Soil arthropods in bioindication and ecotoxicological approach: The case of the extreme environment Mefite (Ansanto Valley, Southern Italy)

Soil arthropods are pivotal in maintaining soil health and serve as sensitive indicators of soil alterations. The soil arthropod community in the Mefite Geological Site (Italy), characterized by a sulphurous lake and intense degassing, was the focus of this study. In details, the objectives were: i) to characterize soil arthropod community at different distances from the Mefite lake; ii) to identify resilient taxa acting as bioindicators to assess soil ecotoxicity. Soil cores were collected at A) 30m, B) 80m, C) 120m away from the lake; soil organic matter (SOM), and pH, ecotoxicity tests (Lepidium sativum: germination index, elongation inhibition; Folsomia candida: survival, reproduction), and identification of soil arthropods (orders, Collembola families, Protura species) have been carried out. Statistical analyses assessed the impact of sulphurous emissions on soil chemistry, ecotoxicity, and arthropod parameters (community structure, taxa associations, biodiversity indices like Shannon and Simpson, and soil biological quality index - QBS-ar). The results showed: no SOM differences; pH: A < B < C; the highest ecotoxic effects were observed in A for both target species; arthropod community composition and QBS-ar varied notably in A compared to C, with the lowest soil biodiversity found in A. Hypogastruridae (Collembola) showed a clear association with A, while Protura were notably absent in A. This study also provided the first records of 4 Protura species in Campania, updating existing knowledge. Overall, arthropod community biodiversity and composition proved to be effective soil bioindicators in highly acidic conditions, reflecting soil ecotoxicity. In particular, the QBS-ar index demonstrated sensitivity in sulphurous environments.

Quantitative analysis of bisphenol A eluted into canned tomato and mackerel by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry using anthracene as matrix

Quantitative analysis of bisphenol A (BPA) was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. It was found that BPA was ionized as deprotonated species when anthracene was used as the matrix. A peak of deprotonated BPA and a peak assignable to epoxy resin were observed on analysis of liquids in canned tomato and mackerel samples. In addition, many identical peaks were observed from the liquids in both cans, indicating that epoxy resin was degraded and BPA was eluted into the canned tomato and mackerel during the storage period. It was suggested that the mackerel heat-treatment process and the acidity of tomato were responsible for the elution of BPA. Using bisphenol B (BPB) as the internal standard, the concentrations of BPA were determined to be 0.55 ± 0.05 and 1.72 ± 0.13 ng/µL (µg/mL) for the canned tomato and mackerel samples, respectively. These canned products were imported goods, and their BPA levels exceeded the safe concentration recommended by The Can Manufacturers Institute of Japan. The results indicate that consumers should exercise caution when consuming canned products particularly those manufactured overseas, which have different safety standards.

Vermiremediation applied to PCB and PCDD/F contaminated soils and its implications for percolating water

PCDD/Fs (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans) and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are ubiquitous persistent pollutants with reduced bioavailability, which bioremediation using soil fauna is still managed to treat. This research set out to: (i) study the suitability of earthworms (Eisenia fetida), alone and associated with plants (Lepidium sativum), for the decontamination of PCDD/F and PCB polluted soils in Brescia-Caffaro (Italy), at total and congener concentration levels; (ii) simulate the action of earthworms in groundwater contamination process and nutrient mobility. Five treatments were set up: (i) uncontaminated soil with E. fetida (NC); (ii) contaminated soil (C); (iii) contaminated soil with E. fetida (CEf); (iv) contaminated soil with L. sativum (CLs); (v) contaminated soil with E. fetida and L. sativum (CEfLs). PCBs and PCDD/Fs in the soil prior to testing were measured. Analysis was repeated in soil treatments and percolating water at the end of the test period (4 months). Dissolved nutrient concentrations were measured in percolated water. PCB and PCDD/F concentrations, initially 259333.33 ± 10867.89 ng/kg and 176 ± 10.69 ngTE/kg, were significantly reduced after 4 months in all treatments. Treatments did not differ in total PCBs concentration (from 160,000 ng/kg to 194,000 ng/kg), but CEfLs congeners concentrations were less environmentally threatening; CEf and CLs resulted in lower PCDD/Fs concentration (79.43 ± 3.34 ngTE/kg and 73.03 ± 4.09 ngTE/kg, respectively). The action of earthworms could enhance contaminants and soluble reactive phosphorous content in percolating water.