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Scientists have demonstrated the presence of microplastics (MPs) in tap and bottled water at various locations. On a global scale, there is still very limited information on MP pollution in drinking water. There are huge differences in reported MP concentration, but no clear conclusion can be drawn if MP content is higher in tap or bottled water. Up to date, it is not clear if these discrepancies arise from differences between the examined systems or from differences in quantification limits, the accuracy of the applied analytical techniques, or contamination during sampling, processing, and analysis. Furthermore, information on MP uptake and fate gained through animal and cell toxicity studies is very limited. To define a limit of tolerance for plastic pollution in drinking water, comparable data resulting from quality assured and controlled methods and more information on the potential uptake and fate of MPs in the human body are still needed.

Few studies have been published on occurrence and distribution on microplastics (MPs) in invertebrates from the Arctic. We still need to develop harmonised methods to enable good comparison between studies taking into account recovery rates, size ranges, shapes and polymer types. Here, we review studies on MPs in invertebrates from the Arctic and present suggestions on sampling protocols and potential indicator species. Since information on MPs in Arctic invertebrates is vastly lacking, we recommend to at least include suspension feeding bivalves like mussels in monitoring programmes to function as indicator species in the Arctic. Mussels have also been suggested as indicator species for MP monitoring in coastal regions further south. Although we recognise the challenge with particle selection and egestion in mussels as well as the relatively low concentrations of MPs in Arctic waters, uptake levels seem to represent recent exposures. More research is needed to understand these selection processes and how they affect the bioaccumulation processes. Future research should include studies on whether different functional groups of invertebrates have different exposures to MPs, e.g., if there are differences between sessile versus motile species or different feeding strategies. More knowledge on monitoring strategies for pelagic and benthic species is needed. Microplastics in arctic invertebrates- Status on occurrence and recommendations for future monitoring

Marine litter in the Arctic Basin is influenced by transport from Atlantic and Pacific waters. This highlights the need for harmonization of guidelines across regions. Monitoring can be used to assess temporal and spatial trends but can also be used to assess if environmental objectives are reached, for example, to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Seafloor monitoring by trawling needs substantial resources and specific sampling strategies to be sufficiently robust to demonstrate changes over time. Observation and visual evaluation in shallow and deep waters using towed camera systems, remotely operated underwater vehicles, and submersibles are well suited for the Arctic environment. The use of imagery still needs to be adjusted through automation and image analyses, including deep learning approaches and data management, but will also serve to monitor areas with a rocky seafloor. We recommend developing a monitoring plan for seafloor litter by selecting representative sites for visual inspection that cover different depths and substrata in marine landscapes, and recording the litter collected or observed across all forms of seafloor sampling or imaging. We need better coverage and knowledge of status of seafloor litter for the whole Arctic and recommend initiatives to be taken for regions where such knowledge is lacking.

The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) has published a plan and guidelines for the monitoring of litter and microplastics (MP) in the Arctic. Here we look beyond suggestions for immediate monitoring and discuss challenges, opportunities and future strategies in the long-term monitoring of litter and MP in the Arctic. Challenges are related to environmental conditions, lack of harmonization and standardization of measurements, and long-term coordinated and harmonized data storage. Furthermore, major knowledge gaps exist with regard to benchmark levels, transport, sources and effects, which should be considered in future monitoring strategies. Their development could build on the existing infrastructure and networks established in other monitoring initiatives in the Arctic, while taking into account specific requirements for litter and MP monitoring. Knowledge existing in northern and Indigenous communities, as well as their research priorities, should be integrated into collaborative approaches. The monitoring plan for litter and MP in the Arctic allows for an ecosystem-based approach, which will improve the understanding of linkages between environmental media of the Arctic, as well as links to the global problem of litter and MP pollution. Future monitoring of litter and microplastics in the Arctic – challenges, opportunities and strategies

In recent years, the occurrence of microplastics in the aquatic environment has gathered increasing scientific interest. Several studies have shown that the ingestion of microplastics may negatively influence the physiology of marine organisms having different feeding strategies, particularly in those species which cannot discriminate between food sources. Recent studies highlighted the potential for such particles to accumulate in the food web, posing risks to human health via the consumption of seafood. Furthermore, early findings also indicated the role of microplastics as vectors of chemical pollutants either used as additives during synthesis of the plastics or adsorbed directly from seawater, i.e., PAHs, PCB, and surfactants. Despite the importance of microplastics in adsorption and transport of hydrophobic pollutants, little is known about their distribution and accumulation in marine food webs, or their direct and indirect harmful effects. The Adriatic Sea represents a semi-enclosed basin with a low water recirculation rate and high anthropogenic pressures associated with unsustainable fishing and inputs of contaminants. The body burden, accumulation rates, polymer composition, and recurring morphotypes of microplastics in native blue mussels (M. galloprovincialis) were examined. Organisms collected offshore were compared to those collected in coastal areas. Microplastics were recovered from the soft tissues of all analyzed mussels. Coastal organisms showed a load of 1.06-1.33 fragments g-1 (wet weight) and 0.62-0.63 fibers g-1 (wet weight) while offshore organisms showed an accumulation of 0.65-0.66 fragments g-1 (wet weight) and 0.24-0.35 fibers g-1 (wet weight). The size class distribution revealed a marked prevalence of smaller particles (20 μm to 40 μm range) and the most recurring polymer type in analyzed organisms was PE followed by PP, PET, and equal amounts of PS, PLY, and PVC. A significant site-, time-, and oceanographic-related distribution trend was observed. Based on the findings presented here, there is a clear need to implement a seafood safety monitoring program to better understand actual human health-related risks.

This study reports the shapes, dimensional classes, types and counts of microplastics (MPs) found in 23 individuals of N. norvegicus collected from two wild populations of the Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean basin). The focus was on three different anatomical compartments (gut, hepatopancreas and tail), which were analysed separately. MPs were found in all the investigated individuals with an average of about 17 MPs/individual. Fragments were predominant over fibers with a ratio of about 3:1. The majority of MPs were in the dimensional range 50–100 μm. The predominant polymers were polyester, polyamide 6, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene, which together constitute about 61% of all the MPs found. Fragments were more concentrated in the hepatopancreas, with no significant difference between gut and tail, while fibers were more concentrated in the gut than in the tail with hepatopancreas somehow in between. The dimensional class of the MPs influences their anatomical distribution. There were no statistical differences among individuals from the two sampling sites. Sex of the individual did not influence the level of retained MPs, while length had a very marginal effect. The information reported here contributes to understanding of the possible risks linked to human consumption of different tissues from contaminated Norway lobsters.

While it seems indisputable that potable water contains microplastics (MP), the actual concentrations are much debated and reported numbers vary many orders of magnitude. It is difficult to pinpoint the cause of these differences, but it might be variation between waters, variation between quantification methods, and that some studies did not live up to rigorous analytical standards. Despite the urgent need to understand human exposure by drinking water, there is a lack of trustable methods generating reliable data. Essentially, proper MP assessment requires that quality assurance is in place and demonstrated, that an adequate volume of drinking water is assessed, and that differences in analytical methods are understood. This study presents a systematic and robust approach where MP down to 6.6 µm were assessed in potable water distribution systems in terms of quantity, size, shape, and material. For the first time, sub-samples were analysed by two of the most validated and complementary analytical techniques: µFTIR imaging and Py-GCMS. Both methods successfully determined low contents in drinking water. However, µFTIR and Py-GCMS identified different polymer types in samples with overall low MP content. With increasing concentration of a given polymer type, the values determined by the techniques became more comparable. Most detected MPs were smaller than 150 µm, and 32 % were smaller than 20 µm. Our results indicate a potential annual uptake of less than one MP per person, suggesting that drinking potable water produced at a high-performance drinking water treatment plant represents a low risk for human health.

Today's benthic offshore biological monitoring of oil & gas (O&G) activities relies on macrofauna taxa enumeration. For the future, analysis of DNA isolated directly from sediments holds great potential for multi-trophic biodiversity surveys and the monitoring of a larger spectrum of benthic taxa, including micro-fauna. Here, we evaluate more specifically the potential of microfauna-specific gene quantification in relation to both petroleum-related discharge compounds and other seafloor environmental properties. We carried out this evaluation using sediment samples collected at drilling Region III on the Norwegian continental shelf where DNA metabarcoding of eukaryotic diversity was already performed. Generally, the quantification of microfauna indicator taxa related well to the gradient of contamination on the seafloor. Contrary to eukaryotic Euplotida, metabarcoding data and qPCR numbers for indicative prokaryotic taxa showed the same relationship to offshore contaminants (both showed positive relationship). We found absolute numbers of SSU rRNA gene copies of (1) Dinophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Alcanivorax were correlated with the level of petroleum-related compounds but not with other environmental variables, (2) bacteria closely related to Shewanella were correlated with the concentration of Ba, PAH, as well to percent of gravel, (3) Desulfobacteriales correlated with petroleum-related contaminants, but as well with percent of gravel and grain size. Findings from our study suggest that biomonitoring surveys of O&G activities on benthos could benefit from quantification of specific micro-fauna indicators that is simpler and faster than the methods currently used for impact assessment of benthos.

Microplastics as a potential health and environmental problem has gained increasing attention recently. Microplastics are defined as plastic pieces smaller than 5 mm in diameter, and there are many sources of such microplastics [17]. Current literature reports that microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide. While several authors report on fragments of different polymers being observed, practically in all environmental areas of marine [3, 5, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19], freshwater [1, 20] and terrestrial ecosystems [2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9]; others point out that the accumulation of micro and nanometer-sized plastic particles throughout the marine and terrestrial food webs, is posing a risk to marine and terrestrial life, and ultimately to human health [18]. Despite studies pointing out the occurrence of micro plastics in freshwater systems including surface and groundwater basins, very little is known about the occurrence of microplastics in drinking water and their implications on human health. According to WHO, men should consume 3 L and women should consume 2.2 L of beverage per day. Most of these beverages consist of tap water, or drinks derived from tap water. The risk of plastic uptake from drinking water is currently unpredictable and furthermore, these plastic particles add to the plastic potentially consumed in other sources, such as sea salt, beer, food and seafood. Recent publication indicates that drinking water, uptake through seafood, and airborne exposure are the main sources of microplastics in humans [15].

In recent years, microplastics (MPs), normally defined as plastic particles with a diameter less than 5 mm, are emerging contaminants ubiquitously present in all the compartments of the aquatic ecosystem from surface water to benthic sediment, including aquatic biota [1, 2]. In the marine environment, MPs can be originated from two sources: manufactured products that contain microplastics, e.g. cosmetic products, and fragments released form larger plastic debris through photooxidation, mechanical action and biodegradation [3].

Communities value water and aquatic environments for a many diverse reasons. Ensuring safe drinking water is prioritized on the political agenda with a dedicated focus on safe and affordable drinking water under the 6th of the UN sustainable development goals. The occurrence of micron sized plastic fragments has been confirmed even in very remote areas. In the present study we analysed drinking water of a medium-sized Norwegian urban area for the presence of microplastics ≥ 1 µm. A modular filtering sampling devices was developed allowing a sequential in-situ enzymatic and mild oxidizing driven sample preparation prior to pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry sample’s analysis (pyr-GCMS). Samples were taken at different stages of the drinking water supply chain. The total amount of polymers per sites ranged from 6.1 to 93.1 µg/m3. Higher levels were detected in the raw water, but significant reduction rates ranging from 43% to 100% depending on the polymer type were scored after the water treatment processes. Polyethylene, polyamide, and polyester were the most frequently detected polymer types. Overall, the levels of MPs in the raw water influence the occurrence and polymer type occurrence and distribution is the drinking water supply net. This study contributes to the emerging field of plastics pollution in drinking water supply systems by providing effective methods helping with future routine monitoring of this source of human plastic uptake.

BouIsmail (BIB) and Algiers (AB) are the most important bays in Algeria, where busy shipping activities and various industry complexes introduce different pollutants including heavy metals to the aquatic environment. The main goal of this study was to assess the contamination levels of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Zn) in surface sediments and red mullet (Mullus barbatus) of the BIB and AB and to examine the possibility of the use of their enrichment factors (EFs) to track down the sources of metals (natural processes or human activity). The geoaccumulation index (I geo) was calculated as a criterion to indicate the contamination level for each heavy metal. Moreover, geographical information systems based on spatial analysis methods (inverse distance weighting (IDW)) and statistical approaches (the principal component (PCA)) were performed to assess the spatial influences of multiple anthropogenic sources in different sampled areas. The results of both EF and I geo revealed that the study area is exposed to various anthropogenic activities. The pollution load index (PLI) values of sediment samples in the different sites of Algiers and BIB ranged from 0.2 to 3.4 illustrating highly contaminated sediments. Significant bioaccumulation of Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn (bioaccumulation factor >100%) were observed in muscle and liver of red mullet, suggesting potential health risks through consuming this fish species.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a consolidated technique for the study of biological systems, usually ex vivo or in culture, under different experimental conditions. Yet, the diffusion of the technique in the scientific context of histology is still rather slow and limited. In the present work, we demonstrate the potential of AFM, in terms of morphological and nanomechanical imaging, to study the effects of nano- and micro-sized metallic pollutants in living biological systems. As a model, we investigated marine molluscs (Mytilus galloprovincialis) grown in the Adriatic Sea. We characterized histological sections from two organs (gonads and digestive glands) of molluscs collected during several surveys at different growth time and distance from gas extraction platforms. We evaluated the effects of nano-pollutants mostly on the local tissue structure by combining AFM microscopy with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the AFM images allowed evidencing the presence of nano- or micro-sized structures that exhibit different nanomechanical properties compared to the rest of the tissue. The results demonstrate how coupling AFM and SEM analysis can provide an effective procedure to evaluate the morphological alterations produced by the exposure to exogenous nano-pollutants in tissue and constitute a promising way to reveal basic mechanisms mediating the cytotoxicity of specific exogenous pollutants ingested by edible organisms.

Marine litter is human-created waste that has been discharged into the coastal or marine environment. "Marine debris" is defined as anthropogenic, manufactured, or processed solid material discarded, disposed of, or abandoned in the environment, including all materials discarded into the sea, on the shore, or brought indirectly to the sea by rivers, sewage, storm water, waves, or winds. A large fraction of marine debris is made up of plastic items. Plastic marine debris has become one of the most prevalent pollution related problems affecting the marine environment globally. The widespread challenge of managing marine litter is a useful illustration of the global and transboundary nature of many marine environmental problems. At a global level, plastic litter constitutes 83-87% of all marine litter. Land-based sources are estimated to be responsible for approximately 80% of marine litter. The largest portion of plastic associated with marine pollution is often linked to the contribution from terrestrial sources associated with accidental or deliberate spills as well as inefficient waste management systems in heavily anthropized coastal regions. This chapter is intended to serve as a catalyst for further discussion to explore the potential for developing a Mediterranean regional framework for addressing marine litter.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is used as anti-parasitic veterinary medicine in salmon farms worldwide. In the period from 2009 to 2018 a total of 135 million kg of H2O2 was used in Norway, the world's largest producer of Atlantic salmon. Since the treatment water is discharged to the sea, concerns have been raised about effects of H2O2 on the coastal ecosystem. In the present study, Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) have been exposed to short pulses of H2O2 in the PARAMOVE® formulation, followed by a recovery period in clean seawater. The exposure concentrations represented 100, 1000 and 10 000 times dilutions of the prescribed treatment concentration for salmon; 15 mg/L, 1.5 mg/L and 0.15 mg/L H2O2. Significantly increased mortality was observed after 2 h exposure to 15 mg/L H2O2 (50%) and after 2 h exposure to 1.5 mg/L H2O2 on 3 consecutive days (33%), but no mortality was observed after 2 h exposure to 0.15 mg/L. The mortality occurred 2–4 days after the first pulse of exposure. The patterns of acute effects (immobility and death) could be captured with a toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic model (GUTS), which allows extrapolations to LC50s for constant exposure, or thresholds for effects given untested exposure profiles. Effects of H2O2 were also detected in shrimp that survived until the end of the recovery period. The feeding rate was 66% lower than in the control after 12 days of recovery for the three-pulse 1.5 mg/L exposure. Furthermore, dose dependent tissue damage was detected in the gills and evidence of lipid peroxidation in the hepatopancreas in shrimp exposed for 1 h to 1.5 mg/L and 15 mg/L and kept in recovery for 8 days. Fluorescence intensity in the hepatopancreas of treated shrimp increased 47% and 157% at 1.5 mg/L and 15 mg/L, respectively, compared to the control. Local hydrodynamic conditions will determine how fast the concentration of H2O2 will be diluted and how far it will be transported horizontally and vertically. Results from dispersion modelling (literature data) together with the current experiments indicate that treatment water with toxic concentrations of H2O2 (1.5 mg/L) could reach P. borealis living more than 1 km from a treated salmon farm.

Plastic waste is of increasing concern in the aquatic environment. A large proportion of plastic waste is generated onshore from where it eventually reaches the marine environment, which is considered the main sink of plastic debris To date there is a substantial lack of knowledge on the composition of these accumulated polymers, their environmental levels and distribution in marine and coastal areas. Current efforts are underway to develop standardized methods to characterize and quantify the occurrence of microplastic in different environmental matrices using microscopy-oriented methods using Fourier Transformed Infra-Red (FTIR) or Raman techniques. However, time-consuming sample preparation, processing and interpretation of complex data limits their use within monitoring programs. As an alternative, a thermal degradation method based on a gas chromatographic mass spectrometer coupled with pyrolysis represents a validated method for qualitative and quantitative polymer analyses. A technique has been developed that combines sample preparation and thermo-analysis for identifying microplastics in samples of marine sediment. Quantification and polymeric composition of plastic particles found in sediment samples taken from ten sites located in Boknafjorden subjected to diverse sources of pollution and anthropogenic pressure were investigated. Plastic microparticles were extracted from 8 kg of wet sediments per site, purified, size-fractionated thorough a set of stainless-steel certified sieves covering the range of 10–250 μm mesh size, pre-concentrated on fiberglass filters and whole filters analyzed by thermal desorption pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Most of the detected polymers were identified as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene or polyamide. In most of the sites, the largest fraction of the extracted micro debris fell in the size range 10–40 μm. Some shifts in size distribution were also observed in some sites and were likely related to the marine sea bottom currents and the influence of specific anthropogenic activities. The adopted thermal degradation method showed good sensitivity, reliability and rapidity and therefore represents a promising technique for microplastic analysis within monitoring activities.

Plastic is widely used in everyday life being one of the more versatile materials ever produced. The rising demand of plastic items to support the societal development has dramatically boosted the annual plastic production from 1.5 in the 1950s to 311 million tonnes in 2014 (PlasticEurope in Plastic-the Facts 2015: an analysis of European plastic production, demand, and waste data, 2014). The dark side of the plastic revolution is the marine pollution, with an estimated amount of 9.5 million tonnes of new plastic waste flowing into the oceans each year (Boucher and Friot in Primary microplastics in the oceans: a global evaluation of sources. IUCN, Gland, p. 43, 2017).

Micro-plastic particles in the world's oceans represent a serious threat to both human health and marine ecosystems. Once released into the aquatic environment plastic litter is broken down to smaller pieces through photo-degradation and the physical actions of waves, wind, etc. The resulting particles may become so small that they are readily taken up by fish, crustaceans and mollusks. There is mounting evidence for the uptake of plastic particles by marine organisms that form part of the human food chain and this is driving urgent calls for further and deeper investigations into this pollution issue. The present study aimed at investigating for the first time the occurrence, amount, typology of microplastic litter in the gastrointestinal tract of Solea solea and its spatial distribution in the northern and central Adriatic Sea. This benthic flatfish was selected as it is a species of high commercial interest within the FAO GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) area 37 (Mediterranean and Black Sea) where around 15% of the overall global Solea solea production originates. The digestive tract contents of 533 individuals collected in fall during 2014 and 2015 from 60 sampling sites were examined for microplastics. These were recorded in 95% of sampled fish, with more than one microplastic item found in around 80% of the examined specimens. The most commonly found polymers were polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, and polyamide, 72% as fragments and 28% as fibers. The mean number of ingested microplastics was 1.73 ± 0.05 items per fish in 2014 and 1.64 ± 0.1 in 2015. PVC and PA showed the highest densities in the northern Adriatic Sea, both inshore and off-shore while PE, PP and PET were more concentrated in coastal areas with the highest values offshore from the port of Rimini. Occurrence and polymeric composition of microplastics in stomach content of wild S. solea is assessed. Spatial distribution is more influenced both by polymers chemical-physical properties and peculiarities in the oceanographic conditions rather than by the feeding strategy of the species.

Trace metals and broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs are common environmental contaminants, the importance of which is increasing due to global climate change-related effects. In the present study, the biological model organism E. crassus was first acclimated to five temperatures, from 25 °C to 33 °C, followed by exposure to nominal concentrations of copper, the antibiotic model compound oxytetracycline and mixtures of both, at increasing thermal conditions. Variations of temperature-related toxicity were assessed by two high-level endpoint tests, survival and replication rates, and two sublethal parameters: endocytosis rate and lysosomal membrane stability. The selected toxicants presented opposite behaviours as the protozoa's survival rates increased following an increasing thermal gradient in the oxytetracycline-related treatments, and a decline of tolerance in metal-related treatments was observed. Results of tests combining binary mixtures of tested toxicants showed a complex pattern of responses.

The pressure for more energy demand is a strong driver for the construction of offshore oil and gas platforms. This also applies to the Adriatic Sea where, since 1960, several gas fields have been commissioned. The continuous expansion of the gas industry may potentially have detrimental effects on marine communities. This may become particularly clear in such a peculiar semi-enclosed basin as the Adriatic Sea, which contains ecosystems that are subject to intensive anthropic pressures, such as unsustainable fishing and inputs of environmental pollutants. To date, still scant information is available on the environmental effects of gas platforms. Thus, to comply with the national Italian legislation and to support the development of protocols for the monitoring of offshore activities, multidisciplinary studies have been conducted and performed by CNR-ISMAR in cooperation with some private and public research institutes. A multidisciplinary approach based on chemical, biological and ecological investigations was performed to evaluate both the water column and the sediment quality near a gas platform. The overall results indicate moderate effects of platform-related environmental stress.

Despite an increasing number of surveys describing adverse effects of contaminated sediments on marine organisms, few studies have addressed protists. In this study, the free-crawling marine ciliate Euplotes crassus was evaluated as the test organism for the screening of sediment toxicity using sediments from both coastal and estuarine sites of the Venice Lagoon (Marghera harbour [MH], Valle Millecampi [MV], Murano island [MI] and Lido inlet [LI]). Two endpoints of high ecological value, mortality (Mry) and replication rate (RpR), were assessed in combination with the two sublethal biomarkers of stress, endocytotic rate (Ecy) and lysosomal membrane stability (NRRT). The results showed a significant inhibition of RpR, Ecy and NRRT paralleled by a small and insignificantly increased Mry of the exposed specimens. Our results thus demonstrate that only a combination of mortality and sublethal biomarkers was able to characterise an exposure-related stress syndrome. The suite of biomarkers described here was also able to detect and resolve a pollution-induced stress syndrome at an early stage of pollution. The contamination level of the sediments was assessed using chemical analysis, by estimating bioavailability and by computing a toxic pressure coefficient (TPC) to account for potential additive effects of different pollutants. The observed biological responses were consistent with the contamination levels in sediments, suggesting a high potential for using Protozoa in bioassays to assess environmental risk in coastal marine systems.

Multidisciplinary monitoring of the impact of offshore gas platforms on northern and central Adriatic marine ecosystems has been conducted since 1998. Beginning in 2006, 4-5 year investigations spanning the period before, during, and after rig installation have explored the effects of its construction and presence on macrozoobenthic communities, sediment, water quality, pollutant bioaccumulation, and fish assemblages. In this study, sediment samples collected at increasing distance from an offshore gas platform before, during and after its construction were subjected to chemical analysis and assessment of benthic communities. Ecological indices were calculated to evaluate the ecological status of the area. Ecotoxicological analysis of sediment was performed to establish whether pollutants are transferred to biota. The study applied a before-after control-impact design to assess the effects of rig construction and presence and provide reference data on the possible impacts of any further expansion of the gas extraction industry in the already heavily exploited Adriatic Sea. Only some of the metals investigated (barium, chromium, cadmium, and zinc) showed a different spatial and/or temporal distribution that may be platform-related. In the early phases, the sediment concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were below the detection limit at all sites; they then became detectable, but without significant spatial differences. The present findings suggest that the environmental effects of offshore gas platforms may be difficult to quantify, interpret, and generalize, because they are influenced by numerous, often local, abiotic, and biotic variables in different and unpredictable ways.

Nel presente rapporto vengono riportati i risultati relativi alla fase "durante operam" degli studi di carattere ambientale condotti dal CNR-ISMAR UOS Ancona nell'ambito dell'Accordo tra codesto Istituto e l'Autorità Portuale di Ancona (Prot. 0021161 del 27/03/2015) e riguardano in particolare la verifica delle dinamiche sul trasporto dei sedimenti del largo e lungo la fascia costiera, gli effetti del dragaggio sui sedimenti marini e sugli organismi sentinella (Mytilus galloprovincialis). Tali risultati sono confrontati con quanto rilevato con le indagini integrative relative alla fase di pre-survey condotta per le operazioni di escavo della Banchina 26 del Porto di Ancona (Fabi et al., 2015).

Nel presente rapporto vengono riportati i risultati finali relativi agli studi di carattere ambientale condotti dal CNR-ISMAR UOS Ancona nell'ambito dell'Accordo tra codesto Istituto e l'Autorità Portuale di Ancona (Prot. 0021161 del 27/03/2015) e riguardano, in particolare, gli effetti del dragaggio sui sedimenti marini e sugli organismi sentinella (Mytilus galloprovincialis) alla fine dei lavori di escavo della Banchina 26 del Porto di Ancona, iniziati il 23/06/2015 e terminati il giorno 04/08/2015. Lo studio ha riguardato tre fasi (pre-survey, durante lavori di escavo e post-operam) e i risultati relativi alle prime due sono stati prodotti in Fabi et al. (2015 e 2016). Nella presente relazione sono riportati quelli ottenuti nella fase di post-operam confrontati con i precedenti al fine di verificare eventuali cambiamenti sulle dinamiche dei sedimenti portuali e sugli organismi sentinella indotti dalle operazioni di dragaggio.

Le "INDAGINI DEL FONDALE DEL PORTO DI FANO A MEZZO DI CAMERA BENTICA" prevedono la quantificazione delle "variazioni dei flussi di sostanze disciolte naturali e/o di origine antropica, come i nutrienti e i metalli pesanti, eventualmente indotte dai lavori di escavo, al fine di valutare la loro influenza sul chimismo della colonna d'acqua e sulle biocenosi dell'area portuale interessata dall'escavo". Tali indagini sono necessarie sia per una migliore definizione degli impatti ambientali, sia per stabilire eventuali misure di mitigazione da inserire nelle fasi operative di dragaggio e sversamento. L'indagine prevede la quantificazione dei flussi bentici in tre diversi tempi: prima dell'esecuzione dei lavori di dragaggio (fase ante-operam), durante l'esecuzione dei lavori di dragaggio e dopo la fine dei lavori di dragaggio (post-operam), in un punto situato all'interno del Porto di Fano su un fondale interessato dall'escavo. La misura in fase ante-operam è stata eseguita nel tratto di mare prospicente il molo di levante, in un punto centrale e a una distanza di circa 5 m dal bordo del molo Con la presente relazione sono presentati i risultati della prima fase d'indagine, vale a dire prima dell'inizio dei lavori di escavo. Tale fase dell'indagine è servita per quantificare i flussi bentici di sostanze disciolte rilasciate o assorbite dal fondale in condizioni indisturbate, vale dire con un fondale non interessato da alterazioni antropiche di breve periodo. I flussi determinati nella fase ante-operam saranno poi confrontati con i flussi misurati durante la fase di escavo e dopo la fine delle operazioni di dragaggio, per valutare le alterazioni indotte nella colonna d'acqua dal fondale del Porto di Fano interessato dal dragaggio. In questo modo si potranno quantificare le variazioni dei flussi di sostanze disciolte naturali e di origine antropica, come i nutrienti o i metalli pesanti, al fine di valutare la loro influenza sul chimismo della colonna d'acqua e sulle biocenosi delle aree marine interessate dal dragaggio. L'approccio sopra descritto è giustificato dal fatto che i sedimenti marini e quindi anche quelli portuali, ricevendo il particolato, organico e inorganico, autoctono e alloctono, naturale e di origine antropica, sono sede, nei primi centimetri di profondità, d'intensi processi biogeochimici e di attività biologica; questi processi, detti di diagenesi precoce, modificano profondamente le proprietà fisiche e chimiche e la struttura biocenotica dei sedimenti superficiali. I processi di diagenesi precoce danno origine a dei flussi di sostanze disciolte, da e verso il sedimento, detti flussi bentici. I flussi bentici possono essere, sia in qualità sia in intensità, naturali o condizionati da forzanti antropici. I fondali marini e portuali sono quindi oggetto di flussi bentici di sostanze disciolte di origine naturale e antropica che influenzano il chimismo e l'ecologia della colonna d'acqua sovrastante, in particolare alle basse profondità. Nel caso d'interventi antropici che comportano la modifica del fondale marino, sia mediante la rimozione del sedimento superficiale sia mediante lo scarico in mare di sedimenti, è di primaria importanza, al fine di una corretta valutazione dell'intervento di modifica dell'ambiente marino, misurare le variazioni dei flussi bentici indotte dall'azione umana; ciò permette di valutare l'influenza dei flussi bentici sul chimismo e, di conseguenza, sull'ecologia, della colonna d'acqua. In particolare, il dragaggio dei fondali marini e portuali causa l'affioramento di sedimenti caratterizzati da proprietà chimico-fisiche molto diverse rispetto a quelle dei sedimenti superficiali presenti antecedentemente alla rimozione, ciò può portare al rilascio di sostanze naturali ma potenzialmente pericolose per l'ambiente, come i metalli, il metano, l'anidride carbonica e l'acido solfidrico, oppure al rapido assorbimento di ossigeno che può provocare eventi di anossia e crisi distrofiche. L'importanza di un'indagine riguardante le alterazioni dei flussi bentici in aree portuali è testimoniata da una notevole bibliografia internazionale (Klinkhammer e Bender, 1981; Chen et al., 1997; Fichet et al., 1999; Apitz et al., 2008; Hammerschmidt et al., 2008; Benoit et al., 2009) e, a livello italiano, anche dall'attività condotta nel 2013 nell'area portuale di Trieste, dall'OGS di Trieste e dall'ISMAR di Ancona, che, per la prima volta, ha valutato gli effetti della movimentazione di sedimenti marini portuali mediante la misura dei flussi bentici (F. Spagnoli, dati non pubblicati), e dall'indagine condotta dall'ISMAR-CNR di Ancona davanti alla Banchina 26 del Porto di Ancona.

Le "INDAGINI DEL FONDALE DEL PORTO DI FANO A MEZZO DI CAMERA BENTICA" prevedono la quantificazione delle "variazioni dei flussi di sostanze disciolte naturali e di origine antropica, come i nutrienti, l'ossigeno e i metalli pesanti, eventualmente indotte dai lavori di escavo, al fine di valutare la loro influenza sul chimismo della colonna d'acqua e sulle biocenosi delle aree marine interessate". Tali indagini sono necessarie sia per una migliore definizione degli impatti ambientali, sia per stabilire eventuali misure di mitigazione da inserire nelle fasi operative di dragaggio e sversamento. La proposta d'indagine prevede la quantificazione dei flussi bentici in tre diversi tempi: prima dell'esecuzione dei lavori di dragaggio (fase ante-operam), durante l'esecuzione dei lavori di dragaggio (fase di escavo) e dopo la fine dei lavori di dragaggio (fase post-operam). Le misure devono essere condotte in un punto situato all'interno del porto di Fano su un fondale interessato dalla rimozione dei sedimenti del fondale. Le misure della fase ante-operam e della "fase di escavo" sono state eseguite nel tratto di mare prospicente il molo di levante, in un punto centrale e ad una distanza di circa 5 m dal bordo del molo. Dal confronto dei flussi misurati nelle tre fasi si potranno individuare e quantificare le variazioni dei flussi di sostanze disciolte naturali e/o antropiche dovute all'escavo dei sedimenti del fondale. Con la presente relazione sono presentati i risultati della seconda fase di indagine (fase di escavo). Tale fase dell'indagine è servita per quantificare i flussi bentici di sostanze disciolte rilasciate o assorbite dal fondale in condizioni "alterate", vale dire da un fondale da cui è stato appena rimosso uno strato superficiale ossidato di sedimento (la misura è stata eseguita circa dodici ore dopo l'interruzione dell'attività di escavazione dei sedimenti superficiali nel punto di misura). Nella presente relazione i flussi bentici misurati in "fase di escavo" sono confrontati con i flussi misurati durante la fase ante-operam (prima dell'escavo) e saranno, in seguito, confrontati con i flussi misurati al termine delle operazioni di dragaggio (entro sei mesi). Lo scopo finale è di valutare le eventuali alterazioni indotte nella colonna d'acqua dal fondale del bacino interessato dal dragaggio. Da questo confronto, si potranno individuare e quantificare le variazioni dei flussi di sostanze disciolte naturali e/o antropiche, come i nutrienti e i metalli pesanti, e valutare la loro influenza sul chimismo della colonna d'acqua e sulle biocenosi dell'area portuale interessata al dragaggio. L'approccio sopra descritto è dovuto al fatto che i sedimenti marini, ricevendo il particolato, organico e inorganico, autoctono ed alloctono, naturale e di origine antropica, sono sede di intensi processi geochimici e di attività biologica nei primi centimetri; questi processi, detti di diagenesi precoce, modificano profondamente le proprietà fisiche e chimiche dei sedimenti superficiali. I processi di diagenesi precoce danno origine a flussi di sostanze disciolte, da e verso il sedimento, detti flussi bentici. I flussi bentici possono essere, sia in qualità sia in intensità, naturali o condizionati da stress antropici e possono influenzare il chimismo e l'ecologia della colonna d'acqua sovrastante, in particolare alle basse profondità. Misurare le variazioni dei flussi bentici all'interfaccia acqua-sedimento è di primaria importanza nel caso di interventi antropici che modificano sostanzialmente il fondale marino, sia in seguito della rimozione sia in seguito alla deposizione dei sedimenti. In particolare, il dragaggio dei fondali marini causa l'affioramento di sedimenti caratterizzati da proprietà chimico-fisiche molto diverse rispetto a quelle dei sedimenti superficiali presenti nei fondali indisturbati, ciò può portare al rilascio di sostanze naturali che possono essere potenzialmente pericolose per l'ambiente, come i metalli pesanti, il metano, l'anidride carbonica e l'acido solfidrico, oppure al rapido assorbimento, da parte del fondale, di ossigeno dalla colonna d'acqua, che può provocare eventi di anossia e crisi distrofiche. L'importanza di un'indagine riguardante le alterazioni dei flussi bentici in aree portuali è testimoniata da una notevole bibliografia internazionale (Klinkhammer e Bender, 1981; Chen et al., 1997; Fichet et al., 1999; Apitz et al., 2008; Hammerschmidt et al., 2008; Benoit et al., 2009). A livello italiano, tale importanza è testimoniata dall'attività condotta nel 2013 nell'area portuale di Trieste dove, per la prima volta, sono stati valutati gli effetti della movimentazione di sedimenti marini portuali mediante la misura dei flussi bentici (F. Spagnoli, dati non pubblicati). Inoltre, è attualmente in corso, una attività di misura dei flussi bentici, in relazione alla valutazione degli effetti della movimentazione dei sedimenti portuali, da parte dell'ISMAR di Ancona, nel porto di Ancona.

Le "INDAGINI DEL FONDALE DEL PORTO DI FANO A MEZZO DI CAMERA BENTICA" prevedevano la quantificazione delle "variazioni dei flussi di sostanze disciolte naturali e di origine antropica, come i nutrienti, l'ossigeno e i metalli pesanti, eventualmente indotte dai lavori di escavo, al fine di valutare la loro influenza sul chimismo della colonna d'acqua e sulle biocenosi delle aree marine interessate". Tali indagini erano necessarie sia per una migliore definizione degli impatti ambientali, sia per stabilire eventuali misure di mitigazione da inserire nelle fasi operative di dragaggio e sversamento. L'indagine prevedeva la quantificazione dei flussi bentici in tre diversi tempi: prima dell'esecuzione dei lavori di dragaggio (fase ante-operam), durante l'esecuzione dei lavori di dragaggio (fase di escavo) e dopo la fine dei lavori di dragaggio (fase post-operam). L'indagine doveva essere condotta in un punto situato all'interno del porto di Fano su un fondale interessato dalla rimozione dei sedimenti del fondale. La presente relazione illustra i risultati relativi alla fase post-operam, vale a dire alla misura effettuata dopo la fine dei lavori, ed al confronto con le precedenti fasi (fase ante-operam e fase di escavo). Il confronto dei flussi bentici misurati nel porto di Fano nelle tre fasi ha permesso di individuare e quantificare le variazioni dei flussi di sostanze disciolte naturali e/o antropiche conseguenti all'escavo dei sedimenti del fondale. La fase post-operam è servita per quantificare i flussi bentici di sostanze disciolte rilasciate o assorbite dal fondale in condizioni di ripristino, vale dire ad una certa distanza temporale dall'esecuzione del dragaggio. La misura post-operam è stata eseguita esattamente il 15/12/2015, vale a dire trentasei giorni dopo la fine dei lavori di escavo. I flussi bentici misurati in "fase post-operam" sono confrontati con i flussi misurati durante la fase ante-operam (prima dell'escavo) e la fase di escavo allo scopo di valutare le eventuali alterazioni indotte nella colonna d'acqua dal fondale del bacino interessato dal dragaggio. Da questo confronto, si sono potute individuare e quantificare le variazioni dei flussi di sostanze disciolte naturali e/o antropiche, come i nutrienti e i metalli pesanti, che si sono avute con il dragaggio dei sedimenti dell'area portuale di Fano e valutare la loro influenza sul chimismo della colonna d'acqua e sulle biocenosi dell'area portuale. L'approccio sopra descritto è conseguenza dei sedimenti marini che, ricevendo il particolato, organico e inorganico, autoctono ed alloctono, naturale e di origine antropica, sono sede di intensi processi geochimici e di attività biologica nei primi centimetri; questi processi, detti di diagenesi precoce, modificano profondamente le proprietà fisiche e chimiche dei sedimenti superficiali. I processi di diagenesi precoce danno origine a flussi di sostanze disciolte, da e verso il sedimento, detti flussi bentici. I flussi bentici possono essere, sia in qualità sia in intensità, naturali o condizionati da stress antropici e possono influenzare il chimismo e l'ecologia della colonna d'acqua sovrastante, in particolare alle basse profondità. Misurare le variazioni dei flussi bentici all'interfaccia acqua-sedimento è di primaria importanza nel caso di interventi antropici che modificano sostanzialmente il fondale marino, sia in seguito della rimozione sia in seguito allo scarico dei sedimenti. In particolare, il dragaggio dei fondali marini causa l'affioramento di sedimenti caratterizzati da proprietà chimico-fisiche molto diverse rispetto a quelle dei sedimenti superficiali presenti nei fondali indisturbati, ciò può portare al rilascio di sostanze naturali che possono essere potenzialmente pericolose per l'ambiente, come i metalli pesanti, il metano, l'anidride carbonica e l'acido solfidrico, oppure al rapido assorbimento, da parte del fondale, di ossigeno dalla colonna d'acqua, che può provocare eventi di anossia e crisi distrofiche. L'importanza di un'indagine riguardante le alterazioni dei flussi bentici in aree portuali è testimoniata da una notevole bibliografia internazionale (Klinkhammer e Bender, 1981; Chen et al., 1997; Fichet et al., 1999; Apitz et al., 2008; Hammerschmidt et al., 2008; Benoit et al., 2009). A livello italiano, tale importanza è testimoniata dall'attività condotta nel 2013 nell'area portuale di Trieste dove, per la prima volta, sono stati valutati gli effetti della movimentazione di sedimenti marini portuali mediante la misura dei flussi bentici (F. Spagnoli, dati non pubblicati), e nell'area portuale di Ancona, dove si è appena conclusa un'attività di misura dei flussi bentici riguardante la valutazione degli effetti della movimentazione dei sedimenti portuali, condotta dall'ISMAR di Ancona.

We report a survey on the occurrence and distribution of natural (17β-estradiol, E2; estrone, E1) and synthetic (nonylphenol, NP; nonylphenol monoethoxylate carboxylate, NP1EC; bisphenol-A, BPA; benzophenone, BP; mestranol, MES; 17α-ethinylestradiol, EE2; diethylstilbestrol, DES) endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in water, sediment and biota (Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis) in the Venice lagoon, a highly urbanized coastal water ecosystem that receives both industrial and municipal wastewater effluents. The survey was preceded by the development of tailor made extraction and clean-up procedures for the simultaneous HPLC–ESI-MS determination of all examined EDCs in sediment and biota samples. Satisfactory extraction performances and method detection limits (MDLs) were obtained for almost all EDCs. Most of the selected compounds were found in water and sediment (concentration range: 2.8–211 ng/L, and 3.1–289 μg/kg, d.w., respectively), while only 17α-ethinylestradiol and nonylphenol were recorded in biota samples (conc. range: 7.2–240 ng/g, d.w.). 17β-estradiol and ethinylestradiol contributed mostly to the water estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQ) (1.1–191 ng/L, average: 25 ng/L), while synthetic EDCs (17α-ethinylestradiol, diethylstilbestrol) were mainly responsible of the sediment EEQ (1.1–191 μg/kg, average: 71 μg/kg, d. w.). Whenever diethylstilbestrol was not recorded in the sediment, water EEQs were similar to sediment EEQs. A remarkable increase of nonylphenol was observed in sediments over the last decade. Keywords: Endocrine disrupting compounds, Lagoon waters, Lagoon sediment, Mediterranean mussel, Estradiol equivalents

As a consequence of the growing global demand of energy supplies, intense oil and gas exploration and exploitation programs have been carried out worldwide especially within the marine environments. The release of oil-derived compounds in the sea from anthropogenic sources both as effluents or accidental spill is perceived as a major environmental concern. An approach based on a combination of biomarkers and the distribution of some classes of environmentally relevant pollutants was used to investigate the occurrence of a stress syndrome in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected at three gas platforms placed in two distinct oceanographic districts within the Adriatic Sea. Biological responses were integrated by a ranking algorithm which demonstrated both a range of biological effects reflecting exposure gradients and a temporal related trend in the investigated responses. The overall results demonstrate a moderate to absent pollution from studied gas platforms with low but remarkable biological disturbance in sentinel organisms.

Autorità Portuale di Ancona. Analisi ambientali e monitoraggi associati lavori di escavo per adeguamento dei fondali antistanti il primo tratto della banchina 26 del porto di Ancona. Fase di caratterizzazione

L'Autorità Portuale di Ancona ha la necessità di effettuare, a fronte della realizzazione di alcune consistenti opere portuali, nuovi escavi dei fondali compresi tra l'imboccatura del porto di Ancona e la diga foranea sottoflutto. Il primo di tali interventi, riguardante l'approfondimento dei fondali antistanti la banchina n. 26 e approvato con parere da parte del Ministero dell'Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare del 03/09/2014 (prot. n. DVA-2014-0028154) con procedura d'urgenza, comporterà la mobilitazione di circa 60.000 m3 di materiale che dovranno essere sversati in mare. L'area di sversamento attualmente in uso è situata a una distanza di circa 4,8 mn a NE del porto di Ancona e a circa 4 mn dalla costa, ad una profondità compresa tra 24 e 30 m. L'area ha dimensioni di 2,3 x 1,5 mn per cui, considerando una ricopertura massima di 5 cm, spessore che viene ritenuto compatibile con i processi di ricolonizzazione da parte degli organismi bentonici (ICRAM-APAT, 2007), è stato stimato che sia in grado di ricevere circa 590.000 m3 di materiale. Dal 1999 al 2005 vi sono stati immersi 257.000 m3 di sedimenti. L'area di sversamento attualmente in uso è stata caratterizzata nel 2013 dal CNR-ISMAR di Ancona (ISMAR, 2014a). Alle indagini già condotte ne verranno aggiunte altre ai sensi di quanto richiesto con Decreto Regionale N.82/VAA del 08_08_2014 del DPFVAA. Considerando la capacità dell'area e i risultati delle indagini condotte si ritiene che i 60.000 m3 di materiale provenienti dall'escavo dei fondali antistanti la banchina 26 possano essere conferiti in tale area. Inoltre, al fine di ottimizzare la gestione dell'area in oggetto, nel Piano di monitoraggio redatto dal CNR-ISMAR di Ancona (ISMAR, 2013) essa è stata suddivisa in 4 celle ciascuna delle quali ha dimensioni di 1,15x0,75 mn ed è in grado di ricevere circa 83.000 m3 di sedimenti. Pertanto, è stato previsto che i 60.000 m3 di materiale provenienti da questa prima operazione di escavo vengano sversati in un'unica cella, precisamente nella cella n. 1 (fig.1.1). Nell'ottobre 2014, al fine di valutare gli impatti determinati nell'ecosistema marino dal dragaggio e dallo sversamento di tali sedimenti, in accordo sia con il Piano di monitoraggio del CNR-ISMAR (2013) che con il Decreto Regionale N.82/VAA del 08_08_2014 del DPFVAA, era stato proposto un piano di monitoraggio (ISMAR, 2014b) che prevedeva quanto segue: 1)Indagini integrative rispetto a quelle già effettuate per la caratterizzazione dell'area di sversamento: tali indagini riguarderanno la componente fitoplanctonica; 2)monitoraggio della cella 1 all'interno dell'area attualmente in uso, durante e dopo i lavori di sversamento; 3)monitoraggio dell'area antistante la banchina 26 prima, durante e dopo i lavori di escavo. Nel presente rapporto sono descritti i risultati relativi alle indagini effettuate sia nell'area interna al porto di Ancona sia nell'area di sversamento a mare nel periodo aprile-maggio 2015, prima dell'inizio dei lavori di sversamento, e comprendente i seguenti aspetti/comparti: -caratterizzazione delle comunità fitoplanctoniche all'interno dell'area di sversamento; -Valutazione degli effetti del dragaggio sui sedimenti marini (flussi bentici) prima dei lavori di escavo; -Valutazione degli effetti del dragaggio su organismi sentinella (mussel watch) prima dei lavori di escavo.

Ciphergen ProteinChip Technology™ is a proteomic tool, used for the discovery of new and sensitive biomarkers. This approach was used to evaluate the protein profile of crabs exposed to various pollutants. Two different exposure experiments were performed: spider crabs ( Hyas araneus ) were exposed for 3 weeks to diallyl phatalate (DAP), bisphenol A (BisA) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-47), while shore crabs ( Carcinus maeanas ) were exposed to crude oil, crude oil spiked with alkylphenols (APs) and 4-nonylphenol (NP). Gender and species-related protein pattern alterations were observed and compared to controls. Results showed different responses to pollutants by the two species. Major disruption in protein peak expression was observed in samples exposed to mixtures of pollutants, i.e. oil spiked with APs. Compared to shore crab, spider crab species showed a lower degree of response in terms of number of altered protein peaks following exposure. In general, female individuals of both species showed a larger number of significantly altered proteins compared to males. Data analysis by non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) was performed. Bi-dimesional-MDS plots revealed a good separation of groups for both spider and shore crabs. In some cases, a good discrimination can also be observed between the two genders within each treatment. Results highlight the potential of crabs as sentinel organisms for the aquatic environment. The results indicate that SELDI-ToF technology is a powerful tool to discover protein expression signatures for different pollutants and sex dependent responses.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility to pollutant mediated oxidative stress of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in the Venice lagoon (Italy). In June 2003, mussels from a farm were transplanted to eight sites in the lagoon for five weeks. Oxidative stress responses were measured by: (i) total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay, for an overall evaluation of the oxidative stress response capability; (ii) catalase (CAT), as a key enzyme involved in the antioxidant defence system; (iii) malondialdehyde (MDA), as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, to evaluate an oxidative damage; (iv) metallothioneins (MTs), as they play a role in the antioxidant defence. The TOSC analysis revealed a reduced capability to eliminate: (i) peroxyl radical in mussels transplanted at Palude della Rosa, Valle Millecampi and Chioggia; (ii) hydroxyl radical at Campalto and Valle Millecampi; (iii) peroxynitrite at Valle Millecampi. Inhibition in CAT activity, observed in all the monitored sites, confirms the presence of an oxidative pressure in transplanted mussels. In addition, Pearson correlation analysis was performed in order to observe possible links between the various parameters. The PCA was a powerful tool to discriminate impacted sites, suggesting that the mussels transplanted throughout the Venice lagoon were subjected to different levels of oxidative pressure. Furthermore, it provided an easy and useful tool to summarize the obtained results.

The environmental problem of marine litter is gaining even more scientific attention as more data are becoming available on its occurrence, abundance and geographical distribution. Due to its versatile chemical structure, plastic is extensively exploited in several industrial, commercial and medical applications. Approximately 50 percent of total production is made up of goods disposed of within one year of purchase and breaking down in the environment at an uncontrollable rate. Macroplastic litter (>5 mm, NOAA) often undergoes to mechanical, chemical and photo-degradation reaching microscopic size and thus harming marine organisms as it can be easily ingested or filter-fed. Given the continual fragmentation of plastic items, particle concentrations are likely to increase with decreasing size. This poses the attention on the emerging toxicological implications of even higher environmental concentrations of even smaller “microplastic” compounds. Too little is known about the environmental occurrence, food web bioaccumulation and final fate of such diverse classes of emerging contaminants. Therefore, major efforts are needed to understand microplastic biotransformation processes, route of exposure, toxicological implications like i.e., that related to the “trojan horse” effect by which microplastics can help transfer potentially dangerous chemicals to marine organisms. On this context, the OMICS Publishing Group supports this drive to knowledge by prompt publication and high-rise visibility of research. In contrast to the traditional model where access to content can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, its access to publications is free. Together with the availability and distribution via the Internet, the benefits of publishing with the OMICS Group are closely related to the possibility of adding links to the content, giving authors a chance to increase the number of times their paper is cited. The impact of Open Access on citation rate has been examined for many years and a thorough analysis is beginning to confirm that this model increases citation. Under the review of at least two members of the scientific community both the scientific robustness of presented results and the publication speed is guaranteed.