Single but Not Combined In Vitro Exposure to Bisphenol A and Nanoplastics Affects the Cholinergic Function of the Ascidian .

Nanoplastics are known to represent a threat to marine ecosystems. Their combination with other contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) may amplify ecotoxic effects, with unknown impacts on marine biodiversity. This study investigates the effects, single and combined, of bisphenol A (BPA)-one of the most hazardous CECs-and polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs)-as a proxy for nanoplastics, being among the most commonly found asmarine debris-on cholinesterase (ChE) activities of the ascidian .

Ecological risk assessment of sewage sludge as soil amendment: lethal and sublethal effects in Eisenia fetida.

Sewage sludge applications as soil amendment call for a proper ecological risk assessment due to unexpected delivery of toxic chemicals and materials. Standardized acute toxicity assays have proven to provide limited information in terms of potential hazard for soil organisms. Here, sublethal endpoints as physiological and tissue alterations were proposed as suitable tools for sewage sludge ecological risk assessment.

nano-TiO reduces bioavailability and biotransformation responses to crude oil WAF-associated PAHs in the European sea bass Dicentrachus labrax.

The present study investigates the potential interaction between nano‑titanium dioxide (nano-TiO) and the water accommodated fraction (WAF) of crude oil and associated chemicals on bioavailability and biotransformation responses in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). An in vivo (48-h) waterborne exposure with nano-TiO (10 mgL), crude oil WAF (0.068 gL), alone and in combination was performed.

Plastics counteract the ability of Antarctic krill to promote the blue carbon pathway in the deep ocean.

The Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) play a critical role in promoting the so-called "blue carbon pathway" by producing a large amount of fast-sinking faecal pellets (FPs) which facilitate the transport of CO through the water column. Here we assess how exposure to negatively (PS-COOH) and positively (PS-NH) charged polystyrene nanoparticles, impacts degradation of krill FPs (i.e.

Preliminary investigation on the potential involvement of an ABC-like gene in Halomicronema metazoicum (Cyanobacteria) tolerance to low seawater pH in an ocean acidification scenario.

Decreasing ocean surface pH, called ocean acidification (OA), is among the major risks for marine ecosystems due to human-driven atmospheric pCO increase. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of adaptation enabling marine species to tolerate a lowered seawater pH could support predictions of consequences of future OA scenarios for marine life. This study examined whether the ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-like gene slr2019 confers tolerance to the marine cyanobacterium Halomicronema metazoicum to low seawater pH conditions (7.

Transcriptomic responses of Antarctic clam Laternula elliptica to nanoparticles, at single and combined exposures reveal ecologically relevant biomarkers.

In recent years micro- and nanoplastics and metal-oxide nanomaterials have been found in several environmental compartments. The Antarctic soft clam Laternula elliptica is an endemic Antarctic species having a wide distribution in the Southern Ocean. Being a filter-feeder, it could act as suitable bioindicator of pollution from nanoparticles also considering its sensitivity to various sources of stress.

Exposure to nanoplastics and nanomaterials either single and combined affects the gill-associated microbiome of the Antarctic soft-shelled clam Laternula elliptica.

Nanoplastics and engineering nanomaterials (ENMs) are contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), increasingly being detected in the marine environment and recognized as a potential threat for marine biota at the global level including in polar areas. Few studies have assessed the impact of these anthropogenic nanoparticles in the microbiome of marine invertebrates, however combined exposure resembling natural scenarios has been overlooked. The present study aimed to evaluate the single and combined effects of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NP) as proxy for nanoplastics and nanoscale titanium dioxide (nano-TiO) on the prokaryotic communities associated with the gill tissue of the Antarctic soft-shell clam Laternula elliptica, a keystone species of marine benthos Wild-caught specimens were exposed to two environmentally relevant concentrations of carboxylated PS NP (PS-COOH NP, ∼62 nm size) and nano-TiO (Aeroxide P25, ∼25 nm) as 5 and 50 μg/L either single and combined for 96h in a semi-static condition.

Reproductive toxicity assessment of cellulose nanofibers, citric acid, and branched polyethylenimine in sea urchins: Eco-design of nanostructured cellulose sponge framework (Part B).

In the framework of a safe-by-design approach, we previously assessed the eco-safety of nanostructured cellulose sponge (CNS) leachate on sea urchin reproduction. It impaired gamete quality, gamete fertilization competence, and embryo development possibly due to the leaching of chemical additives used during the CNS synthesis process. To extend this observation and identify the component(s) that contribute to CNS ecotoxicity, in the present study, we individually screened the cytotoxic effects on sea urchin Arbacia lixula and Paracentrotus lividus gametes and embryos of the three main constituents of CNS, namely cellulose nanofibers, citric acid, and branched polyethylenimine.

Living in a challenging environment: Monitoring stress ecology by non-destructive methods in an Antarctic seabird.

How Antarctic species are facing historical and new stressors remains under-surveyed and risks to wildlife are still largely unknown. Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae are well-known bioindicators and sentinels of Antarctic ecosystem changes, a true canary in the coal mine. Immuno-haematological parameters have been proved to detect stress in wild animals, given their rapid physiological response that allows them tracking environmental changes and thus inferring habitat quality.

Preliminary assessment of environmental safety (ecosafety) of dextrin-based nanosponges for environmental applications.

The ability to employ waste products, such as vegetable scraps, as raw materials for the synthesis of new promising adsorbing materials is at the base of the circular economy and end of waste concepts. Dextrin-based nanosponges (D_NS), both cyclodextrin (CD) and maltodextrin (MD), have shown remarkable adsorption abilities in the removal of toxic compounds from water and wastewater, thus representing a bio-based low-cost solution which is establishing itself in the market. Nevertheless, their environmental safety for either aquatic or terrestrial organisms has been overlooked, raising concern in terms of potential hazards to natural ecosystems.

Silver Nanoparticles Supported onto TEMPO-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibers for Promoting Cd Cation Adsorption.

Nanocellulose constitutes a sustainable and biobased solution both as an efficient sorbent material for water treatment and as support for other inorganic nanomaterials with sorbent properties. Herein, we report the synthesis of a nanocomposite by deposition of -generated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNFs). Following an in-depth analytical investigation, we unveil for the first time the key role of AgNPs in enhancing the adsorption efficiency of TOCNF toward Cd ions, chosen as model heavy metal contaminants.

Circumpolar assessment of mercury contamination: the Adélie penguin as a bioindicator of Antarctic marine ecosystems.

Due to its persistence and potential ecological and health impacts, mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant of major concern that may reach high concentrations even in remote polar oceans. In contrast to the Arctic Ocean, studies documenting Hg contamination in the Southern Ocean are spatially restricted and large-scale monitoring is needed. Here, we present the first circumpolar assessment of Hg contamination in Antarctic marine ecosystems.

Effects of TiO ultraviolet filter and sunscreens on coastal dune plant performance and competitive interactions.

Ultraviolet filters (UVFs) added to sunscreens (SS) are emerging contaminants in marine environments due to their adverse effects on organisms and ecosystems. UVFs have also been detected in beach-dune systems, but their influence on resident organisms has not been explored yet. Native plants are fundamental components of coastal dunes, and these ecologically/economically important systems are currently among the most threatened globally.

Passive CAP-VAC: a simple and safe technique to clean the posterior capsule.

Purpose: To describe a new and less risky technique for the cleaning of posterior capsule during phacoemulsification called passive cap vac.

Method: Passive cap vac consisted in the removal of residual posterior capsule opacities using a disconnected 0.3 mm aspiration cannula.

Nanostructured cellulose sponge engineered for marine environmental remediation: Eco-safety assessment of its leachate on sea urchin reproduction (Part A).

Nanostructured cellulose sponges (CNS) have been developed as eco-friendly and sustainable engineered materials for marine environmental remediation. Despite their functionality, sensitivity, efficiency and specificity have been proved, CNS application is still limited since their environmental safety (eco-safety) has not been completely assessed. In this study, CNS were allowed to leach in natural seawater simulating the remediation process condition and the eco-safety of CNS leachate on sea urchin reproduction has been assessed by carrying out a multi-response integrated approach, combining standardized ecotoxicity tests, innovative bioassays and gamete quality assessment.

Proteomics coupled with AhR-reporter gene bioassay for human and environmental safety assessment of sewage sludge and hydrochar.

Today application of sewage sludge (SL) and hydrochar (HC) in agriculture is a common practice for soil conditioning and crop fertilization, however safety concerns for human and environmental health due to the presence of toxic compounds have recently been expressed. Our aim was to test the suitability of proteomics coupled with bioanalytical tools for unravelling mixture effects of these applications in human and environmental safety assessment. We conducted proteomic and bioinformatic analysis of cell cultures used in the DR-CALUX® bioassay to identify proteins differentially abundant after exposure to SL and the corresponding HC, rather than only using the Bioanalytical Toxicity Equivalents (BEQs) obtained by DR-CALUX®.

Alterations induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO) in fertilization and embryonic and larval development of the tropical sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus.

The release of nanomaterials into the environment is the cause of an emerging concern. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO) among the most produced nanomaterials, has been documented in marine coastal areas posing a threat on marine biota. Sea urchin embryos are recognized as suitable bioindicators in ecological risk assessment and recently for nanomaterials.

Eco-Friendly Engineered Nanomaterials Coupled with Filtering Fine-Mesh Net as a Promising Tool to Remediate Contaminated Freshwater Sludges: An Ecotoxicity Investigation.

The use of eco-friendly engineered nanomaterials represents a recent solution for an effective and safe treatment of contaminated dredging sludge. In this study, an eco-designed engineered material based on cross-linked nanocellulose (CNS) was applied for the first time to decontaminate a real matrix from heavy metals (namely Zn, Ni, Cu, and Fe) and other undesired elements (mainly Ba and As) in a lab-scale study, with the aim to design a safe solution for the remediation of contaminated matrices. Contaminated freshwater sludge was treated with CNS coupled with a filtering fine-mesh net, and the obtained waters were tested for acute and sublethal toxicity.

Characterization of Five Psychrotolerant spp. Strains Isolated from Antarctica.

Five psychrotolerant spp. strains were isolated from Antarctic coastal waters. Strains were screened for molecular and physiological properties and analyzed regarding their growth capacity.

Response to microplastic exposure: An exploration into the sea urchin immune cell proteome.

It is now known that the Mediterranean Sea currently is one of the major hotspot for microplastics (MPs; < 5 mm) pollution and that the risks will be even more pronounced in the coming years. Thus, the in-depth study of the mechanisms underlying the MPs toxicity in key Mediterranean organisms, subjected to high anthropic pressures, has become a categorical imperative to pursue. Here, we explore for the first time the sea urchins immune cells profile combined to their proteome upon in vivo exposure (72 h) to different concentrations of polystyrene-microbeads (micro-PS) starting from relevant environmental concentrations (10, 50, 10, 10 MP/L).

Environmental safety of nanotechnologies: The eco-design of manufactured nanomaterials for environmental remediation.

Nanosafety is paramount considering the risks associated with manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) whose implications could outweigh their advantages for environmental applications. Although nanotechnology-based solutions to implement pollution control, remediation and prevention are incremental with clear benefits for public health and Earth' natural ecosystems, nanoremediation is having a setback due to the risks associated with the safety of MNMs for humans and the environment. MNMs are diverse, work differently and bionano-interactions occurring upon environmental exposure will guide their fate and hazardous outcomes.

Application of transcriptome profiling to inquire into the mechanism of nanoplastics toxicity during Ciona robusta embryogenesis.

The growing concern on nanoplastics (<1 μm) impact on marine life has stimulated a significant amount of studies aiming to address ecotoxicity and disclose their mechanisms of action. Here, we applied an integrative approach to develop an Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) upon acute exposure to amino-modified polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NH NPs, 50 nm), as proxy for nanoplastics, during the embryogenesis of the chordate Ciona robusta. Genes related to glutathione metabolism, immune defense, nervous system, transport by aquaporins and energy metabolism were affected by either concentration tested of 10 or 15 μg mL of PS-NH.

Occurrence and distribution of legacy and emerging pollutants including plastic debris in Antarctica: Sources, distribution and impact on marine biodiversity.

Since the first explorers reached Antarctica, their activities have quickly impacted both land and sea and thus, together with the long-range transport, hazardous chemicals began to accumulate. It is commonly recognized that anthropogenic pollution in Antarctica can originate from either global or local sources. Heavy metals, organohalogenated compounds, hydrocarbons, and (more recently) plastic, have been found in Antarctic biota, soil sediments, seawater, air, snow and sea-ice.