The First Evidence of the Water Bioremediation Potential of Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel 1923): From Threat to Resource?
Author:
Piccardo Manuela1ORCID, Vellani Verdiana1ORCID, Anselmi Serena23, Bentivoglio Tecla2, Provenza Francesca2, Renzi Monia13ORCID, Bevilacqua Stanislao13ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Department of Life Sciences (DSV), University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy 2. Bioscience Research Center, Via Aurelia Vecchia 32, 58015 Orbetello, Italy 3. Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio, 9, 00196 Roma, Italy
Abstract
Each year, a staggering 700,000 tons of synthetic dyes are manufactured globally, leading to the release of dye-laden wastewater into aquatic systems. These synthetic dyes resist biodegradation, endangering human and environmental health. Since traditional wastewater treatments are basically unable to remove dyes, exploring the potential of alternative solutions, such as bioremediation, is crucial to reduce dye contamination in aquatic ecosystems. Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel 1923), listed as one of the 100 worst invasive species in Europe, is considered an invasive ecosystem engineer capable of causing economic and ecological losses. Despite this negative status, the literature suggests its positive contributions to aquatic ecosystems as habitat former and water bioremediator. However, existing evidence on the potential of F. enigmaticus to improve water quality is fragmented and lacks experimental data from laboratory tests. This study examined the potential of Ficopomatus reefs, both living and dead, to enhance water quality by removing contaminants, focusing on methylene blue (MB), one of the most common synthetic dyes. Bioaccumulation and bioadsorption were identified as key mechanisms for dye removal, supported by ATR-FTIR and microscopic analyses. Ficopomatus efficiently removed up to 80% of MB within 24 h. Bioaccumulation in the soft body accounted for 18% of the total removal, while complex adsorption phenomena involving carbonaceous, microalgal, and organic reef components accounted for 82%. Surprisingly, bioremediated solutions exhibited significant effects in ecotoxicological tests on bacteria, indicating the potential of F. enigmaticus to disrupt bacterial quorum sensing related to biofilm formation, and suggesting a possible antifouling action. This study underscores the intricate interplay between F. enigmaticus, water quality improvement, and potential ecological consequences, stressing the need for further investigation into its multifaceted role in aquatic ecosystems.
Subject
Water Science and Technology,Aquatic Science,Geography, Planning and Development,Biochemistry
Reference63 articles.
1. Dittmann, S., Rolston, A., Benger, S.N., and Kuptiyanova, E.K. (2023, December 01). Habitat Requirements, Distribution and Colonisation of the Tubeworm Ficopomatus enigmaticus in the Lower Lakes and Coorong. Report for the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board. Available online: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260981354_Habitat_requirements_distribution_and_colonisation_of_the_tubeworm_Ficopomatus_enigmaticus_in_the_Lower_Lakes_and_Coorong. 2. A source of danger to harbour structures—Encrustation by a tubed marine worm;Tebble;J. Instit. Munic. Engin.,1953 3. Un nouveau Serpuliden d’eau saumatre Mercierella n. g., enigmatica n. sp.;Fauvel;Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr.,1923 4. DAISIE (2009). Handbook of Alien Species in Europe, Sringer. 5. Distribution, associated species and extent of biofouling “reefs” formed by the alien species Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Annelida, Polychaeta) in marinas;Charles;Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci.,2018
|
|