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Boonpeng C, Sangiamdee D, Noikrad S, Boonpragob K. Lichen biomonitoring of seasonal outdoor air quality at schools in an industrial city in Thailand. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:59909-59924. [PMID: 37016263 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26685-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Poor air quality in school environments causes adverse health effects in children and decreases their academic performance. The main objective of this study was to use lichens as a biomonitoring tool for assessing outdoor air quality at schools in the industrial area of Laem Chabang municipality in Thailand. Thalli of the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum were transplanted from an unpolluted area to nine schools in the industrial area and to a control site. The lichens were exposed for four periods in the dry, hot, early rainy, and late rainy seasons, for 90 days each. The concentrations of 14 elements, including As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, V, and Zn, were determined using inductively coupled plasma‒mass spectrometry (ICP‒MS), and 8 physiological parameters were measured. The concentrations of all 14 investigated elements were clearly higher at the schools than at the control site. The contamination factors (CFs) suggested that 9 out of the 14 elements, including As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, and Ti, heavily contaminated the school environments, especially Pb, the concentration of which was 3 to 11 times higher than at the control site. The most polluted time was the hot season as evidenced by the investigated elements, and the least polluted time was the late rainy season. The pollution load indices (PLIs) demonstrated that schools in the inner and middle zones clearly had higher pollution loads than the schools in the outer zone during the rainy seasons, while the hot and dry seasons showed similar pollution levels in all zones. The vitality indices (VIs) showed that the lower lichen vitalities at most schools were observed during the dry season and at the schools in the inner and middle zones. Accordingly, the air performance indices (APIs) revealed that poorer air quality at most schools was found during the dry season and at the schools in the inner and middle zones. This study clearly showed that the transplanted lichen P. tinctorum was an effective bioindicator of air quality in school environments. The results illustrated that all studied schools were contaminated by air pollutants; therefore, improving air quality at the schools is crucial and should be an urgent issue for maintaining good health and may benefit children's academic achievements and careers in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaiwat Boonpeng
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Hua Mark, Bang Kapi, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand.
- Lichen Research Unit, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Hua Mark, Bang Kapi, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand.
| | - Duangkamon Sangiamdee
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Hua Mark, Bang Kapi, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand
| | - Sutatip Noikrad
- Lichen Research Unit, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Hua Mark, Bang Kapi, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand
| | - Kansri Boonpragob
- Lichen Research Unit, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Hua Mark, Bang Kapi, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand
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Chowaniec K, Rola K. Evaluation of the importance of ionic and osmotic components of salt stress on the photosynthetic efficiency of epiphytic lichens. PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PLANTS : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2022; 28:107-121. [PMID: 35210716 PMCID: PMC8847468 DOI: 10.1007/s12298-022-01134-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Salt stress can significantly disrupt the functioning of lichens which are self-sufficient symbiotic organisms inhabiting various severe environments. The aim was to test the effect of salt and sucrose on the photosynthetic efficiency of two selected epiphytic lichens inhabiting the interior of the land. Firstly, we compared the effect of salt and sucrose solutions of different concentrations. Secondly, the effect of salt and sucrose solutions with identical osmotic pressures was compared. The results showed that short-term salt stress leads to a significant reduction of F V /F M , greater changes in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and OJIP transients compared to the osmotic effects induced by sucrose. This proved that the negative impact of salt stress is associated primarily with ionic effects. The most symptomatic effect of the ionic stress was a significant reduction of the utilisation of trapped energy in electron transport and thereby down-regulation of electron transfer. Since lichens are resistant to a temporary lack of water, ionic stress could have more serious consequences than osmotic stress itself. Hypogymnia physodes was more sensitive to salt stress than Pseudevernia furfuracea, but the reduction of photosynthetic efficiency was not permanent since after 24 h F V /F M returned to the level characteristic for healthy lichens. Nevertheless, repeated exposure to salt may reduce the vitality of lichens growing along communication routes sprinkled with salt in the winter season. Finally, the changes in certain JIP-test parameters were stronger than F V /F M , thus they could be better indicators of salt stress in lichens. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-022-01134-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Chowaniec
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Kaja Rola
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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Cecconi E, Fortuna L, Peplis M, Tretiach M. Element accumulation performance of living and dead lichens in a large-scale transplant application. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:16214-16226. [PMID: 33274399 PMCID: PMC7969570 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11797-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
In bioaccumulation studies, sample devitalization through acid washing or oven drying is commonly applied to enhance the element accumulation efficiency of moss sample. Such aspect, however, has never been considered in biomonitoring surveys using lichens. In this study, the trace element accumulation performance of living (L) and dead (D) samples of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea was compared by a side-by-side transplanting at 40 sites in a large, mixed land use area of NE Italy for 8 weeks. Devitalization was achieved without any physico-chemical treatments, by storing lichen samples in a dark cool room for 18 months. Health status of lichens was assessed before and after the sample exposure by chlorophyll fluorescence emission. Although elemental analysis of the two exposed sample sets revealed a similar trace element pollution scenario, the content of 13 out of the 24 selected elements was higher in D samples. By expressing results as exposed-to-unexposed (EU) ratio, D samples show a higher bioaccumulation signal in 80% of transplant sites for Al, Ca, Fe, Hg, Pb and Ti. Overall, the health status of lichen samples might lead to interpretational discrepancies when EU ratio is classified according to the recently proposed bioaccumulation scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elva Cecconi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Fortuna
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Peplis
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mauro Tretiach
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
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Fortuna L, González AG, Tretiach M, Pokrovsky OS. Influence of secondary metabolites on surface chemistry and metal adsorption of a devitalized lichen biomonitor. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 273:116500. [PMID: 33493767 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite the broad use of lichens as biomonitors of airborne trace elements, the surface chemistry and metal adsorption parameters of these organisms are still poorly known. The current investigation is aimed at (i) quantifying the acid-base surface properties and the first-order physical-chemical parameters of Cu2+ and Zn2+ adsorption of devitalized Pseudevernia furfuracea, a lichen commonly used in biomonitoring of airborne trace elements, and (ii) comparing the results with those available for moss biomonitors. Equilibrium constants and metal-binding site concentrations were calculated with a thermodynamic model by taking into account the presence/absence of ancillary extracellular cell wall compounds, namely melanin and acetone-soluble lichen substances. An acid-base titration experiment performed in the pH range of 3-10 showed that melanised and non-melanised P. furfuracea samples have lower pHPZC (3.53-3.99) and higher metal-binding site concentrations (0.96-1.20 mmol g-1) compared to that of the mosses investigated so far at the same experimental conditions. Melanin biosynthesis increased the content of carboxyl and phosphoryl groups and reduces that of amine/polyphenols. Cu2+ and Zn2+ adsorption was unaffected by the degree of melanisation while the removal of extracellular lichen substances slightly decreased Zn2+ adsorption. Although Cu2+ and Zn2+ adsorption parameters related to P. furfuracea surfaces were 3 times lower than in the mosses, lichen samples adsorbed the same amount of Cu2+ and 30% more Zn2+. The present study contributes in understanding the role of ancillary cell wall compounds in Cu2+ and Zn2+ adsorption in a model lichen. It also provides a first comparison between the surface physico-chemical characteristics of lichens and mosses frequently used as biomonitors of trace elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Fortuna
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri, 1, I-34127, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Aridane G González
- Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, IOCAG, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, ULPGC, Unidad Asociada ULPGC-CSIC, Parque Científico Tecnológico Marino de Taliarte S/n, E-35214, Telde, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Mauro Tretiach
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri, 10, I-34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Oleg S Pokrovsky
- Geosciences Environment Toulouse (GET), CNRS, UMR 5563, Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, F-31400, Toulouse, France; N. Laverov Federal Center for Arctic Research, URoRAS, 23 Naberezhnaja Sev. Dviny, 163000, Arkhangelsk, Russia; BIO-GEO-CLIM Laboratory, Tomsk State University, Lenina Prs 36, Tomsk, Russia
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Congruence Evaluation of Mercury Pollution Patterns Around a Waste Incinerator over a 16-Year-Long Period Using Different Biomonitors. ATMOSPHERE 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos10040183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To date, there has been an ever-increasing interest in complementary air monitoring techniques, which may fill the deficiencies of air quality networks. The present work reports the results concerning five biomonitoring surveys (BSs) performed in the proximity of a waste incinerator (WI) over a 16-year period. Hg emission related to the WI activity was monitored by means of both active and passive BSs based on three photosynthetically-active biomonitors (i.e., two epiphytic lichens: Pseudevernia furfuracea and Xanthoria parietina; one vascular plant: Robinia pseudoacacia) collected or exposed before and/or after the WI installation, and after a four-month period of inactivity. Hg concentration values observed in biomonitor samples varied according to the implemented species and to the status of WI plant (active vs. inactive). Our data demonstrate that, in the same pollution scenario, P. furfuracea accumulates three times more Hg than both X. parietina and R. pseudoacacia. The results are discussed in the context of the actual European Union directives concerning air pollution monitoring and assessment, revealing that both active and passive BSs are efficient tools to provide a reliable estimation of the spatial changes of Hg concentrations in the environment.
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Cecconi E, Incerti G, Capozzi F, Adamo P, Bargagli R, Benesperi R, Candotto Carniel F, Favero-Longo SE, Giordano S, Puntillo D, Ravera S, Spagnuolo V, Tretiach M. Background element content in the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea: a comparative analysis of digestion methods. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:260. [PMID: 30949767 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7405-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In bioaccumulation studies, the interpretation of pollutant contents in the target biomonitor has to be performed by assessing a deviation from an unaltered reference condition. A common strategy consists in the comparison with background element content (BEC) values, often built up by uncritically merging methodologically heterogeneous data. In this respect, the acid digestion of samples was identified as a major step affecting BEC data. Here, the analytical outcomes of two acid mixtures were compared on a set of matched paired samples of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea, a widely used biomonitor for which BEC values based on partial digestion were previously provided. The standard reference material BCR 482 (P. furfuracea) was used to validate analytical procedures consisting of either a HF total mineralization or an aqua regia partial one, both associated to ICP-MS multi-element analysis. In particular, the performance of the procedures was evaluated by comparing analytical results of field samples with the accuracy obtained on BCR aliquots (measured-to-expected percentage ratio). The total digestion showed a better performance for Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, Sn, and Zn, whereas the opposite was found for Cr, Co, P, and S. Moreover, new BEC values were provided for P. furfuracea using a consolidated statistical approach, after a total sample digestion with hydrofluoric acid. The multivariate investigation of the background variability of 43 elements in 57 remote Italian sites led to the identification of geographically homogeneous areas for which BEC values are provided for use as reference in biomonitoring applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elva Cecconi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Guido Incerti
- Department of Agri-Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences (Di4A), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Fiore Capozzi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Paola Adamo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Roberto Bargagli
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Candotto Carniel
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Domenico Puntillo
- Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Sonia Ravera
- Department of Biosciences and Territory (DiBT), University of Molise, Pesche, Isernia, Italy
| | - Valeria Spagnuolo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mauro Tretiach
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 10, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
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New Interpretative Scales for Lichen Bioaccumulation Data: The Italian Proposal. ATMOSPHERE 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos10030136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The interpretation of lichen bioaccumulation data is of paramount importance in environmental forensics and decision-making processes. By implementing basic ideas underlying previous interpretative scales, new dimensionless, species-independent “bioaccumulation scales” for native and transplanted lichens are proposed. Methodologically consistent element concentration datasets were populated with data from biomonitoring studies relying on native and transplanted lichens. The scale for native lichens was built up by analyzing the distribution of ratios between element concentration data and species-specific background concentration references (B ratios), herein provided for Flavoparmelia caperata and Xanthoria parietina (foliose lichens). The scale for transplants was built up by analyzing the distribution of ratios between element concentration in exposed and unexposed samples (EU ratio) of Evernia prunastri and Pseudevernia furfuracea (fruticose lichens). Both scales consist of five percentile-based classes; namely, “Absence of”, “Low”, “Moderate”, “High”, and “Severe” bioaccumulation. A comparative analysis of extant interpretative tools showed that previous ones for native lichens suffered from the obsolescence of source data, whereas the previous expert-assessed scale for transplants failed in describing noticeable element concentration variations. The new scales, based on the concept that pollution can be quantified by dimensionless ratios between experimental and benchmark values, overcome most critical points affecting the previous scales.
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Cecconi E, Incerti G, Capozzi F, Adamo P, Bargagli R, Benesperi R, Candotto Carniel F, Favero-Longo SE, Giordano S, Puntillo D, Ravera S, Spagnuolo V, Tretiach M. Background element content of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea: A supra-national state of art implemented by novel field data from Italy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 622-623:282-292. [PMID: 29216469 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In biomonitoring, the knowledge of background element content (BEC) values is an essential pre-requisite for the correct assessment of pollution levels. Here, we estimated the BEC values of a highly performing biomonitor, the epiphytic lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea, by means of a careful review of literature data, integrated by an extensive field survey. Methodologically homogeneous element content datasets, reflecting different exposure conditions across European and extra-European countries, were compiled and comparatively analysed. Element content in samples collected in remote areas was compared to that of potentially enriched samples, testing differences between medians for 25 elements. This analysis confirmed that the former samples were substantially unaffected by anthropogenic contributions, and their metrics were therefore proposed as a first overview at supra-national background level. We also showed that bioaccumulation studies suffer a huge methodological variability. Limited to original field data, we investigated the background variability of 43 elements in 62 remote Italian sites, characterized in GIS environment for anthropization, land use, climate and lithology at different scale resolution. The relationships between selected environmental descriptors and BEC were tested using Principal Component Regression (PCR) modelling. Elemental composition resulted significantly dependent on land use, climate and lithology. In the case of lithogenic elements, regression models correctly reproduced the lichen content throughout the country at randomly selected sites. Further descriptors should be identified only for As, Co, and V. Through a multivariate approach we also identified three geographically homogeneous macro-regions for which specific BECs were provided for use as reference in biomonitoring applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elva Cecconi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
| | - Guido Incerti
- Department of Agri-Food, Animal and Environmental Sciences (DI4A), University of Udine, Italy
| | - Fiore Capozzi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - Paola Adamo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - Roberto Bargagli
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Domenico Puntillo
- Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden, University of Calabria, Italy
| | | | | | - Mauro Tretiach
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy.
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Kodnik D, Winkler A, Candotto Carniel F, Tretiach M. Biomagnetic monitoring and element content of lichen transplants in a mixed land use area of NE Italy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 595:858-867. [PMID: 28426984 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.03.261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to verify whether it is possible to discriminate between the different pollution sources present in a mixed land use area of NE Italy on the basis of the magnetic properties and the element content of lichen transplants. Thalli of Pseudevernia furfuracea were collected in a pristine area of the South-Eastern Alps and exposed for 2months in 40 sites located at the knots of a 700m step grid covering ca. 40km2 of a mosaic of agricultural, forested, industrial and urban areas. In this way, the samples could be analyzed after a defined period of time, and compared to pre-exposure conditions. The post-exposure element content and the magnetic data substantially agreed, revealing a rather modest anthropogenic impact on the territory, mostly limited to an industrial park. Since the magnetic mineralogy was homogeneous throughout the entire set of samples, with magnetite-like minerals as the main magnetic carriers, it was not possible to discriminate between PM originating from the different pollution sources. The contribution given by the industrial park could be confirmed by the multivariate analysis of the element data set. Conversely, it was possible to assess the low environmental impact of the largest local industry, a cement plant, located outside the industrial park. Notwithstanding the relatively short time of the survey, P. furfuracea was proven to be an effective accumulator for biomagnetic monitoring studies, its magnetic properties being excellent proxies for heavy metal pollution even when the anthropogenic impact on the territory is low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danijela Kodnik
- Università degli Studi di Trieste, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Via L. Giorgieri 10, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Aldo Winkler
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Via di Vigna Murata 605, I-00143 Roma, Italy.
| | - Fabio Candotto Carniel
- Università degli Studi di Trieste, Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Via L. Giorgieri 1, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Mauro Tretiach
- Università degli Studi di Trieste, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Via L. Giorgieri 10, I-34127 Trieste, Italy.
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