Chemical threats for the sentinel Pygoscelis adeliae from the Ross Sea (Antarctica): Occurrence and levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and mercury within the largest marine protected area worldwide.

The Ross Sea Marine Protected Area (RS-MPA) hosts endemic species that have to cope with multiple threats, including chemical contamination. Adèlie penguin is considered a good sentinel species for monitoring pollutants. Here, 23 unhatched eggs, collected from three colonies along the Ross Sea coasts, were analysed to provide updated results on legacy pollutants and establish a baseline for newer ones.

Correction: POPs in Antarctic ecosystems: is climate change affecting their temporal trends?

Correction for 'POPs in Antarctic ecosystems: is climate change affecting their temporal trends?' by Simonetta Corsolini , , 2022, , 1631-1642, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EM00273F.

POPs in Antarctic ecosystems: is climate change affecting their temporal trends?

Climate change is affecting Antarctica and the Southern Ocean and effects have been already reported for the abiotic compartments of the ecosystems, ice loss and iceberg calving. Global warming can alter also the distribution of persistent organic pollutant (POPs) both at a global scale and in the Antarctic Region, due to their physical-chemical characteristics. Effects of climate changes have been already reported on feeding behaviour and reproductive process of organisms.

Sub-lethal effects of soil multiple contamination on the avoidance behaviour of Eisenia fetida.

Natural ecosystems are frequently exposed to complex mixtures of different chemicals. However, the environmental risk assessment is mainly based on data from individual substances. In this study, the individual and combined effects on the terrestrial earthworm E.

Multiple exposure of the Boreogadus saida from bessel fjord (NE Greenland) to legacy and emerging pollutants.

This work investigates the occurrence of OCPs, such as hexachlorocyclohexane (α-, β-, γ- and δ-HCH) isomers, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT) and its metabolite dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), endosulfan (α- and β-EDS) isomers, chlorpyrifos (CPF), dacthal (DAC) and phenolic compounds, such as 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) and its precursors nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NP1EO and NP2EO) and bisphenol A (BPA), in polar cod sampled in and outside Bessel Fjord (NE Greenland). Linear regressions between target contaminants and morphological parameters (age, length, weight, gonad- and hepato-somatic indices and Fulton K) have been also evaluated. Polar cod collected at shelf had higher average concentrations of BPA, NP1EO, NP2EO and 4-NP (muscle: 6.

Occurrence, distribution and pollution pattern of legacy and emerging organic pollutants in surface water of the Kongsfjorden (Svalbard, Norway): Environmental contamination, seasonal trend and climate change.

This work aimed to investigate the contamination pattern in Kongsfjorden marine environment (Svalbard, 79°N 12°E) and to disentangle primary and secondary emissions. Surface seawater, sampled in two seasons, was analysed by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS to detect polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nonylphenols (NPs), bisphenol A (BPA) and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). In summer, average ΣPAHs, BPA, ΣNPs, ΣPFASs and ΣPCBs concentrations were 17.

Co-presence of the anionic surfactant sodium lauryl ether sulphate and the pesticide chlorpyrifos and effects on a natural soil microbial community.

There is a growing concern about the simultaneous presence in the environment of different kinds of pollutants, because of the possible synergic or additive effects of chemical mixtures on ecosystems. Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is an organophosphate insecticide extensively used in agricultural practices. The anionic surfactant sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) is the main component of several commercial products, including foaming agents used in underground mechanised excavation.

Dissipation of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole in a soil amended with anaerobically digested cattle manure.

The application of anaerobically digested cattle manure on agricultural land for both improving its quality and recycling a farm waste is an increasingly frequent practice in line with the circular economy. However, knowledge on the potential risk of spreading antibiotic resistance through this specific practice is quite scarce. The antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is one of the most heavily prescribed in veterinary medicine.

Chemical mixtures and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of natural microbial community in the Tiber river.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) regulates freshwater and coastal water quality assessment in Europe. Chemical and ecological water quality status is based on measurements of chemical pollutants in water and biota together with other indicators such as temperature, nutrients, species compositions (phytoplankton, microalgae, benthos and fish) and hydromorphological conditions. However, in the current strategy a link between the chemical and the ecological status is missing.

Assessment of biodegradation of the anionic surfactant sodium lauryl ether sulphate used in two foaming agents for mechanized tunnelling excavation.

The anionic surfactant sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) is the main component in most foaming agents used for mechanized tunneling excavation. The process produces huge amounts of soil debris that can have a potential impact on ecosystems. The lack of accurate information about SLES persistence in excavated soil has aroused increasing concern about how it is recycled.

Distribution patterns of organic pollutants and microbial processes in marine sediments across a gradient of anthropogenic impact.

Marine sediments are part of the hydrological cycle and the ultimate storage compartment of land-derived organic matter, including pollutants. Since relevant microbially-driven processes occurring at benthic level may affect the quality of the overall aquatic system, the necessity for incorporating information about microbial communities functioning for ecosystem modelling is arising. The aim of this field study was to explore the links occurring between sediment contamination patterns by three selected class of organic pollutants (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, PAHs, Nonylphenols, NPs, Bisphenol A, BPA) and major microbial properties (Prokaryotic Biomass, PB; total living biomass, C-ATP; Prokaryotic C Production rate, PCP; Community Respiration rate, CR) across a gradient of anthropogenic pollution.

Persistence of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole in river water alone or in the co-presence of ciprofloxacin.

Sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin are among the most prescribed antibiotics and are frequently detected in surface water ecosystems. The aim of this study was to assess the role of a riverine natural microbial community in sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation in presence and absence of ciprofloxacin (CIP). River samples were collected from a stretch of the Tiber River highly impacted by human pressure.

Legacy persistent organic pollutants including PBDEs in the trophic web of the Ross Sea (Antarctica).

The ecological features of the Ross Sea trophic web are peculiar and different from other polar food webs, with respect to the use of habitat and species interactions; due to its ecosystem integrity, it is the world's largest Marine Protected Area, established in 2016. Polar organisms are reported to bioaccumulate lipophilic contaminant, viz persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Legacy POPs and flame retardants (polybrominated diphenyl ethers, PBDEs) were studied in key species of the Ross Sea (Euphausia superba, Pleuragramma antarctica) and their predators (Dissostichus mawsoni, Pygoscelis adeliae, Aptenodytes forsteri, Catharacta maccormicki, Leptonychotes weddellii).

Clam bioaccumulation of Alkylphenols and Polyciclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Venice lagoon under different pressures.

Biota-Sediment Accumulation Factors (BSAFs) of nonylphenols (NPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Ruditapes philippinarum from the Venice Lagoon (Italy) were determined with the aim to verify whether the routine biomonitoring studies are reliable in contaminated sites. Clams and sediments were collected in field campaigns (October 2003 to June 2004) in three sites of the Venice Lagoon. Results showed that Marghera and Campalto sediments were more contaminated by NPs and PAHs than Poveglia.

Microbial responses to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in temporary river sediments: Experimental insights.

Temporary rivers are characterized by dry-wet phases and represent an important water resource in semi-arid regions worldwide. The fate and effect of contaminants have not been firmly established in temporary rivers such as in other aquatic environments. In this study, we assessed the effects of sediment amendment with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) on benthic microbial communities.

Rapid and effective decontamination of chlorophenol-contaminated soil by sorption into commercial polymers: concept demonstration and process modeling.

Solid phase extraction performed with commercial polymer beads to treat soil contaminated by chlorophenols (4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol) as single compounds and in a mixture has been investigated in this study. Soil-water-polymer partition tests were conducted to determine the relative affinities of single compounds in soil-water and polymer-water pairs. Subsequent soil extraction tests were performed with Hytrel 8206, the polymer showing the highest affinity for the tested chlorophenols.

Occurrence of selected pharmaceuticals in the principal sewage treatment plants in Rome (Italy) and in the receiving surface waters.

This paper provides data on the occurrence of selected human pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, clofibric acid, diclofenac, fenofibrate, fenoprofen, gemfibrozil, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and naproxen) including steroid hormones (17β-estradiol, 17α-ethinylestradiol, and estrone) in influents/effluents to/from the four principal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serving the city of Rome (Italy), in two different sampling campaigns. Target compounds were also analyzed in the receiving River Tiber and River Aniene. Analytical determination was carried out by LC-MS/MS after sample cleanup and concentration by off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE).

Capability of the natural microbial community in a river water ecosystem to degrade the drug naproxen.

The present work aims at evaluating the ability of the River Tiber natural microbial community to degrade naproxen in water samples collected downstream from a wastewater treatment plant. For this purpose, different water microcosms were set up (microbiologically active vs sterile ones) and treated with naproxen (100 μg/L) alone or in the co-presence of gemfibrozil in order to evaluate if the co-presence of the latter had an influence on naproxen degradation. The experiment was performed in the autumn and was compared with the same experimental set performed in spring of the same year to highlight if seasonal differences in the river water influenced the naproxen degradation.

Organic priority substances and microbial processes in river sediments subject to contrasting hydrological conditions.

Flood and drought events of higher intensity and frequency are expected to increase in arid and semi-arid regions, in which temporary rivers represent both a water resource and an aquatic ecosystem to be preserved. In this study, we explored the variation of two classes of hazardous substances (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Nonylphenols) and the functioning of the microbial community in river sediments subject to hydrological fluctuations (Candelaro river basin, Italy). Overall, the concentration of pollutants (∑PAHs range 8-275ngg(-1); ∑NPs range 299-4858ngg(-1)) suggests a moderate degree of contamination.

Chlorinated biphenyls and pesticides in migrating and resident seabirds from East and West Antarctica.

The unhatched eggs of the following seabirds were analyzed to quantify PCBs, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), α-, β-, γ-, δ-hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), o,p' and p,p' isomers of DDT, DDD and DDE: resident Adèlie (Pygoscelis adèliae, ADPE) and Emperor (Aptenodytes forsteri, EMPE) penguins, migrating snow petrel (Pagodroma nivea, SNPT) and South Polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki, SPSK) from the Ross Sea (East Antarctica); and migrating Brown skua (Catharacta antartica, BRSK) and resident ADPE from the Brainsfield Strait (West Antarctica). The general aims were to evaluate the contaminant accumulation in eggs of migrating and resident species in the two study areas, and to compare levels in penguins and skuas nesting in East and West Antarctica. PCB congener and HCH and DDT isomer profiles were also assessed.

Alkylphenols in adipose tissues of Italian population.

Alkylphenols (APs) and AP ethoxylated compounds (APEs) were screened in human subcutaneous adipose tissue samples from Italy. The samples were collected during bariatric surgery from 16 subjects (three men and 13 women) and a total of seven alkylphenol compounds (APs) was detected. Nonylphenol (NP) was the compound found at the highest level (mean 122 ng g⁻¹ fresh weight; range 10-266 ng g⁻¹ fw).

Occurrence of priority hazardous PAHs in water, suspended particulate matter, sediment and common eels (Anguilla anguilla) in the urban stretch of the River Tiber (Italy).

This study investigated the occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), bed sediment and common eels (Anguilla anguilla) in the urban stretch of the River Tiber (Italy). The selected PAHs, fluoranthene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, belong to the EC priority list of dangerous substances. SPM was found to be the most polluted compartment, with values ranging from 1663.

Alkylphenols and their ethoxylates in seafood from the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The present study reports the results of an investigation on occurrence of octylphenols (OPs), nonylphenols (NPs) and their respective ethoxylates (with 1-6 ethoxylic group) in aquatic species of commercial interest from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Samples were collected at Livorno, Fiumicino and Salerno commercial harbors, during September-October 2003. The data obtained showed that almost all of the tested compounds were found in all the samples.