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Dr. Cristina Panti
Department of Environmental, Earth and Physical Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy

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Journal article
Published: 18 June 2021 in Animals
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Organs and content of the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) of marine mammals are relevant for a variety of investigations and provide data to researchers from different fields. Currently used protocols applied to the GIT for specific analysis limit the possibility to execute other investigations and important information could be lost. To ensure a proper sample collection and a multidisciplinary investigation of the GIT of marine mammals, a new multi-sieves tool and a specific protocol have been developed. This new device and approach allowed the simultaneous sampling of the GIT and its content for the main investigations concerned. The samples collected during these preliminary trials were suitable to perform all the different research procedures considered in this work. The obtained results show that with a few and easy procedural adjustments, a multidisciplinary sampling and evaluation of the GIT of marine mammals is possible. This will reduce the risk of losing important data aimed at understanding the cause of death of the animal, but also biology and ecology of marine mammals, and other important data for their conservation and habitats management.

ACS Style

Giorgia Corazzola; Matteo Baini; Carla Grattarola; Cristina Panti; Federica Marcer; Fulvio Garibaldi; Enrica Berio; Cecilia Mancusi; Matteo Galli; Sandro Mazzariol; Maria Fossi; Cinzia Centelleghe; Cristina Casalone. Analysis of the Gastro-Intestinal Tract of Marine Mammals: A Multidisciplinary Approach with a New Multi-Sieves Tool. Animals 2021, 11, 1824 .

AMA Style

Giorgia Corazzola, Matteo Baini, Carla Grattarola, Cristina Panti, Federica Marcer, Fulvio Garibaldi, Enrica Berio, Cecilia Mancusi, Matteo Galli, Sandro Mazzariol, Maria Fossi, Cinzia Centelleghe, Cristina Casalone. Analysis of the Gastro-Intestinal Tract of Marine Mammals: A Multidisciplinary Approach with a New Multi-Sieves Tool. Animals. 2021; 11 (6):1824.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giorgia Corazzola; Matteo Baini; Carla Grattarola; Cristina Panti; Federica Marcer; Fulvio Garibaldi; Enrica Berio; Cecilia Mancusi; Matteo Galli; Sandro Mazzariol; Maria Fossi; Cinzia Centelleghe; Cristina Casalone. 2021. "Analysis of the Gastro-Intestinal Tract of Marine Mammals: A Multidisciplinary Approach with a New Multi-Sieves Tool." Animals 11, no. 6: 1824.

Editorial article
Published: 09 April 2021 in Frontiers in Environmental Science
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Editorial on the Research Topic Microplastics in the Marine Environment: Sources, Distribution, Biological Effects, and Socio-Economic Impacts From all the synthetic materials ever produced, plastic is the most versatile, overthrowing both glass and metal in many applications, due to its low weight and cost. Global plastic production started shortly after WWII, around the 1950's (PlasticsEurope, 2010), and became a popular household item around the same time (Time, 1955). Since then, global production has been exponentially increasing at a rate of 8% per annum (PlasticsEurope, 2020). Notably, it took only 10 (1965) to 17 (1972) years until researchers started noticing the first evidence of plastics in the marine environment (Carpenter and Smith, 1972; Ryan, 2015). Between the 1960's and the 1990's, several studies reported direct consequences of plastic interaction with vessels, particularly entanglement of propellers, and with wildlife, via entanglement or ingestion (Ryan, 2015). Consistent findings throughout the world led to calls for action, due to the likelihood that over time the problem would be amplified by fragmentation of larger plastic items into smaller pieces (Carpenter and Smith, 1972). Microplastic research is now a well-established research field, with at least 2,500 papers published so far on this topic (Zhang et al., 2020). Despite being a relatively recent research field, microplastic pollution has gone beyond the realm of academia into the general public. Several stakeholders with different vested interests are involved in this topic, from standardization bodies to grassroot movements, from national agencies to research institutions. Plastic has become a social issue, due to its economic and environmental consequences, which affect human activities and the natural cycles of the planet. In order to contribute to the debate, this Research Topic (RT) highlights recent research developments in the microplastic field, in a diverse set of topics that cover relevant aspects from methodologies to modeling, and from impacts on fauna to legislation. A total of 23 research papers from 43 primary and partner institutions, in four continents and spread across 15 countries (Figure 1A), reveal the prevalence of this global problem, and report on some of the solutions ahead. Figure 1. (A) Number of institutions primary and partner institutions per manuscript (N = 43) contributing to this RT. (B) Distance-base map (based on association strength) of a set of 67 keywords retrieved from 21 papers. Keywords are grouped into 9 clusters of different colors. The author's keywords from each paper were compiled and analyzed in the software VOS viewer to illustrate the diversity of topics explored here (Van Eck and Waltman, 2010). The set of 21 papers (with their final versions published by 01.03.2021) in this RT had a total of 152 keywords. To standardize keywords describing the same concept, a thesaurus was created (Table 1). For example, polyethylene, polypropylene and other polymer types were all grouped under the keyword “polymers.” As such, a total of 67 keywords are presented in the final set. The most popular keyword is “microplastics” (N = 10 occurrences), followed by “fish” (N = 5), “plastic pollution” and “plastic ingestion” (N = 4). The keywords “polymers,” “spectroscopy,” and “marine debris” appeared in three papers each (N = 3). All other keywords appeared in one or two publications only, indicating a generally very low frequency of used keywords and therefore a variety of studied topics (Figure 1B). Table 1. Thesaurus of alphabetical ordered author's keywords (“Label”) and standardized concepts. This RT included a relatively high number of papers using fish as a model organism (see “fish” in Figure 1B), either by exploring combined effects of (nano-micro) plastics and organic pollutants in teleost (Trevisan et al.; Bour et al.; Ašmonaite et al.; Abihssira-García et al.) or by improving extraction and analysis methods for predicting plastic ingestion in fish (Dawson et al.; Pedà et al.; Pequeno et al.). In the same cluster, the keyword “plastic ingestion” included papers that explored the transfer of microplastics particles among successive levels in marine trophic webs or potential transfer of plastic additives and chemicals from plastics to biota when ingested (Costa et al.; Kühn et al.). Also grouped together are papers using the keyword “polymers” showing works that explore polymer-specific effects of particles in model-animals (Santana et al.). Papers with more general approaches are clustered around keywords such as “plastic pollution” and “marine debris” (Figure 1B, in yellow). These are papers related to legislations to mitigate plastic (marine) pollution (Da Costa et al.; Galaiduk et al.), potential bioindicators of (micro)plastic pollution (Reichelt and Gorokhova; Fossi et al.), but also to method development with potential to be used over large geographical areas (Enders et al.; Haseler et al.; Rodrigues et al.; Tagg et al.) and modeling of microplastic sources into the environment (Balthazar-Silva et al.; Gorman et al.; Schernewski et al.; Piehl, Atwood et al.; Piehl, Hauk et al.). We considered this special issue to be very successful both in terms of number of papers published and variety of studies targeting several microplastic pollution issues. Notorious research advancements and science breakthroughs, as well as technological developments, are highlighted here based on the efforts of the microplastic scientific community over recent years. Manuscripts in this RT aim at fulfilling knowledge gaps while creating new research questions to fully understand the ubiquitousness of plastics in the environment. Although there is still a long way to go within this research...

ACS Style

João P. Frias; Juliana A. Ivar Do Sul; Cristina Panti; André R. A. Lima. Editorial: Microplastics in the Marine Environment: Sources, Distribution, Biological Effects and Socio-Economic Impacts. Frontiers in Environmental Science 2021, 9, 1 .

AMA Style

João P. Frias, Juliana A. Ivar Do Sul, Cristina Panti, André R. A. Lima. Editorial: Microplastics in the Marine Environment: Sources, Distribution, Biological Effects and Socio-Economic Impacts. Frontiers in Environmental Science. 2021; 9 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

João P. Frias; Juliana A. Ivar Do Sul; Cristina Panti; André R. A. Lima. 2021. "Editorial: Microplastics in the Marine Environment: Sources, Distribution, Biological Effects and Socio-Economic Impacts." Frontiers in Environmental Science 9, no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 14 December 2020 in Scientific Reports
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The Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) is one of the least known cetacean species worldwide. The decreasing population trend and associated threats has led to the IUCN categorising the Mediterranean subpopulation as Vulnerable on the Red List of Threatened Species. This study aimed to investigate for the first time the ecotoxicological status of Cuvier's beaked whale in the NW Mediterranean Sea. The study sampled around the 20% of the individuals belonging to the Ligurian subpopulation, collecting skin biopsies from free-ranging specimens. The levels of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and induction of cytochrome's P450 (CYP1A1 and CYP2B isoforms) were evaluated. Results highlighted that the pattern of concentration for the target contaminants was PCBs > PBDEs and the accumulation values were linked to age and sex, with adult males showing significantly higher levels than juvenile. Concerns raised by the fact that 80% of the individuals had PCB levels above the toxicity threshold for negative physiological effects in marine mammals. Therefore, these findings shed light on this silent and serious threat never assessed in the Mediterranean Cuvier’s beaked whale population, indicating that anthropogenic pressures, including chemical pollution, may represent menaces for the conservation of this species in the Mediterranean Sea.

ACS Style

Matteo Baini; Cristina Panti; Maria Cristina Fossi; Paola Tepsich; Begoña Jiménez; Frazer Coomber; Alice Bartalini; Juan Muñoz-Arnanz; Aurelie Moulins; Massimiliano Rosso. First assessment of POPs and cytochrome P450 expression in Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) skin biopsies from the Mediterranean Sea. Scientific Reports 2020, 10, 1 -13.

AMA Style

Matteo Baini, Cristina Panti, Maria Cristina Fossi, Paola Tepsich, Begoña Jiménez, Frazer Coomber, Alice Bartalini, Juan Muñoz-Arnanz, Aurelie Moulins, Massimiliano Rosso. First assessment of POPs and cytochrome P450 expression in Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) skin biopsies from the Mediterranean Sea. Scientific Reports. 2020; 10 (1):1-13.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Matteo Baini; Cristina Panti; Maria Cristina Fossi; Paola Tepsich; Begoña Jiménez; Frazer Coomber; Alice Bartalini; Juan Muñoz-Arnanz; Aurelie Moulins; Massimiliano Rosso. 2020. "First assessment of POPs and cytochrome P450 expression in Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) skin biopsies from the Mediterranean Sea." Scientific Reports 10, no. 1: 1-13.

Conference paper
Published: 24 April 2020 in Springer Water
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The Mediterranean basin, a worldwide biodiversity hotspot, as previously underlined, is one of the world seas most affected by marine litter, including microplastics [1, 2, 3]. Recent studies in the different regions of the basin suggest that some areas, including important MPAs and Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) such as the Pelagos Sanctuary, are affected by important concentrations of microplastics and plastic additives, representing a potential risk for endangered species (baleen whales, sea turtles, filter feeder sharks) [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10] living in this area and for the all Mediterranean biodiversity [11, 12, 13].

ACS Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Matteo Baini; Cristina Panti. The Impact of Microplastics on Filter-Feeding Megafauna. Springer Water 2020, 1 -3.

AMA Style

Maria Cristina Fossi, Matteo Baini, Cristina Panti. The Impact of Microplastics on Filter-Feeding Megafauna. Springer Water. 2020; ():1-3.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Matteo Baini; Cristina Panti. 2020. "The Impact of Microplastics on Filter-Feeding Megafauna." Springer Water , no. : 1-3.

Editorial article
Published: 26 April 2019 in Frontiers in Marine Science
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Editorial on the Research TopicImpacts of Marine Litter Marine litter is a global environmental concern. Between 61% and 87% of this litter is plastics (Barboza et al., 2019; Tekman et al., 2019). In 2010 alone, the amount of plastics entering the oceans varied between 4.8 million and 12.7 million metric tons (Jambeck et al., 2015), contributing to an estimated total abundance of at least 5 trillion particles (Eriksen et al., 2014). In 2017, 348 million tons of plastics were produced globally (PlasticsEurope, 2018) and in the next two decades, the amount of plastics produced is expected to double (Geyer et al., 2017). Continental plastic litter enters the ocean largely through storm-water runoff, is dumped on shorelines during recreational activities or directly discharged at sea from ships (Walker et al., 2019). The deep-sea floor is probably the final global sink for most marine litter that is not decomposed or fractionated to the nanosize (Angiolillo, 2019). However, long-term data are scarce and do not show any clear or significant trend with regards to variations in debris quantities (Maes et al., 2018). In many coastal countries, mismanagement of solid waste has caused between 1.7% and 4.6% of the total plastic waste generated to end up in the sea (Hoornweg and Bhada-Tata, 2012; Jambeck et al., 2015). Despite initiatives to monitor and reduce marine litter, such as from United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the G20, and G7, the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (European Commission, 2008) and action plans from the Regional Seas Conventions (e.g., OSPAR Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter; UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean), harm is still far from being understood. Moreover, standardization, and harmonization of sampling techniques, result units and metrics is needed to achieve reliable monitoring and assessment, and threshold values of good/not good status are still at an incipient stage, since ecotoxicological information on the effects of the smaller fractions of plastic litter, microplastics and nanoplastics, in the environment and on aquatic organisms is scarce (Gall and Thompson, 2015; De Sá et al., 2018; Ogonowski et al., 2018). The coastal landscape is frequently impacted by marine litter that impairs recreational uses and causes a loss of touristic value. Beyond the aesthetic impact, marine litter also bears potential economic implications to maritime activities, such as fisheries and the aquaculture sectors (UNEP, 2014). It may also affect the marine environment and the different ecosystem components (Gall and Thompson, 2015; Rochman et al., 2016; Galloway et al., 2017; Barboza et al., 2019). First, solid particles are ingested by fauna; whereas most of the litter will be excreted, some particles may remain in the stomach undigested, including seafood (Rochman et al., 2015). Large differences among taxa, resulting from differences in size and feeding habits, have been described (Kühn et al., 2015; Bour et al., 2018; Fossi et al., 2018). Many studies have focused on selected species such as seabirds or sea turtles which have even been proposed as bioindicators of oceanic plastic pollution (Bonanno and Orlando-Bonaca, 2018; Fossi et al., 2018) because they feed exclusively at sea, they show a non-selective surface foraging, and in certain populations most individuals present plastic debris in their stomachs (Wilcox et al., 2015; Domènech et al., 2019). Second, plastic litter can represent a relevant source of chemical additives, some of them with suspected endocrine disrupting action, that easily leach into the water since they are not bound to the polymeric chains and become available to the estuarine and marine fauna (Hermabessiere et al., 2017). Third, intentionally or accidentally discarded fishing gears pose special risks for large, air-breathing marine animals, including endangered species, which get entangled in the nets (Lusher et al., 2018). Conventional plastics are non-biodegradable and they may persist in the environment for hundreds of years but also because of hydrodynamics and exposure to light, they may fragment into small particles readily taken up by marine organisms. Microplastics and nanoplastics are of particular concern: ingested by even the smallest zooplankton species they can transfer hydrophobic pollutants (and plastic additives) into the trophic webs, although thermodynamic models and experimental data provide conflicting results and more research is needed in this field (Beiras et al., 2018; Burns and Boxall, 2018; Ogonowski et al., 2018). Finally, plastic at sea may transport alien species over long distances or act as substratum for vagile and epistratum benthos, providing a support to colonization (Casabianca et al., 2019). This Research Topic includes, as yet, 13 papers covering broad oceanic aspects of litter: development of methods, distribution in different species and marine areas, ingestion of plastic, toxicity of plastic associated chemicals, and policies dedicated to reduction measures of marine litter. The impacts related to marine litter have been evaluated from ecological, ecotoxicological, economic and social perspectives, identifying four major subtopics for the papers featured: 1. Sources of marine litter and environmental distribution and sinks: surveys in water, sediments, coast and biota 2. Experimental approaches 3. Impacts on marine organisms: macro-, meio-, and micro-fauna related to plastics and plastics' associated contaminants 4. Regulations. In this Research Topic, studies considering sources and distributions of marine litter (subtopic 1) span over awide geographic area and different environmental compartments, presenting results from surveys in water, beaches, sediments and biota. Interactions between species and litter were reviewed for the South East Pacific, indicating the importance of entanglement,...

ACS Style

Luisa Galgani; Ricardo Beiras; François Galgani; Cristina Panti; Angel Borja. Editorial: Impacts of Marine Litter. Frontiers in Marine Science 2019, 6, 1 .

AMA Style

Luisa Galgani, Ricardo Beiras, François Galgani, Cristina Panti, Angel Borja. Editorial: Impacts of Marine Litter. Frontiers in Marine Science. 2019; 6 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Luisa Galgani; Ricardo Beiras; François Galgani; Cristina Panti; Angel Borja. 2019. "Editorial: Impacts of Marine Litter." Frontiers in Marine Science 6, no. : 1.

Foreword
Published: 10 August 2018 in Marine Mammal Ecotoxicology
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ACS Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Cristina Panti; Michael H. Depledge. Foreword. Marine Mammal Ecotoxicology 2018, 1 .

AMA Style

Maria Cristina Fossi, Cristina Panti, Michael H. Depledge. Foreword. Marine Mammal Ecotoxicology. 2018; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Cristina Panti; Michael H. Depledge. 2018. "Foreword." Marine Mammal Ecotoxicology , no. : 1.

Review
Published: 01 June 2018 in Environmental Pollution
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The Mediterranean Sea has been described as one of the most affected areas by marine litter in the world. Although effects on organisms from marine plastic litter ingestion have been investigated in several oceanic areas, there is still a lack of information from the Mediterranean Sea. The main objectives of this paper are to review current knowledge on the impact of marine litter on Mediterranean biodiversity, to define selection criteria for choosing marine organisms suitable for use as bioindicator species, and to propose a methodological approach to assessing the harm related to marine litter ingestion in several Mediterranean habitats and sub-regions. A new integrated monitoring tool that would provide the information necessary to design and implement future mitigation actions in the Mediterranean basin is proposed. According to bibliographic research and statistical analysis on current knowledge of marine litter ingestion, the area of the Mediterranean most studied, in terms of number of species and papers in the Mediterranean Sea is the western sub-area as well as demersal (32.9%) and pelagic (27.7%) amongst habitats. Applying ecological and biological criteria to the most threatened species obtained by statistical analysis, bioindicator species for different habitats and monitoring scale were selected. A threefold approach, simultaneously measuring the presence and effects of plastic, can provide the actual harm and sub-lethal effects to organisms caused by marine litter ingestion. The research revealed gaps in knowledge, and this paper suggests measures to close the gap. This and the selection of appropriate bioindicator species would represent a step forward for marine litter risk assessment, and the implementation of future actions and mitigation measures for specific Mediterranean areas, habitats and species affected by marine litter ingestion.

ACS Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Cristina Pedà; Montserrat Compa; Catherine Tsangaris; Carme Alomar; Francoise Claro; Christos Ioakeimidis; Francois Galgani; Tatjana Hema; Salud Deudero; Teresa Romeo; Pietro Battaglia; Franco Andaloro; Ilaria Caliani; Silvia Casini; Cristina Panti; Matteo Baini. Bioindicators for monitoring marine litter ingestion and its impacts on Mediterranean biodiversity. Environmental Pollution 2018, 237, 1023 -1040.

AMA Style

Maria Cristina Fossi, Cristina Pedà, Montserrat Compa, Catherine Tsangaris, Carme Alomar, Francoise Claro, Christos Ioakeimidis, Francois Galgani, Tatjana Hema, Salud Deudero, Teresa Romeo, Pietro Battaglia, Franco Andaloro, Ilaria Caliani, Silvia Casini, Cristina Panti, Matteo Baini. Bioindicators for monitoring marine litter ingestion and its impacts on Mediterranean biodiversity. Environmental Pollution. 2018; 237 ():1023-1040.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Cristina Pedà; Montserrat Compa; Catherine Tsangaris; Carme Alomar; Francoise Claro; Christos Ioakeimidis; Francois Galgani; Tatjana Hema; Salud Deudero; Teresa Romeo; Pietro Battaglia; Franco Andaloro; Ilaria Caliani; Silvia Casini; Cristina Panti; Matteo Baini. 2018. "Bioindicators for monitoring marine litter ingestion and its impacts on Mediterranean biodiversity." Environmental Pollution 237, no. : 1023-1040.

Review
Published: 23 May 2018 in Frontiers in Marine Science
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Impacts of debris on marine fauna occur throughout the marine ecosystems, with adverse impacts documented on over 1,400 species; impacts can be divided into those arising from entanglement, and those from ingestion. Ingestion of, and entanglement in, debris has been documented in over 60% of all cetacean species. Seabirds are also impacted by debris predominately through entanglement and ingestion, with the number of species negatively impacted increasing from 138 to 174 over the past two decades. In the marine environment, cetaceans and seabirds are widely regarded as reliable sentinels due to their position near the top of the marine food web, conspicuous nature, and reliance on marine resources; for this reason, this paper is focused on seabirds and cetaceans as sentinels of ocean change. In particular, two case studies are considered in relation to different levels of environmental anthropogenic impact: the cetaceans of the Mediterranean Sea and seabirds of eastern Australia. Here we describe two recent studies used to diagnose the toxicological stress related to debris-associated pressures in cetaceans and seabirds. These studies highlight the diversity and scale of impacts being felt by marine species and the role these organisms can play in our society as charismatic sentinels of ocean health. Seabirds and marine mammals are exposed, in these key areas, to a variety of adversities that potentially decrease their survival or reproductive success. These include weather, food shortages, predators, competitors, parasites, disease, and human-induced effects and plastic pollution. Each factor affects seabirds and marine mammals in a different way, but more importantly, factors can also interact and create impacts far greater than any one factor alone. The Australian and Mediterranean case studies presented here emphasize the need to consider multiple sources of mortality when developing management plans for the conservation of vulnerable species.

ACS Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Cristina Panti; Matteo Baini; Jennifer Lavers. A Review of Plastic-Associated Pressures: Cetaceans of the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Australian Shearwaters as Case Studies. Frontiers in Marine Science 2018, 5, 1 .

AMA Style

Maria Cristina Fossi, Cristina Panti, Matteo Baini, Jennifer Lavers. A Review of Plastic-Associated Pressures: Cetaceans of the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Australian Shearwaters as Case Studies. Frontiers in Marine Science. 2018; 5 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Cristina Panti; Matteo Baini; Jennifer Lavers. 2018. "A Review of Plastic-Associated Pressures: Cetaceans of the Mediterranean Sea and Eastern Australian Shearwaters as Case Studies." Frontiers in Marine Science 5, no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2017 in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology
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The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is an endangered species that may be exposed to micro- and macro-plastic ingestion as a result of their filter-feeding activity, particularly on the sea surface. In this pilot project we perform the first ecotoxicological investigation on whale sharks sampled in the Gulf of California exploring the potential interaction of this species with plastic debris (macro-, micro-plastics and related sorbed contaminants). Due to the difficulty in obtaining stranded specimens of this endangered species, an indirect approach, by skin biopsies was used for the evaluation of the whale shark ecotoxicological status. The levels of organochlorine compounds (PCBs, DDTs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) plastic additives, and related biomarkers responses (CYP1A) were investigated for the first time in the whale shark. Twelve whale shark skin biopsy samples were collected in January 2014 in La Paz Bay (BCS, Mexico) and a preliminary investigation on microplastic concentration and polymer composition was also carried out in seawater samples from the same area. The average abundance pattern for the target contaminants was PCBs>DDTs>PBDEs>HCB. Mean concentration values of 8.42ng/g w.w. were found for PCBs, 1.31ng/g w.w. for DDTs, 0.29ng/g w.w. for PBDEs and 0.19ng/g w.w. for HCB. CYP1A-like protein was detected, for the first time, in whale shark skin samples. First data on the average density of microplastics in the superficial zooplankton/microplastic samples showed values ranging from 0.00items/m to 0.14items/m. A focused PCA analysis was performed to evaluate a possible correlation among the size of the whale sharks, contaminants and CYP1A reponses. Further ecotoxicological investigation on whale shark skin biopsies will be carried out for a worldwide ecotoxicological risk assessment of this endangerd species.

ACS Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Matteo Baini; Cristina Panti; Matteo Galli; Begoña Jiménez; Juan Muñoz-Arnanz; Letizia Marsili; Maria Grazia Finoia; Dení Ramírez-Macías. Are whale sharks exposed to persistent organic pollutants and plastic pollution in the Gulf of California (Mexico)? First ecotoxicological investigation using skin biopsies. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology 2017, 199, 48 -58.

AMA Style

Maria Cristina Fossi, Matteo Baini, Cristina Panti, Matteo Galli, Begoña Jiménez, Juan Muñoz-Arnanz, Letizia Marsili, Maria Grazia Finoia, Dení Ramírez-Macías. Are whale sharks exposed to persistent organic pollutants and plastic pollution in the Gulf of California (Mexico)? First ecotoxicological investigation using skin biopsies. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology. 2017; 199 ():48-58.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Matteo Baini; Cristina Panti; Matteo Galli; Begoña Jiménez; Juan Muñoz-Arnanz; Letizia Marsili; Maria Grazia Finoia; Dení Ramírez-Macías. 2017. "Are whale sharks exposed to persistent organic pollutants and plastic pollution in the Gulf of California (Mexico)? First ecotoxicological investigation using skin biopsies." Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology 199, no. : 48-58.

Original research article
Published: 31 May 2017 in Frontiers in Marine Science
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The Mediterranean Sea is greatly affected by marine litter. In this area, research on the impact of plastic debris (including microplastics) on biota, particularly large filter-feeding species such as the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), is still in its infancy. We investigated the possible overlap between microplastic, mesoplastic and macrolitter accumulation areas and the fin whale feeding grounds in in a pelagic Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI): the Pelagos Sanctuary. Models of ocean circulation and fin whale potential habitat were merged to compare marine litter accumulation with the presence of whales. Additionally, field data on microplastics, mesoplastics, and macrolitter abundance and cetacean presence were simultaneously collected. The resulting data were compared, as a multi-layer, with the simulated distribution of plastic concentration and the whale habitat model. These data showed a high occurrence of microplastics (mean: 0.082 items/m2, STD ± 0.079 items/m2) spatial distribution agreed with our modeling results. Areas with high microplastic density significantly overlapped with areas of high macroplastic density. The most abundant polymer detected in all the sampling sites was polyethylene (PE), suggesting fragmentation of larger packaging items as the primary source. To our knowledge, this is the first study in the Pelagos Sanctuary in which the simulated microplastic distribution has been confirmed by field observations. The overlap between the fin whale feeding habitat and the microplastic hot spots is an important contribution for risk assessment of fin whale exposure to microplastics.

ACS Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Teresa Romeo; Matteo Baini; Cristina Panti; Letizia Marsili; Tommaso Campani; Simonepietro Canese; Francois Galgani; Jean-Noël Druon; Sabina Airoldi; Stefano Taddei; Maria Fattorini; Carlo Brandini; Chiara Lapucci. Plastic Debris Occurrence, Convergence Areas and Fin Whales Feeding Ground in the Mediterranean Marine Protected Area Pelagos Sanctuary: A Modeling Approach. Frontiers in Marine Science 2017, 4, 1 .

AMA Style

Maria Cristina Fossi, Teresa Romeo, Matteo Baini, Cristina Panti, Letizia Marsili, Tommaso Campani, Simonepietro Canese, Francois Galgani, Jean-Noël Druon, Sabina Airoldi, Stefano Taddei, Maria Fattorini, Carlo Brandini, Chiara Lapucci. Plastic Debris Occurrence, Convergence Areas and Fin Whales Feeding Ground in the Mediterranean Marine Protected Area Pelagos Sanctuary: A Modeling Approach. Frontiers in Marine Science. 2017; 4 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Teresa Romeo; Matteo Baini; Cristina Panti; Letizia Marsili; Tommaso Campani; Simonepietro Canese; Francois Galgani; Jean-Noël Druon; Sabina Airoldi; Stefano Taddei; Maria Fattorini; Carlo Brandini; Chiara Lapucci. 2017. "Plastic Debris Occurrence, Convergence Areas and Fin Whales Feeding Ground in the Mediterranean Marine Protected Area Pelagos Sanctuary: A Modeling Approach." Frontiers in Marine Science 4, no. : 1.

Journals
Published: 16 November 2016 in Analytical Methods
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PAEs concentrations can serve as tracer of plastics ingestion by marine organisms.

ACS Style

Matteo Baini; Tania Martellini; Alessandra Cincinelli; Tommaso Campani; Roberta Minutoli; Cristina Panti; Maria Grazia Finoia; Maria Cristina Fossi. First detection of seven phthalate esters (PAEs) as plastic tracers in superficial neustonic/planktonic samples and cetacean blubber. Analytical Methods 2016, 9, 1512 -1520.

AMA Style

Matteo Baini, Tania Martellini, Alessandra Cincinelli, Tommaso Campani, Roberta Minutoli, Cristina Panti, Maria Grazia Finoia, Maria Cristina Fossi. First detection of seven phthalate esters (PAEs) as plastic tracers in superficial neustonic/planktonic samples and cetacean blubber. Analytical Methods. 2016; 9 (9):1512-1520.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Matteo Baini; Tania Martellini; Alessandra Cincinelli; Tommaso Campani; Roberta Minutoli; Cristina Panti; Maria Grazia Finoia; Maria Cristina Fossi. 2016. "First detection of seven phthalate esters (PAEs) as plastic tracers in superficial neustonic/planktonic samples and cetacean blubber." Analytical Methods 9, no. 9: 1512-1520.

Journal article
Published: 01 February 2016 in Environmental Pollution
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The impact that microplastics have on baleen whales is a question that remains largely unexplored. This study examined the interaction between free-ranging fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and microplastics by comparing populations living in two semi-enclosed basins, the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California, Mexico). The results indicate that a considerable abundance of microplastics and plastic additives exists in the neustonic samples from Pelagos Sanctuary of the Mediterranean Sea, and that pelagic areas containing high densities of microplastics overlap with whale feeding grounds, suggesting that whales are exposed to microplastics during foraging; this was confirmed by the observation of a temporal increase in toxicological stress in whales. Given the abundance of microplastics in the Mediterranean environment, along with the high concentrations of Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) chemicals, plastic additives and biomarker responses detected in the biopsies of Mediterranean whales as compared to those in whales inhabiting the Sea of Cortez, we believe that exposure to microplastics because of direct ingestion and consumption of contaminated prey poses a major threat to the health of fin whales in the Mediterranean Sea

ACS Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Letizia Marsili; Matteo Baini; Matteo Giannetti; Daniele Coppola; Cristiana Guerranti; Ilaria Caliani; Roberta Minutoli; Giancarlo Lauriano; Maria Grazia Finoia; Fabrizio Rubegni; Simone Panigada; Martine Bérubé; Jorge Urbán Ramírez; Cristina Panti. Fin whales and microplastics: The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios. Environmental Pollution 2016, 209, 68 -78.

AMA Style

Maria Cristina Fossi, Letizia Marsili, Matteo Baini, Matteo Giannetti, Daniele Coppola, Cristiana Guerranti, Ilaria Caliani, Roberta Minutoli, Giancarlo Lauriano, Maria Grazia Finoia, Fabrizio Rubegni, Simone Panigada, Martine Bérubé, Jorge Urbán Ramírez, Cristina Panti. Fin whales and microplastics: The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios. Environmental Pollution. 2016; 209 ():68-78.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Letizia Marsili; Matteo Baini; Matteo Giannetti; Daniele Coppola; Cristiana Guerranti; Ilaria Caliani; Roberta Minutoli; Giancarlo Lauriano; Maria Grazia Finoia; Fabrizio Rubegni; Simone Panigada; Martine Bérubé; Jorge Urbán Ramírez; Cristina Panti. 2016. "Fin whales and microplastics: The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios." Environmental Pollution 209, no. : 68-78.

Short communication
Published: 09 January 2016 in Marine Environmental Research
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Chemicals discovered in water at levels that may be significantly different than expected are referred to as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) because the risk to environmental health posed by their occurrence/frequency is still unknown. The worldwide distributed compounds perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and bisphenol A (BPA) may fall into this category due to effects on endocrine receptors. We applied an ex vivo assay using small slices of bioptic skin from the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, cultured and treated for 24 h with different PFOA or BPA concentrations to analyze global gene expression. RNA was labeled and hybridized to a species-specific oligomicroarray. The skin transcriptome held information on the contaminant exposure, potentially predictive about long-term effects on health, being the genes affected involved in immunity modulation, response to stress, lipid homeostasis, and development. The transcriptomic signature of dolphin skin could be therefore relevant as classifier for a specific contaminant.

ACS Style

Denise Lunardi; Luigi Abelli; Cristina Panti; Letizia Marsili; Maria Cristina Fossi; Annalaura Mancia. Transcriptomic analysis of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) skin biopsies to assess the effects of emerging contaminants. Marine Environmental Research 2016, 114, 74 -79.

AMA Style

Denise Lunardi, Luigi Abelli, Cristina Panti, Letizia Marsili, Maria Cristina Fossi, Annalaura Mancia. Transcriptomic analysis of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) skin biopsies to assess the effects of emerging contaminants. Marine Environmental Research. 2016; 114 ():74-79.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Denise Lunardi; Luigi Abelli; Cristina Panti; Letizia Marsili; Maria Cristina Fossi; Annalaura Mancia. 2016. "Transcriptomic analysis of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) skin biopsies to assess the effects of emerging contaminants." Marine Environmental Research 114, no. : 74-79.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2015 in Environmental Chemistry
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Environmental context Plastic materials are accumulating in the marine environment where they can now be found in the remotest areas of the world's oceans. Microplastics (plastic particles ≤5mm), abundant in marine surface waters, are also found in neritic and pelagic waters of Mediterranean marine protected areas. Microplastics can accumulate along marine food chains, having noxious effects on marine organisms at different trophic levels and creating a serious threat to marine ecosystems. Abstract Floating plastic debris tends to fragment into smaller pieces, termed microplastics, which may increase the likelihood of ingestion of plastics by marine organisms entering the food web. This study analyses the amount and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton in an area near Asinara National Park (NW Sardinia) and overlapping the Pelagos Sanctuary (Mediterranean Sea). Analysis showed microplastics in 81% of the 27 samples analysed, with a mean value of 0.17±0.32 items m–3. From geographic information system processing of the data, microplastics appeared more abundant (by a factor of four) in the pelagic than in the neritic environment, and showed a size range of the same order as major zooplanktonic taxa determined in the area. These findings suggest a potential risk of mesozooplankton and species preying on plankton mistaking microplastics for food. Further functional and toxicological studies are therefore necessary to assess the hazard associated with microplastics in the marine food web.

ACS Style

Cristina Panti; Matteo Giannetti; Matteo Baini; Fabrizio Rubegni; Roberta Minutoli; Maria Cristina Fossi. Occurrence, relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area, Mediterranean Sea. Environmental Chemistry 2015, 12, 618 .

AMA Style

Cristina Panti, Matteo Giannetti, Matteo Baini, Fabrizio Rubegni, Roberta Minutoli, Maria Cristina Fossi. Occurrence, relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area, Mediterranean Sea. Environmental Chemistry. 2015; 12 (5):618.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Panti; Matteo Giannetti; Matteo Baini; Fabrizio Rubegni; Roberta Minutoli; Maria Cristina Fossi. 2015. "Occurrence, relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area, Mediterranean Sea." Environmental Chemistry 12, no. 5: 618.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2014 in Marine Environmental Research
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The impact of microplastics (plastic fragments smaller than 5mm) on large filter feeding marine organisms such as baleen whales and sharks are largely unknown. These species potentially are ingesting micro-litter by filter feeding activity. Here we present the case studies of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) exploring the toxicological effects of microplastics in these species measuring the levels of phthalates in both species. The results show higher concentration of MEHP in the muscle of basking shark in comparison to fin whale blubber. These species can be proposed as indicators of microplastics in the pelagic environment in the implementation of Descriptor 8 and 10 of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)

ACS Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Daniele Coppola; Matteo Baini; Matteo Giannetti; Cristiana Guerranti; Letizia Marsili; Cristina Panti; Eleonora de Sabata; Simona Clò. Large filter feeding marine organisms as indicators of microplastic in the pelagic environment: The case studies of the Mediterranean basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Marine Environmental Research 2014, 100, 17 -24.

AMA Style

Maria Cristina Fossi, Daniele Coppola, Matteo Baini, Matteo Giannetti, Cristiana Guerranti, Letizia Marsili, Cristina Panti, Eleonora de Sabata, Simona Clò. Large filter feeding marine organisms as indicators of microplastic in the pelagic environment: The case studies of the Mediterranean basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Marine Environmental Research. 2014; 100 ():17-24.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Daniele Coppola; Matteo Baini; Matteo Giannetti; Cristiana Guerranti; Letizia Marsili; Cristina Panti; Eleonora de Sabata; Simona Clò. 2014. "Large filter feeding marine organisms as indicators of microplastic in the pelagic environment: The case studies of the Mediterranean basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)." Marine Environmental Research 100, no. : 17-24.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2014 in Marine Environmental Research
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A plethora of different sampling methodologies has been used to document the presence of micro-plastic fragments in sea water. European Marine Strategy suggests to improve standard techniques to make future data comparable. We use Manta Trawl sampling technique to quantify abundance and distribution of micro-plastic fragments in Sardinian Sea (Western Mediterranean), and their relation with phthalates and organoclorine in the neustonic habitat. Our results highlight a quite high average plastic abundance value (0.15items/m3), comparable to the levels detected in other areas of the Mediterranean. "Site" is the only factor that significantly explains the differences observed in micro-plastic densities. Contaminant levels show high spatial and temporal variation. In every station, HCB is the contaminant with the lowest concentration while PCBs shows the highest levels. This work, in line with Marine Strategy directives, represents a preliminary study for the analysis of plastic impact on marine environment of Sardinia

ACS Style

Giuseppe Andrea de Lucia; Ilaria Caliani; Stefano Marra; Andrea Camedda; Stefania Coppa; Luigi Alcaro; Tommaso Campani; Matteo Giannetti; Daniele Coppola; Anna Maria Cicero; Cristina Panti; Matteo Baini; Cristiana Guerranti; Letizia Marsili; Giorgio Massaro; Maria Cristina Fossi; Marco Matiddi. Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea). Marine Environmental Research 2014, 100, 10 -16.

AMA Style

Giuseppe Andrea de Lucia, Ilaria Caliani, Stefano Marra, Andrea Camedda, Stefania Coppa, Luigi Alcaro, Tommaso Campani, Matteo Giannetti, Daniele Coppola, Anna Maria Cicero, Cristina Panti, Matteo Baini, Cristiana Guerranti, Letizia Marsili, Giorgio Massaro, Maria Cristina Fossi, Marco Matiddi. Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea). Marine Environmental Research. 2014; 100 ():10-16.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giuseppe Andrea de Lucia; Ilaria Caliani; Stefano Marra; Andrea Camedda; Stefania Coppa; Luigi Alcaro; Tommaso Campani; Matteo Giannetti; Daniele Coppola; Anna Maria Cicero; Cristina Panti; Matteo Baini; Cristiana Guerranti; Letizia Marsili; Giorgio Massaro; Maria Cristina Fossi; Marco Matiddi. 2014. "Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea)." Marine Environmental Research 100, no. : 10-16.

Comparative study
Published: 09 February 2014 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
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In this work, a suite of diagnostic biomarkers was applied to seven cetacean species to evaluate the role of the feeding habits and migratory behavior in the toxicological status of these species from the Gulf of California, Mexico. We investigate the interspecific differences in cytochrome P450 1A1 and 2B (CYP1A1 and CYP2B, respectively), aryl hydrocarbon receptor and E2F transcription factor 1 and the contaminants levels [organochlorine compounds, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)] in four odontocete species (common bottlenose dolphin, long-beaked common dolphin, sperm whale and killer whale) and three mysticete species (blue whale, fin whale, and Bryde’s whale) using skin biopsy. Differences in contaminant levels and molecular biomarker responses between the odontocete and mysticete species have been pointed out. The canonical discriminant analysis on principal component analysis factors, performed to reveal clustering variables, shows that odontocete are characterised by the highest levels of lipophilic contaminants compared to the mysticete, with the highest levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes and PBDEs detected in killer whale and the lowest levels in Bryde’s whale. The biomarker data show interspecific differences amongst the seven species, revealing highest CYP1A and CYP2B protein levels in the mysticete fish-eating species (Bryde’s whale). In conclusion, three main factors seem to regulate the biomarker responses in these species: (a) the inductive ability of persistent organic pollutants and PAHs; (b) the different evolutionary process of the two CYPs related to the different feeding habits of the species; (c) the migratory/resident behaviour of the mysticete species in this area.

ACS Style

M. C. Fossi; Cristina Panti; Letizia Marsili; S. Maltese; D. Coppola; Begoña Jiménez; J. Muñoz-Arnanz; M. G. Finoia; L. Rojas-Bracho; R. J. Urban. Could feeding habit and migratory behaviour be the causes of different toxicological hazard to cetaceans of Gulf of California (Mexico)? Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2014, 21, 13353 -13366.

AMA Style

M. C. Fossi, Cristina Panti, Letizia Marsili, S. Maltese, D. Coppola, Begoña Jiménez, J. Muñoz-Arnanz, M. G. Finoia, L. Rojas-Bracho, R. J. Urban. Could feeding habit and migratory behaviour be the causes of different toxicological hazard to cetaceans of Gulf of California (Mexico)? Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2014; 21 (23):13353-13366.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M. C. Fossi; Cristina Panti; Letizia Marsili; S. Maltese; D. Coppola; Begoña Jiménez; J. Muñoz-Arnanz; M. G. Finoia; L. Rojas-Bracho; R. J. Urban. 2014. "Could feeding habit and migratory behaviour be the causes of different toxicological hazard to cetaceans of Gulf of California (Mexico)?" Environmental Science and Pollution Research 21, no. 23: 13353-13366.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2013 in Marine Environmental Research
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On June 2013 a workshop at the University of Siena (Italy) was organized to review current knowledge and to clarify what is known, and what remains to be investigated, concerning plastic litter in the sea. The content of the workshop was designed to contribute further to the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) following an inaugural workshop in 2012. Here we report a number of statements relevant to policymakers and scientists that was overwhelming agreement from the participants. Many might view this as already providing sufficient grounds for policy action. At the very least, this early warning of the problems that lie ahead should be taken seriously, and serve as a stimulus for further research

ACS Style

M.H. Depledge; F. Galgani; Cristina Panti; I. Caliani; S. Casini; M.C. Fossi. Plastic litter in the sea. Marine Environmental Research 2013, 92, 279 -281.

AMA Style

M.H. Depledge, F. Galgani, Cristina Panti, I. Caliani, S. Casini, M.C. Fossi. Plastic litter in the sea. Marine Environmental Research. 2013; 92 ():279-281.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M.H. Depledge; F. Galgani; Cristina Panti; I. Caliani; S. Casini; M.C. Fossi. 2013. "Plastic litter in the sea." Marine Environmental Research 92, no. : 279-281.

Journal article
Published: 01 May 2013 in Marine Pollution Bulletin
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The concurrence of man-made pressures on cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea is potentially affecting population stability and marine biodiversity. This needs to be proven for the only pelagic marine protected area in the Mediterranean Sea: the Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean Marine Mammals. Here we applied a multidisciplinary tool, using diagnostic markers elaborated in a statistical model to rank toxicological stress in Mediterranean cetaceans. As a case study we analyzed persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals combined with a wide range of diagnostic markers of exposure to anthropogenic contaminants and genetic variation as marker of genetic erosion in striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) skin biopsies. Finally, a statistical model was applied to obtain a complete toxicological profile of the striped dolphin in the Pelagos Sanctuary and other Mediterranean areas (Ionian Sea and Strait of Gibraltar). Here we provide the first complete evidence of the toxicological stress in cetaceans living in Pelagos Sanctuary

ACS Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Cristina Panti; Letizia Marsili; Silvia Maltese; Giacomo Spinsanti; Silvia Casini; Ilaria Caliani; Stefania Gaspari; Juan Muñoz-Arnanz; Begoña Jimenez; Maria Grazia Finoia. The Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean marine mammals: Marine Protected Area (MPA) or marine polluted area? The case study of the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). Marine Pollution Bulletin 2013, 70, 64 -72.

AMA Style

Maria Cristina Fossi, Cristina Panti, Letizia Marsili, Silvia Maltese, Giacomo Spinsanti, Silvia Casini, Ilaria Caliani, Stefania Gaspari, Juan Muñoz-Arnanz, Begoña Jimenez, Maria Grazia Finoia. The Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean marine mammals: Marine Protected Area (MPA) or marine polluted area? The case study of the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2013; 70 (1-2):64-72.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Cristina Panti; Letizia Marsili; Silvia Maltese; Giacomo Spinsanti; Silvia Casini; Ilaria Caliani; Stefania Gaspari; Juan Muñoz-Arnanz; Begoña Jimenez; Maria Grazia Finoia. 2013. "The Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean marine mammals: Marine Protected Area (MPA) or marine polluted area? The case study of the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)." Marine Pollution Bulletin 70, no. 1-2: 64-72.

Journal article
Published: 22 January 2013 in Environmental Toxicology
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The need for powerful new tools to detect the effects of chemical pollution, in particularud of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on Mediterraneanud cetaceans led us to develop and apply a suite of sensitive biomarkers for integument biopsiesud of stranded and free-ranging animals. This multi-response ex vivo method has the aim to detect toxicologicalud effects of contaminant mixtures. In the present study, we applied an ex vivo assay usingud skin biopsy and liver slices, combining molecular biomarkers [Western blot of Cytochrome P450 1A1ud (CYP1A1) and Cytochrome P450 2B (CYP2B)] and gene expression biomarkers (Quantitative real-timeud PCR of CYP1A1, heat shock protein 70, estrogen receptor alpha and E2F transcription factor) inud response to chemical exposure [organochlorines compounds (OCs), polybrominated diphenyl ethersud (PBDEs), and PAHs] for stranded Mediterranean Stenella coeruleoalba. The main goal of this experimentud was to identify the biomarker and/or a suite of biomarkers that could best detect the presenceud of a specific class of pollutants (OCs, PBDEs, and PAHs) or a mixture of them. This multi-responseud biomarker methodology revealed an high sensitivity and selectivity of responses (such as CYP1A andud ER a mRNA variations after OCs and PAHs exposure) and could represent a valid future approachud for the study of inter- and intra-species sensitivities to various classes of environmental contaminants

ACS Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Silvia Casini; Silvia Maltese; Cristina Panti; Giacomo Spinsanti; Letizia Marsili. An “ex vivo” model to evaluate toxicological responses to mixtures of contaminants in cetaceans: Integumentum biopsy slices. Environmental Toxicology 2013, 29, 1107 -1121.

AMA Style

Maria Cristina Fossi, Silvia Casini, Silvia Maltese, Cristina Panti, Giacomo Spinsanti, Letizia Marsili. An “ex vivo” model to evaluate toxicological responses to mixtures of contaminants in cetaceans: Integumentum biopsy slices. Environmental Toxicology. 2013; 29 (10):1107-1121.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Cristina Fossi; Silvia Casini; Silvia Maltese; Cristina Panti; Giacomo Spinsanti; Letizia Marsili. 2013. "An “ex vivo” model to evaluate toxicological responses to mixtures of contaminants in cetaceans: Integumentum biopsy slices." Environmental Toxicology 29, no. 10: 1107-1121.