Research Progress in Transfer, Accumulation and Effects of Microplastics in the Oceans

One of the major concerns regarding the presence of plastics in ocean environments are the effects on marine biota. Plastics can be distinguished in macro- (≥25 mm), meso- (<25 mm–5 mm) micro- (<5 mm–1 µm), and nano-plastic (<1 µm) and are practically omnipresent in aquatic habitats and subject to long-range transport. The purpose of this review is to report the last findings on the release, transfer, accumulation, and effects of micro-plastics, MPs, in the oceans. MPs have the chance to adsorb different kind of organisms and compounds on their outer surface, including bacteria, viruses, algae, and abiotic substances. In this way, they can cause sever hazard once they enter the food chain. Their harm to higher organisms is discussed as well as main routes of MPs–organism interactions, i.e., ventilation, and ingestion. Potential effects on populations, communities, and ecosystems and uptake routes and transition into tissues are discussed. In consideration of the potential threats of plastic particles to ecological functions and human health risks, we recommend specific directions of future research approaches

Advances in the Fate of Rare Earth Elements, REE, in Transitional Environments: Coasts and Estuaries

The production of rare earth elements, REE, has significantly increased over the past years, in parallel with the latest advances in nanotechnologies and representing a new group of emerging contaminants. They find application in construction, transport, agriculture, electronics, catalysis, and biomedicine. Their extraordinary intrinsic characteristics are fundamental for overcoming current technological challenges. The accumulation of REE is consistent in near-shore waters being affected by runoff, wastewater discharge, and proximity to built-up areas. Bioavailability in water, sediments, and accumulation in marine biota as well their endocrine disruptor effect is mostly unknown. There is a significant gap of knowledge on the ecotoxicological behaviour of REE in marine areas. The existing investigations have been performed inside well-mixed estuarine systems, due to complex hydrodynamics and multiple sediment transport situations. This hampers the definition of regulatory thresholds for REE concentrations and emissions. The review summarizes the existing information on REE geochemistry and physicochemical conditions influencing dissolution, surface complexation reactions, and distribution at the continent–ocean interface, as well as their speciation, bioavailability, and detrimental effects on living organisms. Strategies for reducing REE usage and inputs are also discusse

A narrative review of alternative transmission routes of COVID 19: what we know so far,

The Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemics, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2, represent an unprecedented public health challenge. Beside person-to-person contagion via airborne droplets and aerosol, which is the main SARSCoV-2’s route of transmission, alternative modes, including transmission via fomites, food and food packaging, have been investigated for their potential impact on SARS-CoV-2 diffsion. In this context, several studies have demonstrated the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and, in some cases, of infectious particles on exposed fomites, food and water samples, confiming their possible role as sources of contamination and transmission. Indeed, fomite-to-human transmission has been demonstrated in a few cases where person-to-person transmission had been excluded. In addition, recent studies supported the possibility of acquiring COVID-19 through the fecal-oro route; the occurrence of COVID-19 gastrointestinal infections, in the absence of respiratory symptoms, also opens the intriguing possibility that these cases could be directly related to the ingestion of contaminated food and water. Overall, most of the studies considered these alternative routes of transmission of low epidemiological relevance; however, it should be considered that they could play an important role, or even be prevalent, in settings characterized by diffrent environmental and socio-economic conditions. In this review, we discuss the most recent fidings regarding SARS-CoV-2 alternative transmission routes, with the aim to disclose what is known about their impact on COVID-19 spread and to stimulate research in this field, which could potentially have a great impact, especially in lowresource contexts

Infralittoral ostracoda and benthic foraminifera of the Gulf of Pozzuoli (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

AbstractThe shallow water benthic foraminiferal and ostracod assemblages of the Gulf of Pozzuoli, located in the central Tyrrhenian Sea, were studied to investigate the relationship between calcareous meiofaunas and contaminant concentrations in bottom sediments exposed to prolonged industrial pollution. Both benthic foraminifers and ostracods displayed high-diversity and low-dominance, unusual features in highly contaminated environments. High-diversity values were possibly linked to the oligotrophic, well-oxygenated, and CaCO3-supersaturated coastal Mediterranean waters. The comparison with historical data suggested that assemblage composition changed in the last decades, with an increase in the relative abundance of benthic foraminiferal (Quinqueloculina seminulum, Bulimina elongata) and ostracod (Xestoleberis,Loxoconcha, Semicytherura rarecostata) taxa. They probably represent organisms tolerant to the environmental variations in the last decades. The relationships between granulometry and diversity indices, high correlation values betweenQuinqueloculina lataand heavy metal pollution, and the preference of the ostracod generaUrocythereisandParacytherideafor very shallow marine waters were highlighted

Hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical monitoring in the Cumae archaeological site (Phlegraean Fields, southern Italy)

Phlegraean Fields, hydrogeological model, hydrochemical facie

Progress on the Impact of Persistent Pollutants on Marine Turtles: A Review

The review examines the most recent advances on the effect of persistent pollutants on sea turtles. Research on this topic is still limited, especially that related to toxicity, since they are protected species and in vivo toxicity studies are difficult, with most studies carried out on deceased individuals. Besides toxicology, the review considers direct links to pollution sources, reproduction impact, health effects and biomarkers of pollution exposure. Little attempts have been made so far to gather data that would provide insight into the causes of the observed health trends. Considering this, studies correlating PPs accumulation with health parameters were also discussed. The review synthesizes the recent progress of the research on these topics and indicates the main urgent need of investigation to limit threats from anthropic pressure