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Olmastroni S, Simonetti S, Fattorini N, D'Amico V, Cusset F, Bustamante P, Cherel Y, Corsi I. Living in a challenging environment: Monitoring stress ecology by non-destructive methods in an Antarctic seabird. Sci Total Environ 2024; 922:171249. [PMID: 38431169 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
How Antarctic species are facing historical and new stressors remains under-surveyed and risks to wildlife are still largely unknown. Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae are well-known bioindicators and sentinels of Antarctic ecosystem changes, a true canary in the coal mine. Immuno-haematological parameters have been proved to detect stress in wild animals, given their rapid physiological response that allows them tracking environmental changes and thus inferring habitat quality. Here, we investigated variation in Erythrocyte Nuclear Abnormalities (ENAs) and White Blood Cells (WBCs) in penguins from three clustered colonies in the Ross Sea, evaluating immuno-haematological parameters according to geography, breeding stage, and individual penguin characteristics such as sex, body condition and nest quality. Concentrations of mercury (Hg) and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen (as proxies of the penguin's trophic ecology) were analysed in feathers to investigate the association between stress biomarkers and Hg contamination in Adélie penguins. Colony and breeding stage were not supported as predictors of immuno-haematological parameters. ENAs and WBCs were respectively ∼30 % and ∼20 % higher in male than in female penguins. Body condition influenced WBCs, with penguins in the best condition having a ∼22 % higher level of WBCs than those in the worst condition. Nest position affected the proportion of micronuclei (MNs), with inner-nesting penguins having more than three times the proportion of MNs than penguins nesting in peripheral positions. Heterophils:Lymphocytes (H:L) ratio was not affected by any of the above predictors. Multiple factors acting as stressors are expected to increase prominently in Antarctic wildlife in the near future, therefore extensive monitoring aimed to assess the health status of penguin populations is mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Olmastroni
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Silvia Simonetti
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Niccolò Fattorini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Verónica D'Amico
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR), (CCT Centro Nacional Patagónico -CONICET), Brown 2915, U9120ACF, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Fanny Cusset
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Esposito MC, Riva L, Russo GL, Punta C, Corsi I, Tosti E, Gallo A. Reproductive toxicity assessment of cellulose nanofibers, citric acid, and branched polyethylenimine in sea urchins: eco-design of nanostructured cellulose sponge framework (Part B). Environ Pollut 2024:123934. [PMID: 38588971 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
In the framework of a safe-by-design approach, we previously assessed the eco-safety of nanostructured cellulose sponge (CNS) leachate on sea urchin reproduction. It impaired gamete quality, gamete fertilization competence, and embryo development possibly due to the leaching of chemical additives deriving from their chemical synthesis. To extend this observation and identify the component(s) that contribute to CNS ecotoxicity, in the present study, we individually screened the cytotoxic effects on sea urchin Arbacia lixula and Paracentrotus lividus gametes and embryos of the three main constituents of CNS, namely cellulose nanofibers, citric acid, and branched polyethylenimine. The study aimed to minimize any potential safety risk of these components and to obtain an eco-safe CNS. Among the three CNS constituents, branched polyethylenimine resulted in the most toxic agent. Indeed, it affected the physiology and fertilization competence of male and female gametes as well as embryo development in both sea urchin species. These results are consistent with those previously reported for CNS leachate. Moreover, the characterisation of CNS leachate confirmed the presence of detectable branched polyethylenimine in the conditioned seawater even though in a very limited amount. Altogether, these data indicate that the presence of branched polyethylenimine is a cause-effect associated with a significant risk in CNS formulations due to its leaching upon contact with seawater. Nevertheless, the suggested safety protocol consisting of consecutive leaching treatments and conditioning of CNS in seawater can successfully ameliorate the CNS ecotoxicity while maintaining the efficacy of its sorbent properties supporting potential environmental applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Consiglia Esposito
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Riva
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano and INSTM Local Unit, via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Russo
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, via Roma 64, 83100, Avellino, Italy
| | - Carlo Punta
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano and INSTM Local Unit, via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Tosti
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gallo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy.
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Bellingeri A, Palmaccio GM, Cecone C, Trotta F, Corsi I. Preliminary assessment of environmental safety (ecosafety) of dextrin-based nanosponges for environmental applications. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2024; 273:116120. [PMID: 38401200 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
The ability to employ waste products, such as vegetable scraps, as raw materials for the synthesis of new promising adsorbing materials is at the base of the circular economy and end of waste concepts. Dextrin-based nanosponges (D_NS), both cyclodextrin (CD) and maltodextrin (MD), have shown remarkable adsorption abilities in the removal of toxic compounds from water and wastewater, thus representing a bio-based low-cost solution which is establishing itself in the market. Nevertheless, their environmental safety for either aquatic or terrestrial organisms has been overlooked, raising concern in terms of potential hazards to natural ecosystems. Here, the environmental safety (ecosafety) of six newly synthesized batches of D_NS was determined along with their full characterization by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) and transmission electron microscopy (SEM). Ecotoxicity evaluation was performed using a battery of model organisms and ecotoxicity assays, such as the microalgae growth inhibition test using the freshwater Raphidocelis subcapitata and the marine diatom Dunaliella tertiolecta, regeneration assay using the freshwater cnidarian Hydra vulgaris and immobilization assay with the marine brine shrimp Artemia franciscana. Impact on seedling germination of a terrestrial plant of commercial interest, Cucurbita pepo was also investigated. Ecotoxicity data showed mild to low toxicity of the six batches, up to 1 mg/mL, in the following order: R. subcapitata > H. vulgaris > D. tertiolecta > A. franciscana > C. pepo. The only exception was represented by one batch (NS-Q+_BDE_(GLU2) which resulted highly toxic for both freshwater species, R. subcapitata and H. vulgaris. Those criticalities were solved with the synthesis of a fresh new batch and were hence attributed to the single synthesis and not to the specific D_NS formulation. No effect on germination of pumpkin but rather more a stimulative effect was observed. To our knowledge this is the first evaluation of the environmental safety of D_ NS. As such we emphasize that current formulations and exposure levels in the range of mg/mL do not harm aquatic and terrestrial species thus representing an ecosafe solution also for environmental applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Bellingeri
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, Siena 53100, Italy.
| | - Gian Marco Palmaccio
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Claudio Cecone
- Department of Chemistry, Nis Interdepartmental Centre, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 7, Turin 10125, Italy
| | - Francesco Trotta
- Department of Chemistry, Nis Interdepartmental Centre, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 7, Turin 10125, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, Siena 53100, Italy.
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Riva L, Dotti A, Iucci G, Venditti I, Meneghini C, Corsi I, Khalakhan I, Nicastro G, Punta C, Battocchio C. Silver Nanoparticles Supported onto TEMPO-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibers for Promoting Cd 2+ Cation Adsorption. ACS Appl Nano Mater 2024; 7:2401-2413. [PMID: 38298253 PMCID: PMC10825820 DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.3c06052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Nanocellulose constitutes a sustainable and biobased solution both as an efficient sorbent material for water treatment and as support for other inorganic nanomaterials with sorbent properties. Herein, we report the synthesis of a nanocomposite by deposition of in situ-generated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNFs). Following an in-depth analytical investigation, we unveil for the first time the key role of AgNPs in enhancing the adsorption efficiency of TOCNF toward Cd2+ ions, chosen as model heavy metal contaminants. The obtained nanocomposite shows a value of Cd2+ sorption capacity at equilibrium from 150 mg L-1 ion aqueous solutions of ∼116 mg g-1 against the value of 78 mg g-1 measured for TOCNF alone. A combination of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses suggests that Cd2+ ions are mainly adsorbed in the neighborhood of AgNPs. However, XPS characterization allows us to conclude that the role of AgNPs relies on increasing the exposure of carboxylic groups with respect to the original TOCNF, suggesting that these groups are still responsible for absorption. In fact, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analysis of the Cd-K edge excludes a direct interaction between Ag0 and Cd2+, supporting the XPS results and confirming the coordination of the latter with carboxyl groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Riva
- Department
of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano and INSTM Local Unit, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131 Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Dotti
- Department
of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano and INSTM Local Unit, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131 Milano, Italy
| | - Giovanna Iucci
- Department
of Science, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Iole Venditti
- Department
of Science, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Meneghini
- Department
of Science, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department
of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Ivan Khalakhan
- Department
of Surface and Plasma Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, V Holešovičkách 2, 18000 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Gloria Nicastro
- Department
of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano and INSTM Local Unit, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131 Milano, Italy
| | - Carlo Punta
- Department
of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano and INSTM Local Unit, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131 Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Battocchio
- Department
of Science, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy
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5
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Menicagli V, Balestri E, Corti S, Arena B, Protano G, Corsi I, Lardicci C. Effects of TiO 2 ultraviolet filter and sunscreens on coastal dune plant performance and competitive interactions. Chemosphere 2023; 343:140236. [PMID: 37739133 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Ultraviolet filters (UVFs) added to sunscreens (SS) are emerging contaminants in marine environments due to their adverse effects on organisms and ecosystems. UVFs have also been detected in beach-dune systems, but their influence on resident organisms has not been explored yet. Native plants are fundamental components of coastal dunes, and these ecologically/economically important systems are currently among the most threatened globally. Thus, understanding whether UVFs may act as threats to dune plants is crucial. This field study evaluated and compared the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2), one of the inorganic UVFs most commonly added to sunscreens, and those of a commercial sunscreen product containing it (SS-nTiO2) on the performance of adult dune plants of a native (Thinopyrum junceum) and a non-native invasive species (Carpobrotus sp. pl.) and their competitive interactions at environmentally realistic concentrations. The effects of nTiO2, SS-nTiO2 and of a sunscreen product containing just organic UVFs (SS-OF) on early life stages of T. junceum were also examined. Ti bulk content in sand and plants at the study site ranged from 970 to 1069 mg kg-1 and from 2 to 7.9 mg kg-1, respectively. Thinopyrum junceum adult plants periodically exposed during the summer season to seawater contaminated by SS-nTiO2 produced less biomass than un-exposed plants and nTiO2 exposed plants. nTiO2 and SS-nTiO2 reduced the capacity of T. junceum to control the spread of Carpobrotus. Both SS-nTiO2 and SS-OF reduced seedling emergence in T. junceum whereas nTiO2 did not. These results demonstrated that the periodical exposures of native dune plants to sunscreens could reduce their establishment success and growth and favor invasive plant spread potentially resulting in community structure changes. They also emphasize the need to assess the phytotoxicity not only of single UVFs but especially that of complete sunscreen products to design more eco-friendly formulations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sara Corti
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Benito Arena
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Protano
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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6
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Esposito MC, Russo GL, Riva L, Punta C, Corsi I, Tosti E, Gallo A. Nanostructured cellulose sponge engineered for marine environmental remediation: Eco-safety assessment of its leachate on sea urchin reproduction (Part A). Environ Pollut 2023; 334:122169. [PMID: 37437755 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Nanostructured cellulose sponges (CNS) have been developed as eco-friendly and sustainable engineered materials for marine environmental remediation. Despite their functionality, sensitivity, efficiency and specificity have been proved, CNS application is still limited since their environmental safety (eco-safety) has not been completely assessed. In this study, CNS were allowed to leach in natural seawater simulating the remediation process condition and the eco-safety of CNS leachate on sea urchin reproduction has been assessed by carrying out a multi-response integrated approach, combining standardized ecotoxicity tests, innovative bioassays and gamete quality assessment. Overall, the ecotoxicity data indicate that CNS leachate affects gamete quality, gamete fertilisation competence, and embryo development probably associated with the release of chemical additives used during the synthesis process. However, in the framework of the eco-design approach, consecutive leaching treatments and conditioning of CNS in seawater open the route for a new safety protocol successfully solving the ecotoxicity while maintaining CNS sorbent properties. A safe environmental application of the resulting conditioned CNS for seawater pollution remediation is envisaged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Consiglia Esposito
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Russo
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, via Roma 64, 83100, Avellino, Italy
| | - Laura Riva
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano and INSTM Local Unit, via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Carlo Punta
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano and INSTM Local Unit, via Mancinelli 7, 20131, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Tosti
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gallo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale 1, 80121, Naples, Italy.
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Cusset F, Bustamante P, Carravieri A, Bertin C, Brasso R, Corsi I, Dunn M, Emmerson L, Guillou G, Hart T, Juáres M, Kato A, Machado-Gaye AL, Michelot C, Olmastroni S, Polito M, Raclot T, Santos M, Schmidt A, Southwell C, Soutullo A, Takahashi A, Thiebot JB, Trathan P, Vivion P, Waluda C, Fort J, Cherel Y. Circumpolar assessment of mercury contamination: the Adélie penguin as a bioindicator of Antarctic marine ecosystems. Ecotoxicology 2023; 32:1024-1049. [PMID: 37878111 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02709-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Due to its persistence and potential ecological and health impacts, mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant of major concern that may reach high concentrations even in remote polar oceans. In contrast to the Arctic Ocean, studies documenting Hg contamination in the Southern Ocean are spatially restricted and large-scale monitoring is needed. Here, we present the first circumpolar assessment of Hg contamination in Antarctic marine ecosystems. Specifically, the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) was used as a bioindicator species, to examine regional variation across 24 colonies distributed across the entire Antarctic continent. Mercury was measured on body feathers collected from both adults (n = 485) and chicks (n = 48) between 2005 and 2021. Because penguins' diet represents the dominant source of Hg, feather δ13C and δ15N values were measured as proxies of feeding habitat and trophic position. As expected, chicks had lower Hg concentrations (mean ± SD: 0.22 ± 0.08 μg·g‒1) than adults (0.49 ± 0.23 μg·g‒1), likely because of their shorter bioaccumulation period. In adults, spatial variation in feather Hg concentrations was driven by both trophic ecology and colony location. The highest Hg concentrations were observed in the Ross Sea, possibly because of a higher consumption of fish in the diet compared to other sites (krill-dominated diet). Such large-scale assessments are critical to assess the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Owing to their circumpolar distribution and their ecological role in Antarctic marine ecosystems, Adélie penguins could be valuable bioindicators for tracking spatial and temporal trends of Hg across Antarctic waters in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Cusset
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France.
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France.
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Alice Carravieri
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Clément Bertin
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Rebecka Brasso
- Department of Zoology, Weber State University, Ogden, UT, USA
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Louise Emmerson
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australian Antarctic Division, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Gaël Guillou
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Tom Hart
- Department of Biological and Medicinal Sciences, Oxford Brooke University, Oxford, UK
| | - Mariana Juáres
- Departamento Biología de Predadores Tope, Instituto Antártico Argentino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Akiko Kato
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | | | - Candice Michelot
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
- Institut Maurice-Lamontagne, Pêches et Océans Canada, Mont-Joli, QC, Canada
| | - Silvia Olmastroni
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
- Museo Nazionale dell'Antartide, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Thierry Raclot
- Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, UMR 7178 du CNRS, Université de Strasbourg, 67087, Strasbourg, France
| | - Mercedes Santos
- Departamento Biología de Predadores Tope, Instituto Antártico Argentino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Colin Southwell
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australian Antarctic Division, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Alvaro Soutullo
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este, Universidad de la República, Maldonado, Uruguay
| | - Akinori Takahashi
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-8518, Japan
| | - Jean-Baptiste Thiebot
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo, 190-8518, Japan
- Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, Minato-cho 3-1-1, Hakodate, 041-8611, Japan
| | | | - Pierre Vivion
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | | | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
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8
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Landi C, Liberatori G, Puccini M, Shaba E, Vantaggiato L, Vitolo S, Corsi I, Bini L. Proteomics coupled with AhR-reporter gene bioassay for human and environmental safety assessment of sewage sludge and hydrochar. Sci Total Environ 2023:164651. [PMID: 37277040 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Today application of sewage sludge (SL) and hydrochar (HC) in agriculture is a common practice for soil conditioning and crop fertilization, however safety concerns for human and environmental health due to the presence of toxic compounds have recently been expressed. Our aim was to test the suitability of proteomics coupled with bioanalytical tools for unravelling mixture effects of these applications in human and environmental safety assessment. We conducted proteomic and bioinformatic analysis of cell cultures used in the DR-CALUX® bioassay to identify proteins differentially abundant after exposure to SL and the corresponding HC, rather than only using the Bioanalytical Toxicity Equivalents (BEQs) obtained by DR-CALUX®. DR-CALUX® cells exposed to SL or HC showed a differential pattern of protein abundance depending on the type of SL and HC extract. The modified proteins are involved in antioxidant pathways, unfolded protein response and DNA damage that have close correlations with the effects of dioxin on biological systems and with onset of cancer and neurological disorders. Other cell response evidence suggested enrichment of heavy metals in the extracts. The present combined approach represents an advance in the application of bioanalytical tools for safety assessment of complex mixtures such as SL and HC. It proved successful in screening proteins, the abundance of which is determined by SL and HC and by the biological activity of legacy toxic compounds, including organohalogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Landi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Giulia Liberatori
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Monica Puccini
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Enxhi Shaba
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Sandra Vitolo
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Bini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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9
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Palmeira-Pinto L, Emerenciano AK, Bergami E, Joviano WR, Rosa AR, Neves CL, Corsi I, Marques-Santos LF, Silva JRMC. Alterations induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO 2) in fertilization and embryonic and larval development of the tropical sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Mar Environ Res 2023; 188:106016. [PMID: 37167835 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The release of nanomaterials into the environment is the cause of an emerging concern. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) among the most produced nanomaterials, has been documented in marine coastal areas posing a threat on marine biota. Sea urchin embryos are recognized as suitable bioindicators in ecological risk assessment and recently for nanomaterials. This study investigated the impact of nano-TiO2 on fertilization, embryonic and larval development of the tropical sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus in a range of concentrations (0.005-5 μg/mL) which includes environmentally relevant ones. The behavior of nano-TiO2 in tropical natural seawater was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and toxicity was evaluated through fertilization and embryotoxicity tests, and morphological/morphometric analyses of sea urchin's larvae. Limited toxicity was recorded for nano-TiO2 in tropical sea urchin embryos and larvae, except for effects at the gastrula stage at 0.005 μg/mL. Large agglomerates of nano-TiO2 (5 μg/mL) were observed adhering onto sea urchin larvae thus probably preventing nanoparticles uptake at the highest concentrations (>0.005 μg/mL). Environmental levels of nano-TiO2 are able to cause toxicity on tropical sea urchin L. variegatus embryos with potential consequences on populations and their ecological role in tropical coastal areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Palmeira-Pinto
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, CEP, 05509-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - A K Emerenciano
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, CEP, 05509-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - E Bergami
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - W R Joviano
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, CEP, 05509-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - A R Rosa
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, CEP, 05509-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - C L Neves
- Pathophysiology Laboratory, Butantan Institute, CEP, 05503-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - I Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - L F Marques-Santos
- Department of Molecular Biology, Center for Exact and Nature Sciences, Federal University of Paraiba, Cidade Universitária s/n, Castelo Branco, CEP, 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - J R M C Silva
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, CEP, 05509-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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10
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Corsi I, Venditti I, Trotta F, Punta C. Environmental safety of nanotechnologies: The eco-design of manufactured nanomaterials for environmental remediation. Sci Total Environ 2023; 864:161181. [PMID: 36581299 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Nanosafety is paramount considering the risks associated with manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) whose implications could outweigh their advantages for environmental applications. Although nanotechnology-based solutions to implement pollution control, remediation and prevention are incremental with clear benefits for public health and Earth' natural ecosystems, nanoremediation is having a setback due to the risks associated with the safety of MNMs for humans and the environment. MNMs are diverse, work differently and bionano-interactions occurring upon environmental exposure will guide their fate and hazardous outcomes. Here we propose a new ecologically-based design strategy (eco-design) having its roots in green nanoscience and LCA that will ground on an Ecological Risk Assessment approach, which introduces the evaluation of MNMs' ecotoxicity along with their performances and efficacies at the design stage. As such, the proposed eco-design strategy will allow recognition and design-out since the very beginning of material synthesis, those hazardous peculiar features that can be hazardous to living beings and the natural environment. A more ecologically sound eco-design strategy in which nanosafety is conceptually included in MNMs design will sustain safer nanotechnologies including those for the environment as remediation by leveraging any risks for humans and natural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Iole Venditti
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University of Rome, via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Trotta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Carlo Punta
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta" and INSTM Local Unit, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy
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11
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Murano C, Nonnis S, Scalvini FG, Maffioli E, Corsi I, Tedeschi G, Palumbo A. Response to microplastic exposure: An exploration into the sea urchin immune cell proteome. Environ Pollut 2023; 320:121062. [PMID: 36641070 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
It is now known that the Mediterranean Sea currently is one of the major hotspot for microplastics (MPs; < 5 mm) pollution and that the risks will be even more pronounced in the coming years. Thus, the in-depth study of the mechanisms underlying the MPs toxicity in key Mediterranean organisms, subjected to high anthropic pressures, has become a categorical imperative to pursue. Here, we explore for the first time the sea urchins immune cells profile combined to their proteome upon in vivo exposure (72 h) to different concentrations of polystyrene-microbeads (micro-PS) starting from relevant environmental concentrations (10, 50, 103, 104 MP/L). Every 24 h, immunological parameters were monitored. After 72 h, the abundance of MPs was examined in various organs and coelomocytes were collected for proteomic analysis based on a shotgun label free proteomic approach. While sea urchins treated with the lowest concentration tested (10 and 50 micro-PS/L) did not show the presence of micro-PS in any tissue, in the specimens exposed to the highest concentration (103 and 104 micro-PS) there was an internalisation of 9.75 ± 2.75 and 113.75 ± 34.5 MP/g, respectively. Proteomic analyses revealed that MPs exposure altered coelomocytes protein profile not only compared to the control group but also among the different micro-PS concentrations and these variations are micro-PS concentration dependent. The proteins exclusively expressed in the coelomocytes of specimens exposed to MPs are mainly metabolite interconversion enzymes, involved in cellular processes, indicating a severe alteration of the cellular metabolic pathways. Overall, these findings provide new insights on the mode of action of MPs in the sea urchin immune cells both at the molecular and cellular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Murano
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Nonnis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (DIVAS), Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy; CRC "Innovation for Well-being and Environment" (I-WE), Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Grassi Scalvini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (DIVAS), Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Maffioli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (DIVAS), Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gabriella Tedeschi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (DIVAS), Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy; CRC "Innovation for Well-being and Environment" (I-WE), Università Degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Palumbo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy.
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12
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Eliso MC, Bergami E, Bonciani L, Riccio R, Belli G, Belli M, Corsi I, Spagnuolo A. Application of transcriptome profiling to inquire into the mechanism of nanoplastics toxicity during Ciona robusta embryogenesis. Environ Pollut 2023; 318:120892. [PMID: 36529345 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The growing concern on nanoplastics (<1 μm) impact on marine life has stimulated a significant amount of studies aiming to address ecotoxicity and disclose their mechanisms of action. Here, we applied an integrative approach to develop an Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) upon acute exposure to amino-modified polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NH2 NPs, 50 nm), as proxy for nanoplastics, during the embryogenesis of the chordate Ciona robusta. Genes related to glutathione metabolism, immune defense, nervous system, transport by aquaporins and energy metabolism were affected by either concentration tested of 10 or 15 μg mL-1 of PS-NH2. Transcriptomic data and in vivo experiments were assembled into two putative AOPs, identifying as key events the adhesion of PS-NH2 as (molecular) initiating event, followed by oxidative stress, changes in transcription of specific genes, morphological defects, increase in reactive oxygen species level, impaired swimming behavior. As final adverse outcomes, altered larval development, reduced metamorphosis and inhibition of hatching were identified. Our study attempts to define AOPs for PS-NH2 without excluding that chemicals leaching from them might also have a potential role in the observed outcome. Overall data provide new insights into the mechanism of action of PS-NH2 NPs during chordate embryogenesis and offer further keys for a better knowledge of nanoplastics impact on early stages of marine life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Concetta Eliso
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy.
| | - Elisa Bergami
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena (MO), Italy
| | - Lisa Bonciani
- BioChemie LAB, Via di Limite, 27G, 50013, Campi Bisenzio, FI, Italy
| | - Roberto Riccio
- BioChemie LAB, Via di Limite, 27G, 50013, Campi Bisenzio, FI, Italy
| | - Giulia Belli
- BioChemie LAB, Via di Limite, 27G, 50013, Campi Bisenzio, FI, Italy
| | - Mattia Belli
- BioChemie LAB, Via di Limite, 27G, 50013, Campi Bisenzio, FI, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Antonietta Spagnuolo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121, Naples, Italy
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13
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Guidi P, Bernardeschi M, Palumbo M, Buttino I, Vitiello V, Scarcelli V, Chiaretti G, Fiorati A, Pellegrini D, Pontorno L, Bonciani L, Punta C, Corsi I, Frenzilli G. Eco-Friendly Engineered Nanomaterials Coupled with Filtering Fine-Mesh Net as a Promising Tool to Remediate Contaminated Freshwater Sludges: An Ecotoxicity Investigation. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2023; 13:396. [PMID: 36770355 PMCID: PMC9920148 DOI: 10.3390/nano13030396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The use of eco-friendly engineered nanomaterials represents a recent solution for an effective and safe treatment of contaminated dredging sludge. In this study, an eco-designed engineered material based on cross-linked nanocellulose (CNS) was applied for the first time to decontaminate a real matrix from heavy metals (namely Zn, Ni, Cu, and Fe) and other undesired elements (mainly Ba and As) in a lab-scale study, with the aim to design a safe solution for the remediation of contaminated matrices. Contaminated freshwater sludge was treated with CNS coupled with a filtering fine-mesh net, and the obtained waters were tested for acute and sublethal toxicity. In order to check the safety of the proposed treatment system, toxicity tests were conducted by exposing the bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri and the crustacean Heterocypris incongruens, while subtoxicity biomarkers such as lysosomal membrane stability, genetic, and chromosomal damage assessment were performed on the freshwater bivalve Dreissena polymorpha. Dredging sludge was found to be genotoxic, and such genotoxicity was mitigated by the combined use of CNS and a filtering fine-mesh net. Chemical analyses confirmed the results by highlighting the abetment of target contaminants, indicating the present model as a promising tool in freshwater sludge nanoremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Guidi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Applied Biology and Genetics, and INSTM Local Unit, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Margherita Bernardeschi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Applied Biology and Genetics, and INSTM Local Unit, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Mara Palumbo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Applied Biology and Genetics, and INSTM Local Unit, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Isabella Buttino
- Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via del Cedro, 38, 57123 Livorno, Italy
| | - Valentina Vitiello
- Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via del Cedro, 38, 57123 Livorno, Italy
| | - Vittoria Scarcelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Applied Biology and Genetics, and INSTM Local Unit, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gianluca Chiaretti
- Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via del Cedro, 38, 57123 Livorno, Italy
| | - Andrea Fiorati
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, and INSTM Local Unit, Politecnico di Milano, 20131 Milano, Italy
| | - David Pellegrini
- Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via del Cedro, 38, 57123 Livorno, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Pontorno
- Biochemie Lab. S.r.l, Via di Limite 27G, 50013 Campi Bisenzio, Italy
| | - Lisa Bonciani
- Biochemie Lab. S.r.l, Via di Limite 27G, 50013 Campi Bisenzio, Italy
| | - Carlo Punta
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, and INSTM Local Unit, Politecnico di Milano, 20131 Milano, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and INSTM Local Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giada Frenzilli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Applied Biology and Genetics, and INSTM Local Unit, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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14
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da Silva JRMC, Bergami E, Gomes V, Corsi I. Occurrence and distribution of legacy and emerging pollutants including plastic debris in Antarctica: Sources, distribution and impact on marine biodiversity. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 186:114353. [PMID: 36436273 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Since the first explorers reached Antarctica, their activities have quickly impacted both land and sea and thus, together with the long-range transport, hazardous chemicals began to accumulate. It is commonly recognized that anthropogenic pollution in Antarctica can originate from either global or local sources. Heavy metals, organohalogenated compounds, hydrocarbons, and (more recently) plastic, have been found in Antarctic biota, soil sediments, seawater, air, snow and sea-ice. Studies in such remote areas are challenging and expensive, and the complexity of potential interactions occurring in such extreme climate conditions (i.e., low temperature) makes any accurate prediction on potential impacts difficult. The present review aims to summarize the current state of knowledge on occurrence and distribution of legacy and emerging pollutants in Antarctica, such as plastic, from either global or local sources. Future actions to monitor and mitigate any potential impact on Antarctic biodiversity are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Roberto Machado Cunha da Silva
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science / CEBIMar (Centro de Biologia Marinha), University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 05509900, Brazil.
| | - Elisa Bergami
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/D, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Vicente Gomes
- Department of Biological Oceanography, Oceanographic Institute, University of São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP 05508-120, Brazil
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
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15
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Bergami E, Ferrari E, Löder MGJ, Birarda G, Laforsch C, Vaccari L, Corsi I. Textile microfibers in wild Antarctic whelk Neobuccinum eatoni (Smith, 1875) from Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica). Environ Res 2023; 216:114487. [PMID: 36265599 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Antarctica has been affected directly and indirectly by human pressure for more than two centuries and recently plastic pollution has been recognized as a further potential threat for its unique biodiversity. Global long-range transport as well as local input from anthropogenic activities are potential sources of plastic pollution in both terrestrial and marine Antarctic territories. The present study evaluated the presence of microplastics in specimens of the Antarctic whelk Neobuccinum eatoni, a key species in benthic communities of the Ross Sea, one of the largest marine protected areas worldwide. To this aim, a thermo-oxidative extraction method was applied for microplastic isolation and quantification, and polymer identification was performed by manual μ-FTIR spectroscopy. Textile (semi-)synthetic or composite microfibers (length range: 0.8-5.7 mm) were found in 27.3% of whelk specimens, suggesting a low risk of bioaccumulation along Antarctic benthic food webs in the Ross Sea. Their polymer composition (of polyethylene terephthalate and cellulose-polyamide composites) matched those of outdoor technical clothing in use by the personnel of the Italian "Mario Zucchelli" station near Terra Nova Bay in the Ross Sea. Such findings indicate that sewage from base stations may act as potential local sources of textile microplastic fibers in this remote environment. More in-depth monitoring studies aiming at defining the extent of microplastic contamination related to such sources in Antarctica are encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Bergami
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy.
| | - E Ferrari
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
| | - M G J Löder
- Department of Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - G Birarda
- SISSI-Chemical and Life Science Branch, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - C Laforsch
- Department of Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - L Vaccari
- SISSI-Chemical and Life Science Branch, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, 34149, Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - I Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, 53100, Italy
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16
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Cappello S, Corsi I, Patania S, Bergami E, Azzaro M, Mancuso M, Genovese M, Lunetta A, Caruso G. Characterization of Five Psychrotolerant Alcanivorax spp. Strains Isolated from Antarctica. Microorganisms 2022; 11:microorganisms11010058. [PMID: 36677350 PMCID: PMC9861381 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Five psychrotolerant Alcanivorax spp. strains were isolated from Antarctic coastal waters. Strains were screened for molecular and physiological properties and analyzed regarding their growth capacity. Partial 16S rDNA, alk-B1, and P450 gene sequencing was performed. Biolog EcoPlates and the API 20E test were used to evaluate metabolic and biochemical profiles. Bacterial growth in sodium acetate was determined at 4, 15, 20, and 25 °C to evaluate the optimal temperature. Furthermore, the ability of each strain to grow in a hydrocarbon mixture at 4 and 25 °C was assayed. Biosurfactant production tests (drop-collapse and oil spreading) and emulsification activity tests (E24) were also performed. Concerning results of partial gene sequencing (16S rDNA, alk-B1, and P450), a high similarity of the isolates with the same genes isolated from other Alcanivorax spp. strains was observed. The metabolic profiles obtained by Biolog assays showed no significant differences in the isolates compared to the Alcanivorax borkumensis wild type. The results of biodegradative tests showed their capability to grow at different temperatures. All strains showed biosurfactant production and emulsification activity. Our findings underline the importance to proceed in the isolation and characterization of Antarctic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial strains since their biotechnological and environmental applications could be useful even for pollution remediation in polar areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Cappello
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies, National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM), 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sabrina Patania
- PhD School in “Applied Biology and Experimental Medicine”, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Elisa Bergami
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Maurizio Azzaro
- Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISP), 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Monique Mancuso
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies, National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM), 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Genovese
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies, National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM), 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessia Lunetta
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies, National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM), 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Caruso
- Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISP), 98122 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-090-6015423
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17
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Corsi I, Desimone MF, Cazenave J. Editorial: Nanotoxicology: Challenges and solutions to safeguard human health and the environment. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1110246. [PMID: 36568312 PMCID: PMC9768534 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1110246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Martin Federico Desimone
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Química y Metabolismo Del Fármaco (IQUIMEFA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jimena Cazenave
- Laboratorio de Ictiología, Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional Del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina,*Correspondence: Jimena Cazenave,
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18
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Simonetti S, Zupo V, Gambi MC, Luckenbach T, Corsi I. Unraveling cellular and molecular mechanisms of acid stress tolerance and resistance in marine species: New frontiers in the study of adaptation to ocean acidification. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 185:114365. [PMID: 36435021 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Since the industrial revolution, fossil fuel combustion has led to a 30 %-increase of the atmospheric CO2 concentration, also increasing the ocean partial CO2 pressure. The consequent lowered surface seawater pH is termed ocean acidification (OA) and severely affects marine life on a global scale. Cellular and molecular responses of marine species to lowered seawater pH have been studied but information on the mechanisms driving the tolerance of adapted species to comparatively low seawater pH is limited. Such information may be obtained from species inhabiting sites with naturally low water pH that have evolved remarkable abilities to tolerate such conditions. This review gathers information on current knowledge about species naturally facing low water pH conditions and on cellular and molecular adaptive mechanisms enabling the species to survive under, and even benefit from, adverse pH conditions. Evidences derived from case studies on naturally acidified systems and on resistance mechanisms will guide predictions on the consequences of future adverse OA scenarios for marine biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Simonetti
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Dep.t of BluBioTech, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Valerio Zupo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Dep.t of BluBioTech, Napoli, Italy.
| | | | - Till Luckenbach
- Department Bioanalytical Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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19
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Bellingeri A, Battocchio C, Faleri C, Protano G, Venditti I, Corsi I. Sensitivity of Hydra vulgaris to Nanosilver for Environmental Applications. Toxics 2022; 10:695. [PMID: 36422905 PMCID: PMC9695720 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10110695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nanosilver applications, including sensing and water treatment, have significantly increased in recent years, although safety for humans and the environment is still under debate. Here, we tested the environmental safety of a novel formulation of silver nanoparticles functionalized with citrate and L-cysteine (AgNPcitLcys) on freshwater cnidarian Hydra vulgaris as an emerging ecotoxicological model for the safety of engineered nanomaterials. AgNPcitLcys behavior was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), while Ag release was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). H. vulgaris (n = 12) subjects were evaluated for morphological aberration after 96 h of exposure and regeneration ability after 96 h and 7 days of exposure, after which the predatory ability was also assessed. The results show a low dissolution of AgNPcitLcys in Hydra medium (max 0.146% of nominal AgNPcitLcys concentration) and highlight a lack of ecotoxicological effects, both on morphology and regeneration, confirming the protective role of the double coating against AgNP biological effects. Predatory ability evaluation suggests a mild impairment of the entangling capacity or of the functionality of the tentacles, as the number of preys killed but not ingested was higher than the controls in all exposed animals. While their long-term sub-lethal effects still need to be further evaluated on H. vulgaris, AgNPcitLcys appears to be a promising tool for environmental applications, for instance, for water treatment and sensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Bellingeri
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Battocchio
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University of Rome, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Faleri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Protano
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Iole Venditti
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University of Rome, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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20
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Ferrari E, Eliso MC, Bellingeri A, Corsi I, Spagnuolo A. Short-Term Exposure to Nanoplastics Does Not Affect Bisphenol A Embryotoxicity to Marine Ascidian Ciona robusta. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1661. [PMID: 36359011 PMCID: PMC9687932 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastic pollution is recognized as a global environmental threat and concern is increasing regarding the potential interactions of the smallest fragments, nanoplastics (1 µm), with either physical and chemical entities encountered in the natural environment, including toxic pollutants. The smallest size of nanoplastics (<100nm) rebounds to their safety associated with remarkable biological, chemical and physical reactivity that allow them to interact with cellular machinery by crossing biological barriers and causing damage to living beings. Recent findings on nanoplastic occurrence in marine coastal waters, including the Mediterranean Sea, leave open the question on their ability to act as a vector of other contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) concomitantly released by wastewater treatment plants and reaching marine coastal waters. Here, we assess for the first time the role of non-functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs, 20 nm) as a proxy for nanoplastics (1 and 10 µg/mL) alone and in combination with bisphenol A (BPA) (4.5 and 10 µM) on Ciona robusta embryos (22 h post fertilization, hpf) by looking at embryotoxicity through phenotypic alterations. We confirmed the ability of BPA to impact ascidian C. robusta embryo development, by affecting sensory organs pigmentation, either alone and in combination with PS NPs. Our findings suggest that no interactions are taking place between PS NPs and BPA in filtered sea water (FSW) probably due to the high ionic strength of seawater able to trigger the sorption surface properties of PS NPs. Further studies are needed to elucidate such peculiarities and define the risk posed by combined exposure to BPA and PS NPs in marine coastal waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Ferrari
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Eliso
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Arianna Bellingeri
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Antonietta Spagnuolo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy
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21
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Bergami E, Krupinski Emerenciano A, Palmeira Pinto L, Reina Joviano W, Font A, Almeida de Godoy T, Silva JRMC, González-Aravena M, Corsi I. Behavioural, physiological and molecular responses of the Antarctic fairy shrimp Branchinecta gaini (Daday, 1910) to polystyrene nanoplastics. NanoImpact 2022; 28:100437. [PMID: 36332901 DOI: 10.1016/j.impact.2022.100437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution represents an emerging environmental issue in terrestrial Antarctica, especially in the Antarctic Peninsula and Maritime Antarctica, which have been recently recognized as hot spots for plastic litter. In these regions, freshwater (FW) environments such as lakes host isolated ecosystems and species that can be severely affected by increasing environmental and anthropogenic stressors, which include plastics that are still overlooked. In this study, we investigated for the first time the impact of nanoplastics on adults of the fairy shrimp Branchinecta gaini (Order Anostraca) populating Antarctic FW ecosystems, using surface charged polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) as a proxy. Short-term acute toxicity (48 h) was investigated by exposing adults to carboxyl (-COOH, 60 nm) and amino-modified (-NH2, 50 nm) PS NPs at 1 and 5 μg mL-1. Biodisposition of PS NPs and lethal and sub-lethal effects (i.e., swimming, moulting, histology, gene expression) were assessed. Behaviour of PS NPs in Antarctic FW media was monitored through 48 h of exposure showing that both PS NPs kept their nanoscale size in the Antarctic FW media. Survival of fairy shrimp adults over short-term exposure was not affected, on the other hand an increase in moulting rate and alterations in the gut epithelium were observed upon exposure to both PS NPs. Significant alterations at the behavioural (ventilation rate) and molecular (up-regulation of Hsp70mit, Hsp83, Sod, P450) levels were related to PS NP surface charge and associated with PS-NH2 exposure only. Nanoplastics could represent a threat for Antarctic FW biodiversity and the Antarctic fairy shrimp could be a valuable model for assessing their impact on such remote and pristine aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Bergami
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/D, 41125 Modena, Italy.
| | - A Krupinski Emerenciano
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. L. Prestes 1524, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - L Palmeira Pinto
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. L. Prestes 1524, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - W Reina Joviano
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. L. Prestes 1524, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - A Font
- Scientific Department, Chilean Antarctic Institute, Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1055, 6200965 Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - T Almeida de Godoy
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. L. Prestes 1524, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - J R M C Silva
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. L. Prestes 1524, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil
| | - M González-Aravena
- Scientific Department, Chilean Antarctic Institute, Plaza Muñoz Gamero 1055, 6200965 Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - I Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
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22
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Bellingeri A, Scattoni M, Venditti I, Battocchio C, Protano G, Corsi I. Ecologically based methods for promoting safer nanosilver for environmental applications. J Hazard Mater 2022; 438:129523. [PMID: 35820334 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nanosilver, widely employed in consumer products as biocide, has been recently proposed as sensor, adsorbent and photocatalyst for water pollution monitoring and remediation. Since nanosilver ecotoxicity still pose limitations to its environmental application, a more ecological exposure testing strategy should be coupled to the development of safer formulations. Here, we tested the environmental safety of novel bifunctionalized nanosilver capped with citrate and L-cysteine (AgNPcitLcys) as sensor/sorbent of Hg2+ in terms of behaviour and ecotoxicity on microalgae (1-1000 µg/L) and microcrustaceans (0.001-100 mg/L), from the freshwater and marine environment, in acute and chronic scenarios. Acute toxicity resulted poorly descriptive of nanosilver safety while chronic exposure revealed stronger effects up to lethality. Low dissolution of silver ions from AgNPcitLcys was observed, however a nano-related ecotoxicity is hypothesized. Double coating of AgNPcitLcys succeeded in mitigating ecotoxicity to tested organisms, hence encouraging further research on safer nanosilver formulations. Environmentally safe applications of nanosilver should focus on ecologically relevant exposure scenarios rather than relying only on acute exposure data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Bellingeri
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University of Rome, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Mattia Scattoni
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Iole Venditti
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University of Rome, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Chiara Battocchio
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University of Rome, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Protano
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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23
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Della Torre C, Liberatori G, Ghilardi A, Del Giacco L, Puccini M, Ferraro F, Vitolo S, Corsi I. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo-larval contact assay combined with biochemical biomarkers and swimming performance in sewage sludge and hydrochar hazard assessment. Environ Pollut 2022; 302:119053. [PMID: 35227847 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization is considered a powerful technology to convert sewage sludge (SS) into a valuable carbonaceous solid known as hydrochar (HC). Up to now criteria for landfill application of SS and HC are based only on physicochemical properties and levels of pollutant residues. Nevertheless, to ensure their safe environmental applications it is mandatory to develop biosensors which can provide relevant information on their toxic potential for natural ecosystems. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the suitability of a contact assay using zebrafish embryo/larvae combined with sub-lethal end-points to evaluate the hazard associated with SS and related HC exposure. A suite of biomarkers was also applied on larvae, related to detoxification and oxidative stress as the activity of Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, glutathione-S-transferase, and catalase, the content of reactive oxygen species and the behavioral assay using the DanioVision™ chamber. Legacy priority pollutants were also measured either in SS and HC tested samples and in contact waters. The exposure to SS caused higher lethality compared to HC. No significant changes in the activity of oxidative stress markers was observed upon exposure to both matrices. The behavioral test showed a hypoactivity condition in larvae exposed to both SS and HC with the effects of SS stronger than HC. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of trace elements and halogenated compounds in either SS, HC. Heavy metals were also released in contact waters, while volatile hydrocarbons (C6-C10) and halogenated compounds resulted below LOD (<0.05 μ L-1). Our study highlights the suitability of zebrafish embryotoxicity test, coupled with behavioral traits, as screening tool for assessing potential risks, associated with the landfill application of both SS and HC, for aquatic wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Liberatori
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Ghilardi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Del Giacco
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Monica Puccini
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ferraro
- Laboratori pH - Gruppo TÜV SÜD, Loc. Sambuca Tavarnelle Val Di Pesa, Italy
| | - Sandra Vitolo
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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24
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Liberatori G, Mazzoli C, Ferraro F, Sturba L, Vannuccini ML, Baroni D, Behnisch PA, Puccini M, Vitolo S, Corsi I. Aryl hydrocarbon reporter gene bioassay for screening polyhalogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in hydrochar and sewage sludge. J Hazard Mater 2022; 428:128256. [PMID: 35038666 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The suitability of the AhR reporter gene bioassays to screen the presence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) in sewage sludge (SL) and related hydrochar (HC) was here investigated. Samples of SL obtained from six WWTPs were processed by hydrothermal carbonization to obtain the resultant HCs and both tested with DR-CALUX® bioassay. Levels of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs were also determined analytically in the same samples by GC-MS/MS. Bioanalytical Toxicity Equivalent values (BEQ) resulted in one order of magnitude higher in HC compared to SL samples and those obtained from the dl-PCBs fraction higher than those from PCDD/Fs. BEQ and TEQWHO values, the latter obtained by GC-MS/MS analysis on the same matrices, were highly correlated showing also a similar trend in the six WWTPs (RS= 0.8252, p < 0.001; Pearson's R RP =0.8029, p < 0.01). The suitability of AhR bioassays and in particular of the DR-CALUX® to screen the presence and biological activity of legacy organohalogen compounds in both SL and HC matrices was demonstrated for the first time which support their usage for the assessment of potential risks associated with their further environmental applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Liberatori
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Carola Mazzoli
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Ferraro
- pH TÜV Italia srl, Loc. Sambuca Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Florence, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Sturba
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Vannuccini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Davide Baroni
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Monica Puccini
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sandra Vitolo
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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25
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Corsi I, Desimone MF, Cazenave J. Building the Bridge From Aquatic Nanotoxicology to Safety by Design Silver Nanoparticles. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:836742. [PMID: 35350188 PMCID: PMC8957934 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.836742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanotechnologies have rapidly grown, and they are considered the new industrial revolution. However, the augmented production and wide applications of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) and nanoparticles (NPs) inevitably lead to environmental exposure with consequences on human and environmental health. Engineered nanomaterial and nanoparticle (ENM/P) effects on humans and the environment are complex and largely depend on the interplay between their peculiar properties such as size, shape, coating, surface charge, and degree of agglomeration or aggregation and those of the receiving media/body. These rebounds on ENM/P safety and newly developed concepts such as the safety by design are gaining importance in the field of sustainable nanotechnologies. This article aims to review the critical characteristics of the ENM/Ps that need to be addressed in the safe by design process to develop ENM/Ps with the ablility to reduce/minimize any potential toxicological risks for living beings associated with their exposure. Specifically, we focused on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) due to an increasing number of nanoproducts containing AgNPs, as well as an increasing knowledge about these nanomaterials (NMs) and their effects. We review the ecotoxicological effects documented on freshwater and marine species that demonstrate the importance of the relationship between the ENM/P design and their biological outcomes in terms of environmental safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Martin Federico Desimone
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco (IQUIMEFA), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jimena Cazenave
- Laboratorio de Ictiología, Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI), CONICET, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Jimena Cazenave,
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26
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Murano C, Vaccari L, Casotti R, Corsi I, Palumbo A. Occurrence of microfibres in wild specimens of adult sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) from a coastal area of the central Mediterranean Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 176:113448. [PMID: 35217421 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the occurrence of anthropogenic fibres inside wild Paracentrotus lividus at a Mediterranean coastal area in 2020. From each sea urchin, the coelomic fluid was directly analysed while digestive tracts and gonads were removed, pre-treated with trypsin (0.3%) and digested with H2O2 (10%) before analysis. A total of 260 fibres and 1 fragment were found in 100 specimens, with an average of 2.6 items/individual. Fibres were more abundant in the digestive system, less in gonads and in the coelomic fluid, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of representative fibres identified 67% natural (cotton-based) and 33% synthetic polymers (polyester) suggesting their origin from textiles, possibly released from laundry sewages. Overall, these results encourage further in-depth investigations on fibres accumulation and potential transfer through the trophic chain up to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Murano
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy; Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14 Km 163.5 in Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Raffaella Casotti
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Palumbo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy
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27
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Manno C, Peck LV, Corsi I, Bergami E. Under pressure: Nanoplastics as a further stressor for sub-Antarctic pteropods already tackling ocean acidification. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 174:113176. [PMID: 34890891 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In the Southern Ocean (SO), plastic debris has already been found in waters and sediments. Nanoplastics (<1 μm) are expected to be as pervasive as their larger counterparts, but more harmful to biological systems, being able to enter cells and provoke toxicity. In the SO, (nano)plastic pollution occurs concomitantly with other environmental threats such as ocean acidification (OA), but the potential cumulative impact of these two challenges on SO marine ecosystems is still overlooked. Here the single and combined effects of nanoplastics and OA on the sub-Antarctic pteropod Limacina retroversa are investigated under laboratory conditions, using two surface charged polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) as a proxy for nanoplastics. Sub-Antarctic pteropods are threatened by OA due to the sensitivity of their shells to changes in seawater carbonate chemistry. Short-term exposure (48 h) to PS NPs compromised the ability of pteropods to counteract OA stress, resulting in a negative effect on their survival. Our results highlights the importance of addressing plastic pollution in the context of climate change to identify realistic critical thresholds of SO pteropods.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Manno
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK.
| | - L V Peck
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - I Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - E Bergami
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK; Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
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28
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Landi C, Liberatori G, Cotugno P, Sturba L, Vannuccini ML, Massari F, Miniero DV, Tursi A, Shaba E, Behnisch PA, Carleo A, Di Giuseppe F, Angelucci S, Bini L, Corsi I. First Attempt to Couple Proteomics with the AhR Reporter Gene Bioassay in Soil Pollution Monitoring and Assessment. Toxics 2021; 10:toxics10010009. [PMID: 35051051 PMCID: PMC8779689 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A topsoil sample obtained from a highly industrialized area (Taranto, Italy) was tested on the DR-CALUX® cell line and the exposed cells processed with proteomic and bioinformatics analyses. The presence of polyhalogenated compounds in the topsoil extracts was confirmed by GC-MS/MS analysis. Proteomic analysis of the cells exposed to the topsoil extracts identified 43 differential proteins. Enrichment analysis highlighted biological processes, such as the cellular response to a chemical stimulus, stress, and inorganic substances; regulation of translation; regulation of apoptotic process; and the response to organonitrogen compounds in light of particular drugs and compounds, extrapolated by bioinformatics all linked to the identified protein modifications. Our results confirm and reflect the complex epidemiological situation occurring among Taranto inhabitants and underline the need to further investigate the presence and sources of inferred chemicals in soils. The combination of bioassays and proteomics reveals a more complex scenario of chemicals able to affect cellular pathways and leading to toxicities rather than those identified by only bioassays and related chemical analysis. This combined approach turns out to be a promising tool for soil risk assessment and deserves further investigation and developments for soil monitoring and risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Landi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.S.)
| | - Giulia Liberatori
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (L.S.); (M.L.V.)
| | - Pietro Cotugno
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.M.); (D.V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Lucrezia Sturba
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (L.S.); (M.L.V.)
| | - Maria Luisa Vannuccini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (L.S.); (M.L.V.)
| | - Federica Massari
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.M.); (D.V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Daniela Valeria Miniero
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.M.); (D.V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Angelo Tursi
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.M.); (D.V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Enxhi Shaba
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.S.)
| | - Peter A. Behnisch
- BioDetection System BV (BDS) Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Alfonso Carleo
- Department of Pulmonology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Fabrizio Di Giuseppe
- Department of Medical, Oral & Biotechnological Sciences, Dentistry and Biotechnology and Proteomics Unit, Centre of Advanced Studies and Technology, “G. D’Annunzio”, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (F.D.G.); (S.A.)
| | - Stefania Angelucci
- Department of Medical, Oral & Biotechnological Sciences, Dentistry and Biotechnology and Proteomics Unit, Centre of Advanced Studies and Technology, “G. D’Annunzio”, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (F.D.G.); (S.A.)
| | - Luca Bini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.S.)
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (I.C.); Tel.: +39-0577-234938 (L.B.); +39-0577-232169 (I.C.)
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (L.S.); (M.L.V.)
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (I.C.); Tel.: +39-0577-234938 (L.B.); +39-0577-232169 (I.C.)
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Casabianca S, Bellingeri A, Capellacci S, Sbrana A, Russo T, Corsi I, Penna A. Ecological implications beyond the ecotoxicity of plastic debris on marine phytoplankton assemblage structure and functioning. Environ Pollut 2021; 290:118101. [PMID: 34523510 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a global issue posing a threat to marine biota with ecological implications on ecosystem functioning. Micro and nanoplastic impact on phytoplankton autotrophic species (e.g., cell growth inhibition, decrease in chlorophyll a and photosynthetic efficiency and hetero-aggregates formation) have been largely documented. However, the heterogeneity of data makes rather difficult a comparison based on size (i.e. micro vs nano). In addition, knowledge gaps on the ecological impact on phytoplankton assemblage structure and functioning are evident. A new virtual meta-analysis on cause-effect relationships of micro and nanoplastics on phytoplankton species revealed the significant effect posed by polymer type on reducing cell density for tested PVC, PS and PE plastics. Linked with autotrophic phytoplankton role in atmospheric CO2 fixation, a potential impact of plastics on marine carbon pump is discussed. The understanding of the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the phytoplankton functioning is fundamental to raise awareness on the overall impact on the first level of marine food web. Interactions between micro and nanoplastics and phytoplankton assemblages have been quite documented by in vitro examinations; but, further studies considering natural plankton assemblages and/or large mesocosm experiments should be performed to evaluate and try predicting ecological impacts on primary producers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Casabianca
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Campus E. Mattei, 61121, Urbino, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032, Fano, Italy.
| | - Arianna Bellingeri
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Samuela Capellacci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Campus E. Mattei, 61121, Urbino, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032, Fano, Italy
| | - Alice Sbrana
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy; PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133, Roma, Italy
| | - Tommaso Russo
- CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Antonella Penna
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Campus E. Mattei, 61121, Urbino, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032, Fano, Italy
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Liberatori G, Cotugno P, Sturba L, Vannuccini ML, Capasso G, Velardo R, Besselink H, Massari F, Tursi A, Corbelli V, Behnisch PA, Corsi I. Occurrence and spatial distribution of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in topsoil of Taranto (Apulia, Italy) by GC-MS analysis and DR-CALUX® bioassay. Chemosphere 2021; 279:130576. [PMID: 33894519 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence and spatial distribution of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like compounds in topsoils of Taranto (Apulia Region), one of the most heavily industrialized and contaminated area of Southern Italy. A combined approach of chemical analysis by GC-MS/MS and AhR reporter gene bioassay was applied in a subset of topsoil samples (n = 20) collected in 2017-18 from ten sites embracing three levels of risk (from high to low) in the framework of a large survey inside Taranto municipality. TCDD-BEQs and GC-MS/MS TEQWHO and TEQTHEORETICAL revealed a decreasing trend with the distance from main industrial settings and landfill areas. A strong correlation between TCDD-BEQs and TEQWHO values (R2 = 0.85) and TEQTHEORETICAL (R2 = 0.88) was also found. In 3 out of 10 topsoil investigated, BEQs and TEQWHO/THEORETICAL resulted above Italian National Regulatory Limits for ∑PCDD/Fs in green, private and recreational used soils (10 ng TEQ/kg d.w. D.Lgs 152/2006) and for ∑PCDD/F/dl-PCBs in agricultural and farming soil (6 ng TEQ/kg d.w. D.M. 46/2019). GC-MS/MS pattern revealed the highest prevalence of dl-PCBs in 6 out of 10 sites, followed by PCDFs and PCDDs. Those sites are all located in proximity of main industrial steel and iron ore sinter plant, steel plant's landfills and illegal dumping sites. An update on occurrence and spatial distribution of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs contamination of Taranto urban soils was obtained and the DR-CALUX® bioassay was further recommended as a suitable screening tool for environmental and human risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Liberatori
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Cotugno
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Sturba
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Vannuccini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gennaro Capasso
- Special Commissioner for Urgent Intervention for Remediation, Environmental Enhancement and Upgrading of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Raffaele Velardo
- Special Commissioner for Urgent Intervention for Remediation, Environmental Enhancement and Upgrading of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | | | - Federica Massari
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Angelo Tursi
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Vera Corbelli
- Special Commissioner for Urgent Intervention for Remediation, Environmental Enhancement and Upgrading of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | | | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Machado AJT, Mataribu B, Serrão C, da Silva Silvestre L, Farias DF, Bergami E, Corsi I, Marques-Santos LF. Single and combined toxicity of amino-functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles with potassium dichromate and copper sulfate on brine shrimp Artemia franciscana larvae. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:45317-45334. [PMID: 33860426 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13907-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The increasing use and disposal of plastics has become a persistent problem in the marine environment, calling for studies that refer to realistic scenarios to understand their effects on biota. Particularly, the understanding about the effects of co-exposure with nanoplastic particles and metals on aquatic organisms is still limited. The present work aimed to investigate the acute toxicity of amino-functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NH2; 50 nm) as proxy for nanoplastics on brine shrimp Artemia franciscana larvae under different culture conditions and at different stages of development, as well as the combined effect with two reference toxicants - potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) and copper sulfate (CuSO4). Nauplii (instar II or III larval stages) were exposed to different concentrations of PS-NH2 (0.005 to 5 μg mL-1) for up to 48 h, with or without agitation in order to mimic a more realistic environmental scenario. Larval mobility and PS-NH2 accumulation were monitored under microscopy. PS-NH2 alone showed toxicity only at the highest concentration tested (5 μg mL-1) regardless the incubation method used (61.2 + 3.1% and 65.0 + 4.5% with and without agitation, respectively). Moreover, instar III stage was the most sensitive to PS-NH2 exposure (38.2% immobility in 24 h of exposure; 5 μg mL-1). Evidence of PS-NH2 retention in the gastrointestinal tract in a concentration- and time-dependent manner was also obtained. Mixtures of PS-NH2 (0.005 and 5 μg mL-1) with different concentrations of K2Cr2O7 increased the immobilization rate of the larvae after 48 h of exposure, when compared to the K2Cr2O7 alone. Similar results were observed for CuSO4 in the co-exposure conditions at different concentrations. However, exposing nauplii to a mixture of PS-NH2 (0.005 μg mL-1) and CuSO4 decreased immobilization rate, in comparison to the group exposed to CuSO4 alone. The present work highlights the potential risk posed by nanoplastics to zooplanktonic species through their interaction with other toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Júdson Targino Machado
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento (LABID), Departamento de Biologia Molecular (DBM), Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB, Campus I), Cidade Universitária s/n, Castelo Branco, CEP, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
- Programa de Ecologia e Monitoramento Ambiental (PPGEMA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB, Campus IV), Rio Tinto, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Bianca Mataribu
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento (LABID), Departamento de Biologia Molecular (DBM), Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB, Campus I), Cidade Universitária s/n, Castelo Branco, CEP, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Catarina Serrão
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento (LABID), Departamento de Biologia Molecular (DBM), Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB, Campus I), Cidade Universitária s/n, Castelo Branco, CEP, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Leanderson da Silva Silvestre
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento (LABID), Departamento de Biologia Molecular (DBM), Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB, Campus I), Cidade Universitária s/n, Castelo Branco, CEP, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil
| | - Davi Felipe Farias
- Laboratório de Avaliação de Risco de Novas Tecnologias (LabRisco), Departamento de Biologia Molecular (DBM), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB, Campus I), João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - Elisa Bergami
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences-DSFTA, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences-DSFTA, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Luis Fernando Marques-Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e do Desenvolvimento (LABID), Departamento de Biologia Molecular (DBM), Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB, Campus I), Cidade Universitária s/n, Castelo Branco, CEP, João Pessoa, PB, 58051-900, Brazil.
- Programa de Ecologia e Monitoramento Ambiental (PPGEMA), Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB, Campus IV), Rio Tinto, Paraíba, Brazil.
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Cappello S, Caruso G, Bergami E, Macrì A, Venuti V, Majolino D, Corsi I. New insights into the structure and function of the prokaryotic communities colonizing plastic debris collected in King George Island (Antarctica): Preliminary observations from two plastic fragments. J Hazard Mater 2021; 414:125586. [PMID: 34030422 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In Antarctic regions, the composition and metabolic activity of microbial assemblages associated with plastic debris ("plastisphere") are almost unknown. A macroplastic item from land (MaL, 30 cm) and a mesoplastic from the sea (MeS, 4 mm) were collected in Maxwell Bay (King George Island, South Shetland) and analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance geometry (FTIR-ATR), which confirmed a polystyrene foam and a composite high-density polyethylene composition for MaL and MeS, respectively. The structure and function of the two plastic-associated prokaryotic communities were studied by complementary 16S ribosomal RNA gene clone libraries, total bacterioplankton and culturable heterotrophic bacterial counts, enzymatic activities of the whole community and enzymatic profiles of bacterial isolates. Results showed that Gamma- and Betaproteobacteria (31% and 28%, respectively) dominated in MeS, while Beta- and Alphaproteobacteria (21% and 13%, respectively) in MaL. Sequences related to oil degrading bacteria (Alcanivorax,Marinobacter) confirmed the known anthropogenic pressure in King George Island. This investigation on plastic-associated prokaryotic structure and function represents the first attempt to characterize the ecological role of plastisphere in this Antarctic region and provides the necessary background for future research on the significance of polymer type, surface characteristics and environmental conditions in shaping the plastisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Cappello
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (IRBIM), National Research Council (CNR), Spianata San Raineri 86, Messina 98122, Italy
| | - Gabriella Caruso
- Institute of Polar Sciences (ISP), National Research Council (CNR), Spianata San Raineri 86, Messina 98122, Italy.
| | - Elisa Bergami
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Angela Macrì
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (IRBIM), National Research Council (CNR), Spianata San Raineri 86, Messina 98122, Italy; Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Valentina Venuti
- Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Domenico Majolino
- Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Physical Sciences and Earth Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, Siena 53100, Italy
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Ballarin L, Karahan A, Salvetti A, Rossi L, Manni L, Rinkevich B, Rosner A, Voskoboynik A, Rosental B, Canesi L, Anselmi C, Pinsino A, Tohumcu BE, Jemec Kokalj A, Dolar A, Novak S, Sugni M, Corsi I, Drobne D. Stem Cells and Innate Immunity in Aquatic Invertebrates: Bridging Two Seemingly Disparate Disciplines for New Discoveries in Biology. Front Immunol 2021; 12:688106. [PMID: 34276677 PMCID: PMC8278520 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.688106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The scopes related to the interplay between stem cells and the immune system are broad and range from the basic understanding of organism's physiology and ecology to translational studies, further contributing to (eco)toxicology, biotechnology, and medicine as well as regulatory and ethical aspects. Stem cells originate immune cells through hematopoiesis, and the interplay between the two cell types is required in processes like regeneration. In addition, stem and immune cell anomalies directly affect the organism's functions, its ability to cope with environmental changes and, indirectly, its role in ecosystem services. However, stem cells and immune cells continue to be considered parts of two branches of biological research with few interconnections between them. This review aims to bridge these two seemingly disparate disciplines towards much more integrative and transformative approaches with examples deriving mainly from aquatic invertebrates. We discuss the current understanding of cross-disciplinary collaborative and emerging issues, raising novel hypotheses and comments. We also discuss the problems and perspectives of the two disciplines and how to integrate their conceptual frameworks to address basic equations in biology in a new, innovative way.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arzu Karahan
- Middle East Technical University, Institute of Marine Sciences, Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Alessandra Salvetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Experimental Biology and Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Leonardo Rossi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Experimental Biology and Genetics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Manni
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Baruch Rinkevich
- Department of Biology, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, Israel
| | - Amalia Rosner
- Department of Biology, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ayelet Voskoboynik
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA, United States
- Department of Biology, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Benyamin Rosental
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Laura Canesi
- Department of Earth Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Anselmi
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA, United States
| | - Annalisa Pinsino
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Palermo, Italy
| | - Begüm Ece Tohumcu
- Middle East Technical University, Institute of Marine Sciences, Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Anita Jemec Kokalj
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andraž Dolar
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sara Novak
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Michela Sugni
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Damjana Drobne
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Murano C, Donnarumma V, Corsi I, Casotti R, Palumbo A. Impact of Microbial Colonization of Polystyrene Microbeads on the Toxicological Responses in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Environ Sci Technol 2021; 55:7990-8000. [PMID: 34018718 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (P. lividus) was exposed to either virgin or biofilm-covered polystyrene microbeads (micro-PS, 45 μm) in order to test the effect of microbial colonization on the uptake, biodistribution, and immune response. The biofilm was dominated by bacteria, as detected by scanning electron microscopy and 16S rRNA sequencing. A higher internalization rate of colonized micro-PS inside sea urchins compared to virgin ones was detected, suggesting a role of the plastisphere in the interaction. Colonized and virgin micro-PS showed the same biodistribution pattern by accumulating mainly in the digestive system with higher levels and faster egestion rates for the colonized. However, a significant increase of catalase and total antioxidant activity was observed only in the digestive system of colonized micro-PS-exposed individuals. Colonized micro-PS also induced a significant decrease in the number of coelomocytes with a significant increase in vibratile cells, compared to control and virgin micro-PS-exposed animals. Moreover, a general time-dependent increase in the red/white amoebocytes ratio and reactive oxygen species and a decrease in nitrogen ones were observed upon exposure to both colonized and virgin micro-PS. Overall, micro-PS colonization clearly affected the uptake and toxicological responses of the Mediterranean sea urchin P. lividus in comparison to virgin micro-PS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Murano
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples 80121, Italy
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli, 4, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Donnarumma
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples 80121, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli, 4, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Raffaella Casotti
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples 80121, Italy
| | - Anna Palumbo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, Naples 80121, Italy
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Bernardeschi M, Guidi P, Palumbo M, Genovese M, Alfè M, Gargiulo V, Lucchesi P, Scarcelli V, Falleni A, Bergami E, Freyria FS, Bonelli B, Corsi I, Frenzilli G. Suitability of Nanoparticles to Face Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Genetic and Chromosomal Damage in M. galloprovincialis. An In Vitro Approach. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2021; 11:1309. [PMID: 34063431 PMCID: PMC8155950 DOI: 10.3390/nano11051309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) is a well-known genotoxic agent, the removal of which from environmental matrices is mandatory, necessitating the application of cleaning strategies that are harmless to human and environmental health. The potential application of nanoparticles (NPs) in the remediation of polluted environments is of increasing interest. Here, specifically designed NPs were selected as being non-genotoxic and able to interact with B(a)P, in order to address the genetic and chromosomal damage it produces. A newly formulated pure anatase nano-titanium (nano-TiO2), a commercial mixture of rutile and anatase, and carbon black-derived hydrophilic NPs (HNP) were applied. Once it had been ascertained that the NPs selected for the work did not induce genotoxicity, marine mussel gill biopsies were exposed in vitro to B(a)P (2 μg/mL), alone and in combination with the selected NPs (50 µg/mL nano-TiO2, 10 µg/mL HNP). DNA primary reversible damage was evaluated by means of the Comet assay. Chromosomal persistent damage was assessed on the basis of micronuclei frequency and nuclear abnormalities by means of the Micronucleus-Cytome assay. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was performed to investigate the mechanism of action exerted by NPs. Pure Anatase n-TiO2 was found to be the most suitable for our purpose, as it is cyto- and genotoxicity free and able to reduce the genetic and chromosomal damage associated with exposure to B(a)P.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Bernardeschi
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Patrizia Guidi
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Mara Palumbo
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Massimo Genovese
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy;
| | - Michela Alfè
- Institute of Science and Technology for Sustainable Energy and Mobility STEMS-CNR, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.A.); (V.G.)
| | - Valentina Gargiulo
- Institute of Science and Technology for Sustainable Energy and Mobility STEMS-CNR, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.A.); (V.G.)
| | - Paolo Lucchesi
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Vittoria Scarcelli
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Alessandra Falleni
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Elisa Bergami
- Earth and Environmental Sciences and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Physical, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.)
| | - Francesca S. Freyria
- INSTM Unit of Torino-Politecnico, Department of Applied Science and Technology, 10129 Politecnico di Torino, Italy; (F.S.F.); (B.B.)
| | - Barbara Bonelli
- INSTM Unit of Torino-Politecnico, Department of Applied Science and Technology, 10129 Politecnico di Torino, Italy; (F.S.F.); (B.B.)
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Earth and Environmental Sciences and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Physical, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.)
| | - Giada Frenzilli
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
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Corsi I, Bergami E, Caruso G. Special issue plastics in polar regions. Environ Int 2021; 149:106203. [PMID: 33121740 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy.
| | - Elisa Bergami
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Gabriella Caruso
- Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council, Messina 98122, Italy
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Esposito MC, Corsi I, Russo GL, Punta C, Tosti E, Gallo A. The Era of Nanomaterials: A Safe Solution or a Risk for Marine Environmental Pollution? Biomolecules 2021; 11:441. [PMID: 33809769 PMCID: PMC8002239 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the application of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in environmental remediation gained increasing attention. Due to their large surface area and high reactivity, ENMs offer the potential for the efficient removal of pollutants from environmental matrices with better performances compared to conventional techniques. However, their fate and safety upon environmental application, which can be associated with their release into the environment, are largely unknown. It is essential to develop systems that can predict ENM interactions with biological systems, their overall environmental and human health impact. Until now, Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools have been employed to investigate ENMs potential environmental impact, from raw material production, design and to their final disposal. However, LCA studies focused on the environmental impact of the production phase lacking information on their environmental impact deriving from in situ employment. A recently developed eco-design framework aimed to fill this knowledge gap by using ecotoxicological tools that allow the assessment of potential hazards posed by ENMs to natural ecosystems and wildlife. In the present review, we illustrate the development of the eco-design framework and review the application of ecotoxicology as a valuable strategy to develop ecosafe ENMs for environmental remediation. Furthermore, we critically describe the currently available ENMs for marine environment remediation and discuss their pros and cons in safe environmental applications together with the need to balance benefits and risks promoting an environmentally safe nanoremediation (ecosafe) for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Consiglia Esposito
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (M.C.E.); (G.L.R.); (E.T.)
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Gian Luigi Russo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (M.C.E.); (G.L.R.); (E.T.)
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, 83100 Avellino, Italy
| | - Carlo Punta
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano and INSTM Local Unit, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131 Milano, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta Tosti
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (M.C.E.); (G.L.R.); (E.T.)
| | - Alessandra Gallo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; (M.C.E.); (G.L.R.); (E.T.)
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Eliso MC, Bergami E, Manfra L, Spagnuolo A, Corsi I. Toxicity of nanoplastics during the embryogenesis of the ascidian Ciona robusta (Phylum Chordata). Nanotoxicology 2020; 14:1415-1431. [PMID: 33186509 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2020.1838650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Nanoplastics are considered contaminants of emerging concern at the global scale. The recent evidence of their occurrence in seawater from the Mediterranean Sea calls for a thorough evaluation of their impact on marine life and in particular on vulnerable life stages such as planktonic embryos. Here, we investigated the impact of increasing nominal concentrations of 50 nm amino-modified (PS-NH2) and 60 nm carboxy-modified (PS-COOH) polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) on the embryonic development of the ascidian Ciona robusta (phylum Chordata), a common benthic invertebrate living in Mediterranean coastal areas with the peculiarity of being an early chordate developmental model. A strong agglomeration of PS-COOH (approx. 1 µm) was observed in natural sea water (NSW) already at time 0, while PS-NH2 resulted still monodispersed (approx. 130 nm) but largely aggregated after 22 h with a microscale dimension similar to those negatively charged. However, their effect on C. robusta embryos development largely differed at 22 h: PS-COOH did not affect larvae phenotypes nor their development, while PS-NH2 caused a dose-dependent effect (EC50 (22 h) of 7.52 μg mL-1) with various degrees of phenotype malformations (from mild to severe) and impairment of larval swimming. Embryos (up to 30%) exposed to 15 µg mL-1 PS-NH2 resulted not developed and the majority was unable to hatch. Calculated PS-NH2 EC50 resulted higher than those available for other marine invertebrate species, suggesting a protective role of the egg envelopes surrounding C. robusta embryos toward nanoplastics exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Concetta Eliso
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.,Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Elisa Bergami
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Loredana Manfra
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy.,Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Rome, Italy
| | - Antonietta Spagnuolo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Bergami E, Manno C, Cappello S, Vannuccini ML, Corsi I. Nanoplastics affect moulting and faecal pellet sinking in Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) juveniles. Environ Int 2020; 143:105999. [PMID: 32763632 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plastic debris has been identified as a potential threat to Antarctic marine ecosystems, however, the impact of nanoplastics (<1 μm) is currently unexplored. Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a keystone species of Southern Ocean pelagic ecosystems, which plays a central role in the Antarctic food webs and carbon (C) cycle. Krill has been shown to rapidly fragment microplastic beads through the digestive system, releasing nanoplastics with unknown toxicological effects. Here we exposed krill juveniles to carboxylic (COOH, anionic) and amino- (NH2, cationic) polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) and we investigated lethal and sub-lethal endpoints after 48 h. The analysis of PS NP suspensions in Antarctic sea water (SW) media showed that PS-COOH formed large agglomerates (1043 ± 121 nm), while PS-NH2 kept their nominal size (56.8 ± 3 nm) during the exposure time. After 48 h, no mortality was found but increase in exuviae production (12.6 ± 1.3%) and reduced swimming activity were observed in juveniles exposed to PS-NH2. The microbial community composition in SW supports the release of krill moults upon PS NP exposure and stimulates further research on the pivotal role of krill in shaping Southern Ocean bacterial assemblages. The presence of fluorescent signal in krill faecal pellets (FPs) confirmed the waterborne ingestion and egestion of PS-COOH at 48 h of exposure. Changes in FP structure and properties were also associated to the incorporation of PS NPs regardless of their surface charge. The effects of PS NPs on krill FP properties were compared to Control 0 h as a reference for full FPs (plastic vs food) and Control 48 h as a reference for more empty-like FPs (plastic vs lack of food). Exposure to PS NPs led to a FP sinking rate comparable to Control 48 h, but significantly lower than Control 0 h (58.40 ± 23.60 m/d and 51.23 ± 28.60 m/d for PS-COOH and PS-NH2; 168.80 ± 74.58 m/d for Control 0 h). Considering the important role played by krill in the food web and C export in the Southern Ocean, the present study provides cues about the potential impact of nanoplastics on Antarctic pelagic ecosystems and their biogeochemical cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Bergami
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences (DSFTA), University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy.
| | - C Manno
- British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - S Cappello
- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies (IRBIM), National Research Council, Messina 98121, Italy
| | - M L Vannuccini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences (DSFTA), University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - I Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences (DSFTA), University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
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Murano C, Agnisola C, Caramiello D, Castellano I, Casotti R, Corsi I, Palumbo A. How sea urchins face microplastics: Uptake, tissue distribution and immune system response. Environ Pollut 2020; 264:114685. [PMID: 32402714 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution represents one of the major threats to the marine environment. A wide range of marine organisms has been shown to ingest microplastics due to their small dimensions (less than 1 mm). This negatively affects some biological processes, such as feeding, energy reserves and reproduction. Very few studies have been performed on the effect of microplastics on sea urchin development and virtually none on adults. The aim of this work was to evaluate the uptake and distribution of fluorescent labelled polystyrene microbeads (micro-PS) in the Mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus and the potential impact on circulating immune cells. Differential uptake was observed in the digestive and water vascular systems as well as in the gonads based on microbeads size (10 and 45 μm in diameter). Treatment of sea urchins with particles of both sizes induced an increase of the total number of immune cells already after 24 h. No significant differences were observed among immune cell types. However, the ratio between red and white amoebocytes, indicative of sea urchin healthy status, increased with both particles. This effect was detectable already at 24 h upon exposure to smaller micro-PS (10 μm). An increase of intracellular levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species was observed at 24 h upon both micro-PS exposure, whereas at later time these levels became comparable to those of controls. A significant increase of total antioxidant capacity was observed after treatment with 10 μm micro-PS. Overall data provide the first evidence on polystyrene microbeads uptake and tissue distribution in sea urchins, indicating a stress-related impact on circulating immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Murano
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy; Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Claudio Agnisola
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 4, 80125 Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Caramiello
- Unit Marine Resources for Research, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Immacolata Castellano
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaella Casotti
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Palumbo
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121, Naples, Italy.
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Fiorati A, Bellingeri A, Punta C, Corsi I, Venditti I. Silver Nanoparticles for Water Pollution Monitoring and Treatments: Ecosafety Challenge and Cellulose-Based Hybrids Solution. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1635. [PMID: 32717864 PMCID: PMC7465245 DOI: 10.3390/polym12081635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used as engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in many advanced nanotechnologies, due to their versatile, easy and cheap preparations combined with peculiar chemical-physical properties. Their increased production and integration in environmental applications including water treatment raise concerns for their impact on humans and the environment. An eco-design strategy that makes it possible to combine the best material performances with no risk for the natural ecosystems and living beings has been recently proposed. This review envisages potential hybrid solutions of AgNPs for water pollution monitoring and remediation to satisfy their successful, environmentally safe (ecosafe) application. Being extremely efficient in pollutants sensing and degradation, their ecosafe application can be achieved in combination with polymeric-based materials, especially with cellulose, by following an eco-design approach. In fact, (AgNPs)-cellulose hybrids have the double advantage of being easily produced using recycled material, with low costs and possible reuse, and of being ecosafe, if properly designed. An updated view of the use and prospects of these advanced hybrids AgNP-based materials is provided, which will surely speed their environmental application with consequent significant economic and environmental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Fiorati
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta” and INSTM Local Unit, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy; (A.F.); (C.P.)
| | - Arianna Bellingeri
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences and INSTM Local Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.B.); (I.C.)
| | - Carlo Punta
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta” and INSTM Local Unit, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, I-20133 Milano, Italy; (A.F.); (C.P.)
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences and INSTM Local Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.B.); (I.C.)
| | - Iole Venditti
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University of Rome, via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy
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Grassi G, Gabellieri E, Cioni P, Paccagnini E, Faleri C, Lupetti P, Corsi I, Morelli E. Interplay between extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from a marine diatom and model nanoplastic through eco-corona formation. Sci Total Environ 2020; 725:138457. [PMID: 32302847 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of nanoplastics in oceans' surface waters is no more a hypothesis and it could severely affect marine organisms from different trophic levels. Nanoscale particles interaction with dissolved natural organic matter (NOM) significantly influence their behaviour and consequently bioavailability and toxicity to marine species. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are among the main components of the NOM pool in seawater yet have been so far little investigated for their effect in altering the physical-chemical properties of nanosized objects. Here we employed EPS from marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum to study the evolution of an eco-corona formation upon incubation with 60 nm carboxylated polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-COOH NPs), as proxy for nanoplastics in seawater. EPS significantly reduced PS-COOH NPs aggregation rate compared to biomolecule free natural seawater (NSW) and caused the formation of complexes constituted by both carbohydrate and protein components. Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) revealed four main distinct groups of peaks, spanning from high (>100 kDa) to low molecular weight (20 kDa) molecules, characterized by a high chemical heterogeneity. The lowering of the chromatographic signals detected after EPS incubation with PS-COOH NPs, mainly in the eluates at high molecular weight, suggests that an important fraction of EPS remained adsorbed on PS-COOH NPs. In agreement, SDS-PAGE analysis of proteins adsorbed on PS-COOH showed the occurrence of an eco-corona formed by proteins in the range of molecular weight 30-100 kDa. No toxicity to diatoms was observed upon PS-COOH exposure (72 h, 1-100 mg L-1) even by adding a further source of exogenous EPS during exposure. Moreover, the addition of EPS reduced ROS production, even when cells were incubated with PS-COOH NPs at 10 and 50 mg L-1, suggesting an antioxidant scavenging activity of EPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Grassi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 4 via Mattioli, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Edi Gabellieri
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Cioni
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Eugenio Paccagnini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 4 via Mattioli, 53100 - Siena (IT); 2 via Aldo Moro, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Claudia Faleri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 4 via Mattioli, 53100 - Siena (IT); 2 via Aldo Moro, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 4 via Mattioli, 53100 - Siena (IT); 2 via Aldo Moro, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 4 via Mattioli, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Morelli
- Institute of Biophysics, National Research Council, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
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Bellingeri A, Casabianca S, Capellacci S, Faleri C, Paccagnini E, Lupetti P, Koelmans AA, Penna A, Corsi I. Impact of polystyrene nanoparticles on marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi chain assemblages and consequences on their ecological role in marine ecosystems. Environ Pollut 2020; 262:114268. [PMID: 32120257 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Marine diatoms have been identified among the most abundant taxa of microorganisms associated with plastic waste collected at sea. However, the impact of nano-sized plastic fragments (nanoplastics) at single cell and population level is almost unknown. We exposed the marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi to model polystyrene nanoparticles with carboxylic acid groups (PS-COOH NPs, 90 nm) for 15 days (1, 10, 50 μg/mL). Growth, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and nano-bio-interactions were investigated. No effect on diatom growth was observed, however Dynamic light scattering (DLS) demonstrated the formation of large PS aggregates which were localized at the diatoms' fultoportula process (FPP), as shown by TEM images. Increase production of ROS and reduction in chain length were also observed upon PS NPs exposure (p < 0.005). The observed PS-diatom interaction could have serious consequences on diatoms ecological role on the biogeochemical cycle of carbon, by impairing the formation of fast-sinking aggregates responsible for atmospheric carbon fixation and sequestration in the ocean sea floor. S. marinoi exposure to PS NPs caused an increase of intracellular and extracellular oxidative stress, the reduction of diatom's chain length and the adhesion of PS NPs onto the algal surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Bellingeri
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Silvia Casabianca
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, via Saffi 2, 61029, Urbino, Italy.
| | - Samuela Capellacci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, via Saffi 2, 61029, Urbino, Italy.
| | - Claudia Faleri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena (IT), via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Eugenio Paccagnini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena (IT), via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Pietro Lupetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena (IT), via Aldo Moro, 2, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Albert A Koelmans
- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University and Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6700, AA Wageningen, Netherlands.
| | - Antonella Penna
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, via Saffi 2, 61029, Urbino, Italy; CNR IRBIM, Institute for Biological Research and Marine Biotechnology, Largo Fiera della Pesca, 60125, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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Liberatori G, Grassi G, Guidi P, Bernardeschi M, Fiorati A, Scarcelli V, Genovese M, Faleri C, Protano G, Frenzilli G, Punta C, Corsi I. Effect-Based Approach to Assess Nanostructured Cellulose Sponge Removal Efficacy of Zinc Ions from Seawater to Prevent Ecological Risks. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2020; 10:E1283. [PMID: 32629917 PMCID: PMC7407410 DOI: 10.3390/nano10071283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
To encourage the applicability of nano-adsorbent materials for heavy metal ion removal from seawater and limit any potential side effects for marine organisms, an ecotoxicological evaluation based on a biological effect-based approach is presented. ZnCl2 (10 mg L-1) contaminated artificial seawater (ASW) was treated with newly developed eco-friendly cellulose-based nanosponges (CNS) (1.25 g L-1 for 2 h), and the cellular and tissue responses of marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis were measured before and after CNS treatment. A control group (ASW only) and a negative control group (CNS in ASW) were also tested. Methods: A significant recovery of Zn-induced damages in circulating immune and gill cells and mantle edges was observed in mussels exposed after CNS treatment. Genetic and chromosomal damages reversed to control levels in mussels' gill cells (DNA integrity level, nuclear abnormalities and apoptotic cells) and hemocytes (micronuclei), in which a recovery of lysosomal membrane stability (LMS) was also observed. Damage to syphons, loss of cilia by mantle edge epithelial cells and an increase in mucous cells in ZnCl2-exposed mussels were absent in specimens after CNS treatment, in which the mantle histology resembled that of the controls. No effects were observed in mussels exposed to CNS alone. As further proof of CNS' ability to remove Zn(II) from ASW, a significant reduction of >90% of Zn levels in ASW after CNS treatment was observed (from 6.006 to 0.510 mg L-1). Ecotoxicological evaluation confirmed the ability of CNS to remove Zn from ASW by showing a full recovery of Zn-induced toxicological responses to the levels of mussels exposed to ASW only (controls). An effect-based approach was thus proven to be useful in order to further support the environmentally safe (ecosafety) application of CNS for heavy metal removal from seawater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Liberatori
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences and INSTM Local Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.)
| | - Giacomo Grassi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences and INSTM Local Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.)
| | - Patrizia Guidi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine-Section of Applied Biology and Genetics, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.G.); (M.B.); (V.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Margherita Bernardeschi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine-Section of Applied Biology and Genetics, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.G.); (M.B.); (V.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Andrea Fiorati
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta” and INSTM Local Unit, Politecnico di Milano, 20131 Milano, Italy; (A.F.); (C.P.)
| | - Vittoria Scarcelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine-Section of Applied Biology and Genetics, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.G.); (M.B.); (V.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Massimo Genovese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine-Section of Applied Biology and Genetics, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.G.); (M.B.); (V.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Claudia Faleri
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Protano
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences and INSTM Local Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.)
| | - Giada Frenzilli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine-Section of Applied Biology and Genetics, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (P.G.); (M.B.); (V.S.); (M.G.)
| | - Carlo Punta
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “G. Natta” and INSTM Local Unit, Politecnico di Milano, 20131 Milano, Italy; (A.F.); (C.P.)
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences and INSTM Local Unit, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (G.G.); (G.P.)
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Bergami E, Rota E, Caruso T, Birarda G, Vaccari L, Corsi I. Plastics everywhere: first evidence of polystyrene fragments inside the common Antarctic collembolan Cryptopygus antarcticus. Biol Lett 2020; 16:20200093. [PMID: 32574531 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is evidence and serious concern that microplastics have reached the most remote regions of the planet, but how far have they travelled in terrestrial ecosystems? This study presents the first field-based evidence of plastic ingestion by a common and central component of Antarctic terrestrial food webs, the collembolan Cryptopygus antarcticus. A large piece of polystyrene (PS) foam (34 × 31 × 5 cm) covered by microalgae, moss, lichens and microfauna was found in a fellfield along the shores of the Fildes Peninsula (King George Island). The application of an improved enzymatic digestion coupled with Fourier transform infrared microscopy (µ-FTIR), unequivocally detected traces of PS (less than 100 µm) in the gut of the collembolans associated with the PS foam and documented their ability to ingest plastic. Plastics are thus entering the short Antarctic terrestrial food webs and represent a new potential stressor to polar ecosystems already facing climate change and increasing human activities. Future research should explore the effects of plastics on the composition, structure and functions of polar terrestrial biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bergami
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Emilia Rota
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Tancredi Caruso
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Giovanni Birarda
- SISSI-Chemical and Life Science branch, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lisa Vaccari
- SISSI-Chemical and Life Science branch, Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste, S.S. 14 Km 163.5, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
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Casabianca S, Capellacci S, Penna A, Cangiotti M, Fattori A, Corsi I, Ottaviani MF, Carloni R. Physical interactions between marine phytoplankton and PET plastics in seawater. Chemosphere 2020; 238:124560. [PMID: 31437632 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are the most abundant marine debris globally dispersed in the oceans and its production is rising with documented negative impacts in marine ecosystems. However, the chemical-physical and biological interactions occurring between plastic and planktonic communities of different types of microorganisms are poorly understood. In these respects, it is of paramount importance to understand, on a molecular level on the surface, what happens to plastic fragments when dispersed in the ocean and directly interacting with phytoplankton assemblages. This study presents a computer-aided analysis of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of selected spin probes able to enter the phyoplanktonic cell interface and interact with the plastic surface. Two different marine phytoplankton species were analyzed, such as the diatom Skeletonema marinoi and dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedrum, in absence and presence of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fragments in synthetic seawater (ASPM), in order to in-situ characterize the interactions occurring between the microalgal cells and plastic surfaces. The analysis was performed at increasing incubation times. The cellular growth and adhesion rates of microalgae in batch culture medium and on the plastic fragments were also evaluated. The data agreed with the EPR results, which showed a significant difference in terms of surface properties between the diatom and dinoflagellate species. Low-polar interactions of lipid aggregates with the plastic surface sites were mainly responsible for the cell-plastic adhesion by S. marinoi, which is exponentially growing on the plastic surface over the incubation time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Casabianca
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Campus E. Mattei, Via Cà le Suore 2/4, 61029, Urbino, PU, Italy; Conisma, Consorzio di Scienze Interuniversitario sul Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 6, 00136, Rome, Italy.
| | - Samuela Capellacci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Campus E. Mattei, Via Cà le Suore 2/4, 61029, Urbino, PU, Italy; Conisma, Consorzio di Scienze Interuniversitario sul Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 6, 00136, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Penna
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Campus E. Mattei, Via Cà le Suore 2/4, 61029, Urbino, PU, Italy; Conisma, Consorzio di Scienze Interuniversitario sul Mare, Piazzale Flaminio 6, 00136, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Cangiotti
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Campus E. Mattei, Via Cà le Suore 2/4, 61029, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Alberto Fattori
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Campus E. Mattei, Via Cà le Suore 2/4, 61029, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Ottaviani
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Campus E. Mattei, Via Cà le Suore 2/4, 61029, Urbino, PU, Italy
| | - Riccardo Carloni
- Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, Campus E. Mattei, Via Cà le Suore 2/4, 61029, Urbino, PU, Italy.
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Rubin Pedrazzo A, Smarra A, Caldera F, Musso G, Dhakar NK, Cecone C, Hamedi A, Corsi I, Trotta F. Eco-Friendly β-cyclodextrin and Linecaps Polymers for the Removal of Heavy Metals. Polymers (Basel) 2019; 11:polym11101658. [PMID: 31614648 PMCID: PMC6835710 DOI: 10.3390/polym11101658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Environment-friendly nanosponges, having a high content of carboxyl groups, were synthesized by crosslinking β-cyclodextrin and linecaps, a highly soluble pea starch derivative, with citric acid in water. Additionally, pyromellitic nanosponges were prepared by reacting β-cyclodextrin and linecaps with pyromellitic dianhydride in dimethyl sulfoxide and used in comparison with the citric nanosponges. After ion-exchange of the carboxyl groups H+ with sodium ions, the ability of the nanosponges to sequester heavy metal cations was investigated. At a metal concentration of 500 ppm, the pyromellitate nanosponges exhibited a higher retention capacity than the citrate nanosponges. At lower metal concentrations (≤50 ppm) both the citrate and the pyromellitate nanosponges showed high retention capacities (up to 94% of the total amount of metal), while, in the presence of interfering sea water salts, the citrate nanosponges were able to selectively adsorb a significantly higher amount of heavy metals than the pyromellitate nanosponges, almost double in the case of Cu2+.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandra Smarra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy.
| | - Fabrizio Caldera
- Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy.
| | - Giorgia Musso
- Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy.
| | - Nilesh Kumar Dhakar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy.
| | - Claudio Cecone
- Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy.
| | - Asma Hamedi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy.
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Yazd University, 89195741 Yazd, Iran.
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Francesco Trotta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy.
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Prosposito P, Burratti L, Bellingeri A, Protano G, Faleri C, Corsi I, Battocchio C, Iucci G, Tortora L, Secchi V, Franchi S, Venditti I. Bifunctionalized Silver Nanoparticles as Hg 2+ Plasmonic Sensor in Water: Synthesis, Characterizations, and Ecosafety. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2019; 9:nano9101353. [PMID: 31547209 PMCID: PMC6835846 DOI: 10.3390/nano9101353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In this work, hydrophilic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), bifunctionalized with citrate (Cit) and L-cysteine (L-cys), were synthesized. The typical local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) at λ max = 400 nm together with Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements (<2RH> = 8 ± 1 nm) and TEM studies (Ø = 5 ± 2 nm) confirmed the system nanodimension and the stability in water. Molecular and electronic structures of AgNPs were investigated by FTIR, SR-XPS, and NEXAFS techniques. We tested the system as plasmonic sensor in water with 16 different metal ions, finding sensitivity to Hg2+ in the range 1–10 ppm. After this first screening, the molecular and electronic structure of the AgNPs-Hg2+ conjugated system was deeply investigated by SR-XPS. Moreover, in view of AgNPs application as sensors in real water systems, environmental safety assessment (ecosafety) was performed by using standardized ecotoxicity bioassay as algal growth inhibition tests (OECD 201, ISO 10253:2006), coupled with determination of Ag+ release from the nanoparticles in fresh and marine aqueous exposure media, by means of ICP-MS. These latest studies confirmed low toxicity and low Ag+ release. Therefore, these ecosafe AgNPs demonstrate a great potential in selective detection of environmental Hg2+, which may attract a great interest for several biological research fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Prosposito
- Department of Industrial Engineering and INSTM, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Luca Burratti
- Department of Industrial Engineering and INSTM, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Arianna Bellingeri
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Protano
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Claudia Faleri
- Department of Life Sciences, via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Chiara Battocchio
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University of Rome, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Iucci
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University of Rome, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Luca Tortora
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University of Rome, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy.
- Surface Analysis Laboratory INFN Roma Tre, via della Vasca Navale 84, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Valeria Secchi
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University of Rome, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Stefano Franchi
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste S.c.p.A., Strada Statale 14, km 163.5, 34149 Basovizza Trieste, Italy.
| | - Iole Venditti
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University of Rome, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy.
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Varó I, Perini A, Torreblanca A, Garcia Y, Bergami E, Vannuccini ML, Corsi I. Time-dependent effects of polystyrene nanoparticles in brine shrimp Artemia franciscana at physiological, biochemical and molecular levels. Sci Total Environ 2019; 675:570-580. [PMID: 31030162 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Micro- (<5 mm) and nanoplastics (<1 μm) are emerging threats for marine ecosystems worldwide. Brine shrimp Artemia is recognized as a suitable model among planktonic species for studying the impact of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs) through short and long-term bioassays. Our study aims to evaluate the time-dependent effects of cationic amino-modified PS-NH2 (50 nm) in A. franciscana after short- (48 h) and long-term exposure (14 days). For this purpose, nauplii were exposed to a concentration range of PS-NH2 (0.1, 1, 3 and 10 μg/mL) in natural sea water (NSW), and physiological, biochemical and molecular responses were investigated. Short-term exposure to PS-NH2 caused a decrease in nauplii growth and affected the development in a concentration-dependent manner, long-term exposure impaired the survival, but not the growth and feeding behavior. Oxidative stress was detected after short term exposure as the decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and was fully evident in the long-term as lipid peroxidation, suggesting an accumulative effect. The decrease in Cholinesterase (ChE) activity observed indicates possible neurotoxic action of PS-NH2. Also, Carboxylesterase (CbE) inhibition by PS-NH2, described for the first time in this study, anticipates potential effects in biotransformation of exogenous and endogenous compounds, being the crustacean juvenile hormone methyl farnesoate (MF) that regulates development and molting, one candidate. Furthermore, short- and long-term exposure to PS-NH2 affect the expression of genes involved in cell protection, development and molting. Overall, our results reveal that low PS-NH2 concentrations induce physiological, biochemical and molecular (changes in gene expression) alterations in Artemia, and point at their potential risk for this model organism, supporting the general concern about nanoplastics occurrences in aquatic environments and their ability to represent an ecological threat for aquatic zooplanktonic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Varó
- Institute of Aquaculture Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), 12595 Ribera de Cabanes, Castellón, Spain.
| | - Aurora Perini
- Institute of Aquaculture Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), 12595 Ribera de Cabanes, Castellón, Spain; Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences (DSFTA), University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Amparo Torreblanca
- Department of Cell Biology, Functional Biology and Physical Anthropology, University of Valencia, Spain
| | - Yaiza Garcia
- Institute of Aquaculture Torre de la Sal (IATS-CSIC), 12595 Ribera de Cabanes, Castellón, Spain; Facultad de Veterinaria y Ciencias Experimentales, Universidad Católica de Valencia, Spain
| | - Elisa Bergami
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences (DSFTA), University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria L Vannuccini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences (DSFTA), University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences (DSFTA), University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Tasca AL, Puccini M, Gori R, Corsi I, Galletti AMR, Vitolo S. Hydrothermal carbonization of sewage sludge: A critical analysis of process severity, hydrochar properties and environmental implications. Waste Manag 2019; 93:1-13. [PMID: 31235045 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of sewage sludge reduces the waste volume and can be source of energy and valuable products. Furthermore, HTC offers several advantages over conventional dry-thermal pre-treatments, as no prior drying is requested, and the high quality of the char produced promotes applications as energy production and storage, wastewater remediation, and soil amendment. Relationships between char yields, physicochemical properties and process parameters are here analysed, with the aim to provide insight into the choice of the process severity required to fit the desired application. Moreover, presence and fate of heavy metals and organic contaminants are discussed. The highest reaction temperature is the main parameter affecting the physicochemical characteristics of the char produced, while the heating rate governs the heat mass transfer and the rate of intermediates formation. Depolymerization of the biomass results in a reduction of the oxygen to carbon ratio and, therefore, in augmented high heating values, further increased by deposition of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural. Recirculation of process water may enhance dehydration reactions and the deposition of degraded polymers, increasing dewaterability and yield, but field trials are recommended to assess the feasibility of this option. An overuse of chars for energy generation purposes would be deleterious for the environmental life cycle. Further research is encouraged to assess the pollutants abatement and their degradation pathways when incorporated in the carbonaceous product, to promote the application of hydrochars as soil amendment, as well as for environmental remediation purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Luca Tasca
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino, 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Monica Puccini
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Gori
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, via S. Marta 3, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Strada Laterina 8, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Sandra Vitolo
- Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino, 56122 Pisa, Italy
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