Estimation of pesticide residues in certain Gharbeya watercourses, Egypt: Insight into bacterial abundance and Metallothionein Biomarker in snails

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Sayed S.S.M.; Hamid R.M.A.E.; Mohamed O.A.; Saleh H.A.

Journal: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Publisher: Springer

Publication Date: 28 March 2026

Volume / Issue: Volume 116 / Issue 4

Article No.: 82

ISSN: 74861

DOI: 10.1007/s00128-026-04220-3

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 41904327

Document Type: Article


Authors and Affiliations

Sayed S.S.M., Environmental Research Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Hamid R.M.A.E., Central Agricultural Pesticides Laboratory, Agricultural Research Centre, Giza, Egypt; Mohamed O.A., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Saleh H.A., Environmental Research Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt


Abstract

This study investigates metallothionein gene expression in Biomphalaria alexandrina as a biomarker for pesticide stress and examines bacterial abundance in pesticide-contaminated water in Gharbeya, Egypt. Pyrethroids and triazoles were detected in water and sediment samples, exceeding WHO limits. Cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and epoxiconazole accumulated in B. alexandrina snails in winter, while tetraconazole accumulated in spring and autumn. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) for deltamethrin was highest in snails in winter, corresponding with greater deltamethrin residues in water during that season compared to summer. Snails showed the highest Metallothionein (MT) levels in summer (5.79 ± 0.01), even with greater pesticide bioaccumulation in winter, suggesting that MT may help manage pesticide toxicity. Bacterial strains from sediment samples (8 spcies) were more numerous than those from water samples (4 species), suggesting that sediments enhance nutrient availability and provide stable habitats. Correlations between bacterial species and pyrethroid and triazole residues suggest their potential in future bioremediation studies. These findings support SDG 14 and SDG 6 by safeguarding aquatic biodiversity and water quality in contaminated ecosystems. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2026.


Keywords

Bacterial strains; BCF; MT; Pyrethroids; SDGs; Triazoles; Animals; Bacteria; Biomarkers; Egypt; Environmental Monitoring; Metallothionein; Pesticide Residues; Pyrethrins; Seasons; Snails; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Aquatic ecosystems; Bioaccumulation; Biodiversity; Bioremediation; Gene expression; Pesticides; Sediments; Water pollution; biological marker; pesticide residue; pyrethroid; triazole derivative; Bacterial abundance; Bio-concentration factors; Deltamethrin; Metallothioneins; Sediment samples; Triazole; Water samples; animal; bacterium; metabolism; microbiology; season; snail; water pollutant; Water quality


Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 0


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