Posidonia oceanica significantly contributes to the health of oceans and coastal areas; however, its progressive decline is becoming an increasing source of concern. The present preliminary study aims to assess the chemical parameters that describe the state of preservation of the aforementioned plant meadows located in the Tremiti Islands archipelago. To better understand the plants’ response to external factors, the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) was investigated using Posidonia oceanica as a biological indicator. Subsequently, the heavy metal concentrations (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Ti, Tl, V, Zn) in sediments, leaves, and seawater were determined and pollution indicators were calculated to assess the deviation from the natural background levels of sediments. The dimethyl sulfoniopropionate (DMSP) to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) ratio was calculated to evaluate the oxidative stress levels in the meadows because the DMSP naturally present in Posidonia oceanica is oxidized to DMSO and decreases the ratio of DMSP/DMSO. BVOC analysis revealed dimethyl sulphide (DMS) as the most abundant molecule. Morphological features led to variations in metal concentrations across sampling sites, with sheltered bays displaying a higher metal content. Degradation is indicated by a greater DMSO content in the outer leaves. In accordance with the metal content, the bioindicator ratio confirms greater degradation on the south side, which aligns with increased oxidative stress.

The large availability of biomass, which, for the sake of decarbonization, is not supposed to be disposed of by burning and energy recovery, has led to the increasing production of polymer composites containing biomass-derived materials. The automotive industry is a field which, due to large production volumes and the requirements for safety, has large economic and environmental value. Despite this, the introduction of lignocellulosic fiber composites and generally biopolymers into this sector has been slow and so far mostly limited to non-structural or semi-structural components. This review critically considers the difficulties associated with the production of bumpers with biomass-derived materials and reports on a variety of fibers and polymers that have been proposed and on the equally variable degree of success of these studies. We also report on the understanding that rethinking the bumper in terms of materials could be an effective way to introduce biomass-based materials into the whole automotive sector on a larger scale with increased benefits.