1,355,498 research outputs found
Chapter Evaluation and monitoring of the Livorno’s Fossi System
No full textThe ditches and canals of Livorno, also called Fossi, are the most characterized elements the city, not only from a historical point of view, but also and above all from an urban landscape characterization point of view. Due to the overlapping of skills not yet resolved, fragmented information and data exist regarding the real extent of the pleasure craft, the status of the canals, the provision of services and general safety. The hypothesis is to succeed, through a multi-criteria assessment of scenarios, to support and quantify the displacement of vessels that negatively affect accessibility and the landscape of Livorno's Fossi system elsewhere
Preliminary Results of Biomarker Responses in Zooplankton of Brackish Environments
No full textZooplankton is an essential component of the food chains of marine and brackish environments. Ecotoxicological risk to zooplankton, evaluated by the biomarker approach, can be used as an early warning signal of risk to the health of marine ecosystems. The aim of this project is to evaluate the application of certain biomarkers in zooplankton. In the present paper, laboratory and field studies were performed with the copepods Acartia margalefi, Acartia latisetosa and the mysid Siriella clausi. Acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) was determined in homogenates of whole organisms. Mean AChE activity was 10.05 micromol min g(-1) for A. margalefi, 3.30 micromol min g(-1) for A. latisetosa and 79.70 micromol min g(-1) for S. clausi. A. margalefi and S. clausi also showed a linear increase in enzyme activity with increasing concentrations of samples. Preliminary laboratory work was also carried out with specimens of A. latisetosa, which were exposed to an organophosphorus insecticide (parathion). Moderate inhibition of AChE (19%) with respect to controls was observed. AChE activities were two orders of magnitude higher in the zooplankton than in hemolymph samples of the decapod Carcinus aestuarii (Fossi et al., 1996) indicating that these species have a high metabolic rate, which makes them suitable for biomarker studies
The use of a non-lethal tool for evaluating toxicological hazard of organochlorine contaminants in Mediterranean cetaceans: new data 10 years after the first paper published in MPB
No full textIn the Mediterranean Sea, top predators, and particularly cetacean odontocetes, accumulate high concentrations of organochlorine contaminants and toxic metals, incurring high toxicological risk. In this paper we investigate the use of the skin biopsies as a non-lethal tool for evaluating toxicological hazard of organochlorines in Mediterranean cetaceans, presenting new data 10 years after the paper published by Fossi and co-workers [Mar. Poll. Bull. 24 (9) (1992) 459] in which this new methodology was first presented. Some organochlorine compounds, now with worldwide distribution, are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Here the unexplored hypothesis that Mediterranean cetaceans are potentially at risk due to organochlorines with endocrine disrupting capacity is investigated. High concentrations of DDT metabolites and PCB congeners (known as EDCs) were found in the different Mediterranean species (Stenella coeruleoalba, Delphinus delphis, Tursiops truncatus and Balaenoptera physalus). In this paper we also propose benzo(a)pyrene monooxygenase (BPMO) activity in marine mammal skin biopsies (non-lethal biomarker) as a potential indicator of exposure to organochlorines, with special reference to the compounds with endocrine disrupting capacity. A statistically significant correlation was found between BPMO activity and organochlorine levels (DDTs, pp'DDT, op'DDT, PCBs and PCB99) in skin biopsies of males of B. physalus. Moreover a statistical correlation was also found between BPMO activity and DDT levels in skin biopsies of the endangered Mediterranean population of D. delphis. These results suggest that BPMO induction may be an early sign of exposure to organochlorine EDCs and can be used for periodic monitoring of Mediterranean marine mammal toxicological status
Impacts of marine litter on cetaceans: a focus on plastic pollution
No full textMarine litter has become a pervasive pollution problem affecting all of the world's seas. It is widely documented that marine litter, in particular plastic, has negative impacts on marine wildlife, primarily due to ingestion and entanglement. Since most cetacean species (more than 66%) are adversely affected by this pollution, this chapter is devoted to defining the impact of marine plastic pollution on cetaceans, including current knowledge, methodologic advances, and new data available on this emerging issue. The final objective of this chapter is also to identify key knowledge gaps and establish priority research and mitigation recommendations
ToastyMUG
No full textThe ToastyMUG is a design that makes you say DUH! The concept focuses on the natural tendency to hold our cold hands close to a tea mug in order to warm them. The ergonomic, enveloping form of the handle keeps the heat in so both your drink and your hands are kept toasty. ToastyMUG looks beautiful also on the table and is handmade by craftsmen in the Ceramic District of Montelupo Italy.CoolThings. 3 Jan. 2014, “Toastymug.” Cool Gadgets, Gifts & Stuff, https://www.coolthings.com/toastymug/ Fossi, Sabrina. 2013, “Toastymug: Sabrina Fossi.” Archilovers, https://www.archilovers.com/projects/110725/toastymug.htm
Skin biopsies for cell cultures from Mediterranean free-ranging cetaceans
No full textVarious species of Mediterranean cetaceans have declined dramatically this century. One
of the most abundant species until the late 1970s, the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), is now rare in many
parts of the basin (Notarbartolo di Sciara and Demma, 1994). Ecotoxicological data on cetaceans are of interest for
various reasons, principally because cetaceans do not have sweat and sebaceous glands or gills, so they are a
relatively closed system. Recent studies on the metabolic capacity of cetaceans has shown that these marine
mammals have a relatively inefficient detoxifying capacity (Watanabe et al., 1989; Tanabe & Tatsukawa, 1992;
Fossi ¿f al.,1992; 1997a, 1997b; Fossi & Marsili, 1997). Moreover, the species of cetaceans are thought to have
different sensitivities to environmental contaminants, especially organochlorines (OCs), and this may impinge on
their vulnerability to these contaminants (Marsili et al., 1996; Marsili et al., 1998). Most studies of contamination
and biomarker responses in marine mammals have been conducted using animals killed by hunting, tacitly approving
this activity. The development of a series of non-destructive techniques to evaluate biomarker responses and residue
levels is strongly recommended for the hazard assessment, protection, and conservation of endangered species of
marine mammals (Fossi and Marsili, l9n). A non-invasive sampling method, the skin biopsy, and use of the
material obtained to culture fibroblasts, have been developed in this study. In this paper, we present this method for
biopsies of Mediterranean specimens of striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops
truncatus), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and Risso's dolphin (Grampus
griseus)
Use of Biomarkers to Evaluate Effects of Xenobiotic Compounds in the Biobio Basin (Central Chile)
No full textThe aim of the present study was to make a preliminary evaluation, by means of biomarkers, of the toxicological effects of xenobiotic compounds on the biota of the basm of the River Biobio in Chile. A biomarker is defined as " ... a xenobiotically-induced
variation in cellular or biochenucal components or process, structures, or functions that is measurable in a biological system or samples"(NRC 1989). Such variations provide information on the amplitude of response of an orgamsm m relation to the magmtude of chenucal insult and on the relation between biological effects and environmental contamination. The study of biomarkers m biomdicator orgamsms, sampled in one or more areas suspected of pollution, and compared with those of organisms from a reference area, makes it possible to evaluate the potential danger to commumties (McCarthy et al. 1989. McCarthy & Shugart 1990, Fossi & Leonzio 1994). Such an approach is appropriate in situations of high hiunan unpact, as in the Biobio River m Central Chile. It provides an "integrated" response to overall exposure, in spatial and temporal terms, comprehensive of the various toxicological and pharmacological interactions of the pollutant mixture to which the bioindicator orgamsms are exposed. The biomarkers chosen to evaluate environmental
quality in the Biobio basra were the nuxed function monooxygenases (MFO), indicators of chemical stress due to organochlormes, PAHs, dioxines and pentachlorophenols (Payne et al. 1987: Fossi and Leonzio 1994) and the esterases, mchcators of chenucal stress due to organophosphates, carbamates and neurotoxms (Thompson et al. 1988; Walker 1989)
Porphirins as biomarkers of methylmercury and PCB exposure in experimental quail
No full textChemicals such as heavy metals and polyhalogenated hydrocarbons have a high capacity to interfere with the enzymatic processes responsible for haem biosynthesis. These compounds can produce accumulation in tissues and organs and increased elimination of porphyrins in excreta (Andrew et al, 1990). The development of fast and easy analytical methods and the wide variety of biological media in which porphyrins can be detected have suggested their use as biomarkers of environmental pollution (Akins et al, 1993; De Matteis and Lim 1994). The analysis of porphyrins in the excreta is of special interest because it enables nondestructive monitoring of wild animals in the assessment of threatened or endangered species (Fossi et al, 1994). Methylmercury and PCBs are ubiquitous global pollutants and there is evidence they accumulate in terminal consumers, particularly those belonging to marine trophic chain (Renzoni et al, 1986; Yamashita et al, 1993). There have been some reports on methylmercury-induced (e.g. Woods et al, 1991; Bowers et al, 1992; Miller and Woods 1993) and PCB-induced porphyria (e.g. Vos and Pennings, 1971; Miranda et al, 1987; Elliot et al, 1990; Miranda et al, 1992) but little data on their combined effect. In order to investigate the quality of porphyrins as biomarkers we performed an experiment in which Japanese quail were fed a diet containing methylmercury and polychlorobyphenyls (PCBs as Arochlor 1260) individually or combined in different ratios. The present study aims to provide preliminary data on liver and fecal levels of porphyrins in response to methylmercury and PCB administration, and on whether the indicator is sensitive to synergism or antagonism between the two compounds, administered simultaneously
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