Search results for " Bioaccumulation"
showing 10 items of 11 documents
The biogeochemical cycle of mercury in the Augusta Bay
2014
Mercurial, the metaphor for volatile unpredictable behavior, aptly reflects the complexities of one of the most insidiously interesting and scientifically challenging biogeochemical cycles at the Earth’s surface. At the base of this toxic metal cycle there is the conversion between the different Hg chemical species, in which the balance between the reduced and oxidized forms depends primary on redox system conditions. The potential risks of human exposure to Hg, especially in the form of monomethylmercury (MMHg), particularly prenatally, and the potential deleterious ecological consequences from localized to global scale Hg pollution, have given much impetus to mercury studies and regulator…
Toxicity of vanadium during development of sea urchin embryos: bioaccumulation, calcium depletion, ERK modulation and cell-selective apoptosis
2022
Vanadium toxicology is a topic of considerable importance as this metal is widely used in industrial and biomedical fields. However, it represents a potential emerging environmental pollutant because wastewater treatment plants do not adequately remove metal compounds that are subsequently released into the environment. Vanadium applications are limited due to its toxicity, so it is urgent to define this aspect. This metal is associated with sea urchin embryo toxicity as it perturbs embryogenesis and skeletogenesis, triggering several stress responses. Here we investigated its bioaccumulation and the correlation with cellular and molecular developmental pathways. We used cytotoxic concentra…
Structural and functional organization of fish assemblages in a Mediterranean shallow CO2 vent.
2017
Gli effetti dell’acidificazione degli oceani a livello globale hanno richiamato l’attenzione degli scienziati su dei sistemi marini naturali quali i vent superficiali di CO₂. Si tratta di mesocosmi naturali, in quanto su piccole scale spaziali (anche di pochi metri) si osservano marcati gradienti di pH, dove poter testare ipotesi ecologiche dell’acidificazione delle acque marine. Obiettivo della tesi è studiare le risposte della popolazione ittica alla riduzione del pH in vent superficiali mediterranei utilizzando numerosi descrittori, quali la struttura di comunità, l’organizzazione trofica, le caratteristiche e la composizione chimica delle strutture carbonatiche. Inoltre poiché i vent so…
Mercury in fishes from Augusta Bay (southern Italy): risk assessment and health implication
2013
Our study reports on the total mercury (HgT) concentrations measured in the muscles and livers of several benthic, demersal and pelagic fish species caught inside and outside of Augusta Bay (southern Italy), a semi-enclosed marine area, highly contaminated by the uncontrolled (since the 1950s to 1978s) discharge of the largest European petrochemical plant. Mercury levels in fish tissues are discussed with regard to specific habitat, size and/or age of the specimens and HgT distribution in the bottom sediments. Results suggest a still active Hg release mechanism from the polluted sediments to the marine environment. Also, the high HgT concentrations measured in fishes caught in the external …
Evidences on alterations in skeleton composition and mineralization in a site-attached fish under naturally acidified conditions in a shallow CO2 vent
2021
Abstract Background Ocean acidification may affect fish mineralized structures (i.e. otoliths and skeleton). Methods Here, we compared the elemental composition of muscle and skeleton and the mineral features of skeleton in the site-attached fish Gobius bucchichi naturally exposed to high pCO2/low pH conditions in a shallow CO2 vent with fish of the same species exposed to normal pH. Results Overall, no skeleton malformations were found in both pH conditions, but among-site differences were found in the elemental composition. Interestingly, higher Ca/P values, inducing a moderate skeleton maturation, were found in fish exposed to acidified conditions than in controls. Conclusion Our finding…
Lead contamination affects the primary productivity traits, biosynthesis of macromolecules and distribution of metal in durum wheat (Triticumdurum L.)
2021
Highlights • The growth, biosynthesis of pigments and other macromolecules appeared to be strong predictors in appraisal of Pb tolerance/susceptibility in durum wheat. • Germplasm of CBD59, CBD63 and CBD66 can be exploited for future selection and breeding programs. • The bioaccumulation of metal in grains of some cultivars of durum wheat much below than permissible limits set by FAO/WHO is of great significance owing to its implications for food safety.
Background element content of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea: A supra-national state of art implemented by novel field data from Italy
2018
Abstract In biomonitoring, the knowledge of background element content (BEC) values is an essential pre-requisite for the correct assessment of pollution levels. Here, we estimated the BEC values of a highly performing biomonitor, the epiphytic lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea, by means of a careful review of literature data, integrated by an extensive field survey. Methodologically homogeneous element content datasets, reflecting different exposure conditions across European and extra-European countries, were compiled and comparatively analysed. Element content in samples collected in remote areas was compared to that of potentially enriched samples, testing differences between medians for 2…
Trace element and PAH bioaccumulation in caged mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from an industrial area (Augusta Bay, SE Sicily)
2014
Marine pollution in the Libyan costal area: environmental and risk assessment
2018
A comprehensive assessment of the potential adverse effects on environment and human health generated by the inputs of chemicals from the most important Libyan petrochemical plant is presented. Ecotoxicological risk associated with the presence of As, Hg, Ni, Zn and PAHs in marine sediments is low or moderate, with a probability of toxicity for ecosystem < 9% and < 20% for heavy metals and PAHs respectively. However, sur- face sediments result strongly enriched in Hg and As of anthropogenic origin. Investigation of metals in fish allowed to assess potential risks for human populations via fish intake. Target hazard quotients values indicate potential risk associated to toxic metals exposure by…