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Background: Human exposure to pesticides is being associated with feminisation for which a decrease of the anogenital distance (AGD) is a sensitive endpoint. Dose addition for the cumulative risk assessment of pesticides in food is considered sufficiently conservative for combinations of compounds with both similar and dissimilar modes of action (MoA).Objective: The present study was designed to test the dose addition hypothesis in a binary mixture of endocrine active compounds with a dissimilar mode of action for the endpoint feminisation.Methods: Compounds were selected from a list of chemicals of which exposure is related to a decrease of the AGD in rats and completed with reference compounds. These chemicals were characterised using specific in vitro transcriptional activation (TA) assays for estrogenic and androgenic properties, leading to a final selection of dienestrol as an ER-agonist and flutamide, linuron, and deltamethrin as AR-antagonists. These compounds were then tested in an in vivo model, i.e. in zebrafish (Danio rerio), using sex ratio in the population as an endpoint in order to confirm their feminising effect and MoA. Ultimately, the fish model was used to test a binary mixture of flutamide and dienestrol.Results: Statistical analysis of the binary mixture of flutamide and dienestrol in the fish sexual development tests (FSDT) with zebrafish supported dose addition. International audience

Riparian forests remain largely understudied in the context of climate change in comparison to other forest ecosystems although they serve multiple socio-ecological functions. We evaluated local adaptation and adaptive potential in Populus nigra L., an emblematic tree species of European riparian forests. We set up a reciprocal transplant experiment and measured 17 structural and functional traits among 10 progenies of two genetically differentiated populations. The populations originated from two separate watersheds differing in climate conditions and a total of 1200 seedlings were grown in 1-m3 mesocosms at both sites for one growing season. Traits measured were related to growth, leaf physiology and xylem water transport. The populations showed similar biomass suggesting no local adaptation for overall performance but displayed distinct trait syndromes and plastic abilities. The southern population primarily adjusted through changes in allocation and leaf water-use efficiency while the northern population primarily adjusted through changes in specific leaf area. Genetic variation within populations was most of the times equal or larger than between populations. This combined with the generally moderate to high heritability values and the observed plasticity suggested significant adaptive potential. Altogether, our findings reveal that although evolution may not lead to obvious differentiation between populations in global performance, integrated multi-trait approaches are highly valuable to shed light on how evolution may shape distinct underlying functional strategies among populations resulting in a similar outcome. International audience

Under the EU Air Quality Directive (AQD) 2008/50/EC member states are required to undertake routine monitoring of PM2.5 composition at background stations. The AQD states for PM2.5 speciation this should include at least: nitrate (NO3−), sulfate (SO42−), chloride (Cl−), ammonium (NH4+), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), magnesium (Mg2+), calcium (Ca2+), elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC). Until 2017, it was the responsibility of each country to determine the methodology used to report the composition for the inorganic components of PM2.5. In August 2017 a European standard method of measurement of PM2.5 inorganic chemical components (NO3−, SO42−, Cl−, NH4+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) as deposited on filters (EN16913:2017) was published. From August 2019 this then became the European standard method. This filter method is labour-intensive and provides limited time resolution and is prone to losses of volatile compounds. There is therefore increasing interest in the use of alternative automated methods. For example, the UK reports hourly PM2.5 chemical composition using the Monitor for AeRosols and Gases in Ambient air (MARGA, Metrohm, NL). This study is a pre-assessment review of available data to demonstrate if or to what extent equivalence is possible using either the MARGA or other available automatic methods, including the Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM, Aerodyne Research Inc. US) and the Ambient Ion Monitor (AIM, URG, US). To demonstrate equivalence three objectives were to be met. The first two objectives focused on data capture and were met by all three instruments. The third objective was to have less than a 50% expanded uncertainty compared to the reference method for each species. Analysis of this objective was carried out using existing paired datasets available from different regions around the world. It was found that the MARGA (2006–2019 model) had the potential to demonstrate equivalence for all species in the standard, though it was only through a combination of case studies that it passed uncertainty criteria. The ACSM has the potential to demonstrate equivalence for NH4+, SO42−, and in some conditions NO3−, but did not for Cl− due to its inability to quantify refractory aerosol such as sea salt. The AIM has the potential for NH4+, NO3−, SO42−, Cl− and Mg2+. Future investigations are required to determine if the AIM could be optimised to meet the expanded uncertainty criterion for Na+, K+ and Ca2+. The recommendation is that a second stage to demonstrate equivalence is required which would include both laboratory and field studies of the three candidate methods and any other technologies identified with the potential to report the required species. The authors would like to thank the UK Environment Agency who funded this study. The measurements in this study were funded by the following bodies: - All the UK datasets were funded by UK Environment Agency under the UK Eutrophying and Acidifying Pollutant Network and the UKs Particle Numbers and Concentrations Network. The Auchencorth Moss measurements are supported by NERC UK Status, change and Projections of the Environment UK-SCaPE (NE/R016429/1). - The Revin fieldsite is coordinated by IMT Nord Europe in collaboration with the regional monitoring network (Atmo Grand-Est) and the National Reference Laboratory for Air Quality Monitoring (LCSQA) and funded by the French Ministry of Environment. ACSM measurements were supported by the Labex CaPPA project, which is funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) through the PIA (Programme d’Investissement d’Avenir) under contract ANR-11-LABX-0005-01, and were part of the COST COLOSSAL Action CA16109. - Measurements in Barcelona Palau Reial were funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through CAIAC project (PID2019-108990RB-I00) and FEDER funds, through EQC2018-004598-P. - Measurements at the Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station are supported by the EPA-Ireland and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. - The Germany Federal Environment Agency (UBA) provided the financial support of this study and the deployment of the MARGA at the research station Melpitz under contracts No: 351 01 093 and 351 01 070. - The data from Kumpula was supported by the Academy of Finland as part of the Centre of Excellence program (project no 1118615). - US EPA gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Battelle and Wood (formerly Amec, Foster Wheeler) to the Research Triangle Park study. - The data from the San Pietro Capofiume was funded by the PEGASOS EU FP7 project. Peer reviewed

The Hg research community needs methods to more accurately measure atmospheric Hg concentrations and chemistry. The Reactive Mercury Active System (RMAS) uses cation exchange, nylon, and PTFE membranes to determine reactive mercury (RM), gaseous oxidized mercury, and particulate-bound mercury (PBM) concentrations and chemistry, respectively. New data for Atlanta, Georgia (NRGT) demonstrated that particulate-bound Hg was dominant and the chemistry was primarily N and S HgII compounds. At Great Salt Lake, Utah (GSL), RM was predominately PBM, with NS > organics > halogen > O HgII compounds. At Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas (GUMO), halogenated compound concentrations were lowest when air interacting with the site was primarily derived from the Midwest, and highest when the air was sourced from Mexico. At Amsterdam Island, Southern Indian Ocean, compounds were primarily halogenated with some N, S, and organic HgII compounds potentially associated with biological activity. The GEOS-Chem model was applied to see if it predicted measurements at five field sites. Model values were higher than observations at GSL, slightly lower at NRGT, and observations were an order of magnitude higher than modeled values for GUMO and Reno, Nevada. In general, data collected from 13 locations indicated that N, S, and organic RM compounds were associated with city and forest locations, halogenated compounds were sourced from the marine boundary layer, and O compounds were associated with long-range transport. Data being developed currently, and in the past, suggest there are multiple forms of RM that modelers must consider, and PBM is an important component of RM.

The Minamata Convention, a global and legally binding treaty that entered into force in 2017, aims to protect human health and the environment from harmful mercury (Hg) effects by reducing anthropogenic Hg emissions and environmental levels. The Conference of the Parties is to periodically evaluate the Convention's effectiveness, starting in 2023, using existing monitoring data and observed trends. Monitoring atmospheric Hg levels has been proposed as a key indicator. However, data gaps exist, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, we present over a decade of atmospheric Hg monitoring data at Amsterdam Island (37.80°S, 77.55°E), in the remote southern Indian Ocean. Datasets include gaseous elemental and oxidised Hg species ambient air concentrations from either active/continuous or passive/discrete acquisition methods, and annual total Hg wet deposition fluxes. These datasets are made available to the community to support policy-making and further scientific advancements. International audience

Shortening food supply chains attracts increasing support from policymakers, to improve returns to farmers and stimulate rural development. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence regarding the impacts of short food supply chains on local economies. To address this, the article quantifies the impacts of short food supply chains on local economies, using the Keynesian-based Local Multiplier 3 method (LM3), applied to a unique dataset of 122 farm businesses from five European Union countries (France, Hungary, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom). Estimations cover 305 market chains, comprising both short and long food supply chains, in which sampled farmers participate. The results indicate that the revenues from farm production remain largely within local economies, generating a substantial multiplier effect (LM3 > 2). This effect stems from purchases of farm inputs locally including, in the first instance, hiring local labour, as well as the expenditures of local suppliers that re-spend part of their revenues within the local area. The multiplier effects of short food supply chains are similar to long food supply chain equivalents as both use largely local labour and source tradable inputs locally. In shaping food chain policy a broader set of socioeconomic benefits to local development from selling through short food supply chains should be considered. International audience

The collective economic and environmental interest of the whole dairy sheep sector is to reduce feedcosts and the negative impact of milk production on the environment. Thus, this study focused on thecharacterisation and genetic selection potential of feed efficiency in the Lacaune breed. Estimates for feedefficiency in dairy ewes are limited, mainly due to a lack of individual feed intake measurements in thesheepfold or in the pasture. We estimated the genetic parameters for two approximated (not entirelybased on individual data) feed efficiency traits (lactation feed conversion ratio (LFCR) and residual energyintake (REI)) and daily milk yield (DMY) at different stages of lactation and throughout lactation. Theaccuracy of the efficiency traits was first evaluated on samples from Lacaune dairy ewes that were mon-itored individually, especially for their feed intake. Then, feed efficiency estimation methods were appliedon eight commercial farms corresponding to 4 680 Lacaune dairy ewes over two milk lactations (30 854records). Animals were collectively (for a large part of feed intake) or individually (for milk performanceand dynamics of body fat reserves) monitored at different lactation stages. The heritabilities of LFCR andREI were estimated over lactations at 0.10 ± 0.01 and 0.11 ± 0.01, respectively. High genetic correlationswere observed between the two efficiency traits and milk production traits, with a genetic correlationbetween LFCR and DMY of 0.74 ± 0.04 and between REI and DMY of 0.79 ± 0.04. A strong influenceof environmental factors such as farm, year of milk production and lactation stage affected the geneticlink between REI and milk production traits. Efficiency values observed in early lactation when animalswere bred in the sheepfold were less genetically correlated with values obtained later in lactation whenanimals were grass-fed. However, individual characterisation of feed efficiency remains difficult due tothe collective feeding context in dairy ewe farms. International audience