0000000000302802
AUTHOR
Silvano Focardi
A biochemical study of the effects of tributyltin on unfertilized eggs, embryos and larvae of the sea squirt Ciona intestinalis
We have used unfertilized eggs, embryos and larvae of the sea squirt Ciona intestinalis (Ascidiacea, Urochordata) to study the effects of tributyltin (TBT) on acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity. Our results showed an increase of AChE enzyme activity levels after TBT exposure in both unfertilized eggs and embryos. The effects of TBT were more pronounced during the gastrula stage, while no differences between exposed larvae and controls were observed. A mechanism of TBT action on enzyme activity during ascidian embryonic development and the possibility of employing AChE in C. intestinalis as a biomarker of TBT exposure are suggested and discussed.
Mixed Function Oxidase Activity and Organochlorine Levels in Farmed Sharpsnout Seabream (Diplodus puntazzo) from Two Intensive Aquaculture Facilities
Mixed function oxidase (MFO) activities and organochlorine levels were investigated in liver of farmed sharpsnout seabream bred in two intensive facilities, a sea farm and a land-based farm. The aim of this study is to investigate how different facility locations and breeding conditions might affect fish metabolic capabilities and accumulation of toxic chemicals in farmed sharpsnout seabream. The differences between breeding two or more fish species in the same cage or tank known as polyculture, and monoculture (1 species) were also investigated. The results showed that both facility location (sea and land) as well as breeding systems (polyculture and monoculture) might be responsible for t…
Assessing persistent organic pollutants (POPS) in the sicily island atmosphere, mediterranean, using PUF disk passive air samplers
In this study, PUF disk passive air samplers were deployed at eight sites, during two sampling periods, on the Island of Sicily in the Mediterranean basin. Samples were screened for a number of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (n = 28 congeners), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) (n = 16 compounds), and polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs n = 28) using GC-MS. PCB concentrations in air ranged ~10-300 pg m-3. The PCB pattern was dominated by lower to middle molecular weight PCBs (Cl3-5) and PCB-28 and PCB-52 were the most abundant congeners. α- and γ-Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) concentrations in air were relatively high ~420 ± 320 (50-1000) an…
Screening of ecotoxicological, qualitative and reproductive variables in male European sea bassDicentrarchus labrax(L.) reared in three different fish farms: Facility location and typology
The aim of this work was to do a preliminary seasonal screening of ecotoxicological biomarkers in European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax in three different fish farms, to know if the different location and typology can discriminate them. A set of selected biomarkers of xenobiotic exposure, such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, Glutathione (GSH) and gonad morphology were investigated seasonally in male European sea bass D. labrax (L.) reared in three different intensive farms: a land-based farm of cement tanks (T), an in-shore sea cages farm (C1) and an off-shore sea cages farm (C2). The results showed that both location and typology can discriminate AChE activity, GSH content and go…
Seasonal screening of AChE, GSH and gonad histology, in European sea bassDicentrarchus labraxL. reared in three different fish farms
The aim of this work was to do a preliminary seasonal screening of ecotoxicological biomarkers in European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax in three different fish farms, to know if the different location and typology can discriminate them. A set of selected biomarkers of xenobiotic exposure, such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, Glutathione (GSH) and gonad morphology were investigated seasonally in male European sea bass D. labrax (L.) reared in three different intensive farms: a land-based farm of cement tanks (T), an in-shore sea cages farm (C1) and an off-shore sea cages farm (C2). The results showed that both location and typology can discriminate AChE activity, GSH content and go…