Publications by authors named "Paola Rapisarda"

(1) Background: Ecotoxicological screening evaluates the acute toxicity of WWs. The Vibrio fischeri ecotoxicological assay analyses inlet and outlet wastewater samples from two urban wastewater treatment plants in Catania, Sicily, Italy. (2) Methods: The APAT CNR IRSA 8030 Man 29 method was used as method; (3) Results: The results showed toxicity values below the limit of the Italian Legislative Decree 152/06; (4) Conclusions: This monitoring study allows to verify the efficacy, and the outlet quality of WWs discharged to sea water.

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The use of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae is emerging as a promising alternative for biowaste (i.e. food waste) treatment, generating larval biomass and process residues, suitable for use as animal feed and fertilizer, respectively.

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Background: The six Platinum group metal elements (PGEs) comprising Ruthenium, Rhodium, Palladium, Platinum, Iridium and Osmium are grouped together in the periodic table. Human activities are mostly responsible for releasing PGEs into the environment. This systematic review focused on three PGEs with the greatest anthropogenic use, including in vehicle catalytic converters: Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd), and Rhodium (Rh).

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The herbicide Glyphosate (GLY), or N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine was synthesized in 1950 and applied to control weeds in agricultural production. For a long time, it was believed that it was an inert compound, but many studies have instead demonstrated over the years the dangers of GLY to the ecosystem and human health. Among the best-known effects, it is known that GLY interferes with the metabolic pathways of plants and the main groups of microorganisms, negatively influencing their growth.

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Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive in marine environments and widely recognized as emerging environmental pollutants due to the multifaceted risks they exert on living organisms and ecosystems. Sponges (Phylum Porifera) are essential suspension-feeding organisms that may be highly susceptible to MPs uptake due to their global distribution, unique feeding behavior, and sedentary lifestyle. However, the role of sponges in MP research remains largely underexplored.

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