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Metals (trace elements and rare earth elements, REEs) were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in blood, the liver, the kidney and muscle of ex situ spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus stellaris). The controlled environment in which these elasmobranchs were hosted allowed to assess a baseline level of metals in the different organs since exposure via water and food can be easily monitored. The highest arsenic, chromium, copper, and iron values were found in the liver, cobalt in the kidney, and cadmium and rubidium in muscle. The highest total trace elements content was found in the trend liver (75 mg kg

Honey is a very unusual food - a natural substance produced by bees from the nectar or secretion of plants and elaborated by the bees themselves. Differences in trace elements and rare earth elements (REEs) are related to botanical and geographical origin, and, as such, honey could be a suitable indicator for metal occurrence in the environment within the bee forage area. A total of 40 metals were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in multi-floral honey samples from different geographical areas. The highest levels of trace elements and REEs were found in honey from Tanzania, while lower concentrations were recorded in Italian, Kazakhstan, the Balkans, and South American honeys. Tanzanian honey is of interest due to its different content of metals, related to the peculiar lithology and the mineral resources of this country. Rubidium and aluminum were the most represented nonessential elements, while manganese, iron, zinc, and copper registered the highest values of the essential elements. Very low concentrations were found for the toxic elements lead, cadmium, and arsenic. The present study showed differences in metal concentrations in multi-floral honey from different countries, confirming the strong influence of the area of origin on the chemical composition of honeys.

Alpine lakes are extreme ecosystems located in remote areas and populated by few but well-adapted species. Because of their remote location, they are often considered pristine, unpolluted ecosystems. Since the 1980s, however, they have been affected by global anthropogenic impacts. Macrobenthic invertebrates play a pivotal role in these ecosystems and can be used as bioindicators also for monitoring the accumulation of trace elements. We characterized the macrobenthic invertebrates community of Balma Lake (Cottian Alps, Northwest Italy) and Dimon Lake (Carnic Alps, Northeast Italy) in summer and autumn and measured the levels of nine trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn) in the most abundant taxa (Chironomidae and Oligochaeta in both lakes and Hirudinea in Dimon Lake) in both seasons. The highest levels of trace elements were recorded for Fe, Cu, and Zn according to their environmental availability and their function as essential elements. The total amount of trace elements was highest for the Chironomidae from both lakes compared to the other two taxa. As, Cd, Pb, and Zn were measured in sediment to calculate bioaccumulation factor (BAF) values. The amount of elements in sediment and macrobenthic invertebrates was higher for Dimon Lake, suggesting a greater flux via precipitation of contaminants from the lowland. The BAF values were decreased with increasing trace elements concentration in sediment, indicating mechanisms of elements excretion in biota where the environment is contaminated. This study is the first to report on the use of macrobenthic invertebrates to monitor trace elements in Alpine lakes.