Bacillales dominated regardless of the herbicide. Our results emphasize the variability in the extent and modes of SM and BUT dissipation in agricultural soils, and in associated changes in bacterial communities.

## Towards a spatiotemporally explicit toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic model for earthworm toxicity

Authors: Roeben V, Oberdoerster S, Rakel KJ, Liesy D, Capowiez Y, Ernst G, Preuss TG, Gergs A, Oberdoerster C

Source: SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 722:137673, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137673

**Abstract:** The aim of the environmental risk assessment of chemicals is the prevention of unacceptable adverse effects on the environment. Therefore, the risk assessment for in-soil organisms, such as earthworms, is based on two key elements: the exposure assessment and the effect assessment. In the current risk assessment scheme, these two elements are not linked. While for the exposure assessment, advanced exposure models can take the spatial and temporal scale of substances into account, the effect assessment in the lower tiers considers only a limited temporal and spatial variability. However, for soil organisms, such as earthworms, those scales play a significant role as species move through the soil in response to environmental factors. To overcome this gap, we propose a conceptual integration of pesticide exposure, ecology, and toxicological effects on earthworms using a modular modeling approach. An essential part of this modular approach is the environment module, which utilizes exposure models to provide spatially and temporally explicit information on environmental variables (e.g., temperature, moisture, organic matter content) and chemical concentrations. The behavior module uses this information and simulates the feeding and movement of different earthworm species using a trait-based approach. The resulting exposure can be processed by a toxico kinetic-toxicodynamic (TKTD) module. TKTD models are particularly suitable to make effect predictions for time-variable exposure situations as they include the processes of uptake, elimination, internal distribution, and biotransformation of chemicals and link the

internal concentration to an effect at the organism level. The population module incorporates existing population models of different earthworm species. The modular approach is illustrated using a case study with an insecticide. Our results emphasize that using a modular model approach will facilitate the integration of exposure and effects and thus enhance the risk assessment of soil organisms.

## Anther-smut fungi from more contaminated sites in Chernobyl show lower infection ability and lower viability following experimental irradiation

Authors: Arnaise S, Shykoff JA, Moller AP, Mousseau TA, Giraud T

Source: ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION Early Access: MAY, 2020, DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6376

**Abstract:** The long-term contamination that followed the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl provides a case study for the effects of chronic ionizing radiation on living organisms and on their ability to tolerate or evolve resistance to such radiation. Previously, we studied the fertility and viability of early developmental stages of a castrating plant pathogen, the anther-smut fungus Microbotryum lychnidis-dioicae, isolated from field sites varying over 700-fold in degree of radioactive contamination. Neither the budding rate of haploid spores following meiosis nor the karyotype structure varied with increasing radiation levels at sampling sites. Here, we assessed the ability of the same M. lychnidis-dioicae strains to perform their whole life cycle, up to the production of symptoms in the plants, that is, the development of anthers full of fungal spores; we also assessed their viability under experimental radiation. Fungal strains from more contaminated sites had no lower spore numbers in anthers or viability, but infected host plants less well, indicating lower overall fitness due to radioactivity exposure. These findings improve our understanding of the previous field data, in which the anther-smut disease prevalence on Silene latifolia plants caused by *M. lychnidis-dioicae* was lower at more contaminated sites. Although the fungus showed relatively high
resistance to experimental radiation, we found no evidence that increased resistance to radiation has evolved in populations from contaminated sites. Fungal strains from more contaminated sites even tolerated or repaired damage from a brief acute exposure to gamma radiation less well than those from non- or less contaminated sites. Our results more generally concur with previous studies in showing that the fitness of living organisms is affected by radiation after nuclear disasters, but that they do not rapidly evolve higher tolerance.

## Ex situ environmental risk assessment of polluted soils using threshold guide values for the land snail *Cantareus aspersus*

Authors: Louzon M, Pauget B, Gimbert F, Morin-Crini N, de Vaufleury A

Source: SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
721:137789, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137789

**Abstract:** Environmental risk assessment of contaminated soils should ideally be carried out with complementary approaches (chemical and biological) conducted in situ and ex situ. While biological methods based on the assessment of effect and bioaccumulation in bioindicators exist for soil fauna organisms, such as land snails, the methodology is currently limited in the field to 14 metallic elements (MEs). To provide new relevant tools to the stakeholders of polluted fields, the aim of this work is to determine ex situ threshold guide values (ex situ TGVs), for 15 MEs, 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 7 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These ex situ TGVs are the usual concentration of contaminants found in the viscera of the bioindicator *Cantareus aspersus* after 28 days of exposure to uncontaminated soils. The second objective was to assess and validate the relevance of these ex situ TGVs for the interpretation of contamination levels in various European contaminated soils based on global index calculations: i) The sum of the excess of transfers (SETs) and ii) the weighted SETs based on the general toxicity points of each contaminant used to evaluate the risk of transferred MEs, PAHs and PCBs (ERITMEs, ERITPAHs and ERITPCBs, respectively). In

addition, the influence of soil physico-chemical properties on accumulation was modelled to better understand their roles in bioavailability. The presented ex situ TGV and the associated indicators (the global sum of the excess of transfers and global ecotoxicological risk) provide a basis by which stakeholders can prioritize the management of polluted soils depending on the risk they may represent. The determination of ex situ TGVs for organic and inorganic compounds provides new tools to characterize excess contaminant transfers, and it will also allow the use of snails for ERAs, notably for common pollutants, such as PAHs and PCBs for which guide values are not available.

## Miscanthus x giganteus culture on soils highly contaminated by metals: Modelling leaf decomposition impact on metal mobility and bioavailability in the soil-plant system

Authors: Al SoukiKS, Line C, Louvel B, Waterlot C, Douay F, Pourrut B

Source: ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 199:110654, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110654

**Abstract:** *Miscanthus x giganteus* is suggested as a good candidate for phytostabilization of metal-polluted soils. Its late harvest in winter generates large amounts of leaf litter on the soil surface. However, little is known about the mobility and the bioavailability of metals following leaf decomposition and the consequences on the succeeding culture. Ex situ artificial aging for 1, 3, and 6 months was conducted with miscanthus leaf fragments incorporated into three agricultural soils displaying a gradient concentration in Cd (0.6, 3.1 and 7.9 mg kg(-1)), Pb (32.0, 194.6 and 468.6 mg kg(-1)), and Zn (48.4, 276.3 and 490.2 mg kg(-1)) to simulate the leaf litter input over 20 years of miscanthus culture. We investigated the impacts on physicochemical and biological soil parameters, CaCl2-extractable metal, and their subsequent ryegrass shoot concentrations, and hence on ryegrass health. The results showed that the amended soils possessed higher pH along with greater available phosphorous and soil
organic carbon values. The respiratory activity and microbial biomass carbon in the amended soils increased mainly after 1 month of aging, and decreased afterwards. Despite the higher Pb- and Zn-CaCl2 extractability in the amended soils, the phytoavailability slightly increased only in the most contaminated soils. Moreover, leaf incorporation did not affect the ryegrass biomass, photosynthetic pigment contents, nor the antioxidative enzyme activities. Conclusively, leaf incorporation induced slight variations in soil physicochemical and biological parameters, as well as metal extractability, but not to an extent that might cause a considerable threat to the subsequent culture. Nevertheless, these results are preliminary data that require confirmation by long-term in situ experimentations as they reflect the modelization of long-term impact of leaf decomposition on soil-plant system.

## Undernutrition combined with dietary mineral oil hastens depuration of stored dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyls in ewes. 1. Kinetics in blood, adipose tissue and faeces

Authors: Rey-Cadilhac L, Cariou R, Ferlay A, Jondreville C, Delavaud C, Faulconnier Y, Alcouffe S, Faure P, Marchand P, Le Bizec B, Jurjanz S, Lerch S

Source: PLOS ONE 15(3): e0230629, 2020, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230629

Abstract: Food safety crises involving persistent organic pollutants [POPs, e.g. dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides] lead to systematic slaughter of livestock to prevent their entry into the food chain. Therefore, there is a need to develop strategies to depurate livestock moderately contaminated with POPs in order to reduce such economic and social damages. This study aimed to test a POPs depuration strategy based on undernutrition (37% of energy requirements) combined with mineral oil (10% in total dry matter intake) in nine non-lactating ewes contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and PCBs 126 and 153. In order to better understand the underlying mechanisms of

the depuration process, POPs kinetics and body lipids dynamics were followed concomitantly over 57-day of depuration in POPs storage (adipose tissue, AT), central distribution (blood) and excretion (faeces) compartments. Faecal POPs concentrations in underfed and mineral oil supplemented ewes increased by 2.0 to 2.6-fold, but not proportionally to lipids concentration which increased by 6-fold, compared to the control ewes. Nonetheless, after 57 days of depuration in undernutrition and mineral oil supplementation, AT POPs concentrations were 1.5 to 1.6-fold higher while serum concentrations remained unchanged compared to the control ewes. This was concomitant with a decrease by 2.7-fold of the AT estimated lipids weight along the depuration period. This reduction of the volume of the storage compartment combined with the increase of POPs faecal excretion in underfed and mineral oil supplemented ewes led to a reduction by 1.5-fold of the PCB 126 AT burden, while no changes were observed for TCDD and PCB 153 burdens (vs. no change for PCB 126 and increases for TCDD and PCB 153 AT burdens in control ewes). The original approach of this study combining the fine description at once of POPs kinetic and of body lipids dynamic improved our understanding of POPs fate in the ruminant.

## Undernutrition combined with dietary mineral oil hastens depuration of stored dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyls in ewes. 2. Tissue distribution, mass balance and body burden

Authors: Lerch S, Rey-Cadilhac L, Cariou R, Faulconnier Y, Jondreville C, Roux D, Dervilly-Pinel G, Le Bizec B, Jurjanz S, Ferlay A

Source: PLOS ONE 15(3):e0230628, 2020, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230628

Abstract: Food safety crises involving persistent organic pollutants (POPs) lead to systematic slaughter of livestock to prevent contaminants from entering the food chain. Therefore, there is a need to develop strategies to depurate livestock moderately contaminated with POPs to reduce economic and social damage. This study aimed to test undernutrition (37% of energy
requirements) combined with mineral oil (10% in total dry matter intake) in nine non-lactating ewes contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) 126 and 153 as a strategy to enhance the depuration of POPs through faecal excretion. To better understand the underlying mechanisms of the depuration process, lipophilic POPs and lipid fluxes were co-monitored in various body and excretion compartments. Body compartments (adipose tissues, muscle, liver and blood) and the total empty body were analyzed for lipids and POPs concentrations and burdens at slaughter, as well as excretion compartments (faeces and wool) collected during the depuration period. Decreases in empty body total and lipid weights were 6-fold higher in underfed and supplemented ewes compared to control ewes. In addition, over the depuration period undernutrition and supplementation treatment increased faecal TCDD, PCBs 126 and 153 excretions by 1.4- to 2.1-fold but tended to decrease wool PCB 153 excretion by 1.4-fold. This induced 2- to 3-fold higher decreases in the empty body POPs burdens for underfed and supplemented ewes. Nonetheless, when expressed relative to the calculated initial empty body burdens, burdens at slaughter decreased only slightly from 97%, 103% and 98% for control ewes to 92%, 97% and 94% for underfed and supplemented ones, for TCDD, PCBs 126 and 153, respectively. Fine descriptions at once of POPs kinetic (companion paper 1) and mass balance (companion paper 2), and of body lipid dynamics were very useful in improving our understanding of the fate of POPs in the ruminants.

## Impact assessment of legacy wastes from ancient mining activities on current earthworm community

Authors: Mariet AL, Gauthier-Manuel H, Lagiewski T, Begeot C, Walter-Simonnet AV, Gimbert F

Source: JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 393:122369, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122369

Abstract: Mineral resource exploitation by human societies throughout history led to the deposit of mining and smelting wastes and the subsequent contamination of surrounding soils by trace

metals. After several centuries, the impact of these legacy hazardous wastes may remain a cause of environmental concern, especially for indigenous soil invertebrate populations such as earthworms. Therefore, we conducted a passive biomonitoring campaign in a former metallurgical district (Vosges Mountains, eastern France). According to community descriptors, we evidenced a significant decrease of anecic and endogeic earthworm density in the former mining stations. To link these results to soil contamination and bioaccumulation levels in earthworm tissues, we propose an original modelling approach using nonlinear mixed-effects regression models. Beyond a dose-response relationship between metal internal concentrations and their levels in soils, we highlighted contrasted behaviors according to ecological groups (epianecics and endogeics most impacted). We interpreted these results in relation to some eco-physiological features without completely exclude the influence of textural characteristics of soil, especially for deep-burrowing species such as anecic strict. Nonetheless, the presence of earthworm populations currently living in highly contaminated sites and handling elevated internal concentrations raises the question of the acquisition of genetic adaptive traits and the trophic transfers of metals.

## Proteogenomics-Guided Evaluation of RNA-Seq Assembly and Protein Database Construction for Emergent Model Organisms

Authors: Cogne Y, Gouveia D, Chaumot A, Degli-Esposti D, Geffard O, Pible O, Almunia C, Armengaud J

Source: PROTEOMICS:1900261, 2020, DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201900261

Abstract: Proteogenomics is gaining momentum as, today, genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics can be readily performed on any new species. This approach allows key alterations to molecular pathways to be identified when comparing conditions. For animals and plants, RNA-seq-informed proteomics is the most popular means of interpreting tandem mass spectrometry spectra acquired for species for which the genome has not yet been sequenced.
It relies on high-performance de novo RNA-seq assembly and optimized translation strategies. Here, several pre-treatments for Illumina RNA-seq reads before assembly are explored to translate the resulting contigs into useful polypeptide sequences. Experimental transcriptomics and proteomics datasets acquired for individual Gammarus fossarum freshwater crustaceans are used, the most relevant procedure is defined by the ratio of MS/MS spectra assigned to peptide sequences. Removing reads with a mean quality score of less than 17-which represents a single probable nucleotide error on 150-bp reads-prior to assembly, increases the proteomics outcome. The best translation using Transdecoder is achieved with a minimal open reading frame length of 50 amino acids and systematic selection of ORFs longer than 900 nucleotides. Using these parameters, transcriptome assembly and translation informed by proteomics pave the way to further improvements in proteogenomics.

## Removal of organic micropollutants in anaerobic membrane bioreactors in wastewater treatment: critical review

Authors: Lim M, Patureau D, Heran M, Lesage G, Kim J

Source: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY 6(5):1230-1243, 2020, DOI: 10.1039/c9ew01058k

**Abstract:** The anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) is a promising technology for achieving an energy-saving or even energy-positive wastewater treatment process as it produces high effluent quality and renewable energy in the form of methane. Nevertheless, concerns on inflowing organic micropollutants (OMPs) caused by various human and industrial activities into the AnMBR system are proliferating. The extent to which the removal of OMPs in the AnMBR is understood should vary greatly depending upon the removal pathways mainly involved such as sorption into biomass, transformation, or membrane filtration. This review paper describes the fate and removal mechanisms of OMPs in an AnMBR system. Although the overall performance of AnMBR treating various wastewaters has been observed under such reduced conditions,

understanding and modeling the removal mechanisms of OMPs in this type of reactor still requires much research. Elucidating the removal mechanisms of OMPs will lead to improvements in the design and operation of an AnMBR system while optimizing the performance and saving energy.

## Biotic and Abiotic Factors Influencing Arsenic Biogeochemistry and Toxicity in Fluvial Ecosystems: A Review

Authors: Barral-Fraga L, Barral MT, MacNeill KL, Martina-Prieto D, Morin S, Rodriguez-Castro MC, Tuulaikhuu BA, Guasch H

Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 17:7, 2020, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17072331

**Abstract:** This review is focused on the biogeochemistry of arsenic in freshwaters and, especially, on the key role that benthic microalgae and prokaryotic communities from biofilms play together in through speciation, distribution, and cycling. These microorganisms incorporate the dominant iAs (inorganic arsenic) form and may transform it to other arsenic forms through metabolic or detoxifying processes. These transformations have a big impact on the environmental behavior of arsenic because different chemical forms exhibit differences in mobility and toxicity. Moreover, exposure to toxicants may alter the physiology and structure of biofilms, leading to changes in ecosystem function and trophic relations. In this review we also explain how microorganisms (i.e., biofilms) can influence the effects of arsenic exposure on other key constituents of aquatic ecosystems such as fish. At the end, we present two real cases of fluvial systems with different origins of arsenic exposure (natural vs. anthropogenic) that have improved our comprehension of arsenic biogeochemistry and toxicity in freshwaters, the Pampean streams (Argentina) and the Anllons River (Galicia, Spain). We finish with a briefly discussion of what we consider as future research needs on this topic. This work especially contributes to the general understanding of biofilms influencing arsenic biogeochemistry and highlights the strong impact of nutrient
availability on arsenic toxicity for freshwater (micro) organisms.

# Field evaluation of one Cu-resistant somaclonal variant and two clones of tobacco for copper phytoextraction at a wood preservation site

Authors: Kolbas A, Herzig R, Marchand L, Maalouf JP, Kolbas N, Mench M

Source: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH Early access, 2020, DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09151-y

**Abstract:** A Cu-resistant somaclonal tobacco variant (NBCu 10-8-F1, C1), its BaG mother clone (C3), and the FoP tobacco clone (C2) were cultivated at a wood preservation site on Cu-contaminated soils (239-1290 mg Cu kg(-1) soil range) and an uncontaminated control site (CTRL, 21 mg Cu kg(-1)) to assess their shoot DW yields and potential use for bioavailable Cu stripping. The Cu concentration in the soil pore water varied between 0.15 and 0.84 mg L-1. Influences of Cu exposure and soil treatments, i.e., untreated soil (Unt), soils amended with compost and either dolomitic limestone (OMDL) or zerovalent iron grit (OMZ), on plant growth and shoot ionome were determined. All transplants survived and grew even at high total soil Cu. Shoots were harvested after 3 months (cut 1). Subsequently, bottom suckers developed and were harvested after 2 months (cut 2). Total shoot DW yield (cuts 1 + 2) varied between 0.8 and 9.9 t DW ha(-1) year(-1) depending on tobacco cultivars, soil treatments, and soil Cu exposure. It peaked for all cultivars in the OMDL plots at moderate Cu exposure (239-518 mg kg(-1) soil), notably for the C2 plants. Cut 2 contributed for 11-43% to total shoot DW yield. Increase in shoot DW yield diluted shoot Cu concentration. At low Cu exposure, total shoot Cu removal peaked for the variant. At moderate Cu exposure, shoot Cu concentrations were similar in all cultivars, but total shoot Cu removal was highest for the C2 plants. At high Cu exposure (753-1140 mg kg(-1)), shoot Cu concentrations peaked for the C2 plants in the Unt plots, the C1 and C2 plants in the OMZ plot, and the C3 ones in the OMDL plots. Shoot Cu removal (in g Cu ha(-1) year(-1)) ranged from 15.4 (C2 on the CTRL soil) to 261.3 (C2 on

moderately contaminated OMDL soils). The C2 plants phytoextracted more Cu than the C1 and C3 ones in the Unt plots and in the OMDL plots at moderate Cu exposure. In the OMDL plots with high Cu exposure, shoot Cu removal was highest for the C1 plants. Soil amendments improved shoot Cu removal through increase in either shoot DW yield (OMDL-3-fold) or shoot Cu concentration (OMZ-1.3-fold). Increased shoot Cu concentration induced an ionome imbalance with increased shoot Al, Fe, B, and Mg concentrations and decreased P and K ones. Copper concentrations in plant parts varied in decreasing order: roots &#62;; leaves &#62;; inflorescence (cymes including seeds) &#62;; stem, whereas Cu removal ranked as roots &#62;; stem = leaves &#62;; inflorescence.

# Cross talk: Two way allelopathic interactions between toxic Microcystis and Daphnia

Authors: Savic GB, Bormans M, Edwards C, Lawton L, Briand E, Wiegand

Source: HARMFUL ALGAE 94:101803, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2020.101803

**Abstract:** Due to eutrophication, freshwater ecosystems frequently experience cyanobacterial blooms, many of which produce bioactive metabolites that can affect vertebrates and invertebrates life traits. Zooplankton are able to develop tolerance as a physiological response to cyanobacteria and their bioactive compounds, however, this comes with energetic cost that in turn influence Daphnia life traits and may impair populations. Vice versa, it has been suggested that Daphnia are able to reduce cyanobacterial dominance until a certain cyanobacterial density; it remains unclear whether Daphnia metabolites alone influence the physiological state and bioactive metabolites production of cyanobacteria. Hence, this study investigates mutual physiological reactions of toxic Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 and Daphnia magna. We hypothesize that a) the presence of D. magna will negatively affect growth, increase stress response and metabolites production in M. aeruginosa PCC7806 and b) the presence of M. aeruginosa PCC7806 will negatively affect physiological responses and life traits in D. magna. In order to test these hypotheses experiments were conducted in a specially
designed co-culture chamber that allows exchange of the metabolites without direct contact. A clear mutual impact was evidenced. Cyanobacterial metabolites reduced survival of D. magna and decreased oxidative stress enzyme activity. Simultaneously, presence of D. magna did not affect photosynthetic activity. However, ROS increase and tendencies in cell density decrease were observed on the same day, suggesting possible energy allocation towards anti-oxidative stress enzymes, or other protection mechanisms against Daphnia infochemicals, as the strain managed to recover. Elevated concentration of intracellular and overall extracellular microcystin MC-LR, as well as intracellular concentrations of aerucyclamide A and D in the presence of Daphnia, indicating a potential protective or anti-grazing function. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Usability of the bivalves
Dreissena polymorpha and
*Anodonta anatina* for a
biosurvey of the neurotoxin
BMAA in freshwater
ecosystems

Authors: Lepoutre A, Hervieux J, Faassen EJ, Zweers AJ, Lurling M, Geffard A, Lance E

Source: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 259:113885, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113885

Abstract: The environmental neurotoxin beta-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) may represent a risk for human health in case of chronic exposure or after short-term exposure during embryo development. BMAA accumulates in freshwater and marine organisms consumed by humans. It is produced by marine and freshwater phytoplankton species, but the range of producers remains unknown. Therefore, analysing the phytoplankton composition is not sufficient to inform about the risk of freshwater contamination by BMAA. Filter-feeders mussels have accumulation capacities and therefore appear to be relevant to monitor various pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. We investigated the suitability of the freshwater mussels Dreissena polymorpha and *Anodonta anatina* for monitoring BMAA in water. Both species were exposed to 1, 10, and 50 µg of

dissolved BMAA/L daily for 21 days, followed by 42 days of depuration in clean water. On days 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21 of exposure and 1, 7, 14, 21 and 42 of depuration, whole *D. polymorpha* and digestive glands of A. anatina were sampled, and the total BMAA concentration was measured. D. polymorpha accumulated BMAA earlier (from day 1 at all concentrations) and at higher tissue concentrations than A. anatina, which accumulated BMAA from day 14 when exposed to 10 µg BMAA/L and from day 7 when exposed to 50 µg BMAA/L. As BMAA accumulation by *D. polymorpha* was time and concentration-dependent, with a significant elimination during the depuration period, this species may be able to reflect the levels and dynamics of water contamination by dissolved BMAA. The species A. anatina could be used for monitoring water concentrations above 10 µg BMAA/L.

Dissolved organic matter does not promote glyphosate degradation in auto-heterotrophic aquatic microbial communities

Authors: Artigas J, Batisson I, Carles L

Source: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 259:113951, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.113951

Abstract: Environmental dissolved organic matter (DOM) has been proved to increase microbial population sizes and stimulate the degradation of some pesticide molecules. Among these molecules, the present study investigated the biodegradation of the herbicide glyphosate depending on photoautotrophs DOM supply in a microbial consortium isolated from river biofilms. Degradation experiments in the laboratory were performed in dark and light conditions, as well as after antibiotic supply, in order to characterize the eventual interactions between photoautotrophs and heterotrophs activity during glyphosate degradation. Fifty percent of the initial concentration of glyphosate (0.6 mM) was transformed into aminomethyl phosphonic acid (AMPA) after 9 days in presence or absence of light. Accordingly, the photoautotrophic DOM supply was not stimulating glyphosate degradation by microbial heterotrophs. This lack of response was probably explained by the low net primary production values and weak dissolved organic carbon
production recorded in light treatments. The supply of the antibiotic drastically stopped glyphosate transformation demonstrating the central role of bacteria in the biodegradation of the herbicide. Glyphosate also modified the structure of prokaryotes assemblages in the consortium by increasing the relative abundances of Alphaproteobacteria and slightly decreasing those of Gammaproteobacteria. The chemoorganotrophic bacteria Phenylobacterium sp. (Alphaproteobacteria) was related to the transformation of glyphosate in our microbial consortium. The present study highlights the complexity of microbial interactions between photoautotrophs and heterotrophs in microbial assemblages that can contribute to the degradation of pesticides present in aquatic environments.

## Thiamethoxam induces transgenerational hormesis effects and alteration of genes expression in *Aphis gossypii*

Authors: Ullah F, Gul H, Tariq K, Desneux N, Gao XW, Song DL

Source: PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 165:104557, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2020.104557

Abstract: Insecticide induced-hormesis, a bi-phasic phenomenon characterized by low dose stimulation and high dose inhibition following exposure to insecticide, is crucial to insect pest resurgence. In this study, the effects of low or sublethal concentrations of thiamethoxam on biological traits and genes expression were investigated for *Aphis gossypii* Glover following 72 h exposures. Leaf-Dip bioassay results showed that thiamethoxam was very toxic against adult A. gossypii with an LC50 of 1.175 mg L-1. The low lethal (LC15) and sublethal (LC5) concentrations of thiamethoxam significantly reduced longevity and fecundity of the directly exposed aphids. However, stimulatory effects on pre-adult stage, longevity, and fertility were observed in the progeny generation (F-1) of A. gossypii, when parental aphids (F-0) were exposed to LC15 of thiamethoxam. Subsequently, biological traits such as intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (lambda), and net reproductive rate (R-0) increased significantly to

F-1 individuals due to LC15 treatment. No significant responses were observed for LC5 of thiamethoxam. The LC15 of thiamethoxam significantly increased the expression level of vitellogenin and ecdysone receptors genes in progeny generation, while no effects were observed for treatment with LC5. Additionally, the expression levels of P450 genes including CYP6CY14, CYP6CZ1, CYP6DC1, CYP6CY9, and CYP6DD1 were up-regulated in the exposed aphids. Taken together, our results show the hormetic effects of thiamethoxam on F-1 individuals, which might be due to the intermittent changes in expression of genes involved in fertility, growth and insecticide detoxification in *A. gossypii*.

## A sepiolite-based formulation for slow release of the herbicide mesotrione

Authors: Galan-Jimenez MD, Morillo E, Bonnemoy F, Mallet C, Undabeytia T

Source: APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE 189:105503, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.clay.2020.105524

Abstract: A slow release formulation (SRF) of the herbicide mesotrione (MS) [2-(4-methyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione] was designed for extended weed control relative to that of conventional formulations. The SRF was designed by incorporating the herbicide in micelles formed by the fatty amine ethoxylated surfactant Ethomeen T/15 (ET15) followed by their further sorption on the clay mineral sepiolite. The content of active substance (a.s.) was very high, 16.8% w.w. The surfactant per se was adsorbed by developing surface aggregates on sepiolite's surface. FTIR spectroscopy and zeta potential measurements demonstrated that electrostatic interactions were responsible of the sorption of MS by using micelles loaded with the herbicide, modifying the conformation of ET15 on sepiolite. Toxicity assays by using Microtox (R) tests yielded a value of IC50 for the SRF (52.6 +/- 3.6 mg L-1) that was one order of magnitude higher than that reported for the commercial formulation Callisto (R) (1.1 +/- 0.1 mg L-1). In vitro water release experiments stated that the release of MS was a controlled-diffusion process. Application of SRF and Callisto (R) as post-emergence in field trials of maize showed that after 10 days of treatment (DAT), the amount in the soil of the herbicide from the SRF was about
two-fold higher than that of Callisto (R), with a larger accumulation (42% of the total) in the upper soil layer (0-10 cm depth). No significant differences in soil accumulation at longer times and in the crop yield were observed. Consequently, the use of the designed sepiolite-based formulation significantly reduced MS leaching over the conventional formulation while maintaining the desired bioactivity for weed control.

Effects of sewage sludge supplementation on heavy metal accumulation and the expression of ABC transporters in *Sinapis alba* L. during assisted phytoremediation of contaminated sites

Authors: Jaskulak M, Grobelak A, Vandenbulcke F

Source: ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 197:110606, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110606

Abstract: ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters, types C, G, and B were monitored via qPCR in order to investigate the influence of heavy metal (HM) contamination of post-industrial and post-agricultural soils and the effects of its supplementation with sewage sludge, on *Sinapis alba* plants. Five house-keeping genes were selected and validated to ensure the best reference points. The relative expression of ABC types C and G genes was profoundly affected by experimental conditions and included their upregulation after plants exposure to heavy metals and downregulation after supplementation with sewage sludge. However, ABC type C was more responsive then type G. The experimental conditions altered the expression of ABC type C gene faster than ABC type G and thus, the expression of ABC type C can therefore potentially be used as a bioindicator during assisted phytoremediation of degraded sites. In clean soil, supplementation with sewage sludge with a slight content of heavy metals still caused an upregulation in the expression of ABC types C and G, which showed that proper toxicity assessments are necessary to ensure safe application of sewage sludge into

soils. Results showed that the analysed genes take a significant part in plants metal detoxification and that their expression is regulated at transcriptional level after exposure to soil contaminated with heavy metals by both, industrial activities and by sewage sludge supplementation. Thus, their expression can potentially be used as an early-warning biomarker when soil supplementation with sewage sludge is incorporated into the soil-management process.

Modeling chlordecone toxicokinetics data in growing pigs using a nonlinear mixed-effects approach

Authors: Fourcot A, Feidt C, Bousquet-Melou A, Ferran AA, Gourdine JL, Bructer M, Joaquim-Justo C, Rychen G, Fournier A

Source: CHEMOSPHERE 250:126151, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126151

Abstract: The use of chlordecone (CLD), a chlorinated polycyclic pesticide used in the French West Indies banana fields between 1972 and 1993, resulted in a long-term pollution of agricultural areas. It has been observed that this persistent organic pollutant (POP) can transfer from contaminated soils to food chain. Indeed, CLD is considered almost fully absorbed after involuntary ingestion of contaminated soil by outdoor reared animals. The aim of this study was to model toxicokinetics (TKs) of CLD in growing pigs using both non-compartmental and nonlinear mixed-effects approaches (NLME). In this study, CLD dissolved in cremophor was intravenously administrated to 7 Creole growing pigs and 7 Large White growing pigs (1 mg kg(-1) body weight). Blood samples were collected from time t = 0 to time t = 84 days. CLD concentrations in serum were measured by GCMS/MS. Data obtained were modeled using Monolix (2019R). Results demonstrated that a bicompartmental model best described CLD kinetics in serum. The influence of covariates (breed, initial weight and average daily gain) was simultaneously evaluated and showed that average daily gain is the main covariate explaining inter-individual TKs parameters variability. Body clearance was of 76.7 mL kg(-1) d(-1) and steady-state volume of distribution was
of 6 L kg(-1). This modeling approach constitutes the first application of NLME to study CLD TKs in farm animals and will be further used for rearing management practices in contaminated areas.

## Spinosad application in an apple orchard affects both the abundance of the spider Araneus diadematus and its web construction behaviour

Authors: Mazzia C, Capowiez Y, Marliac G, Josselin D, Pasquet A

Source: ECOTOXICOLOGY 29(4):389-397, 2020, DOI: 10.1007/s10646-020-02179-3

**Abstract:** The principles of organic production are based on the respect of ecological processes including the promotion of natural enemies to control pests. However, as a last resort, some natural pesticides can be applied such as the pesticide spinosad. This neurotoxic insecticide is now widely used even in non-organic production systems. As generalist predators, spiders, and especially orb web spiders, which prey on flying pests, are thought to be useful for biocontrol. To study the effects of spinosad on orb web spiders, we applied spinosad (Success4 (R)) at the normal application rate (96 g ha⁻¹) in an orchard covered by nets where Araneus diadematus was very abundant. Its abundance (number of webs), location when present on the web and web characteristics were determined one day before (D - 1) and 1, 3, 6, 10 and 14 days after the application (D + 1, D + 3, D + 6, D + 10 and D + 14). After spinosad application, at D + 1 and D + 14, the number of A. diadematus webs decreased by 28% and 47%, respectively, compared to D - 1 where we observed on average 0.2 webs m⁻². This decrease is likely due to a combination of direct pesticide effects, reduced prey availability and mechanical effects of the air blast sprayer. The short-term toxicity of spinosad was assessed using behavioural markers: (i) the percentage of abnormally located spiders (i.e. neither in the centre of the web nor hidden under the apple leaves) for 30 and 50% of the webs at D + 1 and D + 3 respectively, (ii) the percentage of incomplete webs (made only of the non-sticky spiral) in 35 and 75% of the cases at D + 1 and D + 3 respectively and (iii) one web characteristic, the mean parallelism between spirals, that was significantly reduced at D + 1 compared to D - 1.

The study of the other web characteristics indicated that spiders did not modify the capture area but rather significantly decreased their investment in silk at D + 6 and D + 10 by reducing the number of radii and spiral turns. Overall, the application of spinosad (Success4 (R)), representing a triple disturbance (mechanical, toxicological and alimentary), has a negative impact on the orb web spider A. diadematus and should thus be used with caution if growers want to promote the contribution of these spiders to natural biocontrol in their fields.

## Target and non-target impact of systemic insecticides on a polyphagous aphid pest and its parasitoid

Authors: Ricupero M, Desneux N, Zappala L, Biondi A

Source: CHEMOSPHERE 247:125728, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125728

**Abstract:** Systemic insecticides are used to control agricultural pests globally and their non-target impact at non-lethal doses on beneficial arthropods has been recognized. We assessed the baseline toxicity of imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and sulfoxaflor-based insecticides on the polyphagous aphid pest, Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and their non-target effects on its main parasitoid, Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), evaluated by residual contact exposure to the median lethal (LC50), the low lethal (LC20) and the sublethal (LC1) concentrations of the three tested insecticides, earlier estimated for the target pest. The results showed that the LC(50)s for the aphid were 6.4 x 10(-3), 5 x 10(-3), 2.9 x 10(-2) times lower compared to the label concentrations of imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and sulfoxaflor, respectively. LC50 of thiamethoxam caused the highest mortality rate on the parasitoid followed by sulfoxaflor, while imidacloprid had the lowest impact. No significant sublethal effects on reproduction were observed for A. colemani survived to the insecticide exposure. Our findings highlight the importance of case-specific evaluation to optimize pesticide applications in Integrated Pest Management packages taking into account the ecological services provided by biological control agents.
# Cadmium distribution in mature durum wheat grains using dissection, laser ablation-ICP-MS and synchrotron techniques

Authors: Yan BF, Isaure MP, Mounicou S, Castillo-Michel H, De Nolf W, Nguyen C, Cornu, JY

Source: ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 260:113987, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.113987

**Abstract:** Understanding how essential and toxic elements are distributed in cereal grains is a key to improving the nutritional quality of cereal-based products. The main objective of this work was to characterize the distribution of Cd and of nutrients (notably Cu, Fe, Mn, P, S and Zn) in the durum wheat grain. Laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry and synchrotron micro X-ray fluorescence were used for micro-scale mapping of Cd and nutrients. A dissection approach was used to quantitatively assess the distribution of Cd and nutrients among grain tissues. Micro X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy was used to identify the Cd chemical environment in the crease. Cadmium distribution was characterized by strong accumulation in the crease and by non-negligible dissemination in the endosperm. Inside the crease, Cd accumulated most in the pigment strand where it was mainly associated with sulfur ligands. High-resolution maps highlighted very specific accumulation areas of some nutrients in the germ, for instance Mo in the root cortex primordia and Cu in the scutellum. Cadmium loading into the grain appears to be highly restricted. In the grain, Cd co-localized with several nutrients, notably Mn and Zn, which challenges the idea of selectively removing Cd-enriched fractions by dedicated milling process.

# Effects of Pollution on Fish Behavior, Personality, and Cognition: Some Research Perspectives

Authors: Jacquin L, Petitjean Q, Cote J, Laffaille P, Jean S

Source: FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION 8:86, 2020, DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00086

**Abstract:** Pollutants, and more generally, environmental stressors, are a neglected source of behavioral and cognitive variations in wild populations. Based on recent literature in fish, we highlight four interesting research perspectives to better understand the effects of pollutants on the links between fish behavior, cognition and fitness. First, (1) we review the neurotoxic effects of pollutants on fish behavior, personality, and cognition. These behavioral and cognitive effects could in turn affect the level of exposure to pollutants, potentially generating feedback loops that may amplify the effects of pollutants on fish fitness. Second, we propose that (2) the effects of pollutants should be studied in a multistress context, i.e., in realistic environmental conditions in combination with other stressors, because some stressors could amplify the behavioral effects of pollutants on fitness. Third (3), existing studies show that physiology, personality, cognition, and fitness components are often linked in syndromes. Pollutants could lead to syndrome disruption, which could affect the evolutionary trajectories of exposed populations. Future studies should thus focus on the complex links between traits to better understand the consequences of stressors on evolutionary trajectories. Fourth, (4) exposure to chronic pollution could lead to local adaptation or maladaptation, which could result into high intraspecific variability of sensitivity among wild populations. In addition, evolutionary responses to pollution could constrain, or be constrained by evolutionary responses to other stressors. We thus encourage future studies to use integrative approaches to bridge the gap between ecotoxicology, cognitive ecology and evolutionary ecology in a multistress framework to tackle these exciting questions and improve our ability to predict the effects of anthropogenic stressors on wildlife.

To what extent can the biogeochemical cycling of mercury modulate the measurement of dissolved mercury in surface freshwaters by passive sampling?
Authors: Bretier M, Dabrin A, Billon G, Mathon B, Miege C, Coquery M

Source: CHEMOSPHERE 248:126006, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126006

**Abstract:** Mercury (Hg) is a pollutant of global concern owing to its great toxicity even at very low concentrations. Its toxicity depends on its chemical forms evidencing the importance to study its speciation. Dissolved Hg (Hg-(d)) and methylmercury (MeHg(d)) monitoring in surface freshwaters represents a great challenge because of their very low concentrations and substantial temporal variability at different timescales. The Hg-(d) temporal variability depends on the environmental conditions such as the hydrology, water temperature, redox potential (Eh), and solar photo cycle. Passive samplers represent an alternative to improve the assessment of Hg-(d) and MeHg(d) concentrations in surface freshwaters by integrating their temporal variability. An original sampling strategy was designed to assess the relevance of 3-mercaptopropyl DGT (Diffusive Gradient in Thin films) to integrate in situ the temporal variations of labile Hg (Hg(DGT)) and MeHg (MeHg(DGT)) concentrations. This strategy was implemented on two rivers to study the dynamics of Hg-(d), Hg(DGT), MeHg(d) and MeHg(DGT) at diurnal and annual timescales. We evidenced that Hg(DGT) and MeHg(DGT) concentrations were generally consistent with discrete sampling measurements of Hg-(d) and MeHg(d) in dynamic surface freshwaters. However, Hg(DGT) concentrations were overestimated (2-16 times higher) in case of low flow or low water depth, low suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations and elevated daily photoperiod. The most probable hypothesis is that such conditions promoted Hg-0 production, and resulted in Hg-0 uptake by DGT. Thus, attention should be paid when interpreting Hg(DGT) concentrations in surface freshwaters in environmental conditions that could promote Hg-0 production.

Modelling assisted phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals - Main opportunities, limitations, decision making and future prospects

Authors: Jaskulak M, Grobelak A, Vandenbulcke F

Source: CHEMOSPHERE 249:126196, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126196

**Abstract:** The heavy metals (HMs) soils contamination is a growing concern since HMs are not biodegradable and can accumulate in all living organisms causing a threat to plants and animals, including humans. Phytoremediation is a cost-efficient technology that uses plants to remove, transform or detoxify contaminants. In recent years, phytoremediation is entering the stage of large-scale modelling via various mathematical models. Such models can be useful tools to further our understanding and predicting of the processes that influence the efficiency of phytoremediation and to precisely plan such actions on a large-scale. When dealing with extremely complicated and challenging variables like the interactions between the climate, soil and plants, modelling before starting an operation can significantly reduce the time and cost of such process by granting us an accurate prediction of possible outcomes. Research on the applicability of different modelling approaches is ongoing and presented work compares and discusses available models in order to point out their specific strengths and weaknesses in given scenarios. The main aim of this paper is to critically evaluate the main advantages and limitations of available models for large-scale phytoremediation including, among others, the Decision Support System (DSS), Response Surface Methodology (RSM), BALANS, PLANTIX and various regression models. Study compares their applicability and highlight existing gaps in current knowledge with a special reference to improving the efficiency of large-scale phytoremediation of sites contaminated with heavy-metals. The presented work can serve as a useful tool when choosing the most suitable model for the phytoremediation of contaminated sites.

Impacts of metallic trace elements on an earthworm community in an urban wasteland: Emphasis on the bioaccumulation and genetic characteristics in *Lumbricus castaneus*
Authors: Audusseau H, Vandenbulcke F, Dume C, Deschins V, Pauwels M, Gigon A, Bagard M, Dupont L

Source: SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 718:137259, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137259

**Abstract:** Metallic trace elements (MTEs) soil pollution has become a worldwide concern, particularly regarding its impact on earthworms. Earthworms, which constitute the dominant taxon of soil macrofauna in temperate regions and are crucial ecosystem engineers, are in direct contact with MTEs. The impacts of MTE exposure on earthworms, however, vary by species, with some able to cope with high levels of contamination. We combined different approaches to study the effects of MTEs at different levels of biological organisation of an earthworm community, in a contaminated urban wasteland. Our work is based on field collection of soil and earthworm samples, with a total of 891 adult earthworms from 8 species collected, over 87 quadrats across the study plot. We found that MTE concentrations are highly structured at the plot scale and that some elements, such as Pb, Zn, and Cu. are highly correlated. Comparing species assemblage to MTE concentrations, we found that the juvenile and adult abundances, and community composition, were significantly affected by pollution. Along the pollution gradient, as species richness decreased. *Lumbricus castaneus* became more dominant. We thus investigated the physiological response of this species to a set of specific elements (Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd) and studied the impacts of MTE concentrations at the plot scale on its population genetic. These analyses revealed that *L. castaneus* is able to bioaccumulate high quantities of Cd and Zn, but not of Cu and Pb. The population genetic analysis, based on the genotyping of 175 individuals using 8 microsatellite markers, provided no evidence of the role of the heterogeneity in MTE concentrations as a barrier to gene flow. The multidisciplinary approach we used enabled us to reveal the comparatively high tolerance of *L. castaneus* to MTE concentrations, suggesting that this is a promising model to study the molecular bases of MTE tolerance.

## Potential Use of Earthworms to Enhance Decaying of Biodegradable Plastics

Authors: Sanchez-Hernandez JC, Capowiez Y, Ro KS

Source: ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 8(11):4292-4316, 2020, DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b05450

**Abstract:** Biosolid application, wastewater irrigation, and plastic mulching technologies are major sources of plastic pollution in agroecosystems. Microplastics may interact with soil physicochemical properties and organisms and negatively affect plant growth. To alleviate environmental plastic pollution, synthetic and biobased biodegradable polymers are replacing nonbiodegradable polymers, but their biodegradation rate in the field is frequently lower than that estimated from standardized biodegradation testing. Plastic polymer biodegradation is a multistep process that involves plastic deterioration, microbial colonization, production of polymer-degrading exoenzymes, and mineralization. However, these physicochemical and biological processes are not always efficient because of unfavorable environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, soil moisture). We propose to use earthworms to increase the biodegradable polymer biodegradation rate by creating optimal habitats for microbial proliferation. Earthworm-induced processes that lead to soil alteration (bioturbation) and solid organic wastes decomposition (vermicomposting) are described to understand how earthworms may favor biodegradable plastic mineralization. Therefore, we suggest two practical sustainable bioengineering strategies: (1) enhancing bioturbation by inoculating agricultural soils with soil-dwelling earthworms, which is viable for horticulture where using biodegradable mulching films increases plastic debris in the soil and (2) vermicomposting with blended biodegradable plastic debris and solid organic wastes, which is complementary to industrial or home composting of single-use biodegradable plastics.

## Genotoxicity in the rivers from the Brantas catchment (East Java, Indonesia): occurrence in sediments and effects in *Oreochromis niloticus* (Linn AE us 1758)
Authors: Risjani Y, Loppion G, Couteau JM, Yunianta Y, Widowati I, Hermawati A, Minier, C

Source: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH Early access, 2020, DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08575-w

**Abstract:** This paper reports the first data from an integrated study investigating genotoxicity in the Brantas River, Java, Indonesia. Results showed that organic sediment extracts from the sites in the Brantas Delta retained genotoxic compounds identified using the SOS Chromotest and that the Aloo River and, to a lesser extent, the Surabaya River were the most contaminated studied sites. This genotoxicity was attributable to compounds that did not require any bioactivation under the test conditions. Occurrence of genotoxic effects was further investigated in erythrocytes from Nile tilapia, *Oreochromis niloticus*. High numbers of micronuclei were counted, especially in fish sampled in the rivers of the Brantas Delta. Moreover, cytoplasmic alterations which could be indicative of the presence of lipofuscin were found in the cytoplasm of the fish blood cells, especially in fish from the Aloo, Surabaya and Kalimas rivers. Altogether, our data showed that genotoxicity is occurring in fish living in rivers of the delta of the Brantas River and suggest that sediments from these sites may constitute a major source of pollution and hazard for species living or feeding in the area.

## Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contents in micro-volumes of the whole blood and liver of Red Kite by a simplified GC-MS/MS method

Authors: Morin-Crini N, Scheifler R, Amiot C, Riols R, Coeurdassier M

Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2020 Early access, DOI: 10.1080/03067319.2020.1726899

**Abstract:** The aim of this work was to determine PAH concentrations in two matrices, fluid samples and biological tissue, from Red Kite. For this purpose, a simplified and sensitive method for the analysis of 16 PAHs at trace levels in

small samples of whole blood and liver was developed and validated using dispersive extraction in n-hexane combined with gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). For blood and liver, the average limits of detection were 0.71 ng mL(-1) and 3.16 ng g(-1), the mean relative standard deviations (RSD (%)) were 16% and 15%, and the mean relative recoveries were 100% and 92% for all PAH compounds, respectively. This method was applied to PAH determination in the liver and blood of Red kites from wild populations. At least one PAH was detected in the blood and in the liver of 83% and 62% of the individual birds, respectively. Acenaphthene, anthracene and phenanthrene were the most frequently detected in the blood, while the blood concentrations of naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene were the highest. In the liver, fluoranthene was detected in 54% of the individual birds, followed by naphthalene, fluoranthene, phenanthrene and benzo[k]fluoranthene, with the highest concentrations being those of naphthalene and phenanthrene. This demonstrated that our method is suitable for assessing trace levels of PAHs in red kite blood and tissue and monitoring exposure in their natural environment. Moreover, our data show that raptors may be exposed to a mixture of PAHs, among which some belong to the IARC carcinogen classes for humans 1 and 2B, throughout their life cycle.

## Health risk assessment to dioxins, furans and PCBs in young children: The first French evaluation

Authors: Hulin M, Sirot V, Vasseur P, Mahe A, Leblanc JC, Jean J, Marchand P, Venisseau A, Le Bizec B, Riviere G

Source: FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY 139:111292, 2020, DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111292

**Abstract:** A total diet study (TDS) was conducted between 2010 and 2016 to characterize the health risk related to chemical residues in food of French not breastfed children under three years of age (infant TDS). Among the targeted substances, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been characterized as they accumulate through the
food chain, especially in lipid-rich food items, and because they have been associated with a number of adverse effects in humans.

Food samples (n = 180) were collected to be representative of the dioxins and PCB exposure through the whole diet of non-breastfed children from 1 to 36 months old and prepared as consumed (including cooking) prior to analysis.

Dietary exposure was then assessed for 705 representative children under 3 years of age based on their food consumptions recorded through a 3-consecutive-days record. Levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in infant food were lower than those observed in common food, leading to significant differences in exposure according to age groups. Mean exposures to PCDD/Fs ranged from 0.22 to 0.44 pg TEQ(WHO05).kg bw(-1).d(-1) (0.40-0.65 at the 90th percentile), depending on the age group and the hypothesis considered to manage left-censored data. Mean exposure to non-dioxin-like PCBs ranged from 0.87 ng kg bw(-1).d(-1) (1.55 at the 90th percentile) in the 1-4 months old children to 3.53 ng kg bw(-1).d(-1) (5.44 at the 90th percentile) in the 13-36 months old children. For dioxins and NDL-PCBs, the tolerable daily intake (TDI) was exceeded for some age groups, in particular for older ones.

Therefore, appropriate management measures must continue for reducing exposure; it concerns mainly common milk in youngest children, ultra-fresh dairy products and fish. For PCBs, recommendations on fish consumption should be reminded. Moreover, toxicity studies focusing on mixtures of dioxin-like compounds should be encouraged in order to take into account effect of mixtures.

## Improving Silver Birch (Betula pendula) Growth and Mn Accumulation in Residual Red Gypsum Using Organic Amendments

Authors: Zapata-Carbonell J, Ciadamidaro L, Parelle J, Chalot M, Tatin-Froux F

Source: FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 8:24, 2020, DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2020.00024

Abstract: The increasing production of wastes that are landfilled might contribute to sources of potentially toxic elements; this is the case of

residual red gypsum tailings, a by-product of titanium dioxide extraction. Revegetation of such a site is essential, and Mn phytoextraction may render the operations economically profitable. This study aimed to apply phytomanagement techniques for increasing the plant development, tailings revegetation and an optimal Mn phytoextraction using silver birch, the most abundant plant species on this site. To enhance the nutrient availability from the tailings, amendments that reduce the pH, i.e., pine bark chips, Miscanthus straw, white peat, and ericaceous compost, were mixed with residual red gypsum and birches were allowed to grow for 3 months. The pine bark chips and ericaceous compost led to a maximum decrease in pH, allowing the accumulation of up to 1400 mg Mn kg(-1) dry matter in the leaves silver birch leaves. However, some nutrient competition was found in the pine bark treatment, which halved biomass production as compared to control. Further amendment addition may be needed to take advantage of the pine bark capabilities as a soil conditioner and Mn solubilizing treatment in residual red gypsum.

## Inorganic Mercury and Methyl-Mercury Uptake and Effects in the Aquatic Plant *Elodea nuttallii*: A Review of Multi-Omic Data in the Field and in Controlled Conditions

Authors: Cosio C

Source: APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 10(5):1817, 2020, DOI: 10.3390/app10051817

Abstract: (1) Background: Mercury is a threat for the aquatic environment. Nonetheless, the entrance of Hg into food webs is not fully understood. Macrophytes are both central for Hg entry in food webs and are seen as good candidates for biomonitoring and bioremediation; (2) Methods: We review the knowledge gained on the uptake and effects of inorganic Hg (IHg) and methyl-Hg (MMHg) in the macrophyte *Elodea nuttallii* found in temperate freshwaters; (3) Results: *E. nuttallii* bioaccumulates IHg and MMHg, but IHg shows a higher affinity to cell walls. At the individual level, IHg reduced chlorophyll, while MMHg
increased anthocyanin. Transcriptomics and metabolomics in shoots revealed that MMHg regulated a higher number of genes than IHg. Proteomics and metabolomics in cytosol revealed that IHg had more effect than MMHg; (4) Conclusions: MMHg and IHg show different cellular toxicity pathways. MMHg's main impact appears on the non-soluble compartment, while IHg's main impact happens on the soluble compartment. This is congruent with the higher affinity of IHg with dissolved OM (DOM) or cell walls. E. nuttallii is promising for biomonitoring, as its uptake and molecular responses reflect exposure to IHg and MMHg. More generally, multi-omics approaches identify cellular toxicity pathways and the early impact of sublethal pollution.

## OUVRAGES / RAPPORTS / ACTES DE CONGRES

Exposure and Risk Assessment of Pesticide Use in Agriculture: 1st Ed. Approaches, Tools and Advances

<figure><img src="image_6.png" /></figure>

Editors: Claudio, Colosio Aristidis, Tsatsakis Stefan, Mandic-Rajcevic, Athanasios Alegakis; Academic Press, 1st November 2020, 530 p.

ISBN: 9780128124666

Exposure and Risk Assessment of Pesticide Use in Agriculture: Approaches, Tools and Advances offers an overview of the different methods available in toxicology for pesticide exposure and risk assessment, ranging from the regulatory field, to in-field research studies. The book provides technical background on each method, describing known and grounded tools, new uses of tools and development prospects. This book is ideal for researchers in pesticide toxicology, exposure toxicology, toxicologic risk assessment,

occupational hygiene and medicine, and pesticide toxicology as well as occupational health and industrial hygiene practitioners, regulatory experts of corporate and public bodies, and advanced students.

Accès au document

## REVUE DE PRESSE / ALTERNATIVES / BIOPESTICIDES

### Alternatives au glyphosate : le travail du sol est le levier principal en grandes cultures

Actu-environnement 17/06/20

Le travail du sol est le principal levier pour lutter contre les adventices en grandes cultures. Il permet d'éviter le recours au désherbage chimique, et donc au glyphosate, estime l'Inrae. Mais les autres modes de production restent dans l'impasse.

L'Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Inrae) a publié, le 9 juin, son analyse sur les impacts économiques du déploiement d'alternatives au glyphosate en grandes cultures. Dans le cadre du plan de sortie du glyphosate d'ici 2021, le Premier ministre a demandé à l'Inrae d'évaluer les solutions alternatives au glyphosate par type de culture, et les impacts économiques pour chaque filière.
[...]

Accès au document

### Alternative aux phytos Amoeba engage la procédure d'homologation en Europe de son biocide naturel

Terre-Net 29/05/20

La société française Amoeba a annoncé vendredi avoir lancé la procédure d'homologation en Europe de sa méthode de traitement des plantes
par voie biologique, qui repose sur l'utilisation d'une amibe.

L'autorisation de commercialisation est demandée pour un usage fongicide. Les champignons sont à l'origine de la plus grande partie des maladies des plantes (pourriture grise, cloque, mildiou, oïdium, rouille, tavelure...).

Amoeba promeut comme alternative aux produits chimiques l'utilisation d'une amibe, Willaertia magna C2c Maky, initialement isolée dans les eaux thermales d'Aix-les-Bains (Savoie).

Contrairement à d'autres amibes capables de détruire des micro-organismes, elle est présentée comme non-pathogène et non-toxique.
[...]

Accès au document

## REVUE DE PRESSE / ASSOCIATIONS

### Baisse supposée des pesticides : le ministère de l'Agriculture fait ce jour un coup de com' sur des chiffres provisoires

Générations futures 30/06/20

Générations Futures note que le gouvernement a communiqué en fin d'après-midi mardi 30 sur une supposée baisse des volumes de 44% des volumes de pesticides vendus en 2019 par rapport à 2018.

Cette communication appelle de la part de Générations Futures les remarques suivantes :

il est surprenant que ce type de données soit rendue publique sans que les parties prenantes du plan Ecophyto (sensé réduire les pesticides mis en œuvre en 2008) ne soient prévenues et destinataires des informations officielles ! [...]

Générations futures se réjouit bien sûr de toute diminution de la vente et de l'usage des

pesticides mais rappelle que cette supposée baisse intervient après une forte hausse en 2018 (+ de 20 %), les chiffres sont donc à mettre en perspective.

De plus Générations Futures s'étonne de voir avancés des chiffres en volume ...alors que l'indicateur de suivi du plan est le NODU, basé sur le nombre de doses, et pas le volume des pesticides. Pourquoi le gouvernement n'utilise t'il pas l'indicateur de référence du plan, qui pourrait donner des chiffres assez différents ?

Il faut toujours prendre des chiffres de vente de pesticides publiés en juillet avec un certain recul car l'expérience nous montre que les remontées d'information peuvent être incomplètes à cette période et les chiffres définitifs connus seulement à l'automne (ça a été le cas plusieurs des années passées).

« Le ministère de l'agriculture fait donc un coup de com' en informant sur des données non consolidées et le tout sans en informer les parties prenantes. Pour toutes ces raisons Générations Futures rappelle le gouvernement à revenir à un fonctionnement normal du suivi du plan Ecophyto ce qui sous-entend un respect des parties prenantes et une vraie transparence dans les données utilisées. » déclare F. Veillerette Directeur de Générations Futures

Accès au document

### La commission de l'environnement du Parlement européen exige de la future stratégie européenne sur les produits chimiques une approche axée prioritairement sur la santé

Générations futures 30/06/20

Hier, la commission de l'environnement, de la santé et de la sécurité alimentaire du Parlement européen (ENVI) a adopté, à une écrasante majorité, une résolution définissant sa position sur la stratégie européenne durable sur les produits chimiques [1]. La stratégie finale est en cours d'élaboration et est attendue pour le second semestre 2020. [...]
Les points saillants de la résolution proposée sont les suivants : [...]

Un élargissement de l'utilisation de l'évaluation générique des risques ;

Une action accélérée sur les produits chimiques prioritaires, y compris : des dispositions pour une définition horizontale des **perturbateurs endocriniens** connus et suspectés et desactions pour minimiser l'exposition ; un plan d'action pour éliminer progressivement les utilisations non essentielles des **PFAS** ; l'accélérations de l'élimination progressive des pesticides à haut risque d'ici 2030 ;

Une meilleure comptabilité des mélanges et l'utilisation d'approches de regroupement dans les évaluations ; [...]

Accès au document

## Produits phytos - 44 % de pesticides vendus en 2019

Terre-Net 30/06/20

Les ventes de pesticides ont reculé en France de 44 % en volume en 2019, après l'envolée des ventes intervenue en 2018 (+ 18 %), a annoncé mardi le gouvernement.

Les quantités vendues de glyphosate, désherbant controversé, « diminuent de 35 % (- 3 358 tonnes) entre 2018 et 2019 après avoir augmenté de 11 % (+ 999 tonnes) entre 2017 et 2018 », ont précisé les ministères de la transition écologique et de l'agriculture dans un communiqué conjoint.

Le gouvernement français avait promis fin 2017 que cette molécule serait interdite « dans ses principaux usages » dans un délai de trois ans, sans attendre les cinq ans décidés au niveau européen. [...]

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## Pac et Green Deal
L'eurodéputé B. Biteau veut aller plus loin dans la réduction des pesticides

Terre-Net 30/06/20

Dans le cadre du Green Deal, la Commission européenne a dévoilé mi-mai ses stratégies Biodiversité et de la Ferme à l'assiette, deux stratégies dont les ambitions respectives ne semblent pas compatibles, estime le député européen Benoît Biteau (EELV), qui défend une suppression totale des pesticides et des engrais de synthèse et milite pour une Pac qui accompagne davantage les transitions.

« Les ambitions portées par les stratégies Farm to fork (de la fourche à la fourchette) et Biodiversité ne sont pas toujours en conformité », a expliqué le député européen Benoît Biteau (EELV), lors d'une visioconférence avec les journalistes de l'Afja, le 26 juin. « La réduction de 50 % des pesticides et des engrais de synthèse sont des objectifs parfaitement atteignables sans impacter la productivité agricole, mais qui ne suffisent pas à enrayer la disparition des oiseaux et insectes », estime l'élu, agriculteur en Charente-Maritime depuis 14 ans. Ils ne permettent pas non plus de réaliser les objectifs de la stratégie Biodiversité, pourtant proposée par la même Commission européenne.

Pour Benoît Biteau, réduire la dose ne résout pas les problèmes en matière de biodiversité. « C'est très réducteur de cantonner la problématique des pesticides à un problème de santé publique, il faut que l'on convoque une approche globale », incluant les effets sur le climat et sur l'environnement, ajoute-t-il. « On ne doit pas continuer sur des voies qui menacent les générations futures, et c'est d'autant plus vrai que l'on a des études qui montrent que c'est possible », insiste l'agriculteur. [...]

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## Le cuivre utilisé en bio est-il biodégradable ? Oui... mais en fait non, selon Générations Futures (!)

Alerte-Environnement 27/06/20

Le 17 juin, la section bordelaise de Générations Futures affirme que les pesticides bio sont biodégradables :

Bizarre, en général, dès qu'on tweete #pesticides la clique du glyphe nous interpelle sur les pesticides #bio. Mais pas ici ? Forcément,
les #pesticides autorisés en #bio sont biodégradables et ne se retrouvent pas dans l'eau du robinet ! CQFD.

pic.twitter.com/W63Uam6DSO

– Générations Futures Bordeaux (@GF_Bordeaux) June 17, 2020

Ce qui scandalise certains Twittos attachés aux faits et à la science (donc à la vérité) :

Le cuivre, pesticide « naturel » utilisé en bio s'accumule dans les sols et les stérilise.

– Emmanuelle Ducros (@emma_ducros) June 17, 2020

Le cuivre n'est pas mobile dans le sol il n'ira pas dans la nappe mais intoxiquera durablement le sol en surface. J'ai le souvenir d'une photo sur un forum d'une ancienne parcelle de vigne ou l'on voyait dans le blé l'emplacement des ancienne vignes des années après.

– hazard michel (@hazard_michel) June 17, 2020

Un rapport de l'INRA de janvier 2018 ne dit pas autre chose (page 3) :

Peu de Français le savent mais on trouve des résidus de cuivre dans le vin bio. Vous noterez que le secteur conventionnel ne s'en est pas emparé dans la foulée pour dénoncer le secteur bio car lui compte sur la qualité de ses produits pour convaincre, pas sur la diabolisation du secteur concurrent... En ce sens, le conventionnel est cohabitationniste quand le lobby du bio est remplaciste.

Le 18 juin, la section bordelaise de Générations Futures affirme finalement que le cuivre n'est « bien sûr » pas biodégradable :

[2/5] Non, bien sûr, le cuivre n'est pas biodégradable ! Contrairement aux #PerturbateursEndocriniens, pour le Cuivre, c'est la dose qui fait le poison. A faible dose (eau du robinet), il est un oligoélément indispensable à la vie. A forte dose, il est toxique. pic.twitter.com/HxLATOLcdX [...]

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Action locale UFC-Que Choisir -Épandages agricoles - Pas près de nos habitations !

## UFC-Que choisir 25/06/20

Près de 30 associations locales ont écrit à leur préfet pour réclamer que l'on augmente les distances de sécurité entre les épandages et les habitations.

Depuis maintenant plus de six mois, l'UFC-Que Choisir s'oppose fermement aux dernières mesures concernant les distances minimales de sécurité à respecter entre les zones d'épandage agricole et les logements. Ainsi, le décret du 27 décembre 2019 autorise des intervalles de 5 ou 10 mètres en fonction du type de culture (haute ou basse) et de 20 mètres si les pesticides utilisés contiennent des substances préoccupantes ; des dispositions largement insuffisantes pour préserver la santé des populations vivant à proximité des parcelles traitées. Pire, une charte issue d'un dialogue entre agriculteurs, élus locaux et résidents devait permettre d'abaisser, sous certaines conditions, cet éloignement à 3 mètres, soit à peau de chagrin. Mais depuis le 3 février, selon une instruction technique de la Direction générale de l'alimentation (DGAL), rattachée au ministère de l'Agriculture, il n'est plus nécessaire que la concertation soit terminée pour que les réductions s'appliquent, et ce jusqu'au 30 juin. Plus grave, le 30 mars, sous couvert de confinement (qui rend la consultation difficile), les modalités de diminution de cet écart sont assouplies ! Face à ces décisions ne protégeant ni les milieux (en particulier, les ressources en eau) ni les habitants, et négligeant l'avis de ces derniers, l'UFC-Que Choisir, avec un collectif d'ONG, a déposé divers recours devant le Conseil d'État. [...] Les réponses se font toujours attendre, alors que la saison des épandages est en passe de s'achever à l'heure où nous écrivons ces lignes...

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## Des pesticides dans le bio à cause de l'UE ? C'est déjà le cas et l'UE n'y peut rien...

## Alerte-Environnement 21/06/20

Nos lecteurs ne l'ignorent pas, « bio » ne signifie pas « absence de pesticides » ou même « absence de pesticides de synthèses ». Malheureusement, et les médias y sont pour quelque chose, les Français ne le savent pas (ça
et d'autres choses, ou le fait que parfois, le bio tue). Pas encore tout du moins.

Depuis quelques jours, à l'image de 20 Minutes, des médias mal renseignés ou militants (comment savoir ?) affirment que « le Conseil européen agricole envisage d'assouplir les normes et même d'autoriser, dans certains cas, la présence de pesticides dans les productions issues de l'agriculture biologique ». Sauf que c'est déjà le cas, et pas par la faute de l'UE :

Marrant de voir comment la propagande a formaté les esprits. Oui il y a des pesticides utilisés en bio, la plupart contiennent des molécules qui peuvent se trouver à l'état naturel mais sont synthétisés en laboratoire chimique...
[...]

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## Tell USDA to Reject Bayer-Monsanto's Multi-Herbicide Tolerant Corn

Beyond Pesticides, June 29, 2020

Bayer's Monsanto is requesting non-regulated status for corn that will increase the use of drift-prone and toxic herbicides. This means that the planting of a new genetically engineered (GE) variety of corn, which requires substantial weed killer use, will not be restricted in any way. The syndrome of 'more-corn, more-pesticides, more-poisoning, more-contamination' must stop—as we effect an urgent systemic transformation to productive and profitable organic production practices. Because USDA is proposing to allow a new herbicide-dependent crop under the Plant Protection Act, the agency must, but does not, consider the adverse impacts associated with the production practices on other plants and the effects on the soil in which they are grown. Business as usual is not an option for a livable future.

Sign the petition. Tell USDA we don't need more use of 2,4-D, Dicamba, and other toxic herbicides associated with the planting of new GE corn. [...]

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## Bayer-Monsanto Chalks Up Court Victory to Take Cancer

## Warning Off Roundup™-Glyphosate in California, Makes Case for Fundamental Overhaul of Pesticide Law

Beyond Pesticides, June 26, 2020

A court decision in California, challenging a cancer warning on products containing the weed killer glyphosate, highlights the distinct ways in which scientific findings are applied under regulatory standards, in toxic tort cases evaluated by juries, and by consumers in the marketplace. These differences came into focus as a U.S. court quashed California's decision to require cancer warning labels on glyphosate products on June 22. The ruling, by Judge William Shubb of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, bars the state from requiring labeling that warns of potential carcinogenicity on such herbicides. [...]

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## Bayer-Monsanto, Committed to Continued Sales of Roundup™-Glyphosate, Announces $10.9 Billion Settlement with Cancer Victims, Protects Company from Future Trials by Jury

Beyond Pesticides, June 25, 2020

Facing approximately 125,000 lawsuits on cancer caused by the weed killer Roundup™ (glyphosate), Bayer/Monsanto announced yesterday that it will pay up to $10.9 billion to resolve current and potential future litigation. According to Bayer, the settlement will “bring closure” to approximately 75% of current Roundup™ litigation. “The company will make a payment of $8.8 billion to $9.6 billion to resolve the current Roundup™ litigation, including an allowance expected to cover unresolved claims, and $1.25 billion to support a separate class agreement to address potential future litigation,” according to Bayer's press release. At the same time the company announced a $400 million settlement with farmers whose crops have been damaged by the weed killer dicamba
and $820 million for PCB water litigation. Bayer is a German multinational pharmaceutical and chemical company that purchased Monsanto for $63 billion in 2018. Bayer's stock price increased by 2.5% at the new of the settlements. [...]

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# Insecticides the Pesticide Industry Said Were “Safer for Bees” Found to Stress and Kill Honey Bees

Beyond Pesticides, June 23, 2020

Next-generation systemic insecticides, billed by the agrichemical industry as "safer for bees" than neonicotinoids, have been found to stress and kill honey bees. As reported, a study by researchers at Oregon State University in the journal PLOS One, sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone (in the products Transform and Sivanto, respectively) were found to increase apoptosis (cell death) and increase oxidative stress in exposed honey bees.

The study indicates that, “With the recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval for use of both flupyradifurone and sulfoxaflor, and with the growing concern regarding pollinator health, it is important to better understand any potential negative impacts (especially sub-lethal) of these pesticides on bees.” However, this statement begs the question ‘why these two new bee-toxic pesticide were approved by EPA in the first place.’ [...]

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# Pollinator Week: We Protect People at Greatest Risk When We Protect Pollinators and the Environment from Toxic Pesticides

Beyond Pesticides 22/06/20

In the wake of the national groundswell for equity and justice in the face of rampant inequality and police brutality against people of color, we acknowledge, during Pollinator Week, holistic actions are needed to solve systemic

societal problems that cause racial disparities. Those fighting for environmental justice understand that the harms inflicted by toxic chemical production and use cause disproportionate adverse effects on people of color—from fenceline communities near chemical production plants, to the hazardous and inhumane working conditions in agricultural fields, to the elevated risk factors for black and brown people from toxic pesticide exposure patterns.

Pollinator Week reminds us that we must nurture the ecosystem, which we depend on for life, with a fierce commitment to its inhabitants and a focus on those at highest risk. Therefore, this week is a time to renew our commitment to environmental justice and seek the adoption of policies and practices in our communities, and across the nation and the world, that recognize the urgency to address the disproportionate harm inflicted by toxic pesticide use. [...]

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# Débat national sur la future Pac Les thématiques environnementales au cœur des contributions

Terre-Net 26/06/20

Missionnée pour organiser une consultation publique autour du plan stratégique national de la future Pac, la Commission nationale du débat public a rendu le 19 juin un rapport d'étape, riche de 127 propositions issues des préoccupations principales des participants en matière agricole. La question du modèle agricole et de ses implications sur l'environnement est celle qui a généré le plus de contributions. [...]

Une question centrale, celle du modèle agricole

Le débat généré sur la plateforme en ligne a permis de toucher plus de 810 000 personnes, et de recueillir 9 500 contributions. Parmi les différentes thématiques proposées, « quels modèles agricoles pour la société française ? » a généré le plus de réactions (36 %), devant la question de la transition écologique (18 %) et de « qu'est-ce que je mange ? » (15 %).

Les contributions sur ce thème traduisent sans surprise les oppositions classiques, avec « la position de celles et ceux qui considèrent que les
systèmes agricoles actuels ne sont pas à changer - en particulier le système dit intensif - autrement que pour les adapter graduellement aux enjeux de la transition écologique et dans la limite de ce qui est compatible avec les objectifs premiers de l'agriculture » et « la position de celles et ceux qui estiment que seul un changement profond du système actuel - et notamment l'arrêt du système intensif - peut permettre une transition agro-écologique intégrant pleinement les enjeux environnementaux, sanitaires ainsi que la préservation des ressources naturelles », relève la CNDP. Des positions au sein desquelles les clivages agriculture biologique / agriculture conventionnelle ou anti/pro pesticides se retrouvent également. [...]

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## N'importons pas l'agriculture que nous ne voulons pas !

Avenir52 25/06/20

À l'issue de son assemblée générale, le 11 juin, la FRSEA Grand Est a publié un communiqué, prenant position contre les accords de libre-échange envisagés avec le Mexique. Nous le reproduisons ci-dessous.

À l'heure de la négociation du green deal, l'Europe continue d'envisager des accords de libre-échange avec le Mexique. Pour les producteurs français et européens, c'est plus de bio, moins de produits phytosanitaires, moins d'antibiotiques, moins d'engrais, et plus de surfaces de haute diversité... Des ambitions sans moyens financiers. Qu'importe, car le choix européen est d'ouvrir les frontières à l'import de produits qui ne respectent pas nos normes de productions françaises et européennes.

L'Europe installe ainsi une concurrence déloyale avec nos agriculteurs : ils disposent d'exonérations de droits de douane, de politiques fiscales et sociales avantageuses, et permettent l'utilisation de produits interdits en Europe (OGM, hormones de croissance, pesticides tels que l'atrazine...).

Ce qui a pour conséquence de placer dans nos rayons des produits qu'il est interdit de produire en France (et en Europe). [...]

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## Alimentation : La Commission européenne veut transformer champs et assiettes

Que Choisir 06/06/20

Réduire de moitié l'usage des pesticides et des antibiotiques, tripler les surfaces cultivées en bio... La Commission européenne a récemment révélé ses ambitions pour une agriculture plus respectueuse de l'environnement et une alimentation plus saine. Non sans faire grincer des dents...

Le 20 mai dernier, la Commission européenne a présenté sa très attendue stratégie « De la ferme à la fourchette », son plan d'action en faveur d'une agriculture et d'une alimentation plus durables. Et il faut reconnaître que ses objectifs sont plutôt ambitieux. [...]

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## Réduction des distances d'épandage des pesticides : Le Conseil d'État retire deux textes litigieux mais ne retient pas l'urgence du retrait des dérogations.

Générations futures 5/06/20

Avec huit autres organisations*, nous avons porté une procédure d'urgence devant le Conseil d'État. L'audience du 12 mai avait déjà permis le retrait de deux communication litigieuses en ligne sur le site du Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation.

Le Conseil d'État a rendu, ce jour, son délibéré, défavorable à notre demande d'annuler la circulaire du 3 février 2020 demandant aux Préfets d'entériner les chartes de bonnes pratiques sans concertation et permettre la réduction des distances de pulvérisation des pesticides à proximité des lieux habités. Celle-ci reste donc valide jusqu'au 30 juin. [...]

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## Federal Court Halts Use of Drift-Prone Dicamba on
# Millions of Acres of GE Soy and Cotton

Beyond Pesticides, June 9, 2020

Use of the weed killer dicamba on genetically engineered (GE) cotton and soybeans is now prohibited after a federal court ruling against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week. A coalition of conservation groups filed suit in 2018 after EPA renewed a conditional registration for dicamba's 'over the top' (OTT) use on GE cotton and soy developed to tolerate repeated sprayings of the herbicide. "For the thousands of farmers whose fields were damaged or destroyed by dicamba drift despite our warnings, the National Family Farm Coalition is pleased with today's ruling," said National Family Farm Coalition president Jim Goodman in a press release. [...]

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# Report Finds Monocropping and Toxic Pesticides Threaten Brazil's Native Bees as Country's President Challenges Environmental Protection

Beyond Pesticides, June 8, 2020

Brazil is home to more than 300 native bee species – many of them stingless – that help pollinate the nation's valuable agricultural crops and provide other important environmental services. Yet, chemical-intensive agriculture's intensive pesticide use and devotion to monocropping are a serious threat to these bees, *Mongabay reports*. Beyond Pesticides maintains that elimination of such pesticides is key to *protecting critical pollinators*, ensuring a *nontoxic food supply*, *supporting ecosystems and biodiversity*, and *ensuring safe working conditions for agricultural workers* and safety for rural residents. *Organic, regenerative agricultural practices*, which often avoid monocropping, achieve all of these important goals. Advocates maintain that a transition to such practices is imperative in ensuring a far less toxic future for

humans, other residents of Planet Earth, and Nature itself. [...]

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# Participez à la consultation sur la nouvelle stratégie de l'UE sur les produits chimiques !

Générations futures 03/06/20

Dans le cadre du pacte vert pour l'Europe (European Green Deal), lancé en décembre 2019 et visant à rendre l'économie de l'Union européenne durable, l'ambition « zéro pollution » pour un environnement exempt de substances toxiques a été clairement affichée. Pour répondre à cet objectif, la Commission s'est engagée à présenter une stratégie durable dans le domaine des produits chimiques (Chemical strategy for sustainability).

Cette stratégie vise à réduire les risques liés à la production et à l'utilisation de produits chimiques dangereux, et ainsi à mieux protéger les citoyens et l'environnement tout en encourageant l'innovation pour le développement de solutions de substitution sûres et durables. Cet objectif pourra être atteint en simplifiant et en renforçant le cadre juridique. La Commission examinera les modes de collaboration possibles entre les agences et organismes scientifiques de l'UE, afin d'instaurer un processus dans lequel les substances ne sont évaluées que par une seule agence. Le cadre réglementaire devra aussi être adapté pour tenir compte des données scientifiques sur le risque que constituent les perturbateurs endocriniens, les substances chimiques dangereuses présentent dans les produits (y compris importés), les effets combinés de différents produits chimiques, et les substances chimiques très persistantes. [...]

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# L'appel de Gil Rivière-Wekstein à Didier Guillaume sur l'interdiction du glyphosate en 2021 : « Il est temps de faire le bon choix »
## Alerte-environnement 30/05/20

« Monsieur Guillaume,

Vous avez encore réaffirmé la volonté d'interdire le glyphosate d'ici 2021 et en même temps, dans cette crise économique que nous traversons, vous savez très bien que nous avons besoin d'une agriculture compétitive. C'est un paradoxe. Il est temps de faire un choix, un vrai choix et de revenir sur des décisions qui, comme vous le savez très bien, sont prises pour des raisons idéologiques et non scientifiques. Donc, si vous voulez retrouver la confiance du monde agricole dont nous avons tous besoin, il est temps de faire le bon choix et de revenir sur cette décision. »

Dans 6 mois, l'usage du #glyphosate sera interdit pour des raisons idéologiques. Monsieur le Ministre, @dguillaume26, pour retrouver la confiance du monde agricole, il est encore temps de revenir sur cette décision ! Mobilisons nous! https://t.co/GnKIJKW7v0pic.twitter.com/dqWoB0M83T

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# Les preuves ne cessent de s'accumuler sur la dangerosité du BPA

## Générations futures 28/05/20

Nouvelle étude scientifique : Preuve d'un lien de causalité entre l'exposition au bisphénol A à de très faibles doses et des effets sur la santé, dont l'apparition de certains cancers.

Une nouvelle étude scientifique réalisée dans le cadre du projet américain CLARITY BPA et coordonnée par la biologiste américaine Ana Soto (Tufts University, à Boston), met en évidence un lien de causalité entre l'exposition à de très faibles doses de bisphénol A (BPA) et des effets observés sur le développement des glandes mammaires chez les rats. Les effets délétères observés peuvent favoriser l'apparition de cancers. Pour rappel, le BPA est un produit chimique de synthèse utilisé massivement dans la production de produits industriels et de revêtement en plastique de type polycarbonate (contenants et emballages alimentaires) et de résines époxy phénoliques (canettes, boîtes de conserve et couvercles métalliques). Il est aussi utilisé en tant que révélateurs pour l'impression des papiers thermiques (tickets de caisse). [...]

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# Agriculture bio : le tabou des pesticides... y compris de synthèse !

## Alerte Environnement 28/05/20

Le site DecodAgri.frrevient sur l'affirmation (mensongère) selon laquelle « l'agriculture biologique n'utilise pas de pesticides ».

En effet, « la confusion règne autour de l'utilisation des produits phytosanitaires dans l'agriculture biologique. Certains affirment qu'elle n'en utilise jamais, d'autres qu'elle n'a pas droit aux « pesticides de synthèse » mais peut utiliser des produits naturels. Un résumé plus juste, mais trompeur car certaines substances autorisées en bio font débat. Les dérivés du cuivre, par exemple, sont obtenus par synthèse chimique ». Une confusion qui conduit le site de l'Agence de l'environnement et de la maîtrise de l'énergie à écrire des bêtises [...]

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# Ingrédients dans les cosmétiques : le résorcinol épinglé, l'aluminium blanchi

## Que choisir 27/05/20

Deux ingrédients largement utilisés dans les cosmétiques, le résorcinol et l'aluminium, viennent de faire l'objet d'avis d'experts qui confortent les choix que nous avons faits dans le cadre de notre application QuelCosmetic.

Il est à la fois colorant, antioxydant, antiseptique : le résorcinol a plus d'une corde à son arc, raison pour laquelle il est largement utilisé. L'industrie des pneus, celles des colles ou des résines en emploient, mais il est aussi présent dans des produits auxquels nous sommes exposés plus directement : les colorations pour cheveux en contiennent très souvent, les crèmes antitaches et les crevettes quelquefois, le médicament Synthol en renferme également. Or, il est connu depuis des années comme un puissant allergène. Moins bien établi jusqu'ici, son potentiel de perturbation endocrinienne vient d'être confirmé par l'Anses (Agence
nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l'alimentation,
de l'environnement et du travail). [...]

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# I'd want more tools than just a hammer

PAnna 28/05/20

[...] Limiting the farmer's toolbox

A farmer is at their best when the toolbox is full of options at their disposal to handle the uncertainties of farming. My own small farm utilizes cover crops, crop rotation, natural habitat strips, cultivation, intercropping, succession planting, water drainage swales, mulches, and integration of livestock for fertility. Row crop farmers in Iowa could certainly use each of these tools to their advantage as well — and some of them do, and have done it well for generations.

My concern is that we are allowing corporate interests the power to limit the choices of skilled farmers everywhere, making it that much harder for us to succeed. Agricultural technology development has been centered around insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides in recent decades, and our institutions and regulatory structures have supported this technology. Even the genetically engineered (GE) seeds being developed are primarily concerned with traits that are tolerant to multiple herbicides. [...]

The pesticide-first paradigm takes options away from farmers who would rather have the choice to use different approaches. Soybean farmers find themselves deciding to plant dicamba-ready GE seed "defensively" to avoid damage from chemical trespass even if they do not intend to use dicamba themselves. A farmer that might like to add a small grain or alfalfa to a rotation may find that they inadvertently re-activate residual chemicals in the soil when they add phosphate fertilizer prior to planting. Farmers who would like to use cover crops as a part of a soil health program may find that herbicide residuals from persistent use over time could inhibit germination of those cover crops. [...]

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# High time for the EU to protect us from exposure to chemical mixtures

Chemtrust 28/05/20

In real life we are all exposed to hundreds of chemicals from multiple sources including from food, consumer products, household dust and drinking water. The environment - rivers, oceans and countryside - is also polluted by hundreds of different substances, including pesticides, plasticisers, flame retardants and pharmaceuticals. However, current safety assessments of chemicals mainly focus on single substances.

Scientific research has shown that mixtures are a real-world issue, with mixtures of chemicals creating combination effects even if each individual chemical is present at levels below which it is known to cause an effect. In 2019, an important conference organised by the EU research projects EDCMixRisk and EuroMix highlighted once more the urgent need to act on this research by adopting more effective regulatory approaches, and the use of better assessment tools for tackling mixture effects. [...]

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# The Pesticide Atrazine and 200 Other Toxic Chemicals Found in Fracking Wastewater; Contamination Goes Unregulated

Beyond Pesticides, June 4, 2020

A new, simultaneous chemical identification method has found the presence of the weed killer atrazine and 200+ other hazardous chemicals in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) wastewater or produced water, according to collaborative research published in the Journal of Separation Science by scientists at the University of Toledo (UToledo) and the University of Texas at Arlington. Although produced water is a waste product of fracking, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows many states to
reuse produced water in agriculture and other industries or dispose of it into waterways. [...]

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# Occupational Exposure to Pesticides, and Other Environmental Chemicals Increase Risk of Developing ALS

Beyond Pesticides, May 28, 2020

Exposure to agricultural and industrial pesticides, solvents (thinners), electromagnetic fields, and heavy metals predispose humans to **amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)**, according to an Italian research study, "Environmental and Occupational Risk Factors of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Population-Based Case-Control Study," published in the **International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health**. Although research supports ALS's genetic etiology, epidemiologic research associating ALS risks and to environmental, or work-related risk factors (i.e., pesticide use, pollutant exposure, heavy metal exposure, etc.) has been inconsistent and non-definitive. This research demonstrates the importance of assessing aggregate health risks associated with occupational pesticide exposure, especially when determining potential exposure routes in specific occupational sectors. In the study, researchers note, "In particular, having an occupation in the agricultural sector, especially with a long duration of the working activity as well as occupational exposure to some chemicals...might increase ALS risk." [...]

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# Billet du président - Pesticides - Premier recul gouvernemental

Que choisir 13/05/20

Mardi 12 mai, lors de l'audience devant le Conseil d'Etat dans le cadre de notre recours commun avec d'autres ONG contre l'instruction technique et les communications

gouvernementales octroyant d'inadmissibles réductions supplémentaires aux distances minimales d'épandage près des habitations, le gouvernement, pressé par le Magistrat de s'expliquer sur ces dérogations non prévues dans les textes initiaux, a annoncé retirer du site du Ministère de l'Agriculture deux des textes litigieux...

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# EPA sneaks approval for harmful herbicide

PAN 08/05/20

You've heard of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup. It's deemed a probable carcinogen, and has brought Bayer (Monsanto) to court time and time again over health harms to exposed individuals. You've also heard of dicamba, the drift-prone herbicide that has damaged millions of acres of crops over the last few years, for which farmers are just finally beginning to see justice.

And unfortunately, you're about to become familiar with yet another harmful pesticide that has been quietly approved by EPA while the country is otherwise distracted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Isoxaflutole is here, and it's bad. [...] Accès au document

# DDT Metabolite (DDE) and Other Banned Pesticides Found in Blood Sample of African American Women in Detroit

Beyond pesticides, May 14, 2020

Four banned organochlorine pesticides (OCP) are present in over 60% of a cohort of reproductive, black women in Detroit, according to a study published in Environmental Research by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH). OCPs are lipophilic (fat combining/dissolving), environmentally steadfast chemicals linked to harmful health effects. This study stresses the importance of monitoring pesticide accumulation, particularly regarding environmentally persistent chemicals and their
metabolization via indirect exposure routes. Lead author Olivia Orta, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Epidemiology at BUSPH, highlights the significance of water monitoring—especially in light of historically disproportionately high hazards for people of color (e.g., Flint, Michigan) –and testing sources prone to OCP contamination. She remarks, “The sources that we identified as potential OCP correlates should be tested for pesticide contamination, [...] especially drinking water.” [...]

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# Pilot Study Links Celiac Disease to Endocrine Disrupting Long-Lived Chemicals, like DDT, in the Environment

## Beyond Pesticides, May 13, 2020

A pilot study at New York University (NYU) provides evidences of a direct relationship between celiac disease (adverse immune response to eating gluten) and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including DDE - a metabolite of the infamous, bird-killing pesticide DDT. Researchers at NYU set out to elucidate the connection between the autoimmune disease and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), also known as “forever chemicals” or “legacy chemicals” due to their persistence in nature and the human body. The *new research*, published in Environmental Science, highlights higher odds for celiac disease among participants with elevated POPs exposure and differing results among male and female participants. Considering the complexity of these initial results, researcher Leonardo Trasande, Ph.D. says, “It’s not as if these chemicals were designed with the human body in mind; These chemicals were designed with materials in mind.” [...]

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# Exposition cumulée aux résidus de pesticides : l'Efsa conclut à l'absence de risque

## Cultivar 12/05/20

Le 29 avril 2020, l'Efsa (l'Autorité européenne de sécurité des aliments) a publié les résultats de deux évaluations relatives au risque pour l'homme de l'exposition cumulée aux résidus de pesticides dans l'alimentation.

La 1re évaluation concerne les effets chroniques sur le système thyroïdien, l'autre porte sur les effets aigus sur le système nerveux. Ces évaluations ont été menées en collaboration avec l'institut national de la santé publique et de l'environnement des Pays-Bas (RIVM). L'Efsa indique avoir reçu aussi les contributions d'institutions nationales, d'universités, d'ONG et d'associations commerciales.

D'après les résultats de ces études, l'Efsa indique que le risque pour le consommateur d'une exposition cumulée par l'alimentation est inférieur au seuil qui requiert une action réglementaire et ce pour tous les groupes de populations couverts. [...]

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# Anses : des études complémentaires sur le potentiel cancérogène du glyphosate

## Terre-Net 12/05/20

Face aux controverses sur le classement cancérogène du glyphosate, l'Anses a décidé de lancer un appel d'offres pour la réalisation d'études complémentaires de toxicologie sur le potentiel caractère cancérogène de la substance. Au terme du processus de sélection, l'Agence a annoncé récemment les équipes scientifiques sélectionnées pour réaliser ces études dont les résultats serviront à la réévaluation du glyphosate par l'Union européenne fin 2022. [...]

Après examen des différentes propositions soumises à l'Agence, les équipes sélectionnées sont :

« le consortium coordonné par l'Institut Pasteur de Lille (Institut Pasteur de Lille, CEA, Université de Lille, Inserm (Institut NuMeCan), Université de Toulouse, Arpae (Agency for prevention, environment and energy, Italie), Laberca), dont le programme couvre l'ensemble du cahier des charges,
le Centre international de recherche sur le
cancer (Circ), qui propose une étude originale
visant à explorer d'éventuels effets génotoxiques
du glyphosate suite à une exposition de longue
durée de cultures cellulaires ». [...]

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Alerte aux pucerons : les betteraviers démunis à cause des mesures dites « environnementales »

Alerte Environnement 30/04/20

C'était le dogmatisme écolo et un quasi-suicide
de toute la profession betteravière ou
l'autorisation d'utiliser un insecticide dès le
stade 2 feuilles, le Teppeki (flonicamide,
normalement autorisé au stade 6 feuilles). En
effet, depuis le 20 avril, la quasi-totalité des
régions de production de betteraves en France
sont touchées par une infestation de pucerons
verts que d'aucuns qualifient de « très précoce
et fulgurante ». À la clef, un risque « très élevé »
de jaunisse, donc de perte de rendement de 30 à
50% alors même que le prix actuel de la tonne de
betteraves (autour de 20 euros) permet à peine
de rentabiliser une production normale... [...]

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Pourquoi il est urgent de soutenir l'Initiative Citoyenne Européenne pour une sortie des pesticides « Sauvez les abeilles et les agriculteurs » ?

Générations futures 29/04/20

Deux documents importants, devant contenir des
objectifs de réduction des pesticides, devaient
être publiés par la Commission européenne au
début de l'année, mais ont été reportés au

29/04 puis probablement au 20/05, en raison des
efforts de lobbying massifs du lobby des
agriculteurs conventionnels.

Progressivement, les versions divulguées du
document mettent en évidence une réduction de
l'ambition (par exemple, plus d'objectifs de
réduction des pesticides obligatoires), se
dirigeant vers un scénario de « statu quo».
L'agro-industrie affaiblit l'accord vert européen
sur la réduction des pesticides et la protection
de la biodiversité [...]

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Retour sur l'affaire glyphosate : affaire de gros sous aux USA, combat idéologique en Europe

Alerte Environnement 27/04/20

La France Agricole du 27 mars donne la parole à
Gil Rivière-Wekstein, auteur du livre Glyphosate,
l'impossible débat, paru en février 2020. Il
explique que « cette affaire est la plus grande
manipulation de l'opinion publique depuis le
début du siècle. Il y a cinq ans, le glyphosate
était un non-sujet. Tous les jardiniers du monde
en avaient. Parmi tous les produits utilisés, ce
n'est pas seulement le plus efficace, c'est aussi
le moins toxique ». La manipulation a eu lieu en
quatre grandes étapes :

C'est l'avis du Centre International de Recherche
contre le Cancer (CIRC) classant la molécule
comme « cancérigène probable » qui est
« l'élément déclencheur », explique Gil Rivière-
Wekstein. « Cet avis est contesté par l'ensemble
des agences sanitaires du monde, qui estiment
qu'il s'agit d'une surinterprétation des études ».
Le journaliste juge « douteux » le rôle joué par
le toxicologue américain Christopher Portier,
connu pour avoir été employé par une ONG
antipesticides américaine - l'Environmental
Defense Fund. [...]

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Billet du président - Pesticides - L'inadmissible décision gouvernementale !
## Que Choisir 23/04/20

Trop, c'est trop ! Après avoir avalisé fin 2019 via des textes réglementaires des distances minimales d'épandage près des habitations ridiculement faibles (10, 5 mètres contre les 50 réclamés par les ONG et certaines autorités), le gouvernement profite aujourd'hui du confinement pour permettre, en catimini, des réductions supplémentaires, au moment même où les épandages débutent !

En effet, un communiqué du Ministère de l'Agriculture indique clairement qu'en raison de la situation empêchant des concertations locales, une instruction permet aux utilisateurs de déroger aux distances minimales (évidemment à la baisse !) jusqu'en juin 2020 (bref pendant toute la période où se concentrent habituellement les épandages de pesticides) si les utilisateurs se sont engagés dans un simple projet de charte de bonnes pratiques ... sans besoin qu'il soit concerté ! [...]

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# Glyphosate : toujours pas de solution pour le remplacer et une échéance qui approche en plein chaos économique

## Alerte-environnement

Plus personne ne l'ignore, sous la pression des ONG, le gouvernement a pour objectif de sortir de l'essentiel des usages du glyphosate au 1er janvier 2021, et de tous les usages au 1er janvier 2023. Dans le même temps, plus de trois agriculteurs sur quatre n'identifient pas d'alternatives au glyphosate, selon une enquête des instituts techniques Acta, Arvalis, Fnams, ITB, Terres Inovia réalisée sur un échantillon de 7677 producteurs en grandes cultures et publiée le 17 avril. Plus précisément, 77,5% disent ne pas savoir comment faire sans cet herbicide. [...]

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# Animal Fodder - A Driver of the Global Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) Industry

Beyond Pesticides, April 30, 2020

Chemical-intensive farming of crops for animal fodder powers the global market for highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs), according to data analyzed by *Unearthed, and the Swiss NGO Public Eye*. Animal fodder production not only intensifies global pollution, but it also increases pesticide exposure and degrades human, animal, and environmental health. This data analysis supports advocates advancing pesticide policies to eliminate HHPs by identifying which toxic chemicals lead global pesticide sales. However, it will take more than eliminating the worst chemicals to address the impending biodiversity collapse and the climate crisis, according to experts who point to the need for an urgent shift to organic land and agricultural management practices. United Nations' (UN) special rapporteur on toxic substances and human rights, *Baskut Tuncak*, says, “There is nothing sustainable about the widespread use of highly hazardous pesticides for agriculture. Whether they poison workers, extinguish biodiversity, persist in the environment, or accumulate in a mother’s breast milk, these are unsustainable, cannot be used safely, and should have been phased out of use long ago.” [...]

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# One Quarter of Global Insect Population Lost Since 1990

## Beyond Pesticides, April 28, 2020

Roughly a quarter of the global insect population has been wiped out since 1990, according to new research published in the *journal Science*. Billed as one of the most comprehensive assessments to date, the study finds significant overall insect declines, but notes of some specific bright spots. While variation in the ongoing crisis is to be expected, ultimately the trends in the data show the need for immediate policy and regulatory action to protect the insect world as the foundation of global food webs. [...]

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*Monarch Butterfly Larvae*
*Adversely Affected by*
*Pesticide Drift from*
*Contiguous Soybean and*
*Maize Crop Fields*
## Beyond Pesticides 23/04/20

Pesticide spray drift from adjacent farmlands expose butterfly larvae to lethal pesticide concentrations, according to research published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry by Iowa State University (ISU). Lack of previous experimental pesticide toxicity data makes it unclear as to what degree insecticides impact monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) productivity in milkweed (Asclepias spp.) habitats near pesticide-treated pasture. This study adds weight to the idea that pesticides are playing a role in the ongoing decline of this iconic butterfly, as researchers find insecticide drift from adjacent fields to be strongly associated with larval mortality. Future monarch butterfly conservation efforts should consider risks stemming from pesticide exposure when developing butterfly rehabilitation efforts, according to advocates. As co-author Niranjana Krishnan (ISU graduate student) states, "In order to make the best decisions about how and where to plant milkweed, we first need to find basic toxicity and exposure data." [...]

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# REVUE DE PRESSE / RECHERCHE ET MEDIAS

## Microplastic pollution accumulates heavily in coastal areas such as fjords and estuaries

### EurekAlert! 30/06/20

Microplastic pollution in marine environments is concentrated most highly in coastal habitats, especially fjords and estuaries, according to a new review article published in the journal Marine Pollution Bulletin. Deep sea environments generally have much lower microplastic concentrations, although there are hotspots where elevated concentrations of microplastic occur.

Each year humans produce 360 million tonnes of plastic, and according to one study, around 8 million tonnes of it enters the ocean. Until

recently the fate of microplastics (particles less than 5 mm in size) in the ocean has been unclear, but recent research has found that microscopic particles often settle in marine sediments, following the pattern of other pollutants. [...]

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## Convention citoyenne pour le climat : les mesures agricoles pourraient être adoptées par Emmanuel Macron

### Terre-Net 30/06/20

Le président de la République, qui a reçu le 29 juin les citoyens de la Convention pour le climat, s'est dit prêt à reprendre 146 mesures sur les 149 proposées, incluant par conséquent les propositions relatives à l'agriculture.

Mise en place l'année dernière, la Convention citoyenne pour le climat a rendu sa copie le 21 juin, une feuille de route de 149 propositions devant permettre à la France d'atteindre ses objectifs en matière de réduction des gaz à effet de serre. Suite à ce travail, le président de la République a reçu le 29 juin les 150 citoyens qui avaient été tirés au sort pour constituer ce groupe de réflexion.

### Un veto sur trois mesures seulement

Emmanuel Macron s'est ainsi déclaré prêt à reprendre les propositions de la Convention, « à l'exception de trois d'entre elles », à savoir la limitation à 110 km/h sur autoroute, l'idée d'une taxe sur les dividendes, et l'inscription de la préservation de l'environnement dans le préambule de la Constitution.

Le président ouvre donc la possibilité de reprendre toutes les autres mesures, y compris celles qui concernent l'agriculture : 50 % des terres cultivées en agro-écologie, promotion des circuits courts, repas végétariens dans les cantines, interdiction des pesticides d'ici 2040... [...]

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# Environmental Persistent Organic Pesticides in the Serum and Breast Milk of Lactating North Carolina Women

EPA 25/06/20

**Impact/Purpose:**

The US EPA MAMA study is an epidemiologic study biomonitoring breast feeding women (serum and milk) for environmental chemicals. This abstract reflects the data on persistent organic pesticides in maternal milk in serum at two distinct points during lactation.

Citation: Hines, E. AND S. Fenton. Environmental Persistent Organic Pesticides in the Serum and Breast Milk of Lactating North Carolina Women. VIRTUAL-Society of Toxicology Meeting, Anaheim, CA, April 30, 2020.

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# Common food additive causes adverse health effects in mice

EurekAlert! 25/06/20

A common food additive, recently banned in France but allowed in the U.S. and many other countries, was found to significantly alter gut microbiota in mice, causing inflammation in the colon and changes in protein expression in the liver, according to research led by a University of Massachusetts Amherst food scientist.

"I think our results have a lot of implications in the food industry and on human health and nutrition," says lead author Hang Xiao, professor and Clydesdale Scholar of Food Science. "The study confirmed a strong linkage between foodborne titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) and adverse health effects." [...]

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# Effects from low-level concentrations of harmful chemicals preserved in three generations of fish

EurekAlert! 25/06/20

Fish exposed to very low levels of chemicals commonly found in waterways can pass the impacts on to future generations that were never directly exposed to the chemicals, according to Oregon State University researchers.

"What that gets at is something your grandparents may have come into contact with in their environment can still be affecting the overall structure of your DNA in your life today," said Kaley Major, a postdoctoral scholar at Oregon State and lead author of the paper published today in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science. [...]

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# Entry point for curbing the evolution of antibiotic resistance discovered

EurekAlert! 24/06/20

The team of Professor Tobias Bollenbach from the Institute for Biological Physics at the University of Cologne has published a study on a new approach to improving the effectiveness of antibiotics in bacterial infections. The study 'Highly parallel lab evolution reveals that epistasis can curb the evolution of antibiotic resistance,' on ways to controlling antibiotic resistance through targeted gene interactions has appeared in 'Nature Communications'.

'We wanted to know how genetic disorders in the bacterium E. coli interact with the later evolutionary adaptation to the drug,' said Bollenbach. Doctoral researcher Marta Lukačišinová developed a robotic platform together with Bollenbach and the technician Booshini Fernando with which hundreds of genetically altered Escherichia coli populations could be created simultaneously, and the course of their evolution investigated. 'Our most important result was that we found an entry point for suppressing the spontaneous development of resistance to the administered drug,' Lukačišinová added. [...]

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## More evidence of causal link between air pollution and early death

**EurekAlert! 26/06/20**

Study of more than 68 million older Americans using state-of-the-art analyses suggests that US air pollution standards are not protective enough

Strengthening U.S. air quality standards for fine particulate pollution to be in compliance with current World Health Association (WHO) guidelines could save more than 140,000 lives over the course of a decade, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The study, published June 26, 2020 in Sciences Advances, provides the most comprehensive evidence to date of the causal link between long-term exposure to fine particulate (PM2.5) air pollution and premature death, according to the authors.

"Our new study included the largest-ever dataset of older Americans and used multiple analytical methods, including statistical methods for causal inference, to show that current U.S. standards for PM2.5 concentrations are not protective enough and should be lowered to ensure that vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, are safe," said doctoral student Xiao Wu, a co-author of the study. [...]

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## Global pollution estimates reveal surprises, opportunity

**EurekAlert! 26/06/20**

It is not unusual to come across headlines about pollution or global warming and find that they reach different conclusions depending upon the data source.

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used a harmonized approach, incorporating data from multiple satellites and ground monitors with computer modeling to compile a comprehensive, consistent map of pollution across the globe. Their data spans 1998-2018, providing a current picture of the state of the world's air quality that reveals some surprises, both for better and for worse.

The research was led by Melanie Hammer, a postdoctoral research fellow in the lab of Randall Martin, professor of energy, environmental and chemical engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering.

Results of their study that looked at PM2.5 -- tiny particles that are able to make their way deep into a person's respiratory system -- were published June 3 in Environmental Science & Technology. [...]

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## Air pollution, smoking and built environment are associated with an increase risk of childhood obesity

**EurekAlert! 24/06/20**

How do environmental exposures during pregnancy and childhood influence the risk of obesity in children? The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the "la Caixa" Foundation, and the University of Southern California led the first major study to investigate the associations between many pollutants and environmental factors - 77 prenatal and 96 childhood exposures - and the risk of childhood obesity. The findings show that air pollution, smoking and certain characteristics of the built environment--such as high population density-- may play a role in the development of obesity in children.

To date, several studies have addressed the effect of environmental pollutants, lifestyle factors, and urban environment factors on childhood obesity, but they studied each single exposure separately. The exposome concept has changed the way we investigate how environmental risks affect health. Instead of analysing the possible health consequences of, exposome studies consider many different exposures a person faces altogether. This approach takes into account many elements we are exposed to through our diet, lifestyle and the environment where we live. [...]

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# New data reveals even low levels of air pollution triggers gene expression

EurekAlert! 24/06/20

New data from a landmark study by Monash University researchers raises concerns that even short-term exposure to low level air pollution can affect gene expression, leaving us at risk of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

It has long been known that exposure to air pollution, including the widespread smoke events of the last Summer in Australia, can lead to short term health problems such as respiratory distress. It is also known that, longer term, exposure to air pollutants leads to oxidative stress and issues like an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Now the American Lung Association has warned that there is a risk of increased infections if and when a region's pollution spikes - as happened when the Summer bushfires occurred in Australia.

The study, published in the PLOS Medicine, provides the first evidence that exposure to even very low levels of air pollution can change gene expression that are the hallmark of diseases such as cancer. [...]

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# Study: Air pollution major risk for cardiovascular disease regardless of country income

EurekAlert! 23/06/20

From low-income countries to high-income countries, long-term exposure to fine particulate outdoor air pollution is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and death, a new Oregon State University study found.

But even small reductions in air pollution levels can result in a reduction of disease risk.

The study shows that countries don't have to immediately eradicate all air pollution to make a difference for people's health, said researcher Perry Hystad, an environmental epidemiologist in OSU's College of Public Health and Human Sciences. Hystad was the lead author on the

international study, which also included fellow OSU public health researcher Andrew Larkin. Michael Brauer of the University of British Columbia was the senior author. [...]

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# Présence de pesticides dans l'eau : Générations futures interpelle à nouveau le Gouvernement

Actu-environnement 17/06/20

« Étant donné le potentiel d'action à faible dose sur le long terme des perturbateurs endocriniens (...), nous interpellons le Gouvernement afin qu'une politique efficace de suppression rapide des plus nocifs et de réduction de l'usage des pesticides soit enfin appliquée après les échecs des premiers plans Ecophyto », souligne François Veillerette, directeur de l'association Générations Futures.

L'association a réitéré cette année son analyse des résultats des contrôles de l'eau potable par les agences régionales de santé (ARS).

Résultats : dans 35,6 % des analyses les recherchant, des pesticides ont été retrouvés. Parmi ceux-ci, les substances cancérigènes, mutagènes et reprotoxiques (CMR) et / ou suspectées d'être des perturbateurs endocriniens, représentent 78,5 % des quantifications de résidus de pesticides (et 56,8 % des molécules). Plus précisément, 56,8 % des quantification de résidus de pesticides comportent des perturbateurs endocriniens, et 38,5 % des CMR. [...]

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# Effondrement mondial des insectes : deux ONG dénoncent l'agriculture industrielle

Actu-Environnement 15/06/20
C'est un nouveau cri d'alarme sur l'effondrement de la biodiversité que lancent Les Amis de la Terre Europe et la Fondation Heinrich Böll à travers leur *Atlas des insectes 2020*. Les deux ONG affichent des chiffres inquiétants et les relient directement à l'utilisation des pesticides par l'agriculture industrielle.

Quarante-et-un pour cent des espèces d'insectes sont en déclin, un tiers des espèces étudiées sont menacées d'extinction, les pollinisateurs sont fortement touchés alors que 75 % des cultures dépendent d'eux. Ces chiffres viennent à la suite de nombreuses études qui ont déjà documenté le déclin des insectes, qu'il s'agisse des rapports de l'IPBES sur les pollinisateurs et sur l'évaluation mondiale de la biodiversité, des listes rouges de l'UICN, de l'étude allemande montrant que plus de 75 % de la biomasse des insectes volants avait disparu en 27 ans, ou encore des dernière statistiques françaises. [...]

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# Metabolomic Profiling to Inform Use of Surrogate Species in Ecological Risk Assessments

EPA 12/06/20

The U.S. EPA routinely uses avian and fish toxicity data to set protective standards for amphibians in ecological risk assessments. However, this approach does not always adequately represent aquatic-dwelling and terrestrial-phase amphibian exposure data. While there are multiple amphibian families within the U.S. EPA's ECOTOX database, a lack of concordance of standardized tests used to collect amphibian data limits the ability to estimate the ecological effects of pesticides in these species and affirm the use of surrogate species data. For instance, it is widely accepted that early life stage tests for fish are typically sensitive enough to protect larval amphibians, but metamorphosis from tadpole to a terrestrial-phase adult relies on endocrine cues that are less prevalent in fish. These differences suggest that more robust approaches are needed in order to adequately elucidate the impacts of pesticide exposure in amphibians across critical life stages. Therefore, in the current study, the perturbations in the metabolomic response of

larval zebrafish (Danio rerio), a surrogate species frequently used in ecotoxicological studies, are compared to those of African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) and southern toad (Anaxyrus terrestris) tadpoles following exposure to high-use pesticides. These species were exposed to pesticides including, but not limited to, atrazine, bifenthrin, chlorothalonil, metolachlor, tebuconazole, or trifluralin over a targeted range spanning reported values beneath those eliciting acute toxicity. For metabolomic profiling, liver tissues or whole organisms were liquid-liquid extracted, derivatized and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Following spectral alignment and preprocessing, multivariate analysis was utilized to identify dose-dependent changes in the metabolome for each species and each pesticide. Numerous biochemical pathways, such as fatty acid synthesis, amino acid metabolism and the citric acid cycle are frequently impacted by pesticide exposure. Ultimately, data gathered will help inform the applicability of the use of surrogate species in establishing the risk pesticide exposure poses to amphibians and potentially other non-target species.

Citation: Seim, R., D. Glinski, J. Awkerman, B. Hemmer, P. Harris, Sandy Raimondo, AND Matt Henderson. Metabolomic Profiling to Inform Use of Surrogate Species in Ecological Risk Assessments. 2020 SOT Virtual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, March 15 - 19, 2020.

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# Coal-tar-sealant major source of PAH contamination in Great Lakes tributaries

EurekAlert! 11/06/20

Runoff from pavement with coal-tar-based sealant is the most likely primary source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, found in the majority of streambed sediments of Great Lakes tributaries, according to a study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. PAHs are a group of chemicals found in crude oil and coal and occur as a byproduct of burning. PAHs can have harmful effects to organisms in the environment under certain conditions. So, it is important to understand their sources, distribution and magnitude in the Great Lakes Basin. [...]
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## Living near oil and gas wells may increase preterm birth risk

EurekAlert 09/06/20

Living in close proximity to oil and gas operations may increase the risk of preterm birth, according to new research on births in California's primary oil-producing region. The work could inform discussions about the state's implementation of setbacks from oil and gas extraction facilities.

Researchers examined 225,000 births from mothers who lived within about six miles of oil and gas wells in the San Joaquin Valley from 1998 to 2011. The results show that women who lived near wells in the first and second trimesters were 8 to 14 percent more likely to experience a spontaneous preterm birth - one that would otherwise be unexplained - at 20 to 31 weeks. Spontaneous preterm birth, in which a pregnancy ends before 37 weeks of gestation, is the leading cause of infant death in the United States. [...]

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## Genomic surveillance of antibiotic resistance in the Philippines established

EurekAlert! 05/06/20

Antibiotic resistance surveillance in the Philippines has moved into the genomic era, enabling better tracking of dangerous bacteria. Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance (CGPS housed at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and The Big Data Institute (BDI), University of Oxford), and the Philippine Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), set up local DNA sequencing and analysis of drug resistant bacteria in the Philippines. This genomic capacity has enhanced ongoing national infection control including tracking the spread of resistance to last-line antibiotics and identifying drug resistant infections in a hospital baby unit, helping control the outbreak. [...]

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## PFAS present throughout the Yadkin-Pee Dee river food chain

EurekAlert! 05/06/20

Researchers from North Carolina State University have found per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in every step of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River food chain, even though the river does not have a known industrial input of these compounds. The study examined the entire aquatic ecosystem for PFAS compounds and identified strong links between ecosystem groups that lead to biomagnification, the process that leads to greater concentrations of these substances in animals that sit higher on the food chain - including humans. [...]

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## New killing mechanism discovered in 'game-changing' antibiotic

EurekAlert! 05/06/20

Scientists at the University of Liverpool and University of Utrecht have taken another step forward on their quest to develop a viable drug based on teixobactin - a new class of potent natural antibiotic capable of killing superbugs.

Research published in Nature Communications provides fundamental new insights into how teixobactins kill bacteria, including the discovery of a new killing mechanism that could help inform the design of improved teixobactin-based drugs. [...]

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## Microplastic background pollution in the Curonian Spit beach

EurekAlert! 10/06/20

An article written by an international team of scientists was published recently in Marine Pollution Bulletin magazine. The team included representatives of the Russian Academy of Sciences Shirshov Institute of Oceanology
Atlantic Department, the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, and the Institute of Baltic Sea Research (Warnemunde, Germany). The article was aimed at studying Curonian spit beaches pollution with macro and microplastic. The pollution from both Russian and Lithuanian parts was studied. [...]

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## Researchers developing quick and simple method of glyphosate detection

EurekAlert 08/06/20

Professor Tilo Pompe from the Institute of Biochemistry at Leipzig University has now reported on the scientific basis of the project together with his colleagues in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

"Until now, scientists have used costly laboratory methods to detect glyphosate. The detection principle we have developed uses the natural reaction of glyphosate in plants. By imitating this mechanism, the detection principle is highly specific," he said. The corresponding enzyme is bound to a chip surface. During detection, elastic hydrogel microparticles bind to this surface. If glyphosate is present in the detection solution, then depending on the concentration this inhibits the binding of the microparticles to the chip surface. "By using microparticle binding, the detection method offers an extremely high level of sensitivity with regard to pesticide limits for drinking water," said Pompe. At the same time, the method could be applied in practice as a simple, mobile detection principle using optical readout procedures. [...]

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.

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## Thousands of tons of ocean pollution can be saved by changing washing habits

EurekAlert 05/06/20

A new study has revealed that almost 13,000 tonnes of microfibres, equivalent to two rubbish trucks every day, are being released into European marine environments every year - but

this could be reduced by as much as 30% if we made a small change to our laundry habits.

The findings have been published by the scientific journal PLOS ONE today (Friday 5 June), ahead of World Oceans Day on Monday 8 June. [...]

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## Une ONG publie un atlas des insectes pour dénoncer l'usage des phytos

Terre-Net 9/06/20

Plus de 40 % des espèces d'insectes sont en déclin dans le monde, selon l'ONG Friends of the Earth Europe et l'institut Heinrich Böll. Ces deux organisations ont publié mardi 9 juin 2020 un Atlas des insectes pour dénoncer l'utilisation des produits phytosanitaires en Europe et dans le monde.

Les deux organisations appellent à réduire de 80 % l'utilisation des pesticides de synthèse d'ici 2030 dans l'Union européenne, avec une « transition juste pour les agriculteurs ».

L'Atlas des insectes souligne par exemple qu'une espèce de papillons et d'abeilles sur 10 est menacée d'extinction en Europe. [...]

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## Data gaps hamper monitoring of heavy metals that threaten arctic communities

EurekAlert! 03/06/20

Some Alaskan soils harbor elevated concentrations of heavy metals that can harm human health, but critical data gaps impede understanding of exposure risks for Arctic communities. Clarice Perryman of the University of New Hampshire, Durham, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on June 3, 2020.

Many Arctic and sub-Arctic communities face heavy metal contamination of their food and water resulting from activities such as mining and drilling. As global temperatures rise, thawing of permafrost--frozen soils--could also release naturally occurring heavy metals into Arctic
ecosystems, potentially intensifying health risks. However, the amount of toxic metals in Arctic soils and the risks they pose are unclear. [...]

Citation: Perryman CR, Wirsing J, Bennett KA, Brennick O, Perry AL, Williamson N, et al. (2020) Heavy metals in the Arctic: Distribution and enrichment of five metals in Alaskan soils. PLoS ONE 15(6): e0233297.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0233297

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# Impact of Diflubenzuron on Bombus Impatiens Microcolony Development

EPA 29/05/20

Impact/Purpose: Reliance on the honey bee as a surrogate organism for risk assessment performed on other bees is being challenged. Consequently, there is a need to develop validated methods for assessing toxicity in non-Apis bees including bumble bees. Using diflubenzuron as a model toxicant, we developed a protocol for initiating and monitoring bumble bee microcolonies. While our effort strengthens the foundation for use of this methodology in risk assessment, more work is required to better understand the utility of this model for risk assessment.

Citation: Lehmann, D., M. Batres, AND W. Williams. Impact of Diflubenzuron on Bombus Impatiens Microcolony Development. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY. Entomological Society of America, Lantham, MD, 49(1):203-210, (2020). https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvz150

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# Gold mining with mercury poses health threats for miles downstream

EurekAlert! 29/05/20

Small-scale gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon poses a health hazard not only to the miners and communities near where mercury is used to extract gold from ore, but also to downstream communities hundreds of kilometers away where

people eat mercury-contaminated river fish as part of their diet.

In these downstream communities where fish is an important part of the diet, children under 12 with the highest levels of mercury in their blood and hair suffer a 4.68-point loss in I.Q., researchers report. They are also more anemic, lacking adequate hemoglobin to carry oxygen in their blood. [...]

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# Study demonstrates association between exposure to air pollution and vascular damage

EurekAlert! 03/06/20

A study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the "la Caixa" Foundation, contributes new evidence about the negative impact of air pollution on cardiovascular health. The results of the study, which analysed the relationship between several cardiovascular markers and personal exposure to two air pollutants--fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon--in over 3,000 people living around the Indian city of Hyderabad, showed that exposure to polluted air increases the risk of vascular damage. [...]

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# Exploring the neurological impact of air pollution

EurekAlert! 03/06/20

Air pollution has become a fact of modern life, with a majority of the global population facing chronic exposure. Although the impact of inhaling polluted air on the lungs is well known, scientists are just now beginning to understand how it affects the brain. A new article in Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, details how researchers are connecting air pollution to dementia, autism and other neurological diseases. [...]

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# Un nouvel outil européen pour recenser les perturbateurs endocriniens

## Actu-Environnement 05/06/20

Mis en ligne 2 juin 2020, le site edlists.org répertorie la liste des substances reconnues comme étant des perturbateurs endocriniens dans la règlementation européenne sur les produits chimiques. Ce site est le résultat d'une coopération entre la Belgique, le Danemark, les Pays-Bas, la Suède, et la France.

> « De nombreuses listes de perturbateurs endocriniens existent mais les méthodologies pour les élaborer sont très variables et l'information est morcelée, ce qui constitue un frein à la transparence pour les consommateurs, précise le ministère de la Transition écologique et solidaire. Le site Internet doit aussi permettre d'améliorer la coopération entre les agences nationales et européennes afin de sortir rapidement du marché les substances les plus néfastes, d'accompagner l'industrie dans la lutte contre les substances préoccupantes et d'améliorer l'information des citoyens sur les perturbateurs endocriniens ». [...]

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# Novel bioaccumulative compounds found in marine bivalves

## Phys.org 03/06/20

A research team in Ehime University found novel bioaccumulative compounds in mussels inhabiting Hiroshima Bay and suggested their unintentional (natural) formation in the environment. The findings were published on March 12, 2020 in Environmental Science & Technology and selected as a supplementary cover of the journal.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), and dioxins possess environmentally persistent and bioaccumulative properties and can cause adverse effects on humans and wildlife. POPs are strictly regulated and targeted for abolition (prohibition of production and usage) and for reduction of unintentional formation according

to the Stockholm Convention on POPs. Since the Stockholm Convention came into effect in May 2004, several organohalogen compounds (OHCs) have additionally been registered as new POPs. However, legacy and emerging POPs drawing international attention are confined to well-known anthropogenic OHCs, and hence environmental release and biological exposure of unknown POP-like substances have been overlooked. [...]

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# Antibiotic-destroying genes widespread in bacteria in soil and on people

## Science daily 04/06/20

Researchers have found that genes that confer the power to destroy tetracycline antibiotics are widespread in bacteria. But the researchers have also created a chemical compound that shields tetracyclines from destruction, restoring the antibiotics lethality. The findings indicate an emerging threat to one of the most widely used classes of antibiotics -- but also a promising way to protect against that threat. [...]

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# Pour le député UE P. Canfin, l'État doit financer les alternatives au glyphosate

## Agri-mutuel 02/06/20

Dans une interview parue le 31 mai dans le JDD, le député européen Pascal Canfin (Renaissance) propose, pour rendre l'agriculture plus verte, d'utiliser les 15 milliards d'euros supplémentaires, annoncés par la Commission européenne.

> « La Commission européenne va renforcer de 15 milliards d'euros le budget alloué à la transition agro-écologique. C'est l'occasion pour la France d'utiliser sa part - près de 2 milliards - pour diminuer les pesticides pour de vrai », estime le député européen Pascal Canfin dans une interview au JDD, parue le 31 mai.
L'ancien ministre délégué au développement et ancien directeur de WWF souhaite notamment que le gouvernement mette l'accent sur la recherche d'alternatives au glyphosate, dont « on doit sortir fin 2020 ». « Pour la crédibilité d'Emmanuel Macron, il faut que l'État prenne en charge les alternatives au glyphosate, comme le matériel de désherbage mécanique », insiste le député européen. « On doit pouvoir dire à tous les viticulteurs, par exemple, que la solution qui leur permettra de sortir du glyphosate sera financée », ajoute-t-il.

Cette proposition fait partie d'un « plan pour une relance verte », que Pascal Canfin a évoqué avec les ministres de l'économie et de la transition écologique. Pour l'eurodéputé, « il faut que 25 milliards d'euros, dans les deux prochaines années, soient consacrés à la transition écologique », grâce en partie aux fonds issus du plan de relance européen.

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## La Commission lance une consultation sur l'utilisation durable des pesticides

Actu-environnement 1/06/20

La Commission européenne consulte le public jusqu'au 7 août 2020 sur une feuille de route portant sur l'utilisation durable des pesticides. L'exécutif européen a initié une évaluation de la directive du 21 octobre 2009, instaurant un cadre communautaire pour parvenir à une utilisation des pesticides compatible avec le développement durable, et une analyse d'impact de sa révision éventuelle. [...]

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## Stratégie « De la ferme à la fourchette » : la Commission européenne fixe le cap pour 2030

Actu-environnement 25/05/20

Moins de pesticides, d'engrais et de médicaments, plus de bio. La Commission européenne a présenté sa stratégie « De la ferme

à la fourchette » pour rendre plus durable le système alimentaire européen.

La Commission européenne a adopté, le 20 mai, sa stratégie « De la ferme à la fourchette » qui présente ses pistes pour mettre en place un système alimentaire plus durable à l'horizon 2030. L'objectif est de concilier sécurité alimentaire et réduction de l'empreinte environnementale et climatique de la chaîne alimentaire. Prévue dans le cadre du Pacte vert, ce plan a encore plus d'écho avec la crise et les questions soulevées par le Covid-19. [...]

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## Zones de non traitement : le recours du collectif des maires antipesticides rejeté en référé

Actu-environnement 18/05/20

Le juge des référés du Conseil d'État a rejeté, le 15 mai, le recours du collectif des maires antipesticides sur le décret et l'arrêté du 27 décembre 2019 relatifs aux distances minimales de sécurité pour l'épandage des pesticides près des habitations (zones de non traitement ou ZNT). Une décision similaire avait déjà été prise le 14 février dernier.

« Si les risques pour la santé de l'utilisation des pesticides sont connus, aucun élément apporté par le collectif ne permettait de démontrer que les distances minimales de sécurité fixées par le Gouvernement - sur la base d'un avis de l'Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l'alimentation, de l'environnement et du travail (Anses) - étaient insuffisantes », indique le Conseil d'État. L'apport au dossier de nouvelles pièces par le collectif des maires n'a pas permis de démontrer l'urgence, ajoute-t-il. Le Conseil d'État se prononcera donc sur le fond du dossier dans les mois à venir.

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## You cannot avoid microplastics

EurekAlert! 13/05/20

Microplastics are everywhere - including in our drinking water, table salt and in the air that we
breathe. Having studied the scope of microplastics in a number of countries, researchers are worried.

- Given the lifetime inevitable exposure to microplastics, we urgently call for a better understanding of the potential hazards of microplastics to human health, says Dr Elvis Genbo Xu, an Assistant Professor of environmental toxicology at the University of Southern Denmark.

There are many studies on microplastics, especially concerning the oceans, but in this study Elvis Genbo Xu and his colleagues, Professor Huanghong Shi from East China Normal University and Professor Eddy Zeng from Jinan University in China, chose to focus on microplastics in table salt, drinking water and air. [...]

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## Clay layers and distant pumping trigger arsenic contamination in Bangladesh groundwater

EurekAlert! 07/05/20

Well water contaminated by arsenic in Bangladesh is considered one of the most devastating public health crises in the world. Almost a quarter of the country's population, an estimated 39 million people, drink water naturally contaminated by this deadly element, which can silently attack a person's organs over years or decades, leading to cancers, cardiovascular disease, developmental and cognitive problems in children, and death. An estimated 43,000 people die each year from arsenic-related illness in Bangladesh.

To avoid arsenic contamination, many Bangladeshi households access water via private wells drilled to 300 feet or less, beneath impermeable clay layers. Such clay layers have been thought to protect groundwater in the underlying aquifers from the downward flow of contaminants. However, a study published in Nature Communications this week suggests that such clay layers do not always protect against arsenic, and could even be a source of contamination in some wells. [...]

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## Filtering out toxic chromium from water

EurekAlert! 06/05/20

Hexavalent chromium continues to contaminate water sources around the world, with one US company fined just this February for having put employees at risk. Hexavalent chromium is considered to be extremely toxic, especially when inhaled or ingested, and its use is regulated in Europe and in many countries around the world. It is thought to be genotoxic, leading to DNA damage and the formation of cancerous tumors.

Now, chemists at EPFL are developing energy efficient processes for removing contaminants, this time hexavalent chromium, from water. The results are published today in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A. [...]

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## USF researchers find human-driven pollution alters the environment even underground

Eurekalert! 08/05/20

The Monte Conca cave system on the island of Sicily is a vast system of springs and pools, sitting below a nature preserve. It might be presumed to be one of the few places untouched by human-driven pollution.

But new research published by a USF microbiology and geoscience team has found that even below ground, the microbial communities in the pools of water in the Monte Conca cave show signs of being altered by pollution from above.

Publishing in the prestigious journal, PLoS One, the team found that water flowing through the vast cave system produced changes in the microbial communities between the wet and dry seasons, with the microbial communities differing in bacterial composition and ecological functions. The study suggests that as surface water flows through agricultural and urban
areas, it collects bacterial contaminants before entering cave systems. [...]

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# Pétition : France Grandes Cultures appelle à stopper la suppression des produits phytos

Terre-Net 13/05/20

France Grandes Cultures, syndicat spécialisé de la Coordination rurale, a lancé, le 7 mai dernier, la pétition « Stop à la suppression de produits phytos ! ». Elle sera déposée au ministère de l'agriculture le 15 juin 2020.

Avec le lancement de cette pétition« Stop à la suppression des produits phytos ! », « nous voulons montrer aux pouvoirs publics notre refus de nous laisser dépouiller des outils nous permettant de protéger le fruit de notre travail », présente Damien Brunelle, président de France Grandes Cultures (FGC). La pétition sera adressée au ministère de l'agriculture le 15 juin prochain.

« La suppression de nombreux produits phytopharmaceutiques place l'ensemble des productions végétales dans une situation très grave et sans précédent. La forte infestation d'insectes que nous subissons en ce moment sur les grandes cultures en est l'une des manifestations », ajoute le président du syndicat spécialisé de la Coordination rurale. « Depuis 10 ans, les agriculteurs se sont vus privés de plus de 40 % des produits existants (1 806 autorisations de mise sur le marché en 2019 contre 3 036 en 2008) et l'État, sous la pression des lobbies écologistes, souhaite en finir avec la chimie de synthèse, alors même que les solutions alternatives efficaces n'existent pas encore. »
[...]

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# Ouverture d'un fonds de 30 M€ pour accompagner les agriculteurs

Agri-mutuel 11/05/20

Le ministre de l'agriculture a annoncé le 9 mai l'ouverture d'un fonds doté de 30 millions pour aider les agriculteurs à investir et renforcer la protection des riverains lors de l'utilisation de produits phytosanitaires à proximité des habitations.

Une aide à l'investissement, dotée de 30 millions d'euros, a été mise en place pour aider les agriculteurs à renforcer la protection des riverains lors de l'utilisation des produits phytosanitaires, « en cohérence avec le nouveau dispositif mis en œuvre au 1er janvier 2020 », à savoir les zones de non traitement, a indiqué le ministère de l'agriculture le 9 mai. Ces ZNT peuvent en effet être réduites « en cas d'utilisation de matériel performant, répondant à des normes techniques précisées réglementairement », ajoute le communiqué.
[...]

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# Phytosanitaires et ZNT
Recours devant le tribunal administratif contre des préfets

Terre-Net 07/05/20

L'association environnementale Eau et Rivières de Bretagne (ERB) va déposer des recours devant le tribunal administratif pour demander l'annulation de dérogations accordées en Bretagne par les préfets pour réduire les distances de pulvérisation de pesticides à proximité des habitations, a-t-elle annoncé mercredi dans un communiqué.

« Le recours a été déposé concernant le Finistère et il est en cours concernant les trois autres départements », a précisé à l'AFP Dominique Le Goux, en charge du dossier « pesticides » à ERB.
[...]

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# Protection des riverains : 30 millions d'euros pour accompagner la mise en place des ZNT

Actu-environnement 12/05/20
Le ministre de l'Agriculture, Didier Guillaume, a annoncé, le 9 mai, l'ouverture d'un dispositif national pour accompagner les agriculteurs dans la mise en place des zones de non traitement (ZNT).

Une enveloppe de 30 millions d'euros permettra d'aider les agriculteurs qui investissent dans des matériels performants afin de réduire les distances de traitement, et / ou choisissent des itinéraires techniques alternatifs. ...

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## Reach : vers une restriction de la fabrication et de l'utilisation des PFAS

Actu-environnement 12/05/20

Les autorités de cinq pays européens (Allemagne, Pays-Bas, Norvège, Suède, Danemark) ont convenu de préparer une proposition de restriction portant sur la fabrication et l'utilisation d'une large gamme de substances per- et polyfluoroalkylées (PFAS), indique l'Agence européenne des produits chimiques (Echa) dans un communiqué en date du 11 mai.

Dans cette perspective, ces autorités lancent, jusqu'à la fin juillet 2020, un appel à témoignage sur l'utilisation de ces substances. Il s'adresse en particulier aux entreprises qui en produisent ou en utilisent, à celles qui utilisent des alternatives, ainsi qu'aux scientifiques et aux ONG. « Les informations reçues dans le cadre de l'appel à contributions seront utilisées par les cinq pays pour affiner la portée de la proposition et analyser l'efficacité et l'impact socio-économique des différentes options de restriction », explique l'Echa. La proposition de restriction, prise dans le cadre du règlement Reach (annexe XV), sera préparée dans les deux années qui viennent, puis transmise aux comités scientifiques de l'Agence pour avis. La décision de restriction, qui pourrait entrer en vigueur en 2025, sera prise par la Commission européenne et examinée par la Parlement et le Conseil.

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## Microplastique : les plus hauts niveaux jamais mesurés, découverts au fond de la Méditerranée

Actu-environnement 01/05/20

Publiée cette semaine dans la revue Science, une étude internationale, menée par l'Université de Manchester (Royaume-Uni), le National Oceanography Center (Royaume-Uni), l'Université de Brême (Allemagne), l'IFREMER (France), et l'Université de Durham (Royaume-Uni), apporte un éclairage nouveau sur la pollution plastique des mers et des océans.

Le projet de recherche a révélé les niveaux de microplastique les plus élevés jamais enregistrés sur un fond marin, avec jusqu'à 1,9 million d'unités couvrant seulement un mètre carré. Les prélèvements ont été effectués au fond de la mer Tyrrhénienne, une partie de la Méditerranée comprise entre la Corse, la Sardaigne, la Sicile et l'Italie...

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## Cocktail de pesticides dans l'alimentation : la réglementation actuelle est suffisante selon l'Efsa

Actu-environnement 30/04/20

Faut-il renforcer la réglementation sur les pesticides dans l'alimentation si l'on prend en compte l'effet cocktail ? C'est à dire si on inclut les effets cumulés des différentes molécules retrouvées sur les aliments ? C'est à cette question que l'Autorité européenne de sécurité des aliments (Efsa) a tenté de répondre en réalisant deux évaluations pilotes. L'une sur les effets chroniques sur le système thyroïdien, l'autre portant sur les effets aigus sur le système nerveux. [...]

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## Antibiotic exposure can 'prime' bacteria to become multidrug-resistant

EurekAlert! 27/04/20

Antibiotics save lives -- but using them also helps antibiotic-resistant strains evolve and spread. Each year, antibiotic-resistant bacteria infect some 2.8 million people in the United States, killing more than 35,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infections by multidrug-resistant -- or MDR -- bacteria, which are resistant to two or more antibiotics, are particularly difficult to treat.

Scientists at the University of Washington and the University of Idaho have discovered just how readily MDR bacteria can emerge. In a paper published April 6 in Nature Ecology & Evolution, the researchers report that, for a bacterial pathogen already resistant to an antibiotic, prolonged exposure to that antibiotic not only boosted its ability to retain its resistance gene, but also made the pathogen more readily pick up and maintain resistance to a second antibiotic and become a MDR strain. [...]

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## Adsorbent material developed with PET bottles for the removal of antibiotics from water

EurekAlert! 24/04/20

High-purity organic ligand was extracted from PET waste bottles and used to develop a high-efficiency adsorbent. The material maintained its adsorption properties even after repeated use, indicating wide applicability for water treatment

South Korea with its high antibiotic use is categorized as a country at high risk of the emergence of "multi drug-resistant bacteria, or so-called "super bacteria." According to the Ministry of Environment, antibiotic substances have been detected at livestock wastewater treatment facilities, sewage treatment plants, and in rivers. [...]

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## Health impacts of pollution upon indigenous peoples

EurekAlert! 24/04/20

A new study from the University of Helsinki presents the current state of knowledge on the exposure and vulnerability of Indigenous Peoples to environmental pollution, reviewing the innumerable impacts that pollution poses on Indigenous communities from all over the world.

"While the number of studies examining the impacts of environmental pollution upon Indigenous Peoples is growing, most of this research is isolated and fragmented across disciplines and geographic regions", says Dr. Álvaro Fernández-Llamazares, from the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, who led the study. "In fact, few efforts have cut across disciplinary topics and/or regions, and until today there was no global review mapping out the worldwide impacts of environmental pollution on Indigenous Peoples". [...]

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## RIT scientists develop first 3D mass estimate of microplastic pollution in Lake Erie

EurekAlert! 24/04/20

Rochester Institute of Technology scientists have developed the first three-dimensional mass estimate to show where microplastic pollution is collecting in Lake Erie. The study examines nine different types of polymers that are believed to account for 75 percent of the world's plastic waste.

Plastic behaves differently in lakes than in oceans; previous studies on both have indicated the levels of plastic pollution found on the surface are lower than expected based on how much is entering the water. While massive floating "islands" of accumulated plastic waste have been found in oceans, previous studies have indicated the levels of plastic pollution found on the surface of Lake Erie are lower than expected based on how much is entering the water. [...]

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# Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy is associated with growth delays

EurekAlert! 22/04/20

Prenatal exposure to air pollution has been linked to various adverse effects on children's health, including lower birth weight and respiratory and neurodevelopmental problems. However, very little is known about how air pollution affects physical growth in the first years of life. A new study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the "la Caixa" Foundation, has found an association between exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and delays in physical growth in the early years after birth.

The Spanish study, published in Environment International, analysed data from more than 1,700 mother-child pairs from Asturias, Gipuzkoa, Sabadell and Valencia enrolled in the birth cohort of the INMA Environment and Childhood Project. [...]

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# How atrazine regulations have influenced the environment

EurekAlert! 22/04/20

To combat weeds, farmers use a variety of tools and methods. By understanding the strengths and downfalls of each tool, a farmer can make the best decisions for his or her operation to keep pesky weeds out of the field.

One tool farmers can turn to for weed control is applying herbicides. New research is helping us understand a specific herbicide even better: atrazine.

Atrazine is one of the most common herbicides used in the United States. It can be used to manage weeds in crops like corn, sorghum, sugarcane and turf. The chemical kills weeds by preventing photosynthesis in the plant. [...]

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# CDC Finds Sharp Rise in Home Poisonings Tied to Disinfectant and Sanitizer Use during Covid-19 Pandemic; Safer Products Available

Beyond Pesticides, April 24, 2020

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a study showing a sharp increase—62% in some cases—in calls to poison hotlines about exposures to toxic household cleaners and disinfectants. This poisoning comes with the advent of the novel Coronavirus pandemic, as public health and government officials, and many media outlets have sensibly recommended that people regularly disinfect “high touch” surfaces and objects in their homes and other surroundings, but have not issued warnings on toxic effects nor the availability of lower toxicity or least-toxic products. Compliance with cleaning (sanitizers) and disinfection recommendations is an important public and personal health undertaking, but in this Covid-19 rigor lies a poison problem: the toxicity, as Beyond Pesticides has explained, of some cleaning and disinfecting products that are permitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for sale and use. There are safer ways to disinfect those light switches, TV remotes, doorknobs, faucets, etc. [...]

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# Report de 3 mois du délai de commercialisation du chlorprophame (CIPC)

Arvalis-Info 22/04/20

Dans une note du 16 avril, l'ANSES apporte des précisions sur l'impact de l'ordonnance n°2020-306 du 25 mars 2020 liée aux mesures d'urgence face à la crise du Covid-19. Cette note modifie notamment les délais de grâce initialement accordés aux produits phytosanitaires en cours de retrait.

Concernant le chlorprophame, la note de l'ANSES précise que toutes les spécialités commerciales en contenant pourront être distribuées et
commercialisées jusqu'au 8 juillet 2020 au lieu
du 8 avril. [...]

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ZNT : des députés dénoncent
une réduction des distances
d'épandage

Terre-Net 22/04/20

Vingt-cinq députés, dont une majorité de
marcheurs et MoDem, ont dénoncé mardi une
division par deux des « distances de précaution
pour pulvériser les pesticides » à proximité des
habitations dans 25 départements, dans une
lettre ouverte au ministre de l'agriculture.

« L'arrêté pris en date du 27 décembre 2019 portait pourtant les distances de sécurité minimales pour la pulvérisation des pesticides à proximité des lieux habités, à 5 m pour les cultures basses, type maraîchage, et à 10 m pour les cultures hautes », rappellent les députés, parmi lesquelles l'élue LREM du Finistère Sandrine Le Feur qui accueillera mercredi le président Macron dans sa circonscription.

« Or, depuis ce mois d'avril, 25 départements (dont tous les départements bretons), ont permis de revoir ces distances à 3 m pour les cultures basses et 5 m pour les cultures hautes », déplorent-ils, évoquant la « validation par certains préfets de chartes permettant » cette mesure. [...]

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Réduction des pesticides : les pistes du coordinateur interministériel pour vraiment changer les pratiques

Actu-environnement 22/04/20

Constatant lui aussi l'échec des plans Écophyto,
Pierre-Étienne Bisch dresse des pistes d'action
pour engager une réelle mutation des pratiques
agricoles. Formation, rémunération et lutte
contre la concurrence déloyale en font partie.

Après avoir rencontré pendant plusieurs mois les parties prenantes de chaque région française, le coordinateur interministériel du plan de réduction de l'usage des produits phytosanitaires fait un premier constat sans appel, dans une note d'étape publiée le 20 avril : « Il ressort de notre mission que toute tentative de réduction de l'utilisation de produits phytopharmaceutiques aura des effets limités si l'agriculteur ne recherche qu'à optimiser le coût des traitements, par le biais de la seule réduction des quantités utilisées ». [...]

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Pesticides : les ONG s'attaquent aux chartes dérogeant aux distances minimales d'épandage

Actu-environnement 23/04/20

Neuf associations saisissent la justice pour annuler les dérogations accordées aux agriculteurs pour l'épandage de pesticides dans certains départements. Du fait des consultations publiques annulées, le ministère de l'Agriculture a validé des projets de chartes locales sans l'avis du public. Ces chartes étaient l'une des conditions pour réduire les distances d'épandage mises en place début 2020 près des habitations. [...]

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