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Global change is striking harder and faster in the Mediterranean Sea than elsewhere, where high levels of human pressure and proneness to climate change interact in modifying the structure and disrupting regulative mechanisms of marine ecosystems. Rocky reefs are particularly exposed to such environmental changes with ongoing trends of degradation being impressive. Due to the variety of habitat types and associated marine biodiversity, rocky reefs are critical for the functioning of marine ecosystems, and their decline could profoundly affect the provision of essential goods and services which human populations in coastal areas rely upon. Here, we provide an up-to-date overview of the status of rocky reefs, trends in human-driven changes undermining their integrity, and current and upcoming management and conservation strategies, attempting a projection on what could be the future of this essential component of Mediterranean marine ecosystems.

Internal levels of selected endocrine disruptors (EDs) (i.e., perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), di-2-ethylhexyl-phthalate (DEHP), mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (MEHP), and bisphenol A (BPA)) were analyzed in blood/serum of infertile and fertile men from metropolitan, urban and rural Italian areas. PFOS and PFOA levels were also evaluated in seminal plasma. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of same subjects, gene expression levels of a panel of nuclear receptors (NRs), namely estrogen receptor α (ERα) estrogen receptor β (ERβ), androgen receptor (AR), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) were also assessed. Infertile men from the metropolitan area had significantly higher levels of BPA and gene expression of all NRs, except PPARγ, compared to subjects from other areas. Subjects from urban areas had significantly higher levels of MEHP, whereas subjects from rural area had higher levels of PFOA in both blood and seminal plasma. Interestingly, ERα, ERβ, AR, PXR and AhR expression is directly correlated with BPA and inversely correlated with PFOA serum levels. Our study indicates the relevance of the living environment when investigating the exposure to specific EDs. Moreover, the NRs panel in PBMCs demonstrated to be a potential biomarker of effect to assess the EDs impact on reproductive health.

1 - Total levels of persistent organic pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in sediments and edible tissues (muscle and liver) from a fish species of great local commercial interest (Anguilla anguilla L., yellow phase) were determined in Varano and Orbetello lagoons, Italy. 2 - The aim of this study was to improve knowledge on relationships occurring among levels of chemicals in sediments and fish tissues relating them reciprocally and to different intensities of human pressure. 3 - Studied ecosystems were selected due to the notable scientific knowledge acquired by previous detailed research on meteorology, geomorphology, hydrodynamics, types and distribution of local factors linked to different sources of human-made pollution. Samplings were performed in July 2009 according to a logic model based on a priori defined factors of interest and obtained results were statistically analysed in order to evaluate the significance of observed data segregation related to the selected factors. 4 - Concerning levels measured in sediments, significant differences were observed between lagoons in terms of ΣPAHs and ΣOCPs. According to National and international recognised sediment quality guidelines, results evidenced the occurrence of non-critical POPs values in sediments. 5 - Results on sediments are associated to very high levels in eel's tissues. Concerning eels, Orbetello lagoon is characterized by significant higher values of ΣOCPs than Varano, evidencing the presence of an important OCPs local source. 6 - Different human pressure levels produce significant differences in both sediments and eel's tissues in Varano and Orbetello lagoons. © 2013 University of Salento- SIBA.

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Levels of four (Hg, Cd, Pb, As) potential harmful elements (PHE) were measured in three different environmental matrices (sediments, macroalgae, and fishes) from the Aeolian Archipelago and control areas both after one and ten months form a volcanic activity of particular relevance occurred at the end of October 2002. Results were analysed on a multivariate statistical basis with the aim to evaluate: I) general levels of pollution and increase of PHE due to the event; II) differences observed among tested matrices in the time of recovery after the occurrence of the critical event; III) the biological enrichment of PHE along the trophic web produced by the geological event. Results evidenced that volcanic emissions could represent a local source of particular relevance able to determine great enrichments of considered PHE in sediments and biological species. After ten months from the event, levels in sediments and macroalgae notably decreased, whereas fish species evidenced an increase, principally related to the greater dimensions of fishes caught during the second campaign. On the basis of the BEF, major enrichments were evidenced after one month whereas after ten months were recorded values reliable to an incomplete recovery. Concerning Cd, the BEF higher levels reported for the species S. cabrilla was probably related both to the diet and to the specific detoxification rates of this species.

The presence, distribution and origin of 16 US EPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface sediments of Orbetello lagoon (Tuscany, Italy) were investigated by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). 2 - PAH concentrations in the sediments (Σ16PAHs) ranged from 0.92 to 279.38 ng/g of dry matrix, indicating low PAHs pollution. A prevalence of high molecular weight PAHs was observed (>90% of Σ16PAHs) with a considerable predominance of 4-rings PAHs; fluoranthene was the dominant compound. 3 - A comparison with other studies of total PAHs suggests that the levels are within the concentration ranges already reported by the other authors. Total PAH concentrations measured in the studied area indicate a relatively clean environment when compared to values reported by the literature for Mediterranean lagoons. 4 - Molecular ratios were calculated in order to estimate PAH origin and transport from sources. As indicated by the Phen/Ant and Flu/Pyr molar ratio, the main source of PAHs is pyrolityc.

A Tyrrhenian coastal area in southern Italy was flooded on July 2006. This event caused the spread of mud, detritus and the spill of industrial wastes into the sea water. Surficial sediment samples were collected and analysed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polychlorinated dibenzop- dioxins and –furans (PCDD/Fs) in order to evaluate current contamination status and risk assessment by means of Toxic Equivalency Factors (TEF). Data analysis showed that PCBs and OCPs levels were low and homogeneous in the three areas while PCDD/F fingerprint showed an heterogeneous distribution, suggesting for these molecules different sources of pollution.

The study investigate the time of leaching of DEHP and the risk of accumulation in tissues.