Immunotoxic effects of exposure to the antifouling copper(I) biocide on target and nontarget bivalve species: a comparative in vitro study between Mytilus galloprovincialis and Ruditapes philippinarum

Edible bivalves constitute an important bioresource from an economic point of view, and studies on their immune responses to environmental pollutants are crucial for both the preservation of biodiversity and economic reasons. The worldwide diffusion of copper(I)-based antifouling paints has increased copper leaching into coastal environments and its potential impact on both target and nontarget organisms. In this study, immunotoxicity assays were carried out with short-term (60 min) cultures of hemocytes from the bivalves Mytilus galloprovincialis—a mussel dominant in the macrofouling community—and Ruditapes philippinarum—a clam dominant in the soft-sediment community—exposed to CuCl to compare the toxic effects on their immune responses. The LC50 values were similar, 40 μM (3.94 mg L-1) for the mussel and 44 μM (4.33 mg L-1) for the clam. In both species, apoptosis occurred after exposure to 1 µM (98.9 μg L-1) CuCl, the concentration able to significantly increase the intracellular Ca2+ content. Biomarkers of cell morphology and motility revealed microfilament disruption, a significant decrease in yeast phagocytosis and lysosome hydrolase (β-glucuronidase) inhibition beginning from 0.5 µM (49.5 μg L-1) CuCl in both the mussel and clam. The same concentration of CuCl affected biomarkers of oxidative stress, as a significant decrease in reduced glutathione content in the cytoplasm and inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome-c oxidase (COX) were detected in both species. Comparison of the biomarkers showed that clam is more sensitive than the mussel regarding alterations to the lysosomal membrane and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which supports the potential harmful effects of antifouling biocides on the survival of nontarget pivotal species in the coastal community

An exploratory analysis of bromine compounds and pyrethroids in stranded sperm whales

Sulle coste italiane del mar Adriatico a Vasto (Abruzzo, Italia) il 12 settembre 2014 sono deceduti, in seguito ad uno spiaggiamento, tre esemplari di capodoglio (Physeter macrocephalus). In seguito all’evento sono stati raccolti campioni destinati a varie analisi. Per questo elaborato ci si è concentrati sulle analisi tossicologiche e i campioni analizzati sono stati: blubber, cervello, cuore, muscolo, fegato, feci e cordone ombelicale. Su questi campioni sono state indagate le concentrazioni tissutali di Ritardanti di fiamma e Piretroidi. Lo scopo di questa ricerca è mirato alla valutazione del potenziale ruolo patogenetico di questi inquinanti che agiscono su numerosi distretti organici, sul sistema immunitario ed endocrino, al fine di cercare di comprendere, attraverso la letteratura esistente, l’interpretazione dei dati ottenuti e la formulazione d’ipotesi, se l’esposizione a tali inquinanti possa influenzare in modo diretto o indiretto lo spiaggiamento di questa specie e se c’è una relazione di traferimento materno-fetale di tali composti (dato che uno degli individui era incinta). Sono stati trovati valori di ritardanti di fiamma anche nei campioni fetali, questo porta ad ipotizzare il trasferimento placentare dei contaminanti. Questo particolare è importante e contribuisce ad arricchire enormemente le nozioni disponibili sul comportamento, l’accumulo e l’escrezione di questi contaminanti nei cetacei. Nonostante la letteratura e i risultati da noi ottenuti individuino come organo target per lo studio dei ritardanti di fiamma il blubber, e per i piretroidi il muscolo, questo studio dimostra la presenza di tali contaminanti anche in altri distretti anatomici dell’organismo dei capodogli. Lo scopo, quindi, di questo studio è di ottenere informazioni più estese ed approfondite sullo stato di inquinamento del Mediterraneo, sulla tossicocinetica delle sostanze in esame e sui possibili effetti nocivi che potrebbero affliggere del capodoglio

Potential disruptive effects of copper-based antifouling paints on biodiversity of coastal macrofouling community.

In recent years, after the ban on tributyltin (TBT)-based antifouling paints, copper-based paints have become the main coatings for boat hulls due to their effectiveness, efficiency and endurance. Copper(I) compounds are used alone or in combination with booster biocides. The expanded use of these paints has increased copper leaching into coastal environments, requiring attention and legislative restrictions. This study monitored the ecological succession of macrofouling communities on wooden and steel panels immersed for 10 months in the southern basin of the Lagoon of Venice. The development of macrofouling communities on the panels coated with copper-containing antifouling paints was compared with those on the reference (uncoated) and TBT-coated panels. To describe the effects on the communities, PERMANOVA and a series of biodiversity descriptors were considered; these descriptors highlighted the disturbing activity of the antifouling paints that resulted in negative species selection

Effects of geotextiles for coastal erosion control on marine fouling settlement.

In recent years, the prevention of coastal erosion has arisen as a top priority for reducing the damage to structures and loss of lands. Climatic change is making the erosion rates worse by increasing in storm frequency and intensity. The high coastline recession rates cause significant concern in heavily populated locations. New tools are represented by nonwoven geotextiles. They are made of polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET) fibres, which are useful in artificial structures for coastal protection. On the other hand, they represent an alternative to natural hard substrates and could interfere with the settlement of fouling species in respect of natural substrates. To better understand the effects of geotextiles on the colonisation capability of macrofouling organisms, a 10-months study was carried out in the Lagoon of Venice (Italy).Three different needle-punched staple fibre geotextiles were chosen: 1) White-PP, 2) hot-calendered White PP&PET, and 3) multi-layered Coloured PP&PET. Fouling settlement was monitored and analysed on panels replaced monthly with the aim to investigate significant differences among the covering surfaces of each fouling species. The measures of the areas (cm2) per month were compared using PERMANOVA considering two fixed factors, i.e., geotextiles and month. All geotextiles revealed a negative effect on the settlement of green and red algae, bivalve molluscs and barnacles. Conversely, they showed a positive selective effect towards both solitary and colonial ascidians. As regards the 18 organisms observed, PERMANOVA showed that for four of the organisms (Ulva rigida, Ceramium ciliatum, Janua heterostropha, Bugula neritina) the settlement takes place according to a significant negative selection on basis of both fixed parameters considered in the analysis (month and geotextile). Conversely, for two tunicates (Ciona robusta and Diplosoma listerianum) the positive selection on settlement capacity appears to be significantly dependent only according to month and not to the type of geotextiles. Therefore, it must be considered that a long-term and extensive use of geotextiles worldwide could negatively affect local biodiversity and community growth on coasts. The progressive loss of pivot species in favour of the selection of dominant and/or invasive species could trigger negative consequences in both trophic chains of coastal ecosystems and in economical relevant activities of fishing industry and aquaculture

Selective potential of geotextiles on marine fouling settlement

In recent years, the prevention of coastal erosion due to the action of waves, currents, tides and organisms has arisen as a top priority for reducing the damage to structures and loss of lands. Climatic change is making the erosion rates worse by increasing in storm frequency and intensity. The high coastline recession rates cause significant concern in heavily populated locations. New tools for application in hydraulic engineering are represented by nonwoven geotextiles. These materials are made of polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET) fibres, have physical and hydraulic properties, which are useful in artificial structures for coastal protection as an alternative to natural hard substrates. On the other hand, they could interfere with the settlement of fouling species in respect of natural substrates. To better understand the potential effects of geotextiles on the colonization capability of fouling organisms, a 10-months study was carried out in the Lagoon of Venice (Italy), a particular environment of temperate transitional waters with high biodiversity. Three different needle punched staple fibre geotextiles were chosen from Naue GmbH & Co. (Germany): 1) Secutex R601 (white PP), 2) Secutex 251 GRK 4C (hot-calendered white PP and PET), and 3) Terrafix B 609 (multi-layered coloured PP and white PET). Fouling settlement was monitored and analysed on panels replaced monthly and compared with the colonization on wood panels as a reference substrate. All geotextiles revealed a negative effect on the settlement of green and red algae, bivalve molluscs and barnacles. Secutex R601 and Terrafix B 609 also inhibited the settlement of serpulids. Conversely, they showed a positive selective effect towards various ascidian species. The loss of pivot species in favour of the selection of dominant and/or invasive species could trigger negative consequences in both trophic chains of coastal ecosystems and in economical relevant activities of fishing industry and aquaculture

Two facets of geotextiles in coastal ecosystems: Anti- or profouling effects?

Nonwoven geotextile fabrics have physical, mechanical and hydraulic properties useful in coastal protection as an alternative to natural stone, slag, and concrete. In a 10-month experiment, the colonisation of macrofouling organisms on different substrata based on polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET) or high density polyethylene (HDPE) fibres was investigated in the Lagoon of Venice, Italy \u2013 an environment with temperate transitional waters with high biodiversity \u2013 and compared with the colonisation on wood as a reference substratum, because of its occurrence in artificial structures at the study location, until a stable stage was reached in the development of the macrofouling community. Geotextile fabrics showed implications for community development. They affected both ecological succession in different ways by disturbing biofouling settlement and growth (HDPE fabrics) or favouring species which become dominant (PP fabrics). For these two-faceted aspects that potentially cause different long-term impacts on the biodiversity of resident communities, the use of geotextile fabrics as antifouling or as profouling systems for restoration of degraded ecosystems is discussed. In all cases, the communities displayed unique properties, such as differences in the settlement of pioneer species, an initial disturbance to serpulid settlement, absence of barnacles, selection of dominant taxa (ascidians), and changes in the percentages of various taxa forming the community structure. Given the increasing interest in geotextile materials for employment in various marine developments and industries, these results could represent first lines of evidence to inform decision-making to minimise/modify biofouling, and/or predict the use of artificial substrata as habitats by marine organisms

Behavioural Responses to Ultrasound Antifouling Systems by Adult Solitary Ascidians

Ultrasonic antifouling devices are installed globally on a variety of vessel types and are marketed as an environmentally friendly method for biofouling control. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of ultrasound on adults of three species of common solitary ascidians (Ciona intestinalis, Ascidiella aspersa and Styela plicata). After a brief (10 s) exposure to two ultrasound frequencies (30 and 35 kHz), alterations in the frequency of siphon closing events and the length of time the siphons remained closed/open were observed. The results revealed that ascidians are able to perceive ultrasound, showing frequency-dependent behavioural responses that vary depending on the species and size of individuals involving both tactile receptors and an acoustic system homologous to the vertebrate inner ear. Continuous (5 h) 30 kHz exposure caused other types of responses, the most interesting of which was the long-term opening of the oral siphon, indicating a lack of reactivity to mechanical stimuli. This effect suggests a stress condition that could lead to increased vulnerability to predators and filter-feeding impairment. Therefore, knowledge of the acoustic sensitivity of sessile marine species appears to be essential for better understanding the potential effects of noise pollution on marine ecosystems