Age-related bioaccumulation of rare earth elements in feathers of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) from the Chilean Patagonia.

The presence of rare earth elements (REE) in the southern hemisphere, particularly marine ecosystems of Patagonia, have received little attention. The Magellanic penguin, which is also known as the Patagonian penguin, inhabits only in austral regions of South America. Although seabird feathers have been used extensively as a bio-monitoring tool, no studies have addressed the effect of age on REE accumulation in Magellanic penguins.

Quantification of PFAS in rice and maize: Validation of a UHPLC-HRMS/MS isotopic dilution approach in support to food safety.

In the present work, an analytical method for the quantification of per and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in rice and maize has been developed and then validated with a metrological approach. PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used in a variety of industries and consumer products for their water- and grease-resistant properties. Studies have shown that PFAS can contaminate soil and water, and there is concern about their bioaccumulation in edible plants, fruits, and cereals.

Seasonal variability of trace elements bioaccumulation in Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from an experimental pilot farm in the Calich Lagoon (Sardinia, Italy).

Background: Metals pollution is a worldwide environmental issue due to their persistence in the ecosystems, non-degradability, and bioaccumulation in marine biota. Pacific Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) are highly nutritious bivalve representing an important dietary constituent but may accumulate metals through feeding on suspended sediments from surrounding water, then represent a suitable tool for biomonitoring.

Materials And Methods: The occurrence of trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sn, V, Zn) was investigated in Pacific Oysters (Cassostrea gigas) collected from Calich Lagoon in each season of 2019.

Distribution of rare earth elements (REEs) in the feathers of gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) from different geographical locations of the Antarctic peninsula area.

Antarctica is the most remote and coldest regions of the planet, but the presence of REEs there has received little attention. This study assessed REE-contents in the feathers of adult gentoo penguins from Ardley Island, Kopaitic Island and Base O'Higgins. Field work was accomplished during 2011 (austral summer), and determination of elements was performed with ICP-MS.

Passive surveillance of wild fauna in northwestern Italy: a possible cognitive approach through geographical district study and fur elementary analysis.

The analysis of animal hair is a useful and non-invasive investigation method for monitoring metal content, whose beginning dates to a few decades ago. This study addresses the issue of wildlife mortality in Piedmont and Aosta Valley by linking the evidence to the characteristics of the territories and to hair elemental profile. The considered animal species were badger, fox, marten, and wolf.

Occurrence of rare earth elements in water, sediment, and freshwater fish of diverse trophic levels and feeding ecology: Insights from the Po river (northwest Italy).

To date, the occurrence of rare earth elements (REEs) in freshwater ecosystems has garnered limited attention in the scientific literature. Furthermore, a dearth of data exists regarding their potential bioaccumulation in freshwater fish. To fill this knowledge gap, we studied REEs concentrations in water, sediment, and fish specimens collected along the Po River (northwest Italy) and calculated biota-sediment accumulation (BSAF) and bioconcentration (BCF) factors, while taking into account fish feeding behavior and trophic level effects on the overall content of total REEs (ƩREEs).

Burden of rare earth elements and trace elements in feathers of magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) from the southern Chilean Patagonia.

Patagonia is one of the last pristine regions on the southern hemisphere. The impact of rare earth element (REEs) and trace elements (TEs) in this region have received little attention. The main goal was to assess REEs burden in feathers of adult magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus).

Phthalate diester occurrence in marine feed and food (Mediterranean Sea).

Organic contaminants such as diesters of phthalic acid (PAEs) can be conveyed by microplastics in aquatic environment and constitute a relevant risk to marine organisms and humans that consume them. A method was developed for the identification and quantitative detection of 6 dimethyl phthalate (DMP), di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DNBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di-2-ethylesyl phthalate (DHEP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP). PAEs were then quantified in mesozooplankton, mollusk bivalves, and fish from the north-western Mediterranean Sea.

Identification of Illicit Conservation Treatments in Fresh Fish by Micro-Raman Spectroscopy and Chemometric Methods.

In the field of food control for fresh products, the identification of foods subjected to illicit conservation treatments to extend their shelf life is fundamental. Fresh fish products are particularly subjected to this type of fraud due to their high commercial value and the fact that they often have to be transported over a long distance, keeping their organoleptic characteristics unaltered. Treatments of this type involve, e.

Optimization and validation of a quick and responsive LC-ESI-MS/MS method to evaluate tetracycline residues in processed animal proteins (PAPs).

Following the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in 2001, processed animal proteins (PAPs) reintroduction is envisaged in non-ruminant feed thanks to their high protein content, easy availability and cost-effective characteristics. PAPs must be submitted to rendering practices, providing sterilization of products, under standardized conditions of temperature and pressure, according to Regulation (EC) No 142/2011. However, the chemical risk associated to these raw materials has been never evaluated.

Preliminary Data on Essential and Non-essential Element Occurrence in Processed Animal Proteins from Insects.

Insects represent a valuable and environmentally friendly protein alternative in food and feed. The Farm to Fork strategy encouraged the reintroduction of animal by-products in feed production to optimise recycling and to valorise under-used resources. In order to grant safe and valuable feed products, this study investigated the black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) chemical risk.

Multi-Level System to Assess Toxicity in Water Distribution Plants.

The toxicity of water samples from water distribution plants needs to be investigated further. Indeed, studies on the pro-oxidant effects driven by tap water are very limited. In this study, the water quality, pro-oxidant effects, and potential health risks driven by exposure to groundwater samples from two water plants (sites A and B) located in Northwestern Italy were investigated in a multi-level system.

Trace and rare earth element bioaccumulation in the spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus stellaris).

Metals (trace elements and rare earth elements, REEs) were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in blood, the liver, the kidney and muscle of ex situ spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus stellaris). The controlled environment in which these elasmobranchs were hosted allowed to assess a baseline level of metals in the different organs since exposure via water and food can be easily monitored. The highest arsenic, chromium, copper, and iron values were found in the liver, cobalt in the kidney, and cadmium and rubidium in muscle.

Glyceroltriheptanoate (GTH) occurrence in animal by-products: a monitoring study to minimise safety-related risk of misuse.

Early in this century, the crisis connected to the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy caused a great concern related to the use of animal by-products (ABPs). According to the Commission Regulation (EU) No 1069/2009, these materials are classified in three categories according to their related risk. In 2011 Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 established that meat and bone meal (MBM) and fat deriving from ABPs not intended for human consumption (category 1 and 2) are required to be permanently marked with glyceroltriheptanoate (GTH), at a minimum concentration of 250 mg kg of fat, while category 3 processed animal proteins (PAPs) must not contain this compound.

Occurrence of trace elements in Mediterranean mussels ( Lamarck, 1819) from an experimental pilot farm in the Calich Lagoon (Sardinia, Italy).

The present study aimed to determine trace elements in Mediterranean mussels () from an experimental pilot farm of the Calich Lagoon, a typical Sardinian brackish area (Italy). Two sampling sessions were scheduled in February and May 2019 and the occurrence of 24 metals (Hg, Ag, Al, As, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, In, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sn, Ti, V, Zn) in bivalves was considered. Environmental conditions of water (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll ) were also measured .

Processed animal proteins (PAPs) in animal nutrition: Assessment of the chemical risk of essential and non-essential elements.

Background: Processed animal products (PAPs) could be a great alternative to common protein supplements and represent a good example of recycling and valorization of by-products. Due to the reintroduction of certain types of PAPs in feed, a deeper knowledge of these heterogeneous matrices is needed. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of essential elements and inorganic contaminants in 55 PAPs considered as potential alternatives to common protein supplements.

Wildlife hair as bioindicators of metal exposure.

Animal hair is a useful biomonitoring tool for assessing the occurrence of trace elements in ecosystems. Essential (chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, and zinc) and nonessential (aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, palladium, platinum, rubidium, tin, and vanadium) elements were investigated in hair of badger (Meles meles), wild boar (Sus scrofa), marmot (Marmota marmota), wolf (Canis lupus), fox (Vulpes vulpes) and deer (Cervus elaphus) from Northwestern Italy. Badger was found to be the highest bioaccumulator of metals, while wolf, fox and deer recorded the lowest values.

Aluminium occurrence in plant feed from Northwestern Italy.

Background: Aluminium (Al) is widespread in nature, but the main route of exposure for humans and animals is through food. Cereals and vegetables give and important contribute to dietary intake. This investigation focused on the occurrence aluminium in raw materials intended for animal consumption.

Poaching of endangered species in Mediterranean Sea: Alopias vulpinus.

A thresher shark poached by fishermen in the stretch of sea between the island of Ponza and the coast of Terracina (Lazio, Central Italy, Mediterranean Sea) and confiscated by the Italian health authorities was evaluated for the presence of chemical contaminants. Hg mean concentration of 2.1 mg kg was found in muscle; speciation analysis confirmed it was almost in the toxic organic form of MeHg (2.

Tetracyclines in Processed Animal Proteins: A Monitoring Study on Their Occurrence and Antimicrobial Activity.

In 2013, the European Union (EU) lifted the feed ban restriction, authorizing the use of non-ruminant (NR) processed animal proteins (PAPs) as ingredient in aquafeed. A further relaxation is soon expected, and NR PAPs will be allowed in next future in poultry and pig feed, avoiding cannibalism. Other potential hazards linked to PAPs as raw material should be evaluated.

Microplastics as vectors of metals contamination in Mediterranean Sea.

Microplastics are contaminants of great concern all over the world. Microplastics constitute pollutants themselves; moreover, other contaminants such as metals are easily absorbed on their plastic surface, becoming bioavailable to marine biota such as zooplankton.We collected marine zooplankton from Mediterranean Sea to investigate trace elements associated with microplastics.

Metal load and oxidative stress driven by organotin compounds on rainbow trout.

Tributyltin-based (TBT) antifouling paints, widely used for the treatment of flooded surfaces, have been banned in 2008 for their high environmental persistence and bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms. Although it is still present in aquatic ecosystems, oxidative stress driven by TBT has been still poorly investigated in fish. The aim of the study was to examine the time-course stress responses in liver of rainbow trout that received a single intraperitoneal injection of tributyltin chloride (TBTC) or tributyltin ethoxide (TBTE), both at a dose of 0.