Trace and rare earth elements in phytoplankton from the Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy).

Plankton plays a very crucial role in bioaccumulation and transfer of metals in the marine food web and represents a suitable bioindicator of the occurrence of trace and rare earth elements in the ecosystem. Trace elements and REEs were analyzed by ICP-MS in phytoplankton samples from the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Metal concentrations in phytoplankton were found strongly influenced by seasons and depth of collection (- 30 m, - 50 m). Principal component analysis (PCA) has shown that Al, As, Cr, Cu, Ga, and Sn concentrations were related to summer and autumn in samples collected at 30 m depth, while Fe, Mn, Ni, V, and Zn levels related strongly with summer and spring at 50 m depth. Fe, Al, and Zn were the most represented elements in all samples (mean values respectively in the ranges 4.2-8.2, 9.6-13, and 1.0-4.4 mg kg-1) according to their widespread presence in the environment and in the earth crust. Principal component analysis (PCA) performed on REEs showed that mostly all lanthanides' concentrations strongly correlate with summer and autumn seasons (- 30 m depth); the highest ∑REE concentration (75 µg kg-1) was found in winter. Phytoplankton REE normalized profile was comparable to those of other marine biota collected in the same area according to the suitability of lanthanides as geological tracers.

Distribution of rare earth elements (REEs) in the feathers of gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) from different geographical locations of the Antarctic peninsula area.

Antarctica is the most remote and coldest regions of the planet, but the presence of REEs there has received little attention. This study assessed REE-contents in the feathers of adult gentoo penguins from Ardley Island, Kopaitic Island and Base O'Higgins. Field work was accomplished during 2011 (austral summer), and determination of elements was performed with ICP-MS. In general, REE-levels showed descending relations as follows: Ce > La > Y > Nd > Sc > Pr > Gd > Sm > Dy >Er > Yb > Eu > Ho > Tb > Tm > Lu. The data showed an increase of the levels of REEs from the lower part of the feather to the tip. This finding seems to be spatially dependent, but geochemical, anthropogenic conditions, feeding habits, sex, or even health status of birds should also be considered. It is a subject that requires deeper attention in future studies.

Passive surveillance of wild fauna in northwestern Italy: a possible cognitive approach through geographical district study and fur elementary analysis.

The analysis of animal hair is a useful and non-invasive investigation method for monitoring metal content, whose beginning dates to a few decades ago. This study addresses the issue of wildlife mortality in Piedmont and Aosta Valley by linking the evidence to the characteristics of the territories and to hair elemental profile. The considered animal species were badger, fox, marten, and wolf. The quantitative data for 11 trace metals and 16 lanthanides were evaluated considering animal location and death causes regarding impacts, whose relevant number was confined to the Turin province and to the badger and fox species. The evaluation of the analytical results was performed after the out of bounds sample identification by mean of statistics. For trace metals, some areas have thus been identified, mainly in Turin province, in which the large excess of As, Cd, and Pb was related to district pollution. Moreover, the lower contents of Fe, Mn, and Al in Aosta Valley badgers' hair seem influenced by the different characteristics of the subsoil, in comparison to Piedmont, and a relationship with the living environment and the habits was suggested. Regarding lanthanides, Biella province represents an area in which environmental contamination and abundance of rare-earth elements was recorded.

Burden of rare earth elements and trace elements in feathers of magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) from the southern Chilean Patagonia.

Patagonia is one of the last pristine regions on the southern hemisphere. The impact of rare earth element (REEs) and trace elements (TEs) in this region have received little attention. The main goal was to assess REEs burden in feathers of adult magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). Sampling was performed at Magdalena Island of the Chilean Patagonia during the austral summer of 2011. Multi-elemental determination of 16 REEs and 24 TEs was performed with ICP-MS. The levels of REEs, TEs, and stable isotopes (δ15N, δ13C, and δ34S) were measured to assess the factors that condition the avian exposure to environmental contaminants. The results showed an increase of the levels of REEs and TEs from the calamus to the feather's tip. In the whole feather, the highest levels corresponded to Ce, which exhibited more than two order of magnitude than Lu and Tm levels. Similar to other penguin species, magellanic penguins can be vectors of REEs and metals in remote regions. Stable isotopes revealed that trophic ecology may influence some of the element concentrations in feathers of magellanic penguins, an issue that requires deeper attention.

Phthalate diester occurrence in marine feed and food (Mediterranean Sea).

Organic contaminants such as diesters of phthalic acid (PAEs) can be conveyed by microplastics in aquatic environment and constitute a relevant risk to marine organisms and humans that consume them. A method was developed for the identification and quantitative detection of 6 dimethyl phthalate (DMP), di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DNBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di-2-ethylesyl phthalate (DHEP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP). PAEs were then quantified in mesozooplankton, mollusk bivalves, and fish from the north-western Mediterranean Sea. Among all PAEs, DEHP was found in all zooplankton samples, in 30% of fish samples, and in 10% of bivalve samples. DBP was instead recovered in only 4% of samples (plankton and fish).

Preliminary Data on Essential and Non-essential Element Occurrence in Processed Animal Proteins from Insects.

Insects represent a valuable and environmentally friendly protein alternative in food and feed. The Farm to Fork strategy encouraged the reintroduction of animal by-products in feed production to optimise recycling and to valorise under-used resources. In order to grant safe and valuable feed products, this study investigated the black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) chemical risk. Samples collected in different steps of production (8 samples of substrate for culturing, 7 samples of larvae, 15 samples of protein meal, 18 samples of spent substrate) were analysed for microessential elements (chromium, copper, iron, nickel, selenium and zinc) and inorganic contaminants (aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, tin and vanadium) by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Microessential elements were found in the following order: Fe > Zn > Cu > Ni > Se > Cr (mg kg-1). Non-essential element concentrations were found lower than the set limits according to the European Union Regulations. The growing demand for alternative protein sources for feed production could be partially compensated by black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) meal, as it appears a good source for high-quality proteins and microessential elements which play a pivotal role in animal growth. In the foreseeable future the current legislation and the official monitoring plans may be implemented and broaden, to focus and assess limits for upcoming matrices, and to ensure feed and food safety.

Optimization and validation of a quick and responsive LC-ESI-MS/MS method to evaluate tetracycline residues in processed animal proteins (PAPs).

Following the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in 2001, processed animal proteins (PAPs) reintroduction is envisaged in non-ruminant feed thanks to their high protein content, easy availability and cost-effective characteristics. PAPs must be submitted to rendering practices, providing sterilization of products, under standardized conditions of temperature and pressure, according to Regulation (EC) No 142/2011. However, the chemical risk associated to these raw materials has been never evaluated. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a reliable liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination and quantification of tetracycline residues in PAPs at µg kg-1 level. The LC-MS/MS method performances were evaluated in terms of specificity, linearity (25-500 µg kg-1), limit of quantitation (LOQ) (25 µg kg-1), accuracy and precision (CV% < 25%), uncertainty, recovery (80-120%) and ruggedness. All the evaluated parameters fulfilled the analytical performance criteria, and the validated LC-MS/MS method fits for purpose as confirmatory method on the occurrence of residues (µg kg-1) of tetracyclines in PAPs. PAPs are a powerful product which could be used both as raw materials in feed and in organic fertilizer production in a circular economy context. Therefore, the lack of regulation and control over antibiotic occurrence should be implemented to avoid a misuse and an increment of antibiotic resistance pressure over the environment and to ensure safety of the feed and food chain.

Multi-Level System to Assess Toxicity in Water Distribution Plants.

The toxicity of water samples from water distribution plants needs to be investigated further. Indeed, studies on the pro-oxidant effects driven by tap water are very limited. In this study, the water quality, pro-oxidant effects, and potential health risks driven by exposure to groundwater samples from two water plants (sites A and B) located in Northwestern Italy were investigated in a multi-level system. Physicochemical parameters and the absence of pathogens, cyanotoxins, and endocrine active substances indicated a good water quality for both sites. The 25 metals analyzed were found under the limit of quantification or compliant with the maximum limits set by national legislation. Water samples were concentrated by the solid-phase extraction system in order to assess the aquatic toxicity on Epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cell line. Levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione reductase were evaluated through the Integrated Biomarkers Response (IBRv2) index. EPC cell line was found a sensible model for assessing the antioxidant responses driven by both water concentrates. A similar antioxidant response was shown by plots and IBRv2 suggesting a muted risk for the two sampling sites.

Trace and rare earth element bioaccumulation in the spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus stellaris).

Metals (trace elements and rare earth elements, REEs) were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in blood, the liver, the kidney and muscle of ex situ spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus stellaris). The controlled environment in which these elasmobranchs were hosted allowed to assess a baseline level of metals in the different organs since exposure via water and food can be easily monitored. The highest arsenic, chromium, copper, and iron values were found in the liver, cobalt in the kidney, and cadmium and rubidium in muscle. The highest total trace elements content was found in the trend liver (75 mg kg-1) > blood (33 mg kg-1) > muscle (31 mg kg-1) > kidney (10 mg kg-1), while the ΣREEs was the liver (30 µg kg-1) > muscle (15 µg kg-1) > kidney (13 µg kg-1) > blood (4.1 µg kg-1). Between REEs, the most represented element was scandium. Significant differences in the concentration of metals among organs were observed for almost all elements. Nonessential elements were generally lower and essential elements higher in the examined specimens compared to wild elasmobranchs, suggesting a close relationship between a balanced diet and animal welfare.

Occurrence of trace elements in Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) from an experimental pilot farm in the Calich Lagoon (Sardinia, Italy).

The present study aimed to determine trace elements in Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from an experimental pilot farm of the Calich Lagoon, a typical Sardinian brackish area (Italy). Two sampling sessions were scheduled in February and May 2019 and the occurrence of 24 metals (Hg, Ag, Al, As, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, In, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sn, Ti, V, Zn) in bivalves was considered. Environmental conditions of water (temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll a) were also measured in situ. A high significant (P<0.001) difference was reported for temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Our results showed a significant sessional variation of Mo (P<0.001); Cd, V (P<0.01); Ni, Pb and Co (P<0.05) in examined M. galloprovincialis samples; as all values were higher in February than those for May session samples, meanwhile the highest levels were reported for Mg (mean±s.d. 1151±263 mg kg-1 wet weight), Al (mean±s.d. 341±192 mg kg-1 w.w.), and Fe (mean±s.d. 212 ±75 mg kg-1 w.w.) in February samples. The European Union uppermost values (EC Reg. 1881/2006) for Cd, Hg, and Pb were never overpassed. The results confirmed the role of M. galloprovincialis as one of the most appropriate biological indexes to track the presence of trace elements in brackish environments. It could be concluded that the current ecology of the Calich Lagoon suggests that compatibly with the transitional ecosystem, the classification as a bivalves' production area and the implementation of extensive shellfish farming can improve its production capacities. The knowledge of the lagoon ecology is an essential tool for its sustainable exploitation, preserving biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of anthropogenic activities on public health.

Processed animal proteins (PAPs) in animal nutrition: Assessment of the chemical risk of essential and non-essential elements.

BACKGROUND: Processed animal products (PAPs) could be a great alternative to common protein supplements and represent a good example of recycling and valorization of by-products. Due to the reintroduction of certain types of PAPs in feed, a deeper knowledge of these heterogeneous matrices is needed. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of essential elements and inorganic contaminants in 55 PAPs considered as potential alternatives to common protein supplements. METHODS: PAPs samples were analysed for essential (cobalt, nickel, chromium, copper, zinc, iron and manganese) and non-essential elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury) by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), Graphite Furnace Atomization Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (GF-AAS) and dual cell Direct Mercury Analyzer spectrometer (DMA-80). RESULTS: Essential elements were found with the following decreasing order iron>zinc>copper>manganese>chromium>nickel>cobalt (mg kg-1). Only one sample was found non-compliant to lead concentration according to the European Union Regulation while negligible values of others non-essential elements were found. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that PAPs could be a useful supplement for animal diet due to their natural content of essential elements. A careful monitoring of chemical elements should be required and eventually guidelines have to be drafted for a correct use of PAPs to ensure a safe and sustainable feed production.

Wildlife hair as bioindicators of metal exposure.

Animal hair is a useful biomonitoring tool for assessing the occurrence of trace elements in ecosystems. Essential (chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, and zinc) and nonessential (aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, palladium, platinum, rubidium, tin, and vanadium) elements were investigated in hair of badger (Meles meles), wild boar (Sus scrofa), marmot (Marmota marmota), wolf (Canis lupus), fox (Vulpes vulpes) and deer (Cervus elaphus) from Northwestern Italy. Badger was found to be the highest bioaccumulator of metals, while wolf, fox and deer recorded the lowest values. Essential elements contribute in higher degree to the sum of metals for all species except for wild boar. Results have shown that animals with omnivorous diet such as badger, marmot and wild boar have metal content (especially Al, As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, V) higher than carnivores (wolf and fox) and herbivores (deer) and could represent an effective sentinel of environmental exposure to metals.

Microplastics as vectors of metals contamination in Mediterranean Sea.

Microplastics are contaminants of great concern all over the world. Microplastics constitute pollutants themselves; moreover, other contaminants such as metals are easily absorbed on their plastic surface, becoming bioavailable to marine biota such as zooplankton.We collected marine zooplankton from Mediterranean Sea to investigate trace elements associated with microplastics. Samples were subjected to visual sorting by a stereomicroscope, collected with sterile tweezers, pooled and subjected to sonication, filtration, and drying before being subjected to acid extraction. An ICP-MS was utilized for multi-elemental determination.Aluminum, iron, chromium, zinc, nickel, molybdenum, manganese, lead cobalt, and copper were found at concentrations of mg/kg while arsenic, vanadium, rubidium, and cadmium at level of µg kg-1. Other elements such as silver, beryllium, bismuth, selenium, tin, and thallium were under the limit of quantitation. Lower levels of iron and manganese in samples from Italy were found in comparison to England and Brazil, while aluminum, copper, and zinc registered comparable values. The presence of metals in marine waters is strictly related to sediment lithology and anthropogenic inputs, but plastic plays a key role as vectors for metal ions in the marine system, being able to concentrate metals several order of magnitude higher than in surrounding waters and exerting potential toxicity for living beings after chronic exposure.

Aluminium occurrence in plant feed from Northwestern Italy.

BACKGROUND: Aluminium (Al) is widespread in nature, but the main route of exposure for humans and animals is through food. Cereals and vegetables give and important contribute to dietary intake. This investigation focused on the occurrence aluminium in raw materials intended for animal consumption. In fact, Al is not included in the official monitoring programs, and little or no data are still available about its presence in feed or plant material. METHODS: Rice, wheat, corn, barley, rye, triticale, oats, and soy samples were collected in Northwestern Italy in an area characterized by clayey soil rich in aluminium silicates. Samples were subjected to homogenization and microwave acid digestion and Al was quantified by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). RESULTS: Different aluminium concentrations were found in the analyzed raw materials: soy (89 mg kg-1) > rye > rice > oat > triticale > barley > wheat > corn (2.9 mg kg-1). In this study, Al concentrations were found higher than those reported for same matrices in other UE and non-EU countries, especially in rice and soy. CONCLUSIONS: Al concentrations were related to the soil geological feature and to the physiological characteristics of the plant species. These two factors must be carefully considered for a reliable evaluation of aluminium exposure through feed and food.

Poaching of endangered species in Mediterranean Sea: Alopias vulpinus.

A thresher shark poached by fishermen in the stretch of sea between the island of Ponza and the coast of Terracina (Lazio, Central Italy, Mediterranean Sea) and confiscated by the Italian health authorities was evaluated for the presence of chemical contaminants. Hg mean concentration of 2.1 mg kg-1 was found in muscle; speciation analysis confirmed it was almost in the toxic organic form of MeHg (2.0 mg kg-1). The Se:Hg molar ratio was <1 not protective against the toxic effect of Hg. 137Cs was detected at a mean concentration of 0.53 Bq kg-1, and 40K, radioisotope of natural origin was found at 91 Bq kg-1. Dioxins and PCBs were found in the common thresher shark at mean concentrations of 0.012 and 0.088 pg TEQ-WHO g-1 w.w. while NDL PCBs at 4.5 ng g-1 w.w., lower than limits set by European Regulation. The major concern is constituted by the presence of Hg twice the maximum limit set by EU Regulation, then the consumption of thresher shark flesh should be strongly discouraged.

Seasonal accumulation of trace elements in native Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) collected in the Calich Lagoon (Sardinia, Italy).

The occurrence of 21 trace elements in native Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Calich Lagoon, a typical brackish area of the northwest of Sardinia (Italy), was investigated. The seasonal variation of metals in bivalves was considered, and the highest values were found in spring and summer; in particular, a high significant (P < 0.001) temporal variation was reported for silver (Ag) and mercury (Hg). The highest and similar concentrations were registered for aluminium (Al, mean 32 mg kg-1wet weight), iron (Fe, mean 32 mg kg-1 w. w.), and zinc (Zn, mean 25 mg kg-1 w. w.). The maximum limits set by European Regulations for cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) were never exceeded. Speciation analysis revealed negligible risk related to inorganic arsenic (iAs). Therefore, M. galloprovincialis confirmed its role as suitable bioindicator to monitor the contamination of coastal environments. Although the recommended tolerable weekly intake (TWI) was not exceeded, the levels of aluminium should be carefully evaluated in monitoring plans in the studied lagoon. Graphical abstract.

Development of an easy portable procedure for on-site determination of mercury and methylmercury.

A portable measurement and speciation procedure for inorganic mercury (HgIN) and methylmercury (CH3Hg) was developed. A portable sample pretreatment was optimized to determine total mercury content. A new home-made sorbent (CYXAD, CHYPOS 101 modified Amberlite XAD), was prepared to separate HgIN and CH3Hg. Mercury species were determined using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SW-ASV) with a solid gold electrode (SGE) and using a portable potentiostat. A certified reference material, five freeze-dried samples and three fresh samples were analysed with conventional voltammetric analyzer, after dissolution of the samples in microwave oven, and with a portable potentiostat after the mild eating procedure. The results obtained by SW-ASV were compared with those obtained using Direct Mercury Analyser (DMA). The quantification with the portable method is comparable to that obtained with the DMA. Retention tests showed the selectivity of CYXAD for HgIN, its stability and the possibility to re-use the same aliquot of resin.

Occurrence and persistence of enteric viruses, arsenic and biotoxins in Pacific oysters farmed in an Italian production site.

The presence of Norovirus (NoV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in non-depurated and depurated oysters raised in the north-west Italian coast was investigated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Total and inorganic arsenic (As) and the presence of marine biotoxins (DSP, ASP, PSP) by LC-MS were also investigated. NoV was detected through all the sampling period in non depurated and depurated oysters with highest levels during wintertime (>104 genome copies per gram, gc/g) and minimum values in summer below the LOQ (<130/140 gc/g). HEV has never been found as well as biotoxins. Total As concentration was found in oysters in the range 0.45-3.0 mg/kg, while inorganic As was found in all samples in concentrations below the LOQ (<0.020 mg/kg). The study highlights how the 24 h depuration process didn't reduce significantly NoV levels and therefore the high concentration of NoV in oysters could represent a risk for consumers especially during winter and spring months.

Distribution and bioaccumulation of trace elements and lanthanides in apples from Northwestern Italy.

BACKGROUND: Transfer of metals from soil to plant is a possible route of contamination for the food chain. This investigation focused on the occurrence of 40 elements in the "Red Apple of Cuneo", an Italian excellence and a Protected Geographical Indication (P.G.I.). Four cultivars were considered: Red Delicious (Jeromine) and Gala (Bukeye, Brookfield, Schniga). METHODS: Trace elements and rare earth elements (REEs) detection was performed by an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) previous homogenization of samples and microwave acid digestion. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni correction was employed to for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Concentrations of metals in the four apples cultivars were quite comparable, Al and Rb were the most represented nonessential elements while Fe, Cu and Zn between the essential; REEs were found at negligible concentrations. Bioaccumulation factors demonstrated an extremely low capacity of bioaccumulation from soil to fruit. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis performed on the "Red Apple of Cuneo" has shown that this product is safe for human consumption since metals were recovered at concentrations of no concern and lower than those registered in apples from other countries. Since each production area is characterized by a typical elemental pattern the multielemental profile based on the analysis of 40 elements could be useful to relate products to their region of origin. Differences between the four apple cultivars were instead not significant to discriminate between them.

Trace and rare earth elements in monofloral and multifloral honeys from Northwestern Italy; A first attempt of characterization by a multi-elemental profile.

BACKGROUND: Metals are a minor constituent in honey, but they have been suggested to be a potential tool to characterize honeys according to their botanical or geographical origin. METHODS: A total of 40 metals were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry in monofloral and multifloral honeys from Northwestern Italy. PCA and ANOVA were used to discriminate honeys according to the various floral types. RESULTS: The highest levels of trace elements and rare earth elements (REEs) were found in chestnut honey, while the lowest concentrations were recorded in acacia and rhododendron honeys. Rubidium and aluminum were the most represented nonessential elements, while manganese, iron, zinc and copper had the highest values of the essential elements. Potentially toxic elements arsenic, cadmium and lead were close to or below the limit of quantification. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed significant differences in metal concentrations according to honey floral type, reflecting the strong influence of botanical origin on the chemical composition of this particular food.