Sample preservation is a critical procedure in any research that relies on molecular tools and is conducted in remote areas. Sample preservation options include low and room temperature storage, which require freezing equipment and specific buffering solutions, respectively. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether DNA/RNA Shield 1x from Zymo Research and DESS (Dimethyl sulfoxide, Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, Saturated Salt) solution performed similarly to snap freezing in liquid nitrogen. Soil samples were stored for 1 month in each of the buffers and without any solution at a range of temperatures: -20, +4, and +23°C. All treatments were compared to the "optimal treatment", namely, snap freezing in liquid nitrogen. The quality and quantity of DNA were analyzed, and the microbial community structure was investigated in all samples. The results obtained indicated that the quantity and integrity of DNA was preserved well in all samples; however, the taxonomic distribution was skewed in samples stored without any solution at ambient temperatures, particularly when analyses were performed at lower taxonomic levels. Although both solutions performed equally well, sequencing output and OTU numbers in DESS-treated samples were closer to those snap frozen with liquid nitrogen. Furthermore, DNA/RNA Shield-stored samples performed better for the preservation of rare taxa.
The purpose of our work has been to determine the indicator of complex adaptability — the United Quality Latent Index of Adaptability (UQLIA) for the experimental populations of Deschampsia antarctica É. Desv. and study the contribution to it of some environmental factors such as the near soil surface temperature and organogens content. Materials and methods. The determination of UQLIA was based on a pairwise comparison of the differences between investigated parameters of populations by mathematical regression techniques. The soil surface temperature was measured by loggers installed near plants in each locus during April 2017 – April 2018. Results and conclusions. Temperature fluctuations were described during December 2017 – February 2018 for twelve experimental populations of D. antarctica and one control fragment of moss turf subformation from Galindez Island. Significant variations in average daily near surface temperature were observed during the study period between populations, especially in December and January. The UQLIA of D. antarctica for this season was calculated on the basis of the projective cover, biometric indices of generative plants and the content of protective and reserve proteins in seeds for the eleven populations. The values of the United Soil Surface Temperature Influence Index (UTII) for the season summer months and the United Organogens Content in Soil Influence Index (UOCSII) have been calculated for the individual parameters of D. antarctica plants adaptability. The reliable contribution of UTII to ULIA has been shown for December and January, at the moment of the greatest variation of soil surface temperature. UOCSII provided a reliable contribution to the ULIA only in the amount of UTII. Keywords: Deschampsia antarctica, United Quality Latent Index of Adaptability (UQLIA), contribution of soil surface temperature and organogens content to complex adaptability.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are recognized as pollutants of global concern, but so far, information on the trends of legacy POPs in the waters of the world has been missing due to logistical, analytical, and financial reasons. Passive samplers have emerged as an attractive alternative to active water sampling methods as they accumulate POPs, represent time-weighted average concentrations, and can easily be shipped and deployed. As part of the AQUA-GAPS/MONET, passive samplers were deployed at 40 globally distributed sites between 2016 and 2020, for a total of 21 freshwater and 40 marine deployments. Results from silicone passive samplers showed α-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and γ-HCH displaying the greatest concentrations in the northern latitudes/Arctic Ocean, in stark contrast to the more persistent penta (PeCB)-and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), which approached equilibrium across sampling sites. Geospatial patterns of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) aqueous concentrations closely matched original estimates of production and use, implying limited global transport. Positive correlations between log-transformed concentrations of Σ 7 PCB, ΣDDTs, Σendosulfan, and Σchlordane, but not ΣHCH, and the log of population density (p < 0.05) within 5 and 10 km of the sampling sites also supported limited transport from used sites. These results help to understand the extent of global distribution, and eventually time-trends, of organic pollutants in aquatic systems, such as across freshwaters and oceans. Future deployments will aim to establish time-trends at selected sites while adding to the geographical coverage.
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