Biotoxicity and life cycle assessment of two commercial antifouling coatings in marine systems.

Two commercial coating systems, each one consisting of both a primer and an antifouling ("System 1" based on Copper Oxide and "System 2" based on Zinc Oxide), have been analyzed in order to investigate their environmental impacts through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and laboratory tests. A cradle-to-grave analysis has been performed in order to quantify the environmental footprint of each coating solution and to define which element, material, or process mainly affect the environmental impact of such products. Moreover, it was performed a comparison between the different products to determine the most environmentally sustainable choice. In addition to LCA, several incubations of coated metal samples, by means of an innovative incubation system developed by the authors, have also been performed in marine water (Gulf of Naples, Mediterranean Sea, Italy), as critical environment favoring metal corrosion and biofouling generation. The life cycle analysis has showed that the production phase presents the highest environmental impact in almost all categories, mainly due to the use of chemical compounds. Moreover, after the laboratory tests, strong biotoxicity and contaminant diffusion, contributing to the marine toxicity potential, have been observed for both the commercial paints. As a final remark, there are straightforward indications of a strong need for anti-Microbial-Induced-Corrosion commercial coatings to substitute the toxic compounds with others in order to develop a greener solution.

Atmospheric fall-out of POPs (PCDD-Fs, PCBs, HCB, PAHs) around the industrial district of Porto Marghera, Italy.

In order to estimate the importance of atmospheric fall-out of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) around the industrial district of Porto Marghera, Italy, atmospheric depositions of POPs were collected using bulk samplers inside the Lagoon of Venice. Seventy-seven atmospheric deposition samples were collected monthly over a 12-month period (March 2003-March 2004) at seven sites located close to the industrial area of Porto Marghera. Samples were analysed by HRGC/HRMS for PCDD-Fs, PCBs, HCB and PAHs. Differences in mean daily fluxes of all organic pollutants between industrial, urban and lagoonal stations were clear, atmospheric depositions at industrial sites being higher than target values for dioxin deposition recommended by the EU strategy on dioxins, furans and polychlorobiphenyls. In order to calculate atmospheric loadings of POPs around the industrial district, we considered an area defined by a distance of 10 km from the hypothetical centre-point of the main sources of atmospheric emissions from Porto Marghera. The calculated loadings, compared with the previous estimates, show that annual loadings of POPs are 12, 510, 90 and 130 kg of PCDD-Fs, PCBs, HCB and PAHs, respectively, corresponding to 350-500 mg TEQ, thus indicating a slight decrease in PCBs and a great decrease in HCB with respect to 1998-99. The input coming from the atmosphere is of the same order of magnitude of that due to the watershed runoff and approximately one-half of the direct industrial discharges.

Atmospheric fall-out of metals around the Murano glass-making district (Venice, Italy).

BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE: Murano's glass-makers have held a monopoly on quality glass-making for centuries known all over the world. Artistic glass manufacture entails exposure to complex mixtures of pollutants, including metals. A few studies have reported high levels of trace elements in marine waters, sediments and mussels around Murano and shown that emissions from Murano glass-making workshops significantly influence air quality in the Venice area. Nevertheless, to date, there is very little information on atmospheric concentrations and virtually none on atmospheric deposition fluxes of trace elements around the island. This study presents data on the distribution of trace elements in the air and atmospheric depositions around Murano, based on a 2-year sampling period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Airborne PM10 particulate matter was collected daily in the period December 2001-June 2003 (254 air samples), and atmospheric depositions were collected every 19 +/- 6 days, in the period August 2001-July 2003 (38 samples) on the roof of the Experimental Glass Laboratory on the island of Murano. All samples were analysed by ICP-MS for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se and Zn contents. RESULTS: Atmospheric concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn were 1-2 orders of magnitude greater on the island of Murano than in the nearest urban areas (Venice and Mestre), with values higher than those reported for European industrial sites. The atmospheric deposition fluxes of all elements were also higher in Murano than those detected by other studies in Venice and Mestre and in the Porto Marghera industrial zone, with As, Cd, Sb and Se 1-2 orders of magnitude higher. DISCUSSION: In order to study the spatial variability of the atmospheric fall-out, data from other sampling stations belonging to Venice atmospheric deposition monitoring networks were used. A decreasing gradient from Murano to the closer leeward stations was observed for As, Cd and Se. Pb and Zn deposition fluxes in Venice were also comparable to those observed in the Porto Marghera industrial zone, thus, indicating a similar or even higher level of contamination. Principal component analysis confirmed significant contamination from the glassworks. CONCLUSIONS: As shown by our study, atmospheric loadings of metals around Murano are significant. These observations confirm that emissions from Murano also significantly influence atmospheric deposition in the Venice area. Specifically, the mean daily Cd flux in the most affected area, which includes the whole of the historic city centre of Venice, is approximately 18 microg m(-2) day(-1), i.e. more than 65 times higher than the Dutch limit and more than three times higher than that of Germany. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: On the basis of our data, there is a clear-cut need for remedial action in the Lagoon of Venice. Monitoring is indispensable, so that the efficacy of remedial measures can be evaluated and appropriate information about risks for human health and well-being can be made available. The atmospheric compartment must also be considered by Italian and European law which, until now, has not yet established any standard for atmospheric deposition.