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Dr. Chiara Gambardella
Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment, National Research Council, Genova 16149, Italy

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0 Developmental Biology
0 Ecotoxicology
0 Marine Biology
0 Marine Pollution
0 Environmental sciences

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Research article
Published: 11 August 2021 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
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The aim of this study was to evaluate deep sediment toxicity in Genoa submarine canyons (Northwestern Mediterranean), for the first time, by using an integrated approach that combined chemistry and ecotoxicology. Sediments were collected from the main submarine canyons in the Gulf of Genoa (Polcevera and Bisagno) and along the adjacent Western Open Slope. A multi-endpoint ecotoxicological approach was taken by exposing two crustacean larvae (Amphibalanus amphitrite and Artemia sp.). Lethal and sub-lethal responses (mortality, swimming behavior) were investigated. Chemical analysis showed that this area is characterized by metal enrichment, including lead, cadmium, chromium, and nickel. Ecotoxicological tests highlighted that elutriates from the different submarine canyons were toxic only for A. amphitrite nauplii: Polcevera Canyon and Western Open Slope sediments induced stronger lethal and sub-lethal ecotoxicological effects than those from Bisagno Canyon. No direct correlation was found between the outcome of chemical and ecotoxicological characterization. However, barnacle was the most prone species to metal contamination: lethal and sub-lethal responses found in this species may be linked to an increase in the concentration of some metals (i.e., Cr, Ni) from offshore to coastal waters, probably due to anthropogenic activity. These findings suggest that the proposed approach can be a suitable tool for deep-sea sediment contamination monitoring; however, the use of a battery of bioassays involving multiple species and endpoints is recommended to better clarify the dynamics of contaminants in marine sediments at very high depths.

ACS Style

Chiara Gambardella; Oriana Leggio; Alessio Montarsolo; Anabella Covazzi Harriague; Marianna Del Core; Marco Faimali; Francesca Garaventa. An integrated approach to characterize deep sediment toxicity in Genoa submarine canyons (NW Mediterranean). Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2021, 1 -11.

AMA Style

Chiara Gambardella, Oriana Leggio, Alessio Montarsolo, Anabella Covazzi Harriague, Marianna Del Core, Marco Faimali, Francesca Garaventa. An integrated approach to characterize deep sediment toxicity in Genoa submarine canyons (NW Mediterranean). Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2021; ():1-11.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chiara Gambardella; Oriana Leggio; Alessio Montarsolo; Anabella Covazzi Harriague; Marianna Del Core; Marco Faimali; Francesca Garaventa. 2021. "An integrated approach to characterize deep sediment toxicity in Genoa submarine canyons (NW Mediterranean)." Environmental Science and Pollution Research , no. : 1-11.

Journal article
Published: 27 November 2019 in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
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For the first time, we report a correspondence between microplastics (MP) ingestion and ecotoxicological effects in gelatinous zooplankton (Cnidarian jellyfish). The ephyra stage of the jellyfish Aurelia sp. was exposed to both environmental and high concentrations of fluorescent 1–4 μm polyethylene MP (0.01–10 mg/L). After 24 and 48 h, MP accumulation, acute (Immobility) and behavioral (Frequency pulsation) endpoints were investigated. MP were detected by confocal and tomographic investigations on gelatinous body and mouth, either attached on the surface or ingested. This interaction was responsible for impairing ephyrae survival and behavior at all tested concentrations after 24 h. Acute and behavioral effects were also related to mechanical disturbance, caused by MP, triggering a loss of radial symmetry. Contaminated ephyrae exposed to clean seawater showed full recovery after 72 h highlighting the organisms without the microspheres, attached on body jellyfish surface around the mouth and lappets. In conclusion, short-term exposure to MP affects ephyrae jellyfish health, impairing both their survival and behavior. Polyethylene MP temporarily affect both Immobility and Frequency of pulsation of Aurelia sp. jellyfish. This study provides a first step towards understanding and clarifying the potential impacts of MP contamination in gelatinous zooplankton.

ACS Style

Elisa Costa; Chiara Gambardella; Veronica Piazza; Massimo Vassalli; Francesca Sbrana; Silvia Lavorano; Francesca Garaventa; Marco Faimali. Microplastics ingestion in the ephyra stage of Aurelia sp. triggers acute and behavioral responses. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2019, 189, 109983 .

AMA Style

Elisa Costa, Chiara Gambardella, Veronica Piazza, Massimo Vassalli, Francesca Sbrana, Silvia Lavorano, Francesca Garaventa, Marco Faimali. Microplastics ingestion in the ephyra stage of Aurelia sp. triggers acute and behavioral responses. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2019; 189 ():109983.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elisa Costa; Chiara Gambardella; Veronica Piazza; Massimo Vassalli; Francesca Sbrana; Silvia Lavorano; Francesca Garaventa; Marco Faimali. 2019. "Microplastics ingestion in the ephyra stage of Aurelia sp. triggers acute and behavioral responses." Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 189, no. : 109983.

Short communication
Published: 25 April 2019 in Marine Pollution Bulletin
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In this study, the acute toxicity of microplastics (MPs) on unicellular organisms as marine decomposers and microalgae was assessed, by evaluating standards endpoints included in International Standard Organization (ISO) protocols. The bacteria Vibrio fischeri and the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum were exposed to different sizes (1–500 μm) of polyethylene MPs in order to evaluate bioluminescence inhibition and microalgal growth. No acute toxicity was found on bacteria or microalgae in an order of magnitude above environmentally relevant concentrations, suggesting that tested MPs did not affect the investigated biological processes. In conclusion, standard ecotoxicological endpoints are not sufficiently sensitive to assess the potential effects of MPs on decomposers and primary producers, conversely to nanoplastics. These findings highlight that the current approach for MP risk assessment in unicellular species should be revised, by providing alternative endpoints to be included in standardized protocols, able to monitor the fate and biological effects of MPs.

ACS Style

Chiara Gambardella; Veronica Piazza; Marina Albentosa; Maria Bebianno; Cátia Cardoso; Marco Faimali; Francesca Garaventa; Soledad Garrido; Sergio González; Sara Pérez; Marta Sendra; Ricardo Beiras. Microplastics do not affect standard ecotoxicological endpoints in marine unicellular organisms. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2019, 143, 140 -143.

AMA Style

Chiara Gambardella, Veronica Piazza, Marina Albentosa, Maria Bebianno, Cátia Cardoso, Marco Faimali, Francesca Garaventa, Soledad Garrido, Sergio González, Sara Pérez, Marta Sendra, Ricardo Beiras. Microplastics do not affect standard ecotoxicological endpoints in marine unicellular organisms. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2019; 143 ():140-143.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chiara Gambardella; Veronica Piazza; Marina Albentosa; Maria Bebianno; Cátia Cardoso; Marco Faimali; Francesca Garaventa; Soledad Garrido; Sergio González; Sara Pérez; Marta Sendra; Ricardo Beiras. 2019. "Microplastics do not affect standard ecotoxicological endpoints in marine unicellular organisms." Marine Pollution Bulletin 143, no. : 140-143.

Journal article
Published: 01 March 2018 in Journal of Sea Research
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ACS Style

Noelia Estévez-Calvar; Chiara Gambardella; Francesco Miraglia; Giovanni Pavanello; Giuliano Greco; Marco Faimali; Francesca Garaventa. Potential use of an ultrasound antifouling technology as a ballast water treatment system. Journal of Sea Research 2018, 133, 115 -123.

AMA Style

Noelia Estévez-Calvar, Chiara Gambardella, Francesco Miraglia, Giovanni Pavanello, Giuliano Greco, Marco Faimali, Francesca Garaventa. Potential use of an ultrasound antifouling technology as a ballast water treatment system. Journal of Sea Research. 2018; 133 ():115-123.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Noelia Estévez-Calvar; Chiara Gambardella; Francesco Miraglia; Giovanni Pavanello; Giuliano Greco; Marco Faimali; Francesca Garaventa. 2018. "Potential use of an ultrasound antifouling technology as a ballast water treatment system." Journal of Sea Research 133, no. : 115-123.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2017 in Marine Environmental Research
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Behavioral responses of aquatic organisms have received much less attention than developmental or reproductive ones due to the scarce presence of user-friendly tools for their acquisition. The technological development of data acquisition systems for quantifying behavior in the aquatic environment and the increase of studies on the understanding the relationship between the behavior of aquatic organisms and the physiological/ecological activities have generated renewed interest in using behavioral responses also in marine ecotoxicology. Recent reviews on freshwater environment show that behavioral end-points are comparatively fast and sensitive, and warrant further attention as tools for assessing the toxicological effects of environmental contaminants. In this mini-review, we perform a systematic analysis of the most recent works that have used marine invertebrate swimming alteration as behavioral end-point in ecotoxicological studies by assessing the differences between behavioral and acute responses in a wide range of species, in order to compare their sensitivity.

ACS Style

Marco Faimali; Chiara Gambardella; Elisa Costa; Veronica Piazza; Silvia Morgana; Noelia Estévez-Calvar; Francesca Garaventa. Old model organisms and new behavioral end-points: Swimming alteration as an ecotoxicological response. Marine Environmental Research 2017, 128, 36 -45.

AMA Style

Marco Faimali, Chiara Gambardella, Elisa Costa, Veronica Piazza, Silvia Morgana, Noelia Estévez-Calvar, Francesca Garaventa. Old model organisms and new behavioral end-points: Swimming alteration as an ecotoxicological response. Marine Environmental Research. 2017; 128 ():36-45.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marco Faimali; Chiara Gambardella; Elisa Costa; Veronica Piazza; Silvia Morgana; Noelia Estévez-Calvar; Francesca Garaventa. 2017. "Old model organisms and new behavioral end-points: Swimming alteration as an ecotoxicological response." Marine Environmental Research 128, no. : 36-45.