Phytoplankton photosynthetic activity and growth rates in the NW Adriatic Sea

Taxonomic composition, biomass, primary production and growth rates of the phytoplankton community were studied in two stations in the NW Adriatic Sea on a seasonal basis, in areas characterized by differing hydrological and trophic conditions. The main differences between the two stations were quantitative rather than qualitative, most phytoplankton species being common to both stations. The effects of differing nutrient concentrations and plume spreading were evident. Biomass and primary production rates were significantly higher in the coastal station (S1), and the phytoplankton distribution in the water column was markedly stratified in S1 and more even in the offshore station (S3). However, chlorophyll a specific production, potential growth rate and production efficiencies were very similar in both stations, even when phosphorus concentrations were limiting. A discrepancy between potential and actual growth rate was observed: as a feature common to both stations, comparisons between potential and actual growth rates revealed that little carbon produced by phytoplankton accumulated as algal biomass; therefore, very high loss rates were estimated.     

Perception of Forest Values in the Alpine Community of Trentino Region (Italy)

Values are generally defined as social facts that orientate individual and collective actions, and consequently influence political, economic and social systems. The evaluation of natural resource values is considered an important instrument to support decision making in environmental policy. The forest is an important renewable resource that provides a mix of social, economic and environmental values for society. The paper presents a survey method to collect and analyse individual preferences relating to three macro-categories of forest values. The survey method was tested in the Trentino region (north-east of the Italian Alps) and will soon be extended to other areas. The results of the questionnaires provided evidence that the forest economic value is perceived as least important, while the environmental values were appreciated the most. Regarding the principle social variables, males tended to give higher scores to all three macro-categories compared to females. Moreover, people with a low education also gave higher scores to all three categories in comparison to the more educated individuals.     

Genetic and DNA-methylation changes induced by potassium dichromate in Brassica napus L

This study evaluated genetic and DNA methylation alteration induced by potassium dichromate in Brassica napus L. plants. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and selective amplification of polymorphic loci (SAMPL) tests revealed dose-related increases in sequence alterations in plantlets exposed to 10-200 mg/l potassium dichromate. Individual plantlets exposed to chromium under similar conditions showed different AFLP and SAMPL DNA profiles. These observations suggest random DNA mutation in response to potassium dichromate and argue against preferential sites for mutation. DNA methylation changes in response to chromium treatment were also evaluated. Two complementary approaches were applied: (i) immunolabelling, using a monoclonal antibody against 5-methylcytosine; and (ii) methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP). Immunolabelling showed cytosine-hypermethylation in the Brassica napus L. genome when plants were treated with potassium dichromate. MSAP analysis showed extensive methylation changes in CCGG-sequences, with the net result being genome-wide hypermethylation. These results showed a clear DNA alteration in plants as a response to chromium exposure and the effect was dose-dependent. DNA polymorphism detected by different markers supports the effectiveness of the use of these tools for the investigation of environmental toxicology and for evaluating the concentration of pollutants by DNA analysis in plants.     

Heavy metals monitoring at a Mediterranean natural ecosystem of Central Italy. Trends in different environmental matrixes

The study deals with the evaluation of the impact of heavy metal pollution on a Mediterranean natural ecosystem, and presents the results derived from a monitoring of heavy metals in different environmental matrixes (atmospheric dry depositions, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and stemflow of forest trees). Two sites in Castelporziano Presidential Estate (Rome), one internal and one near the sea-side, were chosen in order to assess the differences in pollutant load. Results showed that heavy metal contamination can arise from local anthropogenic activities, in particular road traffic, and long-range pollution, from industrial and artisan activities near Rome.     

Volatile organic compounds produced during the aerobic biological processing of municipal solid waste in a pilot plant

The volatile organic carbon (VOC) and odours emitted during the aerobic biological processing of municipal solid waste (MSW) was studied in a pilot-scale reactor. VOCs were detected by different techniques on solid waste samples and the outlet air stream, before and after a biofilter. Organic compounds (alpha-pinene, beta-myrcene, D-limonene) were also measured in condensate water and leachate from the process. Results showed uniformity in the composition of the air in the solid waste samples, air sampled during the process and condensed water, indicating a matrix-derived origin of these compounds. Leachates, however, contained substances with a quite different molecular structure from the compounds identified in the gaseous fraction. Most of the substances in the gaseous effluent had a hydrocarbon-like structure, mainly terpenoids. The odour produced and detected through olfactometry agreed with GC-MS analyses. This was true above all for terpenes.     

Long-term effect of sewage sludge application on soil humic acids

Sewage sludges are used in agriculture because they act as a fertilizer. Long-term studies are needed to evaluate the effect of sewage sludge on soil properties by paying particular attention to the soil organic matter. Soil plots were amended for 10 years with 1Mg dry matter ha(-1)year(-1) of sewage sludge. Chemical parameters such as total organic carbon (TOC), N, C/N ratio and CEC were determined when this period ended. Moreover, TOC was fractionated into humified and non-humified fractions. Humic acids (HA) were isolated and studied by elemental analysis, DRIFT, (1)H NMR and CPMAS 13C NMR spectroscopies. At the end of the tests, compared to the control soil, the sludge-amended soil did not exhibit change in total organic C and related humified fractions. However, the HA composition of the soil treated with sludge had developed an HA composition closer to that of the HA-sludge as a result of the enrichment of recalcitrant fractions contained in the sludge.     

Spray-dry desulfurization of flue gas from heavy oil combustion

An experimental investigation on sulfur dioxide removal in a pilot-scale spray dryer from the flue gas generated by combustion of low-sulfur (S) heavy oil is reported. A limewater slurry was sprayed through an ultrasonic two-fluid atomizer in the spray-dry chamber, and the spent sorbent was collected downstream in a pulse-jet baghouse together with fly ash. Flue gas was sampled at different points to measure the desulfurization efficiency after both the spray-dry chamber and the baghouse. Parametric tests were performed to study the effect of the following variables: gas inlet temperature, difference between gas outlet temperature and adiabatic saturation temperature, lime-to-S ratio, and average size of lime particles in the slurry. Results indicated that spray drying is an effective technology for the desulfurization of low-S fuel oil flue gas, provided operating conditions are chosen carefully. In particular, the lowest gas inlet and outlet temperatures compatible with baghouse operation should be selected, as should a sufficiently high lime-to-S ratio. The attainment of a small lime particle size in the slurry is critical for obtaining a high desulfurization efficiency. A previously presented spray-dry flue gas desulfurization model was used to simulate the pilot-scale desulfurization tests, to check the ability of the model to predict the S capture data and its usefulness as a design tool, minimizing the need for pilot-scale experimentation. Comparison between model and experimental results was fairly good for the whole range of calcium/S ratios considered.     

Lichen biomonitoring of trace metals in the Pistoia area (central northern Italy)

The epiphytic lichen Parmelia caperata (L.) Ach. was used as bioaccumulator of the heavy metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn in the environs of the town of Pistoia (central northern Italy). The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Hg and Pb were comparable with those found in areas not subject to atmospheric pollution. Copper and especially Zn were found in rather high concentrations. Fertilizers and pesticides were the main source of atmospheric contamination.     

Source apportionment and location by selective wind sampling and Positive Matrix Factorization

In order to determine the pollution sources in a suburban area and identify the main direction of their origin, PM_2.5 was collected with samplers coupled with a wind select sensor and then subjected to Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) analysis. In each sample, soluble ions, organic carbon, elemental carbon, levoglucosan, metals, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined. PMF results identified six main sources affecting the area: natural gas home appliances, motor vehicles, regional transport, biomass combustion, manufacturing activities, and secondary aerosol. The connection of factor temporal trends with other parameters (i.e., temperature, PM_2.5 concentration, and photochemical processes) confirms factor attributions. PMF analysis indicated that the main source of PM_2.5 in the area is secondary aerosol. This should be mainly due to regional contributions, owing to both the secondary nature of the source itself and the higher concentration registered in inland air masses. The motor vehicle emission source contribution is also important. This source likely has a prevalent local origin. The most toxic determined components, i.e., PAHs, Cd, Pb, and Ni, are mainly due to vehicular traffic. Even if this is not the main source in the study area, it is the one of greatest concern. The application of PMF analysis to PM_2.5 collected with this new sampling technique made it possible to obtain more detailed results on the sources affecting the area compared to a classical PMF analysis.     

Food web of a confined and anthropogenically affected coastal basin (the Mar Piccolo of Taranto) revealed by carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes analyses

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis was used to examine the food web of the Mar Piccolo of Taranto, a coastal basin experiencing several anthropogenic impacts. Main food sources (algal detritus, seaweeds, particulate organic matter (POM) and sediment organic matter (SOM)) and benthic and pelagic consumers were collected during two contrasting seasons (June and April), at four sites distributed over two inlets, and characterized by different level of confinements, anthropogenic inputs and the presence of mussels farming. δ¹³C values of organic sources revealed an important contribution of POM to both planktonic and benthic pathways, as well as the influence of terrigenous inputs within both inlets, probably due to high seasonal land runoff. Although δ¹³C of both sources and consumers varied little between sampling sites and dates, δ¹⁵N spatial variability was higher and clearly reflected the organic enrichment in the second inlet as well as the uptake of anthropogenically derived material by benthic consumers. On the other hand, within the first inlet, the isotopic composition of consumers did not change in response to chemical contamination. However, the impact of polluted sediments near the Navy Arsenal in the first inlet was detectable at the level of the macrobenthic trophic structure, showing high dominance of motile, upper level consumers capable to face transient conditions and the reduction of the more resident deposit feeders. We therefore underline the great potential of matching stable isotope analysis with quantitative studies of community structure to assess the effects of multiple anthropogenic stressors.