Heavy metals in tributaries of Tiber River in the urban area of Rome (Italy).

Both natural and anthropogenic activities are responsible for heavy metal abundance in the environment. Due to the high persistence, heavy metals can accumulate and remain in the sediment for very long periods, becoming a source of contaminants for aquatic biota. Within small urbanized watercourse catchments, the accumulation of heavy metals in bottom sediments takes place and sediments can be adopted as an efficient indicator for monitoring heavy metal pollution levels and pollution sources in aquatic environments.

Vehicle transmission of antibiotic-resistant pathogens mediated by plastic debris in aquatic ecosystems.

Plastic materials are emerging environmental pollutants acting as potential vehicles for accumulation and spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria. The current study investigates the role of plastics in favoring the dispersal of specific pathogens and their associated antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs). Artificial plastic substrates (APSs) were submerged in seven sampling points of Lake Bracciano (Italy), and after one-month both APSs and raw water (RW) samples were collected.

Emerging Issues on Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Colonizing Plastic Waste in Aquatic Ecosystems.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) adhesion onto plastic substrates is a potential threat to environmental and human health. This current research investigates the prevalence of two relevant human pathogens, spp. and spp.

Teratogenic effects of environmental concentration of plastic particles on freshwater organisms.

Given the widespread presence of plastics, especially in micro- and nanoscale sizes, in freshwater systems, it is crucial to identify a suitable model organism for assessing the potential toxic and teratogenic effects of exposure to plastic particles. Until now, the early life stage of freshwater organisms and the regeneration capacity in relation to plastic particles exposure is a still poorly investigated topic. In this study, we examine the teratogenic effect on diatom Cocconeis placentula and cnidarian Hydra vulgaris under controlled exposure conditions of poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate) (P(S-co-MMA)) particles.