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This study analyzes the occurrence and distribution of plastic litter and the entrapment of plastic by wrack beached on a natural reserve. Large microplastics (2.5 - 5 mm) were the most abundant plastic size category detected. The main color and shape were white and fragment, respectively. The plastics entrapped by egagropiles were mainly transparent fibers. We analyzed the correlation between the weights of plastic litter and vegetal wrack in two transects, selected for their different environmental characteristics. The transect closer to a breakwater showed a significant positive correlation between the weights of plastics and wrack, while the other transect suggested a casual pattern of plastic deposition on the beach. Further research is suggested to focus on the role of breakwaters in altering marine currents and enhancing plastic beaching.
Giulia Cesarini; Alessandra Cera; Corrado Battisti; Davide Taurozzi; Massimiliano Scalici. Is the weight of plastic litter correlated with vegetal wrack? A case study from a Central Italian beach. Marine Pollution Bulletin 2021, 171, 112794 .
AMA StyleGiulia Cesarini, Alessandra Cera, Corrado Battisti, Davide Taurozzi, Massimiliano Scalici. Is the weight of plastic litter correlated with vegetal wrack? A case study from a Central Italian beach. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2021; 171 ():112794.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiulia Cesarini; Alessandra Cera; Corrado Battisti; Davide Taurozzi; Massimiliano Scalici. 2021. "Is the weight of plastic litter correlated with vegetal wrack? A case study from a Central Italian beach." Marine Pollution Bulletin 171, no. : 112794.
Current understanding on the exposure of freshwater organisms to microplastics (plastics sized between 1 µm and 5 mm) has arisen mostly from laboratory experiments—often conducted under artificial circumstances and with unrealistic concentrations. In order to improve scientific links through real ecosystem exposure, we review field data on the exposure of free-living organisms to microplastics. We highlight that the main outputs provided by field research are an assessment of the occurrence and, at times, the quantification of microplastics in different animal taxa. Topics of investigation also include the causes of contamination and the development of biological monitoring tools. With regard to taxa, fish, mollusks, and arthropods are at the center of the research, but birds and amphibians are also investigated. The ingestion or occurrence of microplastics in organs and tissues, such as livers and muscles, are the main data obtained. Microorganisms are studied differently than other taxa, highlighting interesting aspects on the freshwater plastisphere, for example, related to the structure and functionality of communities. Many taxa, that is, mammals, reptiles, and plants, are still under-examined with regard to exposure to microplastics; this is surprising as they are generally endangered. As biota contamination is acknowledged, we contribute to an interdisciplinary scientific discussion aimed at a better assessment of knowledge gaps on methodology, impact assessment, and monitoring.
Alessandra Cera; Massimiliano Scalici. Freshwater wild biota exposure to microplastics: A global perspective. Ecology and Evolution 2021, 11, 9904 -9916.
AMA StyleAlessandra Cera, Massimiliano Scalici. Freshwater wild biota exposure to microplastics: A global perspective. Ecology and Evolution. 2021; 11 (15):9904-9916.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessandra Cera; Massimiliano Scalici. 2021. "Freshwater wild biota exposure to microplastics: A global perspective." Ecology and Evolution 11, no. 15: 9904-9916.
Plastics are to date considered one of the main detrimental drivers for the health of aquatic ecosystems, both in marine and inland waters. Regarding the latter habitat, it seems surprising how the plastic effects on benthic invertebrates are neglected since macroinvertebrates have a long tradition in the water quality assessment activities. In this context, we propose timely indoor observations on the exposure of caddisfly Odontocerum albicorne and mayfly Ephemera danica to various microplastic polymers (ABS, PET, PP, PS, PVDF). Three different experimental designs were performed on caddisflies and mayflies by exposing their larvae to natural and microplastic substrates. Our findings highlighted how microplastics affected both caddisflies in rebuilding its own case (after having removed the natural one) and mayflies burrowing. Particularly, all caddisflies rebuilt cases using the microplastic polymers provided instead of natural items only. Moreover, we provide the first evidence that mayflies burrow mainly in microplastic substrates rather than in natural ones. Our research highlights that macroinvertebrate larvae would use naturally occurring microplastics and this could be of particular concern in freshwaters with high contamination by plastics. Indeed, larvae appear to not necessarily perceive microplastics as a direct stressor. Further studies ought to be conducted to understand the chronic perturbation on larvae fitness and for example, on drift behaviour. Also, further investigations are needed to understand the potentialities of using plastics by benthic macroinvertebrates.
Luca Gallitelli; Alessandra Cera; Giulia Cesarini; Loris Pietrelli; Massimiliano Scalici. Preliminary indoor evidences of microplastic effects on freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates. Scientific Reports 2021, 11, 1 -11.
AMA StyleLuca Gallitelli, Alessandra Cera, Giulia Cesarini, Loris Pietrelli, Massimiliano Scalici. Preliminary indoor evidences of microplastic effects on freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates. Scientific Reports. 2021; 11 (1):1-11.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuca Gallitelli; Alessandra Cera; Giulia Cesarini; Loris Pietrelli; Massimiliano Scalici. 2021. "Preliminary indoor evidences of microplastic effects on freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates." Scientific Reports 11, no. 1: 1-11.
Freshwaters are vulnerable ecosystems owing to several anthropogenic impacts, including chemical pollution. Among existing model organisms, the cnidarian Hydra vulgaris is widely used for toxicological tests, with the aim of detecting either toxicity or teratogenicity of different dissolved chemicals. Given the widespread range of applications and developed assays, the aim of this review was to show and discuss the actual use of this model for ecotoxicological assessments in freshwaters as an ‘early warning system’. To achieve this goal, a thorough review was conducted by consulting several search engines for peer-reviewed international articles. Among all resulting articles from literature search, those focusing on H. vulgaris assay applied to environmental pollution were first selected (n=19). Then, only articles that specifically tested freshwater samples collected directly in the field were considered (n=4). The literature search highlighted that Hydra assays are suitable monitoring tools for freshwater ecotoxicity assessment. In addition, H. vulgaris allows testing diverse biomarkers (e.g. molecular, histological, morphological and behavioural) and exploring innovative research fields. So as to be able to assess the impact of emerging contaminants on both habitat and human health, the Hydra assays are demonstrating that they have an increasing potential that must be exploited.
A. Cera; G. Cesarini; F. Spani; M. Scalici. Hydra vulgaris assay as environmental assessment tool for ecotoxicology in freshwaters: a review. Marine and Freshwater Research 2021, 72, 745 .
AMA StyleA. Cera, G. Cesarini, F. Spani, M. Scalici. Hydra vulgaris assay as environmental assessment tool for ecotoxicology in freshwaters: a review. Marine and Freshwater Research. 2021; 72 (6):745.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Cera; G. Cesarini; F. Spani; M. Scalici. 2021. "Hydra vulgaris assay as environmental assessment tool for ecotoxicology in freshwaters: a review." Marine and Freshwater Research 72, no. 6: 745.
The release of plastics in freshwater is an increasing concern for ecosystem safety worldwide. There is a large knowledge gap on plastic pollution in Mediterranean freshwater, especially regarding surveys along entire river courses, partly due to the absence of guidelines for standardized monitoring of plastics. The present study analyzes the plastic distribution from source to mouth, also according to the River Continuum Concept, of the environmental matrices (water and sediments) and biota (caddisfly cases) of the Mediterranean River Mignone and their cause-effect relationship. The results of the water quality indices (Extended Biotic Index and Fluvial Functionality Index) were compared with the plastic concentrations observed in the water and sediments to explore what relationship there might be and to understand if the indices could be a proxy of the plastic pollution. Our results showed a significant prevalence of blue fibers, the concentration of which in water and sediment is positively associated. Plastic concentration at each site was not accurately detected by the water quality indices. These results may suggest that the factors considered by water quality indices are not able to detect the contamination of plastic pollution. It is mandatory to identify new tools for assessing the plastic impacts on river ecosystems.
Luca Gallitelli; Giulia Cesarini; Alessandra Cera; Maria Sighicelli; Francesca Lecce; Patrizia Menegoni; Massimiliano Scalici. Transport and Deposition of Microplastics and Mesoplastics along the River Course: A Case Study of a Small River in Central Italy. Hydrology 2020, 7, 90 .
AMA StyleLuca Gallitelli, Giulia Cesarini, Alessandra Cera, Maria Sighicelli, Francesca Lecce, Patrizia Menegoni, Massimiliano Scalici. Transport and Deposition of Microplastics and Mesoplastics along the River Course: A Case Study of a Small River in Central Italy. Hydrology. 2020; 7 (4):90.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuca Gallitelli; Giulia Cesarini; Alessandra Cera; Maria Sighicelli; Francesca Lecce; Patrizia Menegoni; Massimiliano Scalici. 2020. "Transport and Deposition of Microplastics and Mesoplastics along the River Course: A Case Study of a Small River in Central Italy." Hydrology 7, no. 4: 90.
Plastic has become a “hot topic” for aquatic ecosystems’ conservation together with other issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Indeed, plastics may detrimentally affect habitats and biota. Small plastics, called microplastics, are more easily taken up by freshwater organisms, causing negative effects on growth, reproduction, predatory performance, etc. Since available information on microplastics in freshwater are fragmentary, the aim of this review is twofold: (i) to show, analyse, and discuss data on the microplastics concentration in freshwater and (ii) to provide the main polymers contaminating freshwater for management planning. A bibliographic search collected 158 studies since 2012, providing the scientific community with one of the largest data sets on microplastics in freshwater. Contamination is reported in all continents except Antarctica, but a lack of information is still present. Lentic waters are generally more contaminated than lotic waters, and waters are less contaminated than sediments, suggested to be sinks. The main contaminating polymers are polypropylene and polyethylene for sediment and water, while polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate are mainly found in biota. Future research is encouraged (1) to achieve a standardised protocol for monitoring, (2) to identify sources and transport routes (including primary or secondary origin), and (3) to investigate trophic transfer, especially from benthic invertebrates.
Alessandra Cera; Giulia Cesarini; Massimiliano Scalici. Microplastics in Freshwater: What Is the News from the World? Diversity 2020, 12, 276 .
AMA StyleAlessandra Cera, Giulia Cesarini, Massimiliano Scalici. Microplastics in Freshwater: What Is the News from the World? Diversity. 2020; 12 (7):276.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessandra Cera; Giulia Cesarini; Massimiliano Scalici. 2020. "Microplastics in Freshwater: What Is the News from the World?" Diversity 12, no. 7: 276.
We constructed a new ecotoxicological tool to test for the presence of teratogens in rivers by exploiting the regenerative capabilities of Hydra vulgaris because using living organisms is considered good practice in environmental monitoring for detecting detrimental pressures. Outputs on the Hydra assay were integrated with two biotic indices based on benthic invertebrates and macrophytes to evaluate whether the assay acts as a tool for detecting generalised freshwater conditions or as a biological test model revealing only the effects of dissolved teratogens. Several hypostomae of H. vulgaris were reared in waters collected in diverse southern central Latium rivers, where physiochemical descriptors were surveyed for environmental characterisation. The regeneration rate and amount of aberrations were evaluated to obtain a teratogenic risk index (TRI) score and then compared with the control. TRI calculations showed 4 sites (18.18%) in Class I (no risk), 15 sites (68.18%) in Class II (low risk), 2 sites (9.09%) in Class III (moderate risk) and 1 site (4.55%) in Class IV (high risk). No Class V sites (very high risk) were found. No significant correlations emerged among physicochemical parameters (except for PO43–), environmental descriptors, Simpson diversity indices and biotic indices and the TRI. These results promote an integrated approach to improving links between biological and ecological responses to anthropogenic impacts.
Alessandra Cera; Simona Ceschin; Floriano Del Grosso; Lorenzo Traversetti; Massimiliano Scalici. Correlating ecotoxicological early-warning systems to biotic indices to assess riverine teratogenic contamination. Marine and Freshwater Research 2020, 71, 1033 .
AMA StyleAlessandra Cera, Simona Ceschin, Floriano Del Grosso, Lorenzo Traversetti, Massimiliano Scalici. Correlating ecotoxicological early-warning systems to biotic indices to assess riverine teratogenic contamination. Marine and Freshwater Research. 2020; 71 (8):1033.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessandra Cera; Simona Ceschin; Floriano Del Grosso; Lorenzo Traversetti; Massimiliano Scalici. 2020. "Correlating ecotoxicological early-warning systems to biotic indices to assess riverine teratogenic contamination." Marine and Freshwater Research 71, no. 8: 1033.