Review
Environmental Sciences
Huu Cong Vo, Minh Hen Pham
Summary: Microplastics have significant effects on aquatic organisms, with evidence limited on their ecotoxicological effects. Research shows that microplastics in aquatic environments absorb toxic organic chemicals and heavy metals, with concentrations exceeding safe thresholds. Microplastics from certain sources exhibit greater toxicity towards aquatic organisms, affecting various systems. Understanding the cumulative toxic expression of microplastics in different polluted environments is crucial.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Martina Miloloza, Dajana Kucic Grgic, Tomislav Bolanca, Sime Ukic, Matija Cvetnic, Vesna Ocelic Bulatovic, Dionysios D. Dionysiou, Hrvoje Kusic
Summary: The increase in high living standards and modern ways of life have led to a rise in plastic products usage, resulting in more plastic debris in the environment, with a particular focus on microplastics (MPs) as emerging contaminants of concern. This review examines the adverse effects of MPs on the environment, particularly on aquatic organisms, and discusses the cumulative toxic effects of MPs and adsorbed pollutants. It also covers the sources of MPs discharge, classification methods, and monitoring techniques to address the complex issue of MPs in the environment.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Alvine C. Mehinto, Jayme Smith, Ellie Wenger, Beckye Stanton, Regina Linville, Bryan W. Brooks, Martha A. Sutula, Meredith D. A. Howard
Summary: In recent decades, cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) have been increasing in freshwater ecosystems, impacting water quality through the production of potent cyanotoxins. Microcystins are the most studied cyanotoxins, with ecotoxicological investigations primarily focusing on fish and aquatic invertebrates. Current U.S. EPA recreational water quality criteria for microcystin may protect against acute toxicity in aquatic organisms but might not be sufficient for chronic toxicity, suggesting the need for more stringent thresholds to protect aquatic life.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Leticia C. Goncalves, Matheus M. Roberto, Paloma V. L. Peixoto, Cristina Viriato, Adriana F. C. da Silva, Valdenilson J. A. de Oliveira, Mariza C. C. Nardi, Lilian C. Pereira, Dejanira de F. de Angelis, Maria A. Marin-Morales
Summary: This study assessed the ecotoxicity of effluents generated in beauty salons after the hair dyeing process. The results showed that cosmetic residues in the effluents had harmful effects on aquatic organisms, indicating a high toxic potential of hair dyes for aquatic biota even at low concentrations.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Subramanian Ramya, Ayyanar Barathinivas, Ramaraj Jayakumararaj, Chinnathambi Pothiraj, Daoud Ali, Giuseppe Piccione, Cristiana Roberta Multisanti, Paulraj Balaji, Caterina Faggio
Summary: Fish maintain body fluid homeostasis through iono-/osmoregulation mechanisms. Pesticide-induced ionic imbalance can result in toxic effects. This study evaluated the effects of synthetic and organo-chemical pesticides on ion metabolism in freshwater catfish. Results showed that chemical pesticides had more adverse effects compared to organo-chemical pesticides. The findings have implications for the use of pesticides in rice fields.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paweena Sanpradit, Eunjin Byeon, Jae-Seong Lee, Saranya Peerakietkhajorn
Summary: Climate change affects aquatic ecosystems by raising water temperature, which in turn has adverse effects on organisms. The mass production of zinc oxide during industrial activities has led to environmental contamination, making the toxicological effects of zinc oxide more concerning under climate change scenarios. Understanding the toxicity of zinc oxide under the main factors driven by climate change is crucial.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY C-TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Urszula Klekotka, Diana Rogacz, Izabela Szymanek, Julita Malejko, Piotr Rychter, Beata Kalska-Szostko
Summary: The aim of this study is to assess the ecotoxicity of magnetite iron oxide-based nanoparticles on terrestrial and aquatic organisms. By evaluating various organisms, it was found that these nanoparticles are harmful to organisms from different trophic levels. Physical and chemical characterization of the nanoparticles was also performed.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marjori Brenda Leite Marques, Isabella Alves Brunetti, Camila Aparecida Faleiros, Claudinei da Cruz, Hafiz M. N. Iqbal, Muhammad Bilal, Juliana Heloisa Pine Americo-Pinheiro
Summary: This study evaluated the ecotoxicity of chlorpyrifos on neotropical aquatic organisms and determined the sensitivity order of different species. The research indicates that the environmental poisoning risk of chlorpyrifos may vary depending on the aquatic trophic level.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Md. Refat Jahan Rakib, Aniruddha Sarker, Kirpa Ram, Md. Giash Uddin, Tony R. Walker, Tanzin Chowdhury, Jamal Uddin, Mayeen Uddin Khandaker, Mohammed M. Rahman, Abubakr M. Idris
Summary: Microplastics are prevalent pollutants that can be found in aquatic ecosystems globally. They can be ingested by aquatic species and transferred through higher trophic level food webs. However, most studies on microplastic aquatic toxicity have been conducted in laboratory settings, and the impact of microplastics on aquatic species and higher trophic level consumers in natural ecosystems is still relatively unknown. This study provides an overview of microplastic transport pathways, ecotoxicology, food web transfer, and examples of toxic pollutants sorbed onto microplastics in aquatic food webs, aiming to guide future research priorities in understanding microplastic toxicity through aquatic food webs.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raquel Sampaio Jacob, Cristiano V. M. Araujo, Lucilaine Valeria de Souza Santos, Victor Rezende Moreira, Yuri Abner Rocha Lebron, Lisete Celina Lange
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the risks of four different pharmaceutical active compounds, showing that omeprazole was acutely toxic, while other PhACs exhibited chronic toxicity. The study also found that the chemicals' mode of action seemed to determine their repellency or attractiveness, highlighting the potential environmental disturbance they may cause.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raizza Zorman Marques, Leticia Yoshie Kochi, Maria Guzman-Tordecilla, Laura Malage, Philippe Juneau, Marcelo Pedrosa Gomes
Summary: Water contamination by pharmaceuticals, specifically azithromycin, ivermectin, and hydroxychloroquine used for COVID-19 treatment, poses environmental risks to cyanobacteria and microalgae. These drugs have individual and combined effects on growth, photosynthesis, and antioxidant activity of the tested species. Further investigation is needed to understand their ecotoxicological effects on aquatic ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fen Yang, Chaoyang Wei, Huan Zhang, Xiao Yang
Summary: Bioaccumulation through diet is the main source of metal(loid)s in fishes. This study investigated the diet compositions of aquatic organisms and their potential food sources using stomach content analysis, stable isotope analysis, and a Bayesian mixing model. The results showed that aquatic organisms mainly obtained their nutrients from fine particulate organic matter and epilithon, with smaller contributions from leaf litter, coarse particulate organic matter, and fish.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
M. Camil Rex, Abhrajit Debroy, M. Joyce Nirmala, Amitava Mukherjee
Summary: The unsustainable manufacturing, utilization and inadequate handling of plastics have caused a significant increase in global plastic pollution. There is growing concern about the potential hazards associated with exposure to micro/nanoplastics (M/NPs). Understanding the environmental behavior of M/NPs, particularly in aquatic systems, where they are likely to accumulate, is crucial. The formation of a biocorona (BC) through interaction with biomolecules within aquatic organisms modifies the physicochemical attributes of M/NPs, such as size, stability, and surface charge. This review discusses the concept of BC formation, analytical techniques for characterizing it, and its implications on the toxicity, fate, and transport of M/NPs in the environment.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Amalia Rosner, Jean Armengaud, Loriano Ballarin, Stephanie Barnay-Verdier, Francesca Cima, Ana Varela Coelho, Isabelle Domart-Coulon, Damjana Drobne, Anne-Marie Geneviere, Anita Jemec Kokalj, Ewa Kotlarska, Daniel Mark Lyons, Tali Mass, Guy Paz, Ksenia Pazdro, Lorena Peric, Andreja Ramsak, Sebastian Rakers, Baruch Rinkevich, Antonietta Spagnuolo, Michela Sugni, Sebastien Cambier
Summary: Assessment of environmental stressors involves quantifying their impacts on various indicators such as species density, growth rates, reproduction, behavior, and physiology, as well as host-pathogen interactions and immunocompetence. Environmental stress may induce sublethal effects like mutations and epigenetic signatures, affecting offspring via transgenerational inheritance.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Rayssa Lima dos Santos, Jozelia Maria de Sousa Correia, Ednilza Maranhao dos Santos
Summary: This study compiled information on the use of freshwater turtles and crocodilians as environmental biomonitors of inorganic element contamination. The research found an overall increase in studies involving these species, with a variety of species and elements evaluated. Mainly utilizing atomic absorption spectroscopy for analysis, non-destructive matrices, and validation methods were used to ensure accuracy. The findings suggest that the use of aquatic reptiles in environmental monitoring research aids in public policy decision-making and management plans.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
S. Ceschin, A. Bellini, A. Salituro, L. Traversetti, N. T. W. Ellwood
Summary: The feeding strategy of Utricularia australis is highly dependent on prey availability and size, with a preference for moderately motile prey that can trigger the trap but be small enough to be easily captured. The study also suggests that the digestion process is fast enough to keep up with seasonal changes in the outside community, and the trapped community of U. australis is influenced by factors such as prey availability and trap stimulation by epiphytes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Federica Spani, Maria Pia Morigi, Matteo Bettuzzi, Massimiliano Scalici, Gabriele Gentile, Monica Carosi
Summary: This article summarizes scientific literature on the genital bones of primates, utilizing thorough analysis and updated data to present new findings and interpretations, laying the groundwork for further comparative studies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Alessandra Cera, Massimiliano Scalici
Summary: Current understanding of the exposure of freshwater organisms to microplastics is largely based on laboratory experiments, but field data provide valuable information on the occurrence and quantification of microplastics in different animal taxa. The research focuses on fish, mollusks, and arthropods, with some attention also given to birds and amphibians. Future studies should explore the impact of microplastics on mammals, reptiles, and plants, which are currently under-examined despite being endangered.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michela Perrone, Massimiliano Scalici, Luisa Conti, David Moravec, Jan Kropacek, Maria Sighicelli, Francesca Lecce, Marco Malavasi
Summary: This study assessed the potential of neural network models and remote sensing technology for monitoring chlorophyll content in freshwater lakes, while analyzing the relationship between remote sensing and in situ data under different water circulation conditions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giulia Cesarini, Massimiliano Scalici
Summary: Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to aquatic habitats worldwide, especially riparian zones. Research shows that riparian vegetation plays a crucial role in trapping plastic litter, with shrubby vegetation having the highest plastic density.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mario Carere, Antonio Antoccia, Annamaria Buschini, Giada Frenzilli, Francesca Marcon, Cristina Andreoli, Gessica Gorbi, Antonio Suppa, Serena Montalbano, Valentina Prota, Francesca De Battistis, Patrizia Guidi, Margherita Bernardeschi, Mara Palumbo, Vittoria Scarcelli, Marco Colasanti, Veronica D'Ezio, Tiziana Persichini, Massimiliano Scalici, Antonella Sgura, Federica Spani, Ion Udroiu, Martina Valenzuela, Ines Lacchetti, Kevin di Domenico, Walter Cristiano, Valentina Marra, Anna Maria Ingelido, Nicola Iacovella, Elena De Felip, Riccardo Massei, Laura Mancini
Summary: The study highlights the presence of a wide range of emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, personal care products, and PFAS, which can have a significant impact on environmental health. The use of Effect-Based Methods (EBMs) revealed chemical pollution and ecotoxicological effects in the river, providing insights for future studies and measures to monitor, mitigate, or eliminate chemical contamination and its adverse effects on ecosystem health.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giulia Cesarini, Alessandra Cera, Corrado Battisti, Davide Taurozzi, Massimiliano Scalici
Summary: This study examined the presence and distribution of plastic litter, as well as plastic entrapment by wrack on a natural reserve beach. Large microplastics, mainly white fragments, were the most common type found. Transparent fibers were the predominant plastics entangled by egagropiles. The study suggested a significant positive correlation between plastic and wrack weights near a breakwater, hinting at the potential influence of breakwaters on plastic deposition patterns.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
L. Gallitelli, C. Battisti, Z. Olivieri, C. Marandola, A. T. R. Acosta, M. Scalici
Summary: The study evaluated Carpobrotus spp. patches as potential litter traps in coastal dune systems, finding a significant difference in the amount of litter trapped between Carpobrotus and control patches, with plastic fragments being the most commonly trapped items. The research also suggests that managing Carpobrotus patches can contribute to solving beach litter issues by acting as a filter for anthropogenic materials, particularly plastics.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giulia Caneva, Simona Ceschin, Fernando Lucchese, Massimiliano Scalici, Corrado Battisti, Massimo Tufano, Maria Cristina Tullio, Emanuela Cicinelli
Summary: Urban rivers play vital ecological roles and provide ecosystem services, requiring management for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem sustainability. Data collection and assessment of anthropic impacts can enhance ecological resilience of urban river systems.
RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Federica Spani, Maria Pia Morigi, Matteo Bettuzzi, Massimiliano Scalici, Monica Carosi
Summary: Computed Tomography (CT) has been widely used in the medical field and is now being applied in Cultural Heritage studies. Micro-CT, combined with landmark-free shape analysis, allows for non-invasive exploration of the morphology and shape complexity of Cultural Heritage objects.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
S. Ceschin, E. Pelella, M. M. Azzella, A. Bellini, N. T. W. Ellwood
Summary: The discovery of large populations of Utricularia australis growing in deep water in Central Italian lakes is unprecedented. Quantitative-qualitative comparisons of subaerial and underwater flowers revealed some differences in morphological characters, such as the length of the floral scape and the size of the flowers. The possibility of stress-induced flowering due to underwater ecological conditions is also proposed.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
M. A. Iannelli, A. Bellini, I. Venditti, B. Casentini, C. Battocchio, M. Scalici, S. Ceschin
Summary: This paper investigated the phytotoxic effects of silver nitrate and silver nanoparticles on duckweeds. The results showed that both substances had negative impacts on plant growth and chlorophyll levels, with nanoparticles having a smaller effect. Duckweeds were found to be potential phytoremediation agents for silver ion-polluted water.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
G. Caneva, A. Bourmaud, A. Bellini, A. Melelli
Summary: This paper proposes an interpretation for the plant represented in the iconic painting in Pompeii called "Flora in Ariadne's house", suggesting it is flax. Flax was economically and culturally important and symbolized fertility and the afterlife, associated with the feminine sphere. This interpretation strengthens the proposed identification of the girl in yellow as Persephone, a wife transitioning to the afterlife.
RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Corrado Battisti, Luca Gallitelli, Massimiliano Scalici, Francesco M. Angelici
Summary: This study analyzed the temporal trends of nine key terms in the habitat fragmentation field and found that the most commonly used terms have been increasing over the years, with landscape connectivity showing the highest increase in frequency. On the other hand, the term ecological network planning appeared less frequently in the research.
Review
Fisheries
A. Cera, G. Cesarini, F. Spani, M. Scalici
Summary: Hydra vulgaris is commonly used for toxicological tests in freshwater ecosystems, showing potential as an early warning system for assessing the impact of emerging contaminants. Hydra assays have proven to be suitable monitoring tools for assessing freshwater ecotoxicity, offering a range of biomarkers and opportunities for innovative research.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2021)
