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Prof. Marcelo Enrique Conti
Department of Management, Sapienza University, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, I-00161 Rome, Italy

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0 Biological Monitoring
0 Heavy Metals
0 Metrology
0 Pollution
0 Sustainability

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Journal article
Published: 12 August 2021 in Molecules
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Bees and their products are useful bioindicators of anthropogenic activities and could overcome the deficiencies of air quality networks. Among the environmental contaminants, mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal that can accumulate in living organisms. The first aim of this study was to develop a simple analytical method to determine Hg in small mass samples of bees and beehive products by cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The proposed method was optimized for about 0.02 g bee, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly, 0.05 g beeswax and honey, or 0.1 g honeydew with 0.5 mL HCl, 0.2 mL HNO3, and 0.1 mL H2O2 in a water bath (95 °C, 30 min); samples were made up to a final volume of 5 mL deionized water. The method limits sample manipulation and the reagent mixture volume used. Detection limits were lower than 3 µg kg−1 for a sample mass of 0.02 g, and recoveries and precision were within 20% of the expected value and less than 10%, respectively, for many matrices. The second aim of the present study was to evaluate the proposed method’s performances on real samples collected in six areas of the Lazio region in Italy.

ACS Style

Maria Luisa Astolfi; Marcelo Enrique Conti; Martina Ristorini; Maria Agostina Frezzini; Marco Papi; Lorenzo Massimi; Silvia Canepari. An Analytical Method for the Biomonitoring of Mercury in Bees and Beehive Products by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry. Molecules 2021, 26, 4878 .

AMA Style

Maria Luisa Astolfi, Marcelo Enrique Conti, Martina Ristorini, Maria Agostina Frezzini, Marco Papi, Lorenzo Massimi, Silvia Canepari. An Analytical Method for the Biomonitoring of Mercury in Bees and Beehive Products by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry. Molecules. 2021; 26 (16):4878.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Luisa Astolfi; Marcelo Enrique Conti; Martina Ristorini; Maria Agostina Frezzini; Marco Papi; Lorenzo Massimi; Silvia Canepari. 2021. "An Analytical Method for the Biomonitoring of Mercury in Bees and Beehive Products by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry." Molecules 26, no. 16: 4878.

Journal article
Published: 17 September 2020 in Molecules
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Bee health and beehive products’ quality are compromised by complex interactions between multiple stressors, among which toxic elements play an important role. The aim of this study is to optimize and validate sensible and reliable analytical methods for biomonitoring studies and the quality control of beehive products. Four digestion procedures, including two systems (microwave oven and water bath) and different mixture reagents, were evaluated for the determination of the total content of 40 elements in bees and five beehive products (beeswax, honey, pollen, propolis and royal jelly) by using inductively coupled plasma mass and optical emission spectrometry. Method validation was performed by measuring a standard reference material and the recoveries for each selected matrix. The water bath-assisted digestion of bees and beehive products is proposed as a fast alternative to microwave-assisted digestion for all elements in biomonitoring studies. The present study highlights the possible drawbacks that may be encountered during the elemental analysis of these biological matrices and aims to be a valuable aid for the analytical chemist. Total elemental concentrations, determined in commercially available beehive products, are presented.

ACS Style

Maria Luisa Astolfi; Marcelo Enrique Conti; Elisabetta Marconi; Lorenzo Massimi; Silvia Canepari. Effectiveness of Different Sample Treatments for the Elemental Characterization of Bees and Beehive Products. Molecules 2020, 25, 4263 .

AMA Style

Maria Luisa Astolfi, Marcelo Enrique Conti, Elisabetta Marconi, Lorenzo Massimi, Silvia Canepari. Effectiveness of Different Sample Treatments for the Elemental Characterization of Bees and Beehive Products. Molecules. 2020; 25 (18):4263.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Luisa Astolfi; Marcelo Enrique Conti; Elisabetta Marconi; Lorenzo Massimi; Silvia Canepari. 2020. "Effectiveness of Different Sample Treatments for the Elemental Characterization of Bees and Beehive Products." Molecules 25, no. 18: 4263.

Journal article
Published: 11 September 2020 in Ecological Indicators
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The ability of lichen transplant Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. to reflect air concentration and spatial distribution of 7 polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), 10 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and 23 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was evaluated through the construction of a wide and dense biomonitoring network. For this purpose, 23 lichen transplants were placed in a highly polluted area in Central Italy, characterized by the presence of different local emission sources such as a power plant, a steel plant, vehicular traffic, and domestic heating. The high spatial resolution data obtained from lichens were used to map the spatial distribution of the studied compounds, useful to identify the location and strength of target compounds sources over the territory. The maps showed that the highest concentrations of the pollutants were detected, as expected, in the sites close to the power plant and to the steel plant, confirming their important role as persistent pollutants emission sources. The statistical analysis performed on the spatially resolved data allowed us to identify the steel plant as the main source of PCDD/Fs, while PCBs were emitted by both the steel plant and the power plant. Finally, the efficiency of lichen transplants to reflect PCDD/Fs and PCBs atmospheric concentrations was assessed by comparing lichen data with POPs deposition measured by bulk deposition samplers at sites impacted by intensive emission sources; good results were achieved from the comparison (R2 > 0.79). Lichen transplants have demonstrated to be suitable biomonitors of POPs, allowing to obtain a high spatial monitoring network. The low-cost biomonitoring and experimental approach described in this study can be applied to other monitoring campaigns for identifying localizing emission sources of POPs in areas contaminated by several disaggregated sources.

ACS Style

Lorenzo Massimi; Federica Castellani; Carmela Protano; Marcelo Enrique Conti; Arianna Antonucci; Maria Agostina Frezzini; Mara Galletti; Giustino Mele; Andrea Pileri; Martina Ristorini; Matteo Vitali; Silvia Canepari. Lichen transplants for high spatial resolution biomonitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in a multi-source polluted area of Central Italy. Ecological Indicators 2020, 120, 106921 .

AMA Style

Lorenzo Massimi, Federica Castellani, Carmela Protano, Marcelo Enrique Conti, Arianna Antonucci, Maria Agostina Frezzini, Mara Galletti, Giustino Mele, Andrea Pileri, Martina Ristorini, Matteo Vitali, Silvia Canepari. Lichen transplants for high spatial resolution biomonitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in a multi-source polluted area of Central Italy. Ecological Indicators. 2020; 120 ():106921.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lorenzo Massimi; Federica Castellani; Carmela Protano; Marcelo Enrique Conti; Arianna Antonucci; Maria Agostina Frezzini; Mara Galletti; Giustino Mele; Andrea Pileri; Martina Ristorini; Matteo Vitali; Silvia Canepari. 2020. "Lichen transplants for high spatial resolution biomonitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in a multi-source polluted area of Central Italy." Ecological Indicators 120, no. : 106921.

Research article
Published: 06 July 2020 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
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This study aims to investigate the airborne elements’ deposition by using native Usnea barbata lichens as biomonitors in the forested areas of Tierra del Fuego (TdF, southern Patagonia), an apparently pristine environment. The present study is linked to the volcanic eruption of the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle which started in north Patagonia in June 2011, which gives rise to long-distance transport of pollutants through the atmosphere at 1700 km from our sampling sites. The monitoring breakdown structure (MBS) was applied to three sampling campaigns in 2006 (baseline) ➔ 2011–2012 (3 and 15 months after the volcanic event, respectively). We have on purpose enhanced the information variety endowment: (i) Seventy-one referenced sites were double sampled; (ii) up to 426 composite lichen samples were collected; (iii) twenty-six elements were measured by neutron activation analysis (As, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Lu, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Ta, Tb, Th, U, Yb, Zn) for samples of 2011 and 2012 campaigns; (iv) thirteen common elements (As, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, K, Na, Sb, Se, U, Zn) were determined in 2006 for the baseline comparison. The natural contamination by tephras is reflected by lichens more clearly in the 2011 campaign, where Ba, Cr, Na, Ca, Cs, and U showed higher median levels compared with the baseline campaign (2006). Ca, K, and Na were the most accumulated elements after the volcano event and could be associated with the volcanic ashes’ deposition. Rare earth elements (REEs) showed no significant bioaccumulation levels between 2011 and 2012, indicating their association with higher lithogenic inputs than volcanic ashes. Using the Earth’s crust as reference, nine elements (As, Ba, Br, Ca, K, Na, Sb, Se, and Zn) presented moderate/significant mean enrichment factor (EF) values (> 5). The usefulness of Usnea barbata as test species for direct biomonitoring oriented kinetic studies in areas characterized by a low human impact is confirmed. Eventually, our results confirm that TdF is not an actual pristine environment as earlier supposed.

ACS Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Rita Plà; Cristina Simone; Raquel Jasan; Maria Grazia Finoia. Implementing the monitoring breakdown structure: native lichens as biomonitors of element deposition in the southern Patagonian forest connected with the Puyehue volcano event in 2011—a 6-year survey (2006–2012). Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2020, 27, 38819 -38834.

AMA Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti, Rita Plà, Cristina Simone, Raquel Jasan, Maria Grazia Finoia. Implementing the monitoring breakdown structure: native lichens as biomonitors of element deposition in the southern Patagonian forest connected with the Puyehue volcano event in 2011—a 6-year survey (2006–2012). Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2020; 27 (31):38819-38834.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Rita Plà; Cristina Simone; Raquel Jasan; Maria Grazia Finoia. 2020. "Implementing the monitoring breakdown structure: native lichens as biomonitors of element deposition in the southern Patagonian forest connected with the Puyehue volcano event in 2011—a 6-year survey (2006–2012)." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 27, no. 31: 38819-38834.

Journal article
Published: 29 June 2020 in Science of The Total Environment
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The ability of transplanted lichen Evernia (E.) prunastri (L.) to act as a high spatial biomonitoring tool for 14 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) was evaluated at 23 monitoring sites in a very polluted area in central Italy. The selected area is characterized by the presence of numerous emission sources, such as waste-to-energy plant, steel plant, vehicular traffic, and domestic heating. Transplanted E. prunastri proved to be a useful tool to biomonitor PBDEs, due to its ability to bioaccumulate individual congeners in varying concentrations in relation to the strength of the emission sources present over the territory. PBDEs levels widely ranged from 132 to 24,237 ng kg-1 dry weight, according to the sources of emission located around the monitoring sites. The highest concentrations were detected at the sites close to the municipal solid waste incinerator, steel plant, and high busy roads, confirming their important role as PBDEs emissions sources.

ACS Style

Federica Castellani; Lorenzo Massimi; Matteo Vitali; Silvia Canepari; Maurizio Guidotti; Marcelo Enrique Conti; Carmela Protano. High spatial resolution analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) using transplanted lichen Evernia prunastri: A case study in central Italy. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 742, 140590 .

AMA Style

Federica Castellani, Lorenzo Massimi, Matteo Vitali, Silvia Canepari, Maurizio Guidotti, Marcelo Enrique Conti, Carmela Protano. High spatial resolution analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) using transplanted lichen Evernia prunastri: A case study in central Italy. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 742 ():140590.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Federica Castellani; Lorenzo Massimi; Matteo Vitali; Silvia Canepari; Maurizio Guidotti; Marcelo Enrique Conti; Carmela Protano. 2020. "High spatial resolution analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) using transplanted lichen Evernia prunastri: A case study in central Italy." Science of The Total Environment 742, no. : 140590.

Journal article
Published: 08 November 2019 in Food Research International
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the trace metal content in edible biomonitors (i.e., mollusks) in the Beagle Channel (southern Patagonia) and to assess the human health risks associated with their consumption. Rationale: The monitoring breakdown structure (MBS) conceptual model was applied to four sampling campaigns (2005 → 2012) that collected 729 samples of Mytilus chilensis and Nacella magellanica. The composition of trace elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the mollusks was determined using graphite furnace (GFAAS) or flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). We compared the mean obtained values with the maximum levels (MLs) of each element established by international organizations. Then, based on semi-structured interviews, we calculated the estimated daily intake (EDI) of local residents and compared it with safety reference doses, i.e., the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI), provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI), and tolerable daily intake (TDI), as well as the benchmark dose level lower confidence limit for Pb (BMDL01, a reference point (RP)/point of departure (POD). Moreover, to obtain information about the potential health risks of ingesting heavy metals (HMs) through mollusk consumption, we evaluated the target hazard quotient (THQ) and the hazard index (HI). Findings: For Cd and Pb, 65% and 40% of bivalves exceeded the MLs established by the Mercado Común del Sur (Mercosur), respectively. Except for Cd in N. magellanica (i.e., 1.20 μg/kg/bw/day), EDI values were clearly lower than the safety reference doses. For Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, mussels were safe for consumption and did not raise concerns for public health. Likewise, THQ values were well below one for most of the studied metals, indicating that the exposed human population is assumed to be safe. Occasional high consumers of mollusks from the most contaminated sites may be at some health risk. Originality: The food production system and the environment are complex systems; this is crucial to understand when we consider ecosystems as a food source (i.e., marine ecosystems). Here we consider edible biomonitors, that are organisms that can have a dual function. They are food, and at the same time, if properly calibrated, they can act as indicators of environmental quality. This study is the first to investigate relevant essential and non-essential trace metal content in two edible mollusks from the Beagle Channel in a long-term survey (2005 → 2012). The information variety was high; approximately thirteen thousand determinations were conducted to support the risk assessment for mollusk consumption. Other aspects connected with the health risks and the uncertainty factors related to the presence of essential and non-essential minerals in edible mollusks as well as the use of the MBS are also discussed.

ACS Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Mabel Beatriz Tudino; Maria Grazia Finoia; Cristina Simone; Jorge Stripeikis. Applying the monitoring breakdown structure model to trace metal content in edible biomonitors: An eight-year survey in the Beagle Channel (southern Patagonia). Food Research International 2019, 128, 108777 .

AMA Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti, Mabel Beatriz Tudino, Maria Grazia Finoia, Cristina Simone, Jorge Stripeikis. Applying the monitoring breakdown structure model to trace metal content in edible biomonitors: An eight-year survey in the Beagle Channel (southern Patagonia). Food Research International. 2019; 128 ():108777.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Mabel Beatriz Tudino; Maria Grazia Finoia; Cristina Simone; Jorge Stripeikis. 2019. "Applying the monitoring breakdown structure model to trace metal content in edible biomonitors: An eight-year survey in the Beagle Channel (southern Patagonia)." Food Research International 128, no. : 108777.

Journal article
Published: 11 May 2019 in Ecological Indicators
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In this study we propose a conceptual framework, i.e. the Monitoring Breakdown Structure (MBS) as a tool for the management of marine ecosystems. The conceptual framework thinks through the complexity of marine ecosystems keeping into account the variety (space) and variability (time) dimensions. Consistently with the MBS we have built the control charts of trace metal concentrations of two selected biomonitors in the Beagle Channel (south Patagonia) (case study). Thus, we have tested the aptitude of two species of mollusks as biomonitors of heavy metal (HMs) pollution. The selected species were the limpet Nacella (P) magellanica and the bivalve Mytilus chilensis. Seven hundred eighty-five samples were collected along 170 km of the coastal area of the Beagle Channel (BC), (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) in seven selected georeferenced locations and four sampling campaigns (2005, 2007, 2011, 2012). Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn determinations in seawater and mollusks by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) were carried out. The calculation of the respective concentration factors (CFs), i.e. their capacity as strong bioaccumulators, was also conducted. This is of relevance because it aims to use these data as a baseline reference for other geographical areas. Second, we have compared metal bioaccumulation differences among sites and the contamination trend by building, for the first time, the control charts of the baseline metal concentrations in the biomonitors. For these purposes, we applied probabilistic Johnson's method. Furthermore, the control charts (based on four years baseline data) allowed us to test the contamination trend by plotting data from 2012 vs 2011. Our results confirm N. magellanica as an extremely strong accumulator of Cd, and M chilensis strong bioaccumulator of Cd and Zn. Zn was the most abundant metal followed by Cu. Overall, regarding the contamination trend, based on thousands of determinations we observed that the six mean metal levels were quite constant over time. Moreover, metal distribution among sites turned out to be not univocal (no one site is more contaminated than the other sites). Thus, the expected hypothesis of Ushuaia Harbour as being the most contaminated site should be reconsidered. This reinforces the hypothesis of our data as baseline data (except for cadmium), that should be considered in management decisions about future environmental monitoring programs, i.e. preventing/managing marine accidents.

ACS Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Mabel Beatriz Tudino; Maria Grazia Finoia; Cristina Simone; Jorge Stripeikis. Managing complexity of marine ecosystems: From the monitoring breakdown structure (MBS) to the baseline assessment. Trace metal concentrations in biomonitors of the Beagle Channel, Patagonia (2005–2012). Ecological Indicators 2019, 104, 296 -305.

AMA Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti, Mabel Beatriz Tudino, Maria Grazia Finoia, Cristina Simone, Jorge Stripeikis. Managing complexity of marine ecosystems: From the monitoring breakdown structure (MBS) to the baseline assessment. Trace metal concentrations in biomonitors of the Beagle Channel, Patagonia (2005–2012). Ecological Indicators. 2019; 104 ():296-305.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Mabel Beatriz Tudino; Maria Grazia Finoia; Cristina Simone; Jorge Stripeikis. 2019. "Managing complexity of marine ecosystems: From the monitoring breakdown structure (MBS) to the baseline assessment. Trace metal concentrations in biomonitors of the Beagle Channel, Patagonia (2005–2012)." Ecological Indicators 104, no. : 296-305.

Journal article
Published: 06 February 2019 in Ecological Indicators
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Lichen transplants Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. and recently available low-cost PM10 samplers were placed side-by-side for one year at twenty-three sites located in an urban-industrial hot-spot of Central Italy, thus enabling the construction of an extensive and dense air quality monitoring network. Accumulation levels of the elements in lichens after five months and thirteen months of exposure were compared with the means of the element concentrations determined in the PM10 sampled during the same monitoring periods. Water-soluble and insoluble fractions of the elements in the PM10 were separately analysed. Correlations between lichen and PM10 element concentrations were examined by considering Pearson coefficients and by performing principal component analysis. The study allowed us to evaluate the reliability of lichen transplants as biomonitors for the assessment of the spatial variability of atmospheric element concentrations and for the individuation of the elements tracers of PM emission sources. Lichen transplants appeared to be reliable for high spatial resolution measurements of PM10 elemental components emitted at high concentrations by intense local PM emission sources such as the steel plant (Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, Ti and W) and the rail network (Cu, Sb and Sn), less reliable for spatially-resolved analyses of elements released by vehicular traffic (Cu, Sb and Sn) and not reliable for other elements emitted by the power plant, by industrial and domestic biomass heating and/or by other less intense emission sources (Ba, Bi, Cd, Cs, Mg, Pb, Rb and Tl). In general, bioaccumulation of the elements appeared to be more correlated with the total and insoluble fractions of the analysed elements than with the water-soluble one and reflected the solubility of the chemical species emitted by the main local PM emission sources.

ACS Style

Lorenzo Massimi; Marcelo Enrique Conti; Giustino Mele; Martina Ristorini; Maria Luisa Astolfi; Silvia Canepari. Lichen transplants as indicators of atmospheric element concentrations: a high spatial resolution comparison with PM10 samples in a polluted area (Central Italy). Ecological Indicators 2019, 101, 759 -769.

AMA Style

Lorenzo Massimi, Marcelo Enrique Conti, Giustino Mele, Martina Ristorini, Maria Luisa Astolfi, Silvia Canepari. Lichen transplants as indicators of atmospheric element concentrations: a high spatial resolution comparison with PM10 samples in a polluted area (Central Italy). Ecological Indicators. 2019; 101 ():759-769.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lorenzo Massimi; Marcelo Enrique Conti; Giustino Mele; Martina Ristorini; Maria Luisa Astolfi; Silvia Canepari. 2019. "Lichen transplants as indicators of atmospheric element concentrations: a high spatial resolution comparison with PM10 samples in a polluted area (Central Italy)." Ecological Indicators 101, no. : 759-769.

Journal article
Published: 05 February 2019 in Ecological Indicators
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In this study, we have investigated Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the biomonitors Mytilus chilensis and Nacella (P) magellanica sampled along seven selected sampling sites along 170 km of the coastal area of the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) in four sampling campaigns: 2005, 2007, 2011 and 2012. The control charts were built by applying Johnson’s probabilistic method for the first time in this marine area. We determined the metal concentration overlap ranges in the selected biomonitors (as well as medians and distribution), and the overlap bioaccumulation index (OBI) with respect to the lowest (OBI-L1) and the highest (OBI-L) extreme values of the overlap metal concentration ranges. The OBI can be used as an integrative tool in the management of prevailing unpolluted/polluted marine coastal ecosystems. It consents to identify the most suitable organisms for managing several environmental conditions where an ecosystem quality control is needed. The OBI-L1 index can be employed as a preventive signal of alarm when the contamination process is in its early stages. For Cd, Ni, Cu and Cr, Nacella showed high OBI-L values that suggest its use as a biomonitor for mainly polluted marine ecosystems, in particular for Cd. Mytilus showed high Cd values for the OBI-L1 which means that this species is highly sensitive to a very low variation of the Cd levels in seawater. The OBI index enhances the observer’s information variety about the performance of the molluscs as metal biomonitors in marine ecosystems. Eventually, here we propose to conceptualize the wide set of biomonitoring knowledge endowment as an open and evolutionary endowment of information variety supporting the environmental management.

ACS Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Mabel Beatriz Tudino; Maria Grazia Finoia; Cristina Simone; Jorge Stripeikis. Performance of two Patagonian molluscs as trace metal biomonitors: The overlap bioaccumulation index (OBI) as an integrative tool for the management of marine ecosystems. Ecological Indicators 2019, 101, 749 -758.

AMA Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti, Mabel Beatriz Tudino, Maria Grazia Finoia, Cristina Simone, Jorge Stripeikis. Performance of two Patagonian molluscs as trace metal biomonitors: The overlap bioaccumulation index (OBI) as an integrative tool for the management of marine ecosystems. Ecological Indicators. 2019; 101 ():749-758.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Mabel Beatriz Tudino; Maria Grazia Finoia; Cristina Simone; Jorge Stripeikis. 2019. "Performance of two Patagonian molluscs as trace metal biomonitors: The overlap bioaccumulation index (OBI) as an integrative tool for the management of marine ecosystems." Ecological Indicators 101, no. : 749-758.

Journal article
Published: 13 September 2018 in Journal of Food Composition and Analysis
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The levels of 30 elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Tl, U, V, Zn) and some typical quality parameters were measured in 40 honey samples from the Lazio region (Italy). The main purpose of this study was to enhance the information variety. The mean values for the quality parameters were: pH, 4.0; sugar, 80.9 °brix; moisture, 17.4%; electrical conductivity 0.63 mS cm-1. Mineral elements were quantified by ICP-OES and ICP-MS and compared with literature data. The most abundant minerals decreased in the following order (mean - µg g-1): K: 1450 > S: 107 > Ca: 86 > P: 75 > Na: 45 > Mg: 34. Chemometrics was applied in order to detect significant differences among the five provinces of honeys production. Overall, several elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, V, Zn), sugar and moisture did not discriminate the Lazio provinces. This strongly agrees with our previous findings that honey is not a reliable biomonitor of environmental contamination. There are no evident signs of pollution for the Lazio honeys confirming their good quality and safety.

ACS Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Silvia Canepari; Maria Grazia Finoia; Giustino Mele; Maria Luisa Astolfi. Characterization of Italian multifloral honeys on the basis of their mineral content and some typical quality parameters. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 2018, 74, 102 -113.

AMA Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti, Silvia Canepari, Maria Grazia Finoia, Giustino Mele, Maria Luisa Astolfi. Characterization of Italian multifloral honeys on the basis of their mineral content and some typical quality parameters. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 2018; 74 ():102-113.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Silvia Canepari; Maria Grazia Finoia; Giustino Mele; Maria Luisa Astolfi. 2018. "Characterization of Italian multifloral honeys on the basis of their mineral content and some typical quality parameters." Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 74, no. : 102-113.

Research paper
Published: 17 March 2017 in International Journal of Environmental Research
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With the aim to assess the gastropod mollusk Monodonta turbinata as biomonitor of trace metal pollution in seawater of a central Tyrrhenian ecosystem (Pontine Islands archipelago, Italy), one hundred individuals were collected in five strategic locations in two sampling campaigns during 2011 and 2012. Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were measured in the mollusks and in seawater samples (soluble fraction) collected in the same sites in order to obtain the respective concentration factors (CFs). Two-way ANOVA was applied to verify the presence of site and time effects. Then, the significant time effect due to the two sampling campaigns was eliminated by defining six new variables (one for each metal) and applied multivariate statistics in order to obtain more reliable results. Subsequently, the levels of metal contamination of Pontine Islands were compared with the naturality concentration ranges (control charts) previously established for the Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy; Conti et al. in Environ Sci Pollut Res 22:3640–3651, 2015). Monodonta resulted to be a very good accumulator of Cd (CF = 2100) and good accumulator of Cr (CF = 1570), Pb (CF = 1000) and Zn (CF = 1160). Levels of Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn in Monodonta from 2011 to 2012 decreased in the range from −22.8 of Pb to −41.9% of Cd in Ponza Frontone, Ponza Cala Fonte and Ponza harbor sites; on the contrary, Cr and Cu showed an increase of 3.4 and 63.7%, respectively, in the same sites from 2011 to 2012. A not univocal trend of metal bioaccumulation patterns between the two sampling campaigns (2011–2012) in the selected sites was observed. No one site resulted to be evidently more contaminated than another (i.e., Ponza harbor site as expected). In general, the metal levels in these marine areas are low and within the previously established baseline ranges for Tyrrhenian Sea (control charts). The results here reported can be used as a reference baseline levels for comparison with other marine geographical areas.

ACS Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Giustino Mele; Maria Grazia Finoia. Baseline Trace Metals Concentration in Monodonta turbinata Throughout Pontine Islands Archipelago, Italy. International Journal of Environmental Research 2017, 11, 13 -23.

AMA Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti, Giustino Mele, Maria Grazia Finoia. Baseline Trace Metals Concentration in Monodonta turbinata Throughout Pontine Islands Archipelago, Italy. International Journal of Environmental Research. 2017; 11 (1):13-23.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Giustino Mele; Maria Grazia Finoia. 2017. "Baseline Trace Metals Concentration in Monodonta turbinata Throughout Pontine Islands Archipelago, Italy." International Journal of Environmental Research 11, no. 1: 13-23.

Research article
Published: 18 February 2017 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
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In this study, we tested the aptitude of the gastropod mollusk Patella caerulea as biomonitor of elemental pollution in seawater of a central Tyrrhenian ecosystem (Pontine Islands archipelago and Lazio region coastal sites, Italy). Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were measured in 120 individuals collected in six strategic locations in two sampling campaigns during 2011 and 2012. Samples of surrounding seawater were also collected in the same sites and tested for the same metals in order to obtain the respective concentration factors (CFs). Then, we analyzed the evolution of contamination in the selected sites and compared our results with the baseline levels (control charts) previously established for Tyrrhenian seas (Conti et al. Environ Sci Pollut R 22:3640-3651,2015). With this purpose, we defined six new variables (one for each metal) and then we applied multivariate statistics, i.e., cluster analysis and discriminant analysis on the principal component analysis factors in order to obtain more reliable results. Patella resulted to be a strong bioaccumulator of Cd (CFs = 8990) and a good accumulator of Cr, Pb, and Zn. The levels of the majority of metals (i.e., Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in Patella decreased in the range from -13.06% of Zn to -42.51% of Ni in Fiumicino harbor, Anzio beach, and Ponza Harbor from 2011 to 2012. In general, the metal levels in these marine areas are low and within the previously established baseline ranges for Tyrrhenian Sea (control charts). Here, we found a not univocal trend of metal bioaccumulation patterns between the two sampling campaigns (2011-2012) in the selected sites. No one site resulted to be clearly more contaminated than another (i.e., harbor sites as expected). For instance, for Cd, we detected a relevant increase of its levels (+118%) in the harbors and Anzio beach sites from 2011 to 2012; however, they remained at lower levels of the lower limit (Q 2.5) of the control chart. Higher Pb levels with respect to the baseline values were observed for the majority of samples in the Ponza Cala Fonte site. Patella confirmed its usefulness as a cosmopolitan trace metal biomonitor in marine Mediterranean areas. The possibility of employing these results as a baseline level for comparative purposes in other marine areas is fully debated.

ACS Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Giustino Mele; Maria Grazia Finoia. Baseline trace metals in Patella caerulea in a central Tyrrhenian ecosystem (Pontine Islands archipelago and Lazio region coastal sites, Italy). Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2017, 24, 8852 -8865.

AMA Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti, Giustino Mele, Maria Grazia Finoia. Baseline trace metals in Patella caerulea in a central Tyrrhenian ecosystem (Pontine Islands archipelago and Lazio region coastal sites, Italy). Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2017; 24 (9):8852-8865.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Giustino Mele; Maria Grazia Finoia. 2017. "Baseline trace metals in Patella caerulea in a central Tyrrhenian ecosystem (Pontine Islands archipelago and Lazio region coastal sites, Italy)." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 24, no. 9: 8852-8865.

Journal article
Published: 04 December 2015 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
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Lichen Usnea barbata transplants were tested as a biomonitor of atmospheric deposition in an apparently pristine environment that is Tierra del Fuego region (Patagonia, Argentina). The present survey is connected with the volcanic eruption that started in north Patagonia on June 4, 2011 from the Puyehue-Cordn Caulle volcano, Chile (north Patagonia, at 1700 km of distance of our sampling sites). Lichens were collected in September 2011 (one month of exposure) and September 2012 (1 year of exposure) in 27 sites covering the northern region of the province where trees are not present. The atmospheric deposition of 27 elements by using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) was determined in the collected samples. The first aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the volcanic eruption on the regional atmospheric deposition comparing our results with baseline data we determined in U. barbata in 2006 in the same sites. The second aim was to test possible patterns of bioaccumulation between the two sampling campaigns after the volcanic eruption. With respect to 2006 baseline levels, we found significant higher levels for As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cs, Na, Sb and U in lichens collected after 1 month of exposure (first sampling campaign-2011). Between the two sampling campaigns (2011-2012) after the eruption, lichens reflected the natural contamination by volcanic ashes with significantly higher median levels of Br, Cr, Fe, K, Na, Sc, and Se. Results confirmed the very good aptitude of U. barbata to reflect the levels of elements in the environment at global scale and to reflect the volcanic emissions at distant places. Volcanic eruptions cause the emission in the atmosphere of elevated levels of particulate matter. In this regard, our findings demonstrate the importance to evaluate the metal composition of the particles to avoid possible health effects

ACS Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Raquel Jasan; Maria Grazia Finoia; Ivo Iavicoli; Rita Plá. Trace elements deposition in the Tierra del Fuego region (south Patagonia) by using lichen transplants after the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle (north Patagonia) volcanic eruption in 2011. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2015, 23, 6574 -6583.

AMA Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti, Raquel Jasan, Maria Grazia Finoia, Ivo Iavicoli, Rita Plá. Trace elements deposition in the Tierra del Fuego region (south Patagonia) by using lichen transplants after the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle (north Patagonia) volcanic eruption in 2011. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2015; 23 (7):6574-6583.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Raquel Jasan; Maria Grazia Finoia; Ivo Iavicoli; Rita Plá. 2015. "Trace elements deposition in the Tierra del Fuego region (south Patagonia) by using lichen transplants after the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle (north Patagonia) volcanic eruption in 2011." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 23, no. 7: 6574-6583.

Journal article
Published: 26 September 2014 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
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In this study, we investigated Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile leaves and in the brown algae Cystoseira sp. sampled along a 280-km transect in the Tyrrhenian Sea, from the Ustica to Linosa Islands (Sicily, Italy) with the aim to determine their control charts (baseline levels). By applying the Johnson’s (Biometrika 36:149–175, 1949) probabilistic method, we determined the metal concentration overlap ranges in a group of five biomonitors. Here, we propose the use of the indexes of bioaccumulation with respect to the lowest (L′i) and the highest (L i) extreme values of the overlap metal concentration ranges. These indexes allow the identification of the most opportune organism (or a suite of them) to better managing particular environmental conditions. Posidonia leaves have generally high L i indexes for Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn, and this suggests its use as biomonitor for baseline marine areas. Our results confirm the high aptitude of Patella as a good biomonitor for Cd levels in seawater. From this study, Ustica resulted with higher levels of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn than the other Sicilian Islands.

ACS Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Mauro Mecozzi; Maria Grazia Finoia. Determination of trace metal baseline values in Posidonia oceanica, Cystoseira sp., and other marine environmental biomonitors: a quality control method for a study in South Tyrrhenian coastal areas. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2014, 22, 3640 -3651.

AMA Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti, Mauro Mecozzi, Maria Grazia Finoia. Determination of trace metal baseline values in Posidonia oceanica, Cystoseira sp., and other marine environmental biomonitors: a quality control method for a study in South Tyrrhenian coastal areas. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2014; 22 (5):3640-3651.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Mauro Mecozzi; Maria Grazia Finoia. 2014. "Determination of trace metal baseline values in Posidonia oceanica, Cystoseira sp., and other marine environmental biomonitors: a quality control method for a study in South Tyrrhenian coastal areas." Environmental Science and Pollution Research 22, no. 5: 3640-3651.

Journal article
Published: 06 August 2014 in Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health
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The European Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) came into force in 1996. In 2010, the EU Parliament approves the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) that abrogates the IPPC directive. This directive lays down measures designed to regulate emissions arising from the activities of large European industries which recorded a constant decrease from 1990 to 2011. This trend refers especially to SOx /SO2 partly because of some technical changes such as the use of natural gas in the 1990s instead of coal and lignite. We can state that the 2008–2009 crisis is the most serious, affecting not only production but also other key economic sectors such as energy consumption. The aim of this work is to discuss relevant topics such as the current situation of industrial emissions in Europe and the trend of the industrial emissions since the promulgation of the directive. We also discuss the directive’s main application tools which are the best available techniques reference documents and the best available techniques that show some weakness. For instance, the “concentration approach” for measuring emissions does not comply with the environment and health problems, because it sets no limit to the production. We absolutely need to improve above mentioned tools if we want to reduce the emission of pollutants to acceptable levels, in spite of the European financial condition. The IPPC aimed at accelerating the reduction trend of the industrial emissions especially between 2000 and 2011. In conclusion, we still haven’t found evidences of significant results of its implementation as the emissions behaviour is also strongly influenced by the economy.

ACS Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Raffaele Ciasullo; Mabel Beatriz Tudino; Elias Jorge Matta. The industrial emissions trend and the problem of the implementation of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health 2014, 8, 151 -161.

AMA Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti, Raffaele Ciasullo, Mabel Beatriz Tudino, Elias Jorge Matta. The industrial emissions trend and the problem of the implementation of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health. 2014; 8 (2):151-161.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Raffaele Ciasullo; Mabel Beatriz Tudino; Elias Jorge Matta. 2014. "The industrial emissions trend and the problem of the implementation of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)." Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health 8, no. 2: 151-161.

Journal article
Published: 02 July 2014 in Chemistry Central Journal
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The levels of 19 elements (As, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, Tl, U, V, Zn) from sixteen different Argentine production sites of unifloral [eucalyptus (Eucaliptus rostrata), chilca (Baccharis salicifolia), Algarrobo (Prosopis sp.), mistol (Ziziphus mistol) and citric] and multifloral honeys were measured with the aim to test the quality of the selected samples. Typical quality parameters of honeys were also determined (pH, sugar content, moisture). Mineral elements were determined by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS DRC). We also evaluated the suitability of honey as a possible biomonitor of environmental pollution. Thus, the sites were classified through cluster analysis (CA) and then pattern recognition methods such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA) were applied.

ACS Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Maria Grazia Finoia; Luca Fontana; Giustino Mele; Francesco Botrè; Ivo Iavicoli. Characterization of Argentine honeys on the basis of their mineral content and some typical quality parameters. Chemistry Central Journal 2014, 8, 44 -44.

AMA Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti, Maria Grazia Finoia, Luca Fontana, Giustino Mele, Francesco Botrè, Ivo Iavicoli. Characterization of Argentine honeys on the basis of their mineral content and some typical quality parameters. Chemistry Central Journal. 2014; 8 (1):44-44.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Maria Grazia Finoia; Luca Fontana; Giustino Mele; Francesco Botrè; Ivo Iavicoli. 2014. "Characterization of Argentine honeys on the basis of their mineral content and some typical quality parameters." Chemistry Central Journal 8, no. 1: 44-44.

Journal article
Published: 01 March 2014 in Infrared Physics & Technology
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In this paper we analyze some chemical aspects concerning the browning development associated to the aggregation of marine organic matter (MOM) occurring in anoxic conditions. Organic matter samples obtained by the degradation of different algal samples were daily taken to follow the evolution of the aggregation process and the associated browning process. These samples were examined by Fourier transform mid infrared (FTIR) and Fourier transform near infrared (FTNIR) spectroscopy and the colour changes occurring during the above mentioned aggregation process were measured by means of Colour Indices (Cis). Spectral Cross Correlation Analysis (SCCA) was applied to correlate changes in CI values to the structural changes of MOM observed by FTIR and FTNIR spectra which were also submitted to Two-Dimensional Hetero Correlation Analysis (2HDCORR). SCCA results showed that all biomolecules present in MOM aggregates such as carbohydrates, proteins and lipids are involved in the browning development. In particular, SCCA results of algal mixtures suggest that the observed yellow-brown colour can be linked to the development of non enzymatic (i.e. Maillard) browning reactions. SCCA results for MOM furthermore suggest that aggregates coming from brown algae also showed evidence of browning related to enzymatic reactions. In the end 2HDCORR results indicate that hydrogen bond interactions among different molecules of MOM can play a significant role in the browning development. In this study the combination of spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR and FTNIR with Colour Indices measurements shows a peculiar ability to improve the knowledge of the complex mechanisms related to the aggregation of marine organic matter and its colour development under anoxic conditions such like those present in the marine environments at high depth. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

ACS Style

Mauro Mecozzi; Rita Acquistucci; Laura Nisini; Marcelo Enrique Conti. Mechanisms of browning development in aggregates of marine organic matter formed under anoxic conditions: A study by mid-infrared and near-infrared spectroscopy. Infrared Physics & Technology 2014, 63, 74 -83.

AMA Style

Mauro Mecozzi, Rita Acquistucci, Laura Nisini, Marcelo Enrique Conti. Mechanisms of browning development in aggregates of marine organic matter formed under anoxic conditions: A study by mid-infrared and near-infrared spectroscopy. Infrared Physics & Technology. 2014; 63 ():74-83.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mauro Mecozzi; Rita Acquistucci; Laura Nisini; Marcelo Enrique Conti. 2014. "Mechanisms of browning development in aggregates of marine organic matter formed under anoxic conditions: A study by mid-infrared and near-infrared spectroscopy." Infrared Physics & Technology 63, no. : 74-83.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2014 in International Journal of Environment and Health
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The aim of the paper is to offer a systemic overview about some critical and interdependent relations among carbon offset, carbon sequestration and carbon stock. Rooting in the complexity perspective, the work discusses some relevant measurement methods and financial issues related to the land use - land use change forestry (LULUCF) applied under Kyoto Protocol rules. There are uncertainties on the estimation on carbon flux owing to the application of various models of estimates. The study also focuses on the credits of forestry projects, which can be sold or purchased on the carbon market. In conclusion, the work sheds light on the complex side of decision processes in framing and selecting models to estimate the carbon balance under the Kyoto Protocol target. The opportunity for investment in forest projects depends on the cost management of the projects themselves, and the price between wood market and unit carbon.

ACS Style

Raffaele Ciasullo; Cristina Simone; Marcelo Enrique Conti. The complex issues of carbon sink: a critical overview. International Journal of Environment and Health 2014, 7, 171 .

AMA Style

Raffaele Ciasullo, Cristina Simone, Marcelo Enrique Conti. The complex issues of carbon sink: a critical overview. International Journal of Environment and Health. 2014; 7 (2):171.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Raffaele Ciasullo; Cristina Simone; Marcelo Enrique Conti. 2014. "The complex issues of carbon sink: a critical overview." International Journal of Environment and Health 7, no. 2: 171.

Journal article
Published: 18 February 2012 in Ecotoxicology
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With the aim to evaluate the mollusk Nacella (P)magellanica as biomonitor of elemental pollution in seawater of the Beagle Channel, more than one hundred individuals of the gastropod were sampled, separated in viscera and muscle, and then examined with respect to the accumulation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Collection was performed in seven strategic locations along 170 km of the coastal area of the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) in two campaigns during 2005 and 2007. Samples of surrounding seawater in the different sites were obtained and tested for the same metals as well. The accumulation capacity of Nacella (P)magellanica and thus its aptitude as biomonitor, was evaluated through the calculus of the preconcentration factors of the metals assayed. A discussion involving the comparison with other mollusks previously tested will be given. Several statistical approaches able to analyze data with environmental purposes were applied. Non parametric univariate tests such as Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney were carried out to assess the changes of the metal concentrations with time (2005 and 2007) in each location. Multivariate methods (linear discriminant analysis on PCA factors) were also applied to obtain a more reliable site classification. Johnson's probabilistic method was carried out for comparison between different geographical areas. The possibility of employing these results as heavy metals0 background levels of seawater from the Beagle Channel will be debated. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

ACS Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Jorge Stripeikis; Maria Grazia Finoia; Mabel Beatriz Tudino. Baseline trace metals in gastropod mollusks from the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego (Patagonia, Argentina). Ecotoxicology 2012, 21, 1112 -1125.

AMA Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti, Jorge Stripeikis, Maria Grazia Finoia, Mabel Beatriz Tudino. Baseline trace metals in gastropod mollusks from the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego (Patagonia, Argentina). Ecotoxicology. 2012; 21 (4):1112-1125.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Jorge Stripeikis; Maria Grazia Finoia; Mabel Beatriz Tudino. 2012. "Baseline trace metals in gastropod mollusks from the Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego (Patagonia, Argentina)." Ecotoxicology 21, no. 4: 1112-1125.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2012 in International Journal of Environment and Health
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This paper critically analyses the International policy on climate change, the role of the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol and the GHG emissions, particularly CO

ACS Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Raffaele Ciasullo; Elías Jorge Matta. Has the Kyoto Protocol reached its main goal? A brief review. International Journal of Environment and Health 2012, 6, 170 .

AMA Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti, Raffaele Ciasullo, Elías Jorge Matta. Has the Kyoto Protocol reached its main goal? A brief review. International Journal of Environment and Health. 2012; 6 (2):170.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marcelo Enrique Conti; Raffaele Ciasullo; Elías Jorge Matta. 2012. "Has the Kyoto Protocol reached its main goal? A brief review." International Journal of Environment and Health 6, no. 2: 170.