1,721,004 research outputs found
A biomonitoring study: trace metals in algae and molluscs from Tyrrhenian coastal areas.
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Algae as biomarkers, bioaccumulators and toxin producers
No full textUncontrolled accumulation of wastes in marine environments involves an increase in organic substances and/or nutrients, as well as toxicity. The consequences of this enrichment for the homeostasis of ecosystems are unpredictable. The best studied consequence of such enrichment is eutrophication (Conti, 1996). Natural or anthropogenic eutrophication is the enrichment of a water body in nutrients, utilizable by algae. Sources of these nutrients are the atmosphere, rivers, soil erosion and runoff from catchment areas, sewage, industrial effluents, fertilizers, and waste disposal from animal farms. Mathematical models predicting pollutant dispersion and pollutant bioavaibility may make a substantial contribution to the study of the marine pollution phenomena and may be a valuable tool for the description of the pollution flux (Benedini and Cicioni, 1992). Generally, mathematical models refer to the propagation and transport of particular pollutants originating from one-point contamination sources and also in this case need a broad spectrum of experimental data. This requirement is particularly true for sea ecosystems, owing to the large number of required variables and to the various effects on different species and ecosystems. For these reasons, biomonitoring programmes in sea environments are very important. Establishing the pollutant level in organisms may help to evaluate the possible toxicity for various species at different levels of the trophic chain
The biomonitoring approach as a tool of trace metal assessment in an uncontaminated marine ecosystem: the island of Ustica (Sicily, Italy).
No full textThe biomonitoring approach as a tool of trace metal assessment in an uncontaminated marine ecosystem: The island of Ustica (Sicily, Italy)
No full textMarine organisms were tested as possible biomonitors of heavy metal
contamination in a reference marine ecosystem, in Ustica (an island of the
Southern Tyrrhenian Sea). The goal of this preliminary work is to evaluate the
concentrations of Cu, Zn and Pb, using two gastropod molluscs, Monodonta
turbinata Born and Patella caerulea L.
Samples were collected in the tidal zone, at five coastal stations, according to
their availability. Namely, the stations included the Marine Reserve (a “Marine
Park” area), which is an uncontaminated site, and the Harbour station, where the
contamination level was expected to be higher than the other sites. In order to
gain additional information on both the environmental conditions of the area and
possible bioaccumulation patterns, seawater samples were also collected in each
site to assess soluble metal concentrations.
Statistical analyses (one way ANOVA and multiple comparison tests) were
applied to test the differences between metal concentrations in different sites and
species. Results show high concentration factors (CFs) with respect to the
concentrations in marine waters (soluble fraction). This confirms the suitability
of these species for biomonitoring purposes.
The metal concentrations recorded at the stations generally fall in the range of
the lowest values available in the literature and may be considered as useful
background levels to which to refer for intraspecific comparison within the
Mediterranean area
Influence of weight on the content of heavy metals in tissues of Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck 1819): a forecast model.
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White paper on chemicals and Stockholm convention on persistent organic pollutants: perspectives for environmental risk management.
No full textA biomonitoring study: trace metals in seagrass, algae and molluscs in a marine reference ecosystem (southern Tyrrhenian sea)
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