Organic enrichment can increase the impact of microplastics on meiofaunal assemblages in tropical beach systems.

The cumulative impact of microplastic and organic enrichment is still largely unknown. Here, we investigated the microplastic contamination, the organic enrichment and their effects on meiofaunal distribution and diversity in two islands of the Maldivian archipelago: one more pristine, and another strongly anthropized. Field studies were coupled with manipulative experiments in which microplastic polymers were added to sediments from the non-anthropized island (i.

Early-stage anomalies in the sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) as bioindicators of multiple stressors in the marine environment: Overview and future perspectives.

The morphological anomalies of the early development stages of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, caused by exposure to environmental stressors, are used as biomarker in ecotoxicological and ecological investigations. Here, we reviewed the available literature and classified the embryo and larval anomalies identified so far, to highlight potential commonalities or differences related to the biological action of the different stressors and their ecological impact. Morphological anomalies are influenced by a) the developmental stage of exposure to stressors; b) the intensity of the stress; c) the intra- and inter-cellular mechanisms affected by the exposure to environmental agents.

An age and space structured SIR model describing the Covid-19 pandemic.

Unlabelled: We present an epidemic model capable of describing key features of the Covid-19 pandemic. While capturing several qualitative properties of the virus spreading, it allows to compute the basic reproduction number, the number of deaths due to the virus and various other statistics. Numerical integrations are used to illustrate the adherence of the evolutions described by the model to specific well known real features of the present pandemic.

The Riemann problem for a Two-Phase model for road traffic with fixed or moving constraints.

We define two Riemann solvers for the Two-Phase traffic model proposed in [1], given by a system of two conservation laws with Lipschitz continuous flow, under fixed and moving constraints. From the traffic point of view this situation corresponds to the study of vehicular flow with fixed constraints as, for instance, a traffic light, a toll gate or a construction site. On the other hand, the presence of a slow moving large vehicle, like a bus, corresponds to the case of a moving constraint.

Impact of inorganic UV filters contained in sunscreen products on tropical stony corals (Acropora spp.).

Most coral reefs worldwide are threatened by natural and anthropogenic impacts. Among them, the release in seawater of sunscreen products commonly used by tourists to protect their skin against the harmful effects of UV radiations, can affect tropical corals causing extensive and rapid bleaching. The use of inorganic (mineral) filters, such as zinc and titanium dioxide (ZnO and TiO) is increasing due to their broad UV protection spectrum and their limited penetration into the skin.

Sunscreen products impair the early developmental stages of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus.

Marine ecosystems are increasingly threatened by the release of personal care products. Among them, sunscreens are causing concern either for the effects on skin protection from UV radiation and for the potential impacts on marine life. Here, we assessed the UVA protective efficacy of three sunscreens on human dermal fibroblasts, including two common products in Europe and USA, and an eco-friendly product.

Marine Microbial-Derived Molecules and Their Potential Use in Cosmeceutical and Cosmetic Products.

The oceans encompass a wide range of habitats and environmental conditions, which host a huge microbial biodiversity. The unique characteristics of several marine systems have driven a variety of biological adaptations, leading to the production of a large spectrum of bioactive molecules. Fungi, fungi-like protists (such as thraustochytrids) and bacteria are among the marine organisms with the highest potential of producing bioactive compounds, which can be exploited for several commercial purposes, including cosmetic and cosmeceutical ones.