Long-Term Biomonitoring with Lichens: Comparing Data from Different Sampling Procedures

The results of 2 biomonitoring surveys carried out over a span of 7 years (1996–2003) in the Province of Ancona (central Italy) using the diversity of epiphytic lichens are reported. According to a recent standardisation process, in 2003 a different protocol was adopted, raising the problem of data comparability with the previous study. For this reason, a ‘pilot study' was carried out in which the two sampling tactics were both used. The high correlation between biodiversity values proved by the results of this study, let to compare the two lichen diversity data set and to identify the impacts on lichen communities of temporal variations of atmospheric quality in the study area, showing a reduction of stations classified as ‘altered' and an increase in stations classified as ‘semi-altered'. Furthermore, possible reduction of the sampling effort was detected performing a study on the sampling density of the survey area, indicating in a 6 × 6 km grid the best density to adopt in order to save financial resources for the future.     

Chemical, dimensional and morphological ultrafine particle characterization from a waste-to-energy plant

Waste combustion processes are responsible of particles and gaseous emissions. Referring to the particle emission, in the last years specific attention was paid to ultrafine particles (UFPs, diameter less than 0.1 μm), mainly emitted by combustion processes. In fact, recent findings of toxicological and epidemiological studies indicate that fine and ultrafine particles could represent a risk for health and environment. Therefore, it is necessary to quantify particle emissions from incinerators also to perform an exposure assessment for the human populations living in their surrounding areas.To these purposes, in the present work an experimental campaign aimed to monitor UFPs was carried out at the incineration plant in San Vittore del Lazio (Italy). Particle size distributions and total concentrations were measured both at the stack and before the fabric filter inlet in order to evaluate the removal efficiency of the filter in terms of UFPs. A chemical characterization of UFPs in terms of heavy metal concentration was performed through a nuclear method, i.e. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), as well as a mineralogical investigation was carried out through a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) equipped with an Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) in order to evaluate shape, crystalline state and mineral compound of sampled particles.Maximum values of 2.7 × 10⁷ part. cm⁻³ and 2.0 × 10³ part. cm⁻³ were found, respectively, for number concentration before and after the fabric filter showing a very high efficiency in particle removing by the fabric filter. With regard to heavy metal concentrations, the elements with higher boiling temperature present higher concentrations at lower diameters showing a not complete evaporation in the combustion section and the consequent condensation of semi-volatile compounds on solid nuclei. In terms of mineralogical and morphological analysis, the most abundant compounds found in samples collected before the fabric filter are Na–K–Pb oxides followed by phyllosilicates, otherwise, different oxides of comparable abundance were detected in the samples collected at the stack.     

The use of environmental metabolomics to determine glyphosate level of exposure in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) seedlings

Metabolic profiling in plants can be used to differentiate between treatments and to search for biomarkers for exposure. A methodology for processing Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode-Array-Detection data is devised. This methodology includes a scheme for selecting informative wavelengths, baseline removal, retention time alignment, selection of relevant retention times, and principal component analysis (PCA). Plant crude extracts from rapeseed seedling exposed to sublethal concentrations of glyphosate are used as a study case. Through this approach, plants exposed to concentrations down to 5 μM could be distinguished from the controls. The compounds responsible for this differentiation were partially identified and were different from those specific for high exposure samples, which suggests that two different responses to glyphosate are elicited in rapeseed depending on the level of exposure. The PCA loadings indicate that a combination of other metabolites could be more sensitive than the response of shikimate to detect glyphosate exposure.     

Characteristics of Coastal Dune Topography and Vegetation in Environments Recently Modified Using Beach Fill and Vegetation Plantings,Veneto, Italy

Human actions can contribute to degradation of coastal environments or they can increase the likelihood that these environments will be restored. Beach nourishment provides a basis for restoration, but ways must be found to add habitat improvement to projects designed for shore protection. This study examines how beach nourishment projects can help reinstate dune landscapes in locations where beaches and dunes had been replaced by static shore protection structures. Dune topography and vegetation on three nourished sites on the northern Adriatic Coast of Italy are compared to a reference site to evaluate changes after beach fill was emplaced. Results reveal how nourishment projects used for shore protection can restore the space available for dunes to form, increase the likelihood of sediment transfers inland and increase the diversity of topography and vegetation. Beach raking prevents formation and growth of hummocky, incipient backshore dunes that would otherwise evolve into a naturally functioning foredune. Sand-trapping fences can speed the process of foredune development but can be counterproductive if they interfere with transport to beach grass (Ammophila littoralis) planted landward of them. Shore protection structures can provide stability and more time for dune evolution on eroding shores, resulting in greater species richness and longer retention of ecological niches. These structures need not be required if re-nourishment occurs frequently enough to provide a beach wide enough to protect against storm wave uprush.     

Evaluation of genotoxic effects of benzene and its derivatives in workers of gas stations

The search for reliable biomarkers of human exposure to benzene and its derivatives is still subject of research. Many of the proposed biomarkers have limitations ranging from the low sensitivity to the wide variability of results. Thus, the aim of our study was to assess the frequencies of chromosomal abnormalities (CA) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) in workers of gas stations, with (cases, n?=?19) and without (local controls, n?=?6) risk of exposure to benzene and its derivatives, comparing them with the results from the general population (external controls, n?=?38). The blood dosages of benzene, toluene, and xylenes were measured in all participants. Blood solvent levels were compared with the findings obtained in cytogenetic evaluation and a research protocol which included data of the workplace, lifestyle, and health of the individuals. We did not detect the presence of benzene and its derivatives and did not find chromosomal damage that may be associated with the gas station activity in cases. Moreover, although we found an association of increased SCE and the working time in the local controls, the values found for SCE are within normal limits. Thus, our evaluation of SCE and CA reflected the levels of benzene and its derivatives observed in the blood. We believe, therefore, that SCE and CA may actually constitute possible tests for the evaluation of these exposures. However, we believe that further studies, including individuals at risk, are important to confirm this assertion.     

Application of nano-FIA-Direct-EI-MS to determine diethylene glycol in produced formation water discharges and seawater samples

Diethylene glycol (DEG) is extensively used on offshore gas platforms to prevent the hydrate formation during the gas-water separation process and to inhibit corrosion events. This chemical might enter in the marine environment via the produced formation water (PFW) discharge. In this study, a new approach was applied to the investigation of the DEG content in PFW discharges and seawater samples from four gas installation platforms in the Adriatic Sea (Italy). The method includes an off-line solid-phase extraction/pre-concentration technique, followed by a nanoscale flow injection/direct-electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometric analysis. Direct-EI is a novel and miniaturized interface for directly coupling a liquid chromatograph with an electron ionization mass spectrometer. The capability to acquire EI spectra, and to operate in selected ion monitoring mode during actual sample analyses, allowed a precise quantification of DEG with a method limit of detection of 31microg/l. In addition, a careful evaluation of the matrix effect showed that, as opposed to electrospray ionization, the response of the Direct-EI interface was not affected by sample interferences.     

Noninvasive characterization of the Trecate (Italy) crude-oil contaminated site: links between contamination and geophysical signals

The characterization of contaminated sites can benefit from the supplementation of direct investigations with a set of less invasive and more extensive measurements. A combination of geophysical methods and direct push techniques for contaminated land characterization has been proposed within the EU FP7 project ModelPROBE and the affiliated project SoilCAM. In this paper, we present results of the investigations conducted at the Trecate field site (NW Italy), which was affected in 1994 by crude oil contamination. The less invasive investigations include ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), and electromagnetic induction (EMI) surveys, together with direct push sampling and soil electrical conductivity (EC) logs. Many of the geophysical measurements were conducted in time-lapse mode in order to separate static and dynamic signals, the latter being linked to strong seasonal changes in water table elevations. The main challenge was to extract significant geophysical signals linked to contamination from the mix of geological and hydrological signals present at the site. The most significant aspects of this characterization are: (a) the geometrical link between the distribution of contamination and the site’s heterogeneity, with particular regard to the presence of less permeable layers, as evidenced by the extensive surface geophysical measurements; and (b) the link between contamination and specific geophysical signals, particularly evident from cross-hole measurements. The extensive work conducted at the Trecate site shows how a combination of direct (e.g., chemical) and indirect (e.g., geophysical) investigations can lead to a comprehensive and solid understanding of a contaminated site’s mechanisms.     

Metal and metallothionein concentrations in Paracentrotus lividus from Amvrakikos gulf (Ionian Sea-Greece)

Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Fe and metallothioneins (MTs) were measured in the gonads of Paracentrotus lividus from Amvrakikos gulf (Ionian Sea, Greece). Three natural populations were selected; two of them, growing inside the gulf (Agios Thomas and Koronisia), presented higher density and smaller body size than the population living in a coastal area just outside the gulf (Mytikas). Metal and MT levels were not elevated, with the exception of Zn, showing high values related to the reproduction stage of the sea urchins. Significant geographical variations were recorded in the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr and MTs. The highest mean and maximum values of Cu, Zn and MTs were recorded in Agios Thomas while Cd and Cr were higher in Mytikas population. Copper, Zn, Fe and MT concentrations were negatively correlated to the sea urchin body size, while a positive concentration-size relationship was observed for Cd. Although all studied populations grow in a low metal level marine environment, urchins with smaller body size living in a food limited marine environment showed higher gonadosomatic index, metal concentrations and MT levels in their gonads (Agios Thomas and Koronisia) than larger specimens growing in a food unlimited area (Mytikas).     

Effects of atmospheric pollution on lichen biodiversity (LB) in a Mediterranean region (Liguria, northwest Italy)

The effects of air pollution on lichen biodiversity (LB) were monitored in Liguria (northwest Italy). A systematic sampling strategy was adopted in order to avoid the influence of spatial autocorrelation on the results. An eight LB class scale permitted to point out the levels of naturality/alteration in the region. The comparison of these results with the ones obtained by mean of physico-chemical methodologies shows a good accordance. The results of this study suggest the possibility of designing an integrated monitoring network, in which biological monitoring will allow to estimate the level of alteration in remote areas, which account for most of this region and which are currently not covered by measurements with automatic systems.     

A new route for the chemical valorisation of lactose

A totally protected di-O-benzyl derivative of triacetonlactose dimethyl acetal was transformed into a 4'-hexeno disaccharide by elimination of acetone with t-BuOK in DMF and subsequently in 5'-C-methoxy derivative by oxidation with MCPBA in methanol as a solvent. The hydrolysis of this latter compound affords 2,6-di-O-benzyl-L-arabino-aldohexosos-5-ulose, which by intramolecular aldol condensation with DBU gives an inosose that was stereoselectively reduced to epi-inositol. Therefore our synthetic strategy offers a new and simple method to transform lactose into carbocyclic monosaccharide analogues.