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Permanent artificial lighting systems in tourist underground environments promote the proliferation of photoautotrophic biofilms, commonly referred to as lampenflora, on damp rock and sediment surfaces. These green-colored biofilms play a key role in the alteration of native community biodiversity and the irreversible deterioration of colonized substrates. Comprehensive chemical or physical treatments to sustainably remove and control lampenflora are still lacking. This study employs an integrated approach to explore the biodiversity, eco-physiology and molecular composition of lampenflora from the Pertosa-Auletta Cave, in Italy. Reflectance analysis showed that photoautotrophic biofilms are able to absorb the totality of the visible spectrum, reflecting only the near-infrared light. This phenomenon results from the production of secondary pigments and the adaptability of these organisms to different metabolic regimes. The biofilm structure mainly comprises filamentous organisms intertwined with the underlying mineral layer, which promote structural alterations of the rock layer due to the biochemical attack of both prokaryotes (mostly represented by Brasilonema angustatum) and eukaryotes (Ephemerum spinulosum and Pseudostichococcus monallantoides), composing the community. Regardless of the corrosion processes, secondary CaCO3 minerals are also found in the biological matrix, which are probably biologically mediated. These findings provide valuable information for the sustainable control of lampenflora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charophytes are amongst the most endangered primary producers in freshwater and coastal ecosystems. In spite of the extensive research on the group and its ecological and conservational relevance, scarce information is available on Mediterranean environments, especially rivers and small water reservoirs, where charophytes face challenging summer droughts and changes in hydrological regimes, as well as pervasive anthropogenic pressures. This research aimed, through repeated field observations, detailed analyses of population traits, and extensive characterization of the colonized environments, to foster an understanding of the distribution, biodiversity, and ecology of charophytes in an area of exceptional environmental value and that is still uninvestigated in relation to its charophyte flora, the southern Campania region (Italy). Overall, 17 populations were discovered, belonging to 4 taxa of the Chara genus: C. globularis, C. gymnophylla, C. vulgaris, and C. vulgaris var. papillata, reduced to 12 populations and to the first 3 taxa by the end of the study. The species occupied different ecological niches and colonized environments such as rivers and small ponds, with environment-dependent morphotypes. The occurrence of few taxa with a wide distribution, often forming ephemeral populations, suggests ongoing constraints on charophyte biodiversity in the area, favoring opportunistic species that are able to benefit from temporary refugia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microbiota associated with vermiculations from karst caves is largely unknown. Vermiculations are enigmatic deposits forming worm-like patterns on cave walls all over the world. They represent a precious focus for geomicrobiological studies aimed at exploring both the microbial life of these ecosystems and the vermiculation genesis. This study comprises the first approach on the microbial communities thriving in Pertosa-Auletta Cave (southern Italy) vermiculations by next-generation sequencing. The most abundant phylum in vermiculations was Proteobacteria, followed by Acidobacteria > Actinobacteria > Nitrospirae > Firmicutes > Planctomycetes > Chloroflexi > Gemmatimonadetes > Bacteroidetes > Latescibacteria. Numerous less-represented taxonomic groups (< 1%), as well as unclassified ones, were also detected. From an ecological point of view, all the groups co-participate in the biogeochemical cycles in these underground environments, mediating oxidation-reduction reactions, promoting host rock dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation, and enriching the matrix in organic matter. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy brought evidence of a strong interaction between the biotic community and the abiotic matrix, supporting the role of microbial communities in the formation process of vermiculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Biowaste compost promoted crop yields equal to or higher than chemical fertilizers. • Biowaste compost can plays a pivotal role in soil fertility of horticultural vegetable cropping systems. • Risk of NO3 leaching is equally low for both chemical fertilizers and composts. • SOC content at 10 g kg−1 corresponded to a degraded soil fertility. • SOC in a range12-14 g kg−1 enhanced soil autonomy from chemical fertilizers. The intensification of agriculture has been distorting the perception of fertility, with a great attention on its chemical component, reinforced by the use of chemical fertilizers as a major option to manage soil fertility. The consequent decline in soil organic matter content is a threat to the sustainability of intensive agricultural systems. Improving soil quality by increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) is seen as a potential way of improving crop yield and quality. In this paper, we studied the effects of two compost-based fertilization strategies on soil fertility and on yields of the following seven vegetable crops: eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), Endive (Cichorium endivia L.), Tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) Karsten Exfarw), Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L), Onion (Allium cepa L. var. cepa), Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L), Fennel (Pheniculum vulgare L). The results of a seven-year experiment carried out under open field conditions in Southern Italy are presented. Four different fertilization treatments were applied: a) unfertilized control (CNT) b) supplying of mineral N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O by chemical fertilizers (CF); c) biowaste compost amendment at 30 Mg ha−1 year−1 as dry matter (d.m.) (≈ 8.4 Mg ha−1 organic C) in the first three years, and 15 Mg ha−1 year−1 as d.m. (≈ 4.2 Mg ha−1 organic C) from the fourth year onwards (Com); d) biowaste compost application of 15 Mg ha−1 year−1 as d.m. integrated with ½ of mineral N supplied in the mineral fertilization (ComN). We demonstrated that the loss of the productive ability in unfertilized control corresponded to SOC concentration ≤ 1%, the same occurred with CF fertilization where, however, the addition of chemical fertilizers concealed soil degradation. On the contrary, SOC concentration ranging between 1.2 and 1.4% in compost amended treatments granted vegetable crops yields always higher than or similar to mineral fertilization. Such SOC concentrations were far from the 2% threshold considered as the minimum SOC concentration of not degraded soil. SOC content increased 8.1 and 5.7 Mg ha−1 due to Com and ComN strategies. The supplying of 4-5 Mg C ha−1 year−1 as in ComN resulted in a positive efficiency (15%) in stabilizing C in soil compared to the supplying of higher doses as in Com. As concerns the risks of groundwater pollution due to N-NO 3 releases in amended soils, we ascertained in three annual monitoring campaigns that releases measured in the 0-30 cm soil layer did not exceed values of 20-25 mg kg−1 considered as the treshold above which vegetable crop response to additional fertilization was unlikely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• M. aquatica is a promising cosmopolitan biomonitor of PTEs in freshwater ecosystems. • M. aquatica roots can accumulate PTEs over wide concentration ranges. • The joint use of two selected hydrophytes enhanced biomonitoring accuracy. • Spatial and temporal PTE concentration gradients were highlighted in a sensitive area. • High Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn concentrations were observed near three karst springs. Environmental monitoring in sensitive areas is crucial to develop and adapt governance policies. In this context, biomonitoring provides information not only on environmental contamination gradients, but also on the actual pollutant bioavailabilities and, using bioaccumulators, on their possible transfer through the food webs. The spatial distribution of suitable bioaccumulators, however, may limit the effectiveness of biomonitoring. To relieve this constraint, we investigated the usefulness of Mentha aquatica as a novel cosmopolitan biomonitor of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in freshwater ecosystems, using Helosciadium nodiflorum , a widely recognized biomonitor, as a reference for environmental concentration gradients. The biomonitors were then employed in deriving spatial gradients of macronutrient (Ca, K, Mg, P, S), micronutrient (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, Ni, Si, V, Zn) and non-essential element (Al, As, Cd, Pb) concentrations in the area of one of the largest Italian national parks. Over two years and a large number of sites, M. aquatica roots provided PTE concentration gradients comparable to those obtained using H. nodiflorum roots, demonstrating their usefulness in PTE biomonitoring and widening the range of suitable biomonitors for freshwater ecosystems. At the same time, the joint use of M. aquatica and H. nodiflorum enhanced the accuracy of concentration gradients measured in two of the main freshwater ecosystems within the "Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni" National Park (southern Italy). The study, performed for two consecutive years over 43 sites along the Bussento and Calore Salernitano rivers, pointed out several criticalities, attributable either to natural or anthropogenic sources. High natural concentrations of Al, As, Na, Si and V were mainly related to local characteristics (proximity to sea, sediment texture) or generalized lithological background (pyroclastic deposits on carbonates), whereas local high concentrations of Co, Fe and Mn were mainly related to direct or indirect anthropogenic sources (proximity to urban centers, wastewater treatment plants). Moreover, unusual high concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn were observed at three spring mouths, suggesting changes in their bioavailability due to spring water physico-chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike the spectacular speleothems that can often be found in numerous caves, vermiculations are rather unassuming formations, whose origin and evolution still subject of several heated debates. In order to provide a quantitative basis for the understanding of the nature and evolution of vermiculations in karst environments, the geochemical properties of one of the most important karst systems of southern Italy, the Pertosa-Auletta Cave, were studied through a comprehensive approach which included elemental, mineralogical and microscopy analyses. The chemical element abundances, mineral composition and microstructure of the vermiculations covering the entire range of morphologies and colours observed in the case-study cave were investigated, thus providing the first quantitative record of these traits. The vermiculations presented exceptional diversity in their morphology, colour, chemical and mineral composition, with it being due to exogenous determinants such as the deposition of stream sediments or organic matter as well as the development of photoautotrophic communities. They were invariably composed of calcite, associated to quartz as well as clays and other secondary minerals, the formation of which may be biologically mediated. This occurrence, and the evidences of microbial activity observed through dissolution traces, support the possible involvement of biogenic processes in vermiculation development. • Morphology, chemistry and mineralogy of vermiculations have been investigated. • Vermiculations from Pertosa-Auletta Cave exhibit exceptional diversity. • Local and broad-scale factors contribute to vermiculation diversity. • Clays and other minerals on a calcite matrix constitute vermiculations. • Microbial involvement in micro-scale vermiculation traits has been documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important crops in the world and represents a key crop in southern Italy. With the aim to evaluate the nutritional characteristics of tomato fruits in relation to NPK and compost fertilisation, the concentrations of the main nutrients, toxic elements, primary metabolites and total phenols were determined in two varieties (Lido and San Marzano). Each variety was cultivated in a different experimental field, subjected to different agronomic techniques., Results: Concentrations of toxic elements (Cd and Pb) were below the limits indicated by the EU Regulation (2011) in all the fruits analysed. Moreover, fruits obtained from San Marzano plants grown on organic amended soils showed a better overall quality than those obtained on mineral fertilised soil, being characterised by lower N (attributed to lower nitrate and nitrite concentrations), lower Cd, and higher soluble sugar concentrations. Higher concentrations of soluble sugars in fruits from organic amended soils were also observed in the Lido variety., Conclusions: The agricultural use of quality compost represents an effective strategy to obtain high quality products in an economically and environmentally sustainable way. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Total concentrations of Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn were compared from October 1996 to April 1998 in Physcia biziana (Massal.) Zhalbr. v. leptophylla Vezda and in the bark of Quercus ilex L. sampled from the same trees at an urban park. Trace metal concentrations were also measured in the bark covered by the lichen thalli. The lichens showed significantly higher Cr, Fe, Ni and Zn concentrations than both uncovered and covered barks. By contrast, both types of barks had higher concentrations of Cd and Pb than lichens. Trace elements showed a wide temporal variation of concentrations both in the lichens and barks. No relationship was found between the analysed matrices as regards the time course of trace element concentrations.

Surface soils and one-year-old Quercus ilex L. leaves were investigated for element concentrations to evaluate the air quality of some sites in Campania (Southern Italy). Sampling was carried out at 7 natural and 7 urban sites from September 1998 to February 1999. The investigated elements were Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn. At the urban sites, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb Leaf concentrations were on average two fold higher than at the natural sites. Cu, Pb and Zn soil concentrations were also higher at the urban sites. On the contrary, Cd, Cr and Mn soil concentrations were significantly lower than at the natural sites. Leaf and soil element concentrations were positively correlated for Cu and Pb, and negatively correlated for Cr. Both leaves and soil element accumulations showed a conspicuous deposition of Cu, Pb and Zn at the urban sites of Campania.