a chlorinity anomaly that can be spotted in the formation waters of several gas fields from the Transylvanian Basin.

A novel electro-Fenton hybrid system for enhancing the interception of volatile organic compounds in membrane distillation desalination

Membrane distillation(MD)is a promising alternative desalination technology,but the hydrophobic membrane cannot intercept volatile organic compounds(VOCs),resulting in aggravation in the quality of permeate.In term of this,electro-Fenton(EF)was coupled with sweeping gas membrane distillation(SGMD)in a more efficient way to construct an advanced oxidation barrier at the gas-liquid interface,so that the VOCs could be trapped in this layer to guarantee the water quality of the distillate.During the so-called EF-MD process,an interfacial interception barrier containing hydroxyl radical formed on the hydrophobic membrane surface.It contributed to the high phenol rejection of 90.2% with the permeate phenol concentration lower than 1.50 mg/L.Effective interceptions can be achieved in a wide temperature range,even though the permeate flux of phenol was also intensified.The EF-MD system was robust to high salinity and could electrochemically regenerate ferrous ions,which endowed the long-term stability of the system.This novel EF-MD configuration proposed a valuable strategy to intercept VOCs in MD and will broaden the application of MD in hypersaline wastewater treatment.

Diversity and connectedness of brine shrimp viruses in global hypersaline ecosystems

Brine shrimp(Artemia)has existed on Earth for 400 million years and has major ecological importance in hypersaline ecosystems.As a crucial live food in aquaculture,brine shrimp cysts have become one of the most important aquatic products traded worldwide.However,our understanding of the biodiversity,prevalence and global connectedness of viruses in brine shrimp is still very limited.A total of 143 batches of brine shrimp(belonging to seven species)cysts were collected from six continents including 21 countries and more than 100 geographic locations worldwide during 1977–2019.In total,55 novel RNA viruses were identified,which could be assigned to 18 different viral families and related clades.Eleven viruses were dsRNA viruses,16 were+ssRNA viruses,and 28 were−ssRNA viruses.Phylogenetic analyses of the RNA-directed RNA polymerase(RdRp)showed that brine shrimp viruses were often grouped with viruses isolated from other invertebrates and fungi.Remarkably,most brine shrimp viruses were related to those from different hosts that might feed on brine shrimp or share the same ecological niche.A notable case was the novel brine shrimp noda-like virus 3,which shared 79.25%(RdRp)and 63.88%(capsid proteins)amino acid identity with covert mortality nodavirus(CMNV)that may cause losses in aquaculture.In addition,both virome composition and phylogenetic analyses revealed global connectedness in certain brine shrimp viruses,particularly among Asia and Northern America.This highlights the incredible species diversity of viruses in these ancient species and provides essential data for the prevalence of RNA viruses in the global aquaculture industry.More broadly,these findings provide novel insights into the previously unrecognized RNA virosphere in hypersaline ecosystems worldwide and demonstrate that human activity might have driven the global connectedness of brine shrimp viruses.

Directional amine-based solvent extraction for simultaneous enhanced water recovery,salt separation and effective descaling from hypersaline brines

The feasibility of simultaneous water recovery,salt separation and effective descaling of hypersaline brine was investigated by diisopropylamine(DIPA)-based directional solvent extraction(DSE),using diluted/concentrated seawater with initial saline concentration range of 12–237 g/L at extraction temperatures of 5 and 15℃,respectively.The water recovery shows an obvious boundary at saline concentration of 115 g/L under dual effect of specific water extraction efficiency and extraction cycles.High Cl^(–) ion concentration in product water is in sharp contrast to the nearly complete removal of SO_(4)^(2–)and hardness ions,indicating that DIPA-based DSE process indeed achieved efficient separation and purification of Cl^(–) ion from hypersaline brines.Especially,the radical precipitation of Mg^(2+)and Ca^(2+)ions in form of Mg(OH)_(2)and CaCO_(3)demonstrates effective descaling potential,although it leads to more DIPA residues in dewatered raffinate than product water.Moreover,an exponential correlation between the Cl^(–) removal efficiency and specific water extraction efficiency further reveals the intrinsic relationship of water extraction process and transfer of Cl^(–) ion to the product water.Overall,the study provides a novel approach for integrating the water recovery and separation of Cl^(–) ion from ultra-high-salinity brines with radical precipitation of Mg^(2+)and Ca^(2+) ions in one step.

The relationship between methylated chromans and maturity of organic matter in the source rocks from Jianghan hypersaline basin

The distribution,the relative composition,and their variation of methylated chromans(MTTC) with maturation of organic matter in the source rocks from Mingjia 1 well,Jianghan hypersaline basin,have been analyzed and studied. There is a close relationship between the distribution of methylatd chromans and paleosalinity of depositional environment. In the Eq1-Eq3 source rocks deposited under hypersaline environment with lower Pr/Ph ratio,higher gammacerane index and abundant organic sulfur-containing compounds,methyl MTTC and dimethyl MTTC are main components,but in the Eq4 source rocks deposited non-hypersaline environment with relatively higher Pr/Ph ratio,lower gammacerane index and organic sulfur-containing compounds,trimethyl MTTC is a major compound in methylate chromans. Obviously,the distributions and the compositions of methylated chromans in the source rocks are in harmony with biomarker indicators indicating the paleaosalinity and redox of depositional environment. The relationship between the ratio of 5,8-dimethyl MTTC to 7,8-dimethyl MTTC(dimethyl MTTC ratio) and the maturity of organic matter in the source rocks from Mingjia 1 well has been discussed. The results show that dimethyl MTTC ratio increased with the burial depth and the maturation of organic matter in the source rocks,especially in immature level. It is noteworthy that this ratio is very susceptible to small variation in the maturity of organic matter in the source rocks when vitrinite reflectance Ro is less than 0.65%. It may imply that this ratio is a good and susceptible aromatic maturity indicator for the relative maturity of organic matter in immature source rocks.

GEOLOGICAL OCCURRENCE AND ITS PALEOENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFI-CANCE OF GAMMACERANE

Gammacerane has been a common component of crude oils and organic matter of sedimentary rocks since it was found by Hills et al. in the Green River oil shale, Colorado, USA. For example, gammacerane was found in 42 crude oils of

Palaeoenvironmental setting of lacustrine stromatolites in the Miocene Wudaoliang Group, northern Tibetan Plateau

Lacustrine stromatolites were widespread in the Miocene Wudaoliang Group(stromatolites of the Wudaoliang Group), northern Tibetan Plateau;but only at one location nearby the Wudaoliang Town, they occurred intensively in thick, laterally traceable beds(Wudaoliang stromatolites). Although deposited in lacustrine environment, the lack of fossils in these rocks hampers determining whether the stromatolites formed in freshwater or saline conditions.To address this problem, and in an attempt to identify criteria to distinguish differences of freshwater and saline conditions, we studied the laminae microfabrics, stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios, rare earth element patterns and biomarkers of the stromatolites. These stromatolites can be divided into fenestral stromatolites and agglutinated stromatolites. The fabric of fenestral stromatolites is formed by microcrystalline carbonate enclosing spar-cemented, angular crystal traces. Essentially, this fabric is interpreted as pseudomorph after former formed evaporite crystals. Faecal pel ets identical to that of the present-day brine shrimp Artemia, lack of other eukaryotic fossils,and stable isotopic signals point to a shal ow, evaporation-dominated hypersaline lake setting. Covariation of carbon and oxygen isotopes indicates hydrological y closed conditions of the Miocene lake on northern Tibetan Plateau.However, if compared to other lacustrine carbonates of the Wudaoliang Group, the high δ13 C values of the investigated Wudaoliang stromatolites reveal an additional photosynthetic effect during the deposition of the stromatolites.Furthermore, although no direct evidence is available from field observations and microfabrics, a positive europium anomaly of Wudaoliang stromatolites indicates that a palaeo-hydrothermal inflow system had existed in the outcrop area.These new results favour a hypersaline lake setting subject to hot spring inflow for the Wudaoliang stromatolites, in contrast to earlier interpretations suggesting a freshwater lake setting(e.g. Yi et al., Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology28: 106-113, 2008;Zeng et al., Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology 31: 111–119, 2011). This approach may be appropriate for other lacustrine, unfossiliferous microbialites in settings where the environmental conditions are difficult to determine.