Tetrodotoxins (TTXs) are potent neurotoxins named after the Tetraodontidae fish family. The ingestion of TTX-contaminated flesh can cause neurotoxic symptoms and can lead to death. In 2017 symptoms ...the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recognized the threat to food safety resulting from TTX exposure via food consumption and, thus, proposed a safety limit of 44 μg/kg of TTX in marine gastropods and bivalves. To date, however, TTXs have not yet been included in the list of biotoxins to be monitored within the European Union, even though, in a few cases, levels of TTX found were higher than the EFSA limit. The origin of TTX production is debated and the roles of both biotic and abiotic factors on TTX-mediated toxic events remain unclear. In order to meet these knowledge requests the present study was aimed to investigate the role of seawater temperature, pH, water conductivity, and oxygen saturation, along with the marine phytoplankton community and the bacterial community of mussels and oysters on the accumulation of TTX and analogues in the bivalves. Abiotic parameters were measured by means of a multi-parametric probe, phytoplankton community was analyzed by optic microscopy while microbial community was described by amplicon metataxonomic sequencing, TTXs concentration in the collected matrices were measured by HILIC-MS/MS.
A possible role of seawater pH and temperature, among the investigated abiotic factors, in regulating the occurrence of TTXs was found. Regarding biotic variables, a possible influence of Vibrio, Shewanella and Flavobacteriaceae in the occurrence of TTXs was found. Concurrently, Prorocentrum cordatum cell numbers were correlated to the incidence of TTX in mussels. The results herein collected suggest that environmental variables play a consistent part in the occurrence of TTX in the edible bivalve habitats, and there are also indications of a potential role played by specific bacteria taxa in association with phytoplankton.
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•Temperature and pH involved in the occurrence of tetrodotoxin in marine bivalves.•Vibrio, Shewanella and Flavobacteriaceae are potentially related to TTXs occurrence.•Prorocentrum cordatum still suspected to be involved in tetrodotoxin production.
Interaction and mobility have attracted much interest in research within scholarly fields as different as archaeology, history, and more broadly the humanities. Critically assessing some of the most ...widespread views on interaction and its social impact, this book proposes an innovative perspective which combines radical social theory and currently burgeoning network methodologies. Through an in-depth analysis of a wealth of data often difficult to access, and illustrated by many diagrams and maps, the book highlights connections and their social implications at different scales ranging from the individual settlement to the Mediterranean. The resulting diachronic narrative explores social and economic trajectories over some seven centuries and sheds new light on the broad historical trends affecting the life of people living around the Middle Sea.
•Faecal pollution data from the past 11 years in the Adriatic sea were analysed.•FIB contamination changed over space and time.•A general reduction of structural zeros over time was found.River ...discharge and rainfall did not explain faecal pollution•CSOs events were highly correlated with peaks in FIB.
Faecal contamination of the coastal sea poses widespread hazard to human and environmental health and is predicted to rise in response to global change and human pressure. For better management and risk reduction it is thus imperative to clarify and predict trends of faecal pollution over spatial and temporal scales, and to assess links with climate and other variables. Here, we investigated the spatio-temporal variation in the Faecal Indicator Bacteria (FIB) Escherichia coli and enterococci, over a time frame spanning 11 years (2011–2021) along a coastal area covering approximately 40 km and 59 bathing sites in the Marche region (Adriatic Sea, Italy), characterized by intense beach tourism, high riverine inputs, resident population, maritime traffic and industrial activities. Our analysis, that considers 5,183 measurements during the bathing season (April to October), shows that FIB abundance varied significantly among years. A general, although not significant, increase over time of both FIB was observed, mainly due to a general reduction of structural zeros (i.e., zeros originated from the actual absence of the response variable) over the examined time period. FIB abundances displayed their maxima and minima in different years according to the municipality, with overall peaks recorded in different months (May-June or September), whereas the lowest values were always observed in October. FIB levels were not significantly related neither to rainfalls nor to river discharge, but the activation of combined sewer overflows (CSOs), typically occurring after intense rainfall events, appeared as a necessary condition for the high faecal contamination levels. Considering climate change scenarios predicting significant increases in extreme weather events, our findings support the usefulness of analysing long-term trends to identify pollution sources, and the prioritization of control strategies to better manage the release of microbial pollutants from combined sewer overflows in coastal waters to reduce human risks.
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We depict the relative sea-level rise scenarios for the year 2100 from four areas of the Italian peninsula. Our estimates are based on the Rahmstorf (2007) and IPCC-AR5 reports 2013 for the RCP-8.5 ...scenarios (www.ipcc.ch) of climate change, adjusted for the rates of vertical land movements (isostasy and tectonics). These latter are inferred from the elevation of MIS 5.5 deposits and from late Holocene sea-level indicators, matched against sea-level predictions for the same periods using the glacio-hydro-isostatic model of Lambeck et al. (2011). We focus on a variety of tectonic settings: the subsiding North Adriatic coast (including the Venice lagoon), two tectonically stable Sardinia coastal plains (Oristano and Cagliari), and the slightly uplifting Taranto coastal plain, in Apulia. Maps of flooding scenarios are shown on high-resolution Digital Terrain Models mostly based on Lidar data. The expected relative sea-level rise by 2100 will change dramatically the present-day morphology, potentially flooding up to about 5500 km2 of coastal plains at elevations close to present-day sea level.
The subsequent loss of land will impact the environment and local infrastructures, suggesting land planners and decision makers to take into account these scenarios for a cognizant coastal management. Our method developed for the Italian coast can be applied worldwide in other coastal areas expected to be affected by marine ingression due to global climate change.
The dynamics of hydrographic and biogeochemical properties in a Northwestern coastal area of the Adriatic Sea were investigated. The time series data from continuous observation (2007–2022) allowed ...the investigation of annual trends and seasonal cycles along a coastal transect influenced by local river discharge. Various statistical models were used to investigate water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, dissolved organic, inorganic and particulate nutrients, precipitation and river discharge. It was found that the local river discharge regime played an essential role in interannual, and seasonal biogeochemical dynamics associated with global climate change in the Mediterranean region. A significant trend towards oligotrophic conditions was detected, as evidenced by the downward trend in the river mouth and on the sea of chlorophyll a (−0.2 μg L−1 in the sea), dissolved organic and inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus (i.e., −0.43 μM yr−1 of DON in the sea and −6.67 of DIN μM yr−1 in the river mouth or −0.07 μM yr−1 of DOP and −0.02 μM yr−1 of DIP in the river mouth) and silicate (−2.47 μM yr−1 in the river mouth) concentrations. Salinity showed a long-term increase in the sea (0.08 yr−1), corresponding to a significant decrease in water discharge from the local river (−0.27 m3 s−1 yr−1) and precipitation (−0.06 mm yr−1). The dissolved organic and inorganic nutrients highlighted a different seasonal accumulation under the river runoff regime. The nutrient enrichment was predominantly driven by river contribution. Data analysis showed that the coastal biogeochemical properties dynamics were mostly influenced by river discharge and precipitation regimes, which in turn are driven by climate change variability in the North-western Adriatic Sea.
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•Time series data allowed assessing variability of biogeochemical properties in coastal waters.•Role of the minor river inputs on interannual trend and seasonal cycles of biogeochemical properties.•Confirmed oligotrophic trends in NW Adriatic coastal waters of organic and inorganic N and P.•Organic N and P originate from river runoff input than regeneration production.•Runoff variability and climate changes as drivers of biogeochemical dynamics in Adriatic Sea.
Radiological and health risks arising from 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in topsoil due to coal combustion in Plomin thermal power plant were assessed: outdoor absorbed dose rate in air (D), annual outdoor ...effective dose rate (Def), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin), and excess lifetime cancer risk outdoors (ELCRout). Spatial distribution of risks around the plant was studied and relative contributions of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K to D (applies to Def and ELCRout as well), Hex, and Hin were determined. The risks were studied at two soil depths (A: 0–10 cm, B: 10–25 cm), radially around the plant at 1 km, 5 km, and 10 km distances from the plant, and in a downwind (SW) profile at 0.1–1 km distance from the plant. Elevated D, Def, Hin, and ELCRout were determined, while Hex was not elevated. Almost all D, Def, and ELCRout values were above the world average for soils (58 nGy/h, 0.07 mSv/y, and 0.29 × 10−3, respectively). D, Def, and ELCRout were: 32–338 nGy/h (mean value: 116 nGy/h), 0.039–0.414 mSv/y (mean value: 0.142 mSv/y), and 0.17 × 10−3–1.79 × 10−3 (mean value: 0.61 × 10−3), respectively. Hex was in the 0.18–1.98 range (mean value: 0.69), with only two extreme values above the recommended limit of 1. Hin was in the 0.22–3.67 range (mean value: 1.02), with most of the values above the recommended limit of 1 in the downwind profile and at one station with extremes (1 km from the plant). A “hot spot” was determined for all risks at 1 km distance from the plant in the wind direction (SW from the plant). The next highest, elevated, risks were observed in the downwind profile stations. The most important parameters influencing spatial distribution of risks are 226Ra activities in soil, wind direction, and distance from the plant. 226Ra is generally the most important contributor to risks in soils, while 40K is the least important. 226Ra and 232Th were found to be the most significant and comparable contributors to D, Def, Hex, and ELCRout. Only 226Ra was found as the most significant contributor to Hin in the studied area. Elevated risks are partially from the natural source (carbonate bedrock) and partially from the power plant (coal combustion and handling, ash deposition on soil).
•Elevated D, Def, Hin, and ELCRout values.•“Hot spot” for all risks at 1 km distance from the TPP in the wind direction.•Risks are generally the highest within <1 km from the TPP in the wind direction.•226Ra and 232Th are the most significant contributors to D, Def, Hex, and ELCRout.•Only 226Ra is the most significant contributor to Hin.
Micro-plastic particles in the world's oceans represent a serious threat to both human health and marine ecosystems. Once released into the aquatic environment plastic litter is broken down to ...smaller pieces through photo-degradation and the physical actions of waves, wind, etc. The resulting particles may become so small that they are readily taken up by fish, crustaceans and mollusks. There is mounting evidence for the uptake of plastic particles by marine organisms that form part of the human food chain and this is driving urgent calls for further and deeper investigations into this pollution issue.
The present study aimed at investigating for the first time the occurrence, amount, typology of microplastic litter in the gastrointestinal tract of Solea solea and its spatial distribution in the northern and central Adriatic Sea. This benthic flatfish was selected as it is a species of high commercial interest within the FAO GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) area 37 (Mediterranean and Black Sea) where around 15% of the overall global Solea solea production originates.
The digestive tract contents of 533 individuals collected in fall during 2014 and 2015 from 60 sampling sites were examined for microplastics. These were recorded in 95% of sampled fish, with more than one microplastic item found in around 80% of the examined specimens. The most commonly found polymers were polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, and polyamide, 72% as fragments and 28% as fibers. The mean number of ingested microplastics was 1.73 ± 0.05 items per fish in 2014 and 1.64 ± 0.1 in 2015. PVC and PA showed the highest densities in the northern Adriatic Sea, both inshore and off-shore while PE, PP and PET were more concentrated in coastal areas with the highest values offshore from the port of Rimini.
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•The characterization of microplastics in the stomach of common sole is investigated.•Investigations were oriented toward size and polymer composition.•The majority of plastics were fragments, only a limited amount of fibers was scored.
Occurrence and polymeric composition of microplastics in stomach content of wild S. solea is assessed. Spatial distribution is more influenced both by polymers chemical-physical properties and peculiarities in the oceanographic conditions rather than by the feeding strategy of the species.
Recreational boats are a dominant source of underwater noise in coastal areas, but reliable boat noise assessment is generally lacking. Here the Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) of seven recreational ...and small fishing boats moving at two different speeds was measured in the shallow waters of the Cres-Lošinj Natura 2000 SCI (Croatia). Measurements were undertaken considering the internationally recognized standards and published guidelines for shallow waters. URN was provided in 1/3 octave band spectra and in narrow band spectra, to highlight the tonal components. Engine power and type rather than the boat length and design result to be more predictive of URN. Highest speeds induce highest noise levels only in a very limited frequency range and different boats with similar speed but different engines show a shift in the spectra. Relevance of the achieved results for the tested area is further discussed.
•Underwater Radiated Noise of seven boat types was measured in a shallow environment.•Underwater Radiated Noise was provided as 1/3 octave and narrow band spectra.•The spectra show strong tonal components.•Boats with similar speed but different engines show different noise emissions.•Highest speed induces highest noise levels only in a very limited frequency range.
The Kvarner area is located in the Northern Adriatic Sea, between the south-east Istrian Swell, the Rijeka coast and the Croatian sea boundary. It includes several islands, representing the ...outcropping parts of anticlines produced by the compressional/transpressional deformation of the External Dinaric Chain. An extensive 2D seismic dataset, acquired for hydrocarbon exploration and calibrated by wells, allowed us to reconstruct the time structural maps in Kvarner and unravel its regional fault pattern. The Dinaric compressional phase affected the area in the Late Cretaceous, with both thin- and thick-skinned tectonics related to Adriatic Carbonate Platform (AdCP) succession rigidity. Structural highs facing the Kvarner offshore from the Istrian inland continue through the Kvarner and Rijeka bays and outcrop in the islands. These anticlines, originating from the pre-Messinian Dinaric thrust system, were reactivated by the post-Messinian transpression, as testified by flower structures. Several sharp valleys represent two main low structural lineaments, developed between the anticlines and partially incised during the Messinian. They were observed throughout the entire studied area, specifically in the western part of the bays, where the lineament continues through the valleys and penetrates the SW-Istria land. Data show that the Messinian erosional effect and sedimentation patterns were influenced and driven by the morphology of older structures produced by the Dinaric compressional phase.
•Thin-and thick-skinned tectonics is present in the External Dinarides.•Structures of Kvarner Islands continue in the Istrian peninsula through Kvarner offshore.•Sharp valleys are filled by a prograding clinoform system bounded by two major unconformities.•Older tectonic structures played an important role in recent geodynamics of External Dinarides.
This is the first survey to investigate the occurrence and extent of microplastic contamination in sediments collected along a coast-open sea 140km-long transect in the Central Adriatic Sea. Plastic ...debris extracted from 64 samples of sediments were counted, weighted and identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Several types of plastic particles were observed in 100% of the stations. Plastic particles ranged from 1 to 30mm in length. The primary shape types by number were filaments (69.3%), followed by fragments (16.4%), and film (14.3%). Microplastics (1–5mm) accounted for 65.1% of debris, mesoplastics (5–20mm) made up 30.3% of total amount, while macro debris (>20mm) accounted for 4.6% of total plastics collected. Identification through FT-IR spectroscopy evidenced the presence of 6 polymer types: the majority of plastic debris were nylon, polyethylene and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer. Our data are a baseline for microplastic research in the Adriatic Sea.
•Sediments of the Adriatic Sea were sampled in 2015 to assess plastics quantity and type.•Microplastics (1–5mm) accounted for 65.1% % of debris•The primary shape types by number were filaments (69.3%).•FT-IR spectroscopy evidenced the presence of 6 plastic types.•The most common materials were nylon and polyethylene.
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