Use of Larval Morphological Deformities in Chironomus plumosus (Chironomidae: Diptera) as an Indicator of Freshwater Environmental Contamination (Lake Trasimeno, Italy)

The mentum deformity incidence in Chironomus plumosus larvae to assess the environmental contamination level in Lake Trasimeno, Central Italy, was investigated. The survey lasted from May 2018 to August 2019. Fifty-one samplings were carried out: 34 in the littoral zone and 17 in the central zone. The deformity assessment was based on 737 and 2767 larval specimens of C. plumosus collected from the littoral and central zones, respectively. Comparison of the larval morphometric variables between normal and deformed specimens highlighted that the deformities did not cause alterations of the larval growth. The deformity incidence amounted to 7.22% in the whole Trasimeno's ecosystem, reaching 8.28% in the littoral zone and 6.94% in the central zone. Among the different seasonal cohorts, the spring cohort had overall the highest deformity value (11.41%). The deformity type assessment protocol highlighted that the most common deformity type was "round/filed teeth" (64%). The results of this 2018–2019 survey revealed a low deformity incidence, within the background range of relatively low-impacted freshwaters. Comparison with previous investigations (2000–2010) of the same habitat showed a clear decrease of the deformity incidence. This study further contributes to the evaluation of the mentum deformity in chironomids that represent an indicator endpoint of the anthropogenic contamination level in freshwaters

Biodiversité des communautés d'invertébrés benthiques et réponses aux perturbations anthropiques

TOULOUSE3-BU Sciences (315552104) / SudocSudocFranceF

Analysis of the causes of the seizure and destruction of carcasses and organs in a slaughterhouse in central Italy in the 2010-2016 period

Meat safety and hygiene are fundamental issues for producers and endusers. To achieve these goals, the inspection of carcasses and organs at slaughter is critical. The results of post-mortem inspection are the basis for planning preventive measures against consumer risks and for limiting economic losses. In this retrospective study, the causes of the seizure and destruction of carcasses and organs were analysed at a slaughterhouse in central Italy from 2010 to 2016. 436,646 slaughtered animals were taken into consideration, for a total of 61,799 seizures (73.29% pigs, 23.87% cattle, 2.77% sheep and 0.07% horses). The organs or groups of organs that most frequently showed lesions in pigs were liver (72.38%), heart (10.77%) and pluck (10.20%); in cattle, lungs (64.86%), liver (31.20%) and stomachs (11.63%); in sheep, liver (77.15%), pluck (18.70%) and lung (3.80%); in horses, liver (75.56%), kidney (68.89%) and lung (31.11%). Among the diagnoses, parasitic diseases of the liver (ascariasis and distomatosis) were especially frequent in all species, followed by pericarditis and polyserositis in pigs and diseases affecting the respiratory system in cattle. The data obtained show that post-mortem inspection is of fundamental importance for limiting risks for the consumer and ensuring meat safety. It is also evident, even more than ten years after the coming into force of the so-called hygiene package regulations, that the slaughterhouse can still act as an epidemiological observatory to provide the data needed for the development of plans for the control and eradication of the most frequent diseases in the area

Evaluation of geochemical baselines and metal enrichment factor values through high ecological quality reference points: a novel methodological approach

In this study, we propose a new approach to estimate geochemical local baselines and enrichment factor values for metals in riverine sediments. The goal is to describe catchment areas characterized by intensive and spread anthropogenic activities, for which it is challenging to identify undisturbed sites to utilize as reference. The case study is the Nestore river basin (Central Italy). Our approach is based on the use of ecological quality as a criterium to select the reference points in the normalization processes of metal baselines. The rationale is to assume that the sediments with a better environmental quality are anthropogenically least impaired. On these grounds, we detected geochemical local baselines and enrichment factor values of various metals (Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, and Zn). Also, this approach allowed to highlight a major level of pollution for the most downstream site of Nestore river and its left tributari

Resistance to dehydration and positive hygrotaxis in the invasive red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii

The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii is the most cosmopolitan invasive freshwater crayfish species in the world. High tolerance to a wide range of environmental conditions, among which its great ability to survive drought conditions, and the economic importance are the main factors of its spreading success. The present study tests for the first time the survival of this species to different relative humidity (RH) conditions (plastic boxes with humidity controlling salt solutions at 30%, 50%, 70%, 100% RH) and its ability to orient in humidity gradients (dual-choice chambers 50–78% RH, 60–75% RH). P. clarkii shows a great ability to survive out of water, positively related to the RH conditions, surviving more than two days at very low humidity (30% RH) and more than one month at 100% RH. In addition the crayfish showed a positive hygrotaxis spending most of their time in the area of the choice chambers with a higher RH. The results of the present investigation are particularly relevant considering that one of the major challenges to predict and control biological invasion lies in understanding which biological and ecological features might favor the colonization of alien invasive species in new areas

Use of Larval Morphological Deformities in Chironomus plumosus (Chironomidae: Diptera) as an Indicator of Freshwater Environmental Contamination (Lake Trasimeno, Italy)

The mentum deformity incidence in Chironomus plumosus larvae to assess the environmental contamination level in Lake Trasimeno, Central Italy, was investigated. The survey lasted from May 2018 to August 2019. Fifty-one samplings were carried out: 34 in the littoral zone and 17 in the central zone. The deformity assessment was based on 737 and 2767 larval specimens of C. plumosus collected from the littoral and central zones, respectively. Comparison of the larval morphometric variables between normal and deformed specimens highlighted that the deformities did not cause alterations of the larval growth. The deformity incidence amounted to 7.22% in the whole Trasimeno’s ecosystem, reaching 8.28% in the littoral zone and 6.94% in the central zone. Among the different seasonal cohorts, the spring cohort had overall the highest deformity value (11.41%). The deformity type assessment protocol highlighted that the most common deformity type was “round/filed teeth” (64%). The results of this 2018–2019 survey revealed a low deformity incidence, within the background range of relatively low-impacted freshwaters. Comparison with previous investigations (2000–2010) of the same habitat showed a clear decrease of the deformity incidence. This study further contributes to the evaluation of the mentum deformity in chironomids that represent an indicator endpoint of the anthropogenic contamination level in freshwaters

Bioaccumulation of Trace Elements along the Body Longitudinal Axis in Honey Bees

We present a survey on the environmental contamination of the Alviano Lake territory (Central Italy) based on Apis mellifera ligustica samples collected in two annual samplings (2019–2020). Concentrations of 30 elements were determined in the whole bees, in the gaster, and in the body without the gaster. The study generally revealed a low level of contamination of the bee tissues. However, As showed higher concentrations than in other rural areas, although lower than in samples from urban and productive areas. On the other hand, despite the environmental context, Hg showed limited contamination levels, with the exception of a single sample. Elemental analysis along the longitudinal axis of the bees’ bodies showed greater and statistically significant presences of V, Al, Be, Pb, Cd, Co, Mn, Ba, and Sr in the gaster. The only exceptions concerned As and S (and to a lesser extent Hg), with higher concentrations found in the body without the gaster. We hypothesise that this selectivity maybe due to the affinity of these elements with S, which is abundant in the proteins of the flight muscles in the insect thorax, which are rich in amino acids containing the –SH group

Deposition processes over complex topographies: experimental data meets atmospheric modelling

The present paper describes the assessment of the atmospheric deposition processes in a basin valley through a multidisciplinary approach based on the data collected within an extensive chemical-physical characterization of the soils, combined with the local meteorology. Surface soil cores were collected on a NNW-SSE transect across the Terni basin (Central Italy), between the Monti Martani and the Monti Sabini chains (956 m a.s.l.), featuring the heavily polluted urban and industrial enclave of Terni on its bottom. Airborne radiotracers, namely 210Pb and 137Cs, have been used to highlight atmospheric deposition. We observed an increased deposition flux of 210Pb and 137Cs at sites located at the highest altitudes, and the associated concentration profiles in soil allowed to evaluate the role of atmospheric deposition. We also obtained a comprehensive dataset of stable anthropogenic pollutants of atmospheric origin that showed heterogeneity along the transect. The behavior has been explained by the local characteristic of the soil, by seeder-feeder processes promoted by the atmospheric circulation, and was reconciled with the concentration profile of radiotracers by factor analysis. Finally, the substantial impact of the local industrial activities on soil profiles and the role of the planetary boundary layer has been discussed and supported by simulations employing a Lagrangian dispersion model