Biomonitoring of arsenic through mangrove oyster (Crassostrea corteziensis Hertlein, 1951) from coastal lagoons (SE Gulf of California): occurrence of arsenobetaine and other arseno-compounds

In this study, we examined the bioavailability of arsenic through the mangrove oyster Crassostrea corteziensis sampled from seven coastal lagoons in SE Gulf of California during the rainy and dry seasons. As concentrations in soft tissue of oysters C. corteziensis fluctuated between 5.2 and 11.6 μg/g on dry weight; organisms from the control site presented the lowest As concentrations in the two sampling seasons. As speciation was evaluated in selected samples and indicated that arsenobetaine was the major arseno-compound accounting for 53.5–74.7 % of total As. Lower percentage contributions were obtained for nonextractable As (9.7–25.5 %) and other molecules such as arsenocholine and methyl-arsonate (<5 %). Inorganic As was detectable in only two samples, at concentrations lower than 0.1 μg/g. These As data are the first generated in NW Mexico and indicate that C. corteziensis is safe for human consumption in terms of arseno-compounds. It is evident that As bioavailability in these lagoons is low.     

Loggerhead turtle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Caretta caretta</Emphasis>) matrilines in the Mediterranean: further evidence of genetic diversity and connectivity

We re-sequenced 815 bp of the mtDNA of loggerhead turtles from a population nesting in Calabria (southern Italy), which was found recently. Non-invasive sampling was applied and information on deposition date and place was used to avoid possible resampling of nesting females. Among 38 nests laid by independent females, we found the common haplotype CC-A2.1 (57.9%) and two other haplotypes which have never been described in Mediterranean nesting grounds, CC-A20.1 (36.8%) and CC-A31.1 (5.3%). Calabria harbors the highest intra-population diversity among 11 Mediterranean nesting populations. Our findings narrow the gap between haplotypes recorded in feeding grounds and those found in nesting grounds. Analyses of population structure show a strong maternal isolation, with Calabria and east Turkey displaying far more diversity than expected considering their census size. These observations suggest that recurrent female founder effects from sources yet to be identified in the Atlantic or in the Mediterranean may have shaped the pattern of mtDNA diversity in this latter basin. Our results provide evidence that the Ionian Calabrian sites should be protected because of the high diversity found there. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Seasonal and spatial variability of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in vegetation and cow milk from a high altitude pasture in the Italian Alps

The seasonal and spatial variability of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in vegetation and cow milk was studied in a high altitude pasture in the Alps (1900 m a.s.l.). PCB contamination in vegetation shows a concentration peak in June, which is mainly interpreted as the consequence of a temporary PCB enrichment of the air layer above the ground due to net emission fluxes from the soil. A three compartment dynamic model was developed to test this hypothesis. The North/South enrichment factor in the vegetation was 1.5-1.6 for penta- and hexa-substituted congeners and 1.7 for hepta- and octa-PCBs, according to the effect of temperature on compounds having higher K_oa values. Milk concentrations followed the vegetation seasonal trend. The congener abundance in milk is in agreement with the biotransformation susceptibility, absorption efficiency and residence time of the different congeners in dairy cows.     

Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Coatings for the Modification of Barrier Properties of Poly(lactic acid) Films for Food Packaging Applications

Organic–inorganic hybrid coatings based on poly(ε-caprolactone), poly(ethylene oxide) or poly(lactic acid) as organic phase and silica from tetraethoxysilane as inorganic phase were prepared by the sol–gel approach. Coatings were applied onto poly(lactic acid) films for food packaging in order to improve its barrier properties towards oxygen and water vapour. All the prepared coatings were dense, homogeneous layers characterized by a good adhesion to the substrate. The permeance of the coating layers resulted one order of magnitude lower than that of the uncoated poly(lactic acid) (PLA) film. The hydrophilic character of the coating did not permit to gain a significant decrease in the water vapour permeance. The perfect visual transparency of the coatings allows their application without worsening of the esthetical properties of the substrate PLA film.     

Environmental ozone exposure and oxidative DNA damage in adult residents of Florence, Italy

In 71 adults residing in Florence, Italy, enrolled in a prospective study, we investigated the correlation between individual levels of oxidative DNA damage detected by the Comet assay in circulating lymphocytes, and a specific ozone exposure score calculated in 10 different time-windows (0-5 to 0-90 days) before blood drawing, based on daily measurements provided by the local environmental monitoring system.Overall, statistically significant positive correlations between average ozone concentrations and DNA damage emerged in almost all time-windows considered; correlations were more evident among males, non-smokers, and traffic-exposed workers. Multivariate regression analyses taking into account selected individual characteristics, showed an independent effect on DNA damage of average ozone concentrations in the last 60-90 days before blood drawing. Local residents showed a divergent pattern with correlations restricted to shorter time-windows.Our results suggest that ozone concentrations at ground levels modulate oxidative DNA damage in circulating lymphocytes of residents of polluted areas.     

Biological effects of diethylene glycol (DEG) and produced waters (PWs) released from offshore activities: A multi-biomarker approach with the sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax

Diethylene glycol (DEG) is largely used during oil and gas exploitation by offshore platforms. The aim of this work was to investigate if this compound induces direct molecular/cellular effects in marine organisms, or indirectly modulate those of produced waters (PWs). Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were exposed to DEG dosed alone or in combination with PWs from an Adriatic platform. A wide array of analysed biomarkers included cytochrome P450-dependent enzymatic activity, bile metabolites, glutathione S-transferases, acetylcholinesterase, peroxisomal proliferation, antioxidant defences (catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidases, glutathione), total oxyradical scavenging capacity, malondialdehyde and DNA integrity (single strand breaks and frequency of micronuclei). Results did not reveal marked effects of DEG, while PWs influenced the biotransformation system, the oxidative status and the onset of genotoxic damages. Co-exposures caused only limited differences of biomarker responses at some experimental conditions, overall suggesting a limited biological impact of DEG at levels normally deriving from offshore activities.     

Arsenic and subclinical vascular damage in a sample of Italian young adults: a cross-sectional analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Exposure to arsenic (As) increases cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between As and intima-media...     

Serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the inhabitants of a Sicilian city

Background

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides are common environmental contaminants that have been associated with human health problems.

Objectives

To assess serum concentrations of several organochlorine contaminants in general population living in a city with an ancient agricultural tradition and to identify possible exposure sources in Sicily.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 101 individuals. Each participant answered a face-to-face questionnaire submitted by well-trained personnel and provided a serum sample which was analyzed for the concentrations of PCBs, HCB, HCHs and DDTs by using gas-chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Results

HCB, p,p′-DDE, PCB 138, PCB 153 and PCB 180 were detected in more than 80% of the study participants. The ng g⁻¹ lipid median concentrations were: 18.6 for HCB; 175.1 for p,p′-DDE; 22. for PCB 138; 32.5 for PCB 153 and 23.0 for PCB 180. PCB 153 and PCB 138, PCB 138 and PCB 180, PCB 153 and PCB 180, and p,p′-DDE and HCB showed a high correlation each other (p < 0.05). HCB and p,p′-DDE concentrations were significantly higher in subjects >49 years old (adj-p = 0.03 in 50-69 years old and adj-p < 0.001 in >69 years old, respectively) whereas PCB 138, PCB 153 and PCB 180 concentrations were higher in males (adj-p = 0.03), in subjects >69 years old (adj-p = 0.04) and in current smokers (adj-p = 0.04).

Conclusions

The present study shows that serum concentrations of organochlorine compounds detected in subjects living in a small Sicilian city with ancient agricultural tradition are similar to those found in subjects living in urban areas of other countries. However, further investigations are needed to compare data from rural/urban areas in the same country, assessing correlations between serum concentrations of several chemical compounds and potential health effects in general population.     

To centralise or to decentralise: an overview of the most recent trends in wastewater treatment management

An overview of recent trends in wastewater management is proposed concerning the role of centralisation and decentralisation in wastewater treatment. The main advantages, criticisms and limitations considering social, economic and environmental issues have been summarised. It resulted that none of the approaches could be excluded a priori, but were generally shown to integrate one another on the basis of the specific required situation.     

Vitellogenin gene expression in males of the Antarctic fish Trematomus bernacchii from Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea): a role for environmental cadmium?

Synthesis of vitellogenin (VTG) in male fish is a widely recognized effect for estrogenic pollutants in temperate environments, while similar investigations are still lacking for Antarctic organisms. In this study, a preliminary characterization of vitellogenin gene expression was performed by RT-PCR in the key species Trematomus bernacchii sampled in different phases of reproductive cycle and food availability. Females exhibited the highest gene expression during the spawning period, but VTG mRNA was always detected also in males; a significant increase of gene expression was observed both in males and females at the end of the feeding season. These results were not fully supported by a differential exposure to phyto- or anthropogenic estrogens during the planctonic cycle; on the other side, the endocrine properties of cadmium, naturally elevated in Terra Nova Bay and increasing during algal bloom, would explain both the presence of VTG mRNA in males and the seasonal changes of gene induction. Laboratory exposures did not reveal short-term estrogenic effects of cadmium while an elevated responsiveness of T. bernacchii was observed toward a classical estrogenic receptor agonist (17beta-estradiol). Different hypotheses were considered to suggest delayed endocrine effects of cadmium, including the early interaction with other cellular detoxification systems or alterations at multiple levels of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad-liver axis. Although molecular mechanisms of VTG gene expression in males of T. bernacchii remain unclear, obtained results provide interesting insights on this species which should stimulate future research activities.